City Council regular meeting — June 23, 2026

Background:

• The public hearing was held June 9, 2026; no further public comment was accepted. Recovery Coordinator Bridget Herring presented.
• The City was allocated $225,010,000 in CDBG-DR funds from HUD on January 16, 2025, governed by an Action Plan detailing programmatic priorities.
• The City is implementing the CDBG-DR Single-Family Home Repair Program in partnership with the State of North Carolina Department of Commerce; the current $3 million allocation is expected to support only 8-10 households (7 projects already authorized) because reconstruction costs average approximately $360,000 per home. The state estimate to serve all City of Asheville residents is between $30 and $40 million, with 152 households in the prioritization list.
• The amendment reallocates $9,200,000 from the Affordable Multi-Family Construction Program and $10,000,000 from the Infrastructure program to Single-Family Home Repair, resulting in $22,200,000 for Single-Family Home Repair (administered through the State's Renew NC program), $18,800,000 remaining in Multi-Family New Construction, and $115,000,000 remaining in Infrastructure. It also updates the Unmet Needs and mitigation needs assessments.
• The City's Citizen Participation Plan requires a public hearing and 30-day comment period; the period ran May 15 through June 14, 2026 and drew 75 total comments.
• Major comment themes included cost efficiency versus scale, renter vulnerability, support for local nonprofit alternatives, opposition to diverting $10 million from infrastructure, urgent homeowner relief, preventing displacement, concerns about Renew NC delays and communication, and requests for transparency and oversight. Committee(s):
• Housing Recovery Board
• June 3, 2026
• motion not to support the $9.2M reallocation from the Affordable Multifamily Construction Program passed 6-4; the Board also unanimously (10-0) recommended that Council and staff pursue all available avenues to secure State CDBG-DR housing recovery funds for eligible Asheville households.
• Infrastructure Recovery Board
• June 23, 2026
• motion to support the $10M reallocation from the Infrastructure Program ended in a 5-5 tie.

Fiscal Impact:

• Reallocates $19,200,000 in CDBG-DR funding, bringing the Single-Family Home Repair Program budget to $22,200,000.

Background:

• On June 13, 2023, Council approved Resolution No. 23-128 for a three-year GIS contract with ESRI, Inc.
• ESRI software is how spatial assets and data are collected, analyzed, and visualized throughout the City, including recent Helene damage and debris data collection and reporting.
• The contract allows the City to continue enhancements to its GIS program, including public-facing platforms: GIS dashboards and Map Asheville; the open data program; water utility management; Police Transparency Dashboards; asset management services; mapping and storytelling for the Emergency Operations Center; and various other applications.

Fiscal Impact:

• $66,600.00 per year for three years, a total of $199,800.00.

Background:

• The Historic Resources Commission (HRC) is a joint City/County board founded in 1979.
• Per N.C.G.S. 160D-942, the HRC is charged with maintaining an inventory of historic properties, review of certificate of appropriateness applications, recommendations on historic designations, adoption of a preservation plan, and educating the public.
• The ordinances creating the HRC anticipate funding from both the City and County to support these activities and the staff resources necessary to support the HRC.

Fiscal Impact:

• Budget amendment of $7,174 for funding received from Buncombe County for the annual Historic Resources program allocation.

Background:

• Since 2000, the City has had an interlocal agreement with Buncombe County establishing a Regional Air Quality Program pursuant to N.C.G.S. 143-215.112.
• The agreement establishes the Asheville Buncombe Air Quality Agency, made up of members appointed by the City and the County, responsible for developing policies and plans to improve air quality programs.
• The County is seeking to terminate the Agreement to merge the responsibilities of the Air Quality Agency into its Permits & Inspections Department, with Air Quality as a division; the County has provided assurances it will provide the same services under a different governance structure.
• Development Services Department Director Mark Matheny confirmed Air Quality will operate as usual as a division of County Permits and Inspections.
• The current provision allows termination only on written notice by March 1 of the year in which termination becomes effective; the County anticipates state approvals of its new governance structure will take longer than July 1, which would create a gap with no program in place.
• The amendment allows termination by either party on 30 days' written notice.

