Members of the public and ACDC leadership addressed the Jan. 7 council meeting to object to discussion of splitting the Arts, Culture and Diversity Commission (ACDC). Wanda Moody, chair of the commission, said she had watched the prior meeting online and urged the council to explain how splitting the commission would improve quorum problems and benefit the community.

Moody and other public commenters said art is an essential component of culture and diversity programming and argued that breaking the commission into multiple bodies without prompt appointments could leave scheduled 2025 events without organizers. Moody asked the mayor to fill vacancies quickly if the council moves forward so the commission can continue planned programming.

Councilmembers said the proposal to split the commission stemmed in part from quorum difficulties and a desire to provide clearer focus to volunteers; one councilmember said the intent was to allow narrower-focused commissions on arts versus culture/diversity. Council members and the ACDC chair agreed to continue the conversation and urged swift appointment of members if any structural change is approved.

No formal council vote to split the ACDC commission occurred on Jan. 7.