Asheville City Council
August 26, 2025
Regular meeting
WaterHomelessnessOther City businessHelene recoveryPublic safetyStreets and transitBudget and taxesHousing
What it did
- Motion to amend the original motion to instruct City staff to accept the offer of the RWG’s support for the boards who want…Failed. Voted no: Esther Manheimer, S. Antanette Mosley, Sheneika Smith, Sage Turner, Maggie Ullman.
- Changes the zoning conditions for 587 Haywood Rd from Haywood Road Form District - Corridor (HR-3) and Community Business II - Conditional Zone (CBII-CZ) to Haywood Road Form District - Corridor (HR-3) and Community Business I - Conditional Zone (CBI-CZ).Passed. Voted no: Sage Turner.
- Rezones 93 & 95 Springside Rd, with conditions, from Residential Single-Family Medium Density (RS-4) to Residential Single-Family Medium Density - Conditional Zone (RS-4 - CZ), with the following two conditions be added to the Project Conditions: (1) The Project will…Passed. Voted no: Bo Hess, Kim Roney.
- Adopts an ordinance amendment to the membership and appointments to the Human Relations Commission of Asheville.Passed. Voted no: Bo Hess, Kim Roney.
- Votes recorded
- 30
- Voted on separately
- 6
- Routine items, one vote
- 24
- Votes that split
- 5
Why it matters
Regular meetings are where Council votes on laws, the budget, contracts and zoning. Routine items pass together in one vote, called the consent agenda.
The recording
Jump to a part of the meeting (13 times listed by the City)
These times and titles are the City's own, copied from the video description.
Everything on the agenda
From the minutes, in the order the City lists them. Each item's first lines are the minutes' own words.
PROCLAMATIONS
Proclamation proclaiming August, 2025, as “Overdose Awareness Month”
“Councilman Hess read the proclamation proclaiming August, 2025, as "Overdose Awareness Month " in the City of Asheville.”
CONSENT AGENDA
24 routine items, passed together in one vote.
PRESENTATIONS & REPORTS
MANAGER’S REPORT -: Employee Recognitions
“City Manager Campbell said that today we honor and recognize the outstanding achievements/recognitions of a few of our exemplary City employees.”
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public hearing to conditionally zone property at 587 Haywood Road from Haywood Road Form District - corrider and Community Business II district - Conditional Zone to Haywood Road Form District - Corridor and Community Business i district…
“Page 40 Principal Planner Will Palmquist said that this is the consideration of conditionally rezoning property located at 587 Haywood Rd from Haywood Road Form District - Corridor (HR-3) and Community Business II - Conditional Zone (CBII-CZ) to Haywood Road Form District - Corridor (HR-3) and…”
Public hearing to Conditional Zone 93 and 95 Springside Drive from RS-4 Residential Single-Family Medium Density District to RS-4-CZ Residential Single-Family Medium Density District - Conditional Zone
“Principal Planner Will Palmquist said that this is the consideration of an ordinance to conditionally zone 93 and 95 Springside Rd from RS-4 Residential Single-Family Medium Density to RS-4-CZ Residential Single-Family Medium Density - Conditional Zone.”
NEW BUSINESS
Ordinance No. 5170- ordinance amending the City of Asheville Code of Ordinances Section 11-5, Public Solicitation and Begging Regulated, specifically to expand defined “High Traffic” Zones to include geographic locations on and around…
“Deputy Chief Sean Aardema said that this is the consideration of amendments to existing City of Asheville ordinance Sec. 11-5, Public Solicitation and Begging Regulated, specifically, to expand defined “high traffic” zones to include geographic locations on and around Haywood Road, Patton Avenue, and Merrimon Avenue.”
Resolution establishing four Helene Recovery Boards and the temporary operational structure of current City Advisory boards and commissions
“Assistant City Manager Ben Woody said that this is the consideration of a resolution establishing 4 Helene Recovery boards and the temporary operational structure of current City advisory boards and commissions.”
Boards & commissions
“Vice-Mayor Mosley, former Chair of the Boards & Commissions Committee, said that this is the consideration of appointing a member to the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (TDA).”
INFORMAL DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comment
- requested support for solar transportation infrastructure
- suggestion that the City invest in the book “You’ll Pay for This”
Voted on separately
Each of these had its own motion and vote.
Failed. Voted no: Esther Manheimer, S. Antanette Mosley, Sheneika Smith, Sage Turner, Maggie Ullman.
Passed. Voted no: Sage Turner.
More from the minutes
- “The project site consists of one parcel totalling 3.26 acres at 587 Haywood Rd (PIN 9638-35-4182).”
- “The project site consists of one property totalling 3.26 acres at 587 Haywood Rd.”
- “The property is currently zoned Haywood Road Form District - Corridor (HR-3) and Community Business II - Conditional Zone (CBII-CZ).”
Passed. Voted no: Bo Hess, Kim Roney.
More from the minutes
- “The proposed development is slightly higher at 6.0 units/acre.”
