City Council regular meeting — January 23, 2024

Principal Planner Will Palmquist said that this is the consideration of an ordinance to amend sections of Chapter 7 of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) regarding special use permits and the special use permit approval process as required or permitted by N.C. Gen. Stat. sec. 160D. This public hearing was advertised on January 12 and 19, 2024. Background:

• A collaborative effort between North Carolina land use attorneys, the University of North Carolina
• School of Government and North Carolina legislators resulted in Session Law 2019-111 “AN ACT TO CLARIFY, CONSOLIDATE, AND REORGANIZE THE LAND-USE REGULATORY LAWS OF THE STATE.” adopted July 11, 2019.
• As the law’s title states, the purpose of 160D is to clarify and reorganize the land use/development related laws of the State and to consolidate these laws into one chapter in order to provide a uniform set of statutes applicable to both cities and counties.
• Originally, parts of 160D became effective immediately while most of it was not to become effective until January 1, 2021, however, on June 19, 2020, the General Assembly enacted legislation -S.L. 2020-25-making Chapter 160D and associated changes to other statutes effective immediately.
• The law provided flexibility to local governments in the timing for adoption of amendments to conform local development regulations to the new statutes. Local governments may enact their amendments now, but are not required to do so until July 1, 2021.
• The new law contains a number of legislative changes which a local government must take action to adopt, but it also contains permissive legislative changes which a local government may choose to adopt or not.
• In general, 160D did not make substantial changes to the planning zoning laws and therefore, the City’s existing planning and zoning procedures are, for the most part, already compliant with this new law.
• Staff from the City’s Planning and Legal Departments have been working since 2020 to amend the City’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to bring it into compliance with 160D, as needed.
• To date, four text amendment ordinances have been adopted related to 160D compliance including: Ordinance No. 4836- Historic Preservation Revisions adopted on October 27, 2020; Ordinance No. 4837- Enforcement Provisions and Definition Revisions adopted on October 27, 2020; Ordinance No. 4361- Discretionary Language Revisions adopted on March 23, 2021; and, Ordinance No. 4381- Boards and Commissions Revisions adopted on June 8, 2021.
• Additionally, all planning-related boards and commissions, including the Planning and Zoning Commission, adopted amendments related to a broadened conflict of interest standard in their Rules of Procedures in 2021.
• This proposed ordinance amendment is the final required change to be made to Chapter 7, as required by 160D.
• Proposed amendments include deletion of all references to a “conditional use” or “conditional use permit” and replacement with the required terms of “special use” or “special use permit”.
• Additionally, Planning and Legal Staff propose revising the approval process for Special Use Permits as outlined in UDO section 7-5-5 to make the Planning and Zoning Commission, acting according to quasi-judicial procedures, the final decision-making body for issuance of special use permits instead of the City Council, as permitted by 160D.
• Most of the section amendments are minor, changing “conditional use” to “special use”.
• The sections with the greatest number of revisions are 7-5-5 which outlines the special use permit approval process and includes the proposed amendment regarding Planning and Zoning Commission acting as the final decision maker for the granting of such permits.
• Section 7-16-2 which outlines uses for which a Special Use Permit are required and the seven standards to be met for special use permit approval (Section 7-16-2(c)) is being proposed to be replaced in its entirety- mainly due to the numerous places where the term “special” replaces the term “conditional” and approval by the “planning and zoning commission” replaces approval by “city council”.
• The standards for approval of a special use permit and the uses for which a special use permit is required, are not changing.
• A few additional non-160D related amendments are proposed to section 7-8-27. Airport District of the UDO and Section 7-9-11.
• Adaptive Reuse Overlay District. as “clean up” revisions. Information in 7-8-27 regarding Level III approval was incorrect so that is proposed to be deleted and the Adaptive Overlay District has never been used since its creation in 2007, so that is proposed to be deleted in its entirety.

Committees:

• Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC)
• January 3, 2024
• Approved, 5:0.

