City Council Agenda Briefing (Virtual) (Sep 3, 2026)

City Council Agenda Briefing Recap – September 3, 2026

On September 3, 2026, the City Council held a virtual Agenda Briefing to review upcoming items for their regular meeting on September 8th and discuss several ongoing initiatives. This session, primarily focused on information sharing among Council members and staff, did not include public comment or formal votes. The briefing covered a wide range of topics from budget adjustments to long-term planning projects, providing valuable insight into the direction the city is heading.

A significant portion of the discussion centered on budget and financial matters. A proposed $4.2 million budget amendment was discussed, designed to facilitate cash flow for various Helene-related projects like the Gashas Creek bridge and parks improvements. While some initial confusion arose regarding its purpose, clarification was provided: the amendment isn’t directly spending that amount but rather enabling temporary funding to support these projects, with reimbursement expected from FEMA. The Council also received updates on two transit-related grants: a $1.1 million annual grant for ART system maintenance and an application for a substantial $48 million FTA grant to relocate the ART Operations and Maintenance Facility. Staff will provide further details on a mobile pay app for transit users in the coming weeks, which promises to modernize fare collection.

Beyond finances, a considerable portion of the briefing was dedicated to planning and development initiatives. The Council received an update on the Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) update, a major undertaking expected to span approximately two years. A robust community engagement strategy is planned, incorporating language translation, a Community Ambassadors Program, focus groups targeting specific demographics, and a centralized digital hub. Altogether has been selected as the public engagement firm to lead this effort. Concerns were raised regarding previously allocated funding for downtown and riverfront design guideline updates, highlighting a need to ensure these crucial improvements remain on track. Finally, the Council heard about progress in the Deaverview master planning project, a collaborative effort with the Housing Authority and Asheville Peak Academy.

The briefing also included updates on several ongoing programs and partnerships. The KALA program, a successful collaboration between the city, county, and Asheville City Schools Foundation, is expected to continue receiving funding. A request from the Asheville Tenants Union to amend the housing code – making it unlawful to collect rent if a dwelling unit contains an unsafe life safety condition – was introduced and will be considered at a future Council meeting. Marcus Kirkman from Housing and Economic Development presented on the Asheville Business Inclusion (ABI) program, outlining adjustments to North Carolina’s Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) program. The city is temporarily pausing race and gender-conscious goal setting to minimize legal risk while developing a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) framework, with policy recommendations and a roadmap expected in January 2027.

What Happens Next? Several key action items emerged from the briefing: City Clerk will review and potentially reword language surrounding the budget amendment; HED staff will provide a more detailed update on the D Review Master Plan; and Council members are awaiting further information regarding homelessness funding initiatives. The City Council will formally consider the Asheville Tenants Union request at a future meeting, and staff is actively exploring options for an SBE framework to support local businesses. Residents can expect further discussion and potential votes on the CDBG/Home funding and a Home ARP substantial amendment at the September 22nd meeting.

This Agenda Briefing provided a valuable glimpse into the city’s priorities and ongoing projects, demonstrating a commitment to financial stability, comprehensive planning, and equitable community development. While no formal decisions were made during this session, the discussions laid the groundwork for important policy considerations in the weeks and months to come. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about these developments by attending future City Council meetings and reviewing the agenda materials available on the city website.