City Council Agenda Briefing – February 20, 2025

City Council Prepares for Upcoming Business Meeting: A Recap of the February 20th Agenda Briefing

On February 20, 2025, the City Council held a virtual Agenda Briefing work session to prepare for their upcoming business meeting on February 25th. This briefing provided a valuable look into the issues and decisions facing our city, particularly focusing on recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene and ongoing initiatives to support local businesses. All council members and relevant city staff participated in the discussion, ensuring a comprehensive overview of the agenda items.

A significant portion of the briefing centered on disaster recovery and ensuring resources reach those who need them most. Discussion revolved around the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) action plan, a crucial step in securing federal funding to address unmet needs resulting from Hurricane Helene. Staff outlined the plan's development process, emphasizing alignment with Council’s priorities: supporting people, housing, infrastructure/environment, and the local economy. Public engagement is a key component of this process, with draft plans expected for public comment on March 4th and a final presentation to the Council scheduled for April 8th. Concerns were raised regarding the timeline for distributing remaining rental assistance funds, with projections indicating depletion by mid-to-late March. Council members strongly urged staff to expedite the process and explore options for reallocating funds or working with organizations that can deliver assistance more quickly, highlighting the urgency of preventing evictions.

Beyond disaster recovery, the Council also discussed several other important initiatives. Marcus Kirtman, Asheville Business Inclusion Manager, presented progress on the city's program aimed at increasing competition by actively recruiting underrepresented firms for city contracting opportunities. He highlighted increased participation and outreach efforts since his appointment, demonstrating a commitment to fostering a robust economic ecosystem. The Council also reviewed upcoming grant opportunities for the Transportation Department, totaling over $1.6 million to support transit activities, and discussed a consent agenda item related to historic resources education. Looking ahead, the Council reviewed an eight-week agenda that includes budget work sessions and zoning text amendment discussions.

Community input played a vital role in the briefing, with Council members raising important points for consideration. Councilwoman Running emphasized the need to incorporate food security into recovery efforts, while Councilwoman Roni requested information on resilience mapping and the breakdown of unit types in a proposed development. These questions highlighted residents’ concerns about long-term resilience and equitable housing solutions.

What's Next? Here are the key action items emerging from this briefing:

• Rental Assistance Review: City staff will provide updated information on the remaining rental assistance funds and explore options for expedited distribution, potentially including a clawback of funds from agencies unable to move quickly.
• Development Information: Staff will provide a breakdown of unit types in the proposed development and information on resilience mapping.
• CDBG-DR Action Plan: James Shelton and his team will continue developing the CDBG-DR action plan, including public engagement sessions.
• Mapping and Data: Staff will provide a map highlighting low-to-moderate income (LMI) census tracts and share information on the city's relevant market area.
• Mitigation Efforts: Staff will investigate incorporating renewable energy and stormwater infrastructure into future mitigation efforts.

This Agenda Briefing demonstrated the City Council's commitment to addressing critical issues facing our community, from disaster recovery and business inclusion to long-term planning. Residents can expect further opportunities for public engagement as these initiatives progress, and the Council's upcoming business meeting on February 25th will provide a forum for formal decisions and votes.