Staff Recommendation:

• Staff recommends approval of this zoning text amendment. Mr. Palmquist reviewed the following background of the UDO amendment: (1) Session Law 2019-111 “AN ACT TO CLARIFY, CONSOLIDATE, AND REORGANIZE THE LAND-USE REGULATORY LAWS OF THE STATE.” was adopted on July 11, 2019 to clarify and reorganize land use related statutes relating to cities and counties; (2) Staff from the City’s Planning and Legal Departments have been working since 2020 to amend the City’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to bring it into compliance with 160D, as needed; (3) Four text amendment ordinances have been adopted related to 160D compliance including: (a) Ordinance No. 4836- Historic Preservation Revisions adopted 10/27/20; (b) Ordinance No. 4837- Enforcement Provisions and Definition Revisions adopted 10/27/20; (c) Ordinance No. 4361- Discretionary Language Revisions adopted 3/23/21; and (d) Ordinance No. 4381- Boards and Commissions Revisions adopted 6/8/21; and (4) Additionally, all planning-related boards and commissions, including the Planning and Zoning Commission, adopted amendments related to a broadened conflict of interest standard in their Rules of Procedures in 2021. He summarized the proposed amendments as follows: (1) This proposed ordinance amendment is the final required change to be made to Chapter 7, as required by 160D, and proposes amendments to 18 sub-sections; (2) Proposed amendments include deletion of all references to a “conditional use” or “conditional use permit” and replacement with the required terms of “special use” or “special use permit”; (3) Planning and Legal Staff propose revising the approval process for Special Use Permits as outlined in UDO section 7-5-5 to make the Planning and Zoning Commission, acting according to quasi-judicial procedures, the final decision-making body for issuance of special use permits instead of the City Council, as permitted by 160D; (4) The standards for approval of a special use permit and the uses for which a special use permit is required, are not changing; and (5) A few, additional non-160D related amendments are proposed: (a) UDO Sec. 7-8-27. Airport District
• outdated information regarding Level III projects; and (b). At their January 3, 2024, meeting, the Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously to approve the UDO amendments. He then explained how the amendments are consistent with the Living Asheville Comprehensive Plan. He said that staff concurs with the Planning & Zoning Commission and recommends approval of the proposed zoning text amendment. In response to Councilwoman Roney, City Attorney Branham said that there are two distinct parts of this amendment. The first part is mandatory and purely verbiage changes which standardizes the terminology for conditional use permits and special use permits such that all are now referred to as special use permits. The second part is optional, and would amend the process for reviewing special use permit applications (which City Council has seen very, very few of) to direct final review by the Planning & Zoning Commission in their quasi-judicial capacity. There are only a few types of land uses subject to special use permits, i.e., a group home or a cell tower infrastructure. If City Council does amend its ordinance dictating that final review for these permits be conducted by the Planning & Zoning Commission’s, it can be reversed at any time in the future. He also noted that the temporary substation on Patton Avenue for Duke Energy would not require a special use permit. Mayor Manheimer opened the public hearing at 5:36 p.m. Nina Tovish felt that anything that comes up to a special use permit status sounds like something City Council should consider. Mayor Manheimer closed the public hearing at 5:38 p.m. Mayor Manheimer said that members of Council have previously received a copy of the ordinance and it would not be read.

Background:

• Weekly field trips to the pools and other locations are included in youth and teen summer program activities.
• There are approximately 46 trips scheduled during summer programs with up to 45 youth/teens on each trip.
• The Parks and Recreation Department had been contracting with Emma Bus for services.
• In 2022, Emma Bus communicated their inability to meet our transportation needs due to bus driver shortages.

Vendor Outreach Efforts:

• In January 2023, an RFP for summer program transportation was issued for a one-year time period with two one-year optional extensions.
• Staff performed outreach to minority and women owned businesses through solicitation processes which include posting on the State’s Interactive Purchasing System, internet vendor searches, and direct outreach.
• Three vendors responded to the RFP.
• TRY, Inc (Young Transportation) was the only vendor able to meet our transportation needs and with a completed one-year contract, the City would like to extend for an additional two one-year terms.
• The total contract amount with extensions requires City Council approval.
• The total contract amount is not to exceed $167,927.70 (which includes the amount paid for the first year’s contract). Committee(s):
• N/A Pro(s):
• The weekly field trips provide an additional opportunity for enrichment activities during summer programs.
• With the affordability of our camps, it allows children to participate in field trip activities they may not be able to outside of Parks and Recreation.
• The cost of a bus and staffing to provide in-house transportation services that could benefit programs in addition to summer programming is expensive and cost prohibitive. Con(s):
• The annual cost of renting bus transportation for summer programs.
• The lack of flexibility if a trip is canceled and the inability to be rescheduled due to a full TRY, Inc schedule.
• Not having this transportation service these enrichment experiences would not be able to be provided in summer programming.

