City Council regular meeting — September 22, 2026

Action Requested:

• Motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the Water Resources Department to accept $403,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for replacement of single-family residential properties lead and galvanized iron pipe service lines categorized for replacement per EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI); and the associated budget amendment, in the amount of $403,000.

Background:

• The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) mandate requires all public water utilities to identify and replace all lead service lines, as well as galvanized iron service lines that are or were previously downstream of lead components, by the conclusion of calendar year 2038.
• While the City has identified no lead service lines within its system to date, historical record gaps preclude verifying whether certain customer-owned galvanized iron service lines were ever positioned downstream of lead materials.
• In February 2026, the Water Resources Department submitted an application for FY26/27 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding; the Housing and Community Development Committee subsequently approved an allocation of $403,000 to support service line replacement efforts.
• On June 9th, 2026 Council approved the CDBG Annual Action Plan which included $403,000 in the CDBG Fund for this work. Adoption of a budget amendment is now necessary to facilitate the receipt and appropriation of these grant funds in the Water Fund.
• Securing this funding will enable a proactive initiative to mitigate lead exposure risks for low-income homeowners, upgrading essential residential water infrastructure with an anticipated operational lifespan exceeding 50 years.

Staff: Bill Hart, Water Resources Director; Brenna Cook, Compliance Manager.

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Action Requested:

• Motion to adopt a resolution to authorize the City Manager to renew and fund for one year the contract with Peek Travel Inc. for an additional $24,400.00 (making the lifetime amount of this contract total $138,000.00) and to execute any documents necessary to effect this funding and renewal.

Background:

• On March 22, 2023 the WNC Nature Center Education Department went live with ACME software solutions for summer camp registration, shortly followed by the Admissions Office with Point-of-Sale ticketing on May 3, 2023.
• ACME Technologies, Inc was acquired by Peek Travel, Inc. in November of 2025.
• This contract renewal would allow the WNC Nature Center to continue offering admissions to the award winning facility.
• Currently the Peek software is providing guest and membership tracking, with both online ticket sales and at the admissions office, summer camp registration

Staff: Chris Corl, Director, Community & Regional Entertainment Facility Department; Chris Gentile, Manager, WNC Nature Center.

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Action Requested:

• Motion to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Asheville City Schools Foundation to provide funding in the amount of $45,000 for the after-school program, Real Life.

Background:

• The In Real Life (IRL) initiative delivers high-quality, hands-on, and inclusive after-school experiences to Asheville Middle School students.
• Since at least 2019, the after-school model has maintained a consistent partnership with the City of Asheville for financial sustainability.
• As a comprehensive programmatic resource, IRL offers dependable student support and coordinates essential transportation services through Asheville City Schools.
• The program fosters youth development by providing mentorship opportunities while cultivating advanced problem-solving capabilities and critical thinking proficiencies.
• IRL remains dedicated to facilitating equitable access that empowers students to discover personal interests and spark creative innovation.
• During the 2025-2026 academic term, the program successfully engaged a total of 203 students.

Staff: Promise Boseman, Workforce Development Coordinator; Rachel Taylor, Economic Development Division Manager, Housing and Economic Development Department.

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Action Requested:

• Motion to adopt a resolution to permit the possession and consumption of malt beverages and/or unfortified wine at the Lovely Asheville Annual Fall Festival.

Background:

• N. C. Gen. Stat. sec. 18B-300(c) authorizes the City by ordinance to regulate or prohibit the consumption and/or possession of open containers of malt beverages and unfortified wine on public streets and property owned, occupied, or controlled by the City and to regulate or prohibit the possession of malt beverages and unfortified wine on public streets, alleys or parking lots which are temporarily closed to regular traffic for special events.
• The City Council of the City of Asheville has adopted an ordinance pursuant to that statutory authority; and that ordinance, codified as Section 11-11 in the Code of Ordinances of the City of Asheville, provides that the City Council may adopt a resolution making other provisions for the possession of malt beverages and/or unfortified wine at a special event or community festival.
• Asheville Creative Arts has requested that City Council permit them to serve beer and/or unfortified wine at the Lovely Asheville Annual Fall Festival on October 10 & 11, 2026, in Pack Square Park, and to allow consumption at the event.
• Alcohol boundaries are defined as per the accompanying event site map. Approval would allow fundraising opportunities for the sponsoring nonprofit organization.

Fiscal Impact:

• No negative fiscal impacts have been identified.

Staff: Chris Corl, Director, Department of Community & Regional Entertainment Facilities; Jon Fillman, Community Event Manager.

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Action Requested:

• Motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the execution of an interlocal agreement between the City of Asheville and the County of Buncombe to administer the General Assistance Program.

Background:

• From FY23 through FY26, the City of Asheville and Buncombe County jointly funded the Homeowner Grant Program, managed by the County, which was designed to assist homeowners of low and moderate income.
• Starting in FY27, the City and County have agreed to instead invest in the County’s General Assistance Program, an economic public assistance program designed to assist Buncombe County residents with income at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level (“FPL”).
• The County will contribute $290,000 and the City will contribute $75,000.
• Grants awarded under the Program shall be funded as follows:
• Maximum of $350 for households with income at 131-200% FPL regardless of household size.
• Maximum of $500 for households with income at or below 130% FPL regardless of household size.
• City funding will only be available to eligible grant applicants whose qualifying residence is located within the territorial jurisdiction of the City.
• Eligible households may, in their discretion, choose to have grant funds applied directly to the allowable bill that best supports their needs, such as housing or utility bill costs.
• The City will provide the County $75,000 and the County will operate the program.

