Mike Cayse

Key actions included the unanimous adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a construction contract for Neighborhood Enhancement Project Area 8 - Water Distribution. Other unanimous adoptions involved amending a contract for Cityworks software licensing, amending a contract for legal services related to ongoing litigation, ratifying a HOME subrecipient agreement for the Fairhaven Meadows affordable housing project, and executing contracts with the N.C. Department of Transportation for the Deaverview Road Complete Streets Project and the Craven Street Bike/Ped Bridge Project. One resolution concerning a lease for an Asheville Police Department resource center passed with a 5-1 vote. The agenda also included unanimous adoption of resolutions for updating the City's Traffic Calming Policy, ratifying an extension for transit scheduling software, funding the initial phase of the Stormwater System Inventory and Assessment, applying for a recycling infrastructure grant, procuring Res Q Jack rescue equipment via sole source, and executing a Memorandum of Agreement with Buncombe County for the Emergency Services Training Facility. The meeting concluded with unanimous adoptions for monthly municipal property tax refunds and unanimously adopted public hearings regarding two specific rezoning requests and amendments to Chapter 7 of the Asheville Code of Ordinances concerning unified development standards.

The governing body held an agenda briefing worksession to review upcoming and future agenda items, as well as upcoming City Council committee meetings. Key discussion topics included an update on the Human Resources Department Assessment, the Transit Comprehensive Operations Analysis, and the Point-In-Time Count. Additionally, the documentation details multiple regular meeting items from November 18, 2025, including proclamations, actions on the Consent Agenda, presentations, and public hearings. Specific items addressed included the ratification of a lease for Parks and Recreation facilities, authorizing contract amendments for the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project, approving a sole source purchase for large customer meters, amending contracts for counseling services and external legal services, ratifying an amendment for a Fire Department record management system, approving contracts for guardrail repair following Tropical Storm Helene, approving a contract for utility cut concrete repair, approving a construction contract for the Airport Road Sidewalk Project, authorizing a contract for security presence at City buildings, amending a contract for McCormick Field improvements, and authorizing grant applications for Hazard Mitigation and Disaster Relief programs. A public hearing was also held to consider an amendment to the conditional zoning of property at 767 New Haw Creek Road regarding housing units. A report on the American Rescue Plan Act progress and updates on Riverfront Revitalization Projects engagement were presented.

The document details two sessions: an Agenda Briefing Worksession and a Regular Meeting. The worksession included a closed session to consult with legal counsel regarding litigation and to protect privileged information, concluding later that day. The subsequent Regular Meeting covered several proclamations, including one for Black History Month and another for Invasive Species Awareness Week. The Consent Agenda included authorizing ratification for HOME funding for the Apple Ridge Affordable Rental Housing Construction Project, approving resolutions for malt beverage consumption at community events (Chai Pani Holi Celebration and Downtown After 5), authorizing a cleaning services contract for the WNC Nature Center, amending a contract for staffing services at Harrah's Cherokee Center, executing a contract for water service line inventory predictive modeling, expressing support for Buncombe County's C-PACE program participation, accepting a FEMA grant for wildland personal protective equipment, approving a budget amendment for Fire Department donation funds, authorizing the donation of surplus equipment to Mars Hill University, ratifying a BUILD grant application for the Hilliard Avenue Corridor Study, executing an agreement for the Regional Wayfinding Program, extending a contract for digital signage at the Transit Center, executing an asphalt resurfacing contract, amending a contract for drainage improvements, adopting an ordinance amendment for noise regulation, and approving property tax refunds and releases for December 2025 and January 2026. Reports included the Second Quarter Financial Report, which projected a lower-than-budgeted fund balance usage, and a Quarterly Capital Projects Update. A public hearing was held regarding a proposed amendment to the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan to prioritize affordable rental construction. New business included the adoption of ordinances to increase fees at Aston Park Tennis Center and a public comment session regarding the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget development.

The City Council conducted an agenda briefing worksession followed by a Regular Meeting. Key discussions and actions included the proclamation of January 27, 2026, as "International Holocaust Remembrance Day." The Consent Agenda covered authorizing the City Manager to enter into subrecipient agreements with Mountain BizWorks, Venture Asheville, Arts AVL, and Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation for grant administration support related to Tropical Storm Helene recovery funds, and adopting a resolution directing the City Attorney to intervene in the North Carolina Utilities Commission Docket E-100 Sub 207 concerning Duke Energy's Carbon Plan. A resolution was also adopted to authorize applying for Helene Recovery Fund grants through the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) for 2025-2026. Furthermore, the Council approved a resolution to authorize the City Manager to execute an easement agreement for property at 44 Elk Mountain Ridge Road and resolutions authorizing staff to request additional CDBG-DR allocation and federal funding for a comprehensive water system resiliency project. An ordinance was adopted amending the Unified Development Ordinance to allow existing non-conforming structures to be converted into Accessory Dwelling Units without Board of Adjustment review, following significant discussion regarding budget amendments related to employee compensation and fund balance usage. In New Business, a resolution was passed to authorize contracts, grants, and loan agreements for the 2025-2026 HOME Investment Partnership Program. Public hearings were held regarding approval of a performance-based economic development incentive grant for Project Vessel and the rezoning of 22 Broad Street from RM-8 to Community Business I District.

The City Council held an agenda briefing worksession to deliberate on upcoming and future agenda items, as well as to review committees scheduled for the subsequent two weeks. During the formal Regular Meeting, the Council participated in the Pledge of Allegiance. Discussions included proclamations, such as one proclaiming a specific month in 2026 as "____" in the City of Asheville. The Consent Agenda was adopted, which included the monthly approval of property tax refunds and releases for October 2026, ensuring compliance with North Carolina General Statutes. An item for monthly municipal property tax refunds or releases for October 2026, which aligns with the Financial Resilient City goal, was formally adopted. The agenda also included items for individual votes, Manager's Report, a Public Hearing concerning a zoning matter which was advertised in November 2026, New Business involving Boards & Commissions and resolutions/ordinances, and a period for public comment. The session concluded with a closed session to discuss privileged, confidential matters and consult with the City Attorney.