ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville City Council members previewed the agenda for their upcoming March 10 meeting during a virtual agenda briefing Thursday, where officials discussed contract extensions, infrastructure funding and potential federal grants aimed at improving police forensic technology.

Mayor Esther Manheimer opened the March 5 work session, noting that the meeting was for discussion only and no votes would be taken. All council members and staff participated remotely, with Council Member Bo Hess absent while attending training at the University of North Carolina School of Government.

City Manager D.K. Wesley said the March 10 council meeting will begin with a budget work session at 3 p.m. in City Hall, followed by the regular council meeting at 5 p.m. in council chambers.

Among the items expected on the consent agenda is an amendment to extend the city’s contract with Marathon Health through June 30 to align with the fiscal year and allow time for a broader request for proposals for employee health services.

Another item would amend a contract with JHD Engineering to support ongoing work at the city’s water treatment plants.

Council will also consider a budget amendment tied to recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene, including funding for repairs at Azalea Park. Another proposal involves a $10 million loan from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for water resilience improvements at the North Fork water treatment plant. Officials said part of the loan may be forgivable.

The city is also expected to apply for a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance to enhance forensic technology used by the Asheville Police Department.

Interim Police Chief Jackie Stepp said the funding would help modernize the department’s ability to analyze ballistic evidence, process fingerprints and identify gunshot residue more quickly.

“This would really allow us to advance our anti-gun crime initiative,” Stepp said. “It reduces lead times and expands our ability to send cold case evidence to the lab while improving in-house forensic analysis.”

Council Member Kim Roney asked whether the technology upgrades could lead to the city adopting ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system used in some cities. Stepp said the department previously studied the technology but determined it was too expensive and not reliable enough.

Roney said she supported the city’s decision not to pursue the system, noting that several large cities have discontinued its use.

Council is also expected to consider applying for a North Carolina Department of Commerce Small Business Infrastructure Grant to repair sewer infrastructure in the Enka Commerce Park area damaged during Tropical Storm Helene.

The March 10 agenda will also include a recovery progress update related to storm impacts across the city.

Two public hearings are scheduled for proposed zoning changes tied to housing developments.

One proposal would rezone property at 230 Sardis Road from an industrial district to residential expansion to allow a 180-unit multifamily development. Planning staff said the project would be located near the existing Greymont Apartments and received unanimous approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Another proposal at 383 North Louisiana Ave. would rezone property to allow construction of an 89-unit affordable housing development. Officials said the project would reserve all units for households earning up to 80 percent% of the area median income and also received unanimous support from the planning board.

Council committees will also meet later in March. The Housing and Community Development Committee is scheduled to review updates on the city’s Community Development Block Grant programs on March 17, while the Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee will receive updates on Asheville Rides Transit operations and a new contract for transit services.

City officials said the transit contract is expected to come before the full council for consideration on March 24.

Additional items on the council’s upcoming agenda schedule include potential funding adjustments for park improvements, a proposal related to a future arts and entertainment facility near City Hall, and a draft ordinance revising the city’s definition of graffiti.

The next Asheville City Council meeting is scheduled for March 10 at City Hall.