Boards and Commissions Last updated or reviewed on January 11, 2023 City of Asheville Boards and Commissions 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 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. Additional Resources: Regular Committee Meeting Schedules – updated December 2022 – 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 list. Want to learn more about the proposal to realign Boards and Commissions and the various ways to participate? Visit the project page, here! Advertised Vacancies for Members – February Flyer Unless otherwise stated, the application deadline for these vacancies is January 30 at 5:00 P.M. City Council is scheduled to make appointments at the February 14, 2023 Council Meeting for those with Jan. 30 deadlines. ASHEVILLE AREA RIVERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – (Openings are for property/business owners within the riverfront district.) Applicant must note on application if they are a property or business owner in the Riverfront District, and if so, provide business name and address. – The Commission shall (1) recommend to the City and County an overall policy for the continued development and sustainability of the regional riverfront; (2) provide recommendations to the City and County for effective management of the public resources for the districts; (3) actively pursue and assist private sector investment in the districts; and (4) cooperate with, evaluate and represent the recommendations of other organizations, including, but not limited to, property owners, merchants, residents, businesses, tenants, non-profits, institutions and other members of the riverfront and regional riverfront district communities. AUDIT COMMITTEE – (Openings for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – Please note certification on application). The committee: 1) Reviews internal audits reports; 2) Reviews with management and the external auditors the results of the financial statements audit; 3) Reports to City Council about committee activities, issues, and related recommendations as needed, but at a minimum, one time a year; and 4) Provides an open avenue of communication between internal audit, the external auditors, and City Council. DOWNTOWN COMMISSION – The Commission was established for the sustainability and continued development of downtown, a vital urban center of western North Carolina’s economic, cultural and visitor activity. The Commission’s purposes include: (1) recommend to City Council an overall policy for the continued development and sustainability of downtown; (2) provide recommendations for effective management of the public resources for downtown and actively pursue and assist private sector investment in the downtown area for the welfare of the citizens of Asheville; (3) carry out the powers and duties assigned to the Commission regarding downtown design review; and (4) cooperate with and evaluate and represent the recommendations of other organizations. HOMELESS INITIATIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE – This board is looking for people currently serving or with experience with Agencies that serve survivors of human trafficking, Victim service providers, Corrections, and School administrators/homeless liaisons. The purpose of the Committee is to: 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; 5) Ensure access to and effective use of mainstream programs; and Promote self‐sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness; 6) Collect data and conduct research and investigation into issues around homelessness, including local causes and effects; 7) Formulate and make recommendations to local governmental entities and social service agencies to reduce the incidence of homelessness; and 8) Act as a clearinghouse for information on local homelessness issues MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION – Members shall represent various modes of transportation to include, but not be limited to: transit, greenways, automobiles, bikes, pedestrians, etc. This seat is for someone with interest especially in bikes and pedestrians. Members shall possess expertise and interest in the sustainability and development of multimodal transportation and demonstrate willingness to participate actively. Duties of the commission include, but are not limited to: (1) recommend policies for the development/ integration of multimodal transportation planning and education to the City; (2) assist with the development of a multimodal transportation system; (3) assist the City with the implementation of best management practices for educating the public on the benefits of multimodal transportation; (4) assist in the sustainability, development and implementation of the multimodal transportation plan; and (5) assist in the prioritization of the Capital Improvement Plan as it relates to multimodal transportation projects. NEIGHBORHOOD ADVISORY COMMITTEE – There are two current vacancies. One for a representative that resides in the 28801 zip code and one for at-large representation. Please indicate zip code on application. The committee was established to advise City Council on neighborhood needs within the City of Asheville’s zoning and planning jurisdiction. The committee works to strengthen neighborhood identity and resilience by facilitating communication and cooperation between Asheville’s neighborhoods and City offices. The committee also works on special projects as assigned or directed by City Council. ======================================================================== 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 Amber Wagner 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 should 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 Commission 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. NOTE: Please visit Committee page 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 at 9:30 a.m., on the first Thursday of the month at City Hall, in conference room 623 located on floor 6. Sasha Vrtunski 828-259-5560 African American Heritage Commission This meeting takes place at 4:30 p.m., on the second Thursday of the month. Meetings are virtual. Brenda Mills 828-232-4517 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. Meetings are virtual. Tony McDowell 828-259-5586 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. Sarah Gross 828-259-5839 Citizen-Police Advisory Committee Not currently meeting. Samantha Booth 828-259-5813 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 Civil Service Board This meeting takes place at 2:30 p.m. on the 1st Thursday of each month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. Shannon Barrett 828-774-8564 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. Brenda Mills (828) 232-4517 Design Review Committee This meeting takes place at 12:15 p.m. 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 9:30 a.m. on the second Friday of the month. Meetings are virtual. Dana Frankel 828-273-5248 Finance and Human Resources Committee (City Council Committee) This meeting takes place at 1:00 p.m., on the fourth Tuesday of the month. Meetings are virtual. Tony McDowell TmcDowell@ashevillenc.gov Firemen’s Local Relief Fund This meeting takes place at 9:00 a.m., in February and September. Meetings are at the Wells Fargo Bank Building. David Anders 828-255-8650 Governance Committee (City Council Committee) This meeting takes place as needed. Meetings are virtual. Jenna Miller 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 9 a.m., on the last Friday of the month. Location TBD. 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 every other month at City Hall, first floor North Conference Room. Alayna Schmidt 828-232-4595 Mountain Community Capital Fund This meeting takes place the 1st Friday of each month. Meetings are virtual. Frank McGowan 828-259-5811 Multimodal Transportation Commission This meeting takes place at 3 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 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 p.m. on the 2nd Monday quarterly. Meetings are virtual. Haley Mahoney/Todd Justice 828-259-5587 Planning and Economic Development (City Council Committee) This meeting takes place at 4 p.m., on the second Monday of the month. Meetings are virtual. Katie Noun 828-259-5721 Planning and Zoning Commission This meeting takes place at 5 p.m., on the first Wednesday of the month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. Will Palmquist 828-259-5525 Public Art and Cultural Commission This meeting takes place at 4 p.m., on the third Thursday every other month. Meetings are virtual. Karli Stephenson 828-259-5627 Public Safety Committee (City Council Committee) This meeting takes place at 11 a.m., on the fourth Tuesday of the month. Meetings are virtual. Jenna Miller 828-450-0383 Recreation Board Not currently meeting. Recreation Department Riverfront Redevelopment Commission This meeting takes place at 4 p.m., on the second Thursday of each month. Meetings are virtual. Stephanie Monson Dahl 828-337-4111 Soil Erosion/Stormwater Review Committee This meeting takes place on an as needed basis. Amy Deyton 828-259-5547 Sustainability Advisory Committee on Energy and the Environment This meeting takes place at 3:30 p.m., on the third Wednesday every other month. Meetings are virtual. Bridget Herring 828-259-5558 Urban Forestry Commission This meeting takes place at 1 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. Meetings are virtual. Nancy Watford 828-259-5404 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 2022-2023 Meeting & Contact Information – Updated October 2022 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 Annual Reports – 2021 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.