City Council Agenda Briefing (Virtual) (Sep 17, 2026)

Meeting Overview The Asheville City Council held a virtual Agenda Briefing Work Session on September 17, 2026, presided over by Mayor Esther Manheimer. The primary purpose of this session was to review the draft agenda for the upcoming regular Council meeting scheduled for September 22, 2026, and to provide an overview of the eight-week meeting schedule. As designated by the Mayor, this was a discussion-only work session; no formal actions, votes, or public comments were taken. Assistant City Manager Jay Dundas walked Council through the items scheduled for the September 22 meeting, which included a consent agenda, a Manager’s Report on recovery efforts, and a public hearing regarding the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan.

Key Discussions and Decisions Council members focused on reviewing the consent agenda items for September 22, which include the acceptance of $403,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds for lead and copper service line investigations, an extension of a licensing agreement with Peak Travel Inc. for the WNC Nature Center, and various contracts for after-school programs, festival alcohol allowances, and transit funding. A significant portion of the discussion centered on the Home ARP Substantial Amendment, which Assistant City Manager Ben Woody explained allocates $4.7 million in HUD funds across a four-county consortium. Woody noted key changes include expanding supportive services to include short-term rental assistance, creating a preference for serving those experiencing homelessness, and using a coordinated entry system for tenant selection. The public comment period for this amendment runs until October 2, with a Council vote scheduled for October 13.

Boards, Committees, and Future Agendas Vice Mayor Antoinette Mosley inquired about the timeline for board appointments, specifically regarding the ABC Board. Council members discussed consolidating appointments for three boards into a single session in October, noting that the ABC term does not expire until November 13. Assistant City Manager Jay Dundas confirmed that the Public Finance and Investment (PFI) meeting was canceled for September due to insufficient material, with the next session scheduled for November 10. Council agreed to open applications for all three boards and handle the appointments in October. Additionally, the Council reviewed the eight-week agenda outlook, noting meetings on October 13, October 27, and November 10, with no meetings scheduled for September 29, October 20, and November 3. Upcoming committee meetings were also highlighted, including a Public Safety Committee meeting on September 24 and a Visioning Work Session on flooded commercial corridors.

Follow-ups and Community Input No public comments were accepted during this work session. However, specific follow-up actions were agreed upon by staff in response to Council inquiries. In response to a question from Council Member Kim Roney regarding the timeline for removing city cameras following the cancellation of the FLOC contract, City Manager DK Wesley agreed to provide follow-up materials detailing the removal timeline. Assistant City Manager Jay Dundas agreed to provide more detail on the agreement with Black Mountain for a leaf disposal site as the October 13 agenda approaches. Regarding the flooded commercial corridors work session, City Manager DK Wesley clarified that the intent was to establish policy priorities before staff creates the program value and releases a Notice of Funding Opportunity by the end of the calendar year.

Impact on Residents This work session served as a critical preparatory step for the formal Council meeting on September 22, ensuring that residents and stakeholders are aware of the administrative and funding decisions pending approval. The review of the HOME-ARP amendment is particularly significant, as it outlines how $4.7 million in federal funds will be distributed to support housing stability, with a specific focus on those experiencing homelessness and short-term rental assistance. By clarifying the schedule for board appointments and committee meetings, the Council has established a clear path for governance and public engagement over the next two months, including upcoming votes on housing authority bonds, zoning changes, and speed limit reviews.