2011 Boards and Commission openings offer opportunity for citizen involvement in local government

An Asheville City Council meeting may be the big event for those who follow local government, but meetings of council’s boards and commissions offer plenty of opportunity to participate in crafting city policy. 2011 will see seats becoming available on a wide variety of those boards and commissions, (click here for a PDF of upcoming [...]

ABC Board launches PSA against underage drinking

On Thursday June 10, the Asheville ABC Board, in conjunction with 12 other boards across NC, launched an underage drinking prevention campaign in Asheville. At a press conference at the Grove Park Inn, ABC Board members unveiled a new public service announcement encouraging parents to reduce teen drinking by staying involved with their children.   The press [...]

girls playing soccer

ABYSA to share financial responsibility for JBL Soccer Complex maintenance, under new agreement

Contributed image   Work began about two weeks ago at John B. Lewis Soccer Complex to repair damages caused by multiple flooding events in 2018. And a resolution adopted by Asheville City Council during its March 26 meeting puts in place an agreement for shared financial responsibility for future maintenance at the facility.   The City’s new lease agreement [...]

Adopted City budget is now online

  Asheville residents see modest fee changes with new fiscal year, July 1   Fourteen cents per month. That’s how much most residents will pay in an increase for their stormwater services starting July 1.   The City of Asheville’s fiscal year began July 1 and with it come some modest fee increases. Residents can find a list of all City [...]

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Applicants invited to apply for Asheville City Council vacancy

    The City of Asheville operates under a council-manager form of government. The Asheville City Council establishes the City’s policies and appoints the City Manager, who oversees day-to-day city operations and executes Council-established laws and policies.  The City Council also ensures the entire community is being served.   The City Council is made up of a mayor and [...]

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Asheville City Council accepts donations from two groups for ART bus shelters

  Civic partners stepped up to provide funding for three bus shelters — $16,000 in contributions combined — accepted in a budget amendment by Asheville City Council during their May 25 meeting.   The Transportation Department has been working with these community organizations to provide donations to install standard bus shelters along Asheville Rides Transit bus routes.   The Rotary Club [...]

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Asheville City Council adopts Haywood-Page properties Master Concept Plan

  After more than three years of community engagement around the future use of City-owned properties on Haywood Street and Page Avenue downtown, a master concept plan for the properties went before Asheville City Council Oct. 27.   The plan by Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects incorporates a mix of uses, including:  A central plaza for community gatherings and [...]

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Asheville City Council adopts modest fees and charges changes for FY 2021-2022

    In a year when the COVID-19 pandemic economically challenged our community, the City of Asheville did not increase fees and charges for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 (which runs July to June). Also, in an effort to limit the financial impact of the pandemic, some fees were waived, and late charges were deferred. This was done even though [...]

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Asheville City Council adopts Nondiscrimination Ordinance

    In alignment with Buncombe County, on April 27 Asheville City Council passed a Nondiscrimination Ordinance, protecting people from discrimination in public accommodations and private employment.   From March 30, 2017, through December 1, 2020, the State of North Carolina prohibited local governments from regulating private employment practices and/or public accommodations. This restriction ceased in December of 2020, [...]

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Asheville City Council adopts revised Alarm Ordinance designed to cut down on false alarms

  With the new fiscal year will come new registration and renewal fees for alarm systems in the City of Asheville. Following an overwhelming number of false alarms coming into the Asheville Police Department — 97% of which were false alarms — City Council adopted a revised Alarm Ordinance at its June 22 meeting.   According to the [...]

Asheville City Council announces called meetings

  Asheville City Council will hold two called special meetings this week in the Council Chamber, second floor of City Hall. The schedule is as follows:   8:45 a.m. Oct. 4 8:15 a.m. Oct. 5   Council will immediately go into closed session to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness or conditions of appointment of an individual public officer or [...]

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Asheville City Council approves Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project

On July 26, the Asheville City council voted unanimously  to approve the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project, or AMI.  The new AMI system will replace the Water Department’s current automated meter reading system now reaching the end of its useful life cycle. The newly approved AMI system will utilize a City owned fixed network of antennas and [...]

