Holly Michelle Barham

The council authorized an agreement for behavioral health counseling services for employees and their families. They approved applications for Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grants for the Walton Street Park project and authorized a contract increase for strategic planning and project management software. The council heard a presentation on Parks Recovery Projects and adopted the Fiscal Year 2027 Fees and Charges. Furthermore, the council reserved City-owned real property known as Parkside for potential Arts and Entertainment facility development, and authorized a four-year contract for the operations and maintenance of the Asheville Rides Transit system.

The council meeting addressed several significant issues, beginning with a joint statement on recent gun violence in the community and the Asheville Police Department's collaborative response efforts. A proclamation was issued declaring March 2026 as Red Cross Month, recognizing the organization's work in western North Carolina. The council also approved a rescheduling of a budget work session and adopted the consent agenda. The City Manager’s report provided a progress update on recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helen, specifically detailing FEMA public assistance status, CDBG-DR infrastructure allocations for parks and water projects, and the development of resilience hubs. The meeting concluded with the introduction of a public hearing regarding the conditional rezoning of 230 Sardis Road.

The meeting included a proclamation designating a specific date as City Employee Heroes Day to honor frontline workers. Discussion topics featured an update on the public comment process, a consent agenda addressing various city operational items, and a Manager's report on current capital and infrastructure projects. Specific projects discussed included improvements to Haywood Street and the River Arts District, as well as an update regarding utility bill shutoff relief efforts.

The meeting focused on several key administrative and policing issues, including the replacement of the City Manager and the appointment of an interim successor. The Council deliberated on instituting a third-party review of the Asheville Police Department regarding specific use-of-force incidents, in addition to an ongoing Department of Justice investigation. Discussions also covered the budget process, the creation of a Human Relations Commission, and the implementation of Blue Ribbon Task Force recommendations. Furthermore, the Council explored proposals to fund an outside legal position for citizens filing complaints against law enforcement and reviewed necessary updates to personnel policies and Civil Service Board rules.

The Council meeting involved several key actions, including authorizing funding for the Apple Ridge affordable rental housing project and approving permits for community events involving alcohol consumption. Several contracts were finalized or amended, covering cleaning services for the Nature Center, staffing for the Harrah's Cherokee Center, predictive modeling for water infrastructure, and regional wayfinding signage. The Council approved various financial items, such as the acceptance of FEMA grants and budget amendments for the Fire Department, the donation of surplus equipment to Mars Hill University, and a grant application for the Hilliard Avenue Corridor Study. Additionally, the Council addressed amendments to local noise regulations and fees at the Aston Park Tennis Center, heard quarterly financial and capital project reports, conducted a public hearing regarding the Consolidated Plan, and made several appointments to various boards and commissions.