City of Asheville Submitted: June 11, 2025 | Updated: February 11, 2026

(June 2025) Request for City of Asheville, NC Government: Contracts and legal agreements 01/01/20 – present. Emails sent to and from Staff, Council, Mayor, Sustainability Dept. related to Blue Horizons Project, 01/01/23 – present.

SUBJECT:
(June 2025) Request for City of Asheville, NC Government: Contracts and legal agreements 01/01/20 - present. Emails sent to and from Staff, Council, Mayor, Sustainability Dept. related to Blue Horizons Project, 01/01/23 - present.

MESSAGE:
Good afternoon City of AVL (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

A. Please provide all contracts or other legal agreements executed between the City of Asheville and either of the following two entities, during the period of January 01, 2020 to present day:

- Green Built Alliance
- Let's Go Electric and/or program name "Electrify Asheville Buncombe County"

B. Please provide all emails sent To or sent From any member of City Council or their staff, the Mayor and her staff, or any staff of the Sustainability Department. Specifically, emails pertaining to the Blue Horizons Project. During the time period of January 01, 2023 to present day.

** 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. However, 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.

Status: Completed

Documents:

Activity:

  • February 11, 2026 4:23 pm

    4 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    date: Feb 11, 2026, 4:23 PM
    subject: Re: City of Asheville, NC – Public Records Request PRR-2025-35: Completed

     

    Hi Allison,

     

    Thank you for clarifying.

     

    I will now mark the request #PRR-2025-35 as “Completed” on our end.

     

    Have a great afternoon!

    Status: Completed
  • February 11, 2026 4:15 pm

    4 months ago

    from: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    date: Feb 11, 2026, 4:15 PM
    subject: Re: City of Asheville, NC – Public Records Request PRR-2025-35: Completed

     

    Good afternoon, Sunshine Request,

     

    When the City was in the process of switching public records request software to JustFOIA, requests that were actively open in the previously used NextRequest portal were manually entered into JustFOIA in order for requesters and staff to have access to them as of JustFOIA’s “go live” date of July 1, 2025. Due to this, these requests are reflected in JustFOIA as having been submitted on the date they were entered into the system. Their original submission date is retained in NextRequest records and was kept on the communications search queue.

     

    Best,

     

    Allison Byers

    Public Records Officer

    City of Asheville

    Status: Clarification Provided
  • February 11, 2026 3:14 pm

    4 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    cc: 599766a1-950d-4677-a258-5c69db463e29.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com
    date: Feb 11, 2026, 3:14 PM
    subject: Re: City of Asheville, NC – Public Records Request PRR-2025-35: Completed

     

    Hi Allison,

     

    Can you please confirm the date someone’s request #2025-4 was submitted to the City? JustFoia indicates it was “Submitted Mon, Jun 30, 2025“. However, on the communications queue spreadsheet, it was always listed as being “Received on 02/19/2025”.

     

    Similarly. I submitted my request  #PRR-2025-35 to the City on June 11, 2025. However, JustFoia now indicates it was “Submitted Tue, Jul 01, 2025”. Can you please update this information to publicly display the correct date? Once that has been addressed, I will mark this request as “Completed” on our end.

     

    Thank you!

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

    Status: Follow up
  • February 5, 2026 11:26 am

    4 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    date: Feb 5, 2026, 11:26 AM
    subject: Re: City of Asheville, NC – Public Records Request PRR-2025-35: Completed

     

    Hi Allison,

     

    I did have one additional question.

     

    The other JustFoia request you referenced (#2025-4) says it was “Submitted Mon, Jun 30, 2025“. However, it was #1 or #2 on the communications queue spreadsheet for a long time, which said it was “Received on 02/19/2025”.

     

    Can you please confirm the correct date the request was received?

     

    Thank you.

    Status: Clarification Requested
  • February 2, 2026 10:25 am

    4 months ago

    from: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    date: Feb 2, 2026, 10:25 AM
    subject: Re: City of Asheville, NC – Public Records Request PRR-2025-35: Completed

     

    Good morning, Sunshine Request,

     

    The request should now be publicly viewable in the portal. If you type “2025-4” in the search box, it will pull up. Please let me know if you have any issues locating it. The search queue spreadsheet has not yet been updated but will be updated to reflect the current queue and requests by the end of this week.

     

    Best,

     

    Allison Byers
    Public Records Officer
    City of Asheville

     

    **Editor’s Note: The request from someone else in the public Allison has been referencing, can be found here: https://cityofashevillenc.justfoia.com/publicportal/requests/PRR-2025-4/view. If you click the view “ALL” documents list, you will see that this person also received two files (Emails_PRR-2025-4.zip, Attachments_PRR-2025-4.zip), the same as what our Team at Sunshine received.

    Status: Response Received from Government
  • January 30, 2026 5:38 pm

    4 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: 599766a1-950d-4677-a258-5c69db463e29.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com
    cc: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    date: Jan 30, 2026, 5:38 PM
    subject: Re: City of Asheville, NC – Public Records Request PRR-2025-35: Completed

     

    To clarify –

    You’ve referenced a different request from someone in the public, currently listed on the City’s “communications queue“, which appears to still be in the process of review:

     

    Position: #1

    Date: 2/19/2025

    Request # 2025-4

    Message: ..all emails pertaining to the Blue Horizons Project from 2023 to present.

     

    I understand from other emails we’ve exchanged this week, that you’ll be updating the queue spreadsheet next week. The request you’ve referenced doesn’t appear to be completed as of now, and it isn’t public on the City’s JustFoia page at this time. Therefore, I cannot review the documents you’ve referenced. Can you please provide the public link to that request so the files that were uploaded can be reviewed?

    ———-

     

    My request is as follows:

     

    Position: #11

    Date: 06/11/2025

    Request # PRR-2025-35

    Message: Please provide all emails sent To or sent From any member of City Council or their staff, the Mayor and her staff, or any staff of the Sustainability Department. Specifically, emails pertaining to the Blue Horizons Project. During the time period of January 01, 2023 to present day.

     

    I see that two zip files (Emails_PRR-2025-4.zip , Attachments_PRR-2025-4.zip) were uploaded to the Documents Section of my JustFoia account on 01/28/26. I’ll review those soon, and will be in touch if I have further questions.

     

    Have a good weekend!

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

    Status: Clarification Requested
  • January 28, 2026 3:46 pm

    4 months ago

    from: JustFOIA Notification <[email protected]>
    to: [email protected]
    date: Jan 28, 2026, 3:46 PM
    subject: City of Asheville, NC – Public Records Request PRR-2025-35: Completed

     

    Dear Requester,

     

    The request Request Number: PRR-2025-35 has been completed. Please click on the request link to download any responsive records.

