City of Asheville Submitted: April 10, 2026 | Updated: November 9, 2026

(April 2026) Request for City of Asheville, NC Government: Communications related to transit contract and key staff retention. 03/01/26 – 03/26/26.

SUBJECT:
(April 2026) Request for City of Asheville, NC Government: Communications related to transit contract and key staff retention. 03/01/26 - 03/26/26.

MESSAGE:
Good afternoon (Records Officer / Custodian(s) of these records),

Please reply promptly to the following public records request, which I’m making in accordance with NC Public Records Law. https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bychapter/chapter_132.html

This request pertains to the City’s transit contract. Please provide all communications (emails, texts, phone logs, chats, etc) between City Council, City Staff, and RATP DEV, regarding key staff retention. Specifically, during the time period of March 01 through March 26, 2026.

** I’m simply requesting an electronic copy of an electronic record, if one exists. I’m NOT asking for the opportunity to come in person to “inspect”, nor to obtain a printed copy of, this electronic record. I’m requesting explicitly that any responsive info be provided to me via the electronic medium / electronic format (in which the copy of this record already exists). If you are unable to fulfill any or all parts of this request, please specifically cite where a reason for denial is justified under NC Public Records Law. **
————————————

Please note that by submitting this request, I’m NOT agreeing to pay any potential fees or associated costs related to my request. If it isn’t possible to process the request without incurring fees, then please let me know the itemized potential cost and clear explanations of those charges upfront, and DO NOT proceed until I respond.

By Law I’m not required to provide a name or address to associate with a public records request, but in order to move things along I’d like to clarify that this request is being made by:

Sunshine Request
PO Box 17391
Asheville, NC 28816

The request has been sent solely by me and my email address [email protected] . If anyone other than that email address contacts you to pursue a similar request, it did not come from me. Please do not commingle or treat that as an alteration or cancellation of my request – I intend to continue to pursue my request.

Thank you for your assistance!

** Sunshine Request (www.sunshinerequest.com) makes no claim as to the veracity of any statements or information contained in any of the requests, or public records, we receive.

Editor’s Note: Sunshine Request makes no claim as to the veracity of any statements or information contained in any of the requests, or public records, we receive.

** 04/10/26. Editor’s Note to Sender: When requesting communication records, it’s important to specify the type of communications being requested, who the communications are “sent to”, “sent from”, or “sent between”, any specific people / staff / departments etc. that should be included, and specific subject matter or keywords to be searched.

As it was originally written, the sender was asking for “… any communication between city council, city staff and RATP DEV… “

Please note. The City’s JustFoia platform requires that a field be entered clarifying the specific types of communications being requested. Unless specified otherwise, we typically interpret the term “correspondence” or “communications” to mean: Emails, SMS text messages, Google Chat messages, Facebook Messenger messages, and phone logs.

In this case, we’ve decided to interpret the sender’s request for communications to mean: “emails, texts, phone logs, chat, etc.”

In the future, please specify the exact “communications” records you are hoping to receive. Clarifying this info will help to narrow the scope of the request, and will also reduce the amount of time it takes the Disclosing Agency (as well as our team) to process the request.

Thank you for using Sunshine Request!

Status: Completed

Activity:

  • November 9, 2026 6:42 pm

    1 day ago

    **Editor’s note to the public. 11/09/26: We consider our request (# 04/10/26  PRR-2026-310) to now be completed as of 11/05.


    Please note. At some point between 11/05/26 @ 3:12pm  and 11/09/26 @ 12:04pm, our request (along with many others previously listed on the City’s “Communications Search Queue”– there were 33 total for months) were removed from the queue. Presumably, this should indicate they’ve all been completed. However, since the City’s JustFoia platform hasn’t been set up to allow the public to search for completed requests, it isn’t possible for anyone (other than the requester, or someone with a direct link, request #, or security key) to search or review any completed requests on the site. We followed up with Allison about this today.


    As of this writing there are 14 requests listed on the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet. The oldest is “7/28/2026  2026-729“, and the “newest” is “10/28/2026  2026-1210“:

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Completed
  • November 9, 2026 12:04 pm

    2 days ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    cc: 2b4b5806-473b-4ff1-b520-5f6dc6da7596.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com, [email protected], Brad Branham <[email protected]>
    date: Nov 9, 2026, 12:04 PM
    subject: Re: City of Asheville, NC – Public Records Request PRR-2026-310: Confirmation

     

    Hi Allison,

     

    I just noticed you’ve updated the queue again, sometime after my last email on Thursday.

     

    While I appreciate that it’s finally been updated — that doesn’t address my very clear questions to you about your process for updating the queue. Please respond to my email above from Nov. 05 @ 3:12pm.

