City Council regular meeting — October 10, 2023

Assistant Transportation Director Jessica Morriss said this is the consideration of a resolution reaffirming the City Council’s commitment to multimodal transportation, authorizing the City Manager to direct staff to move forward with the College Patton Complete Streets Project, and directing City staff to prepare ordinance amendments to permit use of all modes of personal transportation within bike lanes. Background:

• The addition of bicycle facilities in Asheville’s urban core is consistent with adopted City plans and policies to improve multimodal transportation, particularly in Downtown.
• Plan alignment includes the 2009 Downtown Master Plan, the 2012 Complete Streets Policy, the 2016 Asheville in Motion Mobility Plan, and the 2018 Living Asheville Comprehensive Plan.
• City Council’s 2036 Vision Framework for transportation and accessibility states, “Whether you drive a car, take the bus, ride a bike or walk, getting around Asheville is easy. Public transportation is widespread, frequent, and reliable. Sidewalks, greenways, and bike facilities get us where we want to go safely and keep us active and healthy. It is easy to live in Asheville without a car and still enjoy economic, academic, and social success.”
• The City’s existing Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) was developed using previously approved plans and policies, including the 2012 Complete Streets Policy and the 2018 Living Asheville Comprehensive Plan as a basis.
• The College and Patton Complete Streets Project has been prioritized in the CIP because College and Patton are the primary east-west through streets in downtown.
• The proposed bike lanes will connect to existing bike lanes and future bike lanes in downtown and beyond, and the project will have a relatively quick installation time with a comparatively low cost given its community benefits.
• Staff most recently presented a status update on the College Patton Complete Streets Project as part of the August 22, 2023, City Manager’s Report.
• As part of that discussion, staff hoped to gauge consensus from Council regarding their level of support to continue with the project.
• While beneficial feedback was received on August 22, conclusive direction was not received.
• Since August 22, staff have distributed a detailed memo providing additional background information on the history and outreach efforts associated with the bike lane project, updated details on the project’s webpage and distributed information via email to stakeholders including the City’s downtown safety initiative subscriber list, and organizations/people who have self identified as BIPOC, Youth, Seniors, Interested in Transportation, People with Disabilities and/or their Caretakers, and LGBTQ+.
• Staff have also conducted targeted project meetings with business owners and other community members, particularly those representing the BIPOC community.
• The City Council is being asked to approve a resolution to reaffirm their commitment to multimodal transportation and authorize the City Manager to direct staff to move forward with the College Patton Complete Streets Project.

Vendor Outreach Efforts:

• Vendor solicitation and selection to complete the College Patton Complete Streets Project will only occur if the City Council approves the resolution authorizing the City Manager to direct staff to proceed with the project. Committee(s):
• Downtown Commission: March 11, 2022 & June 10, 2022
• presentation only; December 9, 2022 presentation and vote
• 6 to 3 vote to recommend project implementation; September 22, 2023
• presentation only.
• Multimodal Transportation Commission: March 23, 2022
• Presentation only; June 22, 2022
• presentation and vote
• 6 to 1 vote to recommend implementation of the project
• City Council City Manager’s Report
• September 13, 2022
• presentation only
• City Council City Manager’s Report
• August 22, 2023
• presentation only https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sxwEJJ7oRPUEPA6p17U6nQ1HHKZ8En2dHg88j772e14/edit?usp=sharing https://www.ashevillenc.gov/projects/college-patton-bike-lane-project/ Pro(s):
• Currently listed in the adopted capital budget.
• Implements multimodal principles.
• Enhances travel safety for multiple modes of transportation. Con(s):
• Possible reduced levels of service for automobiles and increased queue lengths during peak hours.

Fiscal Impact:

