Boards and Commissions Update: COVID-19 Thank you for staying engaged and getting involved with your local government. UPDATE: Asheville City-managed advisory boards, commissions, and City Council committee meetings will be held virtually until further notice. This decision is based on the latest guidance from the Governor’s office that determined that the City can continue to legally hold virtual meetings. It also aims to protect the health and safety of our community while there is an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases locally, and with substantial transmission in Buncombe County. Virtual meetings will continue to be streamed live to the City of Asheville Virtual Engagement Hub and the City YouTube Channel. Instructions on how the public can participate via virtual public comment will be posted on the City of Asheville website, each City Council meeting agenda and the Virtual Engagement Hub as well. Additional Resources: Regular Committee Meeting Schedules – updated June 2021 City Engagement Hub: Online home for Committee meetings and public participation The City of Asheville has various openings on various committees. 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, citizens can 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 a 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 does require a significant personal commitment, however, so applicants should consider their ability to commit their time and personal energy before applying. Want to be notified when new vacancies are announced? Contact boards@ashevillenc.gov to be added to the distribution list. Advertised Vacancies for Members – November vacancy flyer Unless otherwise stated, the application deadline for these vacancies is September 6 at 5:00 P.M. City Council is scheduled to make appointments at the October 12 Council Meeting. AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE (application deadline Dec. 20) – Some duties of the Committee include: (1) to consider affordable housing policy issues and advise City leadership about those policies; (2) to develop concrete action steps to implement the highest priorities of the Affordable Housing Plan, and to update that Plan as appropriate over time; and (3) to advise City leadership and staff regarding affordable housing priorities for the investment of City-controlled funds. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) BOARD – The members of the ABC Board oversee the operation and administration of the ABC system. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT – The vacancy is for an alternate seat. The Board functions as a quasi-judicial board to (1) hear and decides applications for approval of variances from the terms of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), except where the UDO places responsibility for hearing or considering such a variance with another body; (2) hear and decide appeals from any order, requirement, permit, decision, or determination issued or made by an administrative officer of the City in enforcing any provisions of the UDO; (3) services as the City’s Housing Code Appeals Board; and (4) performs such additional powers and duties as may be set forth elsewhere in the UDO and in other laws and regulations. HOMELESS INITIATIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE – S duties of the Committee include: 1) Serve as an advisory body, in collaboration with the Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition, to the Asheville City Council or its designated subcommittee for the NC 501 Continuum of Care: 2) Address homelessness through a coordinated community-based process of identifying needs and building a system of housing and services that meet those needs; 3) Foster a community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; 4) Secure funding and make recommendations for allocations to support efforts to quickly re-house individuals and families who are homeless, which minimizes the trauma and dislocation caused by homelessness, and 5) Ensure access to and effective use of mainstream programs; and Promote self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness. ======================================================================== TRANSIT COMMITTEE- Notice: This vacancy is open until filled. The Committee functions as an advisory board to the Multimodal Transportation Commission and to the City staff on matters affecting the transit system and its operation. The Transit Committees consists of at least seven members and up to eleven members. All Transit Committee members are appointed by the Multimodal Transportation Commission. The terms of office are three years. Notice: For an application form, click HERE, or contact Eunice Lovi for more information. Application Process Determine which board or commission interests you. Board and commission meetings are open to the public, so potential applicants are encouraged to sit in on monthly meetings. Meeting dates, times and locations vary, and are available on individual web pages. Qualifications Qualifications for appointees to boards and commissions shall be residents of the City of Asheville, unless otherwise specified or provided for by law or Council action. Application Complete an application by filling out the board or commission application form. Notice: there is an additional human relations application form if you are interested in serving on the Human Relations Commission. Both forms must be completed to be considered for the Human Relations Commission. 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. Notice: Wait for a vacancy if one is not currently open. Once an application is received, the city will place your name on the resource list for the particular board. Applications are held on file for consideration for one year. If you are not appointed within a year, you would need to resubmit an application for further consideration. 