Fiscal Impact:

• The cost to provide this service from June to August 2024 is $54,590.
• The cost is determined by the number of full and half day trips during the summer.
• Funding for this contract is available in the Parks and Recreation Department operating budget. Future years will be planned during the annual budget development process.

Background:

• Parks and Recreation athletic facilities are limited and in high demand by other user groups.
• Asheville City Schools (“ACS”) has multiple athletic complexes.
• The agreement gives Asheville Parks and Rec (“APR”) access to outdoor athletic fields, indoor gymnasiums and meeting rooms.
• Asheville City School owns: 1. Montford North Star Academy property, located at 90 Montford Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 which includes an athletic facility that includes a field and gymnasium; 2. Claxton Elementary property located at 241 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC, 28801 which includes an athletic facility that includes a gymnasium; 3. Hall Fletcher Elementary property located at 60 Ridgelawn Rd, Asheville, NC 28806 which includes an athletic facility that includes a baseball field and gymnasium; 4. Ira B Jones Elementary property located at 544 Kimberly Ave, Asheville, NC 28804 which includes an athletic facility that includes a gymnasium; 5. Isaac Dickson Elementary property located at 125 Hill St, Asheville, NC 288015 which includes an athletic facility that includes a gymnasium; and 6. Lucy S. Herring Elementary property, located at 98 Sulphur Springs Rd, Asheville, NC 28806 which includes an athletic facility that includes a field and gymnasium.
• The initial term will be ten (10) years with the option of two (2) extensions of five (5) years each.
• Parties will be responsible for any and all damage, injury or breakage to any buildings, windows, fences, fields or other property owned by the other party as a result of their programming.
• Both parties shall also be responsible for keeping said premises free and clear of trash or litter brought or left on premises by the players or spectators during their programming use.
• The City & ACS shall be responsible for security and staffing during recreation activities, if needed, in connection with its use of the premises.
• The City will furnish and supply expendable materials necessary for carrying on a Community Recreation Program for all ages, in or on the facilities under its supervision and ACS is responsible for and agrees to furnish and supply all materials and equipment necessary for carrying out ACS programs.

Vendor Outreach Efforts:

• None Committee(s):
• None Pro(s):
• Opportunity to provide additional community recreation programming and expand accessibility that will address achievement gaps, student wellness, community issues/challenges and facility use agreements.
• Reduces competition with other athletic groups for use of a limited supply of athletic recreation facilities
• Continues partnership with ACS
• Increases recreational athletic programs to more participants
• The agreement will not impact existing user group access to City athletic facilities. Con(s):
• None

Fiscal Impact:

• This action requires no additional City resources and has no fiscal impact.

Background:

• Parker Technology, LLC (Parker) was selected by the City of Asheville in February 2017 to provide 24-7 real-time video-based call center services in the City of Asheville’s parking garages.
• Customers experiencing an issue when attempting to enter or exit a garage facility are able to press a button on the entry/exit equipment that automatically connects the customer to a Parker Technology representative via a live video feed to request assistance with using the equipment.
• The previous contract with Parker ended on January 24, 2023. Staff is requesting an additional $110,000 to pay Parker for services previously rendered and to continue services through June 30, 2024 with two optional three-month renewal periods.
• Staff is initiating a formal solicitation process with a plan to have the new vendor in place by June 30th. The two requested optional three-month renewals will be used to ensure continuous customer service coverage if there is a delay in the vendor selection process.
• The $110,000 requested would cover the entire life of the contract, including both optional renewal periods.

Vendor Outreach Efforts:

• None, Parker Technology, LLC is a current service provider. Parker Technology, LLC is both the manufacturer and technical support provider for the parking garage customer service equipment which has been in place since February 2017. As mentioned above, staff is requesting to enter into this contract without competitive bidding or outreach as exceptions to normal City policy to pay for past services and help ensure that services continue to be provided while staff prepares for competitive bidding and outreach and a potential transition to a new vendor. Committee(s):
• None Pro(s):
• This action will support the continuation of current/existing parking garage call center service levels. Con(s):
• Council would be making an exception to the City’s typical competitive bidding and outreach policies.

Fiscal Impact:

• Funding for this contract is available in the Parking Services Fund operating budget.

