Bear-resistant trash containers
At a glance
- What: Public comment asked the city to push for a ban on bear baiting in Buncombe County, add bear-wise signage and require bear-resistant trash containers in high-conflict areas, following a new county emergency rule on feeding bears.
- Where it stands: A council member has asked to take it to the Public Safety committee; the bear cart wait list is 400-plus and the budget was cut.
- Next: Public Safety committee discussion.
Sources
- City Council minutes, September 22, 2026: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hyn_X4NK1sIzrayTVl2o-yA2m7waJM_TUBYF9v0_IAw/edit
- City Council minutes, September 8, 2026: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xu-SdtT5815ZnSgeplTv7A4GOeblspJHXP_OiuInyIE/edit
- https://youtube.com/watch?v=g3e1oN6oXN4 (general public comment, 2026-10-13; auto-generated captions)
Discussion time
About 5 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-13 - City Council (formal meeting) | 5 |
Log
- 2026-10-13 - City Council (formal meeting) - Resident comment; council members discussed signage and cart backlog and referred it to the Public Safety committee.
- 2026-09-22 - City Council - Public comment again asked for stronger bear initiatives and education, designated human-bear conflict zones in recurring problem areas; no action.
- 2026-09-08 - City Council - Speakers asked for mandated bear-resistant trash cans and dumpsters. Councilman Hess suggested the Public Safety Committee address it, possibly with more accountability for people who feed bears; Councilwoman Roney asked for an update on the backlog of bear-resistant carts, their cost and arrival time; Mayor Manheimer said staff should touch base with the state Wildlife Commission.