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. NOTICE: Committee meetings are being held as-needed. Please visit Committee page for next meeting details. Board and Commission 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 the month at City Hall, in conference room 623 located on floor 6. Christina Harris 828-232-4599 African American Heritage Commission This meeting takes place at 4:30 p.m., on the second Thursday of the month. Brenda Mills : 828-232-4517 Airport Authority This meeting takes place at 8:30 a.m., on the second Friday of the month at Asheville Airport Offices, in the conference room. Ellen Heywood 828-684-2226 Air Quality Agency Visit WNC Air Quality website. wncair@buncombecounty.org Alcoholic Beverage Control Board This meeting takes place at 8:30 a.m., on the last Tuesday of the month at ABC Administrative Office located at 24 Old Brevard Rd. Mark Combs markc@ashevilleabc.com Asheville City Board of Education This meeting takes place at 6:30 p.m., on the first Monday of the month at Asheville City Schools Administrative Office located at 85 Mountain Street. There is a work session meeting that takes place one week prior to regular scheduled meeting at 4:00 p.m., and is rotated in location between schools. Kimberly Jones kimberly.jones@acsgmail.net Asheville City Council Formal Meetings This meeting takes place at 5:00 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at City Hall, in the Council Chamber located on floor 2. Maggie Burleson 828-259-5601 Asheville Regional Housing Consortium This meeting takes place on an as needed basis. Christina Harris 828-232-4599 Audit Committee This meeting takes place at 3:00 p.m., on a quarterly schedule throughout the year, on the third Thursday at City Hall, in the first fourth floor conference room. Patricia Rosenberg 828-259-5586 Board of Adjustment This meeting takes place at 2:00 p.m., on the fourth Monday of the month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. Ricky Hurley 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 4:15 p.m., on the second Tuesday of the month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room.. Sarah Gross 828-259-5839 Citizen-Police Advisory Committee Meets as-needed Lindsay Regner 828-259-5813 Civic Center Commission This meeting takes place at 8:00 a.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 ccorl@ashevillenc.gov Civil Service Board Meets as-needed. Shannon Barrett Community Action Opportunities This meeting takes place at 12:00 p.m., on the fourth Tuesday of the month for February, April, June, August, October, and December at Community Action Opportunity located at 25 Gaston Street. Vicki Heidinger 828-252-2495 Design Review Committee This meeting takes place at 12:30 p.m. the third Thursday of the month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. Sasha Vrtunski svrtunski@ashevillenc.gov Downtown Commission This meeting takes place at 8:30 a.m., on the second Friday of the month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. Dana Frankel 828-251-4051 Economic Development Coalition of Asheville and Buncombe County This meeting takes place at 7:45 a.m., on the last Friday of every month at the Chamber of Commerce,in the Board Room located at 36 Montford Avenue. Desiree Monstrola 828-258-6118 Finance and Human Resources Committee (City Council Committee) This meeting takes place at 1:00 p.m., on the fourth Tuesday of the month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. Beth Bechel 828-259-5598 Firemen’s Local Relief Fund This meeting takes place at 9:00 a.m., of the month of February and September for meetings at the Wells Fargo Bank Building. David Anders 828-255-8650 French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization This meeting takes place at 1:00 p.m., on the fourth Thursday of each month, except there are no meetings in July or December at 339 New Leicester Highway. Tristan Winkler 828-251-6622 x1139 Governance Committee (City Council Committee) This meeting takes place at 3:00 p.m., on the second Tuesday of the month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. Jenna Miller Greenway Committee This meeting takes place at 3:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month in the Training Room of the Municipal Building located at 100 Court Plaza. Lucy Crown Historic Resources Commission This meeting takes place at 4:00 p.m., on the Second Wednesday of the month at City Hall, first floor North Conference Room. Alex Cole 828-259-5638 Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee This meeting takes place at 12:00 p.m., on the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Housing Authority, in the Board Room located at 165 South French Broad Avenue. Brian Huskey 828-251-4048 Housing Authority This meeting schedule is linked. Click for 2020 Meeting Schedule. Teresa Jenkins 828-239-3510 Housing and Community Development (City Council Committee) This meeting takes place at 10:00 a.m., on the third Tuesday of the month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. Jenna Miller Human Relations Commission of Asheville This meeting takes place at 5:30 p.m., on the third Thursday of the month at City Hall, in the first floor Conference Room located at 70 Court Plaza. Richard White 828-259-5602 Land-of-Sky Regional Council Board This meeting takes place at 1:00 p.m., on the fourth Wednesday of the month, except there are no meetings in July or Nov at 339 New Leicester Highway located in suite 140. Zia Rifkin 828-251-6622 Metropolitan Sewerage District Board This meeting takes place at 2:00 p.m., on the third Wednesday of the month at Metropolitan Sewerage District Offices located at 2028 Riverside Drive, Asheville. Pam Nolan 828-225-8268 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. Amy Tesner 828-259-5402 Neighborhood Advisory Committee This meeting takes place at 6:30 p.m., on the fourth Monday of the month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. Brenda Mills 828-259-5506 Noise Advisory Board Meets as-needed. Ben Woody Planning and