The city of Asheville is moving forward with its efforts to address the aftermath of Hurricane Helene by restructuring its citizen advisory boards. In a recent meeting, the City Council unanimously approved 44 individuals to join the newly established Helene recovery boards, aiming to streamline and enhance the recovery process.
According to BPR’s previous coverage, this organizational change follows guidance from Fountainworks, a consultancy based in Research Triangle Park. Four distinct areas of focus have been identified for the new groups: People and Environment, Housing, Infrastructure, and the Economy.
The restructured boards will convene frequently, while existing advisory bodies will now operate on an “as-needed” schedule. Each board comprises 11 members, including current advisory board leaders and newly appointed individuals by the council. Their mission is to deliver insights to City Council members, disseminate information within their networks, and ensure that community perspectives are integral to recovery planning.
Among the appointees to these boards are:
- David Bartholomew from Pisgah Legal (Housing)
- Cheryl Antoncic, co-owner of Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ (Economy)
- Daniel Leroy, United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County (People and Environment)
- Michael Holcombe, former water resources director for Asheville (Infrastructure)
- Anna Alsobrook from MountainTrue (People and Environment)
While the appointment process was somewhat opaque, with Vice Mayor S. Antanette Mosley noting that feedback was solicited from council members regarding preferred candidates, it remains unclear which candidates received the most support. This has led to some criticism from residents and council members, who argue that the new framework might curtail public participation.
Nina Tovish, an outspoken critic, expressed her concerns but acknowledged the potential: “It’s a really interesting and exciting opportunity that you have to work for the greater good here, and I hope that it goes better than anyone expects.”
Additionally, the council attempted to fill positions on other boards and commissions. Interest appears to have waned for some, such as the Neighborhood Advisory Committee, which called for a re-advertisement due to inadequate representation of city neighborhoods. The Soil Erosion and Stormwater Review Committee and the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee both reported a lack of applicants.
Other Council Decisions
- The council narrowly passed a 4-3 vote on amending the noise ordinance to permit more loud events at large outdoor venues, impacting Asheville Yards. Council member Kim Roney opposed, advocating for a smaller increase in allowable days from 30 to 35, while the amendment allows up to 50 days.
- A public hearing regarding a 27-acre zoning proposal on New Haw Creek Road has been postponed. The plan for 49 single-family homes and 35 townhomes has faced community opposition and legal scrutiny.
- Asheville plans to raise the maximum homeowner relief under its federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to $450,000, an increase from $375,000, aligning with the state’s adjustments.
- The council approved a $250,000 agreement with Trinity United Methodist Church to provide winter shelter, funded by a $1.7 million grant from the CDBG Declared Disaster Recovery Fund.
The Asheville City Council meets every second and fourth Tuesday at 5 p.m. in the Council Chamber, City Hall, 70 Court Plaza. The next meeting is set for November 18, which will be the final meeting of the year and the last for outgoing City Manager Debra Campbell. For more details, see the full recording and agenda of the October 28 meeting.
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