LIVE @ City of Asheville Boards and Commissions Realignment Working Group 6/19/23

City of Asheville Boards and Commissions Realignment Working Group Meeting Recap - June 19, 2023

On June 19th, the City of Asheville Boards and Commissions Realignment Working Group (RWG) convened to finalize its report on the city’s boards and commissions, a key step in evaluating how these advisory bodies function and contribute to Asheville's governance. The meeting, attended by members of the working group, focused on refining both a comprehensive report detailing current practices and a survey designed to gather feedback from city staff who support these boards. The RWG was formed following the Restructure Working Group and aims to provide recommendations for improvements, ultimately impacting how residents engage with city government.

A central discussion revolved around the scope and content of the final report. While there was a general consensus on presenting data about the current state of boards and commissions, debate arose regarding whether to include formal recommendations for changes. The group ultimately decided not to incorporate recommendations directly into the main report, opting instead to potentially explore those suggestions in a separate document following its release. A significant portion of the meeting was also dedicated to crafting clear and objective questions for a staff survey, aimed at understanding how city employees experience their roles in supporting the various boards and commissions. Members stressed the importance of ensuring questions were easily understood and would yield actionable insights for improving staff support.

Beyond report content, the group addressed accessibility concerns. They agreed to investigate how the city currently handles alternative text (alt-text) for images and graphs, with a commitment to incorporating this practice into the final report to ensure it's accessible to individuals using screen readers. A recurring theme throughout the discussion was a desire to clarify and standardize the role of staff liaisons who work directly with boards and commissions. Recognizing that these roles can vary significantly, the group acknowledged a need for greater clarity on expectations and support provided to these individuals.

The meeting resulted in several key decisions. First, the RWG voted to publish the report as soon as possible, even before completing the staff survey. This decision was driven by a desire to share findings and initiate discussions without further delay. Secondly, they agreed on revisions to the staff survey questions, emphasizing clarity and objectivity. Finally, a commitment was made to explore and implement alt-text practices for images within the report. There were no formal public comments during this meeting, although discussions included considerations for future outreach to diverse communities like Black churches and neighborhood associations to encourage broader participation in board recruitment.

Looking ahead, several action items were assigned. Elise and Jack will finalize the report, addressing remaining tasks identified during the meeting. Alan is tasked with revising and rewriting the survey questions, while Stacy, Alan, and Elise will collaborate on a draft for broader group feedback. The city staff survey is planned to be distributed after the questions are finalized, and an investigation into current alt-text practices will be conducted. A follow-up with Ted is also needed to complete the background section of the report.

This work matters to Asheville residents because it aims to improve how our city government operates and engages with the community. By evaluating the effectiveness of boards and commissions, gathering feedback from city staff, and ultimately striving for greater clarity and accessibility, the RWG is working towards a more transparent, inclusive, and efficient local government. The finalized report will provide valuable information for city leaders as they consider potential changes to these important advisory bodies.