Boards and Commissions Last updated or reviewed on June 12, 2025 Announcements: Board Chair and Vice Chair Worksession: There will be a follow-up worksession with Chairs and Vice-Chairs on Monday, June 16, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. in the Banquet Hall at Harrah’s Cherokee Center, located at 87 Haywood Street, Asheville, N.C. The purpose will be to focus on aligning the work of advisory boards around the City Council’s recovery priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. The facilitated session will provide a space for Boards and Commissions Chairs and Vice-Chairs to collaboratively identify opportunities for their advisory boards to contribute to the City’s overall recovery work plan. The meeting is open to the public. June 16, 2025 Board Chair and Vice Chair Worksession Agenda NOTICE Advisory Board and Commission Meeting Suspension Update: The following quasi-judicial boards began meeting January 1, 2025: Planning & Zoning Commission Asheville-Buncombe Historic Resources Commission Board of Adjustment Civil Service Board Road map to restarting Advisory Boards The process to reinstate the City’s remaining boards and commissions is tied closely to the launch of four new Council Committees, each of which will provide policy leadership in key areas. This effort includes coordination with department directors, staff liaisons, advisory board chairs, and community stakeholders. Key milestones include: April/May 2025: Development of department and organizational work plans that align with Council recovery priorities and goals. May 2025: The launch of the new Council Committees (HCD, PEDE, PS). June 10, 2025: A facilitated Policy, Finance, & Infrastructure Council Committee work session to discuss organizational work plan projects for each Council Priority. June 2025: A facilitated workshop with Boards & Commissions Chairs/Co-Chairs. Following the workshop, staff will begin working with advisory boards to develop work plans that are aligned with Council recovery priorities and goals. July 2025–2026: Phased relaunch of Boards and Commissions under the new framework. Next Steps Department Directors and staff liaisons will begin developing work plans with advisory boards this spring, using Council Committee priorities as a foundation. Boards and Commissions will relaunch in phases beginning in July 2025, with some resuming earlier based on readiness and recovery priorities. What are Boards and Commissions? Alex Smith, Assistant City Clerk, and Michelle Smith, Deputy City Clerk, speak about what Boards and Commissions are and how you can get involved, anywhere from becoming a member of a board, to submitting questions and recommendations as a member of the public. Be A Local Leader Have you ever wanted to make a difference? Have you wondered, “Can the City benefit from my experience and knowledge?” Do you want to have a voice in the City’s growth and future? Do you want to be a part of the body that is responsible for making decisions regarding policy, service and education? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then it’s time to take that initial step forward and put your perspective, leadership and knowledge to task by serving on one of the many committees we have to offer. Please note, that city residents are given preference; however, Council may appoint a non-City resident to some hard-to-fill seats, seats requiring special skills or expertise, or unless otherwise specified or provided for by law or Council action. Through a variety of boards and commissions established by Asheville City Council, members of the public may provide input on the policies that shape their government and their city. There are currently more than 30 boards and commissions that advise the Mayor and City Council on an array of issues. Board members and commissioners generally serve as unpaid volunteers, but the rewards can be gratifying: members meet other residents with similar interests, they learn about the city, and they help shape the future of Asheville. Being on a board or commission requires a significant personal commitment, so applicants should consider their ability to commit their time and personal energy before applying. Board and Commission Resources Board and Commission Resource Folder – folder containing Board and Commission policies, handbooks, resources, and annual reports, etc. Board and Commission Member Resource Hub – centralized webpage for board member resources and announcements Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)– for anyone considering serving on a City board or commission Regular Boards and Commissions Meeting Schedule – updated January 2025- Due to the board meeting suspension from October 2024 – present, many boards have not established their 2025 regular meeting schedule, the information listed in this document is tentative, pending the resumption of board meetings. – Subject to change and public notice requirements. City Engagement Hub– Online hub for Board and Commission meetings and public participation information Want to be notified when new vacancies are announced? Contact boards@ashevillenc.gov to be added to the distribution email list. Want to learn more about the proposal to realign Boards and Commissions and the various ways to participate? Visit the Boards and Commissions Realignment Project web page. Have an issue accessing or participating in a board or commission meeting, in person or virtually? Use this form to let us know! Board and Commission Vacancies Advertising for advisory board and commission vacancies will be postponed until advisory board and commission meetings resume. A date for these meetings to resume has not been determined yet. This page will be updated as new information becomes available. The City Clerk’s Office will advertise for quasi-judicial and regional board vacancies and expiring terms as they arise. The deadline for applications for the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority vacancy is Tuesday, July 29, 2025. Consideration of this appointment is tentatively scheduled for the August 26, 2025, City Council meeting. Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority 1 vacancy This seat is reserved for owners or operators of hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, or vacation rental management companies, with 100 or fewer rental units Vacancy Flyer Vacantes de Juntas y Comisiones Application Process On March 14, 2023, the Boards and Commissions Council Committee approved changing the Council Appointment process from monthly to four to five times per year. The extended time-frame allows for longer advertising of board vacancies and more time for review of the applications before appointments are made by City Council. Prospective Applicants First, determine which board or commission interests you. Board and commission meetings are open to the public, so potential applicants are encouraged to attend monthly meetings or watch recordings of previous meetings. Meeting dates, times, and locations vary and are available on individual board and commission web pages. Interested volunteers must submit an application form to be considered. Please review our FAQ’s for more information. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of a disability with respect to all terms and conditions of access to its activities, programs, and services. If you need any reasonable accommodation to make your board service more effective, please contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Brad Stein, to discuss your accommodation request. The City will consider whether your request can be reasonably accommodated. This will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. For more information about the City of Asheville’s ADA policy and contact information for the ADA coordinator, please visit the Americans with Disabilities Act webpage. Application Fill out a boards and commissions application. After your application is received, you will receive a receipt of application e-mail from the City Clerk’s Office. If you do not receive that receipt within a day after submittal, please contact boards@ashevillenc.gov to make sure that your application has reached the City Clerk’s Office. Note: Once an application is received, the city will place your name on the resource list for that particular board. Applications are kept on file for consideration for one year. If you are not appointed within a year, you will need to submit a new application for further consideration. Qualifications City residents are given preference. However, Council may appoint a non-City resident to some hard-to-fill seats, seats requiring special skills or expertise, or unless otherwise specified or provided for by law or Council action. Interview When vacancies occur, the City Council will review the resource list and may schedule interviews. You will be contacted directly if it is necessary for you to interview for an appointment. NOTE: Please visit individual Committee pages for more information on the next, upcoming meeting. The table below includes information for City Managed Boards, for meeting information on Boards/Commissions not managed by the City, but to which City Council appoints members or liaisons, please review the comprehensive Boards and Commissions Meeting and Contact Information document and visit the specific Board or Commission website. Due to the board meeting suspension from October 2024 – present, many boards have not established their 2025 regular meeting schedule, the information listed below is tentative, pending the resumption of board meetings. City Managed Boards and Commissions Meeting Information Board and Commission Meeting Information Contact Affordable Housing Advisory Committee This meeting takes place at 9:30 a.m., on the first Thursday of each month in the first Floor North Conference Room of Asheville City Hall. Sasha Vrtunski 828-259-5560 African American Heritage Commission This meeting takes place at 4:30 p.m., on the second Thursday of every other month. Meetings are held in odd months. Meetings are virtual. Sala Menaya-Merritt 828-232-4517 Asheville Buncombe Riverfront Commission This meeting takes place at 4:00 p.m., on the second Thursday of each month. Meetings are in person at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce in the second floor conference room. David Hazzard 828-417-4306 Asheville City Council Formal Meetings Asheville City Council Agenda Briefing Work Sessions This meeting takes place at 5:00 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, in the Council Chamber located on the second floor of City Hall. These meetings are in-person. Agenda Briefing Work Sessions are held the Thursday before the Council Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. in the First Floor Conference