     

    Additionally – I’d like to ask why the City chooses not to enable the feature of JustFoia that allows the public to see or search for completed requests? As it is now, it is impossible to see or search for any other completed requests (besides your own). This seems extremely inefficient and untransparent, and also likely results in the City receiving duplicate requests for information.

     

    No one should have to make a request for all requests completed by the City, just to see them. Many other government entities that use JustFoia, allow requests to be searched on their site.

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team


    Status: Follow up
  • November 5, 2026 3:12 pm

    6 days ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    cc: 2b4b5806-473b-4ff1-b520-5f6dc6da7596.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com, [email protected], Brad Branham <[email protected]>
    date: Nov 5, 2026, 3:12 PM
    subject: Re: City of Asheville, NC – Public Records Request PRR-2026-310: Confirmation

     

    Hi Allison,

     

    Can you please clarify what an “as-needed” basis is for you, in regard to your process for updating the communications queue?

     

    For months there have been no updates made — no requests added or removed. How do you and/or the public know what communications requests are being processed, or removed from the queue? Correct me if I’m mistaken, but you must have some type of process or internal list you use to keep track of that, and do keep up-to-date.

     

    The City processes communications type requests differently from all other types of requests they receive. I understand you’re no longer actively keeping the queue up-to-date on a regular basis, but I’d like to know what updating it on an “as-needed” basis means on your end. When does that occur? For example – if I were to ask you right now how many active “communications type requests” the City is working on processing, how would you be able to look that up?

     

    Thank you.


    Status: Clarification Requested
  • November 5, 2026 2:59 pm

    6 days ago

    from: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    cc: 2b4b5806-473b-4ff1-b520-5f6dc6da7596.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com, [email protected], Brad Branham <[email protected]>
    date: Nov 5, 2026, 2:59 PM
    subject: Re: City of Asheville, NC – Public Records Request PRR-2026-310: Confirmation

     

    Hi Sunshine Request.

     

    There is no schedule for updates; updates are made on an as-needed basis.

     

    Best,

     

    Allison Byers
    Public Records Officer
    City of Asheville


    Status: Clarification Provided
  • November 5, 2026 11:38 am

    6 days ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    cc: 2b4b5806-473b-4ff1-b520-5f6dc6da7596.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com, [email protected], Brad Branham <[email protected]>
    date: Nov 5, 2026, 11:38 AM
    subject: Re: City of Asheville, NC – Public Records Request PRR-2026-310: Confirmation

     

    Hi Allison,

     

    Re: 1. Thank you for clarifying.
    Re: 3. This is now the fourth time I’m asking you explicitly to please advise as to when the next time is you’ll be updating the communications queue.

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team


    Status: Clarification Requested
  • November 5, 2026 11:32 am

    6 days ago

    from: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    cc: 2b4b5806-473b-4ff1-b520-5f6dc6da7596.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com,
    [email protected], Brad Branham <[email protected]>
    date: Nov 5, 2026, 11:32 AM
    subject: Re: City of Asheville, NC – Public Records Request PRR-2026-310: Confirmation

     

    Good morning Sunshine Request,

     

    The two records (text threads) provided in response to your public records request are the only responsive records. The searches conducted yielded no other records responsive to your request.

     

    Best,

     

    Allison Byers
    Public Records Officer
    City of Asheville


    Status: Clarification Provided
  • November 5, 2026 11:22 am

    6 days ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    cc: 2b4b5806-473b-4ff1-b520-5f6dc6da7596.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com, Public Records Request Inbox <[email protected]>, [email protected]
    date: Nov 5, 2026, 11:22 AM
    subject: Re: City of Asheville, NC – Public Records Request PRR-2026-310: Confirmation

     

    Good afternoon JustFoia, Allison, City Manager Wesley,

     

    I just received an email from the JustFoia platform stating that my request, “Request Number: PRR-2026-310 has been completed. Please click on the request link to download any responsive records.” 

     

    Following that link I see two documents have been uploaded: 1 text message titled “Chris Whitlock texts.png“, and 1 text message titled “Jessica Morriss texts.PNG” — both of these texts just mention a meeting, and nothing substantive about anything related to “RATP DEV” or “staff retention”. Before I can consider this request to be completed, I have several points of clarification:

     

    1. I submitted the following request on April 10, 2026:

    “… This request pertains to the City’s transit contract. Please provide all communications (emails, texts, phone logs, chats, etc) between City Council, City Staff, and RATP DEV, regarding key staff retention. Specifically, during the time period of March 01 through March 26, 2026.”