Background:

• N.C.G.S. sec. 18B-300(c) authorizes the City by ordinance to regulate or prohibit consumption and possession of open containers of malt beverages and unfortified wine on public streets and City property, and on streets, alleys or parking lots temporarily closed for special events.
• Section 11-11 of the City Code provides that City Council may adopt a resolution making other provisions for possession of malt beverages and/or unfortified wine at a special event or community festival.
• Asheville Downtown Association requested the Independence Day Block Party on July 4, 2026, on Coxe Avenue, Banks Avenue, and Buxton Avenue.
• Asheville Symphony requested the Boomtown Arts & Heritage FestAVL on September 4-6, 2026, at Pack Square Park.
• Blue Ridge Pride Center requested the Blue Ridge Pride Festival on September 26, 2026, at Pack Square Park.
• Arts 2 People requested the Surreal Sirkus Arts Festival on October 24, 2026, at Pack Square Park.
• Triangle Vegfest requested Asheville Veganfest on October 25, 2026, at Pack Square Park.
• Alcohol boundaries are defined by the accompanying event site maps.

Fiscal Impact:

• Approval allows fundraising opportunities for the sponsoring nonprofit organizations; no negative fiscal impacts identified.

Background:

• The City maintains self-insured programs for property and liability, workers' compensation, and employee health, dental, life, and disability benefits, accounted for in Internal Service Funds with a financial plan included in the annual Budget Ordinance.
• For each program the City purchases excess insurance coverage for claims exceeding certain stop-loss thresholds, and receives insurance recovery revenue from carriers when an individual claim exceeds those thresholds.
• Insurance recovery revenue is budgeted based on trends, but actual revenue varies substantially year over year; for FY 2025-26 the City had a number of claims exceeding stop-loss thresholds and received more recovery revenue than budgeted.

Fiscal Impact:

• Budget amendment of $1,356,000 to budget insurance recovery revenue in the Workers' Compensation and Health Funds to help offset claims expenses.

Background:

• In June 2015, the City issued the 2015 Water Revenue Bonds in the amount of $50.625 million.
• On May 12, 2026, City Council approved issuance of 2026 Water Revenue Bonds in an amount not to exceed $51 million, including approximately $16 million to refinance the remaining outstanding amount of the 2015 bonds; the City closed on the 2026 bonds on June 3, 2026.
• Funds from the refunding portion were used to pay off the 2015 bonds, creating an expense in the Water Resources Fund requiring budget authorization that the FY 2025-26 budget did not include.

Fiscal Impact:

• Budget amendment of $16 million in the Water Resources Fund to ensure the fund does not exceed its approved annual budget.

Background:

• A request for proposals for Rental Equipment Services was advertised in April 2024, and contract 92500001 was executed in July 2024 with Carolina 1926 LLC DBA Carolina Cat.
• The contract is used by multiple departments to rent equipment for various tasks and projects.
• The original $85,000 not-to-exceed limit was increased to $170,000 in 2025 and has nearly been reached, partially due to additional needs after Tropical Storm Helene.
• The City's Procurement, Purchasing and Contracting Policy requires Council approval for General Service Contracts valued at $90,000 or greater.

Fiscal Impact:

• Increases the not-to-exceed amount from $170,000 to $255,000 for the final year of the contract.

Background:

• A request for proposals for Rental Equipment Services was advertised in April 2024, and contract 92500003 was executed in July 2024 with Herc Rentals Inc.
• The contract is used by multiple departments to rent equipment for various tasks and projects.
• The original $85,000 not-to-exceed limit has nearly been reached, partially due to additional needs after Tropical Storm Helene.
• The City's Procurement, Purchasing and Contracting Policy requires Council approval for General Service Contracts valued at $90,000 or greater.

Fiscal Impact:

• Increases the not-to-exceed amount from $85,000 to $170,000 for the final year of the contract.

