# City Council Meeting (In-Person) (Sep 8, 2026)

**Body:** City of Asheville — City Council
**Date:** September 8, 2026 5:00 PM EDT (2026-09-08T17:00:00-04:00)
**Location:** 70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2950

## Summary

**Asheville City Council Meeting Recap**
**Date:** September 8, 2026
**Body:** City Council

The Asheville City Council convened for an in-person meeting on September 8, 2026, focusing on routine approvals, capital project updates, and significant policy changes regarding tenant protections. The session included the adoption of the Consent Agenda, a quarterly report on capital projects, and a first reading of a new ordinance designed to protect tenants from unsafe living conditions. The meeting concluded with public comments addressing housing quality, wildlife management, and public safety, alongside several staff follow-up commitments.

The Council approved the Consent Agenda, which included authorizing contracts for the Living Asheville Comprehensive Plan update, a master plan for the Deaverview neighborhood, and various grant applications for disaster recovery and transit infrastructure. Notably, the Vice Mayor was recused from Item E, which authorized a contract with City Collective, LLC, to develop a master plan for city-owned land in the Deaverview neighborhood. Mayor Manheimer described this as a partnership to create affordable, mixed-income housing with educational amenities. The Council also approved a budget amendment to cover $4.2 million in Tropical Storm Helene recovery expenses and fund a temporary skating rink project. Additionally, permission was granted for the possession and consumption of beer and wine at the upcoming Oktoberfest event.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a Capital Projects Update provided by Walter Ear, Director of Capital and Asset Management. The report highlighted nine completed projects totaling nearly $46 million from the previous year. Key ongoing initiatives included $11.3 million in immediate repairs for city garages, which will be phased to maintain parking availability, and design-phase work on the Eagle and Market Street enhancements. Other updates covered the Broadway Public Safety Station art project, Greenway Connectors, and riverfront recovery projects, with public engagement scheduled for later in the fall.

The Council adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 4 of the City Code to add protections for tenants against unsafe dwelling conditions. The measure makes it unlawful for landlords to collect rent after a city inspector issues an order declaring a dwelling unfit for human habitation. The motion passed on the first reading, though City Attorney Brad Branham noted that because the ordinance carries potential criminal penalties, it requires a supermajority. If it fails to gain that threshold, a second reading would be required. Mayor Manheimer stated, "I think that being poor should not be a death sentence in Asheville. I think that poor people too have a right to safe housing and dignity in their housing."

Public comment featured extensive discussion on housing quality, bear management, and homelessness. Residents from the Asheville Area Tenants Union and anonymous renters shared stories of unsafe conditions, such as mold and broken elevators, arguing the new ordinance is necessary to hold negligent landlords accountable. Property managers supported holding bad actors accountable but urged caution to distinguish them from responsible landlords dealing with emergencies. Other residents advocated for a "Bear Wise Asheville" initiative, calling for mandatory bear-resistant trash containers and stronger enforcement to prevent bear euthanasia. Concerns were also raised about the growing unhoused population in West Asheville and transit policies regarding bus connections.

Several staff follow-ups were explicitly agreed to during the meeting. Mayor Manheimer and Council Member Hess indicated the City needs to coordinate with the NC Wildlife Commission regarding the bear situation and look into ordinances regarding feeding bears, while Council Member Roney requested an update on the backlog for bear-resistant trash cans. Council Member Hess requested that the homelessness issue in West Asheville be placed on the agenda for every Public Safety meeting until it is under control and requested information on shelter fund spending. The City Manager and Mayor indicated they would follow up to evaluate resources for the Haw Creek Park invasive species removal project. Additionally, Council Member Sage Turner suggested the Housing and Community Development committee could take up the conversation on mold regulations in the future.

## Votes

- Councilwoman Roney moved for the adoption of the Consent Agenda, with the deletion of Consent Agenda "E".  This motion was seconded by Councilwoman Turner and carried unanimously. — Passed, 7-0
- Councilwoman Turner moved to recuse Vice-Mayor Mosley from participating in this matter due to a conflict of interest.  This motion was seconded by Councilwoman Roney and carried unanimously (Vice-Mayor Mosley did not vote). — Passed, 7-0
- Councilman Hess moved to adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with City Collective, LLC in an amount not to exceed $399,800 to develop a Master Plan for land in the Deaverview neighborhood owned by the City of Asheville and Housing Authority of the City of Asheville.  This motion was seconded by Councilwoman Roney and carried unanimously (Vice-Mayor Mosley did not vote). — Passed, 7-0
- Councilwoman Ullman moved to adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 4 of the Code 0f Ordinances of the City of Asheville by adding a new Section 4-209(C) in order to provide additional protections for tenants from unsafe dwelling conditions  This motion was seconded by Councilwoman Turner and carried unanimously. — Passed, 7-0
- Councilwoman Ullman moved to adopt the ordinance amending Chapter 4 of the Code of Ordinances by adding a new Section 4-209 (c) in order to provide additional protections for tenants from unsafe dwelling conditions, with the amendment to Section 4-209 (c) as follows:  addition of the "It shall be unlawful for the owner of a dwelling to collect rent from a tenant who occupies the dwelling at the time it becomes unfit for human occupancy, unsafe, and represents a threat to life or property, or to permit any other person to begin occupancy of such a dwelling.  A dwelling shall be subject to this provision if any of the conditions contained in Section 4-209 (a) exist, and upon the issuance of an order prepared in accordance with Section 4-217 (b)". This motion was seconded by Councilwoman Turner. The motion made by Councilwoman Ullman and seconded by Councilwoman Turner carried unanimously. — Passed, 7-0

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzEX9F3UXZI
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/2103/segments

## Documents

- [Memo - Follow-Up.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2950?document=13098)
- [Consent A - 8-25-26 Regular Meeting.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2950?document=13103)
- [Consent D - Helene Expenses .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2950?document=13099)
- [Agenda - Spanish.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2950?document=13100)
- [Consent J - Dogwood Application.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2950?document=13105)
- [Consent H - NCDOT Agrmt with SMAP.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2950?document=13107)
- [Consent G - Grant for Barricade Trailer Project.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2950?document=13108)
- [Consent F - CAYLA - Asheville City Schools Foundation.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2950?document=13109)
- [Consent E - Deaverview Planning Contract Authorization.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2950?document=13110)
- [Consent B - UDO Contract Auth .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2950?document=13111)
- [Consent C - Alcohol at Event.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2950?document=13112)
- [Consent A - 8-25-26 - Special Meeting.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2950?document=13113)
- [Consent I - FTA Grant for Low or No Emissions.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2950?document=13106)
- [action_agenda_2026-09-08.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2950?document=13097)
- [New A - Tenant Protection.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2950?document=13104)
- [Agenda.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2950?document=13102)
- [Public Comment - Haw Creek Park Restoration Presention - Doug Baughman.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2950?document=13101)
- [City Council Meeting Agenda.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2950?document=13597)
- [Memo - Follow-up.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2950?document=13385)
- [New Development in Biltmore Village.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2950?document=13598)
- [minutes_2026-09-08.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2950?document=13600)

## Sources

- [City of Asheville WordPress](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/meetings/city-council-meeting-in-person-sep-8-2026/)
- [Resolutions](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1COODKjDRxW1vd8JeEpLDDYhnAT3zCk7r/view?usp=drive_link)
- [Ordinances](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1scZ-9m7hdJkxtnYLiPzQ0LP1jj-ccIHQ/view?usp=drive_link)
- [Public Input](https://publicinput.com/g1267)
- [City Council agenda page](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/city-council-agenda/)