After Helene, Asheville suspends boards, commissions until 2025. City Council not affected

ASHEVILLE – As residents continue to recover from the devastating damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene, the city of Asheville has suspended all advisory and quasi-judicial boards staffed by city employees and council committees until Jan. 1, 2025 “at the earliest,” City Clerk Maggie Burleson announced Oct. 29. The cancellations do not affect City Council meetings, city spokesperson Kim Miller said. The next Asheville City Council meeting is scheduled for Nov. 12. The decision to suspend all boards was made so that city staff can focus on recovery efforts, Burleson said. City staff efforts currently include addressing the basic needs of the community, restoring water service, community safety and security and debris collection, Miller said. New areas of focus for the city include temporary housing and financial assistance services, Miller continued. Exceptions for meeting will be granted on a “case by case basis if a board or commission needs to meet to discuss time-sensitive or storm related items,” Burleson said. The boards and commissions affected include the following: Affordable Housing Advisory Committee African American Heritage Commission Asheville Buncombe Riverfront Commission Asheville Regional Housing Consortium Audit Committee Board of Adjustment Board of Electrical Examiners Board and Commissions Committee Citizen-Police Advisory Committee...