Background:

• Principal Planner Will Palmquist presented the request to rezone 99999 Deaverview Rd (PIN 9628-16-9246) from RM-8 to RM-16; the public hearing was advertised on June 12 and 19, 2026.
• Owner: Deaverview Apartments LLC; Applicant: Jayden Gurney. The subject property is currently vacant and zoned RM-8.
• The property is designated “Residential Neighborhood” on the city's Future Land Use Map; no change to the FLU Map is required, and RM-16 is cited as an appropriate district within that category.
• Staff recommended approval, finding the rezoning supports Living Asheville Comprehensive Plan (2018) goals to increase and diversify the housing supply by promoting zoning policies that encourage more housing, and to celebrate the unique identity of neighborhoods by supporting contextually appropriate infill development and a variety of housing types.
• The rezoning is compatible with surrounding land uses, including an existing group of four duplexes directly north and the larger surrounding residential neighborhood.
• RM-16 allows 2 units for the first 2,500 SF of lot area plus one unit per additional 1,000 SF (versus 2 units for the first 4,000 SF under RM-8), with a 2,500 SF minimum lot size versus 4,000 SF; allowed uses, lot width, building height, setbacks, and parking are unchanged.
• Mayor Manheimer opened the public hearing at 5:39 p.m., and closed it at 5:39 p.m. when no one spoke. Committee(s):
• Planning & Zoning Commission
• June 3, 2026
• Approved (Vote 7:0). Pro(s):
• Allows for slightly higher densities of multi-family residential development on smaller minimum lot sizes. Con(s):
• None identified.

Background:

• At the applicant's request, City Council continued the public hearing on the rezoning of 3 S. Tunnel Road from Urban Place to Regional Business until July 28, 2026.

Background:

• Assistant Planning & Urban Design Director Chris Collins presented the public hearing and ordinance; the hearing was advertised on June 12 and 19, 2026.
• Data centers have been shown to produce intensive impacts on local electric and water utilities and may pose significant impacts such as noise and heat generation on neighboring properties.
• The City's Unified Development Ordinance currently lacks a definition or allowance for this land use, as well as concrete policies, strategies, and tools to manage it; without a clear definition staff must rely on judgment rather than established policy, and the lack of clarity creates uncertainty and risk for developers, staff, and community members.
• The moratorium would apply to any new development, use, or change of use reasonably falling under NAICS Code 518210 (Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services), or any functionally equivalent facility; it would not apply to data processing equipment or server rooms clearly incidental and subordinate to a permitted principal use where not offered as a primary service to off-site users.
• City Attorney Branham said North Carolina law allows a temporary moratorium on certain development approvals where there is a valid purpose, a definition of affected approvals, a reasonable duration not exceeding the time needed, inadequate alternatives, and a remediation schedule; durations over a year warrant skepticism, and any data center with a pre-existing vested right is unaffected.
• Staff proposed a four-phase approach: research and development; selected engagement; ordinance drafting; and hearing and adoption.
• Councilwoman Roney asked staff to confirm on the record that the NAICS 518210 list includes virtual currency (cryptocurrency) mining, which Mr. Collins confirmed, and asked that noise measurement beyond dBA — including dBC and infrasound below 20 Hz — be on the record alongside electricity, water, and heat.
• Councilwoman Turner expressed interest in learning more about micro-nodes. Mayor Manheimer spoke in support, noting the cost of building a new plant is borne by taxpayers and the time allows the state legislature to consider changes.
• Mayor Manheimer opened the public hearing at 5:53 p.m. and closed it at 6:10 p.m.; five individuals spoke in support of the moratorium and one felt it was a long time to close the door on negotiations for community benefits.

Background:

• Tropical Storm Helene caused significant damage to amenities and facilities at Carrier Park, including the skating rink; the community has been without a public rink for public skating, hockey, and other programs since September 2024.
• The Infrastructure Recovery Support Group for Parks and Recreation programming was tasked with finding an interim location for a temporary public rink while long-term recovery of the damaged Carrier Park site proceeds within the French Broad River Corridor project.
• After assessing City and private property locations, a City-owned surface parking lot at 50 Asheland Ave, operated by the Transportation department, was identified as meeting the requirements; the Transportation department supports the temporary project location.
• Site improvements including demolition, grading, and paving are needed to support installation of the temporary rink.
• On April 23, 2026, staff posted an Advertisement for Bids (298-FY26-PR-BID-TempSkRk3) for basic site preparation.

Fiscal Impact:

• Contract of $682,157 plus a 15% contingency of $102,325, for a total not to exceed $784,482; budget amendment of $526,569 transferring CDBG funds from the CDBG Fund to the General Capital Projects Fund.

