City Council Meeting Recap: December 9, 2025

The City of Asheville City Council held a formal meeting on December 9, 2025, following a work session. The agenda focused heavily on routine administrative approvals, financial adjustments, and infrastructure contracts, while also addressing significant community concerns regarding housing affordability. All recorded votes on the action agenda passed unanimously (7-0).

Key Decisions and Votes

The Council adopted a series of resolutions and motions, all passing with a 7-0 vote:

• Infrastructure and Utilities: Authorized a contract with JR Merrimon & Co., LLC for a service line inventory in the Shiloh Community and an Easement Agreement with the Emerson Ridge Subdivision Homeowners' Association for property on Spivey Mountain Road.
• Software and Services: Amended a general services contract with Benevate LLC (dba Neighborly Software) to include modules for Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery management, and executed an agreement with Vertosoft for transit planning software.
• Budget and Finance: Adopted a budget amendment to appropriate funds from restricted balances and change accounting practices, and adopted the 2026-27 Budget Calendar.
• Public Safety: Accepted a donation of a pickup truck, trailer, and all-terrain vehicle from the Asheville Police Foundation.
• Contract Extensions: Extended the contract with Loomis Armored US, LLC for cash pickup and delivery services for an additional five years.
• Planning and Transit: Supported the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Safe Streets for Western North Carolina Safety Plan; authorized the acceptance of Federal Transit Administration Grants for the Asheville Urbanized Area; and authorized applications for a Fiscal Year 2027 Unified Planning Work Program grant and a Section 5307 Job Access Reverse Commute grant.

Additionally, the Council voted to recommend Jonathan Anzalito for the Planning and Zoning Commission and approved the consent agenda, with one item (a lease with Tanger Asheville LLC) removed for later discussion in January.

Discussion Highlights

The most extensive portion of the meeting involved public comment and subsequent discussion on housing. Residents and advocates spoke passionately about the affordability crisis, citing high rental costs and limited options. There was strong support voiced for implementing the recommendations of the Missing Middle Housing Study to increase housing density and variety. Discussions also centered on balancing new housing development with the protection of legacy neighborhoods and mitigating displacement, as well as concerns regarding the impact of short-term rentals on housing availability.

In response to these comments, Mayor Esther Manheimer emphasized the need for action and acknowledged the ongoing housing crisis. Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley supported moving forward with implementing recommendations from the Missing Middle Housing Study. Several council members expressed a commitment to finding solutions and working collaboratively with the community, referencing the Bowen Report and demographic changes in North Carolina to underscore the need for proactive housing solutions.

Community Input

A strong showing of community members participated in the public comment period, primarily focusing on housing issues. Speakers highlighted the difficulty residents face in affording housing and advocated for the City Council to take action on the Missing Middle Housing Study. They also raised concerns about short-term rentals and emphasized the importance of equity and inclusion in housing solutions, particularly for marginalized communities.

Follow-ups

• Tanger Lease: The resolution to ratify the lease with Tanger Asheville LLC was removed from the consent agenda and will be discussed at a later meeting in January.
• Housing Agenda: Council members committed to including discussions about housing and short-term rentals in the city's legislative agenda and stated they will continue to engage with community groups and residents on these issues.
• Budget Process: The adopted 2026-27 Budget Calendar sets key dates for the upcoming fiscal year, including a public comment period on January 27, 2026, a budget presentation on May 12, 2026, and a public hearing on May 26, 2026.

Impact on Residents

These decisions impact residents through improved infrastructure, public safety, and transit services. The service line inventory in the Shiloh Community is a step toward replacing older, potentially lead-containing water lines. The acceptance of vehicles from the Asheville Police Foundation enhances the police department's search and rescue capabilities in difficult-to-access areas. The extension of the Loomis Armored contract ensures continued secure cash handling for city departments, while the new transit software (Swiftly) will provide real-time bus location data and trip planning tools for riders.

The budget amendments and the adoption of the 2026-27 Budget Calendar establish the financial framework for the coming year, including adjustments for Tropical Storm Helene recovery efforts. The approval of the regional Safe Streets plan positions the city to pursue grant funding for road safety improvements. Finally, the Council’s commitment to addressing housing affordability and implementing the Missing Middle Housing Study signals a focus on creating more diverse and accessible housing options for Asheville residents.