Background:

• Passport Labs, Inc. was selected by the City of Asheville in January 2021 to offer mobile pay options for the Parking Services Division using competitive bidding through the National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance/Omnia Partners program.
• Passport Labs, Inc.’s technology allows parking customers to pay using their mobile devices.
• The previous contract with Passport Labs, Inc. ended on January 1, 2023. Staff is requesting $161,000 to pay Passport Labs, Inc for services previously rendered and to continue services through June 30, 2024.
• Staff is initiating a formal solicitation process with a plan to have the new vendor in place by June 30th. The two requested optional three-month renewals will be used to ensure continuous customer service coverage if there is a delay in the vendor selection process.
• The $161,000 requested would cover the entire life of the contract, including both optional renewal periods.

Vendor Outreach Efforts:

• None, Passport Labs, Inc. is a current service provider. Passport Labs, Inc is both the manufacturer and technical support provider for the services which have been in place since January 1, 2021.
• The current services provided are available through the National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance/Omnia Partners program, which was awarded competitively via a nationwide selection process. Committee(s):
• None Pro(s):
• This action will support the continuation of current/existing mobile payment options for all City-owned parking meters through 2024 if needed to avoid a service interruption. Con(s):
• Council would be making an exception to the City’s typical competitive bidding and outreach policies.

Fiscal Impact:

• Funding for this contract is available in the Parking Services Fund operating budget.

Background:

• Passport Labs, Inc. was selected by the City of Asheville in May 2021 to provide Parking Services’s enforcement equipment and software using competitive bidding through the National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance/Omnia Partners program.
• Passport Labs, Inc’s technology allows Parking Enforcement officers to write and issue citations, check citation history, and track citations through the handheld equipment and associated software.
• Passport Labs, Inc’s handheld device also automatically uploads data to a cloud server allowing customers instant access to pay or appeal their citations online.
• The current contract with Passport Labs, Inc. expires on March 1, 2024. Staff is requesting $89,000 to extend the current contract term to June 30, 2024.
• Staff is initiating a formal solicitation process with a plan to have the new vendor in place by June 30th. The two requested optional three-month renewals will be used to ensure continuous customer service coverage if there is a delay in the vendor selection process.
• The $89,000 requested would cover the entire life of the contract and requested extension to June 30, 2024, along with both optional renewal periods.

Vendor Outreach Efforts:

• None, Passport Labs, Inc. is a current service provider. Passport Labs, Inc. is both the manufacturer and technical support provider for the services which have been in place since May 5, 2021.
• The current services provided are available through the National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance/Omnia Partners program, which was awarded competitively via a nationwide selection process. Committee(s):
• None Pro(s):
• This action will support the continuation of current/existing online monthly rental and payments.
• This action will support the continued ability to enforce parking regulations and statutes in compliance with SEC 19-149 of the City Code of Ordinances. Con(s):
• Council would be making an exception to the City’s typical competitive bidding and outreach policies.

Fiscal Impact:

• Funding for this contract is available in the Parking Services Fund operating budget.

consider reducing the design speed between the intersection of Patton Avenue with the Hillcrest Connector and the intersection of Patton Avenue with Clingman Avenue from the currently planned design speed of 40 miles per hour with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour to a design speed of 30 miles per hour, and use a posted speed limit of no more than 25 miles per hour. The I-26 Connector Aesthetics Committee does recommend this resolution. Susan Loftis provided Council with a sketch comparing the desired current design density of 30 mph and the current design speed of 40 mph. She explained the reasons for the East Patton Avenue design speed reduction from an (1) environmental standpoint (a) implement Urban Forest Master Plan; (b) connect greenways, green space and streets; (c) maximize comfort and safety for all users; and (d) maximize climate resilience; and (2) economic impact (a) maximize redevelopment opportunity

• the more easily developable space is immediately adjacent; (b) build it right the first time
• avoid spending future local tax money; (c) optimally utilize I-26 landscape budget
• $19,500,000 is estimated landscape budget; and (d) expedite redevelopment
• tax revenue could be available sooner. She then showed sketches of preferred multiple connections vs. current plan with a single connection. Councilwoman Roney felt that if we reduce the design speed to 30 miles per hour, we will have more options for landscaping and tree canopy around the project. In thinking about our neighbors in the Hillcrest neighborhood, historically many times low income neighborhoods have been built very close to highways and other environmental impact areas. If we reduce the speed, we will be able to not only improve health, well-being and quality of life but also mitigate some of the noise for those areas. Chair of the I-26 Connector Aesthetics Committee Ted Figura and Robert Robinson both spoke in support of reducing the speed limit. Councilwoman Ullman said that she reviewed the proposed resolution with the N.C. Dept. of Transportation’s Division Engineer last week and he is expecting this resolution. Assistant City Manager Ben Woody said that he would be happy to share the resolution with the District Engineer. Mayor Manheimer and Councilwoman Mosley also thanked Senator Mayfield for her work with the N.C. Dept. of Transportation on this request, with Councilwoman Mosley noting that the Chair of the Housing Authority also supports the reduction in the speed limit. Mayor Manheimer said that members of Council have been previously furnished with a copy of the resolution and it would not be read.

