Thursday, March 1, 2018

WECAN March 2018 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft


WECAN Board Meeting Minutes March 1, 2018  
Board Members present: Byron Ballard, Jessie Coleman, Joe Fioccola, Rebecca Lance and Rachel Larson.
Members not present: Danny Aull, Lynn Hall, Luke Perry and Pattiy Torno. 
At Large Members not present: Jared Fischer, Caroline Mullis,
Also Present APD Officer Justin Wilson, Mike Vance, John and Lynne Diamond Nigh, Blair Johnstone, Katy Aull and Joanna.
 INTROS: Rachel called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm with a round of introductions.  
MINUTES: Byron moved and Rachel seconded a motion to approve the draft WECAN minutes from February 1. (There was one correction: Byron should have been marked as absent.)  The motion passed.
MOUNTAIN HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES: Mike Vance showed illustrations of a proposed affordable housing complex for the NE corner of Clingman and Hilliard. It will have 5000 sf and 80 apartments most of which will be affordable.  20 will be efficiencies, 40 single bedroom and 20 two bedroom. Only 40 parking spaces will be provided below the building. Technical review meeting is set for Monday March 5 and Downtown Design Review on Friday March 9. They have an option to purchase the property until August and are applying for NC low income housing tax credits along with three other Buncombe county projects.(Only one will be selected.) Question: How long will the apartments remain affordable? All will be to some degree( 30,50 or  60% AMI)  The plan is to keep 60 units permanently affordable if the city approves a loan from the affordable housing trust fund. Question: What about parking? Twenty spaces will be reserved for the office use during the day. Some will be available for rent on 24 hour or night/weekend rate and the apartments will be advertised with no parking but on the bus routes and in walking distance to a grocery store, park, movie theatre, etc. Question: If all the financing is approved what it the timeline for completion? Approval will be known by August. Construction should begin within a year and completion expected by the fall of 2020.
APD/CRO Update: Justin had a follow up on the Code Purple situation.  He advised that the policy was to change effective next Friday. As of then only females and children will be guaranteed space on Code Purple nights. Recent crimes reported include: residential break in at 62 Clingman Avenue through a bathroom window in the afternoon; White Duck Taco vandalism to planters and flower pots; unlocked vehicle broken into near Grey Eagle. There was an observed increase in the use of the dead end of Jefferson as a safe space for prostitution. Rachel reported that a streetlight for that location was in process. Lights, Signs and fake cameras were also suggested.  Jessie reported a man behind her house on Knoxville Place. Rebecca suggested some kind of flyer. Justin will check for Community Watch signs and non-emergency phone number refrigerator magnets.
BLOCK JESSIES: Marjory is moving to Black Mountain from Park Avenue and Josie is moving from Jefferson.
DUKE RIGHT OF WAY: Lynne and John are concerned about activity in the ravine between West Haywood and Club/Trade. Their Club Street home used to look out on a wooded area and that is changing with the development of new houses along West Haywood and the installation of new power transmission poles in the ravine. Duke is also getting ready to cut mature trees inside their property line. Their concern is about not knowing what is going on in this historic area. They question what the plans may be for replanting the area. Rachel offered to research rights of way and easements. Duke power pole installation is set to begin by the end of March and continue through May and June. 
TREASURER’SREPORT: Rebecca explained that the IRS Tax exemption was revoked 7 years ago for failure to file annual forms. There is a process for reinstating the determination but professional accountants will charge $200. Katy offered to consult a friend who is an accountant for not-for profits in Philadelphia.
NCDOT ENCROACHMENT: Joe and Byron have been working with NCDOT about an encroachment agreement to put in a community Garden across West Haywood from Park Avenue.  The application form on line is for utilities. They have contacted Brenda Mills to get with the City transportation department—with contacts at NCDOT to get the city on board as a third party. When that happens we will have an agreement with the city and they will go- between with NCDOT.  Rachel has received a letter of support from Asheville Greenworks and three adjacent property owners who want to maintain smaller portions of the right of way.
JESSIE MAE MEMORIAL GARDEN: Rachel will check with Pattiy and Joanne about getting plants from Jessie Mae’s garden.
QUEEN CARSON COMMUNITY GARDEN:  There was a rainy work day on Sunday. Marjory and Suzanne have sent emails about freeing up their beds. Katy and Danny will take on one and Zac and Lynn will continue their. There is still room available for others interested in participating.
CENTRAL AREA MEETING: Joe announced the Neighborhood Advisory Committee area meeting on Monday March 19 6:30-8:30 pm at Public Works. Rachel will attend. Others?
ADOPT A HIGHWAY: Joe set Tuesday March 18 at 9 am for the next litter pickup meet at Clingman and Hilliard.
KUDZU HILLWORKDAY: set for Sunday March 4 Afternoon?
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm
Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola, Secretary

Leftover from February minutes:
To add to March Agenda: Appointment of at-large members: How to get people involved, to participate, to come to meetings, to give input? Not just a membership drive but some social aspect, face to face, also to begin planning activities for 2018. Invite Payne Kissinger to show plans for 338 Hilliard.

Important Upcoming Dates:
Mar 3                        Lyman Street Cleanup 2:30-4:30 Meet at Greenworks 318 Riverside Dr
Mar 4                        Kudzu Hill workday-afternoon
Mar 5                        Technical Review Committee Meeting on MHO Apartment proposal
Mar 9                        Dntn Design Review Meeting on MHO Apartment proposal
Mar 10             Tree Planting 165 S French Broad 9-1pm
Mar 11                        Daylight Savings time begins
Mar 12                        CAN Meeting
Mar 13                        Adopt a Highway litter pick up 9 am
Mar 13                        Growing From Seed workshop and Tea 6-7:30 at Sow True Seed on Haywood St
Mar 16                        NH leaders Roundtable 8:30 @ Riverlink
Mar 19                        NAC Central Area Neighborhoods Meeting at Public Works
Mar 26                        Transit Master Plan Public meeting
Apr 5               Next WECAN Board Meeting Thursday 6:30 pm

WECAN Board Meeting Minutes 4January 2024