     

    Note: This request was identical to another request that was submitted earlier by a different requester. As such, it is being fulfilled and closed out of order on the communications search queue since the responsive records were already pulled in order to fulfill the original request. Please note that some emails contain links to internal Google documents that needed to be redacted for the integrity of our internal system, however the attachments those links went to were included in the Attachments zip folder.

     

    Thank you,

     

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

     

    Full Request Details:

    Field Name

    Response

     

    **Editor’s Note: The rest of the message above contained a copy of the initial request form submitted to JustFoia back in June.

     

    The City’s response today indicates that our request (Item B. in particular) is identical to a February 2025 request from someone else, currently listed on the City’s “Communications Search Queue“, which reads as follows:

     

    Position: #1

    Date: 2/19/2025

    Request # 2025-4

    Message:

    ..all emails pertaining to the Blue Horizons Project from 2023 to present. 

    ———-

     

    To clarify –

    Our request (Item B) is as follows:

     

    Position: #11

    Date: 06/11/2025

    Request # PRR-2025-35

    Message:

    Please provide all emails sent To or sent From any member of City Council or their staff, the Mayor and her staff, or any staff of the Sustainability Department. Specifically, emails pertaining to the Blue Horizons Project. During the time period of January 01, 2023 to present day.

     

    ** Please see the two zip files the City has referenced and uploaded to our JustFoia account on 01/28/2026 (“Attachments_PRR-2025-4.zip” and “Emails_PRR-2025-4.zip”). These are also at top left in our Documents section. You can see a download of all files received related to this request in its entirety, here: Records_Request_Download_PRR-2025-35_2025-07-02-14-29-12.zip
    Status: Response Received from Government
  • January 28, 2026 9:05 am

    4 months ago

    from: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    cc: 599766a1-950d-4677-a258-5c69db463e29.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com, Brad Branham <[email protected]>
    date: Jan 28, 2026, 9:05 AM
    subject: Re: Re: Your public records request to the City of Asheville has moved; our new portal is now live!

     

    Good morning, Sunshine Request,

     

    The communications search queue, which is provided as a courtesy and is not a requirement, is not currently up to date. All requests for communication records are still being processed in the order received. I am unfortunately unable to provide estimated fulfillment dates as there are too many variables that make it difficult to accurately provide a timeline, but requests are fulfilled as promptly as possible. The search queue will be updated by the end of the next week to reflect all current requests.

     

    Best,

     

    Allison Byers
    Public Records Officer
    City of Asheville

    Status: Response Received from Government
  • January 22, 2026 2:40 pm

    4 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    cc: 599766a1-950d-4677-a258-5c69db463e29.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com, Brad Branham <[email protected]>, Public Records Request Inbox <[email protected]>, [email protected]
    date: Jan 22, 2026, 2:40 PM
    subject: Re: Re: Your public records request to the City of Asheville has moved; our new portal is now live!

     

    Good afternoon Allison, Brad, City Manager Wesley,

     

    I’m following up regarding emails I sent on January 8th and 16th. I have not heard back. To reiterate:

     

    Request Number # PRR-2025-35 (NextRequest # 25-342) was submitted on June 11, 2025 — at which time, the request was in position #14 on the City’s “Communications queue” spreadsheet. On September 05, it moved to position #12. Sometime between November 15th and 20th, it moved to position #11, where it remains. According to the spreadsheet, only three communications requests have been completed since June 11th.

     

    I’d like to ask again that you please provide an anticipated timeline for the completion of my request.

     

    Thank you.

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

    Status: Follow up
  • January 22, 2026 2:18 pm

    4 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 01/22/26: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #11 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
  • January 16, 2026 11:06 am

    4 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    cc: 599766a1-950d-4677-a258-5c69db463e29.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com, Brad Branham <[email protected]>, Public Records Request Inbox <[email protected]>
    date: Jan 16, 2026, 11:06 AM
    subject: Re: Re: Your public records request to the City of Asheville has moved; our new portal is now live!

     

    Hi Allison,

     

    Following up on the previous. (Thu, Jan 8, 2:25 PM). I have not heard back.

     

    Please provide an anticipated timeline for the completion of my request.

     

    Thank you.

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

    Status: Follow up
  • January 15, 2026 3:48 pm

    4 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 01/15/26: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #11 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
  • January 8, 2026 2:25 pm

    5 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    cc: 599766a1-950d-4677-a258-5c69db463e29.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com, Brad Branham <[email protected]>, Public Records Request Inbox <[email protected]>
    date: Jan 8, 2026, 2:25 PM
    subject: Re: Re: Your public records request to the City of Asheville has moved; our new portal is now live!

     

    Good afternoon Allison,

     

    Checking in again regarding my Request Number # PRR-2025-35 (NextRequest # 25-342), submitted to the City on June 11, 2205.

     

    From the time it was submitted until September 05, the request was #14 on the City’s “Communications queue” spreadsheet. It moved to #12 on 09/05, then to #11 sometime between 11/15 and 11/20.

     

    According to the spreadsheet as I’ve been following it, only 3 communications requests (the oldest at the top of the queue was dated January 2025) have been completed since June 11.

     

    Can you please provide an anticipated date or timeline for the completion of my request?

     

    I’ll check in again in another week if I do not hear back.

     

    Thank you.

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

    Status: Follow up
  • January 8, 2026 2:09 pm

    5 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 01/08/26: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #11 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
  • January 1, 2026 5:00 pm

    5 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 01/01/26: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #11 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
  • December 25, 2025 5:00 pm

    5 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 12/25/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #11 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
  • December 18, 2025 10:52 am

    5 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 12/18/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #11 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
  • December 11, 2025 4:50 pm

    6 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 12/11/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #11 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
  • December 4, 2025 11:09 am

    6 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 12/04/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #11 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
  • November 27, 2025 5:00 pm

    6 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 11/27/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #11 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
  • November 20, 2025 12:20 pm

    6 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 11/20/25: The “Communications” portion of our request is now at #11 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
  • November 14, 2025 5:00 pm

    7 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 11/14/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #12 in the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet. It has not moved position in 10 weeks: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035

    Status: Government Processing Request
  • November 7, 2025 5:00 pm

    7 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 11/07/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #12 in the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet. It has not moved position in 9 weeks: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035

    Status: Government Processing Request
  • October 31, 2025 4:16 pm

    7 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 10/31/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #12 in the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet. It has not moved position in 8 weeks: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035

    Status: Government Processing Request
  • October 24, 2025 12:34 pm

    7 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 10/24/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #12 in the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet. It has not moved position in 7 weeks: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035

    Status: Government Processing Request
  • October 20, 2025 12:37 pm

    7 months ago

    from: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    cc: 599766a1-950d-4677-a258-5c69db463e29.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com, Debra Campbell <[email protected]>, Brad Branham <[email protected]>
    date: Oct 20, 2025, 12:37 PM
    subject: Re: Re: Your public records request to the City of Asheville has moved; our new portal is now live!

