# Special Meeting: City Council Closed Session (Virtual) (Jul 23, 2026)

**Body:** City of Asheville — City Council
**Date:** July 23, 2026 1:30 PM EDT (2026-07-23T13:30:00-04:00)

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2972

## Summary

**Meeting Overview**
On July 23, 2026, the Asheville City Council convened for a Special Closed Session meeting via virtual format. The session was presided over by Mayor Esther Manheimer, with Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley serving as the primary mover of procedural motions. Council members Smith and Redding were present for the vote. The meeting was strictly procedural in nature, focusing solely on the legal mechanisms required to transition from an open to a closed session in accordance with North Carolina state law.

**Key Decisions and Votes**
The only action taken during this meeting was the approval to enter a closed session. Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley moved to close the session based on two specific statutory justifications: first, to protect information deemed privileged, confidential, or not a public record under Chapter 132 of the General Statutes; and second, to discuss the qualifications, performance, character, or employment conditions of a specific public officer or employee. A speaker seconded the motion, and Mayor Manheimer conducted a roll call vote. Councilman Smith, Councilwoman Redding, and Mayor Manheimer voted "Aye." The motion passed, and the council officially entered closed session.

**Discussion Highlights**
Discussion was limited to the necessary legal citations required to justify the closure of the meeting. Vice Mayor Mosley explicitly stated the motion, citing N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-318.11a1 and § 143-318.10e to establish the legal basis for withholding public disclosure. The dialogue remained focused on ensuring the procedural requirements for a closed session were met, with no substantive policy debates or operational discussions occurring during the open portion of the meeting.

**Community Input**
There were no public comments, testimony, or community input provided during this session. As the meeting was a special closed session initiated by a procedural motion, the public was not invited to speak, and no residents submitted comments for the record.

**Follow-ups and Impact**
No follow-up actions, staff directives, or commitments were made during this meeting. The session concluded immediately after the vote to enter closed status. For residents, this meeting signifies that the City Council discussed personnel or confidential matters in private, as permitted by state law. No new policies, budgets, or public initiatives were enacted or announced during this specific session.

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/live/pAeTliRAuHE?si=11J-y7OqGAqTQmcR
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/2037/segments

## Sources

- [City of Asheville WordPress](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/meetings/special-meeting-city-council-closed-session-virtual-jul-23-2026/)
- [City Council agenda page](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/city-council-agenda/)