Background:

• The Municipal Building at 100 Court Plaza is headquarters to the Asheville Police Department (APD) and home to Asheville Fire Department (AFD) Fire Station No. 1.
• The fire station's 3-bay apparatus bay sits on a suspended concrete slab above the building's fitness center and Police Forensics facilities; structural assessments determined the slab is compromised and must be fully removed and replaced.
• Slab replacement requires partial demolition and reconstruction of the spaces below; the APD Forensics Office and Lab will be relocated within the building, and the fitness center temporarily relocated and rebuilt at the end of the project.
• The building remains occupied during construction; Fire Station 1 will operate out of the 1-vehicle apparatus bay at the rear, and AFD Administration offices have already moved out.
• The project was initially bid design-bid-build with no bids received (March 27, 2025), then re-bid with one bid from H&M Constructors of Asheville at $8,580,000, which was significantly over budget.
• Staff pivoted to the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery method; qualifications were received July 24, 2025 from Frank L. Blum Construction and Harper General Contractors, and Frank L. Blum was selected, with a preconstruction services contract of $28,190.
• The pivot to CMAR yielded nearly $1.9M in construction cost savings.
• The GMP scope includes replacement of the apparatus bay slab, renovation of existing space into a new Forensics office and lab, reconstruction of the fitness center, a bid alternate replacing the failing 30-year-old boiler with high-efficiency condensing boilers, and repair of the concrete drive in front of Fire Station 1 and the steps from Spruce Street.
• The roof was made solar-ready during the recent roof replacement; a solar photovoltaic array could be added by future amendment, delayed pending the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program application for secondary power systems, with decisions anticipated by mid-2027.

Fiscal Impact:

• Amendment not to exceed $6,928,674 for the Guaranteed Maximum Price of construction.

Background:

• The Municipal Building Capital Repairs & Restoration project is primarily driven by the need for structural repairs, including demolition and replacement of a suspended concrete slab, plus minor modernization of public safety facilities including relocation and improvement of the forensics lab.
• After a competitive Request for Qualifications process, the City contracted with Terracon Consultants in February 2022 for structural assessment, engineering, design, and construction administration.
• Due to project complexities, construction has been through several procurements and the schedule has extended beyond the original anticipated work schedule.
• The amendment covers additional design and design review, coordination with the Construction Manager at Risk, and construction administration fees provided by Terracon and its subconsultants.

Fiscal Impact:

• $66,725 additional, for a total contract amount not to exceed $873,675.

Background:

• The Eagle & Market Street Enhancements project lies within the larger Boosting the Block project and advances its vision, focusing on the heart of the historic Black business district in Asheville.
• The project includes placemaking for the design of a physical gateway feature, streetscape, and enhanced public spaces along S. Market Street and Eagle Street, designed to activate and make the space accessible as a well-programmed cultural corridor.
• The physical and cultural investments are intended to enhance connectivity between Pack Square Plaza and The Block, implementing key elements of the Pack Square Plaza Vision Plan.
• Physical improvements include street trees, brick sidewalks, stormwater improvements, accessible ramps, paving, and curbing; cultural aspects include storytelling, neighborhood identity work, and public gathering improvements.
• The design phase is expected to take approximately 12 months; staff expects to submit a construction contract for Council approval in the latter part of calendar year 2027.

Fiscal Impact:

• $263,500.00 contract plus a 10% contingency of $26,300.00, totaling $289,800.00.

Background:

• 179 S Charlotte St. is a City-owned property currently unoccupied after the ABC Store vacated the facility.
• Due to upcoming construction at the Municipal Building at 100 Court Plaza, the Asheville Police Department will lose access to its fitness facility and will use 179 S Charlotte St. as a temporary fitness facility until construction is complete.
• The facility will include open fitness areas, locker rooms, and shower facilities, and must provide a safe, durable, and code-compliant environment suitable for occupancy.
• A Request for Qualifications was issued April 20, 2026 seeking design-build teams, requiring a minimum of three responses per general statutes; only Batson-Cook Construction responded by May 14, 2026, so a second RFQ was issued, again drawing only Batson-Cook by May 21, 2026.
• With a second issuance, general statutes allow award with fewer than three proposals; an evaluation committee from the Capital Management Department determined Batson-Cook Construction most qualified.

Fiscal Impact:

• Design-build contract of $300,000 plus a 10% contingency of $30,000.

