“If you are happy with the status quo, then reelect these failed leaders.”
Tag: Asheville City Council
Showing 43-63 of 1615 results
LGBTQIA+ resolution comes before Council
An earlier version of the resolution, which was made public during the May 23 meeting, was withdrawn due to disagreement about its contents.
Asheville budget hearing marked by low turnout
The occasion typically sees dozens of residents making their cases for enhanced spending or budget cuts on a range of city services, but was uncharacteristically quiet during the May 23 meeting of Asheville City Council.
Letter: Cloth bags are better alternative to plastic
“The best way to replace plastic bags is by making cloth and canvas ones. Cotton is a renewable resource.”
Budget hearing comes before Asheville Council May 23
The hearing will offer residents the chance to weigh in on the spending plan, first unveiled May 9.
Letter: Don’t legislate plastic-bag reduction
“The solution, to my mind, is to educate the public about the harm that single-use plastic bags can inflict on the environment, not to ban the use of these bags through legislation.”
Letter: Could seniors get a break on water rate hikes?
“Is there any chance that Asheville City Council could maybe find some way to give the lower- and middle-class seniors a break from at least this usually yearly water increase?”
Council to hear update on TDA takeover of Sports Commission
A study commissioned for the TDA by the Huddle Up Group, a Phoenix-based sports consulting firm, recommends consolidating the sports commission into the tourism body. The TDA already funds the bulk of the commission’s work, at roughly $230,000 per year. (The city of Asheville and Buncombe County each pitch in about $45,000 annually, while UNC Asheville offers its facilities as in-kind contributions.)
Water fee increases clear Council
The decision comes after an extended back-and-forth between Council and staffers on whether the city could freeze rates for residential customers while still generating the revenue needed for water infrastructure maintenance and other expenses.
Council to consider $5.25M in Housing Trust Fund projects April 25
Together the projects would bring 281 units of affordable housing online.
Letter: Keep those residential water rates frozen
“If they need more money, why not raise the prices on industrial usage?”
Council members reverse course on water fees
During Council’s last scheduled work session for the fiscal year 2023-24 budget on April 11, some members appeared to reverse course on a previous push to freeze residential water fees.
Council to consider water plant update study
The direct filtration systems used by both the North Fork and William DeBruhl treatment plants may not be sufficient given the likelihood of more severe weather in the future. DEQ has called for upgrades to the plants, including the addition of sedimentation basins to capture eroded or disturbed soil washed out during storms.
Letter: Asheville’s issues stem from poor leadership
“In my view, the overly tolerant approach to vagrancy and lack of concern relative to soaring bond issues, financed by property taxes, in Asheville can be traced to poor leadership.”
Council seeks freeze on residential water fees
Residential customers pay higher rates for water than do commercial or industrial water consumers — $4.77 and $4.20 per cubic foot for single-family and multi-family housing, respectively, compared to as little as $2.29 per cubic foot for large manufacturers. Several members of Council said that the discrepancy was troubling.
Council to consider South Slope Vision Plan
Some projects outlined in the plan include a gateway to reconnect McCormick Field and Memorial Stadium with downtown, public art installations and commemoration of the neighborhood’s African American history. The plan does not include specific funding commitments for capital projects or investments.
Letter: How quickly can downtown be saved (again)?
“How could things have gotten this bad without intervention? How quickly will this situation of fear and crime be turned around?”
Council approves up to $20M for McCormick Field
Attendees at baseball games may pick up part of the tab for the McCormick Field improvements through a new 50-cent “facility fee” to be added to each ticket.
Letter: Just say no to spending millions on McCormick Field
“And they ‘want,’ they ‘like’ the Tourists. So do we, but City Council and the city manager are making a huge mistake paying this unreasonable price to keep them.”
Asheville Council to consider up to $20M for McCormick Field improvements
McCormick Field has been home to a minor league baseball team for each of the past 64 years. The current Tourists franchise brings in roughly $9.8 million in local spending annually for Buncombe County.
Letter: Sidewalks project shows little cooperation with neighborhood
“I am afraid the city of Asheville is not interested in neighborhood input.”