Room of City Hall. These meetings are in-person. Maggie Burleson 828-259-5601 Asheville Regional Housing Consortium This meeting takes place on an as-needed basis. Sofia Bonilla 828-259-5446 Audit Committee This meeting takes place quarterly (January, April, June, October) on the third Thursday of the month at 3:00 p.m. Meetings are virtual. Lauren Brune 828-259-5665 Board of Adjustment This meeting takes place at 2:00 p.m., on the fourth Monday of each month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. Sam Starr-Baum 828-259-5609 Board of Electrical Examiners This meeting takes place at 9:00 a.m., on the first Tuesday of the month for January, April, July, and October at Public Works Room A109 located at 161 South Charlotte Street. Misty Lipe mlipe@ashevillenc.gov Citizen-Police Advisory Committee Not currently meeting. Samantha Booth 828-259-5813 Civil Service Board This meeting takes place at 2:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. HR Director 828-774-8564 Community Entertainment Facilities Commission (Formerly the Civic Center Commission) This meeting takes place at 12:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month in the Banquet Hall at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville located at 87 Haywood Street. Chris Corl 828-259-5452 ; ccorl@ashevillenc.gov Community Reparations Commission This meeting takes place at 6:00 p.m. on the third Monday of each month. Meetings are virtual. Sala Menaya-Merritt 828-232-4517 Design Review Committee This meeting takes place at 12:15 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. Will Palmquist 828-259-5525 Downtown Commission This meeting takes place at 9:00 a.m. on the fourth Friday of the month in the first floor North Conference Room of City Hall. Meetings are in-person. Dana Frankel 828-273-5248 Historic Resources Commission This meeting takes place at 4:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. Alex Cole 828-259-5638 Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee At the November 12, 2024 City Council meeting, Council adopted a resolution dissolving the Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee. Emily Ball 828-747-8510 Housing and Community Development (City Council Committee) This meeting takes place at 10:00 a.m. on the third Tuesday of the month. Meetings are virtual. Katie Noun 828-259-5721 Human Relations Commission of Asheville This meeting takes place at 6 p.m., on the third Thursday of every other month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. Sala Menaya-Merritt 828-232-4517 Mountain Community Capital Fund This meeting takes place the first Friday of each month. Meetings are virtual. Rachel Taylor 828.251.4055. Multimodal Transportation Commission This meeting takes place at 3:00 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. Lucy Crown 828-259-5805 Neighborhood Advisory Committee This meeting takes place at 6:00 p.m., on the fourth Monday of the month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. Dawa Hitch 828-712-4229 Noise Advisory Board This meeting takes place at 1:00 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. Meetings are virtual. Chris O’Brien 828-450-2535 Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee (City Council Committee) This meeting takes place at 1:00 p.m., on the third Tuesday of each month. Meetings are virtual. Katie Noun 828-259-5721 Planning and Zoning Commission This meeting takes place at 5:00 p.m., on the first Wednesday of the month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. Will Palmquist 828-259-5525 Policy, Finance and Infrastructure Committee (City Council Committee) This meeting takes place at 3:00 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of every other month, beginning in June. Meetings are in person in the City Council Chamber, located on the second floor of City Hall. Talia Stepp 828-641-1579 Public Art and Cultural Commission This meeting takes place at 4:00 p.m., on the third Thursday of every month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. Karli Stephenson 828-259-5627 Public Safety (City Council Committee) This meeting takes place at 11:00 a.m., on the fourth Thursday of every other month, beginning in May. Meetings are virtual. Talia Stepp 828-641-1579 Recreation Board Not currently meeting. Recreation Department Soil Erosion/Stormwater Review Committee This meeting takes place on an as-needed basis. Derek Wainscott 828-259-5548 Sustainability Advisory Committee This meeting takes place at 3:30 p.m., on the second Wednesday of every other month, in odd-numbered months, at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. Kiera Bulan 828-620-0664 Urban Forestry Commission This meeting takes place at 1:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. Keith Atkin 828-259-5674 For meeting information on other Boards or Commissions not managed by the City, but to which City Council appoints members or liaisons, please reference the comprehensive Boards and Commissions Meeting & Contact Information Document and visit the specific Board or Commission website. Contact Information General questions: boards@ashevillenc.gov If members of the public are interested in being on an e-mail list to receive updates on the activities of particular boards, they need to contact the individual staff contact for that board. 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