Mayor Manheimer said that there is a possibility that these items will not be voted on at this meeting, but will move to a Council date in February in order to have Councilwoman Turner present and possibly have additional information. Capital Projects Director Jade Dundas said that this is the consideration of adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a construction contract with B. Allen Construction, Inc., for site enhancements and the installation of a prefabricated restroom unit adjacent to the Rankin Avenue Parking Garage in the amount of $183,620; further authorizing the City Manager to execute any change orders that may arise during the project up to the contingency amount of $46,724; and adoption of a resolution authorizing the purchase of a prefabricated single occupant restroom structure from Madden Fabrication in the amount of $170,760, for the Downtown Restroom project. Background:

• The Downtown Restroom Project is intended to address downtown cleanliness, safety, and public health.
• The planned improvements for the Downtown Restroom Project will be funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and will provide an accessible, durable, safe public restroom downtown that can be open 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
• In February 2023, a request for qualifications was issued for design services related to the installation of a prefabricated restroom structure.
• Four design teams submitted qualifications and Osgood Landscape Architecture, a downtown Asheville firm, was selected as the most qualified firm to perform design/engineering services, provide public meeting assistance, conduct permitting, and provide construction administration.
• Staff wanted to find new solutions to ensure a durable, safe, clean, and attractive restroom facility option could replace the current portable restroom at the corner of College and Rankin.
• Staff performed research on prefabricated restroom units and contacted multiple municipalities to identify operational “lessons learned,” including Missoula, Montana; Greeley, Colorado; Seattle, Washington; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Eugene, Oregon.
• This outreach helped inform the technical requirements in the request for bids on the restroom structure.
• A formal invitation for bids for a prefabricated restroom structure was released November 9, 2023.
• One responsive bid was received
• Madden Fabrication, Portland, Oregon, $170,760.
• Madden Fabrication, the manufacturer of the “Portland Loo,” was the successful bidder for the restroom structure.
• The scope of the construction project includes site work and utility connections required for the installation of a prefabricated restroom, restroom installation, additional site lighting and security cameras, Americans with Disabilities (ADA) accessibility improvements, and updated landscaping around the restroom
• This construction phase of the project is anticipated to begin in spring 2024 with three months of construction.
• Bids were initially advertised on December 4, 2023.
• Responsive bids received are as follows:
• B. Allen Construction, Inc., Candler, NC, $183,620.00
• Cinderella Partners, Inc., Indian Trail, NC, $243,062.22
• Providence Construction, Hendersonville, NC, $279,360.00
• V. Stewart McKee Construction, Morganton, NC $379,915.00
• B. Allen Construction, Inc of Candler, NC is the apparent lowest responsive, responsible bidder.

Vendor Outreach Efforts:

• This is a federally funded project using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
• Federal terms and conditions apply, and federal MWBE goals for projects with federal funding are required to be documented by any contractor submitting a bid.
• This bid was posted on the City of Asheville’s Purchasing Website and the North Carolina Electronic Vendor Portal (EVP).
• Staff performed a search for any disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE), and none were identified. Committee(s):
• The project was presented to the Downtown Commission and the Downtown Management Task Force. Pro(s):
• Provides an accessible, durable, safe public restroom downtown that can be open 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
• Replaces the existing portable toilet with a durable, permanent structure with a flushable toilet and exterior handwashing station
• City Staff will provide daily coverage from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 7 days a week to stock and clean the new restroom. Con(s):
• Some downtown business owners have expressed concerns about site conditions including safety.
• May need future financial resources not identified in this budget for maintenance, supplies, and staffing.

