LIVE @ City of Asheville Boards and Commissions Realignment Working Group 5/15/23

City of Asheville Boards and Commissions Realignment Working Group Meeting Recap - May 15, 2023

The City of Asheville Boards and Commissions Realignment Working Group (RWG) convened on May 15, 2023, to continue its work toward potentially reshaping the city's advisory boards and commissions. This meeting focused primarily on gathering valuable insights from those who directly support these bodies – the city staff liaisons. The RWG's goal is to understand how boards and commissions function from a staff perspective, identify areas for improvement, and ultimately ensure these groups are as effective and efficient as possible in advising the City Council.

A significant portion of the discussion centered on concerns raised by staff regarding their workload and communication with City Council. Several participants noted that supporting boards and commissions can be demanding, and there's a perceived lack of responsiveness from the Council regarding recommendations made by these boards. The group acknowledged that addressing staff workload issues isn't about eliminating boards, but rather finding ways to provide better support from the city. Another key discussion point revolved around ensuring that each board and commission has a clear, well-defined mission aligned with the city's overall priorities. Participants emphasized the importance of clarity and alignment to maximize the impact of these advisory bodies. While no formal votes were taken, the group reached a consensus to move forward with plans to interview or survey staff liaisons.

There was no direct public comment during the meeting, however, the recurring theme of staff concerns regarding workload and communication effectively served as a form of community input. These challenges reflect broader issues impacting the city's ability to effectively utilize its advisory boards and commissions, highlighting a need for improved coordination and responsiveness.

Looking ahead, the RWG has several key action items. A draft survey designed to gather feedback from staff liaisons will be posted by May 19th, with a deadline for responses of May 26th. Following that, the group will move forward with plans to conduct interviews with staff liaisons, prioritizing anonymity and creating a supportive environment for open communication. The RWG will also research the requirements of North Carolina’s Open Meetings Act to ensure any communication methods comply with state law. Finally, the group will explore a recommendation to review and potentially update the mission statements of existing boards and commissions. Stacy will be contacting Ben Woody to coordinate survey plans, ensuring a smooth implementation process.

This meeting represents an important step in the realignment process. By focusing on gathering perspectives from those directly supporting these boards and commissions, the RWG aims to develop informed recommendations that will strengthen the city’s advisory system, improve communication with City Council, and ultimately better serve the residents of Asheville. The findings from this information-gathering phase will be crucial in shaping future discussions and potential changes to the city’s boards and commissions.