City Council Meeting Recap: April 8, 2025

The City of Asheville City Council held a meeting on April 8, 2025, which included both a budget work session and a formal public meeting. The agenda focused heavily on the city’s financial planning for the upcoming fiscal year, recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene, and the governance of downtown development. Assistant City Manager Ben Woody facilitated the meeting in the absence of the City Manager.

Key Decisions and Votes The Council took action on several items, with most resolutions passing unanimously. The Council approved a resolution to enter into a funding agreement with North Carolina Emergency Management to facilitate the processing of federal disaster assistance reimbursements. Additionally, the Council authorized the City Manager to execute a contract with Appalachian Sitework Inc. for the Patton Avenue Sidewalk Improvements Project. Routine monthly municipal property tax refunds or releases were also approved.

In a 6-1 vote, the Council approved the appointment of the proposed slate of directors for the Asheville Downtown Improvement District Board. Councilmember Kim Roney voted against the appointment. The Council also unanimously canceled the agenda briefing worksession scheduled for April 17, 2025, and the formal meeting of City Council scheduled for April 22, 2025. Following a public hearing, the Council voted to permanently close a portion of an unopened right-of-way connected to Morningside Drive between Coventry Circle and Brevard Road. The Council authorized staff to submit the Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Finally, the Council adopted the ordinance for the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Fees & Charges Manual, which includes water rate adjustments and a new rental fee for the Memorial Stadium track.

Discussion Highlights A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the city’s budget and capital planning. Assistant City Manager Ben Woody presented details on the 10-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), clarifying that a thorough five-year CIP would be presented to the Council. He noted that initial funding for recovery projects, such as golf course restoration, would come from FEMA Public Assistance funds. The Council also discussed the Metropolitan Sewerage District’s Carrier Bridge Pump Station replacement project, a $105 million initiative to increase wastewater capacity, with construction anticipated to begin in 2027.

Regarding the CDBG-DR Action Plan, which outlines the use of $225 million in federal disaster recovery funds, Councilmember Kim Roney praised the extensive community input received. Nikki Weiskotten from Community Development confirmed that all public comments would be incorporated into an appendix of the final plan, along with a response to those comments. Councilmember Bo Hess asked where to find the links for the ADID board director slate. Additionally, Councilmember Kim Roney clarified that a planned Department of Transportation (DOT) presentation on the I-26 connector would not occur at this time; the Council will revisit the topic after DOT hosts a public open house in April.

Follow-ups Ben Woody and Nikki Weiskotten agreed to follow up to ensure a centralized location is established for reviewing all community input received on the CDBG-DR Action Plan. The Council stated it will monitor the I-26 connector topic and potentially revisit it after DOT’s public engagement process. Staff will submit the CDBG-DR Action Plan to HUD for review. An update on Emily Ball’s Point and Time Count Results was postponed due to illness but will be rescheduled.

Impact on Residents These decisions directly affect city services and finances. The adoption of the Fees & Charges Manual implements year two of a three-year plan to adjust water rates, effective July 1, 2025, to fund infrastructure improvements and address cost inequities. The approval of the ADID board slate moves forward the rollout of services for the Downtown Business Improvement District. The permanent closure of the right-of-way on Morningside Drive resolves a long-standing unused alleyway. Finally, the submission of the CDBG-DR Action Plan is a necessary step to secure federal funds for long-term recovery programs, including housing, infrastructure, and economic revitalization, following Tropical Storm Helene.