Municipal Golf Course in Asheville

Asheville City Council approves Commonwealth Golf Partners as new operator of the Municipal Golf Course

On August 23, 2022, the Asheville City council voted unanimously to approve Commonwealth Golf Partners II – Asheville LLC (CGP) as the new operator of Asheville’s historic 1927 Donald Ross designed Municipal Golf Course.  CGP will assume operations of the course beginning October 1, 2022 replacing the current operator, Pope Golf LLC, whose contract expires [...]

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Asheville City Council approves design contract for planned Fire Station 13

    Design will move forward for a new fire station planned on a property at 316 Broadway St. near Mount Clare Avenue. At their Nov. 12 meeting, Asheville City Council authorized a $407,567 contract for expansion of design services of Fire Station 13 by Charlotte-based ADW Architects. The funding was already included in the City’s Capital Improvement [...]

Charlotte Street road diet art

Asheville City Council approves multimodal improvements to enhance mobility and safety for residents

The Charlotte Street Road Diet will move forward, with construction expected in 2020. During their Sept. 10 meeting, Asheville City Council approved a resolution appropriating $973,556.10 to Harrison Construction-Candler Division for the construction of improvements designed to enhance safety for multiple modes of transportation.   It was one of three multimodal items approved by Council during the [...]

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Asheville City Council approves pilot program designed to reduce discolored water following water line breaks or outages  

  As the City of Asheville works to proactively maintain and invest in Asheville’s water system, Water Resources will begin a pilot program this year to identify ways to enhance its flushing program as a tool to help mitigate impacts to our customers.   At their Feb. 25 meeting, City Council authorized execution of a $50,000 contract with [...]

Asheville City Council approves Pritchard Park improvement project

At its Feb. 14 meeting, Asheville City Council approved a budget amendment, in the amount of $232,349, to establish a capital budget for the Pritchard Park improvements. This project can now go forward. The improvements to Pritchard Park are designed to contribute to a safe and inviting urban public space. Construction is expected to take place March [...]

asheville transit bus

Asheville City Council approves purchase of new ART buses with combination of federal, local funding

  Three new buses will be added to the Asheville Rides Transit (ART) fleet, under action taken by Asheville City Council. At their December 14 meeting, Council approved a resolution to purchase three 30-foot Gillig diesel buses to replace buses in the fleet as they near their useful service life. During the last five years, the City [...]

Asheville City Council approves putting bond referendums to voters

Package would pay for transportation and recreation infrastructure as well as affordable housing projects   Asheville City Council voted to put three bond referendums totaling $74 million before Asheville voters in the November general election. At their Aug. 9 meeting, councilmembers voted unanimously to take the next step in getting the bond referendums on the ballot. The three bond referendums [...]

Vance Monument and street mural

Asheville City Council approves Vance Monument removal, visioning process for future of the site

  The Vance Monument site on Pack Square could be redeveloped following a community visioning process approved by Asheville City Council March 23. The Council approved removal of the monument as a first step.   Erected in 1897, the 75-foot-tall stone obelisk is named for former Confederate military officer, N.C Governor and U.S. Senator Zebulon Vance, whose home [...]

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Asheville City Council continues remote meetings and here’s how to participate

  While the City of Asheville has reopened its public-facing offices in a limited capacity, for safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 meetings will remain virtual at this time. That includes the 5 p.m. Nov. 10 City Council meeting.  Here’s what you need to know to watch/listen and/or to participate in the Council meeting. This [...]

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Asheville City Council continues remote meetings and here’s how to participate

For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville City Council meetings will remain virtual at this time. That includes the 5 p.m. Jan. 12 City Council meeting.  Here’s what you need to know to watch/listen and/or to participate in the Council meeting. This meeting can be accessed through the City’s Virtual Engagement Hub.

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Asheville City Council continues remote meetings and here’s how to participate

    For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville City Council meetings will remain virtual at this time. That includes the 5 p.m. Feb. 9 City Council meeting.  Here’s what you need to know to watch/listen and/or to participate in the Council meeting. This meeting can be accessed through the City’s Virtual [...]