     

    Good afternoon, Sunshine Request,

     

    Requests in the communications search queue are actively being worked on, and all requests are fulfilled as promptly as possible.

     

    Best,

     

    Allison Byers
    Public Records Officer
    City of Asheville

    Status: Response Received from Government
  • October 17, 2025 5:00 pm

    7 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 10/17/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #12 in the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet. It has not moved position in 6 weeks: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035

    Status: Government Processing Request
  • October 10, 2025 3:16 pm

    8 months ago

    from: Debra Campbell <[email protected]>
    date: Oct 10, 2025, 3:16 PM
    subject: Out of the Office Re: Re: Your public records request to the City of Asheville has moved; our new portal is now live!

     

    I am currently out of the office and will return on Monday, October 13, 2025.

     

    If you need immediate assistance, please call our office at (828)259-5604.

     

    Thank you!

     

    Debra

     

    —

    Debra Campbell
    City Manager
    City of Asheville
    Email: [email protected]
    Office: 828-259-5604
    Website: www.ashevillenc.gov

     

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    cc: 599766a1-950d-4677-a258-5c69db463e29.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com, Debra Campbell <[email protected]>, Brad Branham <[email protected]>, Public Records Request Inbox <[email protected]>
    date: Oct 10, 2025, 3:16 PM
    subject: Re: Re: Your public records request to the City of Asheville has moved; our new portal is now live!

     

    Hi Allison,

     

    Following up again regarding my Request Number # PRR-2025-35 (NextRequest # 25-342), submitted to the City on June 11th.

     

    From the time it was submitted until September 05 (12 weeks) my request was at #14 in the City’s “Communications queue” spreadsheet. It moved to #12 on 09/05, and hasn’t moved position again in 5 weeks.

     

    I’ve asked before, and am asking again, that you please explain the delay in processing communications-related requests? I acknowledge that fulfilling requests takes time, and that the City has other requests outside of the “Communications queue” they process and complete. However, to have only removed 1 or 2 requests from the communications queue in 17 weeks, seems unusual — which is why I’ve been following up.

     

    I’ll check in again in another week if I do not hear back.

     

    Thank you.

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

    Status: Follow up
  • October 10, 2025 3:08 pm

    8 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 10/10/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #12 in the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet. It has not moved position in 5 weeks: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035

    Status: Government Processing Request
  • October 3, 2025 5:54 pm

    8 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 10/03/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #12 in the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet. It has not moved position in 4 weeks: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035

    Status: Government Processing Request
  • September 26, 2025 4:42 pm

    8 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 09/26/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #12 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
  • September 19, 2025 12:50 pm

    8 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 09/19/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #12 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
  • September 12, 2025 4:58 pm

    9 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 09/12/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #12 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
  • September 5, 2025 10:45 am

    9 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 09/05/25: As of today, the “Communications” portion of our request is now at #12 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
  • August 29, 2025 2:35 pm

    9 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 08/29/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #14 in the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet. It has not moved position in 11 weeks: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035

    Status: Government Processing Request
  • August 26, 2025 10:53 am

    9 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    cc: 599766a1-950d-4677-a258-5c69db463e29.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com, Debra Campbell <[email protected]>, Brad Branham <[email protected]>
    date: Aug 26, 2025, 10:53 AM
    subject: Re: Re: Your public records request to the City of Asheville has moved; our new portal is now live!

     

    Hi Allison,

     

    Thank you for your reply.

     

    As stated prevoiusly, I do not wish to cancel or close my request.

     

    I understand that my request is sitting on a communications queue [spreadsheet], where it has been in the same position (#14) since it was submitted, nearly 11 weeks ago. All other requests on that spreadsheet haven’t moved either. 

     

    I’ve asked before, and am asking again, that you please explain the delay. I acknowledge that fulfilling requests takes time, and that the City has other requests outside of the “Communications queue”. However, to have made no progress (completed at least 1 request on the queue) in 11 weeks, seems unusual — which is why I’ve been following up, to make sure that the requests are moving forward.

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

    Status: Clarification Requested
  • August 26, 2025 10:40 am

    9 months ago

    from: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    cc: 599766a1-950d-4677-a258-5c69db463e29.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com, Debra Campbell <[email protected]>, Brad Branham <[email protected]>
    date: Aug 26, 2025, 10:40 AM
    subject: Re: Re: Your public records request to the City of Asheville has moved; our new portal is now live!

     

    Good morning, Sunshine Request,

     

    Your request has not been denied by the City of Asheville, it is still in the queue for processing. The remainder of the records responsive to your request will be sent to you once processing is complete unless you choose to withdraw your request.

     

    Best,

     

    Allison Byers

    Public Records Officer

    City of Asheville

    Status: Response Received from Government
  • August 25, 2025 6:00 pm

    9 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: 599766a1-950d-4677-a258-5c69db463e29.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com
    cc: Public Records Request Inbox <[email protected]>, Allison Byers <[email protected]>, Debra Campbell <[email protected]>, Brad Branham <[email protected]>
    date: Aug 25, 2025, 5:59 PM
    subject: Re: Re: Your public records request to the City of Asheville has moved; our new portal is now live!

     

    Good evening,

     

    Re: Request Number # PRR-2025-35. Submitted to the City on June 11th.

     

    The communications portion of my request (Item B) has been in position #14 on the City’s Communications Search Queue [spreadsheet] since it was submitted nearly 11 weeks ago. No other requests on the queue have moved either. This is my 6th and final attempt to follow up. Having made reasonable efforts to follow up on my request since July 23rd, and having received no response to any of my messages in over a month — I will now mark the communications aspect (Item B) from my request as having been “Denied” by the City.

     

    ** Please note I have not asked to cancel or close my request. Rather, the City’s unexplained delay in the production of records, as well as non-response to all follow ups (via email and within the JustFoia platform) in over a month, is tantamount to a denial.

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

     

    Editor’s Note: Please note that Requested Item A. was ultimately fulfilled on July 02. We consider Requested Item B. to be “Denied” by the City as of 08/25/25, for the reasons we indicated above.

    Status: Government Denied Request
  • August 22, 2025 12:00 pm

    9 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 08/22/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #14 in the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet. It has not moved position in 10 weeks: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035

    Status: Government Processing Request
  • August 21, 2025 4:36 pm

    9 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: 599766a1-950d-4677-a258-5c69db463e29.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com
    cc: Public Records Request Inbox <[email protected]>, Allison Byers <[email protected]>, Debra Campbell <[email protected]>, Brad Branham <[email protected]>
    date: Aug 21, 2025, 4:36 PM
    subject: Re: Re: Your public records request to the City of Asheville has moved; our new portal is now live!