Fiscal Impact:

• Funding for this contract was previously budgeted and is available in the Special Revenue Fund. Mr. Dundas outlined the following key takeaways: (1) The Downtown Restroom Project helps to address downtown cleanliness and safety challenges by providing additional downtown restroom access; (2) The Downtown Restroom Project was supported by local businesses and non-profit agencies and received letters of support from the Asheville Downtown Association (ADA) and BeLoved prior to the submittal of an ARPA funding application; (3) $650,000 in ARPA funding was approved for the Downtown Restroom Project in spring 2022; (4) The location of the restroom is in close proximity to high traffic areas and replaces a portable restroom that has been in the parklet at the corner of College and Rankin since 2020; (5) The improvements to the parklet and the durability of the prefabricated restroom unit will create a more secure environment and lessen restroom downtime; and (6) The addition of this unit does not preclude the re-opening of restrooms or the installation of other freestanding restrooms. He then outlined the 7 current downtown public restroom locations. He provided a timeline for the project. Mr. Dundas then outlined the following specific engagement/support (1) 12/2020
• Petition from downtown business owners expressing issue with portalets and requesting other facilities be opened; (2) 03/2021
• On-site public meeting with downtown representatives at proposed site; (3) 11/2021
• Letter of support from BeLoved and ADA for ARPA request; (4) 08/2023
• In-person meeting and online survey to review concepts and collect information about project needs and expectations (a) 225 participants in the online survey, and (b) Limited in-person attendance/staff person located on-site directing people passing by to the meeting; (5) 12/2023
• Presented to the Downtown Commission; and (6) Ongoing
• Will notify downtown property owners and residents of construction impacts such as scheduling and disruptions to access Using a map, he showed the location and design. He then showed the existing conditions. Rankin and College site benefits are (1) Utilities (power, water, sewer) either on site or close to the site; (2) Close proximity to Pritchard Park and Haywood St.; (3) ADA accessible site; (4) Convenience and visibility (proximity to need); (5) Opportunity for improvements to the public space, including aspects of public safety; (6) Not located directly in front of a storefront/business/residential building; (7) Other temporary restrooms (Wall Street, Pritchard Park) resulted in highly negative feedback; and (8) Positive initial feedback received from community members. Design elements are (1) Accessible; (2) Preserve all existing trees (some pruning); (3) Improved security (new lighting and cameras); (4) New landscaping; (5) Baby changing station; (6) Hand washing station; (7) Sharps container (checked daily, disposed of as needed); and (8) Safety features designed to meet CPTED standards The selected equipment is (1) Portland Loo (competitively bid); (2) Year round operation (with cold weather package); (3) 24/7 availability; (4) Durable construction, finishes, and fixtures; (5) Low tech with common parts; and (6) Louvers maintain privacy but allow ventilation and a way to see if occupant is having a medical emergency. Regarding cleanliness and security, (1) The Portland Loo website suggests that the units be cleaned between 2 to 5 times/day (a) The initial cleaning frequency will start with 2 cleanings per day by Parks Maintenance: (i) Supplies will be checked; (ii) Surfaces will be wiped down and disinfected; (iii) Trash will be picked up; and (iv) A general maintenance check will be performed; (b) The frequency of cleaning will be adjusted according to the needs; and (c) Responsive cleaning during working hours will be possible; (2) This is the same schedule which is used for monitoring and cleaning of the Pack Square restrooms; (3) Park Maintenance will monitor and be available to clean 7 days/week during posted hours; (4) The cleaning of this facility (in addition to the other public facilities) may require additional resources (a) Initially cleaning will be performed by city staff; and (b) Staff time will be monitored to determine if there is enough capacity; (5) Providing additional (24/7) restroom access is anticipated to improve health and safety conditions downtown
• Expectation that this will reduce biological waste on sidewalks and properties; and (6) Supplement security with routine afterhours checks by new garage security contractor. Councilwoman Roney spoke about the need for a downtown restroom, not just for our workers and residents, but for our visitors as well. If Council chooses not to construct this, she wondered what our other options would be. Mayor Manheimer said that the City does have restrooms in this area on Haywood Street that are closed. If we reopen the walkway through the Rankin Avenue Parking Garage, the restrooms would be in the walkway. She received a memo stating that staff has had some conversations with the Asheville Downtown Association about a concept of them operating the restrooms since their offices are right on that corridor. She would like to explore that before making any decisions on this action before Council. Also the Library is operating a restroom in the walkway coming from the Civic Center Parking Garage. We also have four restrooms at Pack Square Park. She wanted to look at all the current facilities that are within a block on either side to make sure there isn’t a way to open those up and what it would take to open them up. Regarding nights and weekends, she felt we should explore a possible partnership with the Salvation Army to make sure that their facilities are available on nights and weekends since they are open 24/7. That might be an opportunity to fill the gap. This is a big expense and she felt pausing any action until February will give staff time to look at the other opportunities and for her to understand the answers.