Asheville City Council preview: the quest for a quiet city

A stricter noise ordinance is before Asheville City Council at tonight’s meeting, along with a one-time bonus for city employees and an update on the proposal to merge the city’s water system with the Metropolitan Sewerage District.

The noise ordinance changes add new criteria for what sounds can be considered a violation of the law, including shouting, parties, and if the incident is taking place after 11 p.m. It comes after a survey earlier this year and complaints from some residents about noise, including from local businesses, in their neighborhoods.

The city will also vote on a one-time bonus of $650 to all city employees, at a cost of $650,000, after the annual audit shows an improving financial situation.

Council will also receive a regular update on the details of the merger between the city’s water system and MSD demanded by a state legislative committee. MSD’s report, which predicts some savings from a merger will be formally released tomorrow.

Asheville City Council will meet at 5 p.m. on the second floor of City Hall. Council will hold a joint worksession with the Riverfront Redevelopment Committee at 3:30 p.m. in room 623.

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