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From YouTube: City Council Meeting – May 23, 2023
Description
Regular meeting of the Asheville City Council.
Access the agenda and other meeting materials on the City of Asheville website: https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/city-council-meeting-materials/
A
If
everyone
could
just
take
a
minute
and
silence
your
cell
phones
and
if
anybody
wants
to
sign
up
to
speak
on
any
part
of
the
agenda,
the
sign
up
is
outside
in
the
hall
and,
if
you've
already
done
that
great,
if
you
decide
you
want
to
sign
up
to
speak
and
we're
already
into
the
council
meeting,
that's
fine
too.
You
can
go
out
there
and
sign
up
in
our
Google.
Doc
will
live
populate
so
we'll
we'll
see
that
you
signed
up
okay
and
if
everyone
would
please
rise
for
the
Pledge
of
Allegiance.
A
A
A
Whereas
it
is
in
the
public
interest
for
the
citizens,
Civic
leaders
and
children
in
the
city
of
Asheville
to
gain
knowledge
of,
and
to
maintain
an
ongoing
interest
and
understanding
of
the
importance
of
Public
Works
and
the
Public
Works
programs
of
their
respective
communities.
And
whereas
the
year
2023
marks
the
63rd
annual
National
Public
Works
week,
sponsored
by
the
American
public
works,
Association,
Canadian,
Public,
Works,
Association.
Now,
therefore
I
mayor
of
Asheville.
D
D
E
F
G
My
name
is
Sophia,
vanilla,
I
am
in
the
admin
division
of
Public,
Works
and
I'm.
This
special
project
coordinator
I've,
been
here
for
a
little
over
a
year
now
and
my
duties
include
being
in
HR
or
not
HR.
Excuse
me,
arcade
liaison
Communications
and
I
help
plan
events
and
as
well
as
kind
of
support,
internal
processes.
H
H
A
And
we
have
one
other
Proclamation
tonight
and
that
is
our
pollination
celebration
month
and
we've
got
a
bunch
of
pollinators
here.
Well,
Polynesian,
pollinator
supporters.
I
should
say.
E
A
And
Sage
Turner,
our
beekeeper
in
Residence,
will
give
the
proclamation
foreign.
J
C
J
K
Thank
you
mayor
and
members
of
Council
on
June
26
2012.
This
very
body
voted
unanimously
to
approve
the
resolution
to
become
the
first
B
City
USA
in
the
nation.
Today
there
are
almost
350
these
cities
and
big
campuses
in
46
States.
It
all
started
here
in
this
room.
Had
Asheville
city
council
voted
no
11
years
ago.
This
Urban's
bourbon
movement
to
conserve
our
imperiled
pollinators
right
in
our
own
backyards
would
not
have
happened.
K
As
you
know,
Asheville
ring
works.
Sorry,
I
get
a
little
time,
as
will
Greenworks
manages
our
local
BCD
USA
affiliate
on
behalf
of
the
city,
and
we
stand
ready
to
support
the
city
in
every
way
possible,
including
advising
on
recommended
species
list
and
Landscaping
plans
for
public
land
to
bring
back
the
pollinators
and
retain
as
much
biodiversity
as
possible
before
the
opportunity
is
forever
lost.
We
hope
you
will
join
us
for
some
of
our
pollination
celebration.
Events
in
June.
Thank
you.
Thank
you.
A
All
right,
thank
you.
Okay,
folks,
we're
going
to
move
on
to
the
consent
agenda,
and
let
me
just
mentioned
that
we're
going
to
remove
item
P,
which
is
a
resolution
reaffirming
support
of
Asheville's
lgbtqia
plus
community,
and
that
is
because,
while
we
have
strong
consensus
among
council
members
for
our
strong
support
for
the
lgbtqia
community,
we're
having
a
little
bit
of
no
not
having
quite
consensus
around
the
exact
wording
of
this
resolution,
so
we're
going
to
give
it
a
little
more
time
and
I'll
pull
it
off.
Here.
A
K
A
All
right
do
I
have
a
second
Sandra
L.
Second,
all
right,
we
have
a
motion
and
a
second
and
I've
got
several.
We've
got
a
few
people
signed
up
to
speak
so
folks,
who
are
signed
up
to
speak.
You'll
have
three
minutes
to
speak.
Watch
the
lights
on
the
lectern
green
means,
go
orange
means
you're,
getting
close,
maybe
30
seconds
out
and
then
red
means
stop.
So
I
will
call
the
first
person
who
signed
up
to
speak
under
consent,
and
that
is
Jonathan
Wainscott.
L
Hello,
my
name
is
Jonathan
Wayne
Scott
I
was
going
to
speak
on
items
p
and
Q,
and
thank
you
for
bringing
your
attention
and
the
powers
that
you
have
to.
L
You
know
take
umbrage
with
a
North
Carolina
law
that
affects
particular
members
of
the
community
and
as
far
as
item
Q
goes
and
support
of
Roy
Cooper
and
his
veto
of
the
abortion
ban
here.
I
appreciate
that
act
is
as
well.
L
I
am
a
little
bit
miffed
that
just
two
months
ago,
this
very
body
and
and
many
in
Asheville
and
Buncombe
County
had
absolutely
no
problems
supporting
the
governor
of
of
Ohio
Mike
dewine
and
his
baseball
hobby
as
the
co-owner
of
the
Asheville
tourist
team,
and
everybody
knew
that
you
know
the
governor
of
Ohio
had
just
shut
down
abortion
clinics
in
Cincinnati
and
Dayton
Ohio,
and
while
there
was
a
great
plotting
of
the
community
engagement
and
the
wonderful
things
that
the
tourists
have
done
and
that
Brian
dewine,
the
son
of
Governor
Mike
dewine,
has
done
here
in
Asheville,
there
was
really
no.
L
F
L
A
republican
asking
for
his
government
handout,
which
was
also
interesting,
then
had
to
go
to
the
Buncombe
County
Commissioners
and
I
believe
that
two
out
of
the
three
women
on
that
body
supported
funding
for
the
Asheville
tourism
of
McCormick
field
in
the
Buncombe
County
tourism,
Development
Authority
is
headed
by
a
woman
and
I
think
it's
75
percent
women
and
the
Asheville
Chamber
of
Commerce,
which
is
led
by
a
woman
and
his
majority,
women
and
Julie
Mayfield,
our
Senator.
All
the
all.
