Summary: The Asheville City Council approved the extension request from the Community Reparations Commission (CRC) at their meeting on August 27th.

The Facts (originally posted 7/29/24): The Community Reparations Commission (CRC) has asked for an extension of six months, so that they can successfully conclude their process. Their formal extension request describes the delays with which they have had to contend, and lays out the work that is remaining. Here are some of the tasks that this extension will enable:

• Continuing community engagement
• Completing the final report on their process
• Forming an Accountability Council that will oversee the reparations process moving forward
• Finalizing and voting on additional recommendations

The Asheville City Council will consider this request at their August 27th meeting.

Source: Community Reparations Commission Extension Request 7/15/24

Our Assessment: The City rejected the CRC’s original request for a year-long extension in late 2023, and instead went with a staff assessment that the process could be concluded by June. It couldn’t be. Now, the CRC is asking for an additional six months, while staff is once again suggesting that the process can be concluded at an earlier date. (Update 8/19/24: City staff are now supporting the six-month extension.) Will the City Council deny the CRC’s request a second time, or will they grant them the time they are seeking to wrap up their process successfully?

Update (8/5/2024): Click here to read a more in-depth analysis of why the extension request should be granted.

Our Ask: We invited you to email the members of the Asheville City Council and encourage them to grant the Community Reparations Commission’s request for a six-month extension.

What to do now: We encourage you to email Director of Equity and Inclusion Sala Menaya-Merritt, both to express appreciation for the leadership she took in ensuring this result, and also so that she might pass on a message of appreciation to the full CRC. You can use our copy and paste our email template below to send her a message about this issue.

Email Template: You can copy and paste (and adapt) our template text below and send it to Director Menaya-Merritt, copying in the City Manager, City Council, and info@gapavl.org (so we can better track how many emails were sent).

To: smenaya-merritt@ashevillenc.gov

CC: dcampbell@ashevillenc.gov, AshevilleNCCouncil@ashevillenc.gov, info@gapavl.org

Subject: Apprecation for the CRC’s hard work

Dear Director Menaya-Merritt,

I was glad to hear that the Asheville City Council approved the extension request from the Community Reparations Commission (CRC) this past Tuesday. I want to recognize and appreciate the pivotal role you have played (and continue to play) in supporting this process and ensuring that the CRC is empowered to successfully complete their critical work. I also ask that you pass along my apprecation to the full CRC for all their hard work, and my confidence in their ability to complete their charge in the months to come.

Thanks for your leadership,

Report Back

Update 9/2/24: The Asheville City Council approved the extension at their meeting, so the CRC will have until February to complete their work.

Update 8/26/24: Asheville City Council members raised no concerns about the proposed Community Reparations Commission (CRC) deadline extension at their August 22nd briefing. Council Member Kim Roney also responded to emails from GAP Supporters, voicing her support for the extension (see her full response below). City Council will formally discuss the proposal under Unfinished Business at their August 27th meeting.

Update 8/19/24: According to a document released in preparation for the CRC’s August 19th meeting, City staff are now supporting the CRC’s extension request. A process has been outlined that carries through February 2025. The Asheville City Council will consider the matter at their August 27th meeting. 26 GAP Supporters have sent emails to the City Council, with no responses received that we’re aware of.

Update 8/12/24: Still no response from any member of City Council.

Update 8/5/24: Still no response from any member of City Council. 

Total GAP Supporter Actions Taken: 51 (14 new)

Recipients and Responses:

Asheville City Council

• Mayor Esther Manheimer: No response
• Vice Mayor Sandra Kilgore: No response
• City Council Member Antanette Mosley: No response
• City Council Member Kim Roney: Responded (see below)
• City Council Member Maggie Ullman: No response
• City Council Member Sage Turner: No response
• City Council Member Sheneika Smith: No response

Email Response from Kim Roney (received by several GAP Supporters):

Thank you for reaching out in support of the Community Reparations Commission (CRC) request for a 6-month extension. I support this request. At our Equity & Engagement Committee meeting this week, we heard that staff is prepared to support that request starting September 2024 and going through February 2025. You can see the scope of work and timeline here, just note that it will include a full 6 months going until February.

The CRC will present to Council at our meeting August 27th at 5pm in City Hall. The agenda will be here. 

With gratitude,

Kim