     

    Good afternoon JustFoia, OpenGov, Allison, Debra, and Brad,

     

    I’m following up again regarding my Request Number # PRR-2025-35 (NextRequest # 25-342), submitted to the City on June 11th.

     

    – Requested Item A. was ultimately fulfilled on July 02.

    – Requested Item B. is still being processed:

     

    “B. Please provide all emails sent To or sent From any member of City Council or their staff, the Mayor and her staff, or any staff of the Sustainability Department. Specifically, emails pertaining to the Blue Horizons Project. During the time period of January 01, 2023 to present day.”

     

    I check for updates on the City’s Communications Search Queue [spreadsheet] weekly. The communications portion of my request (Item B) has been in position #14 on the queue since it was submitted 9 weeks ago. No other requests on the queue have moved either. I followed up about this on July 23rd, July 31st, and August 08. I have not received a response to any of my emails.

     

    I understand that fulfilling requests is time-consuming, and that the City has other requests to process besides mine. However, I’m asking again that you please provide me with some idea of timing or anticipated date for the completion of my request, so I know what to expect.

     

    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

     

    Having made reasonable efforts to follow up on my request since July 23rd, and having received no response in nearly 1 month — if I don’t hear back this week I’ll need to mark this request as having been “Denied” by your organization.

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

    Status: Follow up
  • August 15, 2025 12:00 pm

    9 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 08/15/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #14 in the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet. It has not moved position in 9 weeks: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035

    Status: Government Processing Request
  • August 14, 2025 12:58 pm

    10 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: 599766a1-950d-4677-a258-5c69db463e29.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com
    cc: Allison Byers <[email protected]>, Debra Campbell <[email protected]>
    date: Aug 14, 2025, 12:58 PM
    subject: Re: Re: Your public records request to the City of Asheville has moved; our new portal is now live!

     

    Hi Allison and Debra,

     

    I’m following up on the previous email (Aug 8, 2025, 6:15 PM). I have not received a response.

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

    Status: Follow up
  • August 8, 2025 6:15 pm

    10 months ago

    from: Debra Campbell <[email protected]>
    date: Aug 8, 2025, 6:16 PM
    subject: Out of the Office Re: Re: Your public records request to the City of Asheville has moved; our new portal is now live!

     

    I am currently out of the office and will return Monday, August 11th.

     

    If you need immediate assistance, please call our office at (828)259-5604.

     

    Thank you!

     

    Debra

     

    —
    Debra Campbell
    City Manager
    City of Asheville
    Email: [email protected]
    Office: 828-259-5604
    Website: www.ashevillenc.gov

     

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: 599766a1-950d-4677-a258-5c69db463e29.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com
    cc: Allison Byers <[email protected]>, Debra Campbell <[email protected]>
    date: Aug 8, 2025, 6:15 PM
    subject: Re: Re: Your public records request to the City of Asheville has moved; our new portal is now live!

     

    Good evening JustFoia, Allison, Debra,

     

    I submitted records request # PRR-2025-35 (NextRequest # 25-342) to the City on June 11th:

    (June 2025) Request for City of Asheville, NC Government: Contracts and legal agreements 01/01/20 – present. Emails sent to and from Staff, Council, Mayor, Sustainability Dept. related to Blue Horizons Project, 01/01/23 – present.

     

    – Requested Item A. was ultimately fulfilled on July 02.

    – Requested Item B. is still being processed:

     

    “B. Please provide all emails sent To or sent From any member of City Council or their staff, the Mayor and her staff, or any staff of the Sustainability Department. Specifically, emails pertaining to the Blue Horizons Project. During the time period of January 01, 2023 to present day.”

     

    I check for updates on the City’s Communications Search Queue [spreadsheet] weekly. The communications portion of my request (Item B) has been in position #14 on the queue since it was submitted 8 weeks ago. It appears no other requests on the queue have moved either. I followed up about this on July 23rd and 31st, but have not received a response.

     

    I acknowledge that fulfilling requests is time-consuming, and that the City has other requests to process besides mine. However, I’d like to ask again that you please provide me with some idea of a timeline or anticipated date for the completion of my request, so I know what to expect.

     

    I will follow up again in 1 week, if I don’t hear anything else before then.

     

    Thank you for your help!

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

    Status: Follow up
  • August 8, 2025 5:45 pm

    10 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 08/08/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #14 in the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet. It has not moved position in 8 weeks: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035

    Status: Government Processing Request
  • July 31, 2025 3:49 pm

    10 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: 599766a1-950d-4677-a258-5c69db463e29.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com
    cc: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    date: Jul 31, 2025, 3:49 PM
    subject: Re: Re: Your public records request to the City of Asheville has moved; our new portal is now live!

     

    Hi “JustFoia”, and Allison CCed,

     

    I’m following up again in regard to my request # PRR-2025-35.

     

    (June 2025) Request for City of Asheville, NC Government: Contracts and legal agreements 01/01/20 – present. Emails sent to and from Staff, Council, Mayor, Sustainability Dept. related to Blue Horizons Project, 01/01/23 – present.

     

    I have not received a response to my previous email (07/23).

     

    I’m aware the City has a Communications Search Queue [spreadsheet]. The communications portion of my request has not moved position (#14) in 7 weeks. I acknowledge that fulfilling requests is time-consuming and that the City has other requests to process besides mine. However, I’d like to ask again that you please provide me with some explanation for the delay in processing this (and all other) communications-related requests. Is this a staffing issue, an issue with one request holding the others up, or something else?

     

    I will follow up again in 1 week, if I do not hear anything else before then. 

     

    Thank you.

    Status: Follow up
  • July 31, 2025 3:39 pm

    10 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 07/31/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #14 in the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet. It has not moved position in 7 weeks: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035

    Status: Government Processing Request
  • July 23, 2025 4:27 pm

    10 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: 599766a1-950d-4677-a258-5c69db463e29.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com
    date: Jul 23, 2025, 4:27 PM
    subject: Re: Re: Your public records request to the City of Asheville has moved; our new portal is now live!

     

    Good afternoon,

     

    In regard to request # PRR-2025-35.

     

    (June 2025) Request for City of Asheville, NC Government: Contracts and legal agreements 01/01/20 – present. Emails sent to and from Staff, Council, Mayor, Sustainability Dept. related to Blue Horizons Project, 01/01/23 – present.

    ———

     

    I understand that the City has a Communications Search Queue (spreadsheet).

     

    The communications portion of my request has not moved position [#14] at all in 6 weeks.

     

    I do understand that the City has other requests to process besides mine. However, can you please provide some update as to the delay in processing this and all other communications-related requests? Is this a staffing issue, etc?

     

    Thank you!