    It has taken nearly seven months for the City to produce two text messages. Can you please confirm that there were no other responsive records (emails, phone logs, chats, etc) between City Council, City Staff, and RATP DEV, during the time period specified?

     

    2. As you can see in the email thread above – I’ve emailed Allison / JustFoia twice since August 19th, and received no response. Please note:

    Under NC Public Records Law, the City is required to “promptly” process all public records requests. Essentially, this means that if you intentionally delay the fulfillment of a request by allowing it to “sit” until staff has availability to address it, or feels like answering my emails, then this could be considered a denial of a request. With this in mind, I want to highlight the court case referenced in item #6 of the following article, posted on the NC Press Association website. In this instance: “The trial court held that an unjustified one-month delay in production of records was tantamount to a denial”. http://www.ncpress.com/stories/a-bakers-dozen-for-2022nc-public-records-law,2390

     

    3. As of this writing the City’s communications queue document still hasn’t been updated since at least August 19th or 27th. 

    I am clear from Allison’s last message in April that the queue spreadsheet is only updated “as needed”. I’ve asked about this twice, and it’s been months since any updates have been made. My request (2026-310) remains at position #19, and the “newest” request on the list is still #33 (8/26/2026  2026-892). I’d like to ask, again, that you please advise as to when the next time is you’ll be updating the communications queue. Unfortunately, there is no mechanism to track the status of updates on any requests being processed via JustFOIA – which is why I have to follow up you every once in a while.

     

    Thank you for your assistance.

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team


    Status: Clarification Requested
  • November 5, 2026 10:27 am

    6 days ago

    from: JustFOIA Notification <[email protected]>
    to: [email protected]
    date: Nov 5, 2026, 10:27 AM
    subject: City of Asheville, NC – Public Records Request PRR-2026-310: Completed

     

    Dear Requester,

     

    The request Request Number: PRR-2026-310 has been completed. Please click on the request link to download any responsive records.

     

    Thank you

     

    City of Asheville, NC
    70 Court Plaza
    Asheville, NC 28801
    (828) 259-5610
    [email protected]

    Full Request Details:


    **Editor’s Note: Please see the two files referenced (“Records_Request_Download_PRR-2026-310_2026-11-05-14-12-49.zip”) at top left in our Documents section.


    Status: Response Received from Government
  • October 29, 2026 2:33 pm

    1 week ago

    **Editor’s Note 10/29/26: Our request remains at position #19 on the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • October 23, 2026 6:28 pm

    2 weeks ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    cc: 2b4b5806-473b-4ff1-b520-5f6dc6da7596.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com
    date: Oct 23, 2026, 6:28 PM
    subject: Re: City of Asheville, NC – Public Records Request PRR-2026-310: Confirmation

     

    Hi Allison,

     

    Following up on the previous, 08/19.

     

    You didn’t reply to my email. However, I noticed after I emailed you that you updated the queue at some point between 08/19 and 08/27 @ 11:30am — at which point, my request moved to position #19 in the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet, where it has remained ever since. There are currently 33 total requests listed on the queue, and have been since you last updated it.

     

    I’d like to ask, again, that you please advise as to when the next time is you’ll be updating the communications queue. I am clear from your last message in April that you only update the spreadsheet “as needed”. However, it’s been at least 2 months since any updates have been made, and my request (2026-310) remains at position #19. The “newest” request on the list is still #33 (8/26/2026  2026-892).

     

    Unfortunately, there is no mechanism to track the status of updates on requests being processed via JustFOIA – which is why I have to follow up with you every once in a while.

     

    Thank you for your help.

     

     ~ The Sunshine Request Team


    Status: Follow up
  • October 22, 2026 3:00 pm

    2 weeks ago

    **Editor’s Note 10/22/26: Our request remains at position #19 on the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • October 15, 2026 5:00 pm

    3 weeks ago

    **Editor’s Note 10/15/26: Our request remains at position #19 on the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • October 8, 2026 5:00 pm

    1 month ago

    **Editor’s Note 10/08/26: Our request remains at position #19 on the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • October 1, 2026 5:00 pm

    1 month ago

    **Editor’s Note 10/01/26: Our request remains at position #19 on the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • September 24, 2026 1:13 pm

    1 month ago

    **Editor’s Note 09/24/26: Our request remains at position #19 on the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • September 17, 2026 5:57 pm

    1 month ago

    **Editor’s Note 09/17/26: Our request remains at position #19 on the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • September 10, 2026 1:57 pm

    2 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 09/10/26: Our request remains at position #19 on the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • September 3, 2026 5:00 pm

    2 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 09/03/26: Our request remains at position #19 on the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • August 27, 2026 11:30 am

    2 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 08/27/26: At some point between 08/19/26 @ 12:51pm  and 08/27/26 @ 11:30am, our request moved to position #19 in the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet. There are currently 33 total requests listed:

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • August 19, 2026 12:51 pm

    2 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    cc: 2b4b5806-473b-4ff1-b520-5f6dc6da7596.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com
    date: Aug 19, 2026, 12:51 PM
    subject: Re: City of Asheville, NC – Public Records Request PRR-2026-310: Confirmation

     

    Hi Allison,

     

    Can you please advise as to when the next time is you’ll be updating the communications queue?

