Minutes from Community Reparations Commission meeting on June 6

Press release from City of Asheville:

The Community Reparations Commission is empowered to make short, medium, and long-term recommendations that will make significant progress toward repairing the damage caused by public and private systemic racism. The task of the Reparations Commission is to issue a report in a timely manner for consideration by the City, County, and other participating community groups for incorporation into their respective short-term and long-term priorities and plans.

Call to Order and Declaration of Quorum: Quorum reached
Approval of Meeting Minutes: Minutes approved unanimously
Review Commission Charge: Discussion
Expectations and Goals of Meeting: Discussion

Meeting Procedures City and County Atty

-Issues/Concerns/Questions
-Role of Chair – Dr. Dwight Mullen
-Role of Facilitator – Sala Menaya-Merritt

Discussion between Commission Members, City Attorney and County Attorney

Motion Passed at Last Meeting

-Motion to have the City and County place a line item in their budget for reparations in Perpetuity
-Issues and Concerns
-How to communicate recommendation to elected bodies
-Next Steps

Discussion regarding the process required to move approved recommendations to City Council and County Board of Commissioners  through staff liaisons

During tonight’s meeting, a motion was made to add an item to tonight’s agenda. That item was  a vote to add youth as voting members to the commission. This will be voted on at the next meeting.

Discussion Topics

-What do you hope the Reparations Commission will accomplish and/or expected results of this process?
-What tools/resources do you need to accomplish these results?
-Who’s missing from the table and how should they be added or involved?

Tabled until next meeting

Public Comment: Comments received
Wrap Up/Next Steps/Adjournment: Meeting Adjourned

NEXT MEETING: The next meeting of the Community Reparations Commission is scheduled for June 27, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at the Buncombe County First Floor Conference Room – 200 College Street Buncombe County Government Building. The committee discussed that impact area focus meetings will begin in July.