    Status: Follow up
  • July 23, 2025 4:12 pm

    10 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 07/23/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #14 in the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet. It has not moved position in 6 weeks: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035

    Status: Government Processing Request
  • July 21, 2025 2:54 pm

    10 months ago

    from: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    date: Jul 21, 2025, 2:54 PM
    subject: Re: Follow up from City of Asheville

     

    Good afternoon, Sunshine Request,

     

    The actual cost of the platform is less money than what was spent on NextRequest.

     

    Best,

     

    Allison Byers
    Public Records Officer
    City of Asheville

    Status: Clarification Provided
  • July 15, 2025 1:52 pm

    10 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 07/15/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #14 in the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet. It has not moved position in 5 weeks: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035

    Status: Government Processing Request
  • July 15, 2025 1:48 pm

    10 months ago

    from: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    to: [email protected]
    date: Jul 15, 2025, 1:49 PM
    subject: Out of Office Re: Follow up from City of Asheville

     

    Thank you for your email. I will be out of office until Monday, July 21, 2025.

     

    —

    Allison Byers
    Public Records Officer
    City of Asheville
    828-259-5631

     

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    date: Jul 15, 2025, 1:48 PM
    subject: Re: Follow up from City of Asheville

     

    Hi Allison,

     

    Thank you for your message. 

     

    I am still interested to know what the actual cost savings is to the City by moving from NextRequest to JustFOIA? Is the actual cost of the platform less money than what’s been spent on NextRequest (which I think Staff still has access to currently)? And/or is it that the City feels staff’s time spent processing requests will be reduced by using the new platform?

     

    In any case, it is disappointing there is no longer a mechanism in place for the public to search / access several years’ worth of info that the City has already made public previously.

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

    Status: Clarification Requested
  • July 8, 2025 1:50 pm

    11 months ago

    from: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    cc: Kim Miller <[email protected]>
    date: Jul 8, 2025, 1:50 PM
    subject: Re: Follow up from City of Asheville

     

    Sunshine Request,

     

    I apologize for my delayed response. All requests that were open in NextRequest were added into JustFOIA before the portal went live, and the requesters were notified of the migration on July 1st. You are correct that past requests that were completed in NextRequest will not be transferred over to JustFOIA or searchable. Requests that have been and are completed in JustFOIA will be searchable in that platform. The City is aware that, as with any platform change, there will be a period of familiarization and some adaptation, however we believe JustFOIA will be beneficial for the public and our staff.

     

    Best,

     

    Allison Byers

    Public Records Officer
    City of Asheville
    Status: Clarification Provided
  • July 3, 2025 3:25 pm

    11 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    cc: Kim Miller <[email protected]>
    date: Jul 3, 2025, 3:25 PM
    subject: Fwd: Follow up from City of Asheville

     

    Thank you Kim.

     

    I’ve actually been in touch with Allison since July 01 about my actual records request on the new platform.

     

    Allison –

    I’m forwarding you my conversation with Kim just now, below. (RE: new records process, and questions about old requests).

     

    I will remove Kim from CC moving forward.

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

     

    ———- Forwarded message ———

    From: Kim Miller <[email protected]>

    Date: Thu, Jul 3, 2025 at 3:08 PM

    Subject: Re: Follow up from City of Asheville

    To: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>

    On Thu, Jul 3, 2025 at 2:15 PM Sunshine Request <[email protected]> wrote:

    On Thu, Jul 3, 2025 at 10:47 AM Kim Miller <[email protected]> wrote:

     

    ** Editor’s Note: The email threads we forwarded to Allison above, contain the exact same content as what we’ve already posted on our website and sent Kim earlier today. You can see all those emails on this webpage. We did send the entire email thread to Allison just now. However, for simplicity we’re not going to re-paste that entire [duplicated] conversation above.

    Status: Clarification Requested
  • July 3, 2025 3:08 pm

    11 months ago

    from: Kim Miller <[email protected]>
    to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    date: Jul 3, 2025, 3:08 PM
    subject: Re: Follow up from City of Asheville

     

    Thank you for your concern and feedback.

    I would suggest you send your final questions about our archiving of past materials and concerns regarding the platform to our Public Records staff so they can best meet your needs and explain the process.

     

    you can reach that staff member at [email protected]

     

    —

    Thank you,
    Kim Miller
    Communication Specialist | City of Asheville
    828-774-7602 – Cell
    [email protected]
    www.ashevillenc.gov

    Status: Response Received from Government
  • July 3, 2025 2:32 pm

    11 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: 599766a1-950d-4677-a258-5c69db463e29.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com
    date: Jul 3, 2025, 2:32 PM
    subject: Re: Re: Records released.

     

    Hi Allison,

     

    RE: Item A.

    The original “list of documents” I was referencing contained 11 files. I downloaded them all as of 07/01.

    The zipped folder you’ve now replaced those documents with, includes 12 files.

     

    In any case – I’ve downloaded that new folder as well, and added it to our website.

     

    I will wait a couple weeks to follow up on Item B.

     

    Thank you for your help!

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

    Status: Clarification Provided
  • July 3, 2025 2:15 pm

    11 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Kim Miller <[email protected]>
    date: Jul 3, 2025, 2:15 PM
    subject: Re: Follow up from City of Asheville

     

    Hi Kim,

     

    Thank you for your message.

     

    I understand any currently “open” or new requests received within Next Request before 07/01 will be manually entered into the JustFOIA system, and that requestors should receive an email from Allison with their new request number / security code.

     

    However, I’d still like to know what is going to happen to all of the requests the City has ever completed and published via NextRequest, prior to 07/01? I’m concerned the public will no longer be able to search for or access previously completed requests. Correct me if I’m mistaken, but I don’t think those older requests will automatically be entered into the JustFOIA platform.

     

    Does the City have any plans to migrate old requests over to the new system? If you do not, this means the only requests that can be “searched” in JustFOIA are new requests the City completes on or after 07/01. Additionally, if old requests are not migrated (or some mechanism provided to access them), the public will no longer be aware of their existence, and likely will submit duplicate requests to the City for info you’ve already produced in the past. This is unfortunate, since those completed requests were previously accessible and “searchable” within Next Request.

     

    I understand if the City feels there is some cost savings between Next Request and JustFOIA — but in my experience using both platforms with many different entities in NC, I find JustFOIA to be extremely limited and inefficient for the user. It doesn’t really simplify the request process, in my opinion. In fact, it makes it more cumbersome. I’m not sure how staff will feel about their experience fulfilling requests now either, but the platform does lack many convenient tools that help both the requestor and records officer efficiently review updates / documents / follow up / search etc. The NextRequest platform is vastly superior and way more efficient, in my opinion.

     

    I could discuss all the “quirks” of JustFOIA at length, but I’m sure the City will start to discover them as time goes on.

     

    I look forward to your response.

