# City Council Meeting (Feb 11, 2025) **Body:** City of Asheville — City Council **Date:** February 11, 2025 12:00 PM EST (2025-02-11T12:00:00-05:00) **Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844 ## Summary The Asheville City Council had a busy meeting on February 11th, tackling a wide range of issues impacting our community. Here's a breakdown of what happened and why it matters to you: **1. Key Decisions & Votes:** * **Disaster Recovery Funding Approved:** Council unanimously approved a plan to access \$11.25 million in federal disaster recovery funds (from the CDBG-DR program) to cover administrative costs related to helping residents and businesses recover from Tropical Storm Helene. This is a crucial first step in accessing the larger \$225 million grant, which will be used to rebuild and support our community. * **Valve Assessment Program Contract Signed:** The council approved a contract with HydroMax USA to assess the condition of our city's water valves. This is part of a larger effort to improve the reliability of our water system following the 2022 outage and is a direct response to recommendations from an independent review committee. * **Sidewalk Project Moves Forward:** Council authorized a contract with Trans Systems for engineering and inspection services related to the new sidewalk project on Hawk Creek Road. This will provide a safer walking route for residents and is funded through the 2016 Transportation Bond. * **Housing Authority Restructuring Approved:** The council voted to reduce the number of commissioners on the Asheville Housing Authority from 11 to 9. This decision sparked some debate, but aims to streamline operations and improve efficiency within the authority. * **Code Purple Shelter Funding Secured:** Council approved funding for the Code Purple program, which provides shelter for people experiencing homelessness during cold weather. This ensures a vital service continues to support vulnerable members of our community. **2. Discussion Highlights:** * **UDO Amendments – A Complex Conversation Continues:** The proposed changes to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) were a major focus. Council engaged in extensive discussion about how these changes, particularly those related to housing along transit corridors and parking requirements, would impact neighborhoods. Concerns were raised about potential impacts on legacy neighborhoods, and a commitment was made to continue community engagement before any final decisions are made. These discussions will resume on March 11th. * **I-26 Connector Project Progress:** Council received an update on the I-26 Connector project, a major infrastructure undertaking. The presentation highlighted cost-saving measures achieved through an optimization process and emphasized the commitment to maintaining key design elements, including pedestrian and cyclist connections. * **FAST Team – Supporting Storm Recovery:** The Council acknowledged the hard work of the Flood Assistance Support Team (FAST) created to help residents and businesses impacted by Tropical Storm Helene. The team is working through a backlog of permit applications and providing crucial support to those affected by the storm. **3. Community Input:** * While no public comment was taken during the main meeting, discussions surrounding the UDO amendments reflected concerns from legacy neighborhoods about potential impacts and a desire for more engagement in the planning process. **4. Action Items:** * **Staff to provide a map highlighting areas affected by proposed UDO amendments.** This will help residents visualize the potential impact of these changes. * **Continued UDO discussions:** Council will revisit the proposed UDO amendments on March 11th. * **HUD Action Plan Development:** City staff will be working diligently to develop a comprehensive plan for spending the \$225 million in disaster recovery funds, which will be submitted to HUD. * **FAST Team Continues Operations:** The FAST team will continue its efforts in assisting residents and businesses impacted by the storm. **5. Impact – Why This Matters to You:** These decisions will shape our city's future in significant ways. The disaster recovery funding will help rebuild and strengthen our community after Tropical Storm Helene. The UDO amendments, if approved, could impact housing availability and neighborhood character. The investments in our water system and infrastructure will improve the quality of life for all residents. By staying informed and engaged, you can help ensure that these decisions reflect the values and priorities of our community. **For more detailed information, you can visit [https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/city-council-meeting-materials/](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/city-council-meeting-materials/) to access meeting minutes and other resources.** ## Agenda - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a services contract with Hydromax USA for the Valve Condition Assessment Program Project](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844/item/8988) - [Resolutions authorizing the City Manager to amend the contracts with Atlantic Emergency Solutions Inc. and Cummins Inc. d/b/a Cummins Sales & Service for heavy truck repair and service to supplement fleet maintenance capacity](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844/item/8989) - [Budget amendment, in the amount of $500,000 from Debt Proceeds in the Street Cut Fund for the purpose of the acquisition of equipment needed to continue operations of the Utility Cut Program](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844/item/8990) - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an Interlocal Agreement with Buncombe County to administer their matching Code Purple funding; and to execute a funding agreement utilizing City and County funds with Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry to provide Code Purple emergency shelter this winter](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844/item/8991) - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a funding agreement with Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry in the amount of $222,000 sourced through American Rescue Plan Act funds previously allocated for Code Purple](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844/item/8992) - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with TranSystems Corporation for the New Haw Creek sidewalk project construction engineering and inspection services](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844/item/8993) - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a change order with Garbage Pal Inc. for portable facilities for Tropical Storm Helene recovery](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844/item/8994) - [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to amend an agreement with Cityworks/Azteca Systems, LLC for hosting the enterprise asset management system software license, maintenance, and support](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844/item/8995) - [Monthly municipal property tax refunds or releases per N.C. Gen. Stat. sec. 105-381](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844/item/8996) - [Resolution to decrease the membership of the Asheville Housing Authority from eleven to nine commissioners](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844/item/8997) - [I-26 