# 2026.07.21 Woodfin Town Council Meeting

**Body:** Town of Woodfin — Woodfin Town Council
**Date:** July 21, 2026 4:58 PM EDT (2026-07-21T16:58:26-04:00)

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2993

## Summary

The Woodfin Town Council held its regular meeting on July 21, 2026. The council approved the agenda and the consent agenda, which included minutes from previous meetings, tax collection reports, and an interlocal agreement addendum with Buncombe County regarding greenway projects. No members of the public signed up to speak during the public comment period.

The council heard several reports and presentations. Town Manager Shannon Tuch provided updates on post-Hurricane Helene recovery, noting that FEMA obligations for the Riverbank Stabilization Project have been finalized. She also reported that Buncombe County has provided letters of condemnation for approximately five to six structures eligible for demolition. Additionally, Tuch discussed a delayed concrete pour at Taylor’s Wave due to heavy rains and the status of the Stone Ridge office lease analysis. Police Chief Jacqui Boykin presented a quarterly report, highlighting a 26% increase in calls for service but a decrease in the overall crime rate to 3.5 per 1,000 residents. She also noted that several officers earned intermediate certificates and graduated from leadership academies.

Captains Sherry Stokes and Phillip Stokes from the Salvation Army presented on their services in Buncombe County, including emergency food assistance and the "Center of Hope" homeless shelter. They announced that due to funding constraints, the Center of Hope will pause its long-term shelter services effective November 1. This pause allows the organization to dedicate the entire 80-bed facility to "Code Purple," an emergency winter shelter for men, increasing capacity from 20 to 80 beds. The captains emphasized that food pantry and other community services will continue.

In new business, the council interviewed three candidates for the Parks and Community Enrichment (PACE) Board: Debra Giezentanner, Jason Morgan, and Alexandria Reo. Questions focused on balancing resident enjoyment with tourism impacts and managing competing interests for amenities. The council voted 4-0 to appoint all three candidates to the board.

The council also addressed the lease of additional office space at the Stone Ridge Business Center. Council Member Philip Cohen moved to authorize the Town Manager to enter into a lease agreement with Powers Development Group LLC for space at 304-305 Stone Ridge Boulevard, effective August 1, 2026. The motion passed 4-0. Vice Mayor Elisabeth Ervin then moved to approve Budget Amendment Ordinance No. 2026-09 to appropriate funds for the lease and related expenses, which also passed 4-0. Town Manager Shannon Tuch explained that the lease provides space for police and administrative staff, which should help the Woodfin Police Department with the police accreditation process.

The council reviewed the FY2027 Community Partner Grant Program budget of $83,500. Council Member Chip Parton moved to approve grants to three organizations: $50,000 to ABCCM for emergency assistance, $8,500 to New Bridge Baptist Church for community market essentials, and $25,000 to Habitat for Humanity for home repair. The motion passed 4-0. During the discussion, the council asked about the match requirement for the Habitat for Humanity grant, and Town Manager Shannon Tuch agreed to amend the draft agreement to reflect the cash/in-kind match requirement.

Town Attorney John Henning discussed North Carolina law regarding conflicts of interest for council members serving on nonprofit boards. He clarified that council members cannot vote on contracts or grants involving organizations where they serve as a director, officer, or governing board member, unless specific exceptions for small towns are met.

Regarding follow-ups, Town Manager Shannon Tuch stated she would follow up with FEMA regarding the timeline for receiving funds for the Riverbank Stabilization Project. She also noted she would stop reporting on the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program application until there is actual news. Additionally, Tuch agreed to email the Salvation Army captains for more information on community night schedules. The meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.

## Agenda

- [Meeting Call to Order](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2993/item/19288)
- [Approval of the Agenda](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2993/item/19289)
- [Consent Agenda – Staff Report](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2993/item/19290)
- [Public Comment](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2993/item/19291)
- [Presentations & Reports](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2993/item/19292)
- [New Business](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2993/item/19293)
- [Adjournment](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2993/item/19294)

## Votes

- Council Member Parton made a motion to approve the agenda. Vice Mayor Ervin seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 4-0. — Passed, 4-0
- Vice Mayor Ervin made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Council Member Kahn seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 4-0. — Passed, 4-0
- Vice Mayor Ervin made a motion to approve the appointment of all three candidates: Debra Giezentanner, Jason Morgan, and Alexandria Reo to the Parks and Community Enrichment (PACE) Committee. Council Member Cohen seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 4-0. — Passed, 4-0
- Approval of commercial property lease for 304-305 Stone Ridge Blvd. -Shannon Tuch, Town Manager Council Member Cohen made a motion to authorize the town manager to enter into a lease agreement with Powers Development Group, LLC for the office space located at 304 and 305 Stone Ridge Blvd. based on the terms provided in the attached lease agreement and beginning August 1, 2026. Council Member Kahn seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 4-0. — Passed, 4-0
- Vice Mayor Ervin made a motion to approve Budget Amendment Ordinance No. 2026-09, appropriating funds for the Stone Ridge office lease and related expenses. Council Member Parton seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 4-0. — Passed, 4-0
- Council Member Parton made a motion to approve the following community partner grants based on the FY2027 budget appropriation: $50,000 to ABCCM for emergency assistance, $8,500 to New Bridge Baptist Church for community market essentials, and $25,000 to Habitat for Humanity for home repair. Vice Mayor Ervin the motion, which passed unanimously, 4-0. — Passed, 4-0

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfHr2PpTePY
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/2028/segments

## Documents

- [agenda_2026-07-21.html](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2993?document=14264)
- [presentation_2026-07-21.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2993?document=14265)
- [minutes_2026-07-21.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2993?document=14266)

## Sources

- [YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfHr2PpTePY)