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City Hall summer
Asheville inquiry into police protest response expands to include roles for City Council, City Attorney
Posted on by Polly McDaniel

  In support of Asheville Police Chief David Zack’s recommendation of an outside independent investigation into Asheville Police’s response to recent protests, City Council has requested that the City Attorney’s Office, under the direction of City Attorney Brad Branham, lead the effort to select the investigator. This move is aimed at maximizing accountability and transparency to [...]

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capital fee illustration
City of Asheville to discontinue capital fee on utility bills
Posted on by Polly McDaniel

  City of Asheville water customers may see public notices about the outcome of a class action lawsuit involving the City’s capital fee collected as part of the combined utility statement.   In 2016, a North Carolina Supreme Court decision declared that certain “impact fees” charged by municipalities and utility authorities were illegal.  As a result, many cities [...]

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City of Asheville marks Earth Week by joining Amicus brief in objection to EPA power plant rule
Posted on by Polly McDaniel

  The City of Asheville continues its support of the creation of clean energy by signing an Amicus brief criticizing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule. The rule, we believe, fails  to reduce dangerous air pollution and address climate change, increasing health and safety risks for Americans, including [...]

PostCity CouncilFeaturedNewsPress ReleasesLegalSustainability
Buncombe County issues ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’ order, which applies to Asheville residents
Posted on by Polly McDaniel

    In light of the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order issued by Buncombe County today, the City of Asheville would like to take a moment to clarify how the various State-, County- and City-level States of Emergency impact its citizens.   On March 12, when the City of Asheville first declared a State of Emergency in connection with [...]

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Newly amended Asheville State of Emergency proclamation in response to COVID-19 limits gatherings to 10
Posted on by Polly McDaniel

  In alignment with Buncombe County, on March 19, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer signed a newly amended State of Emergency proclamation for the City of Asheville, based on the public health emergency posed by COVID-19.   This proclamation limits public gatherings on property owned by the City of Asheville to no more than 10 people.   The new order adheres [...]

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Here’s a rundown on Asheville’s newly updated dangerous weapons ordinance
Posted on by Polly McDaniel

    During their Oct. 22 meeting, City Council adopted an update to Asheville’s weapons ordinance and we’d like everyone to understand what this means. The update clarifies the existing City ordinance by specifying that it prohibits dangerous weapons on City buses and firearms in other areas, such as City buildings and grounds, including the Transit Center and [...]

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Photo of 4 people voting
Asheville City Council takes next step toward reinstating at-large elections and nonpartisan municipal primaries  
Posted on by Polly McDaniel

    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 [...]

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Illustration of people voting
Asheville City Council to consider reinstating at-large elections through charter amendments
Posted on by Polly McDaniel

  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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City Council sets public hearing to consider hotel moratorium
Posted on by Polly McDaniel

  Asheville City Council passed a motion Tuesday setting a Sept. 24 public hearing to consider a temporary moratorium on hotel development approvals within the City of Asheville. This moratorium would place a temporary hold on hotel development in Asheville for up to one year.   In a Sept. 10 presentation to Council, City Attorney Brad Branham and [...]

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illustration of diverse group of people voting
City attorney to outline legal options regarding district elections during Asheville City Council worksession
Posted on by Polly McDaniel

Update Thank you to everyone who came out to the July 2 Asheville City Council worksession on municipal election districts. For those of you who missed it but would still like to review the information session and following discussion it is archived on the City of Asheville YouTube channel at this link:

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people riding scooters
Court upholds City of Asheville’s right to ban motorized scooter services
Posted on by Polly McDaniel

    An April 2 judgment in Buncombe County Superior Court affirms the City of Asheville’s right to prohibit motorized scooter services from operating in the City without permission.   The judgment entered by Superior Court Judge Alan Thornburg provides a final resolution to the lawsuit initiated by the City following Bird Rides’ unauthorized October 2018 deployment of 200 [...]

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Brad Branham portrait
City Council names Brad Branham as Asheville’s next City Attorney
Posted on by Polly McDaniel

  After a competitive nationwide search, Mayor Esther Manheimer and City Council are pleased to announce that they have named Brad R. Branham as Asheville’s next City Attorney.   City Council voted unanimously to name Branham to the position during a special called meeting prior to Council’s regular meeting March 12. He will begin in his new role [...]

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2019 City of Asheville initiatives: What to look for in the new year
Posted on by Polly McDaniel

With a new year comes new programs, facility improvements and projects to improve our community. Here’s a look ahead at Asheville City government initiatives in 2019.     Red Pandas exhibit to open Two cute red pandas will take up residence at the WNC Nature Center this year. The new red panda exhibit will open to the public on [...]

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Asheville City Attorney accepts new post in Raleigh
Posted on by Polly McDaniel

Robin Currin, Asheville City Attorney, has resigned, effective September 27, 2018. Ms Currin will be assuming the role of City Attorney for Raleigh, NC.   “While we are disappointed to be losing Robin, her role in Raleigh is a wonderful career opportunity. It will also allow her to return to her long-time home.  We will miss her [...]

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City of Asheville Police Department body-worn camera viewing information guide
Posted on by Polly McDaniel

These recordings depict an event which occurred August 24 and 25, 2017. What happened in these recordings is unacceptable and does not meet the standards of the Asheville Police Department, the values of the City of Asheville, or the expectations of Asheville residents. Christopher Hickman, who used dangerous and excessive force against Johnnie Rush, was [...]

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City of Asheville files petition to order release of additional APD body-cam footage
Posted on by Polly McDaniel

  The City of Asheville filed a petition today under N.C. General Statute § 132-1.4A, asking the Buncombe County Superior Court to order the release of additional body-worn camera recordings of Asheville Police Department officers relating to the August 2017 arrest of Johnnie Jermaine Rush. A copy of the petition can be found here: Petition of the [...]

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