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

    Status: Clarification Provided
  • July 3, 2025 10:47 am

    11 months ago

    from: Kim Miller <[email protected]>
    to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    date: Jul 3, 2025, 10:47 AM
    subject: Follow up from City of Asheville

     

    My apologies in the delay to getting you further information on the new FOIA system

    Please find additional information in response to your questions

     

    C) Can you please clarify how / who / when / and why the City made a decision to switch from Next Request (a platform that is very easy to use / navigate), and moved instead to JustFOIA (which requires different login, a security key / and request number, in order for the public to search from requests)?

    The City’s contract with NextRequest was expiring and an RFP for the project went out January 29, 2025. The new system was more cost effective. Completed requests will be searchable in the Archive of JustFOIA without needing to know request numbers or having a security key, and anyone will be able to use that function.

     

    E) The communications portion of mine (and others’) requests on the City’s “communications search queue” has not moved position in 3 weeks:

    The City of Asheville processes and fulfils public records requests as promptly as possible.

     

    General process:

    The process can vary based on the type of request, but generally once a request is received, it is reviewed. If a public record is already available or answered, that information is supplied to the requestor. Otherwise, the department(s) that would be custodians of the responsive record(s) are contacted by public records staff (1 person). Once the departments do their due diligence, searching for responsive information or materials, they send the relevant record(s )to public records staff or inform them there are no records responsive to the request. The information is then reviewed by staff, an attorney if needed if information may need redaction of information we cannot release (see public records page listing restricted information) , make any necessary redactions necessary, and prepare the documents for release and close out the request. Release of a response automatically sends the records to the requester.

     

    Requests for communications records are a little different, as those are handled by public records staff and IT if text messages are requested. Staff conducts the email searches, reviews all emails for responsiveness, confidential information, and duplicates. Legal review is typically required with an attorney, and any necessary redactions are made. The records are then prepared for release, and when the request is closed, either the records or a link to the records is provided to the requester. Communications requests take a significant amount of time to fulfill because of the process and amount of work involved, especially those with a long time frame or those asking for communications of all City staff.

     

    —

    Thank you,
    Kim Miller
    Communication Specialist | City of Asheville
    828-774-7602 – Cell
    [email protected]
    www.ashevillenc.gov

    Status: Clarification Provided
  • July 2, 2025 3:28 pm

    11 months ago

    from: Allison Byers (The City of Asheville, NC) <[email protected]>
    reply-to: 599766a1-950d-4677-a258-5c69db463e29.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com
    to: [email protected]
    date: Jul 2, 2025, 3:28 PM
    subject: Re: Re: Records released.

     

    Sunshine Request,

     

    Thank you, I appreciate you sharing this information with me as I wasn’t aware. I went back and put the documents I had already released in zipped folder (including one additional document titled “Green Built Alliance FY21 Contract Exhibit A”). Please let me know if there are any issues accessing them.

     

    Best,

    Allison

     

    justfoia

    an MCCi brand

     

    Editor’s Note: Allison added the 11 files to a “zipped” folder, and re-uploaded them to the JustFOIA platform. The folder is now called “Contract Docs.zip“. You can still access the files we downloaded originally, at top left in our Documents section, on our webpage. However, please note that the new zipped folder Allison created, now contains 12 files for some reason, rather than 11.

    Status: Response Received from Government
  • July 2, 2025 3:03 pm

    11 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: 599766a1-950d-4677-a258-5c69db463e29.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com
    date: Jul 2, 2025, 3:03 PM
    subject: Re: Records released.

     

    Hi Allison,

     

    Thank you for your message.

     

    I navigated to the JustFOIA page for this request, and downloaded the 11 files you uploaded yesterday 07/01.

     

    One thing I just wanted to note from my experience using JustFOIA to submit requests to many other entities — I find that it can become very difficult trying to review files uploaded to the “documents” section, particularly since they are all in one long list of individual files. For example, if a request is very large with lots of responsive records, or if files are uploaded across multiple weeks or even months…. all of those files must be “re-downloaded” by the user every time any new files are added, if they want to avoid having to open every individual file and download it manually or figure out which aspect of the request it applies to.

     

    I just want to offer a suggestion for your consideration as this is a new platform for the City:

    It would be very helpful, particularly with larger requests, or requests related to “communications” — that when multiple documents are released they are added to a Zipped folder, or multiple folders (if the file limit is too large). This way folks can review batches of files or organized labeled folders (rather than entire lists of individual files), every time anything new is added.

     

    One example of this is a school system in NC sent me hundreds of files on different days, accross several months. Some files related to emails that were requested, others did not. For whatever reason, the files weren’t organized in any particular way that would show what documents corresponded to specific aspects of the request. Ultimately, they were able to provide me with several batches of zipped folders. Until that point it was very hard to verify whether I’d received all of the information I requested, since the hundreds of files were essentially “combined” into a long list in the Documents section.

     

    Thank you for your help.

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

    Status: Clarification Provided
  • July 1, 2025 4:59 pm

    11 months ago

    from: Allison Byers (The City of Asheville, NC) <[email protected]>
    to: [email protected]
    date: Jul 1, 2025, 4:59 PM
    subject: Records released.

     

    Sunshine Request,

     

    I have released all records responsive to Item A of your request. There were no contracts specifically between COA and Let’s Go Electric, but there were two with Bright Spaces, which are included.

     

    Please let me know if you have any issues accessing the records.

     

    Best,

    Allison Byers

     

    justfoia

    an MCCi brand

    Status: Response Received from Government
  • July 1, 2025 4:10 pm

    11 months ago

    from: Allison Byers (The City of Asheville, NC) <[email protected]>
    reply-to: 599766a1-950d-4677-a258-5c69db463e29.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com
    to: [email protected]
    date: Jul 1, 2025, 4:10 PM
    subject: Re: Re: Your public records request to the City of Asheville has moved; our new portal is now live!

     

    Thank you, Sunshine Request. I should have some, if not all, of the records for item A uploaded for you by the end of the day.

     

    Best,

    Allison Byers

     

    justfoia

    an MCCi brand

     

    ** Editor’s Note: Although they are not linked / attached to Allison’s email, we can see that 11 files were uploaded on 07/01 to the “Documents” section of their JustFOIA page, as relates to this request:

    https://cityofashevillenc.justfoia.com/publicportal/requests/PRR-2025-35/view/B55FDE9A?

     

    We downloaded those 11 files as of 07/02, and have added them to our own “Documents” section of our website. You can see that at the top left of this webpage (File name: “Records_Request_Download_PRR-2025-35_2025-07-02–14-29-12“).

    Status: Government Processing Request
  • July 1, 2025 3:42 pm

    11 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: 599766a1-950d-4677-a258-5c69db463e29.AshevilleNC@request.justfoia.com
    cc: Public Records Request Inbox <[email protected]>
    date: Jul 1, 2025, 3:42 PM
    subject: Re: Your public records request to the City of Asheville has moved; our new portal is now live!