L
These
women
supported
giving
the
governor
of
Ohio
like
the
wine,
who
is
an
anti-abortion.
You
know,
leader
in
in
Ohio,
I
mean
the
governor
and,
and
nobody
said
anything
about
it
whatsoever,
and
so
I
would
urge
you
to
take
your
fight
against
your
oppressors,
face
to
face
occasionally
and
not
just
when
you
have
fans
surrounding
you.
So
thank
you
for
all
of
that.
M
I,
don't
see
green
okay.
Thank
you
for
the
invitation.
Today.
We
value
your
support
and
we
value
the
commitment
that
you
have
to
our
community
as
elected
officials.
I
just
want
to
say
thank
you
as
a
constituent
and
somebody
that's
been
in
Nashville
for
a
really
long
time.
M
Things
are
hard
in
North
Carolina
right
now,
and
the
actual
Health
Center
has
really
seen
the
effect
of
the
reversal
of
Roe
last
June.
Our
abortion
patients
have
increased
by
189
percent
since
the
reversal
of
Roe,
which
has
been
pretty
incredible.
It's
pretty
telling
of.
What's
going
on
across
the
southeast.
We
value
diversity.
M
We
value
folks
to
be
who
they
are
and
live
their
authentic
selves,
because
we
know
that
when
people
have
access
to
comprehensive
education
when
they
have
access
to
Affordable,
accessible,
Health
Care,
it
really
is
the
gateway
to
freedom
and
a
good
friend
of
mine
said
a
rising
tide,
lifts
All,
Ships
and
I
for
one
want
as
many
ships
beside
me
and
my
friends
and
my
family
as
possible.
So
I
know
that
you
know
I.
Imagine
politics
is
a
work
in
progress,
but
you
know
we're
in
this
together.
M
I
feel
like
we're
in
this
together
and
you
know
we'll
just
keep
on
keeping
on,
because
you
know
everybody
deserves
to
live
the
life
that
they
want
and
that
they
deserve
and
we're
really
proud
to
work
for
Planned
Parenthood
I'm,
incredibly
proud
of
our
amazing
staff.
That
does
the
work
every
single
day
and
they
really
do
change
people's
lives.
I
do
want
to
introduce
my
colleague
and
my
friend
Kat,
who
is
our
health
center
manager.
N
Planned
Parenthood,
we
appreciate
you
having
us
here
today.
We've
seen
a
lot
in
the
last
two
years
and
we've
seen
a
lot
even
pre-row
being
overturned.
So
we
just
want
to
State
how
important
North
Carolina
is
for
Access
for
bodily
autonomy
and
I
know,
and
you
all
know
that
that
autonomy
spreads
Beyond
abortion
care,
it's
vital
for
abortion
care,
but
it
spreads
to
gender
affirming
care.
It
spreads
to
queer
care.
It
spreads
to
just
sexual
and
reproductive
Health
in
the
most
basic
forms.
N
So
we
just
want
to
make
sure
that
all
of
our
community
members
are
with
us
in
this
fight
and
that
we're
just
providing
health
care.
That's
what
we
do
day
in
and
day
out
in
the
Asheville
Health
Center
we're
providing
comprehensive
reproductive
health
care,
which
includes
abortion
and
always
should
thank.
O
Good
evening
concert
women
I'm
here
to
speak
on
the
consent
item
in
which
deals
with
really
remodeling
the
city
garages
around
town
and
I
am
thankful
that
you
have
taken
noted
noted
that
you
have
noted
the
needed
work
that
is
necessary
in
our
garages
and
I'm
here
to
speak
mainly
about
the
handicapped.
O
O
They
sometimes
put
little
signs
up
on
the
elevator
that
the
elevator
is
out,
but
that
doesn't
help
you,
while
you're
trying
to
find
a
parking
spot.
I
think
Asheville
should
be
embarrassed
about
the
condition
of
their
parking
garages.
I
understand
that
this
is
primary.
A
primary
renovation
of
the
garages
and
hopefully
it'll
be
a
secondary
part
to
that.
But
it's
really
necessary
to
be
sure
that
the
elevator
is
always
working.
O
It
can
really
cause
a
lot
of
Havoc
for
elderly
and
disabled
people,
and
one
of
the
things
that
need
to
be
improved
is
there's
an
exit
on
Rankin
street.
It
used
to
be
a
person
in
a
wheelchair
or
scooter
could
get
out
on
that.
You
know
to
riken
street,
but
the
way
it
is
now
the
arm
won't
go
up
for
the
person
in
the
wheelchair
or
the
scooter
to
get
out
and
there's
curds
on
both
sides
of
the
driveway
getting
out
so.
A
Okay,
everyone
try
to
be
mindful
of
the
of
the
timing
and
I'm
sorry
about
that.
But
that's
we
got
enforce
the
rules.
Eric
Bradford.
P
Thank
you
mayor.
Vice
mayor
council
members,
I
am
Eric
Bradford
with
Asheville
GreenWorks
I'm
here
to
speak
about
consider
agenda
G,
it's
a
the
lease
where
Asheville
GreenWorks
for
the
property
on
Hardesty
Lane
I
wanted
to
just
if
it
was
any
clarifying
comments
or
questions
about
it,
but
basically
our
appreciation
for
the
city
to
consider
going
down
this
route
with
Asheville
Greenberg's.
Our
relationship
is
50
years
old
this
year.
P
We're
very
grateful
for
that
relationship,
and
this
new
tree
nursery,
which
we
are
planning
in
partnership
with
the
city,
is
to
grow
those
trees
for
the
repopulation,
trees
for
the
city
of
Asheville
and
for
Buckle
County.
The
coming
off
of
the
2019
tree
study
that
we
did
in
partnership
with
the
city
of
Asheville.
We
noticed
that
we
were
losing
trees
at
an
alarming
rate
due
to
single-family
home
development.
P
So
having
this
new
tree
nursery
is
going
to
allow
the
city
and
our
organization
to
be
able
to
flex
to
get
those
trees
into
those
spaces.
The
the
number
that
came
out
of
the
2019
study
was
2500.
Trees,
a
year
would
have
to
be
installed
in
the
city
Asheville
to
maintain
a
50
canopy
coverage
that
would
be
625
000
worth
of
trees.