     

    I am clear from your last message in April that you only update the spreadsheet “as needed”. However, it’s been at least 2+ months since any updates have been made to the queue, and my request (2026-310) remains at position #25. The “newest” request on the list is still #28 (5/12/2026  2026-425).

     

    Unfortunately, there is no mechanism to track the status of updates on requests being processed via JustFOIA – which is why I have to follow up with you every once in a while.

     

    Thank you for your help.

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team


    Status: Follow up
  • August 19, 2026 12:36 pm

    2 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 08/19/26: Our request remains at position #25 on the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • August 12, 2026 5:00 pm

    2 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 08/12/26: Our request remains at position #25 on the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • August 5, 2026 5:00 pm

    3 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 08/05/26: Our request remains at position #25 on the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • July 29, 2026 5:00 pm

    3 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 07/29/26: Our request remains at position #25 on the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • July 22, 2026 5:00 pm

    3 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 07/22/26: Our request remains at position #25 on the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • July 15, 2026 5:00 pm

    3 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 07/15/26: Our request remains at position #25 on the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • July 8, 2026 5:13 pm

    4 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 07/08/26: Our request remains at position #25 on the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • July 1, 2026 6:15 pm

    4 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 07/01/26: Our request remains at position #25 on the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • June 24, 2026 5:19 pm

    4 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 06/24/26: Our request remains at position #25 on the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • June 12, 2026 4:20 pm

    4 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 06/12/26: At some point between 05/14/26 and 06/12/26, our request moved to position #25 in the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • May 14, 2026 2:05 pm

    5 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 05/14/26: As of 05/14/26, our request has now been added to the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet. We are #31 in the queue.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • May 7, 2026 12:00 pm

    6 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 05/07/26: As of this writing, our request has not been added to the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet. We will continue to monitor the request for updates once a week.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • April 30, 2026 5:00 pm

    6 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 04/30/26: As of this writing, our request has not been added to the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet. We will continue to monitor the request for updates once a week.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • April 21, 2026 9:45 am

    6 months ago

    from: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    cc: 2b4b5806-473b-4ff1-b520-5f6dc6da7596.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com
    date: Apr 21, 2026, 9:45 AM
    subject: Re: City of Asheville, NC – Public Records Request [REDACTED]: Confirmation

     

    Good morning, Sunshine Request,

     

    Thank you for bringing this to my attention. The communications search queue is simply a workflow tool that I use and is not intended to serve as a realtime indication of request status or progress. It should have been removed from the “NOTE” you mentioned and was not – I apologize for the confusion, and that change has now been made. The search queue can be provided upon request, but please note that it is only updated as needed and, as previously mentioned, is not a realtime indication of request status. Requests for communications records are still processed in the order received.

     

    Best,

     

    Allison Byers
    Public Records Officer
    City of Asheville


     

    ** Editor’s Note to Sender: The “special NOTE” we referenced in our email with Allison, is located within the City of Asheville’s JustFoia Records Request submission form. When submitting a new request, users are asked to specify whether the request is for “Communications” records. If so, then an additional note appears, indicating that Communications requests can be tracked on the City’s Communications Search Queue spreadsheet at any time. This is what the Note looked like as of 04/20/26:

     

    We have been monitoring the search queue, posting updates about the position of our various requests on the queue, and speaking to various AVL City Records Officers about that queue, for years — so we know the City created the spreadsheet on or around the time they first began using their previous records platform (NextRequest), and have been using it since.

     

    Allison’s response today (04/21/26) indicates that the special “NOTE” about the queue written in the “Communications dropdown” on the City’s request form, has now been removed as of today. This is what the Note looks like now:

     

     

    It is unclear how users should monitor the status of Communications requests if that queue is not being kept up-to-date. However, we will continue to follow up on our requests every few weeks.


