Thursday, December 7, 2017

WECAN December 2017 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft


WECAN General Membership Meeting Minutes December 7, 2017  

Board Members present: Katie (for Danny) Aull, Rebecca Lance, Rachel Larson, Luke Perry and Pattiy Torno. 
Members not present Byron Ballard, Jared Fischer, Lynn Hall, Tom Gibson, Mike Kenton, Caroline Mullis, JoAnn Skinner and Suzanne Willis.
At Large Members not present: Floree Lowery and Rafael Rettig.
Also Present: Matt Bacoate, Joe Fioccola, Lee Lance, Charlie Lance, Denise LeJean, Bill McCurdy, Brenda Mills, and APD Officer Justin Wilson.

INTROS: Rachel called the meeting to order at 6:38 pm with a round of introductions and food.  
MINUTES/ TREASURER”S REPORT: Joe noted that corrections to the minutes were sent with the meeting reminder notice. Rachel moved and Pattiy seconded a motion to approve the corrected draft WECAN minutes from November 2. The motion passed. The Treasurer reported no activity in November. Pattiy reported the pass through donation from New Belgium would be about $1300 with $130 going to WECAN for kudzu removal, $260 going to RADBA to offset costs of maintenance of Clingman planting and the balance to RADA for printing the studio stroll guide.

APD/CRO Update: Justin noted a complaint at the dead end of Jefferson Drive about prostitution, loitering and suspicious vehicles. He invited suggestions of creative ideas for dealing with this ongoing problem. He has requested additional lighting and encourages anyone to call if you see suspicious activity. A motion sensor solar light was suggested. Other activity: a car was broken into on Jefferson, a house was either attempted to be broken into or was vandalized on Trade Street. 83 Clingman Ave was broken into again. Trash was rifled through at the end of West Haywood and 67 Clingman was Broken into and the mental person having an episode was caught. Regarding the NEXTDOOR request for help removing camping detritus on land behind Trade Street, Justin recommended not clearing it due to the danger of drug needles there. He advised her to contact DOT to clear it up.

ELECTION TO WECAN BOARD: Rachel noted the current board members:
     Class of 2017:  Mike Kenton, Rebecca Lance, JoAnne Skinner and Suzanne Willis.
     Class of 2018: Byron Ballard, Rachel Larson, Pattiy Torno.
     Class of 2019: Danny Aull, Lynn Hall, Luke W. Perry, Jared Fischer/Caroline Mullis*.
     At Large: Floree Lowery and Rafael Rettig.
Eligible for another term from the Class of 2017 is only Rebecca (since the three others have served two complete consecutive 3-year terms and must rotate off the board for a year per the WECAN by-laws.)
Also since Jared/Caroline are no longer residents they can’t serve as resident board members but may be at-large members leaving an unfilled term in the class of 2019.
Pattiy moved and Rachel seconded a motion to appoint Jessie Coleman, Joe Fioccola and Rebecca Lance to the Class of 2020. The motion passed. There is room for 4 At-Large members to be appointed by the Board in January. Pattiy suggested nominations to consider: Jared Fischer, Floree Lowery, Caroline Mullis, Bill McCurdy and Rafael Rettig.

WECAN 2017 ACTIVITY REPORT:  Joe reported the following events and activity in 2017: Ongoing and over several months: Duke Substation location in WECAN and committed to the smaller Gas Insulated Substation, RAD Form Based Code passed, River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project (RADTIP) begun, Clingman Forest renamed to Bacoate Branch and Greenway renamed, Adopt A Highway 20th Year, Kudzu Hill/ Clingman Avenue Trees replanted, Asheville Comp Plan/ Plan on a Page.     Social Events: Jan: Jessie May’s Birthday, Feb: Kudzu Hill + Luke’s Birthday workday, Mar: Community Garden Network workday Apr: French Broad River Greenway Ribbon cutting + DeeDee Birthday, May: Jessie Nell’s Birthday, July: 14 Riverside Drive Grand Opening + July 4 Party, Aug: Clingman Triangle workday, Oct: Pattiy’s Birthday + Halloween Party, Nov: Newsletter folding party.     Guests at Board meetings: Brian Combs, Lucy Crown, Payne Kissinger, Marsha Stickford, Officer Justin Wilson, and residents: Carolyn Addison, Matt Bacoate, Chris, Susan Haynes, Amanda Paffrath, Travis Smith, Janet Webber. Also Deaths: Pat Crisp’s nephew Billy, Jessie May Jones, Marjorie Vestal’s son Samuel Hartshorn.

BLOCK JESSIE: Luke reported a tree down at the end of Clingman Place. He was referred to mark Foster, city arborist to remove it.

DUKE-ENERGY SUBSTATION:  The last meeting was canceled and process is on hold due to lack of progress on the residential properties.

WECANEWS: Rachel thanked Joe and Byron for writing and Pattiy for getting it printed and Rebecca for organizing distribution

OTHER ISSUES:
----Bill McCurdy is a builder who since 2008 has built several homes on West Haywood Street and wants to subdivide 3 lots there into 5 building sites each with about 30-35 feet of street frontage and off street parking. He will apply for conditional zoning permits.

---- Pattiy is a business owner in the RAD and she is concerned about the communication plan for RAD TIP.  The Business Kit created so far has not been useful except for the RAD Business owners to know who to call @ the city if there is a problem. The larger issue is how is RAD TIP going to handle the disruptions going forward.
the Gateway signs are pretty but subtle.. not exactly what is called for from a roadway sign.  There is $25,000 earmarked for Pole Banner Signs as well as other items… the city has suggested that one of those items should be bringing in speakers from other cities who have gone thru a large infrastructure project.  Pattiy feels that funding would be best spent on digital communication strategies but the COA & the CVB to let everyone (neighbors, visitors & business owners) know, in real time, how to navigate the construction.  Brenda will follow up on this and check about the WAZE app… a possible tool.

----Mr. Bacoate presented a calligraphy card that said: “Yes…! We Can! You all did work hard with a vision to renew and move the West End Clingman Avenue area forward and with inclusiveness! Congratulations on this 20th Anniversary.—Matt-the Bacoates. He explained the importance of the WECAN Board over the years in getting things done.  He was humbled by the naming of the Stream and greenway and noted there are very few historical Negro identity site in this community. WECAN has a broader way of thinking: inclusiveness. He thanked everyone.

----Brenda explained the role and importance of public engagement. They are constantly trying to do better and optimize the best ways to reach people. If there have been delays during the transition she recommended keeping positive with people.

Meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm
Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola, Secretary Emeritus
Important Upcoming Dates:
Dec 15                              NH leaders Roundtable 8:30 @ Riverlink
Jan 4                                Next WECAN Board Meeting Thursday 6:30 pm

WECAN Board Meeting Minutes 4January 2024