Economic Development (City Council Committee) This meeting takes place at 4:00 p.m., on the second Monday of the month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. Jenna Miller 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. Marie Biddix 828-259-5856 Public Art and Cultural Commission This meeting takes place at 5:00 p.m., on the fourth Thursday of every other month beginning in the month of January at the Asheville Area Arts Council, located at 409 Executive Park. Stephanie Monson 828-232-4502 Public Safety Committee (City Council Committee) This meeting takes place at 3:30 p.m., on the fourth Tuesday of the month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. Jenna Miller Recreation Board Meets as-needed. Debbie Ivester 828-259-5800 Riverfront Redevelopment Commission This meeting takes place at 4:00 p.m., on the second Thursday of every other month at Explore Asheville Offices located at 27 College Place. Stephanie Monson 828-232-4502 Soil Erosion/Stormwater Review Committee This meeting takes place on an as needed basis. Amy Deyton 828-259-5966 Sustainability Advisory Committee on Energy and the Environment This meeting takes place at 3:30 p.m., on the third Wednesday of the month at City Hall, Municipal Building, located at 100 Court Plaza on floor 4. Amber Weaver 828-271-6141 (Buncombe County) Tourism Development Authority This meeting schedule in linked. Click for 2019-2020 Meeting Schedule. Jonna Sampson 828-258-6111 Transit Committee This meeting takes place at 3:30 p.m., on the third Tuesday of each month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. Eunice Lovi 828-232-4522 Urban Forestry Commission This meeting takes place at 1 p.m. on the first Tuesday of of each month. Nancy Watford 828-259-5404 WNC Regional Air Quality Agency Board Visit WNC Air Quality website. Visit WNC Air Quality website. Resource Pages Talent Scout 2021-22 Meeting & Contact Information_v3 – Updated June 2021 Meeting Rules of Decorum: Public Comment Ethics Policy for Advisory Boards – Adopted June 2021 Orientation Handbook New Member Orientation Video 2021 Rules on Boards & Commissions FAQ’s for Interested Volunteers 2020 Vacancy List Annual Reports- 2020 Annual Reports – 2019 Annual Reports- 2018 Chair Manual Contact Information General questions: boards@ashevillenc.gov If members of the public are interested in being on an e-mail list to receive information of activities of particular boards on a particular board, they will need to contact the individual staff contact. Updated 06/07/2021 Related Services Watch a live stream of the City channel View live televised Asheville City Council meetings, at 5 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. Request public records Find a list of records already available online, records not held by the City, and records that are not public record. Submit a request for public records. More Related Services Boards and Commissions News Asheville City Council reprises consent agenda for the record Posted on October 12, 2021 by Polly McDaniel Due to broadcasting difficulties during the Sept. 28 City Council meeting, the Oct. 12 Council agenda will reprise the full consent agenda from the Sept. 28 City Council meeting, as the vote on these items was not broadcast or recorded in open virtual session. In order to ensure full transparency and to comply with North [...] Asheville City Council continues remote meeting format and here’s how to participate Posted on September 24, 2021 by Polly McDaniel For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville City Council meetings remain in remote format and accessible to the public in accordance with N.C. General Statute § 166A-19.24(f) . This includes the 5 p.m. September 28 City Council meeting. Here’s what you need to know to watch/listen and/or to participate in [...] Help shape Asheville by serving on a City board or commission Posted on September 17, 2021October 26, 2021 by Polly McDaniel Looking for a way to get involved in local government and play a part in shaping the future of Asheville? Serving on a City of Asheville board or commission is a great place to start. Through a variety of boards and commissions established by Asheville City Council, citizens can provide input on the policies that shape [...] More Boards and Commissions News
Watch a live stream of the City channel View live televised Asheville City Council meetings, at 5 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month.
Request public records Find a list of records already available online, records not held by the City, and records that are not public record. Submit a request for public records.
Asheville City Council reprises consent agenda for the record Posted on October 12, 2021 by Polly McDaniel Due to broadcasting difficulties during the Sept. 28 City Council meeting, the Oct. 12 Council agenda will reprise the full consent agenda from the Sept. 28 City Council meeting, as the vote on these items was not broadcast or recorded in open virtual session. In order to ensure full transparency and to comply with North [...]
Asheville City Council continues remote meeting format and here’s how to participate Posted on September 24, 2021 by Polly McDaniel For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville City Council meetings remain in remote format and accessible to the public in accordance with N.C. General Statute § 166A-19.24(f) . This includes the 5 p.m. September 28 City Council meeting. Here’s what you need to know to watch/listen and/or to participate in [...]
Help shape Asheville by serving on a City board or commission Posted on September 17, 2021October 26, 2021 by Polly McDaniel Looking for a way to get involved in local government and play a part in shaping the future of Asheville? Serving on a City of Asheville board or commission is a great place to start. Through a variety of boards and commissions established by Asheville City Council, citizens can provide input on the policies that shape [...]