City Council Meeting (Jan 28, 2025)

On January 28, 2025, the Asheville City Council held a regular meeting focused primarily on recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene, updates to zoning regulations, and the adoption of the city’s 2025 legislative agenda. The council addressed the impact of a federal pause on grant programs, reviewed the implementation of the affordable housing plan, and held a public hearing on flood protection ordinance amendments.

Key Decisions The council unanimously passed (7-0) a series of resolutions and budget amendments. These included:

• Ratifying a contract with Selectron Technologies for inspection scheduling software and authorizing future spending.
• Authorizing an amendment to the contract with Biltmore Farms Hotel Group to extend lodging for essential employees and first responders.
• Approving a Memorandum of Understanding with the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization for transportation planning.
• Ratifying contract renewals for transit scheduling and passenger counting software.
• Authorizing an amendment to the contract with Hagerty Consulting Inc. for recovery management services.
• Approving a budget amendment of $4,994,885 in the City’s Special Revenue Fund for Tropical Storm Helene recovery management services.
• Appointing Vice-Mayor S. Antanette Mosley as the ex-officio non-voting member on the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority.
• Directing staff to send the "Response to the Auditor's Findings, Recommendations, and Fiscal Matters" to the Secretary of the Department of State Treasurer.
• Adopting the Asheville City Council 2025 Legislative Agenda.
• Approving the Manager’s Report on Affordable Housing Plan Implementation.

Discussion Highlights The meeting began with a discussion of a memorandum from the Office of Management and Budget regarding a temporary pause on federal grant loan programs. Council members acknowledged the potential impact on recovery efforts and stated they are actively seeking guidance on how the pause affects the city.

City Manager Deborah Campbell presented a detailed update on the affordable housing plan, highlighting a reboot of the work plan with a focus on anti-displacement strategies. She reported that the Housing Trust Fund is currently funding 118 units under construction and discussed revisions to zoning regulations intended to promote housing development. Campbell also outlined the efforts of the Housing Recovery Support Group and the collection of data from FEMA and other agencies to inform policy decisions.

During the public hearing on proposed text amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) regarding flood regulations, concerns were raised about balancing stricter building codes with the challenges faced by small businesses and property owners in flood-prone areas.

City Attorney Brad Branham presented a streamlined 2025 legislative agenda focused on Helene recovery. Key items include seeking state support to cover the city’s 10% local match for FEMA-funded public assistance projects, requesting revenue replacement funding to offset storm-related losses, and advocating for ongoing support for housing, infrastructure, and resilience. The agenda also includes a request to reconsider recent changes to local zoning authority related to Senate Bill 382.

Community Input Several citizens spoke during the public comment period. One citizen advocated for the consideration of psychedelic-assisted therapy as a mental health resource. Another citizen, identifying as a member of the Tsalagihi (Cherokee of the West) with a background in construction management, presented an analysis of recent developments in Asheville through the lenses of gentrification and ethnocide, arguing that these changes may be harming existing communities with historical and cultural ties.

Follow-ups Staff agreed to send the "Response to the Auditor's Findings, Recommendations, and Fiscal Matters" to the Secretary of the Department of State Treasurer once signatures are obtained. The City Attorney will share the approved legislative agenda with local and state lawmakers.

Impact These decisions formalize the city’s financial and contractual commitments to recovery from Tropical Storm Helene, including the allocation of nearly $5 million for recovery management services. The adoption of the legislative agenda prioritizes state-level advocacy for disaster recovery funding and zoning authority, which is critical for the city’s long-term financial resilience and ability to rebuild. The updates to the flood protection ordinance aim to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements, which is necessary for residents to access federally-backed flood insurance and disaster assistance.