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Asheville City Council continues remote meetings, will continue proposed hotel development regulations work session prior to regular meeting

    While the City of Asheville has reopened its public-facing offices in a limited capacity, for safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 meetings will remain virtual at this time. That includes the Oct. 27 City Council meeting. Prior to the 5 p.m. meeting, Council will continue its work session on proposed hotel development regulations.   Here’s [...]

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Asheville City Council continues remote meetings, will hold proposed hotel development regulations work session prior to regular meeting

    While the City of Asheville will reopen its public-facing offices in a limited capacity Oct. 12, for safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 meetings will remain virtual at this time. That includes the Oct. 13 City Council meeting. Prior to the 5 p.m. meeting, Council will hold a 2:30 p.m. work session on [...]

I26 connector proposal

Asheville City Council I-26 Connector resolution endorses specific alternatives, calls for collaboration

At its Dec. 8 meeting, Asheville City Council passed a resolution calling for the NCDOT to minimize proposed I-26 Connector impacts on the Burton Street, Emma, West Asheville and Montford communities. And the City called on the NCDOT to “partner with the City in creating a collaborative working group of City appointees and NCDOT design [...]

Asheville City Council identifies accomplishments from the past year

More than 40 items on the list   During its Feb. 17 retreat, Asheville City Council revisited the Vision that it established in January 2016 and adopted on February 23, 2016, to ask, “What successes have we had in moving toward the Council’s Vision over the past year?” The following is a list that Council members identified during [...]

Asheville City Council issues statement to the community in wake of APD excessive use of force

  A statement by Asheville City Council   Like you, we are angry. We are angry that a black man walking home from a long day at work was stopped for jaywalking — something most of us do regularly without consequence.  We are angry that Johnnie Rush was attacked, beaten, choked and tased by a white police officer [...]

Asheville city schools logo

Asheville City Council makes Board of Education appointments

  At their March 26 meeting, Asheville City Council unanimously reappointed current Asheville City Board of Education Chair Shaunda Sandford and Vice Chair Martha Geitner. Each of them will serve additional four-year terms to expire in 2023. The Council also voted to appoint James Carter to complete the current term of James E. Lee III, who was [...]

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Asheville City Council Meeting May 10, 2022

Asheville City Council will continue meeting in person at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2022  at Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville Banquet Hall, 87 Haywood Street.  

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Asheville City Council meeting to be held following CDC, state and local guidelines

    Top priority is to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and avoid overwhelming our healthcare network   As the City of Asheville continues to work through the COVID-19 public health emergency,  we want to make our residents aware of our modified operations, especially regarding how they can participate in their City government.   Taking into consideration CDC, N.C. Department of Health [...]

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Asheville City Council meeting to be held remotely and here’s how you can participate

    Top priority is the safety of our community and to minimize the spread of COVID-19 while conducting City business   The May 12 Asheville City Council meeting and budget work session will be held remotely. Due to the locally declared State of Emergency and Stay Safe, Stay Home order, there will be no public attendance at these meetings. [...]

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Asheville City Council Meeting Tuesday, June 14, 2022; Budget Public Hearing

Budget Public Hearing - Your chance to be Heard. The community is invited to this opportunity to comment on the recommended investments in person at the Council meeting or utilize remote options. We encourage community participation.                             

Asheville City Council Meeting, Tuesday May 24, 2022

Asheville City Council will continue meeting in person at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, 2022  at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville Banquet Hall, 87 Haywood Street.     The Council meeting agenda is posted at this link. Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute § 143-318.10 this will be an in-person meeting which the public can access [...]

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Asheville City Council moves Sept. 24 meeting to USCC Banquet Hall

Update: Because tonight’s Ashville City Council meeting is offsite, we will not be able to show presentations on the live stream. For people who want to follow along, here is a link to them however. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MZfE6Ak7hnvzkAE5VvKjYp_oUreuZNuy?usp=sharing   Original post: The next formal meeting of the Asheville City Council will be held at 5 p.m. Sept. 24 [...]

Asheville City Council narrows field in City Manager search

  During their Sept. 25 meeting, under closed session, Asheville City Council narrowed the City Manager candidate pool down from 13 to 6 semifinalists. Council will conducted face-to-face interviews with those semifinalists on Oct. 4 and 5. An opportunity for a public meet and greet during the final rounds of interviews is planned, which is expected to be [...]