• Funding for this project ($100,000) was previously budgeted and is available in the General Capital Projects Fund.
• Thus far, approximately $12,000 has been spent toward project design and public outreach. Assistant Transportation Director Jessica Morriss outlined the following key takeaways from her presentation as follows: (1) Existing City plans and policies directly call for more bike facilities in the CBD and across the City. This project also aligns with several components of Council’s 2036 Vision; (2) The College/Patton project promotes increased safety for all users and will connect existing bike lanes and future facilities, including greenways; (3) Community engagement began in February 2022 and continued through summer 2023; (4) Community feedback was used to inform the final project design. Top concerns expressed were related to loading zones, parking availability, and traffic congestion; (5) The project was programmed in the City’s approved Capital Improvement Plan through the adoption of the FY22 Budget; and (6) Staff is asking Council to consider a resolution reaffirming its commitment to multimodal transportation. This resolution will specifically confirm support for staff to proceed with the implementation of the College Patton Bike Lane Project and direct staff to prepare ordinance amendments to permit use of all modes of personal transportation within bike lanes. The project elements are (1) The project would result in: (a) A “quick” build, low-cost, high-value bicycle facility (6’ buffered bike lane); and (b) Restriping crosswalks to be high-visibility; (2) $100,000 programmed for lane markings, signage, and vertical delineators across approximately .5 miles of roadway; and (3) By comparison: (a) $300,000 for Patton Ave. sidewalk improvements (~500 linear feet of new sidewalk repairs and approximately 8 ADA-compliant curb ramps); and (b) ~$3,000,000 per mile to design, acquire right-of-way for, and construct new greenway. She then reviewed the following project safety benefits table: Pedestrians Bicyclists / Micro-mobility Users Motor Vehicles / Transit Delivery Vehicles Adds high-visibility crosswalks to enhance pedestrian safety Reduces the distance pedestrians have to navigate through traffic by ~11 feet Creates a buffer between motor vehicles and the sidewalk Reduces the likelihood of multiple-threat crashes Potentially calms traffic Creates a dedicated area of travel for bicyclists Provides greater separation between motor vehicles and bicyclists Reduces the likelihood of crashes due to drivers overtaking bicyclists on the roadway Reduces number of potential conflicts by configuring bike lane to the left-side of the road instead of the right-side Creates a dedicated area of travel for motorists Promotes more predictable driver behavior (less swerving, less changing lanes, more clear on where to go, less crashes) Improved visibility and awareness for transit stops and riders Reduces the need for delivery trucks to double-park in the street due to additional dedicated space, improving safety for all and mitigating congestion Ms. Morriss then reviewed then outreach and engagement summary as follows: 4 virtual stakeholder meetings; 2 walking tours; 1 stakeholder / public workshop; 1 public survey; 1 radio interview; 3 presentations to Downtown Commission (voted in favor of project 6-3); 2 presentations to Multimodal Transportation Commission (voted in favor of project 6-1); and 3 presentations to City Council. She then reviewed a detailed chart of crash dates, vehicle driver demographics, pedestrian demographics, pedalcyclist demographics, and contributing circumstances. There were 16 reported pedestrian and bicycle (including one skateboard) crashes in the project area from 2018 through 2022. These crashes involved a total of 17 pedestrians and bicyclists. Mr. Morriss then showed a map of the broader vision of the existing and planned bike facilities and greenways. Regarding parking, a summary of changes in the project area (1) 17 metered parking spaces are proposed to be removed -9 of these to be converted to loading zone area; (2) No American with Disabilities (ADA) parking spaces are being removed. One would be relocated from Patton Ave. to across the street along N. Pack Square; and (3) Net loss of two (2) metered parking spaces in Pritchard Park area. Regarding the bigger picture of parking, (1) Rankin and Coxe Ave. parking garages are within 0.1 miles from College and Patton corridors; (2) There are approximately 1,200 on-street public parking spaces in the CBD including metered parking, permitted parking, loading zones, ADA designated parking, unmetered hourly parking, and government reserved parking; (3) The City’s parking garages provide an additional 1,437 spaces: Biltmore Avenue parking garage
• 404 spaces; Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville parking garage
• 550 spaces; Rankin Avenue parking garage
• 262 spaces; and Wall Street parking garage
• 221 spaces. The County also has approximately 1,700 public parking spaces available throughout downtown; (4) City’s parklet / streetery program (a) 13 businesses are utilizing 25 parking spaces downtown, plus 2 parking spaces on S. Market that are utilized by the public; and (b) During the temporary program, as many as 21 businesses had temporary parklets, utilizing 15 additional parking spaces; (5) Data collection and reporting (a) Vehicle speeds; and (b) Crash data; (6) Increased enforcement in project area; and (7) Communication and outreach strategy for educating public, businesses, and delivery drivers on how space should function. She then used a map to show the details on a block by block basis of several areas as follows: (1) College Street between Biltmore & Lexington
• moving loading zone to right side of street; and extend from approximately 25 feet to 40 feet; (2) College Street between Market & Spruce
• no parking or loading zone impacts; and bike lanes moves to left-side of Market; (3) College Street between Market & Biltmore
• no parking or loading zone impacts; and left turn combined with thru lane at Biltmore; (4) Patton Avenue between Lexington & Biltmore
• removing 3 parking spaces; relocating existing ADA space to across the street along N. Park Square; and no change to turn lanes; (5) College Street between Lexington & Haywood
• reconfiguring and extending loading zone space from 100 feet to 124 feet; removing 7 parking spaces; one thru lane is removed; and left-turn at Haywood combined with thu lane; and (6) Patton Avenue between Haywood Street & Lexington Avenue
• reconfiguring and extending loading zone from 25 feet to 115 feet; removing 5 parking spaces and parklet; one thru lane removed; and left-turn at Lexington combined with thru lane. Post implementation includes (1) data collection and reporting
• vehicle speeds and crash data; (2) increased enforcement in project area; and (3) communication and outreach strategy for educating public, businesses, and delivery drivers on how space should function. She then showed a timeline, noting that construction is estimated to take 60-90 days after vendor selection (February/March 2024). Beginning of construction might be early spring 2024. Staff recommends Council adopt a resolution to authorize the City Manager to direct staff to move forward with the College Patton Complete Streets Project, and to prepare ordinance amendments to permit use of all modes of personal transportation within bike lanes. In response to Councilwoman Ullman’s question raised by the community about a possible conflict of interest, City Attorney Branham said that he is confident that no conflict exists. Under North Carolina law, each Council member has an affirmative duty to vote (NCGS 160A-75), unless a specific conflict exists. Whether a conflict does exist is determined by the nature of the vote. If the agenda item deals with land development matters, the law about conflicts is found in GS 160D-109. When the vote is over a contract, the pertinent provision is found in GS 14-234. For all other votes, such as the one dealing with the bike lanes, the correct standard is found in 160-75. It states that a board member MAY be excused from voting if the matter involves the member's own financial interest or official conduct. Clearly this vote has nothing to do with anyone's official conduct, therefore, the only question is whether someone has a "financial interest" in the vote. This is not the same as having an inclination or even a predetermined decision. Our State courts have helped to define a "Financial Interest" for the purposes of voting generally as follows: (1) The effect on the board member cannot be the same as a significant number of citizens; or (2) The interest must be significant, or (3) There must be a reasonable likelihood that the financial impact will actually occur. Contrary to this well-established legal framework, the basis of the suggested conflict here appears to be that Councilwoman Ulman's husband is associated with a third party group which has advocated for the bike lanes. However, there has been no evidence that a positive or negative vote on the issue will result in a financial benefit or loss, of a unique nature, which is likely to accrue to Councilwoman Ulman or her spouse. Therefore, he finds no reason to suggest that a conflict, under the appropriate NC law, exists. As such, we must abide by the general mandate for all members to cast a vote in the absence of a conflict.