Connector Project Update](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844/item/8998) - [Manager's Report](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844/item/8999) - [Public hearing to consider amendments to Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances (Unified Development Ordinance {UDO}):](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844/item/9000) - [Resolution authorizing staff to submit an Administrative Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) grant to the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development in order to access up to 5% ($11,250,500) of the total allocation to pay for and reimburse the city for grant related administrative costs](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844/item/9001) - [Budget amendment in the amount of $225,010,000, for the total amount of the CDBG-DR allocation, noting that these funds are subject to HUD approval of the CDBG-DR Action Plan and are not anticipated to be available for expenditure until later in calendar year 2025](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844/item/9002) - [Motion to deny](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844/item/9003) - [Motion to reconsider the motion to deny](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844/item/9004) - [Motion to continue](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844/item/9005) ## Votes - Budget amendment, in the amount of $500,000 from Debt Proceeds in the Street Cut Fund for the purpose of the acquisition of equipment needed to continue operations of the Utility Cut Program — Passed, 7-0 - Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a funding agreement with Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry in the amount of $222,000 sourced through American Rescue Plan Act funds previously allocated for Code Purple — Passed, 7-0 - Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with TranSystems Corporation for the New Haw Creek sidewalk project construction engineering and inspection services — Passed, 7-0 - Resolution authorizing the City Manager to amend an agreement with Cityworks/Azteca Systems, LLC for hosting the enterprise asset management system software license, maintenance, and support — Passed, 7-0 - Monthly municipal property tax refunds or releases per N.C. Gen. Stat. sec. 105-381 — Passed, 7-0 - Resolution authorizing staff to submit an Administrative Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) grant to the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development in order to access up to 5% ($11,250,500) of the total allocation to pay for and reimburse the city for grant related administrative costs — Passed, 7-0 - Budget amendment in the amount of $225,010,000, for the total amount of the CDBG-DR allocation, noting that these funds are subject to HUD approval of the CDBG-DR Action Plan and are not anticipated to be available for expenditure until later in calendar year 2025 — Passed, 7-0 - Motion to reconsider the motion to deny — Passed, 4-3 - Motion to continue — Passed, 4-3 - Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a services contract with Hydromax USA for the Valve Condition Assessment Program Project — Passed, 7-0 - Resolutions authorizing the City Manager to amend the contracts with Atlantic Emergency Solutions Inc. and Cummins Inc. d/b/a Cummins Sales & Service for heavy truck repair and service to supplement fleet maintenance capacity — Passed, 7-0 - Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an Interlocal Agreement with Buncombe County to administer their matching Code Purple funding; and to execute a funding agreement utilizing City and County funds with Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry to provide Code Purple emergency shelter this winter — Passed, 7-0 - Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a change order with Garbage Pal Inc. for portable facilities for Tropical Storm Helene recovery — Passed, 7-0 - Resolution to decrease the membership of the Asheville Housing Authority from eleven to nine commissioners — Passed, 7-0 ## Video & Transcript - Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVPmFH2uPL8 - Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/432/segments - Recording: https://www.youtube.com/live/MGtwekHUF2s?si=CttBoY-naa0IYryR - Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/664/segments ## Documents - [Consent G - Garbage Pal Contract.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844?document=2221) - [Public Hearing C - Flag Lots (2).pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844?document=2180) - [Consent I - Tax Refund Info.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844?document=2197) - [New A- Presentation - Admin Action Plan.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844?document=2138) - [Presentations A - Staff I-26 Staff.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844?document=2154) - [Agenda - Spanish.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844?document=2167) - [Memo - Follow-up.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844?document=2149) - [Presentations A - NCDOT - I-26.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844?document=2160) - [Consent J - Decreasing Membership of Asheville Housing Authority Com.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844?document=2229) - [Consent F - New Haw Creek Sidewalk Inspection Svs.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844?document=2214) - [Consent B - Valve Condition Assessment Program Project.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844?document=2210) - [Consent C - Heavy Truck Repair Contract Amdts.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844?document=2192) - [Presentation B - Manager's Report (2).pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844?document=2144) - [Consent A - Minutes.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844?document=2240) - [Public Hearing B - Cottage Developments (2).pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844?document=2186) - [New A - Admin Action Plan for CDBG-DR Grant.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844?document=2204) - [agenda_2025-02-11.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844?document=2128) - [Agenda.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844?document=2175) - [Consent E - Code Purple (1).pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844?document=2201) - [Consent D - Street Cut Enterprise Fund.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844?document=2224) - [Consent H - Cityworks Contract Renewal .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844?document=2235) - [minutes_2025-02-11.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/844?document=2132) ## Sources - [City of Asheville WordPress](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/meetings/city-council-meeting-feb-11-2025/) - [Agenda Briefing](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aKh_4lxxOmCtmiso1B5pwxATO0oaS6ho?usp=drive_link) - [Resolutions](https://drive.google.com/file/d/166haxWmxc9t_48CY1nY8IrBG03V4SKo6/view?usp=drive_link) - [Ordinances](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ENR6oPzQl3Dj69pyvId0qqF7xG_DA7EB/view?usp=drive_link) - [Public Input](https://publicinput.com/g1267) - [City Council agenda page](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/city-council-agenda/)