Asheville City Council passes FY23 budget with key investments in top priorities.

At its June 28 meeting Asheville City Council passed the City Managers recommended budget with a 6 to 1 vote.  The $217 million budget is based on internal work, community input and Council priorities, and reflects the long term strategies and continuation of the reimagining public safety process. 

Asheville City Council passes resolution condemning the actions of people who espouse hate speech and promote white supremacy

At its 5 p.m. August 22 meeting, Asheville City Council passed a resolution condemning the actions of white supremacists and racial violence in Charlottesville, Va.  On August 14 following the tragic events in Charlottesville, Va., Mayor Esther Manheimer issued a statement condemning the actions of people who espouse hate speech against any [...]

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Asheville City Council reprises consent agenda for the record

  Due to broadcasting difficulties during the Sept. 28 City Council meeting, the Oct. 12 Council agenda will reprise the full consent agenda from the Sept. 28 City Council meeting, as the vote on these items was not broadcast or recorded in open virtual session. In order to ensure full transparency and to comply with North [...]

aerial view of substation

Asheville City Council rezones Patton Avenue property for new type of Duke Energy substation

Asheville City Council cleared the way for a new Duke Energy substation with a vote to rezone portions of 252 Patton Ave. and 28 Knoxville Place, during Council’s Jan. 22 meeting.   Duke has proposed the construction of a gas-insulated, high-voltage switchgear (or GIS) substation on the parcel that formerly served as a car dealership on [...]

Photo of 4 people voting

Asheville City Council takes next step toward reinstating at-large elections and nonpartisan municipal primaries  

    Asheville City Council took a step closer to amending its charter to reinstate at-large elections for all Council members and nonpartisan Council primaries by holding public hearings on the matter during their Sept. 24 meeting. The City’s charter is listed in Chapter 1 of the Municipal Code, posted on the City’s website.   During the [...]

Word bonds spelled out with scrabble letters

Asheville City Council takes step to spread bond costs over longer term at lower rate

  On Nov. 8, 2016, Asheville voters approved three bond referendums: $32 million for transportation projects, $25 million for affordable housing projects and $17 million for Parks projects.   Since the inception of the bond program, City of Asheville projects have including enhancements such as resurfaced streets and sidewalks; investments in affordable housing; and improvements to parks, including [...]

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Asheville City Council to consider reinstating at-large elections through charter amendments

  Two resolutions passed by City Council Sept. 10 set into motion a process to reverse state law mandating district elections for the City’s governing board. The resolutions are part of a three-step process required to amend the City’s charter and return the Council elections to an at-large format and restore primary elections, said City Attorney Brad [...]

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Asheville City Council to hold a work session on hotel moratorium

  Archived stream of the work session:   Original post: In September, Asheville City Council approved a temporary moratorium on the approval of new hotels, which means that no hotel development applications will be approved for a year. The purpose of the moratorium is to allow the City time to further study the issues surrounding tourism and assess the [...]

Asheville City Council to hold budget retreat

  Asheville City Council will hold a budget retreat March 13 in the Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville banquet hall. This daylong budget retreat will be streamed live on the City’s YouTube channel at this link. Council members will attend a legislative breakfast starting at  8 a.m. and then the actual retreat will [...]

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Asheville City Council to hold budget work session prior to April 13 meeting 

    For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville City Council meetings remain virtual at this time. That includes the April 13 City Council meeting.  In addition to the 5 p.m. meeting Council will hold a 2:30 p.m. budget work session.   April 13 will be the third budget work session for the 2021-2022 budget. The [...]

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Asheville City Council to hold budget work session prior to April 27 meeting 

  UPDATE: Due to technical difficulties, today’s (April 27) City Council budget work session and meeting will not be available on Charter/Spectrum Channel 193. You can watch City Council meetings live stream through the City’s Virtual Engagement Hub or via the City’s YouTube channel.       For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville [...]

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Asheville City Council to hold budget work session prior to March 23 meeting 

    For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville City Council meetings remain virtual at this time. That includes the March 23 City Council meeting. In addition to the 5 p.m. meeting Council will hold a 2:30 p.m. budget work session.   March 23 will be the second budget work session for the 2021-2022 budget. The [...]

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