Background:

• The City's Fleet Division annually replaces aging Asheville Police Department vehicles through the City's vehicle replacement program, with the number determined through the City's fleet procurement process.
• New police vehicles must be equipped with standard law enforcement equipment, including Axon Fleet in-car camera systems (cameras, mounting hardware, installation, warranties, software licensing, and cloud storage).
• APD estimates approximately 20-30 replacement vehicles purchased annually, with an estimated annual cost for Axon Fleet systems of $70,000-$105,000; Fleet funding covers camera hardware, installation, and warranties, while APD funding covers ongoing software licensing and cloud storage.
• Axon Fleet systems are procured through competitively awarded cooperative purchasing contracts including the Charlotte Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (CCPA), OMNIA Partners, and Sourcewell; contracts valued at $90,000 or more require Council approval.
• This request is separate from technology initiatives previously presented to Council: because Fleet purchases the mounting hardware and cameras for original upfit of new vehicles, this equipment was not in the previously presented product bundle. It does not authorize new technology or expand existing technology capabilities, but provides a contracting mechanism to equip replacement police vehicles with the same in-car camera systems currently in use.

Fiscal Impact:

• Total not to exceed $900,000 over the course of a 7-year cooperative contract.

Background:

• Under the agreement the Asheville Fire Department (AFD) will supplement emergency services, including fire protection, rescue, and emergency medical services, as part of the Buncombe County Emergency Services System within the designated Insurance District.
• AFD will provide the necessary equipment and personnel in accordance with minimum requirements from OEMS and the State Fire Marshal.
• AFD will comply with Fire Department Service Standards including 4 firefighters on the scene of a structure fire (including automatic aid) within 8 minutes from enroute to arrival 80% of the time; 22 firefighters on scene within 10 minutes 80% of the time in Suburban Response Districts; and 22 firefighters within 25 minutes 80% of the time in Rural Response Districts.
• The agreement runs one year, July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, extendable by written consent, and either party may cancel for convenience with 90 days' written notice.

Fiscal Impact:

• Buncombe County will pay $576,609 annually for services rendered.

Background:

• The Burton Street Neighborhood experiences recurring localized flooding on public streets, private property, and public infrastructure due to limited and aging stormwater infrastructure.
• The neighborhood has experienced historic impacts related to construction and planned expansion of interstate infrastructure, including I-240 and the proposed I-26 Connector project, and has been identified as a climate-vulnerable community participating in several resilience planning and mitigation initiatives.
• The proposed project would provide detailed engineering design and construction of stormwater improvements along the north end of Buffalo Street and evaluate additional localized drainage concerns; improvements include stormwater inlets, piping, a stormwater control measure, roadway grading improvements, and related upgrades.
• City staff conducted site visits, drainage investigations, and community engagement with the Burton Street Community Association; the north end of Buffalo Street was identified as a priority due to recurring roadway flooding and impacts to adjacent properties.
• If awarded, funding would support engineering, design, construction, and project management, improving stormwater conveyance, reducing localized flooding, improving water quality entering Smith Mill Creek and the French Broad River watershed, and supporting safer roadway and pedestrian conditions.
• The North Carolina Flood Resilience Blueprint is a statewide initiative helping communities reduce the cost and disruption of future floods; funded work must be complete within 2 years of contract signing.

Fiscal Impact:

• Grant funding of up to $1,000,000, to be accepted if awarded.

Background:

• The City needs qualified engineering professionals to help repair landslides that damaged City infrastructure during Tropical Storm Helene.
• Project A comprises four (4) site locations where City infrastructure was damaged, including a large landslide, subsequent roadway failure, stormwater pipe, and guardrail damage.
• On February 27, 2026, staff posted a Request for Qualifications (298-FY26-PW-RFQ
• Landslides
• Helene Recovery Project); seven statements of qualifications were received by the March 24, 2026 deadline and evaluated by a five-member selection committee from Public Works and Capital and Asset Management.
• Scope includes permanent restoration design of the landslide area and damaged infrastructure including FEMA PA restoration and cost-effective hazard mitigation; geotechnical borings, investigations, and slope stability analysis; structural and geotechnical design for construction drawings, specifications, cost estimates, and bid documents; stormwater designs and calculations; permit applications; beneficial cost analysis and FEMA cost reasonableness; cost tracking for federal and state reimbursement programs; and construction administration.

