# City Council Meeting (Mar 25, 2025) **Body:** City of Asheville — City Council **Date:** March 25, 2025 12:00 PM EDT (2025-03-25T12:00:00-04:00) **Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836 ## Summary The Asheville City Council held a busy day of meetings on March 25th, tackling critical issues ranging from budget planning to supporting community recovery efforts. Here's a breakdown of what happened and why it matters to you: **1. Key Decisions: Balancing the Budget & Supporting Essential Services** The Council’s primary focus was addressing a challenging budget situation. Facing uncertain economic conditions and ongoing costs related to the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, they engaged in extensive discussions about potential spending cuts and a possible property tax increase. While no final decisions were made, the Council signaled openness to exploring both options to ensure a balanced budget and maintain essential city services. Beyond the budget, several key decisions were made: * **Approved a \$2.7 Million Loan from the State:** To bridge a temporary cash flow gap related to Hurricane Helene recovery, the Council approved accepting an interest-free loan from the State Treasurer. This will help ensure timely payments to contractors and vendors involved in storm cleanup and repairs. * **Ratified Contracts for Storm Recovery:** The Council formally approved contracts related to Tropical Storm Helene recovery, including those providing meals to city employees and renting equipment for cleanup efforts. * **Approved Grant Funding for Law Enforcement:** The Council approved grants to support the Asheville Police Department, including funding for a Real-Time Intelligence Center and bulletproof vests. * **Continued Support for Parks & Recreation:** The Council approved a contract renewal for irrigation maintenance in city parks, ensuring our green spaces remain well-maintained. **2. Discussion Highlights: Tough Choices & Long-Term Planning** The budget discussions were the most significant part of the day. Council members debated various scenarios, weighing the need for fiscal responsibility against the desire to provide raises and maintain current service levels. A key point of discussion was exploring options for employee compensation, acknowledging that a tax increase might be necessary to afford them. Other notable discussions included: * **Electric Bus Challenges:** The Council discussed the complexities surrounding the city’s electric bus fleet, exploring options for dealing with parts availability and lease agreements. * **Community Reparations Commission (CRC):** A clarification was made regarding a member's involvement in the CRC, ensuring clear communication and continuity within this important community initiative. **3. Community Input: Limited Public Participation** Due to the nature of the meetings (primarily work sessions), there was limited opportunity for public comment. However, Council members emphasized their commitment to engaging with residents throughout the budget process and encouraged citizens to attend future meetings and provide feedback. **4. Action Items: What Happens Next?** Several key action items emerged from the day’s discussions: * **Council Members to Identify BID Appointment:** Council members will identify a representative to serve on the Business Improvement District steering committee. * **Staff to Coordinate MSD Presentation:** City staff will coordinate a presentation from the Asheville Metropolitan Sewerage District regarding their French Broad River Park project. * **Outreach Strategy for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program:** The city will explore ways to enhance outreach efforts regarding the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. * **Continued Budget Discussions:** The Council will continue budget discussions at a work session on April 8th, focusing on the Capital Improvement Program. **5. Impact: Why This Matters to Residents** The decisions made on March 25th will directly impact the quality of life for Asheville residents. Addressing the budget challenges is crucial to ensuring that essential city services – from public safety and parks maintenance to infrastructure improvements – continue to operate effectively. The approval of storm recovery contracts demonstrates the city's commitment to supporting residents affected by Tropical Storm Helene. The ongoing discussions about employee compensation and a potential tax increase highlight the difficult choices facing city leaders as they strive to balance fiscal responsibility with providing a high quality of life for all Ashevilleans. We encourage you to stay informed and engaged as the city navigates these important decisions. Visit [https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/city-council-meeting-materials/](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/city-council-meeting-materials/) for full meeting details and agendas. ## Agenda - [Resolution ratifying the City's emergency contract with Environmental Testing Solutions for the provision of lead and copper testing for the City of Asheville Water Resources Department](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836/item/8925) - [Resolution to enter into a cashflow loan agreement with the State of North Carolina and to authorize the City Manager to execute the associated documents](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836/item/8926) - [Budget amendment, in the amount of $2,791,793.35, to budget the loan in a newly created Helene Cashflow Loan Fund, as required by the loan agreement](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836/item/8927) - [Resolution amending the Tax Collection Agreement between Buncombe County and the City of Asheville related to the collection of taxes from the City of Asheville Downtown Business Improvement District (BID)](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836/item/8928) - [Resolution ratifying a contract with Compass Group (d/b/a Chartwells) for meals for City employees during Tropical Storm Helene](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836/item/8929) - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement whereby the City receives compensation from Buncombe County for fire protection and rescue services in certain areas in the County](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836/item/8930) - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept the United States Department of Justice Motion to Approve on 2024 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant and authorize the City Manager to sign all of the appropriate agreements](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836/item/8931) - [Budget amendment, in the City's Special Revenue Fund in the amount of $71,999, for the Motion to Approve on 2024 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836/item/8932) - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept the 2024 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Motion to Approve on Grant from the United States Department of Justice](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836/item/8933) - [Budget amendment in the City's Special Revenue Fund in the amount of $58,546.94, for Motion to Approve on the 2024 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836/item/8934) - [Resolution to apply for the 2026 High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Grant on Motion to Approve on behalf of the Asheville HIDTA branch and authorize the City Manager to sign all of the appropriate application documents](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836/item/8935) - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Safeguard Recruiting LLC for the current renewal and one additional year's optional renewal for continuing Police Recruiting Services for the Asheville Police Department](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836/item/8936) - [Resolution authorizing the Purchasing Manager to approve non-competitive procurement Moton to Approve on of Safariland brand items through the sole authorized distributor of the product in North Carolina, Lawmen's Distribution LLC](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836/item/8937) - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the existing management and operations services licensing agreement with Commonwealth Golf Partners II - Asheville for the purpose of management of the Asheville Municipal Golf Course](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836/item/8938) - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Mott McDonald I&E, LLC for the Pavement Condition Survey contract](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836/item/8939) - [Resolution ratifying a supplemental equipment rental contract with Carolina 1926 LLC (d/b/a Carolina Cat)](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836/item/8940) - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to renew a service contract with K2 Irrigation of Asheville, NC for irrigation maintenance services in City Parks](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836/item/8941) - [Resolution authorizing the donation of decommissioned EV chargers to Appalachian State University](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836/item/8942) - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to amend existing subrecipient agreements with Mountain Projects and expend and disburse Federal Transit Administration Grants from Fiscal Year 2019 from Section 5307 Job Access Reverse Commute Funding](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836/item/8943) - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an interlocal agreement with Buncombe County for the Federal Administration Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant program; and authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents related to the Hazard Mitigation Grant program](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836/item/8944) - [Manager's Report - Employee Recognitions Heard Report](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836/item/8945) ## Votes - Resolution ratifying the City's emergency contract with Environmental Testing Solutions for the provision of lead and copper testing for the City of Asheville Water Resources Department — Passed, 7-0 - Resolution to enter into a cashflow loan agreement with the State of North Carolina and to authorize the City Manager to execute the associated documents — Passed, 7-0 - Budget amendment, in the amount of $2,791,793.35, to budget the loan in a newly created Helene Cashflow Loan Fund, as required by the loan agreement — Passed, 7-0 - Resolution amending the Tax Collection Agreement between Buncombe County and the City of Asheville related to the collection of taxes from the City of Asheville Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) — Passed, 7-0 - Resolution ratifying a contract with Compass Group (d/b/a Chartwells) for meals for City employees during Tropical Storm Helene — Passed, 7-0 - Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement whereby the City receives compensation from Buncombe County for fire protection and rescue services in certain areas in the County — Passed, 7-0 - Resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept the United States Department of Justice Motion to Approve on 2024 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant and authorize the City Manager to sign all of the appropriate agreements — Passed, 6-1 - Budget amendment, in the City's Special Revenue Fund in the amount of $71,999, for the Motion to Approve on 2024 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant — Passed, 6-1 - Resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept the 2024 