May 28, 2024

Everything on the agenda

From the minutes, in the order the City lists them. Each item's first lines are the minutes' own words.

Voted on separately

Each of these had its own motion and vote.

1. Accepts the 2024 High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Grant on behalf of the Asheville HIDTA branch…

   Passed. Voted no: Kim Roney.

   More from the minutes

   • What the minutes say it will do: “The purpose of the HIDTA program is to reduce drug trafficking and especially production in the United States, specifically in areas where drug-related activities are having a significant harmful impact.”
   • The money, in the minutes' words: “The Office of National Drug Control Policy has determined that the City of Asheville is eligible to manage this grant totaling $154,638.”
   • “This unit does not focus on, or adopt cases, that are for simple possession, but focuses only on cases that deal in trafficking, manufacturing, and distribution of illegal drugs.”

2. Rezones 21 London Road, with conditions, from Commercial Industrial (CI) to Residential Expansion - Conditional Zone (RES EXP-CZ) as well as an amendment to the Future Land Use Map from Industrial/Manufacturing to Urban Corridor (with the addition of the condition…

   Passed. Voted no: Sage Turner.

   More from the minutes

   • “two shrubs for every 30 linear feet of the parking structure's perimeter, with trees being planted within 20 feet of the structure.”
   • “The project has 250 linear feet of exposed parking deck, and proposes the required 8 trees and 16 shrubs.”
   • “Building impact landscaping is required as being one tree and two shrubs for every 1,000 square feet of building footprint, equalling 64 trees and 128 shrubs.”

3. Signs a contract worth up to a80,000 with Illumined Leadership Solutions to serve as Community Facilitator - leading community engagement and supporting all aspects…

   Passed. Voted no: Kim Roney.

   More from the minutes

   • What the minutes say it will do: “This grant-funded project will implement aspects of the community’s vision as laid out in the Pack Square Plaza Vision Plan as applicable to The Block.”

4. Approves (1) a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Asheville, North Carolina, Directing the Publication of Notice of Intention…

   Passed. Voted no: S. Antanette Mosley.

   More from the minutes

   • “This first action will specifically authorize: (1) Publication of a notice of intent to apply to the Local Government Commission; and (2) Certain statements of fact concerning the proposed bonds and application to the Local Government Commission.”
   • “Provide enhanced funding for transportation, parks and recreation, affordable housing, and public safety infrastructure needs as identified in City master plans and Council strategic goals utilizing GO Bonds, which come with the lowest possible interest rates.”

5. Rezones 57 Max Street, with conditions, from Residential Single-Family High Density (RS-8) to Residential Multi-Family Medium Density - Conditional Zone (RM-8-CZ).

   Passed. Everyone present voted yes.

   More from the minutes

   • What the minutes say it will do: “The project proposes to provide 3 dedicated 4’ by 8’ garden plots for residents at the base of the retaining wall.”
   • “About the site plan (the current zoning is RS-8 and the proposed zoning is RM-8 Conditional Zone, (1) Adaptive reuse of existing church building to 3 multi-family residential units and associated infrastructure; (2) 0.266 Acres Total; (3) Site currently has no driveway access.”
   • “Their goal is that the three units be affordable structures Mayor Manheimer opened the public hearing at 7:58 p.m.”
   • “Councilwoman Smith spoke in support of adaptive reuse of churches for affordable housing.”

6. Authorizes the associated budget amendment.

   Passed. Everyone present voted yes.

Routine items, passed together

The consent agenda: items Council approves in one vote, without separate discussion. A member can ask to pull an item out for its own vote.

1. Signs a contract with Rock Creek Grading LLC for the Fiscal Year 2024 Bridge Maintenance project.

   Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.

   More from the minutes

   • What the minutes say it will do: “This contract is intended to address these recommendations for bridges on Beaver Valley Road, Chestnut Street, Chunns Cove Road, Depot Street, Faircrest Road and Meadowview Road.”
   • The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Rock Creek Grading, LLC. in the amount of $368,000.00 plus a 12% contingency of $44,160.00 ($412,160.00 total) for the FY 2023-24 Bridge Maintenance contract.”

2. Signs a contract with Kessler Consulting Inc. for solid waste master planning services.

   Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.

   More from the minutes

   • What the minutes say it will do: “The purpose of the solid waste master plan is to evaluate the City of Asheville’s existing solid waste management system and provide short- and long-term recommendations to improve and enhance the efficiency and quality of the system and increase waste reduction and diversion.”
   • The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Kessler Consulting Inc. for solid waste master planning services for an amount not to exceed $350,000.”
   • “The selected vendor has proposed to utilize a local MWBE, Aisha Adams Media, to assist with stakeholder engagement, equity and inclusion analysis, and climate resilience analysis.”

3. Accepts grant money from the N.C. Dept. of Environmental Quality for a 2024 Community Waste Reduction and Recycling Grant.

   Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.

   More from the minutes

   • What the minutes say it will do: “The grant funding, matching funds, and associated expenses will be included in the FY 2024-25 Proposed Budget.”
   • The money, in the minutes' words: “Motion to authorize the City Manager to accept the N.C. Dept.. of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) 2024 Community Waste Reduction and Recycling Grant in the amount of $35,000, with a matching amount from the City in the amount of $7,000; and to authorize the City Manager to execute all documents.”
   • “Educating Asheville residents and businesses about what can go in their recycling carts will help to reduce contamination, reduce Material Recovery Facility (MRF) disposal tonnages and costs, ensure that our MRF has marketable commodities, and support the long-term viability of our recycling program.”
   • “Increase waste reduction and recycling contamination awareness with City residents and businesses”

4. Lets the City Manager execute a contract amendment with Smart Builders Construction for the murphy-oakley playground renovation project.

   Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.

   More from the minutes

   • The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to increase the contract with Smart Builders Construction in the amount of $20,000, for the Murphy Oakley Fence and Curb Change Order.”
   • “The Murphy Oakley playground renovation is Asheville’s first inclusive playground and is currently under construction.”

5. Approves issuing up to $28,000,000 Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds to provide financing for Meribel…

   Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.

   More from the minutes

   • What the minutes say it will do: “The project will consist of 5 residential buildings.”
   • “There will be a mix of 1,2 and 3-bedroom units.”
   • “Units will be set aside for individuals and families at 30% or less (58 units), 60% or less (24 units) and 80% or less (74 units) of Area Median Income (“AMI”).”

6. Amends Section 7-3-11 of Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances for the purpose of revising…

   Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.

   More from the minutes

   • “If adopted by City Council as proposed, the Clerk’s Office will monitor this Committee to address concern and appointment scheduling.”

7. Sells one2013 Freightliner Vacuum Truck which is beyond its useful life and deemed…

   Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.

8. Lets the City Manager execute a Service and Cost Share Agreement with Buncombe County for Centralized Data Entry.

   Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.

   More from the minutes

   • What the minutes say it will do: “This agreement has a one year term initiating on July 1, 2024, and will renew annually if not earlier terminated.”