P
I
wish,
my
colleague,
Greg
Schuler
was
still
here
from
Public
Works
to
be
able
to
speak
to
just
how
much
work
that
is,
for
his
department
so
having
this
tree
Bank
on
city
property
is
going
to
be
a
wonderful
asset
for
the
city,
and
this
is
being
watched
carefully
by
our
friends
at
Raleigh
right
now
with
the
NC
Forest
Service.
They
want
us
to
put
together
a
road
map
on
how
other
cities
can
do
this
across
North
Carolina?
How
can
they
grow
their
own
trees?
How
can
they
repopulate
their
neighborhoods?
P
How
can
they
push
along
these
cost
savings
to
their
neighbors,
because
it's
not
just
an
environmental
benefit,
but
it
is
also
to
utilities
and,
as
we
all
know,
the
neighborhoods
who
were
affected
by
this
who
are
affected
are
those
under
resourced
neighborhoods.
Those
traditionally
Red,
Line
neighborhoods,
were
just
not
planned,
so
we
want
to
work
with
you
to
put
this
in
process.
It
is
a
long
term.
P
A
Council,
that
was
our
last
person
signed
up
to
speak
under
the
consent
agenda
item.
We
have
a
motion
and
a
second
do.
I
have
any
questions
comments?
The.
Q
Only
comment
I'll
say
is
that
I
am
thankful
for
the
feedback
we
got
to
include
live
performance
in
our
supportive
resolution
for
lgbtq
community
members.
I
think
it's
unfortunate.
We
don't
have
consensus
to
bring
It
Forward
today
the
draft
has
been
redrafted
several
times
since
February
to
remove
any
language
that
might
be
controversial.
A
A
M
A
I'll
second,
all
right
motion
and
a
second
all,
those
in
favor,
please
say:
aye
aye
any
opposed
all
right
and
then
moving
on
to
Item
B,
a
public
hearing
to
consider
approving
a
land
use
incentive
Grant
to
Commonwealth
Development
Corporation
for
77,
affordable
housing
units
on
Sweden,
Creek
Road.
We
have
Sasha
vertinski
to
talk
to
us
about
this
project
yet
again,
but
from
a
new
point
of
view,
a
new
issue
with
it.
C
S
Right
good
evening,
councilwoman
I'm
Sasha
vertinski
here
to
talk
to
you
about
this
land
use
incentive,
Grant
request
for
Fair
Haven
Summit.
You
have
seen
this
project
before
as
a
conditional
zoning
and
also
at
the
end
of
April
for
a
Housing
Trust
Fund
loan,
so
just
a
few
key
takeaways.
First,
this
application
is
that's
on
Sweden
Creek
Road
in
South
Asheville.
It
is
a
low
income,
housing
tax
credit
project.
So
it's
a
hundred
percent
affordable
with
incomes
averaging
between
58
and
60
percent
of
the
area.
S
Median
income
26
of
the
units
will
be
set
aside
for
project-based
vouchers,
so
they're
working
with
our
local
Housing
Authority
on
that
the
project
is
also
bringing
other
benefits,
including
rental
assistance,
affordability
period
of
30
years,
Energy,
Efficiency,
Universal,
Design
and
building
in
a
non-qualified
census
tract.
So
this
is
a
low
poverty
area
of
our
city
and
this
project
actually
qualifies
for
something
like
39
years,
but
our
Max
of
our
policy
is
21
years.
S
So
housing
represents
100
of
the
rentable
square
footage
it's
on
7.43
Acres
on
sweetened
Creek
again
and
the
developers
estimating
a
taxable
value
after
construction
of
12.425
million
dollars.
It
was
also
approved
for
a
half
million
dollars
in
Housing
Trust
Fund
loan
at
your
April
25th
council
meeting.
S
So
as
I
said
before,
26
percent
of
the
units
are
planned
to
receive
the
project-based
vouchers.
An
additional
12
percent
of
units
will
prioritize
households
participating
in
North,
Carolina's,
Key
Program,
which
serves
very
low-income
households
with
disabilities
and
who
are
in
need
of
Supportive
Services
and
then
additional
rental
assistance.
Programs
that
will
be
accepted
include,
but
maybe
others
Vash
vouchers,
traditional
housing,
Choice
vouchers
and
tenant
support
through
the
local
Continuum
of
Care
programming.
S
So
so
this
is
the
rental
mix,
and
there
was
some
discussion
at
one
of
the
Committees
about
this.
So
we've
got
a
mix
of
one
two
and
three
bedroom
apartments,
which
is
great.
For
you
know
both
families-
we've
got
a
lot
of
folks
who
need
single
bedroom
apartments,
but
also
families
that
need
larger
units.
S
There's
gross
rent,
but
then
there's
tenant,
rent
and
tenant
rent
on
the
far
right
is
the
column.
You
really
want
to
keep
your
eye
on,
because
that's
actually
how
much
tenants
will
pay.
We
have
and
Justin
Mitchell
with
Commonwealth
Development
Corporation
is
also
here
and
he
can
talk
a
little
bit
more
about
rent.
If
we
need
to
this
is
the
project
location
here,
so
you
can
see
it's
somewhat
close
to
us
25
and
Mills
Gap
Road.
S
These
are
exterior
elevations,
which
you
have
seen
a
couple
times
before
and
then
here's
the
point
summary.
So
they
get
90
points
because
they're
at
100
affordability,
30
years
affordability
gets
you
another
10
points.
50
percent
of
the
units
for
low
income
20
points,
50
percent
of
the
units
will
be
using
rental
assistance.
That's
another
50
points,
energy
efficiencies,
Five
Points,
Universal,
Design,
10
points
and
then
the
non-qualified
census
tract
is
another
10
points.
So
that's
195
points,
but
our
policy
really
maxes
out
at
105
points
or
20
21
years.
S
After
the
completion
of
12.43
million,
the
annual
city
property
tax
will
be
approximately
50
000
a
year,
and
so
the
difference
between
current
taxes
and
new
taxes
around
48
482
a
year
which
would
be
paid
for
21
years,
and
that
gets
us
to
a
grand
total
of
close
to
a
million
dollars
which
equals
thirteen
thousand
two
hundred
twenty
two
dollars
per
unit.
It's
a
per
unit
subsidy.
So
that's
one
of
the
metrics.
We
look
at
to
be
able
to
compare
projects
and
how
we're
investing
our
city
dollars
after
year
21.
S
We
would
get
the
full
taxes
on
the
site
so
with
the
housing
trust
fund
request
and
the
Louise
request
together.
