# 2026.08.18 Woodfin Town Council Meeting

**Body:** Town of Woodfin — Woodfin Town Council
**Date:** August 18, 2026 5:01 PM EDT (2026-08-18T17:01:26-04:00)

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3052

## Summary

**Woodfin Town Council Budget Worksession Recap**
**Date:** August 18, 2026

The Woodfin Town Council convened for its Budget Worksession on August 18, 2026, at Town Hall. The meeting opened with the approval of the agenda, which included a special proclamation honoring long-serving alderman Jim Angel for his 18 years of council service, 57 years with the Woodfin Volunteer Fire Department, and service on the Sanitary Water and Sewer District Board. His son, Fire Chief Jeff Angel, accepted the award on his behalf. The council also approved the consent agenda, which included support for the Woodfin/Weaverville Greenway feasibility study. Staff noted that the Mountain Planning Organization (MPO) will provide a 15,000-foot overview of this study at the September meeting, and confirmed that the August 31 work session was cancelled.

A significant portion of the session was dedicated to departmental updates and financial planning. Seth Eckerd, Executive Director of the Woodfin Water District, presented an overview of operations and recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. He highlighted that the district serves over 10,000 residents and recently received a $5 million SRF Helene grant for resiliency projects, including generator replacements and transmission line hardening, which are expected to take three years to complete. Eckerd emphasized that the district purchases 20-25% of its water from Asheville, noting that wholesale costs have risen 135.3% since FY 23-24. He stated that upgrading local infrastructure to produce more water was deemed cost-prohibitive at $28 million, making it cheaper to continue purchasing from Asheville for the foreseeable future. Other department heads provided updates on public works, planning, and police activities, including ongoing construction at Silver Lawn Park and a 50% drop in development applications due to macroeconomic factors and recovery efforts.

The Council made several key decisions regarding town branding, communication, and infrastructure policy. The council approved a new town seal design created by local artist Jess Averitt, featuring the Craggy Bridge, river birch trees, and the French Broad River. A motion was made and seconded to approve the design and authorize Jess Averitt to complete the visual identity kit. Additionally, the council approved a strategic communications plan focusing on newsletters, emergency messaging via TextMyGov, and social media engagement. Regarding traffic safety, the council approved amendments to the traffic calming policy, establishing a funding model where the town covers 100% of costs for streets where 36% or more of traffic exceeds the speed limit. Mayor Jim McAllister suggested starting with this first tier and revisiting the policy in six months using Breckenridge Parkway as a test case.

Public comment focused on animal welfare ordinances. Resident Dennis Littrell requested amendments to Sections 616, 624, and 633 of the animal care code to include cats in veterinary care requirements and enforce penalties for hoarding. He cited a specific case involving a neighbor keeping nine cats, one of which was visibly suffering. Council Member [Name not explicitly stated] thanked Mr. Littrell for his detailed analysis and agreed to take the request under advisement. Another council member noted that the exclusion of cats appears to be a historical artifact rather than deliberate policy.

The meeting concluded with the establishment of an ad hoc Craggy Peninsula subcommittee to coordinate elected-to-elected outreach regarding the future of the former Craggy Correctional Center property, in light of Governor Stein’s Executive Order 36. The committee, chaired by Chip Hart and including Council Members Johanna Young, Dan Bowers, and Ken Conn, will serve in an advisory capacity to the Town Council, with Town Manager Shannon Tuck as the administrative liaison. The council then went into executive session for five minutes.

Key follow-up items identified during the meeting include the MPO’s delivery of the Weaverville Greenway overview at the September council meeting and the Water District’s three-year timeline for completing SRF Helene grant projects. Town Manager Shannon Tuck indicated that engineering for stormwater improvements on Goodman Road and Sunny Ridge is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with construction potentially starting in spring 2027. The town aims to transition its website to the state’s NCDIT platform within six months to meet digital accessibility laws by April 2028. Staff recommended implementing the first tier of the new traffic calming funding model and revisiting the policy in six months. Council Member [Name not explicitly stated] will take Mr. Littrell’s request regarding animal ordinances under advisement.

## Votes

- Council Member Parton made a motion to approve the agenda, adding a Proclamation honoringJim Angel for for distinguished service to the Woodfin Community, and adding #5 under new business, a discussion regarding forming a task force to discuss the future of the Craggy Correctional Center and surrounding property located at 22 Canoe Lane in Woodfin. Council Member Kahn seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 6-0 — Passed, 6-0
- Vice Mayor Ervin made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Council Member Parton seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 6-0. — Passed, 6-0
- Council Member Kahn made a motion to approve the new town seal and authorize Jess Averette to proceed with completing the visual identity kit; and giving the communication subcommittee final approval on behalf of the council. Vice Mayor Ervin seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 6-0. — Passed, 6-0
- Council Member Kahn made a motion to approve the Communication Plan as presented and authorize the staff to begin implementation. Council Member Parton seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 6-0. — Passed, 6-0
- Vice Mayor Ervin made a motion to approve the Traffic Calming Policy, with 100% town funding when 36% or more of vehicles exceed the posted speed limit by more than 10 mph. Council Member Kahn seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 6-0. — Passed, 6-0
- Council Member Kahn made a motion to approve forming an ad hoc Craggy Peninsula subcommittee with Chip Parton as chair, Johanna Young, Dan Bowers, and Ken Kahn as members and Shannon Tuch as our liaison; to act in an advisory capacity to our Town council. Vice Mayor Ervin seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 6-0. — Passed, 6-0

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDpPaqNN9NM
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/2072/segments

## Documents

- [presentation_2026-08-18.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3052?document=14328)
- [agenda_2026-08-18.html](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3052?document=14327)
- [minutes_2026-08-18.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3052?document=14329)

## Sources

- [YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDpPaqNN9NM)