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Buncombe County parks advisory board reviews annual report but cannot approve it due to lack of quorum
Summary
At a special Oct. 14 meeting, Buncombe County Parks and Recreation advisory board members reviewed an annual report and discussed goals including capital priorities and community engagement, but did not approve the report because fewer than four board members were present.
Members of the Buncombe County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board reviewed the board's annual report at a special meeting on Oct. 14 but did not take a formal vote after reporting they lacked the four-member quorum required to approve the document.
Recreation Division Manager Liz Hookwater, speaking as staff lead for the meeting, said, "The purpose of this meeting is to approve the annual, report to the board of commissioners. We will be reviewing that. Unfortunately, we will not be able to approve that due to lacking a quorum of at least 4 bed board members present." Hookwater led the review of the report with two advisory board members in attendance for discussion.
The discussion focused on the board's purpose and recent activities. Hookwater summarized the advisory board's charge as coming from "the resolution...to restart the advisory board," and said the board's role is to "advocate for, provide feedback, and support the development and promotion of Buncombe County's parks, greenways, and recreation services by advising on strategic investments, master plan implementation, community engagement, and partnerships to increase awareness, access, and quality of recreational opportunities for all residents." The report flagged a transition in membership over the past year and staff said they plan to present information differently at meetings to allow the advisory board to be more proactive.
Board members and staff reviewed accomplishments and goals listed in the report. Items discussed included the selection and appointment of two new advisory board members; the reconvening of the passive recreation land subcommittee; and a set of goals that the report ties to future work: appointing a chair and vice chair, reviewing and updating bylaws as needed, advising on strategic capital investments (including recommending annual capital priorities and identifying greenway bottlenecks), developing a community engagement action plan with outreach targets, and supporting implementation of the systemwide parks and recreation master plan. Hookwater said Allison had requested that funding requests be tied to specific projects rather than general funding needs.
Advisory board member Jen Cook said the report clarified how members could engage between meetings: "I really like the way we can engage the community better, and get involved, in person." Kevin Connor, another board member, confirmed he attended the previous meeting and participated in preparing the materials being reviewed.
Because the meeting lacked a quorum, staff indicated the report may be sent to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners without a formal advisory-board approval, subject to confirmation. Hookwater told members, "We may send it along to the board without approval, but it will confirm that." No formal motion or vote occurred at the meeting.
The board set its next regular meeting for Nov. 12 at the parks and recreation office, 46 Valley Street. No public comments were recorded during the meeting.