Fiscal Impact:

• Contract of $337,235 plus contingency of $67,021; budget amendment of $404,256 adding federal and state funds to the General Capital Projects Fund.

Background:

• The City needs qualified engineering professionals to help repair landslides that damaged City infrastructure during Tropical Storm Helene.
• Project B comprises nineteen (19) site locations where City infrastructure was damaged, including small and large landslides, subsequent roadway failures, stormwater pipe, and guardrail damage.
• On February 27, 2026, staff posted a Request for Qualifications (298-FY26-PW-RFQ
• Landslides-Helene Recovery Project); seven statements of qualifications were received by the March 24, 2026 deadline and evaluated by a five-member selection committee from Public Works and Capital and Asset Management.
• Scope includes permanent restoration design of the landslide area and damaged infrastructure including FEMA PA restoration and hazard mitigation; geotechnical borings, investigations, and slope stability analysis; structural and geotechnical design for construction drawings, specifications, cost estimates, and bid documents; stormwater designs and calculations; permit applications; beneficial cost analysis and FEMA cost reasonableness; cost tracking for federal and state programs; and construction administration.

Fiscal Impact:

• Contract of $3,878,572 plus a 15% contingency of $581,786; budget amendment of $4,460,358 adding federal and state funds to the General Capital Projects Fund.

Background:

• The City needs qualified engineering professionals to help repair landslides that damaged City infrastructure during Tropical Storm Helene.
• Project C comprises sixty-six (66) site locations where City infrastructure was damaged, including small and large landslides, subsequent roadway failures, stormwater pipe, and guardrail damage.
• On February 27, 2026, staff posted a Request for Qualifications (298-FY26-PW-RFQ
• Landslides- Helene Recovery Project); seven statements of qualifications were received by the March 24, 2026 deadline and evaluated by a five-member selection committee from Public Works and Capital and Asset Management.
• Scope includes permanent restoration design of the landslide areas and damaged infrastructure including FEMA PA restoration and hazard mitigation; geotechnical borings, investigations, and slope stability analysis; structural and geotechnical design for construction drawings, specifications, cost estimates, and bid documents; stormwater designs and calculations; permit applications; beneficial cost analysis and FEMA cost reasonableness; cost tracking for federal and state programs; and construction administration.

Fiscal Impact:

• Contract of $5,333,700 plus a 15% contingency of $800,055; budget amendment of $6,133,755 adding federal and state funds to the General Capital Projects Fund.

Background:

• The City needs qualified engineering professionals to help repair City infrastructure damaged during Tropical Storm Helene.
• There are thirty-six (36) locations in the Helene Recovery Project
• Citywide Roadways and Sidewalks where City infrastructure was damaged, including asphalt, sidewalks, greenways, street trees, stormwater pipes, signage, and traffic signals.
• On April 9, 2026, staff posted a Request for Qualifications (298-FY26-PW-RFQ Roadways and Sidewalks
• Helene Recovery Project); ten statements of qualifications were received by the April 30, 2026 deadline and evaluated by a five-member selection committee from Public Works and Transportation.
• Scope includes permanent restoration design of damaged infrastructure including FEMA PA restoration and hazard mitigation; geotechnical borings, investigations, and slope stability analysis with formal reports; engineering designs for construction drawings, specifications, cost estimates, and bid documents; stormwater design and calculations; beneficial cost analysis and FEMA cost reasonableness; permit applications; cost tracking for federal and state programs; and construction administration.

Fiscal Impact:

• Contract of $2,697,136 plus a 15% contingency of $404,570; budget amendment of $3,101,706 adding federal and state funds to the General Capital Projects Fund.

Background:

• The City is required by federal law to improve ADA ramps adjacent to paving projects to current standards set by the Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) and the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG).
• Public Works determined that 20 ADA ramps that are part of the FY26 Asphalt Resurfacing Contract require consultant design to meet current standards.
• On March 6, 2026, staff posted a Request for Qualifications (298-FY26-PW-RFQ
• DesignResurfacingCurbRamps); ten statements of qualifications were received by the March 31, 2026 deadline and evaluated by a five-member selection committee from Public Works and Transportation.
• Scope includes preparing final sealed construction drawings and specifications for permanent design of curb ramps and crosswalks at signalized and non-signalized intersections; designing new or modifying existing signals; designing new or modifying existing roadway striping; and assessing intersections to identify and address necessary pedestrian safety improvements.