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Motion to Approve on Grant from the United States Department of Justice — Passed, 6-1 - Budget amendment in the City's Special Revenue Fund in the amount of $58,546.94, for Motion to Approve on the 2024 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant — Passed, 6-1 - Resolution to apply for the 2026 High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Grant on Motion to Approve on behalf of the Asheville HIDTA branch and authorize the City Manager to sign all of the appropriate application documents — Passed, 6-1 - Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Safeguard Recruiting LLC for the current renewal and one additional year's optional renewal for continuing Police Recruiting Services for the Asheville Police Department — Passed, 6-1 - Resolution authorizing the Purchasing Manager to approve non-competitive procurement Moton to Approve on of Safariland brand items through the sole authorized distributor of the product in North Carolina, Lawmen's Distribution LLC — Passed, 6-1 - Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the existing management and operations services licensing agreement with Commonwealth Golf Partners II - Asheville for the purpose of management of the Asheville Municipal Golf Course — Passed, 7-0 - Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Mott McDonald I&E, LLC for the Pavement Condition Survey contract — Passed, 7-0 - Resolution ratifying a supplemental equipment rental contract with Carolina 1926 LLC (d/b/a Carolina Cat) — Passed, 7-0 - Resolution authorizing the City Manager to renew a service contract with K2 Irrigation of Asheville, NC for irrigation maintenance services in City Parks — Passed, 7-0 - Resolution authorizing the donation of decommissioned EV chargers to Appalachian State University — Passed, 7-0 - Resolution authorizing the City Manager to amend existing subrecipient agreements with Mountain Projects and expend and disburse Federal Transit Administration Grants from Fiscal Year 2019 from Section 5307 Job Access Reverse Commute Funding — Passed, 7-0 - Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an interlocal agreement with Buncombe County for the Federal Administration Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant program; and authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents related to the Hazard Mitigation Grant program — Passed, 7-0 ## Video & Transcript - Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc-VVlvBx0U - Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/310/segments - Recording: https://www.youtube.com/live/LwgtIUZwMGI?si=Po_dcerqsNIsfThz - Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/665/segments ## Documents - [Consent R - Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Interlocal Agreement.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2121) - [Consent H - 2024 BVP Grant.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2131) - [Consent A - Minutes.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2200) - [Consent L - Golf Course License Agrmt Amdt.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2176) - [Consent G - 2024 JAG .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2135) - [Agenda - Spanish.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2112) - [Worksession - Budget Presentation.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2110) - [Consent N - Supplemental Equipment Rental Contract .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2164) - [Consent O - Irrigation Maintenance Contract.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2124) - [Consent C - Helene Cash Flow Loan.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2140) - [Consent Q - Mountain Projects Agreements .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2155) - [Consent F - AFD Agreement with Buncombe County (1).pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2118) - [Memo - Follow-Up Document.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2100) - [Agenda.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2115) - [agenda_2025-03-25.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2094) - [Consent B - Envir Testing Solutions Ratification (1).pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2150) - [Consent K - APD Safariland Sole Source.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2182) - [Consent I - 2026 HIDTA grant.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2189) - [minutes_2025-03-25.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2097) - [Public Comment - AIA Slides.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2107) - [Consent M - Pavement Condition Survey (1).pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2170) - [Consent E - Meals for City Employees.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2145) - [Consent P - Surplus Charger - Donation .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2159) - [Consent D - BID Tax Agreement Addendum.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2194) - [Consent J - Police Recruiting Contract.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2127) - [Presentatoins A - Manager's Report - Employee Recognition.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/836?document=2103) ## Sources - [City of Asheville WordPress](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/meetings/city-council-meeting-mar-25-2025/) - [Agenda Briefing](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1IQe5I8FZ28BPgbgxXRj_4Snr4zRw8xwy?usp=drive_link) - [Resolutions](https://drive.google.com/file/d/11lQhttEpz_n_ZLpsF9seOouVK9DtaYK6/view?usp=drive_link) - [Ordinances](https://drive.google.com/file/d/11X_ZfJ5Fhy_DlI50qwHyUkJaeRzYzKtn/view?usp=drive_link) - [Public Input](https://publicinput.com/g1267) - [City Council agenda page](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/city-council-agenda/)