Behind a very general agenda, two meals and lots of debate over wording, Asheville’s leaders are about make some big decisions for the year Above: City hall by moonlight. Photo by Max Cooper. It’s not on the main page of the city’s website. Or their calendar of meetings (though the agenda

About 140 city employees make less than a living wage. More on that issue, and how Council’s now considering a raise Above: the job description for a U.S. Cellular Center worker in “specialized unskilled work.” The job, like many others at the center, pays below a living wage. Just over

Asheville’s mayor talks about her first year in office, controversies, a defense of the city’s actions, turf battles and more Above: Mayor Esther Manheimer, photo by Max Cooper In 2013 Esther Manheimer, after a term on Asheville City Council, won the mayor’s seat decisively. But her first year in office

Exiled from City Hall due to a burst pipe Asheville City Council opposes a development, prepares to duel over a powerful board and gets an earful Above: anti-fracking and Keystone XL pipeline protesters outside the U.S. Cellular Center, Asheville City Council’s temporary location due to a burst pipe in City Hall.

In a time of growing demand, calls for reform and uncertain budgets, the Asheville Transit Committee sets some priorities for where the cash will go Above: The Asheville Transit Committee gathers for its Jan. 6 meeting, around one of those photographically vexing projectors city meeting rooms have in abundance. —

For years, city government has claimed to pay a living wage. But there’s a big exception that leaves some city workers making far less Above: Lauren Bacchus, in front of the U.S. Cellular Center box office where she worked. Along with 139 other city employees, Bacchus did not make a living

Routs, truces, clashing views and more as Council closes out its year with the latest chapter in the development wars Above: the future sites of the River Mill Lofts and Hazel Mill Roads projects, on the city’s development maps. Historically, few things pack Asheville City Council chambers like fights over

While law enforcement sees local turmoil and national scrutiny, Asheville’s police advisory board gives staff an earful about the need for public oversight Above: Several members of the Citizens Police Advisory Board gather with city staff around tables in a training room for their Dec. 2 meeting. Clockwise from top:

In the controversy over Chief Anderson’s departure, it’s easy to forget the improvements of recent years, changes that must continue Above: the cover of the Asheville Police Department’s strategic plan, unveiled this summer During the discussion about the current turmoil and fraught history of the Asheville Police Department, most of

Strategic goals! Best practices! Benchmarks! Here’s a guide to that jargon city officials are so fond of, what it means and why it matters Above: City Hall at night. Photo by Max Cooper If you’ve attended an Asheville City Council meeting, pored over one of the city’s many, many master