That
gets
us
1.518
million
or
just
under
20
000,
a
unit
so
still
really
good
value,
and
this
project
has
also
been
funded
by
Buncombe
County
and
they're,
funded
a
little
bit
over
1.5
million.
So
city
and
county
investment
in
this
project
is
approximately
equal.
S
This
project
was
reviewed
by
Housing
and
Community
Development
on
April
25th,
with
a
3-0
vote,
and
then
the
policy,
finance
and
HR
committee
voted
reviewed.
It
last
week
think
that's
right
a
couple
weeks
ago
with
a
3-0
vote
as
well,
and
so
staff's
recommending
approval
of
this
land
use
incentive
grant
for
Commonwealth
Development
Corporation
on
Sweden
Creek
Road
I'd
be
happy
to
take
any
questions.
Q
I
have
the
same
question
that
I
always
do,
but
especially
for
our
investment
in
affordable
housing.
C
Q
Q
It's
also
a
great
reminder:
when
I
looked
at
the
route
the
route
is
closest
to
Transit
is
four
tenths
of
a
mile,
but
it's
on
the
S3
and
S6
Corridor,
which
comes
every
90
minutes
on
each
of
those
corridors.
And
it's
a
good
reminder
that
for
location,
affordability,
we
need
to
do
better
for
Transit
access
in
South,
Asheville.
T
Sure
so
the
idea
of
renewable
energy
came
up
at
one
of
the
previous
meetings
and
we
were
referred
to
somebody
I
believe
in
the
city.
It
may
have
been.
The
county
we've
been
having
a
lot
of
meetings
between
the
two,
but
it
was
a
great
meeting.
They
are
a
solar,
I,
guess,
expert
and
looked
at
the
plans
and
thought
that
it
would
potentially
be
a
viable
option,
and
so
the
route
that
we
are
looking
at
is
when
we
move
forward
on
these
projects.
T
We
have
to
build
in
a
construction
contingency,
a
cushion,
and
we
are
looking
at
as
we
near
the
completion
of
construction
to
reallocate
any
remaining
funds
to
the
idea
of
implementing
solar.
So
it's
not
a
guarantee,
but
it's
something
that
we
would
love
to
do
and
there's
other
incentives
that
are
available
right
now
and
the
gentleman
that
we
met
with
has
worked
with
those
as
well.
So
it
could
be
a
very
viable
option.
Thank.
Q
J
T
T
A
T
If
I
can
just
add
one
note,
it's
a
privilege
to
be
here:
I've
met
with
a
lot
of
folks
online,
a
lot
and
so
great
to
be
here
in
person.
It's
a
time
when
there's
probably
fewer,
affordable
housing
units
being
created
in
the
nation
at
any
time
in
the
last
three
decades.
Yet
this
project,
Fair,
even
Summit,
is
unscheduled
to
close
and
start
construction
in
July
and
that's
due
in
large
part
to
the
vision
of
the
city.
T
A
To
this
one,
thank
you
all
for
bringing
this
project
forward,
you're
kind
of
a
poster
child
for
every
tool
in
our
toolbox
of
affordable
housing
opportunities,
and
you
use
them
all
so
see
it
works.
So
that's
very
helpful
to
us
too,
especially
as
we
engage
with
other
folks
that
are
looking
to
build,
affordable
housing
in
Asheville
to
have
a
have
examples
of
how
it's
done
and
so
many
units
being
so
deeply
affordable.
Right.
A
A
This
is
on
our
public
hearings
agenda,
so
I'm
going
to
open
the
public
hearing
and
I'm
going
to
close
it
because
I
have
no
one
signed
up
to
speak
under
this
item.
So
council
do
I,
have
a
motion
I'm.
Q
A
Right
we
have
a
motion,
a
second
all,
those
in
favor,
please
say
aye
aye,
any
opposed
all
right.
Thank
you
all
right
now
what
everyone's
been
waiting
for
the
public
hearing
on
the
fiscal
year,
2024
annual
operating
budget
and
I?
This
is
of
Taylor,
but
first
let
me
I'm
going
to
turn
it
over
to
the
manager.
But
let
me
just
say
once
again
thanks
to
council
and
staff
and
the
community
for
all
your
hard
work
around
this
budget
process.
A
It
feels
like
the
budget
takes
about
half
a
year
now,
which
is
not
an
exaggeration,
but
there
have
been
so
many
work
sessions.
So
many
participants
in
the
online
survey
such
hard
work
from
staff
and-
and
we
have
had
a
lot
of
opportunities
for
folks-
even
had
an
earlier
opportunity
that
we
added,
even
though
it's
not
statutorily
required
for
a
hearing
in
this
chamber
on
the
budget.
But
tonight
is
the
official
public
hearing
on
the
budget,
so
Miss
Campbell.
Will
you
take
it
away?
I.
U
Right
and
you'll
probably
hear
a
few
more
of
those
things
for
me
again
so
really
quickly,
just
an
overview
of
a
few
things,
I'm
going
to
mention
this
evening
just
quickly
overview
our
budget
process
and
kind
of
a
summary
of
our
budget,
especially
the
general
fund,
a
few
more
pieces
of
information
for
you
all
on
compensation,
and
then
we
will
move
on
to
next
steps
and
the
public
comment.
U
You
may
remember
our
key
takeaways,
while
our
Revenue
growth
has
continued,
especially
in
sales
taxes,
as
is
usually
the
case.
Our
needs
and
requests
exceed
our
available
funding
capacity.
We
are
not
recommending
a
property
tax
increase,
but
the
fy24
proposed
budget
is
balanced,
with
an
unconventional
use
of
fund
balance.
U
As
a
result
of
that
use
of
fund
balance,
we
we
have
a
lot
or
several
strategic
one-time
Investments
that
we
prioritize
and
our
other
Investments
respond
to
the
challenges
that
we
see,
including
increasing
operating
costs,
investing
in
our
infrastructure,
staff
retention
and
Recruitment,
and,
of
course,
your
priorities
and
Community
safety
needs
so
a
brief
overview
of
our
process.
As
the
mayor
mentioned,
it
does
take
up
quite
a
bit
of
our
year.
U
These
days,
we
started
internally
in
September
and
worked
through
some
identifying
our
cost
to
deliver
services
and
some
potential
new
Investments
moved
into
priority
setting.