    Status: Response Received from Government
  • April 20, 2026 6:12 pm

    6 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: 2b4b5806-473b-4ff1-b520-5f6dc6da7596.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com
    cc: Public Records Request Inbox <[email protected]>, Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    date: Apr 20, 2026, 6:12 PM
    subject: Re: City of Asheville, NC – Public Records Request [REDACTED]: Confirmation

     

    Good afternoon JustFoia, Allison,

     

    The request above was submitted on 04/10/26 @ 4:41pm. The special “NOTE” written within the dropdown / check-box section for your communications-related requests states, in part:

     

    “Requests for communication records are processed in the order received. Once received and confirmed, you may view the queue document at any time to see the position of your request.”

     

    – As of this writing, the request has not been listed on the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet. I just want to confirm when it will be added, so that I can track the request’s progress / position in the queue?

    – I’ve also noticed no other updates have been made to the queue since at least March 19th. There are only 26 requests shown in the queue… the newest of which is dated 01/27/26.

     

    Thank you for your help!

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team


    Status: Follow up
  • April 10, 2026 4:40 pm

    7 months ago

    from: JustFOIA Notification <[email protected]>
    reply-to: 2b4b5806-473b-4ff1-b520-5f6dc6da7596.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com
    to: [email protected]
    date: Apr 10, 2026, 4:41 PM
    subject: City of Asheville, NC – Public Records Request PRR-2026-310: Confirmation

     

    Dear Requester,

     

    Thank you for submitting a request for public records on 04/10/2026.

     

    Your request reference number is Request Number: PRR-2026-310 and your security key is [REDACTED].

     

    Please have the security key and reference number available when communicating with our staff regarding your request.

     

    Thank you,

     

    City of Asheville, NC
    70 Court Plaza
    Asheville, NC 28801
    (828) 259-5610
    [email protected]

     

    Editor’s Note: The rest of the body of this message just contained a copy of the form we filled out to submit the request.



    This request has been added to “My Requests“.

     

    Thank you for submitting a Public Records Request to the City of Asheville, NC.

     

    Your Request Reference Number is: PRR-2026-310.

    Your Security Key is: [REDACTED]

     

    This information can be used to track the status of your request at any time, and to download documents when they have been made available, here: https://cityofashevillenc.justfoia.com/publicportal/home/track

     

    Please have this security key and reference number available when communicating with our staff regarding your request.

     

    You will receive a confirmation of your submission that contains the above information to your email.

     

    Thank you, 

     

    City of Asheville, NC 

    70 Court Plaza

    Asheville, NC 28801 

    (828) 259-5610 

    [email protected] 


     

    **Editor’s Note: We submitted the following request to the City of Asheville on 04/10/26 at 4:40pm EST, via their public records request portal, JustFOIA. If we receive updates, we will post them here on our website.

     

    SUBJECT:

    (April 2026) Request for City of Asheville, NC Government: Communications related to transit contract and key staff retention. 03/01/26 – 03/26/26.

     

    MESSAGE:

    Good afternoon (Records Officer / Custodian(s) of these records),

     

    Please reply promptly to the following public records request, which I’m making in accordance with NC Public Records Law. https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bychapter/chapter_132.html 

     

    This request pertains to the City’s transit contract. Please provide all communications (emails, texts, phone logs, chats, etc) between City Council, City Staff, and RATP DEV, regarding key staff retention. Specifically, during the time period of March 01 through March 26, 2026.

     

    ** I’m simply requesting an electronic copy of an electronic record, if one exists. I’m NOT asking for the opportunity to come in person to “inspect”, nor to obtain a printed copy of, this electronic record. I’m requesting explicitly that any responsive info be provided to me via the electronic medium / electronic format (in which the copy of this record already exists). If you are unable to fulfill any or all parts of this request, please specifically cite where a reason for denial is justified under NC Public Records Law. **

    ————————————

     

    Please note that by submitting this request, I’m NOT agreeing to pay any potential fees or associated costs related to my request. If it isn’t possible to process the request without incurring fees, then please let me know the itemized potential cost and clear explanations of those charges upfront, and DO NOT proceed until I respond.

     

    By Law I’m not required to provide a name or address to associate with a public records request, but in order to move things along I’d like to clarify that this request is being made by:

     

    Sunshine Request

    PO Box 17391

    Asheville, NC 28816

     

    The request has been sent solely by me and my email address [email protected] . If anyone other than that email address contacts you to pursue a similar request, it did not come from me. Please do not commingle or treat that as an alteration or cancellation of my request – I intend to continue to pursue my request.

     

    Thank you for your assistance!

     

    ** Sunshine Request (www.sunshinerequest.com) makes no claim as to the veracity of any statements or information contained in any of the requests, or public records, we receive.


    Status: Sent to Government
  • April 10, 2026 4:48 pm

    7 months ago

    Submitted to Sunshine Request
    Status: Pending