The Asheville City Council has amended the membership and appointment criteria for the Human Relations Commission of Asheville (HRCA).
The city also filed a joint motion Tuesday in federal court with plaintiffs who challenged HRCA membership rules. The motion asks a judge to enter an order ending the dispute.
Created in 2018, the HRCA was designed to promote human relations and advise the City Council on issues of equity and inclusion. Its original bylaws required that specific quotas be filled by individuals representing certain demographics, including African Americans, Latinx residents, LGBTQ individuals, youth, residents from each city district, and people with disabilities.
In 2022, facing difficulties filling vacancies, the City Council reduced the commission from 15 seats to 9. With some quotas removed, the city maintained race and identity-based preferences when evaluating applicants…