You
all
had
your
retreat
and
we
are
here
at
the
end
of
the
decision-making
portion,
where
we
are
hoping
that
you
all
at
your
next
meeting
in
June
will
go
to
adoption,
and
then
we
will
start
a
new
fiscal
year.
July
1st,
so
quick
review
of
some
of
the
touch
points
we
have
had
with
you.
All.
We've
had
several
work
sessions
again
your
Council
retreat
in
March.
U
We
did
want
to
call
out
specifically
the
February
28th
public
comment
that
the
mayor
mentioned
an
opportunity
for
the
public
to
come
and
speak
in
front
of
you
all
and
let
let
you
all
know
what
they
thought
they
were
interested
in.
As
you
were
looking
at
your
budget
and
setting
your
priorities,
we
hope
that
that
provides
that
opportunity.
It's
a
little
different
from
this
opportunity,
which
is
much
later
in
the
process,
but
is
statutorily
required.
U
And
what
we
heard
from
that
public
input,
including
from
our
survey,
was
an
interest
in
increased
investment
in
both
Community
safety
and
emergency
response,
as
well
as
investment
in
water
production
and
distribution.
We
also
asked
some
questions
about
Capital
Investments
and
what
we
heard
was
an
emphasis
on
roads,
sidewalks
and
housing.
U
U
So
a
quick
summary
wouldn't
be
a
budget
presentation
without
at
least
one
slide
of
numbers.
Our
general
fund
total
is
172
million.
You
can
see
the
split
of
some
of
our
departments,
especially
our
larger
ones
there
and
over
to
the
right.
The
increase
from
our
current
year
adopted
budget
to
the
fy24
proposed
budget
and
I'll.
Just
note
again,
as
you
would
expect,
our
larger
departments
have
the
most
significant
increases,
especially
APD,
which
is
going
up
3.7
million
dollars.
U
Those
recommendations
include
a
salary
increase
for
all
employees
of
five
percent
or
six
percent
for
sworn
APD
positions
increases
to
our
night
shift.
Differential
and
on-call
pay,
an
additional
certification
pay
for
APD
and
a
critical
Staffing
supplement
that
will
help
us
address
some
of
those
again
hard
to
fill
positions
provide
a
little
bit
of
incentive,
hopefully
for
folks
to
stay
or
or
come
join
us
on
the
benefit
side.
U
We're
adding
an
additional
one
percent
401K
match
a
kind
of
a
pilot
program
with
APD
for
wellness,
and
then
we're
also
going
to
work
on
an
Actuarial
study
that
will
help
us
better
understand
the
cost
of
providing
post-employment
medical
benefits
so
again
want
to
provide
a
little
additional
information.
I
know,
there's
been
a
lot
of
discussion
around
police
pay,
so
we
wanted
to
try
to
provide
some
greater
detail
on
how
that
is
going
to
change
with
this
budget.
So
what
you
can
see
here
is
the
base
salary
for
a
starting
police
officer.
U
You
can
see
there's
that
six
percent
increase
from
FY
23
to
fy24
and
the
base
salary.
What
we
tried
to
do
was
just
kind
of
looking
at
employees
that
we
have
make
an
estimate
of
like
what
additional
compensation
might
an
employee
a
police
officer
receive
in
addition
to
that
base
salary.
So
and
again,
this
is
just
kind
of
some
assumptions
here.
U
This
is
not
an
actual
person,
just
an
example,
but
if
you
assume
that
someone
receives
additional
pays,
including
a
bachelor's
degree
for
at
three
percent,
has
a
foreign
language
skill,
that's
an
additional
three
percent
and
then
kind
of
looking
at
averaging
out
what
most
folks
are
receiving
for
overtime.
That
shift
differential.
That
we've
talked
about,
as
well
as
the
Callback
hours
and
the
new
Wellness
incentive.
All
of
those
things
together
are
that
additional
compensation
lines
you
can
kind
of
see
the
change
there.
So,
overall,
the
total
and
again.
U
This
is
just
an
example
for
a
starting
officer,
kind
of
average
officer.
If
you
will,
with
those
those
additional
pays,
the
actual
increase
Rises
to
about
8.3
percent.
U
Few
more
examples
here
and
these
two
examples
actually
are
current
employees.
We
just
tried
to
pick
someone
that
we
thought
was
representative
a
current
officer
at
step,
one
so
early
in
their
career.
This
particular
employee
has
an
associate's
degree.
A
foreign
language
skill
is
on
the
Emergency,
Response
Team
and
then
also
again
received
has
received
some
shift
differential
over
time
and
call
back
hours
so
again
putting
that
all
together,
you
can
see
that
base
increase,
going
up
six
percent,
plus
the
additional
compensation
and
the
total
there,
and
that
particular
instance
would
be
9.4
percent.
U
U
There
that
lower
part-
this
is
a
more
senior
officer,
so
kind
of
mid-career
step
five,
so
at
least
five
years
as
a
senior
officer
base
pay
going
up
and
again
slightly
different,
that
bachelor's
degree
at
three
percent:
the
change
to
that
advanced
certification,
going
up
and
then
again
kind
of
the
hours
that
they've
worked
as
well,
including
that
new
Wellness
incentive
and
one
thing
so
and
before
I
go
on
to
that,
you
can
see
that
total
of
an
11.5
increase.
One
thing
I
do
want
to
make
note
of
is
you
can
see?
U
They,
the
the
officer
in
that
step,
one
at
the
out
there
is
working
a
lot
more
overtime.
So
that's
really,
where
they're
seeing
a
lot
of
that
additional
compensation
come
from,
whereas
on
the
bottom
the
senior
officer
is
seeing
a
pretty
significant
increase
from
that
advanced
certification
as
well
as
again
just
the
other
increases
that
we
proposed.
U
Q
Story
and
a
hopeful
story,
but
it's
got
to
be
a
true
story.
The
presentation
includes
information,
maybe
actually
slide.
12
is
what
I'm
looking
at
it
says:
dollar
increase
of
five
percent,
but
the
updated
memo
we
got
about
our
firefighters
is
that
they're
actually
receiving
2.5
percent.
U
So
current
firefighters
will
receive
five
percent.
This
is
a
little
bit
confusing,
but
the
way
that
our
paid
pays
works.
We
have
a
pay
structure,
so
this
structure
is
going
up,
2.5
percent
and
each
firefighter
will
get
it,
but
we'll
still
get
a
five
percent
increase.
