$3 million for housing and a rubble debate

Last night, the Asheville City Council met for the first time since Hurricane Helene – and the storm dominated the agenda.

For residents and city leaders, waste disposal was a priority. According to city officials, the city is dealing with 3 million cubic meters – or about 70,000 truckloads – of trees, vegetation, metal, dirt and construction materials.

Last night, council voted to make Enka Commerce Park its primary waste processing site as part of a 10-point consent agenda.

City leaders initially announced two debris sites near public housing neighborhoods in West Asheville: Roger Farmer Park and 65 Ford Street. Both were located within a half-mile of the Deaverview Apartments, a 160-unit apartment complex in West Asheville.

Members of the public demonstrated against the construction of landfills near low-income neighborhoods and demanded environmental and social justice.

After some public criticism, city officials reversed the decision and suspended operations.

Nevertheless, more than a dozen residents protested outside the city council meeting on Tuesday. JC Cobb, a resident of Eastmoor, one of the neighborhoods originally slated for trash processing, said he was concerned about debris in close proximity to his children.

“I am very, very concerned about anything that is brought there that could negatively impact us as residents of this area,” he said.

At a briefing earlier this week, City Manager Debra Campbell said there is still the possibility of “reactivating” a site near public housing if needed in the future.

The city is taking “security and site preparation measures such as fencing and access for heavy machinery,” she said, but stressed that the site will only be used “when necessary.”

Council members unanimously passed a resolution approving a lease with a private company for a temporary waste processing facility at 264 and 274 Enka Heritage Parkway.

The city will lease the 24-acre property for a mixed waste processing facility for $3,500 per acre per month, or $84,000 per month for a period of six months. If necessary, there is the possibility of an extension.

At Wednesday’s joint briefing, City Manager Debra Campbell also encouraged the public to do the same Contact the city if they have a 4 to 6 hectare property that could be used for waste processing.

$3 million in housing assistance

The council approved more than $3 million for various housing assistance initiatives. The relief is aimed at households with a minimum income of 80% or less Area median incomewith priority given to those with an AMI below 60% and households damaged by Hurricane Helene.

This is where the money goes:

• $2.46 million for rental assistance and home repairs for low-income residents
• $1 million for down payment assistance and homeowners

Other tidbits

• Council members approved about $100,000 to replace the cold water pump at Harrah’s Cherokee Center. The work is part of the HVAC upgrade project, funded in part by a grant from the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) Legacy Investment Fund.
• The council also passed a budget amendment of $11 million for the city’s Special Revenue Fund and $25.1 million for the city’s Water Capital Improvement Fund. Both are funded by reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
• The meeting ended at 5:50 p.m. (as previously announced) for leaders and residents to attend Buncombe County/Asheville candlelight vigil at Pack Square.

Every second and fourth Tuesday, the Asheville City Council meets in the Council Chamber on the 2nd floor of City Hall, 70 Court Plaza, beginning at 5:00 p.m complete recording of the meeting of October 22nd and the agenda.

The next city council meeting will not take place on November 5th because of the election. The council will meet on November 12th.