Vice-Mayor Kilgore, Chair of the Boards & Commissions Committee, said that this is the consideration of appointing members to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee The terms of Dewana Little, Brian Methvin, Barry Bailik, Scott Adams and Emily Axtman, as members on the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, expired on September 1, 2023. In addition, Margie Bukowski has resigned, thus leaving an unexpired term until September 1, 2025. The following individuals applied for the vacancy: Rita Lee, Jane Christen, Tod Leaven, Jen Hampton, Daran Smith, Shantelle Simpson, Greg Borom, Malmone Christina, Stuart Zitin, Alvarez Abernathy and Zalica McDaniels. The Board Chair of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee recommended, and the Boards & Commissions Committee concurred, to reappoint Brian Methvin and Scott Adams; and appoint Rita Lee, Jane Christen, Shantelle Simpson and Stuart Zitin.

Background:

• The HRCA was established by Ordinance No. 4663 in July of 2018.
• At the January 10, 2023 City Council meeting, Council voted unanimously to reduce the total membership of the HRCA from 15 to 9 members, including allowing up to 3 members who reside in Buncombe County outside of the City.
• These proposed amendments reflect needed updates to the City’s current local ordinance which establishes the HRCA in order to come into compliance with recent Federal Court decisions.
• Following recent Supreme Court cases involving the admissions practices at the University of Harvard and the University of North Carolina, public institutions must examine the language involving any racial preferences.
• In order to remain compliant with existing Federal law, an amendment to the City’s existing HRCA ordinance is necessary.
• The proposed amendment only alters one portion of the existing ordinance pertaining to membership characteristics.
• The recommended changes represent technical changes to the commission membership makeup by clarifying that equal opportunity to serve shall be given to individuals or classes which have been historically disadvantaged, however no racial characteristics will be a requirement of membership.
• The amendment will also clarify that membership decisions do not violate constitutional protections.