Fiscal Impact:

• Contract of $107,460 plus a 15% contingency of $16,119.

Background:

• Affordable Housing Officer Sasha Vrtunski presented. As part of the 2016 affordable housing bond initiative the City embarked on developing City-owned land for affordable housing, acquiring 29 Oak Hill in 2018 for $450,000 with Affordable Housing Bond dollars.
• The property is 3.72 acres off New Leicester Highway, approximately 0.6 miles north of the Patton Avenue/New Leicester Highway intersection (PIN 9629-90-2093), zoned RM-16. It was previously used as a lot for towed cars and a dumping ground for tree stumps; geotechnical analysis found soil debris makes larger multi-story structures financially infeasible.
• In June 2025 the City released an RFP for a developer to build housing with a minimum percentage of affordable units; three proposals were submitted and a partnership with Eden Rock Builders was selected. The developer also acquired 67 Oak Hill in 2025, creating an opportunity for 70 units across both parcels. The City signed a Letter of Intent with 29 Oak Hill, LLC in April 2026.
• The project will build 42 townhomes on the City-owned land: 10 affordable at or below 80% AMI, 10 at or below 100% AMI, and 22 at or below 110% AMI, with a 20-year affordability period ensured by deed restrictions. The land will be sold to the developer for $1.00.
• A Housing Trust Fund loan of $1.6 million funds construction, repaid at the end of each phase and re-loaned for the next set of homes; at closeout the City is repaid $850,000 and $750,000 is used for down payment assistance ($50,000 per household at or below 80% AMI and $25,000 at or below 100% AMI) repaid at sale with shared appreciation as “silent second” loans.
• Construction is phased over six phases and roughly 30 months, with site work potentially starting in fall 2026; Council could hear the Conditional Zoning case in August or September 2026. The developer will separately build 28 market-rate townhomes on 67 Oak Hill.
• Approximately 25 people attended the May neighborhood meeting; the main concerns were current and future cut-through traffic, and members of the Emma Neighborhood Council and Oak Hill community said affordability was insufficient and asked for lower-income households to be included. Three individuals spoke in opposition due to traffic and speeding concerns.
• In response to Councilwoman Turner, Ms. Vrtunski said the City has $551,000 invested in the land; in response to Mayor Manheimer, she said cost changes would return to Council, as would the conditional zoning request. Committee(s):
• Housing and Community Development
• June 16, 2026
• voted 3-0 to recommend the agreement with an amended motion to potentially expand affordability to include 60% AMI units.

Fiscal Impact:

• Allocates $1.6 million of 2024 Affordable Housing Bond funds through a Housing Trust Fund loan with a three-year term and interest-only rate of 1%; budget amendment transfers $1,600,000 from the General Capital Projects Fund to the Housing Trust Fund.

Background:

• The term of ShaLinda Pruitt expires July 1, 2026. Jackson Daniel Courson, Kimberly D. Jackson and Bobby Smith applied; staff recommended Bobby Smith and the Vice-Chair did not provide a recommendation.
• Bobby Smith was appointed to a term lasting until June 30, 2027, or until a successor is appointed or as modified by Council action.

Background:

• The term of Lucious Wilson (restaurant owner, owner of a brewery, distillery, or winery open for tours or tastings, or executive director of a ticketed arts organization) expires August 31, 2026. Two individuals applied but both were ineligible; the TDA Board Development Committee recommended Mr. Wilson for reappointment.
• Lucious Wilson was reappointed to a full three-year term lasting until August 31, 2029.

Background:

• Christine Roush (at-large representative) resigned, leaving an unexpired term until June 30, 2027. Eight individuals applied.
• The Chair recommended, in ranked order, Justin Roberto Thorn (landscape), Shawn Patrick Escobar (traffic, civil, site review), and Kelsey Morrow (planning, form design); staff agreed and suggested adding Emili McMakin, Julie O'Dwyer, and Cecilia Smith for consideration.
• Justin Roberto Thorn was appointed at-large to fill the vacancy, with a term lasting until June 30, 2027.

