ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville City Council is set for a packed agenda Tuesday evening featuring major discussions on affordable housing, Helene recovery funding, water infrastructure, public safety technology and the city’s proposed budget.
The meeting begins at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, in the Council Chamber on the second floor of City Hall.
Here are some of the key items the council is expected to discuss:
Meeting highlights
- Affordable housing and home repairs: Council is expected to vote on nearly $18 million in affordable housing awards tied to three proposed multifamily developments while also continuing discussions about shifting millions in disaster recovery funding toward single-family home repairs.
- Helene recovery projects: Council will consider contracts related to FEMA-funded bridge and culvert repairs damaged during Tropical Storm Helene, part of a broader recovery effort now beginning to move into the design and engineering phase.
- Water infrastructure funding: Officials are expected to discuss financing tied to the Mills River Water Treatment Plant expansion and broader water system improvements.
- Flock cameras and public safety technology: Council will review funding tied to a proposed real-time intelligence center and technology agreements involving Axon and FUSUS, while public concerns continue over surveillance and privacy issues related to Flock license plate reader systems.
- Affordable housing rezonings: Public hearings are scheduled for two proposed affordable housing developments in the Shiloh area, including projects off Caribou Road and Sweeten Creek Road that would create more than 220 affordable rental units combined.
- City budget presentation: City Manager DK Wesley is expected to formally present the proposed city budget for the upcoming fiscal year. A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for May 26.
- Capital improvement funding: Council will hold a public hearing on roughly $40 million in debt financing for capital projects, including municipal building renovations, street resurfacing, parking garage maintenance and large vehicle purchases.
- Harris Cherokee Center surplus: Council is also expected to approve a budget amendment reflecting higher-than-expected revenues at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville, resulting in a net positive of roughly $600,000 for facility maintenance reserves.
