The city of Asheville has released a report by the Raftellis consulting firm on a possible merger with the Metropolitan Sewerage District. The report claims that an “inter-local agreement” between the two would have the greatest benefit while avoiding the cost of a merger. MSD taking over the city system will, according to the report, cost the city around $3.75 million a year.
Tag: City of Asheville
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City freezes lead arts administrator job, evaluating cultural programs
The city of Asheville has frozen the position of Cultural Arts Superintendent, vacant since the departure of Diane Ruggiero in September, pending a review of the city’s budget process. City staff are also evaluating the department’s programs to determine how to continue providing its “core services.”
Former Asheville City manager Jim Westbrook dead at 68
Former City Manager Jim Westbrook died yesterday evening in a car wreck in Vass, N.C. Westbrook served as city manager from 1995 to 2005.
Asheville City Council: a pile of reports
At a relatively short meeting tonight, Asheville City Council heard a number of reports on matters ranging from finance to crime, after mulling legislative goals earlier in the afternoon. (photo by Max Cooper)
Asheville starts open-data nominations
Does the city of Asheville have some information you’d like to see made available to the public? Let them know, as they’re now taking nominations on the city’s open-data catalog.
Five things you should know from the MSD water system report
Yesterday, consultants from Arcadis hired by the Metropolitan Sewerage District unveiled their first report on the possible impacts of merging the city of Asheville’s water system. Here are five important conclusions from the over-200 page document. (photo by Bill Rhodes)
LIVE: Twitter coverage of MSD presenting its plan for city water merger
Live Twitter coverage of the Metropolitan Sewerage District presenting its plan for a merger with the city of Asheville’s water system, beginning at noon.
Rep. Moffitt Twitter hacking case now in hands of the APD
The alleged hacking of Rep. Tim Moffitt’s Twitter account is now being investigated by the Asheville Police Department “because of the abilities of our cyber crime unit.” The case was originally reported to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.
First look at MSD’s water merger study delayed
Due to the far-reaching effects of Hurricane Sandy, the planned November 1 discussion of the draft water study contracted for by the Metropolitan Sewerage District of Buncombe County has been delayed.
Transit Commission will hold “extraordinary meeting” Oct. 10 to decide on bus purchase
The city of Asheville’s Transit Commission will hold an “extraordinary meeting” Wednesday, Oct. 10, to discuss the possible purchase of two used buses from the city of Gastonia.
Voter resources
Vote early, not often The Asheville City Council primary is Tuesday, Oct. 10. However, early voting kicked off Thursday, Sept. 21. The deadline to register to vote in the primaries was Sept. 15, but people who missed it can register by appearing at the one-stop voting site, 77 McDowell St. in Asheville, during the one-stop […]
Judge rejected evidence room lawsuit against DA on technicality
Part of Judge Bradley Letts’ written order dismissing the evidence room open records lawsuit filed by a local media coalition (including Xpress) has been filed. The order dismisses the part of the lawsuit against the Buncombe County District Attorney’s office on the technical grounds that it was misnamed in the lawsuit.
Asheville City Council approves sale of Haywood St. property to hotel company
Amid packed chambers and a contentious public debate, Asheville City Council voted 4-2 earlier tonight, Sept. 11, to approve the $2.5 million sale of property on Haywood Street to the McKibbon Hotel Group. The company plans to build a 140-room hotel on the site, near the Basilica of St. Lawrence.
After months of controversy, Council will decide fate of Haywood property
At its meeting tonight, Sept. 11, Asheville City Council will decide an issue which has fueled months of debate: whether or not to sell city property across from the Basilica of St. Lawrence to the McKibbon Hotel Group. The public hearing on the matter is the only major item on Council’s agenda.
City of Asheville losing key arts administrator
Diane Ruggiero oversaw many of the city’s arts programs, including Bele Chere, Easel Rider and the W.N.C. Nature Center. Her last day will be Sept. 15.
Judge dismisses APD evidence room open records lawsuit
Today, Sept. 6, Xpress and the other media outlets involved an an open-records lawsuit against the Buncombe County District Attorney’s office and the city of Asheville received word that Judge Bradley Letts had dismissed their push for the release of an audit of the Asheville Police Department evidence room.
Attorneys lay out arguments in evidence room audit lawsuit
Attorneys for an alliance of local media (including Xpress), the city of Asheville and Buncombe County District Attorney Ron Moore laid out arguments before Judge Bradley Letts this morning over whether or not an audit of the Asheville Police Department evidence room should be released. Letts will likely issue a ruling within the next 30 days. Photo by Max Cooper.
District attorney, evidence room auditor file affidavits in open records case
Buncombe County District Attorney Ron Moore and Mike Wright, who audited the Asheville Police Department’s old evidence room, have filed affidavits in response to the open records lawsuit from local media (including Xpress), seeking the release of the audit.
City opts not to change water referendum language
On Tuesday, Aug. 28, Asheville City Council continued their regular meeting until today, Aug. 30, to consider a possible change in the wording of the November water referendum. However, after a closed session briefing from legal staff, Council opted to leave the referendum the way it is.
Affidavit filed as evidence room lawsuit nears its day in court
Lawyers representing a coalition of local media (including Xpress) have filed an affidavit to bolster the case for the release of an audit of the Asheville Police Department evidence room. The lawsuit goes before a judge Sept. 4.
Fire Chief: Asheville well-prepared for possible fuel shortage
After the 2005 and 2008 gas shortages due to hurricanes hitting the Gulf Coast, the city of Asheville developed reserves and a conservation plan. With Hurricane Isaac moving towards the same area, Asheville Fire Department Chief Scott Burnette says the city is well-prepared. It was a common sight on I-26 during the 2008 gas shortage – tourists bringing extra gasoline with them to Asheville. (photo by Bill Rhodes)