I.
Q
Also
noticed
there
were
some
like
crossed
out
parts
that
we're
not
compensating
for
people
while
they're
sleeping,
but
if
I
had
to
sleep
during
24
hour
shifts
while
at
work,
it
would
be
a
very
different
kind
of
sleep
than
if
I
was
at
home
and
I.
Just
something
is
going
on
here
where
it's
like
our
firefighters
are
responding
to
traffic
incidents
and
fires
and
there's
health
issues
and
the
way
it.
Q
I,
don't
think
it
was
meant
this
way,
but
it
kind
of
read
like
because
they
don't
have
vacancies.
It's
not
a
big
deal,
it
kind
of
reads
like
if
you
don't
like
it,
then
quit
and
I.
Don't
think
that's
what
we
want,
but
can
we
get
some
more
understanding
about?
Why
we're
leaving
our
firefighters
out
of
the
18,
because
it
kind
of
reads
it's
like
17.
I
just
want
to
make
sure
we're
consistent
with
our
language
around
the
18
pledge
rate.
C
Q
U
Q
A
U
A
I
think
what
I
hear
you're
saying
is
you
don't
want
it
to
be
treated
as
if
it's
on
an
annual
salary
basis?
You
want
to
look
at
it
on
an
hourly
basis
and
well.
Q
Q
A
Q
Also
crossed
out
says
indeed
the
city
does
compensate
fire
expires
for
sleep
time
during
their
shifts,
and
this
has
been
you
know
an
annual
conversation
about
what
it
means
to
be
able
to
work
24-hour
shifts.
We
don't
want
to
have
to
try
to
fill
evening
ships.
We
need
people
to
be
around
the
clock
right,
but
I'm
hearing,
there's
concern
from
our
firefighters,
Union
and
I
would
like
just
to
be
able
to
better
understand
why
that's
crossed
out
sure.
B
B
The
other
correction
was
and
and
I
got
this
comment
back
from
my
fire
chief,
who
said
that
that
sentence
about
a
we
indeed
pay
our
firefighters
for
sleep
time
was.
B
He
used
the
term
inflammatory
and
so
I
agreed
to
strike
that
out,
and
then
the
next
change
was
kind
of
a
convoluted
thing
that
we
said
blended
into
one
percent,
and
that
was
that
was
inaccurate.
So
we
took
that
information
out
those
other
changes.
The
2.5
again
relates
to
that
minimum.
B
Q
Think
I
will,
before
the
vote
on
gonna
marinate
with
this
one,
to
make
sure
that
I
don't
have
other
questions.
I
guess
the
other
curiosity
I
had
is
around
the
part
that
says
and
other
hard
to
fill
positions
and
early
on
it
was
like.
We
have
a
lot
of
vacancies
in
public
works
and
we
just
saw
our
staff
up
here.
It
seems,
like
you
know,
at
the
same
time
that
we're
seeing
the
huge
amount
of
vacancies
in
public
works.
B
And
I
think
I
made
note
of
that
in
in
in
that
response
related
to
them.
Fox
finders,
Association,
memo.
J
Can
we
go
back
to
slide
15?
Please
I
really
appreciate
this
example
I
it.
It
arises
a
little
concern
in
me
that
the
only
way
our
officers
can
really
afford
to
live
in
this
city
is
to
do
a
lot
of
overtime,
I'm,
just
flagging
that
as
an
ongoing
concern,
I'm
not
saying
it's
just
them.
It's
across
departments
living
wages
are
going
up.
Our
housing
prices
are
skyrocketing.
It's
not
that
we're
not
doing
the
best.
We
can
here
I'm,
not
saying
that,
but
it's
just
a
concern
that
you
know
you
really.
J
J
Wonder
if
we
want
to
keep
this
in
mind
that
you
could
be
a
senior
officer
and
really
not
be
able
to
work
as
much
on
call
or
overtime
and
still
be
at
that
same
pay
and
I
mean
that
just
doesn't
translate
in
the
city
to
being
able
to
buy
a
house
anymore
is
what
I
want
to
point
out,
and
it's
just
you
know,
I
want
to
share
that
as
a
sentiment.
I
think
we
care
about
that.
So
when
we
look
at
our
housing
initiatives,
maybe
we
can
Target.
Some
of
this
are.
A
You
saying,
in
terms
of
like
The
Benchmark
for
income,
yeah.
J
Because
I
mean
I
would
love
that
that
base
salary
be
that
69
and
we
just
can't,
but
you
know
you
really
have
to
it's,
not
just
in
this
department.
It's
in
the
public
works
departments.
It's
you
know
it's.
Why
we're
doing
the
best
we
can
towards
the
new
living
wage,
but
not
all
the
way,
because
we
can't,
but
we
have
to
recognize
it's
the
other
half
of
this.
The
housing
crisis
too.
So
I
just
wanted
to
make
that
connection.
B
And
and
if
I
could
mayor,
it
really
is
a
process
because,
if
you
all
recall
this
would
be
the
second
year
that
you
have
given
a
five
percent
based
increase
generally,
if
we've
been
creeping
at
2.5
percent
and
so
I
I
think
you
ought
to
give
yourself
credit.
Also,
when
we
implemented
the
compensation
study
that
plan
I
mean
there
was
like
eight,
almost
eight
million
dollars
for
compensation.
So,
although
we
are
behind,
we
have
made
significant
strides
absolutely
because
you
all
were
willing
to
invest
in
your
employees.
B
J
We
are,
and
we
just
you
know
we
can't
always
we
can
control
this
lever.
We
can't
control
the
housing
market
as
much
as
we'd
like,
but
when
it
comes
to
incentives
and
or
intentions,
maybe
we
can
yeah.
We
can
keep
doing
better,
keep
doing
more.
A
Do
you
know
in
these
examples
which
I
think
are
helpful
to
illustrate,
but
how
much
do
you
have
any
idea
how
much
overtime
was
made
as
an
assumption?
If
you
don't
that's
fine
I
I
just
was
curious.
U
J
Q
One,
if
someone's
working
a
lot
of
over
spending
time
with
family
and
in
their
community,
really
start
looking
for
another
job,
so
I'm
looking
at
other
cities
to
say
if,
like
Baltimore,
is
an
example
where
folks
are
working
a
lot
of
overtime,
they
may
leave
and
we
don't
want
people
to
leave.