Staff: Tony McDowell, CFO, Finance & Management Services Director.

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Action Requested:

• Motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept the North Carolina Department of Transportation
• Integrated Mobility Division for Federal Transit Administration Section 5303 Metropolitan Planning Program annual funding in the amount of $189,839 for Fiscal Year 2027, and to enter into any agreements necessary for grant acceptance.

Background:

• The City applies annually to the North Carolina Department of Transportation
• Integrated Mobility Division to receive Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5303 funds (Metropolitan Planning Program).
• The City uses the Section 5303 funding to fund existing transit planning activities such as grant management, administration, and reporting; short and long-range transit planning; analyses of transit operations; and required semi-annual DBE program preparation and reporting.
• The funds supplement the Transit Division personnel budget, which includes the Transit Division Manager and additional Transit Division staff positions.

Fiscal Impact:

• The total grant funding is allocated at $189,839. Of this anticipated funding, the Federal Transit Administration will contribute an 80% share, totaling $151,871. The remaining 20% match will be divided between the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the City of Asheville, with each entity providing a 10% contribution of $18,983 and $18,985, respectively.

Staff: Ashley Haire, Transportation Director; Jessica Morriss, Transportation Assistant Director; Christopher Whitlock, Transit Division Manager.

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Action Requested:

• Motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Public Transit Apprenticeship Grant Program and, if awarded, authorize the City Manager accept the funds, enter into any agreement with NCDOT to fund the Apprenticeship for Fiscal Year (FY) 2028, and to expend funding on the local match or balance of project costs.

Background:

• The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Integrated Mobility Division (IMD) manages an annual Public Transit Apprenticeship Grant Program that places recent university graduates in municipal transit agencies for one year. The program reimburses 90% of eligible expenses up to set maximum line-item limits, requiring a 10% local match from the host transit system. Sponsor systems determine apprentice wages, benefits, and travel allowances within these maximum limitations. The allowable expenses are structured as follows:
• Salary / Wages: Subject to a maximum state reimbursement of $44,928, paired with a required 10% local match of $4,992, resulting in a total allowable cost of $49,920 (equivalent to a maximum hourly rate of $24.00/hr.).
• FICA / Social Security Contributions: Subject to a maximum state reimbursement of $3,437, paired with a required 10% local match of $382, resulting in a total allowable cost of $3,819.
• Travel Allowances: Subject to a maximum state reimbursement of $900, paired with a required 10% local match of $100, resulting in a total allowable cost of $1,000.
• Total Combined Funding: Reflects a maximum state contribution of $49,265 and a 10% local match of $5,474, culminating in a comprehensive project budget of $54,739.
• The above detailed figures encompass 100% of the maximum allowable apprenticeship operational costs eligible for cost-sharing under the NCDOT grant guidelines. Any expenditure exceeding these thresholds must be borne exclusively by the City of Asheville.
• The City has participated in this program several times over the last decade.
• The transit apprentice would work within the Transit Division of the Transportation Department and would assist the division with ongoing work program items related to transit service. The apprentice is also required by the NCDOT to prepare a research report at the end of the apprenticeship.

Staff: Ashley Haire, Transportation Director; Jessica Morriss, Assistant Transportation Director; Christopher Whitlock, Transit Division Manager.

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Action Requested:

• Motion authorizing the City Manager to execute a three-year General Services Agreement with Raynetta and Company Enterprises, LLC for professional facility cleaning services at eight municipal locations. The agreement is for an annual amount of $56,300, with a 3% escalator for year three with a total contract value not to exceed $174,017.67 for the three-year term.

Background:

• The City of Asheville initiated a procurement process for professional cleaning services across eight (8) municipal facilities to reduce internal payroll expenses and boost operational efficiency.
• The contract spans a variety of municipal properties, including critical public safety facilities such as Asheville Police Department administrative offices, several City fire stations, and additional general public administration buildings.
• Under this initiative, a specialized external vendor will perform comprehensive cleaning, sanitation, and routine facility maintenance to maintain safe, hygienic, and professional spaces for staff and visitors.
• Transitioning these responsibilities to a vendor enables centralized oversight and optimized personnel allocation, ensuring high-traffic public safety hubs and city offices uphold strict health and safety standards while driving long-term cost savings.

Staff: Walter Ear, Director of Capital & Asset Management.

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Background:

• The City's Community Development Division, in collaboration with the Asheville Regional Housing Consortium (ARHC), developed the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan, which guides the allocation of funds aimed at mitigating homelessness and fulfilling regional housing needs.
• The proposed substantial amendment revises the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan to add preferences and referral methods designed to address the increased need for housing assistance following Hurricane Helene.
• The amendment establishes a preference for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, including those experiencing homelessness for the first time as a result of Hurricane Helene, and incorporates the Coordinated Entry system and other eligible referral sources to ensure assistance is targeted to households with the greatest need.
• The ARHC voted unanimously to approve the amended Allocation Plan on August 12, 2026.
• Public Comment period opened August 31, 2026 and will remain open until October 2, 2026. A draft HOME-ARP Substantial Amendment is available on the City’s Community Development website and a Public Notice was announced on August 30, 2026 via the Asheville Citizens Times.
• All public comments will be brought to the City Council on October 13, 2026 as part of the final approval of the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan Substantial Amendment.

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