City of Asheville committee openings

Press release from the City of Asheville:

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.

The boards listed below currently have vacancies. The deadline for receiving applications for these openings is Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 5 p.m. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 259-5601 or by e-mail at mburleson@ashevillenc.gov for an application form.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE – Desirable characteristics include professionals from the development community. The Committee will work in conjunction with City leadership and staff to implement the 2008 Affordable Housing Plan. The specific functions will be (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.

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT – The Board (1) hears 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) hears and decides 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.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL – The responsibilities consist of solving human problems, as they relate to racial, ethnic, religious and class relationships, and for other purposes expressed in the Community Relations Council’s Articles of Incorporation.

DOWNTOWN COMMISSION – Desirable characteristics include someone with an arts connection; a downtown property owner and/or a downtown business owner with vested interest in the downtown. 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.

ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE – This Committee will undertake initiatives, at a City level and participate in the larger community and regional discussions, to improve the environment, encourage green development, and support the development of a healthy community.

FIREMEN’S RELIEF FUND – The responsibilities of the Board are to have entire control of the funds derived from the provisions of Article 188 of the N. C. Gen. Statutes and to disburse the funds in accordance with the statutes.

HOMELESS INITIATIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE – The purpose of the Committee is to implement the Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, and its duties and responsibilities shall include (1) conduct research and investigation into issues about homelessness, including causes and effects within Asheville and the surrounding area; (2) formulate and make recommendations to local governmental entities and social service agencies to reduce the incidence of homelessness; (3) act as a clearinghouse for information on local homelessness issues; and (4) other duties as requested by the City Council, Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, or as the Committee deems appropriate.

HUB COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE BOARD – The Hub Project is Asheville and Buncombe County’s collaborative, sustainable, intentional community, cultural and economic development strategy.  The HUB is described as a catalyst for collaboration around a coordinated economic and community development vision of what Asheville and Buncombe County can become.  The Alliance works to stimulate interaction and collaboration within and across clusters identified by the Alliance—Technology, Rejuvenation, Creativity, Land/Ag, Enterprise/ entrepreneurship, and Advanced Manufacturing.  The Alliance will monitor and publicize progress via concrete metrics.  The Alliance will support clusters and projects by raising funds from public and private sources.

METROPOLITAN SEWERAGE DISTRICT BOARD – The members oversee the operation of the Metropolitan Sewerage District, as well as holding hearings on issues at hand.

RIVERFRONT AREA REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – This vacancy is for a design professional. – 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.

TREE COMMISSION – The purpose of the Tree Commission is to foster the preservation, planting, replacement and removal of trees without denying the reasonable use and enjoyment of real property. The Commission’s responsibilities include: facilitate the planting, growth and protection of trees within the City; foster the communication and coordination among the citizens of the City that would provide the needed support for protection of trees within the City; conduct continuing research, planning and feasibility assessments required to support the purposes of the Commission; and work with City staff to promote and enforce Chapter 20 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Asheville regarding the regulation of planting, protection, preservation and removal of trees.