     

    Hi Allison,

     

    Since it is no longer possible to use Next Request to view or follow up on this request, I will reiterate my last message from June 25th below.

     

    I submitted public records request (originally #25-342) PRR-2025-35 on June 11th.

     

    I understand that the requested item B. is on the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet. It has not moved position in 3 weeks:

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

     

    I’d like to ask, again, that you please proceed to fulfill item A. from my request — and please do not wait for item B to be searched / produced before you being working on the info requested in item A:

     

    A. Please provide all contracts or other legal agreements executed between the City of Asheville and either of the following two entities, during the period of January 01, 2020 to present day:

    – Green Built Alliance

    – Let’s Go Electric and/or program name “Electrify Asheville Buncombe County”

     

    Thank you!

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

    Status: Follow up
  • July 1, 2025 1:02 pm

    11 months ago

    from: Allison Byers (The City of Asheville, NC) <[email protected]>
    to: [email protected]
    date: Jul 1, 2025, 1:02 PM
    subject: Your public records request to the City of Asheville has moved; our new portal is now live!

     

    Good afternoon, Sunshine Request,

     

    The City of Asheville has transitioned to a new public records portal. As of today, July 1st, we are now using JustFOIA to process and fulfill all public records requests. You had a request that was still open in NextRequest when this transition occurred, therefore it has been migrated to the new portal to continue processing. Here is the link to your request: Request Number: PRR-2025-35.

     

    The new number for your request is: PRR-2025-35

    The security key for your request is: [REDACTED]

     

    You are not required to create an account to submit new requests or to track the status of your open request(s) in JustFOIA, but you will need both the request number and security key in order to speak with City staff about your request and/or to track its status while processing.

     

    If for any reason you are no longer needing or interested in the records you had initially requested, please reply to this message to let us know by Tuesday, July 8th.

     

    Please respond to this email with any questions.

     

    Thank you,

     

    City of Asheville, NC

    70 Court Plaza

    Asheville, North Carolina 28801

    (828) 259-5610

    [email protected]

     

    justfoia

    an MCCi brand

    Status: Government Processing Request
  • July 1, 2025 11:54 am

    11 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Kim Miller <[email protected]>
    cc: Dawa Hitch <[email protected]>, Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    date: Jul 1, 2025, 11:54 AM
    subject: Re: Media Advisory: City of Asheville launches new public records request portal

     

    Good afternoon,

     

    Thank you for your replies.

     

    I’d still like clarity on items C and E, please. I’m sure other members of the public who use Next Request will expect those explanations as well… as this is a very abrupt change.

     

    Thank you.

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

    Status: Clarification Requested
  • July 1, 2025 11:50 am

    11 months ago

    from: Kim Miller <[email protected]>
    to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    cc: Dawa Hitch <[email protected]>,
    Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    date: Jul 1, 2025, 11:50 AM
    subject: Re: Media Advisory: City of Asheville launches new public records request portal

     

    Hi

     

    The link to the City of Asheville – is to the front page – where in the top blue banner you can find the tab “Government” – and as the release explains – you can go down to Transparency – and to the Tile: Public Records Request. You may also find it at the links you provided. We used the front page as an entry portal for those who do not have as much familiarity with our website.

     

    The City news page has it now – as a featured item. You correctly noted it didnote when you were writing to us – as we allowed time for the media advisory to go to those on our media list only a matter of minutes before we published the forward facing article.

     

    As noted to you in a separate email, staff is currently contacting all requesters with open requests to notify them of their new request number, security key, and link to access their request. You will be receiving an email shortly.

    Status: Response Received from Government
  • July 1, 2025 11:48 am

    11 months ago

    from: Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    date: Jul 1, 2025, 11:48 AM
    subject: Re: [Public Records Request] Fwd: Media Advisory: City of Asheville launches new public records request portal

     

    Good morning, Sunshine Request,

     

    I am currently contacting all requesters with open requests to notify them of their new request number, security key, and link to access their request. You will be receiving an email shortly.

     

    Best,

    Allison Byers
    Public Records Officer
    City of Asheville

    Status: Response Received from Government
  • July 1, 2025 11:43 am

    11 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Public Records Request Inbox <[email protected]>
    date: Jul 1, 2025, 11:43 AM
    subject: Fwd: Media Advisory: City of Asheville launches new public records request portal

     

    ———- Forwarded message ———
    From: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    Date: Tue, Jul 1, 2025 at 11:39 AM
    Subject: Re: Media Advisory: City of Asheville launches new public records request portal
    To: Kim Miller <[email protected]>
    Cc: Dawa Hitch <[email protected]>, Allison Byers <[email protected]>

    Status: Clarification Requested
  • July 1, 2025 11:39 am

    11 months ago

    from: Dawa Hitch <[email protected]>
    date: Jul 1, 2025, 11:39 AM
    subject: Automatic reply Re: Media Advisory: City of Asheville launches new public records request portal

     

    Hello,

     

    Thank you for contacting the City of Asheville. It is nice to hear

    from you. I am currently out of the office and will return Monday,

    July 7.

     

    If you have a pressing issue, please contact Kristina Israel at

    [email protected]. Otherwise I return your email as soon as

    possible after my return.

     

    All the best,
    Dawa

     

    —

     

    *Dawa Hitch*
    Director
    Communication &
    Public Engagement Department
    City of Asheville
    828-552-1311 | mobile
    *Pronouns: She/Her/Hers*

     

    www.ashevillenc.gov
    ashevillerecovers.org

     

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Kim Miller <[email protected]>
    cc: Dawa Hitch <[email protected]>, Allison Byers <[email protected]>
    date: Jul 1, 2025, 11:39 AM
    subject: Re: Media Advisory: City of Asheville launches new public records request portal

     

    Good afternoon Kim, Dawa, Allison,

     

    I received the press release above, and would like to ask for clarification on several items:

     

    A) The link to the “City of Asheville Website” does not take you anywhere that has to do with public records. That should be adjusted. I assume you mean to link to these two pages:

    https://www.ashevillenc.gov/service/request-public-records/

    https://cityofashevillenc.justfoia.com/publicportal/home/track

     

    B) The “City New page” linked in the release above, does not currently show any information about this update. (i.e. the news release is not on the news page). This should be adjusted.

     

    C) Can you please clarify how / who / when / and why the City made a decision to switch from Next Request (a platform that is very easy to use / navigate), and moved instead to JustFOIA (which requires different login, a security key / and request number, in order for the public to search from requests)?

     

    This platform makes it nearly impossible for members of the public to search for requests the City has already completed / published… unless they just happen to know a request number and security key of a specific request, most likely only their own request.

     

    D) Please clarify what is going to happen to all the records requests the City currently has open that have been submitted via Next Request? For example – I currently have a request open. I have followed up on it recently, and never heard back.