Vendor Outreach Efforts:

• Not Applicable Committee(s):
• Human Relations Commission of Asheville
• Sept. 21, 2023
• Voted 5-0 to recommend amendment
• City Council Boards and Commissions Committee
• Oct. 10, 2023 Pro(s):
• Brings existing City ordinances into compliance with recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions and guarantees equal access and membership opportunities for historically disadvantaged groups. Con(s):
• None

Fiscal Impact:

• This action requires no City resources and has no fiscal impact.

Background:

• On March 16, 2023, the Human Relations Commission of Asheville (HRCA) voted 8-0 to recommend that the Asheville City Council adopt a local ordinance modeled after a State bill (NC CROWN Act) to be known as the “Asheville CROWN Act” which is intended to protect from discrimination based on natural hair and hairstyles.
• There is a pre-existing Non-Discrimination Ordinance (NDO; Ordinance No. 4370) which the Asheville City Council adopted in April 2021 to prohibit discriminatory practices in private employment and public accommodations, including discrimination based on natural hair or hairstyle.
• On August 15, 2023, staff presented the HRCA’s recommendation to the Equity & Engagement Council Committee. Given the pre-existing NDO which already includes language around hair, staff recommended revising the existing NDO to include additional language from the HRCA’s recommendation regarding hair texture and examples of protected hairstyles.
• The recommendation as proposed would incorporate language from the NC CROWN Act, which does not currently exist in the City’s NDO.
• On August 15, 2023, the Equity & Engagement Committee voted 2-0 to recommend the Asheville City Council amend the pre-existing NDO with the recommended additional language.
• On August 15, 2023, the Equity and Inclusion staff reached out to Buncombe County’s Equity and Human Rights Office in regards to amending their non-discrimination ordinance and they currently are considering next steps. Committee(s):
• Human Relations Commission of Asheville
• March 16, 2023
• Voted unanimously (8-0) to recommend that the Asheville City Council adopt the Asheville CROWN Act.
• Equity & Engagement Council Committee
• August 15, 2023
• voted unanimously (2-0) to recommend revising the existing Non-Discrimination Ordinance "to include the proposed additional language regarding hair texture and examples of protected hairstyles" and for staff to outreach to Buncombe County to consider also amending the County non-discrimination ordinance with similar language. Pro(s):
• This amendment provides additional language to the existing NDO to add specificity to the current protections afforded to natural hair and hairstyles. Con(s):
• None noted.

Fiscal Impact:

• This action requires no City resources and has no fiscal impact.

Background:

• The City engaged a consultant to perform an assessment of the City-operated parking garages.
• During the consultant’s field investigation they identified critical repairs that require immediate attention at the Wall Street, Rankin Avenue, and Harrah’s Cherokee Center garages.
• The work includes supplemental support for structural concrete corbels at the Rankin and Wall Street garages; supplemental steel framing support at the Wall Street elevator landing; and supplemental steel support for two stairwells in the Harrah’s Cherokee Center garage.
• A bid alternate was included in the bid for a surcharge to perform the work after hours (Sunday through Thursday from 8pm to 5am).
• This alternate was included as a means to limit disruption to parking services and the impact to parking revenues during the day and on weekends.
• Submissions for Bid 298-CP24-PGCR.1A-BID were received September 18, 2023. One bid was submitted:
• Cinderella Partners, Inc. of Indian Trail, NC in the amount of $267,001.02 base bid; and $12,938.17 Bid Alternate #1.
• Cinderella Partners’ bid was responsive and responsible, and the bid is 10% under the engineer’s estimate.

Vendor Outreach Efforts:

• Staff performed outreach to minority businesses through solicitation processes using the State’s Interactive Purchasing System, direct communications inviting minority businesses to bid, and requiring prime contractors to reach out to Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) service providers for subcontracted services.
• Prime contractors were required to submit documentation of their minority outreach efforts and results in their bid submittals.
• Cinderella Partners, Inc. is a woman-owned business. Their minority outreach documentation was included in the bid submission.
• No MWBE subcontractors submitted bids with this prime contractor. Committee(s):
• None Pro(s):
• The repairs performed under this contract will reduce the potential for injury and property damage, and will improve the overall safety of patrons and visitors at the Wall Street, Rankin Avenue and Harrah’s Cherokee Center parking garages. Con(s):
• Some parking spaces in the area of the repairs will be out of service during the construction, potentially reducing revenues.
• The work will be moderately disruptive and inconvenient for parking garage patrons.
• Disruption to parking services can have an impact to nearby businesses

Fiscal Impact:

• Funding for this contract was previously budgeted and is available in the Parking Services Capital Projects Fund.

