Boards and Commissions Last updated or reviewed on July 16, 2024 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 appointees to boards and commissions shall be residents of the City of Asheville 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. Additional Resources Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for anyone considering serving on a City board or commission. Regular Committee Meeting Schedules – updated December 2023 – Subject to change and public notice requirements. City Engagement Hub: Online home for Committee meetings and public participation 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! Current and Upcoming Board and Commission Vacancies Vacantes de Juntas y Comisiones Boards and Commissions with Application Deadline – August 5, 2024 Planning and Zoning Commission Consideration of these appointments is scheduled for the September 10, 2024, City Council meeting. Vacancy must be filled by an Asheville city resident. Housing Authority of the City of Asheville The Mayor appoints members to this board. Consideration of appointments will be made after the application deadline. Boards and Commissions with Application Deadline – September 1, 2024 Consideration of these appointments is scheduled for the October 8, 2024, City Council meeting. African American Heritage Commission Air Quality Agency Board Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Historic Resources Commission Vacancy must be filled by an Asheville City resident Human Relations Commission Noise Advisory Board Two vacancies for general seats One vacancy for a performing arts industry representative One vacancy for an industrial or construction industry representative Riverfront Commission One vacancy reserved for an art advocate/artist/arts administrator One vacancy reserved for a Housing Authority resident/staff or voucher recipient One vacancy reserved for a design professional Urban Forestry Commission 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. 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, the City Council may appoint a non-City resident to some hard-to-fill seats or seats requiring special skills or expertise 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 Committee pages for next meeting specifics. City Managed Boards and Commissions Meeting Information Board and Commission Meeting Information Contact Affordable Housing Advisory Committee This meeting takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 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 on odd months. Meetings are virtual. Sala Menaya-Merritt 828-232-4517 Asheville Buncombe Riverfront Commission This meeting takes place at 4 p.m., on the second Thursday of each month. Meetings are virtual. 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 Rm 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. 828-259-5733 Audit Committee This meeting takes place at 3:00 p.m., on a quarterly schedule throughout the year. 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 828-259-5674 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. Jim Hayes 828-778-0772 Board and Commissions Committee (City Council Committee) This meeting takes place at 1:00 p.m., on the second Tuesday of the month. Meetings are virtual. Michelle F. Smith 828-259-5839 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 noon 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 at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Banquet Hall – 87 Haywood Street. 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 Environment and Safety (City Council Committee) This meeting takes place at 11:00 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Meetings are virtual. Katie Noun 828-259-5721 Equity and Engagement (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 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 This meeting takes place from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. 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. Nicole Hart 828-259-5402 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. Kristina Israel 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. Todd Justice 828-259-5587 Planning and Economic Development (City Council Committee) This meeting takes place at 4:00 p.m., on the second Monday 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 HR Committee (City Council Committee) This meeting takes place at 10:00 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are virtual. Katie Noun 828-259-5721 Public Art and Cultural Commission This meeting takes place at 4:00 p.m., on the third Thursday of every other month. Meetings are virtual. Karli Stephenson 828-259-5627 Recreation Board Not currently meeting. Recreation Department Soil Erosion/Stormwater Review Committee This meeting takes place on an as-needed basis. Amy Deyton 828-259-5547 Sustainability Advisory Committee This meeting takes place at 3:30 p.m., on the third Wednesday of every other month. Meetings are virtual. Bridget Herring 828-259-5558 Urban Forestry Commission This meeting takes place at 1:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. Meetings are virtual. 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 visit the specific Board or Commission website. Resource Pages Remote Meeting Policy for Advisory Boards – Adopted September 2022 2023-2024 Meeting & Contact Information – Updated December 2023 Meeting Rules of Decorum: Public Comment Ethics Policy for Advisory Boards – Adopted June 2021 Orientation Handbook Chair Manual New Member Orientation Video 2021 Rules on Boards & Commissions FAQ’s for Interested Volunteers Annual Reports – 2023 Annual Reports – 2022 Annual Reports – 2021 Annual Reports- 2020 Annual Reports – 2019 Annual Reports- 2018 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. Have an issue accessing or participating in a board or commission meeting, in person or virtually? Use this form to let us know!