Background:

• The term of Brad Galbraith expires July 1, 2026. Douglas James Enevoldsen, Lawrence F.J. Keating and Shantelle Simpson applied; staff and the Chair recommended Dr. Shantelle Simpson.
• Dr. Shantelle Simpson was appointed to a term lasting until July 1, 2026 and then a full four-year term until July 1, 2030.

Background:

• Amy Gharst resigned, leaving an unexpired term until July 1, 2028, and the terms of Leslie Humphrey and Will Hornaday expire July 1, 2026. William E. Kirby, William Margulis, Jane Mathews, Richard Mattson and Antonio Prieto applied.
• The Chair and staff recommended Leslie Humphrey for reappointment and recommended Antonio Prieto, Jane Mathews, and Richard Mattson equally for the other two vacancies.
• Leslie Humphrey was reappointed to a three-year term lasting until July 1, 2029.

Background:

• Jane Mathews was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Amy Gharst, with a term lasting until July 1, 2028, and Richard Mattson was appointed to a three-year term lasting until July 1, 2029.

Background:

• The terms of Jane Bell, Jonathan Anzollitto and Lindsay Broughel expire August 14, 2026; twenty-one individuals applied for the vacancies. The Chair and staff recommended all three for reappointment.
• Jane Bell, Jonathan Anzollitto and Lindsay Broughel were each reappointed to three-year terms lasting until August 14, 2029.

Background:

• Damage caused by Helene required an immediate City response to secure public safety, provide aid to the community, and secure public infrastructure; the City entered emergency contracts where needs exceeded staff capacity, including with Hagerty Consulting, Inc. for recovery management services.
• That contract was ratified by City Council on November 12, 2024 and amended twice (January 28, 2025 and June 10, 2025) for a total not to exceed $12,826,024 for work through June 30, 2026.
• FY26 accomplishments include development and submission of over $400 million in Hazard Mitigation Grant (HMGP) applications, extension of temporary water pretreatment systems through the 2025 hurricane season, and FEMA Public Assistance grant support for permanent pretreatment systems at DeBruhl Water Treatment Plant.
• The FY27 contract is anticipated to support completion of debris removal, a significant increase in infrastructure projects through the FEMA Public Assistance program, and Hazard Mitigation Grant applications; there is no definitive end date, and staff will attempt to limit amendments to one per fiscal year.
• Scope includes capacity and support in working with FEMA (Public Assistance, Individual Assistance, Hazard Mitigation), HUD, and FHWA and FTA disaster recovery programs to maximize direct financial reimbursement, grant support, and technical assistance.
• To date Hagerty Consulting's support has resulted in the obligation of $72 million to the City through the FEMA Public Assistance Program.

Fiscal Impact:

• Increases the contract by $4,584,593 for FY 2026-27 work, bringing the total not-to-exceed amount to $17,410,617; approximately 90% of the expense is expected to be reimbursed by FEMA and CDBG-DR.

Background:

• The City of Asheville is committed to promoting the safety, health, and well-being of all residents and visitors, including those who use public roadways for cycling and other forms of active transportation.
• Western North Carolina is home to a vibrant and growing cycling community, with many roadways in and around Asheville serving as popular and heavily trafficked cycling routes.
• On July 1, 2025, Leonard Antonelli (27) and Jacob Hill (32) were killed and Griffin Tichenor injured when a commercial vehicle crossed the center line and struck them during a weekly group ride near Asheville; on July 18, 2024, Alex Rozos (26) died after being hit while riding on Swannanoa River Road near South Tunnel Road.
• The proposed Act, known as “Lennie’s Law,” would establish designated Bicycle Safety Zones on popular cycling routes across North Carolina with stricter enforcement of posted speed limits and increased penalties, modeled after school zone safety measures and including clear signage.
• Data consistently identify excessive speed as a leading contributing factor in vehicle-cyclist collisions, and regional partners including the French Broad Metropolitan Planning Organization and NCDOT are evaluating strategies to improve safety along key corridors.
• The resolution expresses the City's strong support for the legislation, supports collaboration with state and regional agencies to identify and designate appropriate Bicycle Safety Zones, encourages the General Assembly to adopt the legislation, and honors the memory of Leonard Antonelli, Jacob Hill, and Alex Rozos.
• Maddie Barondeau, fiancee of Leonard Antonelli, and Adam Smith, a friend, shared their story of the crash and thanked City Council for its support.