Assistant Transportation Director Jessica Morriss said that this is the consideration of a resolution to permanently close an excess right-of-way adjacent to 100 Craven Street. This public hearing was advertised on September 15, 22, 29 and October 6, 2023. Background:

• City Council passed a resolution on September 12, 2023 to set a public hearing for the proposed right-of-way closure on October 10, 2023.
• North Carolina General Statute § 160A-299 grants cities the authority to permanently close streets and alleys.
• The statute requires City Council to consider whether the closure of the right of way has a negative impact to the public interest and whether the closure would impede access to parcels, utilities, and other public infrastructure.
• 9999 Hazel Mill Rd, LLC, Owner, petitioned for this closure to develop a five story multi-family dwelling with 23-30 units.
• The unopened right-of-way is a triangle-shaped area located along the west edge of Craven Street.
• The closure does not impede any future transportation connections, including future connections for multimodal infrastructure, nor does it conflict with any utility access.
• Signs were placed at two locations along Craven Street announcing the public hearing and potential closure. Committee(s):
• Technical Review Committee
• July 17, 2023
• Recommended approval
• Multimodal Transportation Commission
• August 23, 2023
• Unanimous approval Pro(s):
• There are no utility conflicts, nor any transportation connectivity opportunities associated with this unopened right-of-way. Con(s):
• None.

Fiscal Impact:

• This action requires no City resources and has no fiscal impact. Ms. Morriss said that 9999 Hazel Mill Road, LLC, Owner, has petitioned for this closure to develop a five story multi-family dwelling with 23-30 units. The unopened right-of-way is a triangle-shaped area located along the west edge of Craven Street. The closure does not impede any future transportation connections nor does it conflict with any utility access. She then showed several maps of the proposed closure. Regarding Committee/Commission recommendations: (1) Technical Review Committee (TRC)
• July 17, 2023, recommendation was to approve the closure; and (2) Multimodal Transportation Commission
• August 23, 2023, recommendation was to approve the closure. Mayor Manheimer opened the public hearing at 6:14 p.m., and when no one spoke, she closed the public hearing at 6:14 p.m. Mayor Manheimer said that members of Council have previously received a copy of the resolution and it would not be read.

Vice-Mayor Kilgore, Chair of the Boards & Commissions Committee, said that this is the consideration of appointing a member to the Civic Center Commission. The term of Corey Atkins, as a member of the Civic Center Commission, expired on June 30, 2023. The following individuals applied for the vacancy: Sean, Comeaux, Erika Gifford and Sean O’Connell. The Civic Center Commission Chair, Vice-Chair and staff liaison recommend the following (in order of preference): Sean O’Connell, Erika Gifford or Sean Comeeaux. It was the consensus of the Boards & Commissions Committee to appoint Erika Gifford.

Vice-Mayor Kilgore, Chair of the Boards & Commissions Committee, said that this is the consideration of appointing a member to the Civil Service Board, which has no term limits. The term of Carter Webb, as a member of the Civil Service Board, expired on May 21, 2023. No individual applied for the vacancy. The Chair of the Civil Service Board recommended, and the Boards & Commissions Committee concurred to reappoint Carter Webb.

Vice-Mayor Kilgore, Chair of the Boards & Commissions Committee, said that this is the consideration of appointing members to the Downtown Commission. Tal Frankfurt resigned as a member of the Downtown Commission, thus leaving an unexpired term until December 31, 2024. The following individuals applied for the vacancy: Ben Gladstone, Tom Hunter, Billy Cooney, David Moritz, Douglas Buchalter, Chad Roberson, Clarissa Hyatt-Zack, Stu Helm, Byron Greiner, Abigail Griffin, Michael Fulbright, Hayden Plemmons, Christina Maximone and Jefferson Ellison. The Chair of the Downtown Commission recommended, and the Boards & Commissions Committee concurred, to appoint Jefferson Ellison.