We
want
to
be
able
to
retain
our
good
staff,
so
I
guess.
My
curiosity
is
if
we're
just
focusing
on
overtime,
to
get
people
the
pay
that
they
need.
We
may
be
burning
people
out
and
burning
ourselves
out
too
so
I.
B
B
You
know
we
are
in
The
Cutting
Edge
in
terms
of
of
that
wellness,
coach
and
coaching,
because
we
are
very
concerned
about
our
employees,
working
overtime
and
and
having
to
be
away,
but
also
just
the
job
of
being
a
law.
Enforcement
officer
creates
a
tremendous
amount
of
stress
and
anxiety,
and
so
this
coach
is
to
help
us
help
our
employees,
particularly
in
community
safety
and
APD,
in
particular,.
B
Q
There's
a
second
part
that
I'm
concerned
about
in
this,
as
we've
been
having
the
conversation
about
wages
through
this
budget
cycle,
the
idea
that
we
can't
do
more,
we
haven't
looked
at
doing
a
flat
rate
increase.
U
And
I
would
say
it
is
easier
for
us
to
retain
and
recruit
employees
at
all
levels
in
this,
rather
than
kind
of
what
sometimes
again,
when
we
talk
to
you
all
about
compression.
That's
really.
The
challenge
that
we
have
is
not
that
we
don't
want
to
bring
that
bottom
up,
but
the
challenge
is:
if
we
do
that,
and
then
you
know
folks
are
really
close
to
their
supervisors
or
their
supervisor
supervisors.
U
Q
A
Well,
we're
going
to
have
an
opportunity
to
talk
more
about
those
policy
goals
at
our
upcoming
conclusion
of
our
Retreat
if
you
will
at
our
work
session,
so
that
would
be
our
opportunity
to
get
consensus
around
approaching
this
differently.
We
know
it's
going
to
happen
every
year
in
terms
of
addressing
wages
paid
to
public
employees
to
city
employees.
So
I
think
that
would
be
a
good
time
for
us
to
get
some
consensus
and
give
direction
in
terms
of
what
our
expectations
are
for.
A
The
next
budget
cycle,
which
seems
like
it
starts
pretty
much
two
minutes
after
this
one
finishes
so
anyway,
I'm
I'm
hopeful
for
that
opportunity
to
happen
I.
You
know,
I'm
I'm,
glad
that
we
have
a
community
that
supports
trying
to
pay
our
employees
better
and
people
see
the
need
for
that.
I.
Think
generally,
there's
a
lot
of
support
for
that.
A
You
know
I
I'm
married
to
a
school
teacher
and
you
know,
and
the
state
legislatures,
proposing
a
two
and
a
half
percent
raise
for
teachers
this
year
across
the
entire
State
and
that's
you
know
obviously
terrible-
and
you
know
so.
I
I
think
we're
trying
to
maximize
what
we're
able
to
do
within
the
means
that
we
have-
and
you
know
maybe
the
next
conversation
is
around.
A
How
do
we
get
more
means
and
that
that
and
does
involve
raising
taxes
or
re-prioritizing
things
or
reallocating
things,
and
we've
been
having
that
conversation
throughout
this
budget
process?
And
here's
where
we
are
well
and
I
would
just
point
out.
The
difference
in
the
state
level
appears
that
they
have
the
money
they're
just
not
going
to
do
it,
which
is
the
just
a
different
issue
entirely
any
other
questions.
U
U
Just
just
again
to
kind
of
wrap
up
we're
here
at
the
budget
public
hearing
the
next
time
your
next
meeting,
June
13th.
We
will
be
looking
to
adopt
the
budget
again
just
going
to
wrap
up
with
our
key
takeaways.
Revenue
growth
continues:
no
property
tax
increase,
but
unconventional
fund
balance
use
strategic
one-time,
Investments
and
other
investments
in
responding
to
operating
costs.
Infrastructure
needs
staff
retention,
recruitment,
your
priorities
and
Community
safety.
A
Okay,
we
have
a
couple
folks
signed
up
to
speak
under
the
budget
public
hearing
again
folks
signed
up
to
speak,
you'll
have
three
minutes
and
you'll
see
the
lights
on
the
lectern
and
just
emphasize
again.
This
is
the
official
public
hearing
on
the
budget.
We
don't
vote
on
it
tonight,
as
Taylor
already
said,
but
we
will
vote
on
the
next
meeting.
Okay,
the
first
person
signed
up
to
speak
is
Susie
Watts.
A
No
Suzy
Watson,
okay,
Vicky
meat.
V
Hi,
my
name
is
Vicki
meath
I
live
in
West,
Asheville
and
I'm.
The
director
of
just
economics,
I
plan
to
highlight
a
few
appreciations
included
in
this
budget
as
well
as
name
some
aspects
of
the
budget
we
want
to
advocate
for
the
city
to
do
more
or
better.
First
off,
I
want
to
appreciate
the
financial
contribution
and
the
commitment
the
city
is
making
to
a
study
and
to
work
with
the
county
to
improve
Transit.
V
While
we
understand
the
budgetary
issues
and
the
challenges
to
implementing
those
changes,
I
want
to
remind
you
that
those
changes
were
part
of
the
transit
master
plan
that
was
approved
in
2018,
and
these
are
changes
that
are
desperately
needed
for
Transit
Riders
and
cannot
wait.
Another
five
years
for
implementation.
V
Well,
I
appreciate
the
conversation
around
wages
and
the
city's
plan
to
reach
the
just
economics
living
wage
pledged
employer
rate
of
18
an
hour.
I
wanted
to
name
that
the
living
wage
rate
in
Buncombe
County
is
twenty
dollars
and
10
cents
an
hour,
and
this
is
the
first
year
since
2007
that
the
city
will
not
include
the
just
economics
living
wage
rate
for
your
staff
in
the
upcoming
budget.
V
I
understand
the
city's
challenges
when
keeping
up
with
a
living
wage
rate
that
has
gone
up
significantly
over
the
past
four
years,
but
I
also
want
to
remind
you
that
just
economics
rate
is
based
on
the
cost
of
housing,
which
is
increasing
significantly
for
workers
in
this
community,
including
those
who
work
for
the
city
of
Asheville
every
year.
We
talk
about
the
challenges
with
the
budget
and
with
compression
and
I
would
like
to
again
suggest
just
as
kind
of
Kim
had
I
identified.
