WECAN Board Meeting Minutes August 2, 2018
Board Members present: Danny Aull, Byron Ballard, Jessie Coleman, Joe
Fioccola, Lynn Hall, Luke Perry and Pattiy Torno. Members not present:
Jared Fischer, Rebecca Lance, Rachel Larson, Floree Lowery, Caroline
Mullis.
INTROS: Joe called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
MINUTES: Byron moved and Lynn seconded a motion to approve the minutes as
emailed. The motion passed.
APD CRO UPDATE: Joe read the update from CRO Justin Wilson by email:
attempted break-in of a home on West Haywood, Burglary on Clingman Ave,
not sure if the two are related. Austin CPA on W Haywood reported vagrants
sleeping, trespassing human waste trash, etc. Homeless camps on the west
side of the river between New Belgium and the dog park are being tended to
including a large scale clean-up and safety improvements. Pattiy added
that RADBA was informed that construction of the FBR greenway is set to
begin soon and no trespassing signs will go up closing the un-built
section until construction is complete. Danny reported that he has
installed a motion activated camera from the front of his house on
Jefferson. He was happy to report that between 12 and 2 and it shows
police patrols but that from 3-5 shows vehicles going to the turn around
and leaving a short while after. He can’t tell if they are doing something
illegal or casing the residences. Pattiy noted that the bathrooms at 14
Riverside weren’t being locked at night. The new security guard unlocked
them on Wednesday at 02:45. They are supposed to be locked from Dusk to
dawn.
DUKE SUBSTATION UPDATE: Pattiy reported that at the Public meeting on
August 1 went well. The plan is to have a working Gas-insulated substation
in service by June 2020. It will be in the northwest corner of the
property and be a brick and rusted steel fenced building with a retaining
wall facing Knoxville Place that is 20 feet at the lowest point. She
thanked the Duke working group who set out parameters and Duke actually
paid attention. Questions arose about noise levels since outdoor
transformers make noise. It is unclear exactly what it will sound like in
decibels or megahertz. Another concern is EMF (electro-magnetic fields).
The science shows exponential drop off with distance and the higher
transmission lines should therefore be safer. There is still some doubt
that things will be right until after it is done. Pattiy acknowledged the
research by Lou Popovich and Mike Wasmer from SFB Neighborhood and says
she is cautiously optimistic. Next month demo and site prep will begin.
Technical Review meets August 15 and will see a floor plan and elevation.
The September Downtown Commission will see refined materials. October it
goes to Planning and Zoning Meeting and in November to City Council.
NCDOT ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENT: Joe received an email on July 22 from Ken
Putnam stating that ‘the NCDOT is now in the process of preparing the
appropriate maintenance agreement for the city’s review and further
action.’
CLINGMAN SATREETSCAPE: Pattiy reported that the city has hired a firm to
maintain the medians all over the city. She will meet with Chad Bandy to
direct them on what needs to be mowed or mulched from the traffic circle
to the Grey Eagle and what the RADBA paid maintenance person can be freed
up to do..
RADTIP: road closures will continue north to the train trestle through
August. Rumor has it that New Belgium won’t be using that route for its
trucks. Pattiy noted a push from Asheville on Bikes to work on the grade
level crossing north of the railroad trestle. Norfolk Southern rejected
one proposal and they are championing a reroute of the greenway/sidewalk
west of White Duck Taco. She noted some funds in RADTIP that may be
available for some changes but what was proposed was too expensive. There
is also some hope for funding the “missing mile” (between the railroad
trestle and Broadway and into Woodfin.)
JESSIE MAE MEMORIAL GARDEN: Planting should occur in September and
October. The edible triangle is also doing well and may need a workday.
MAILING/CONTACT LIST RENEWAL GROUP UPDATE: Pattiy advised that Lee Lance
helped set up a MailChimp WECAN list. It is still a work in progress and
the next meeting is set for August 8.
KUDZU HILL WORKDAY: Sunday August 5 at 5 pm is set for the next workday.
We will try pushing the cuttings up the hill instead of where they aren’t
being picked up by the sidewalk. RADBA is exploring the use of goats to
clear the area. Reclaiming the area from kudzu may take up to five years.
Pattiy hopes to get a large group together with Asheville Green Works and
Riverlink in February for other treatment.
QUEEN CARSON COMMUNITY GARDEN: We need to try and start a fall
planting--maybe broccoli, greens, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, beets.
The rain saucers are working well.
NEIGHBOR/BLOCK JESSIE UPDATES: New House on Girdwood will be a live-work
space. Sylvia Organ has bought Marjorie’s house Floree’s may be under
contract. Jessie moving to High Meadow Drive in Enka and will have a party
when she moves in.
ADOPT A HIGHWAY: Joe received the 20-year stickers and also got a new
orange vest with the 20 years stars on the back.
For future Planning:
August 7: National Night Out S French Broad
September 6: IRS ruling due
October 27: Festival of Neighborhoods,
Jessie Mae planting, General Membership meeting/Social
November: WECAN News
December: Election to WECAN Board
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm
Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola, Secretary
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