Vice-Mayor Kilgore, Chair of the Boards & Commissions Committee, said that this is the consideration of appointing members to the Human Relations Commission. The terms of Daniel Young, Crystal Michelle Reid, Ellen Kathrein and Donald Post expired on June 1, 2023. The following individuals applied for the vacancy: Babette Freund, Jack Hoda, David Shaw, John Miall, Robyn Hite, Andy Bobowski, Willa Grant and Danie Johnson. The Chair of the Human Relations Commission recommends the appointment of Babette Freund and John Miall, and the reappointment of Crystal Reid. Staff recommends appointment of Jack Hoda and John Miall and the reappointments of Daniel Young and Crystal Reid. The Boards & Commissions Committee recommended the reappointment of Crystal Reid and Daniel Young; and the appointment of Jack Hoda and John Miall.

Vice-Mayor Kilgore, Chair of the Boards & Commissions Committee, said that this is the consideration of appointing members to the Noise Advisory Board. The terms of Jeffrey Santiago (representing the resident seat), Carmelo Pampillonio (representing the acoustic pro/related seat) and Lillian Woody (representing the restaurant industry), as members of the Noise Advisory Board, expire on November 1, 2023.. The following individuals applied for the vacancy: Michael Fulbright. No recommendation was received by the Noise Advisory Board.

Vice-Mayor Kilgore, Chair of the Boards & Commissions Committee, said that this is the consideration of appointing members to the Planning & Zoning Commission. The terms of Joe Archinbald and Robert Frances Hoke, as members of the Planning & Zoning Commission, expired on August 14, 2023. The following individuals applied for the vacancy: Paul Zay, Scott Lewandowski, David Moritz, Bryon Greiner and Andrew Fletcher. Paul Zay withdrew his name from consideration. The appointment process was reopened and the following additional individuals applied for the vacancies: Joseph Chesler, Alvarez Abernathy, John-Michael Henson and Jared Wheatley. Mr. Henson was unable to attend the interview. On October 10, 2023, the Boards & Commissions Committee interviewed Joseph Chesler, Alvarez Abernathy and Jared Wheatley.. After thanking all applicants for their time, a vote was taken by Council for one seat as follows: Scott Lewandowski received 0 votes; David Moriz received 1 vote; Byron Greiner received 0 votes; Andrew Fletcher received 0 votes; Joseph Chesler received 0 votes; Alvarez Abernathy received 5 votes; John-Michael Henson received 0 votes; and Jared Wheatley received 1 vote. Therefore, Alvarez Abernathy was appointed to the Planning & Zoning Commission to serve a three-year term, term to expire August 14, 2026, or until Alvarez Abnernathy’s successor has been appointed. Another vote was then taken for the other vacant seat as follows: Scott Lewandowski received 0 votes; David Moriz received 0 votes; Byron Greiner received 3 votes; Andrew Fletcher received 0 votes; Joseph Chesler received 1 vote; John-Michael Henson received 0 votes; and Jared Wheatley received 3 votes. Because of a tie, another vote was taken between Mr. Wheatley and Mr. Greiner. The votes are as follows: Byron Greiner received 3 votes; and Jared Wheatley received 4 votes. Therefore, Jared Wheatley was appointed to the Planning & Zoning Commission to serve a three-year term, term to expire August 14, 2026, or until Jared Wheatley’s successor has been appointed.

Vice-Mayor Kilgore, Chair of the Boards & Commissions Committee, said that this is the consideration of appointing members to the Sustainability Advisory Committee. Chris Pelrine has resigned as a member of the Sustainability Advisory Committee, thus leaving an unexpired term until December 31, 2024. In addition, Kim Austin has resigned, thus leaving an unexpired term until December 31, 2023. The following individuals applied for the vacancies: Djuna Roberts, Sophie Loeb, Anna Alsobrook, Tod M. Leaven, Justin Young, Mimi Gordon, Lindsay Parpart, Russ Thacher, Lin Orndorf, Christy Hulburt and Justin Young. The Chair and staff of the Sustainability Advisory Committee recommend the appointment of Russ Thacher and Christy Hurlburt. It was the consensus of the Boards & Commissions Committee to appoint Justin Young and Christy Hurlburt.

Vice-Mayor Kilgore, Chair of the Boards & Commissions Committee, said that this is the consideration of appointing members to the Urban Forestry Commission. Amy Smith has resigned as a member of the Urban Forestry Commission, thus leaving an unexpired term until December 31, 2024. The following individuals applied for the vacancy: Alex Kirby, Patricia Grace, Tara Wu, Keaton Edwards, Alvin Ward Peacock, Chardin Detrich, Lyda Karrh, Chris DeFiore, Kelly Carlson, Phaedra Xanthos, Jennifer Abla and Scott Abla. The Urban Forestry Commission recommended the appointment of Chris DeFiore, and the Boards & Commissions Committee concurred with the recommendation.