- “Mr. Palmquist responded when Mayor Manheimer pointed out that if any applicant builds single family homes at market rate, we will never reach the City’s goal of “increase and diversity of the housing supply” in our Comprehensive Plan.”
Passed. Voted no: Bo Hess, Kim Roney.
More from the minutes
- What the minutes say it will do: “The proposed amendment will remove subsection (b)(2) in order to ensure compliance with applicable law and consistency with other City ordinances governing board and commission appointments.”
Passed. Voted no: Kim Roney.
More from the minutes
- “Enhanced regulations on solicitation in certain areas can create a more appealing environment for residents, shoppers, and businesses, supporting economic growth.”
- “Why we are considering expanding High Traffic Zones is , (1) In the past 12 months, there were 431 calls for service in the proposed high-traffic zones; and (2) These calls for service include panhandling, suspicious persons, and trespassing.”
- “One individual spoke in support of the proposed changes to the panhandling ordinance in that they felt that not everyone who panhandles is homeless.”
Outcome as recorded in the minutes.
More from the minutes
- “The proposed Helene Recovery Boards are People & Environment; Housing; Infrastructure; and Economy.”
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.
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 budget amendment in the amount of $6.0 million in the City’s Special Revenue Fund funded with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursements through the federal and state governments.”
- “At the end of September 2024, the City of Asheville experienced large-scale devastation and destruction as a result of Tropical Storm Helene that affected residents, businesses and city-owned property and infrastructure.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- What the minutes say it will do: “This project as proposed will involve the construction of approximately 30,000’ new transmission main between the North Fork Water Treatment Plant and a transmission main interconnection location at Bee Tree Junction, with the possibility of interconnections to other transmission mains along the route.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Estimated contract not to exceed value of $9,741,000.00.”
- “The proposed North Fork Transmission Main No 3 project has been prioritized by the Water Resources Department as a needed mitigation project to reduce risks of system outages as a result of natural disasters and add redundancy to the water distribution system.”
- “Approximately ¾ of a mile downstream from the North Fork Water Treatment Plant, the two transmission mains pass through an area where the river gorge is at its most constricted, bound by the roadway, bridge and natural rock cliff banks.”
- “This proposed mitigation project is intended to meet those goals.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a general services contract with CliftonLarsonAllen LLP for CDBG-DR Internal Audit, for a term of six years or until project completion, with total costs not to exceed $1,002,575 over the duration of the contract.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- The money, in the minutes' words: “The ANC Defendants will make payments totaling $2 million toward Plaintiffs’ litigation expenses and attorneys’ fees arising from this action, payable in installments.”
Signs a contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates for the North Reed Creek Greenway Phase i.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- What the minutes say it will do: “This project is being considered as part of emergency protective measures and will be eligible for reimbursement through the FEMA PA process.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Motion to adopt a resolution to authorize the City Manger to contract with Herc Rentals, Inc., for the temporary provision of Parks & Recreation vehicles damaged by Hurricane Helene in an amount not to exceed $355,436 in response to Topical Storm Helene Emergency Response.”
- “This project includes the Design of a ~0.39 mile greenway that extends the existing Reed Creek Greenway north towards Riverside Drive.”
- “Staff is currently working on a mutual aid / municipal agreement with NCDOT to perform the work with the City reimbursing NCDOT for full cost recovery.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Original contract amount of $160,000 will not be exceeded.”
- “Under the proposed contract, Loomis Armored US, LLC will provide armored vehicle cash pick-up & delivery services as well as State Statute compliant “smart safes” for the periods of time in between cash pickup.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- The money, in the minutes' words: “The City provides 10% of the cost, not to exceed $5,718.”
Signs an agreement with the Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care Defining the City.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Signs a contract with Icf Inc., LLC for HOME-ARP Program Consulting Services.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- “Will augment staff capacity and bring on seasoned professionals to implement the HOME-ARP program that will develop affordable housing and implement supportive services projects.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- What the minutes say it will do: “The requested contract change orders will allow staff to encumber those amounts in the City’s financial system.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Approves an agreement with Buncombe County for the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Homeowner Grant Program.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- What the minutes say it will do: “This resolution will empower the City Attorney to continue the City’s participation in all future opioid settlements.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Repeals Sections 19-1, 19-6, 19-7 and 19-14 in the code of ordinances and replace with revisions…
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- What the minutes say it will do: “The purpose of this item is to accept the grant funds for FY 26.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- “The City of Asheville developed the Passport Program to offer safe and affordable transportation options for employees in our community.”
- “North Carolina General Statue, § 160A-461 Interlocal cooperation authorized, requires a resolution be ratified by City Council when any unit of local government in the state enters into contracts or agreements with another.”
Amends the 2025-26 Fees & Charges Manual to include a parking fee for Special Events at Memorial…
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
The plain-language lines are written by fixed rules from each item's official title, which is on each decision's page. Every vote the minutes record is listed; procedural motions, like approving the minutes or adjourning, are left out.