LIVE @ City of Asheville Boards and Commissions Realignment Working Group 7/25/24

City of Asheville Boards and Commissions Realignment Working Group Meeting Recap - July 25, 2024

The City of Asheville Boards and Commissions Realignment Working Group (RWG) convened on July 25th to continue refining recommendations for streamlining and improving the city’s system of advisory boards and commissions. This meeting focused on clarifying language within a draft document outlining proposed changes, aiming to ensure the recommendations are clear, consistent, and reflect community needs. The RWG is tasked with evaluating these boards to ensure they are effective in advising the City Council and supporting community goals.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussions surrounding how best to provide support for Asheville’s various boards and commissions. The group ultimately agreed on using the term "coordinating body" instead of “centralized entity” to describe a potential consolidation of staff support, emphasizing collaboration and clear communication. Members also debated the best approach to board reviews, ultimately deciding against directly linking them solely to staff workload and instead opting for a broader assessment of relevance. A paragraph focusing on staff workload was removed from the document, and the group agreed to revisit aligning board goals with City Council priorities at a future meeting.

Regarding specific boards, the RWG spent considerable time discussing the Citizens Police Advisory Committee (CPAC) and the Recreation Board, both of which have been inactive. Concerns were raised about the lack of transparency surrounding their suspension, and there was strong support for reinstating both boards. Members strongly opposed dissolving these boards without a formal review process, recognizing their potential to address evolving community needs and provide valuable input. This reflects a growing sentiment that these boards could play an important role in addressing current community concerns.

While no formal public comments were received during the meeting, discussions among working group members clearly reflected perspectives on community needs and concerns regarding board effectiveness. The RWG emphasized the importance of a transparent and formal process for any decisions related to realignment or dissolution, underscoring their commitment to engaging with the community.

Looking ahead, several key action items emerged from the meeting. City staff have been directed to consult with the Clerk’s office and city attorney regarding state statutes related to hybrid meetings and the proper procedure for formally resolving inactive boards. The RWG will also revisit the recommendations concerning CPAC and the Recreation Board at a future meeting, prioritizing adherence to established processes. The group will continue reviewing and refining the document in subsequent meetings, starting with the end of the document to maximize their time. Citizens can find more detailed information and context by reviewing the full meeting transcript, available on the City of Asheville website.