V
The
cost
of
living
increase
does
not
need
to
be
based
on
a
percentage.
So,
for
example,
a
five
percent
increase
for
someone
making
a
hundred
thousand
dollars
is
five
thousand
dollars
a
year,
while
a
five
percent
increase
for
someone
making.
Forty
thousand
dollars
is
two
thousand
dollars
a
year,
while
the
effects
of
of
inflation
and
the
costs
of
things
like
eggs
and
bread
and
gas
are
going
up.
Similarly,
for
everyone.
V
You
know
if
there
are
other
opportunities
for
thinking
creatively
about
how
reasons
are
given
you
know.
Thinking
about
things
like
capping
raises
above
the
median
income
at
the
city,
but
five
percent
of
the
median
income
I'll
send
you
an
email
about
some
suggested
ways
and
I
hope
that
you'll
continue
to
look
at
that
moving
forward.
V
C
A
L
L
All
right,
speaking
of
unfinished
business
as
I
was
saying
earlier,
I
was
thanking
you
for
using
your
power
of
the
mayorship
and
city
council
ship
to
admonish
the
North
Carolina
legislature
about
its
pending
legislation
and,
of
course,
I
would
like
you
to
do
the
same
thing
in
regards
to
the
1900s
disenfranchisement
act,
the
literacy
test
that
is
still
part
of
the
North
Carolina
State
Constitution,
which
is
not
effectual
but
still
exists
and
should
be
removed.
L
So
I
would
like
you
again
to
do
that
and
I've
been
bringing
in
a
lot
of
lessons
about
history
and
all
the
stuff
that
I've
learned
about
our
white
supremacist
history
here
in
Asheville
and
recently
what
I
just
learned
this
is
going
to
be
fascinating.
I
think
to
you,
Esther,
is
that
in
1934
the
year
after
Hitler
took
power,
a
whole
bunch
of
Nazi
lawyers
came
to
America
to
study
race
law,
because
the
United
States
had
more
race
laws
than
anywhere
else
in
the
in
the
whole
world.
L
It
wasn't
just
black
people,
but
the
Nazis
took
particular
interest
in
our
Jim
Crow
policies
and
laws.
Because
again,
they
were
steeped
in
white
supremacy
and
some
of
those
laws
originated
from
here
in
Asheville
from
our
very
owns
of
white
supremacist
City
attorney,
not
Brad,
Branham
block
Craig
back
up
back.
L
So
the
fact
that
the
Jim
Crow
laws
then
informed
and
inspired
and
Justified
the
Nuremberg
Laws,
which
were
invalidated
and
nullified
in
1945.
You
know
I
think
that
your
position
here
in
2023,
123
years
after
this
disenfranchisement
act
was
put
into
place,
that
you're
in
a
position
to
act
and
I.
Think
that
you
have
a
moral
imperative
to
do
something
about
that
or
say
something
about
that.
Along
with,
of
course,
our
at-large
election
system,
which
was
developed
in
1931.
C
L
L
You
get
here,
the
right
side
of
History
has
fantastic
snacks
and
everybody
is
invited
and
look
forward
to
talking
with
you
more
about
it.
In
the
future,
I'll
bring
more
newspaper
clips
from
Asheville
citizen
Clans
paper
back
in
the
you
know,
19
early
1900s
and
you
know
hopefully
entertain
and
inform-
and
you
know
do
some
things
together.
You
know.
W
Foreign
Council
I
appreciate
your
listening
to
me.
I
have
a
petition
to
improve
handicapped
parking
in
downtown
Asheville
public
garages,
I
rent
a
space
in
one,
and
it
has
been
interesting
to
say
the
least.
I
was
stuck
on
the
roof.
My
truck
was
and
I
was
down
below,
and
the
elevator
did
not
work
for
the
millionth
time
and
I
had
to
hitchhike
at
72
years
old.
W
Up
to
my
truck
anyhow,
we,
the
drivers
with
and
without
disabilities,
who
cherish
living
and
visiting
in
downtown
Asheville
demand
improvements
in
handicap
parking
aware
of
the
requirements
dictated
by
the
American
with
Disability
Act
Ada.
We
drivers
demand
that
the
following
improvements
be
implemented
properly
promptly
in
order
to
protect
us
and
others
who
depend
on
handicapped
parking
in
the
City
Garage
handicap
parking
spots
must
be
located
at
the
entrance
and
exits
on
the
floor
near
the
streets
as
well
as
near
the
elevators.
W
They
are
not
all
handicapped
parking
spots
need
to
include
wider
stalls
required
for
wheelchairs,
Walker
scooters
to
be
act,
adequately,
removed
and
loaded
and
unloaded
from
Vehicles.
They
are
not.
In
fact,
there
are
no
Center
aisles
in
between
them,
which
is
mandatory.
W
Another
elevator
needs
to
be
added
to
the
Civic
centered
garage
as
a
backup
where
the
current
elevator
is
out
of
order,
which
happens
often
I
know,
signage
and
phone
numbers
for
assistance
needs
to
be
installed
in
the
elevators
and
at
all
entrances
and
exits.
It
is
not.
Surveillance
must
be
installed
for
the
safety
of
all
drivers
who
use
the
garage.
W
232
signatures,
I
am
handicapped,
I
have
trouble
walking,
sometimes
I
can
do
pretty
well
other
times,
I
can't
I.
Also
they
also
added
117
employees
to
that.
So
there
is
a
total
of
350
people
that
are
involved
in
this
from
the
businesses
I
spent
four
days
walking
I
went
from
Pat
from
Patton
Avenue
to
my,
where
I
live
near
the
parking
garage
over
to
Lexington
Avenue,
doing
all
the
stores
that
were
open
and
everybody
was
willing
to
do
something,
except
for
six
people
that
was
it
all
of
them
signed.
A
A
W
A
R
C
R
People
are
coming
here,
they're
really
enjoying
their
time
here
and
if
my
friend
is
any
example,
they're
not
going
away
bad-mouthing
their
experience
in
Asheville,
quite
the
contrary,
so
let's
all
take
a
deep
breath
and
be
proud
of
what
Asheville
has
to
offer
to
its
residents
and
to
visitors.
Thank
you
for
your
time.
A
Council,
that
was
the
last
person
signed
up
to
speak
and
I.
Don't
think
we
have
a
closed
session.
This
feels
so
bizarre
to
finish
this
early
hour.
Let's.