     

    View Request 25-342

    https://cityofashevillenc.nextrequest.com/requests/25-342

     

    I would be following up on this request today. However, I no longer access the request, and it’s no longer possible to log into Next Request. And, I cannot use the same login for the “Just FOIA” platform either. How does the city plan to address this, and all other records from the past / present that are currently hosted on Next Request? Please make it clear to the public how we are supposed to access our requests.

     

    E) The communications portion of mine (and others’) requests on the City’s “communications search queue” has not moved position in 3 weeks:

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

     

    Can you please explain the reason for the delay of this, and all other, requests / emails about requests, which were sent within Next request?

     

    This should all be spelled out clearly in the news release.

     

    Thank you.

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

    Status: Clarification Requested
  • July 1, 2025 11:10 am

    11 months ago

    ** Editor’s Note: We did not receive the following message as a response to our follow up sent to the City within Next Request on June 25. We received the following message simply because we are signed up to receive emailed “News Releases” from the City of Asheville.

     

    from: Kim Miller <[email protected]>
    to: Kim Miller <[email protected]>
    bcc: [email protected]
    date: Jul 1, 2025, 11:10 AM
    subject: Media Advisory: City of Asheville launches new public records request portal

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Date:  July 1, 2025

    City of Asheville: Communication & Public Engagement Department

    Contact: Kim Miller/ Communications Specialist: [email protected]

     

    Media Advisory: City of Asheville launches new public records request portal

     

    Starting July 1, the City of Asheville will be employing a new Public Records Request platform. The new JustFOIA system is and available on the City of Asheville website.

     

    The link can still be found under Government located in the blue banner on the upper right of the City’s homepage.

     

    Once on the Government page, simply scroll down to Transparency, and click the Public Records Request tile. The link will take you to the newly active platform.

     

    If you have questions about a past or completed request, please send them to: [email protected]

     

    New system benefits for the users

    – Greater ease in submission and tracking of your requests

    – Expanded ability to provide request specifics

    – No account creation required

     

    Public records and public information made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of public business by the departments of the City of Asheville are the property of the people. As outlined in the City’s public records policy, people may obtain copies of their public records and public information free or at minimal cost unless otherwise specifically provided by law.

     

    Find a copy of this information on the City News page of the City of Asheville website.

     

    ###

     

    —

     

    Thank you,

    Kim Miller

    Communication Specialist | City of Asheville
    828-774-7602 – Cell
    [email protected]
    www.ashevillenc.gov

    https://www.AshevilleRecovers.org/

    Status: Response Received from Government
  • June 25, 2025 2:47 pm

    11 months ago

    ** Editor’s Note: The following message was sent to the City via Next Request.

     

    Message from requester

    Good afternoon Allison or Records Officer,

     

    I submitted records request #25-342. on June 11.

     

    I understand that requested item B. is on the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet. It has not moved position in 2 weeks.

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

     

    With that in mind, I’d like to ask that you please proceed to process item A. from my request, if you aren’t already — and please do not wait for item B to be searched / produced before you being working on the info requested in item A/

     

    A. Please provide all contracts or other legal agreements executed between the City of Asheville and either of the following two entities, during the period of January 01, 2020 to present day:

     

    – Green Built Alliance

    – Let’s Go Electric and/or program name “Electrify Asheville Buncombe County”

     

    Thank you!

    June 25, 2025, 2:47pm by the requester

    Status: Follow up
  • June 25, 2025 2:22 pm

    11 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 06/25/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #14 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
  • June 17, 2025 11:13 am

    11 months ago

    **Editor’s Note 06/17/25: The “Communications” portion of our request remains at #14 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
  • June 11, 2025 11:20 am

    1 year ago

    from: City of Asheville Public Records <[email protected]>
    reply-to: [email protected]
    to: [email protected]
    date: Jun 11, 2025, 11:20 AM
    subject: [External Message Added] City of Asheville public records request #25-342

     

    City of Asheville Public Records

     

    A message was sent to you regarding record request #25-342:

     

    Your public records request has been received by the City of Asheville and has been assigned to the appropriate person(s) for processing. Once processing is complete, you will receive any responsive records.

     

    Requests for communications are processed in the order received. Your request is number 14 in the search queue; you can view the queue document at any time to see the position of your request. Once the communication records are collected and reviewed, you will receive any responsive records.

     

    Please reply to this message or contact [email protected] if you have any questions.

     

    View Request 25-342

    https://cityofashevillenc.nextrequest.com/requests/25-342

     

    **Editor’s Note: There was also 1 file attached to this email. It was just a copy of the City’s “Communications Search Queue” spreadsheet. It can be accessed at the following URL: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ywJghRYp1cWoXbuClDKOFh_VhsiqNrLHSTH7R34m94/edit?gid=1255437035#gid=1255437035

    Status: Government Processing Request
  • June 11, 2025 10:21 am

    1 year ago

    from: City of Asheville Public Records <[email protected]>
    reply-to: [email protected]
    to: r[email protected]
    date: Jun 11, 2025, 10:21 AM
    subject: Your City of Asheville public records request #25-342 has been submitted.

     

    City of Asheville Public Records

     

    Your record request #25-342 has been submitted successfully.

     

    The due date for your request may be later than usual because the office is closed on:

     

    – June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day

     

    View Request 25-342

    https://cityofashevillenc.nextrequest.com/requests/25-342

     

    As the requester, you can always see the status of your request by signing into the City of Asheville portal.

     

    If you haven’t already signed in, you may need to activate or setup your account to get started. Once your account is activated, you can communicate directly with the City of Asheville through NextRequest.

     

    **Editor’s Note: We submitted the following request to the City of Asheville’s public records request portal, Next Request, on 06/11/25 at 10:21am EST. As we receive updates, we will post them here on our website. Thank you for using Sunshine Request!

     

    SUBJECT:

    (June 2025) Request for City of Asheville, NC Government: Contracts and legal agreements 01/01/20 – present. Emails sent to and from Staff, Council, Mayor, Sustainability Dept. related to Blue Horizons Project, 01/01/23 – present.

     

    MESSAGE:

    Good afternoon City of AVL (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

     

    A. Please provide all contracts or other legal agreements executed between the City of Asheville and either of the following two entities, during the period of January 01, 2020 to present day:

     

    – Green Built Alliance

    – Let’s Go Electric and/or program name “Electrify Asheville Buncombe County”

     

    B. Please provide all emails sent To or sent From any member of City Council or their staff, the Mayor and her staff, or any staff of the Sustainability Department. Specifically, emails pertaining to the Blue Horizons Project. During the time period of January 01, 2023 to present day.

     

    ** 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. However, 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
  • June 11, 2025 10:14 am

    1 year ago

    Submitted to Sunshine Request
    Status: Pending