WECAN Board Meeting September 4, 2014 at 64 Clingman Ave.
Board Members Present were: Byron Ballard, Joe Fioccola and Rachel Larson. Board Members not present were Jeff Carnivale, Jessie Nell Coleman, Tom Gibson, AnnaBeth Hardcastle, Mike Kenton, Yuri Koslen, Luke W. Perry, JoAnn Skinner ,Pattiy Torno and Suzanne Willis. Also present were: Marsha Stickford, CRO Sean Davis, Rafael Rettig and Chandler Fritz.
Chair Rachel called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.
MINUTES: The Draft August minutes were approved as distributed.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION MASTER PLAN: The plan has been completed and is available for review. (Final Draft of 134 page report attached) After reading a lot of it Joe was disappointed that the focus was more on monetizing historic preservation in terms of increasing property values, using tax credits, increasing investment and enhancing business rather than honoring and respecting the history that brought us here or preservation for its own sake. On page 39 of that report it states "The strategic operating plan for the city currently calls for an update of the WECAN Plan, which is now going on twenty years old." While it is on their radar, Marsha explained that momentum for WECAN Master Plan updating should pick up when a new Planning Director is hired. That process may take several months or else neighbors can get together sooner and start the ball rolling.
APD/CRO UPDATE: Homeless campsites were reported on the NW corner of Clingman and Hilliard under the apple trees and north of the new stop sign on West Haywood at Park Ave. Sean advised that a miscommunication had put out that the city tolerated an 'interstate campground' and also camping by the river. Both of those are incorrect and Sean has been working to get the word out and the campsites should be all cleared out in the next 3-4 weeks. He also received complaints about vehicles parking in the bicycle lane on Wednesdays at the River Arts District Tailgate Market next to All Souls Pizza but that their organizers were helping to warn people there. Rachel reported several aggressive subjects in the area of Grove St and Hilliard. Joe asked who was responsible for maintaining the vegetation at the turn around guard rail at the end of Jefferson, and also the overgrown strip at the stone wall by the new stop sign on West Haywood. Marsha explained that DOT resists coming into the city to maintain their right of ways. She also noted a recent article in the Citizen Times reporting that Norfolk Southern Railroad had recently sold several miles of its track. This may or may not account for car horn noise in the area.
NEIGHBOR/BLOCK JESSIE UPDATES: Eggs have been laid, elderberries have been harvested, and ducks have been raised and Karl Daven has been wandering.
STORM WATER PROBLEM: Rafael has been in touch with architects, storm water technicians and the Middle School officials and has not received any satisfactory answers to the problem of storm water run off behind the middle school into the stream in Clingman Forest. There are issues of reducing the speed of the runoff which may be abated by a couple of sediment ponds on the upper end and by a rock filled pit which may reduced speed incrementally. There is also a question of the volume of water flowing from two 48 inch lines feeding into one 36 inch line and the flooding problems caused when they back up. He noted there is an opportunity for the city to be proactive and responsible and do the right thing rather than kick the can down the road for others to deal with in the future. Marsha again suggested he set up a face to face meeting. Byron suggested a letter of concern from the neighborhood.
PARKS AND REC MAINTENANCE FACILITY: Marsha reported that RFP's would go out but there is no push to move immediately. Probably in January the move should be complete.
ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION: Joe noted the dwindling attendance at board meetings. Rachel expressed a desire for more social interactions and would put it out on Face Book, and Next Door. Byron offered the idea of a Halloween event such as a Jack-o-Lantern Carving contest. Rachel suggested a group yard sale.
WEST HAYWOOD STONE WALL REPAIR. Marsha located the Granite Curbstone Agreement with Jerry Yates. They are located at Azalea Park. She noted that the city was working on budgeting to contract for median maintenance in a few select areas such as gateways and high visibility areas such as Clingman Avenue from the Grey Eagle to the traffic circle.
GREENWAY FUNDING: Rachel reported that the grant which was applied for would be announced in October.
GENTRIFICATION STUDY The final report was completed. The 65 page report is attached. The report has policy suggestions. Marsha noted that there is an active Affordable Housing Advisory Committee that is developing specific recommendations.
ASTON PARK TENNIS FEES: Marsha reported that on Ashevillenc.gov the 'City Projects' button has a link to 'Aston Park Tennis Center Public Comment' which will also link to a survey.
ADOPT A HIGHWAY LITTER PICK UP: was set for this Sunday September 7 at 10 am. Cool orange vests will be provided.
GARDEN CLUB WEDNESDAYS: After the article and photo in the Mountain Xpress on August 20-26 the Garden Club will continue in September. The projects for the three Wednesdays will include The west side of Rector at Hilliard, the turn around at the end of Jefferson and the abandoned strip by the new stop sign. Look for the new sign with the times on site on Tuesdays.
COMMUNITY GARDEN: Marsha met with the Agricultural Extension and they were only interested in education. She will contact Asheville Sustainable Agriculture Project next. One aspect of the delay is that by approving a unique project in one place it may establish a precedent that is not sustainable elsewhere in the city. So work continues on a template that will work everywhere. "The Draft City Council Strategic Operating Plan 2014 : Focus Area 3: High Quality of Life: Goal 2: Encourage policies and development that improves public health and safety for City of Asheville employees and citizens: Action item : Pursue implementation of the Food Action Plan, including public/ private partnerships to create community gardens and farmers markets on publically owned land, to ensure all citizens have access to affordable healthy food options." Marsha identified two aspects of the situation: urban farming and community gardening. The first involved lease agreements such as the farmers market at Public Works which is leased at a nominal fee. The other: community gardens has yet to develop a process such as a 'community garden summit' gathering to organize and guide it. She advised that the city was willing to participate and make land available but not to organize and run it.
CITY 123 GRAFFITI FREE ASHEVILLE CAMPAIGN: Marsha noted that the October 1 deadline may be extended.
The meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
DRAFT Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola.
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UPCOMING EVENTS THIS MONTH:
Wednesdays 2-6 RAD Tailgate market next to 175 Clingman Ave
Sept 6 Riverlink and Big Sweep River Clean up @ Zen Tubing
Sept 11 AARC meeting @ Chamber 4 pm
Sept 12 Rivermusic 1-7 pm
Sept 13 Second Saturday in the RAD
Sept 10 Garden Club Wednesdays
Sept 12-13 GOOMBAY Festival Pack Square Park
Sept 17 Garden Club Wednesdays
Sept 19 Fall planting with Bill Jones @ Riverlink Office 3-5 pm
Sept 23 RADBA meeting
Sept 24 Garden Club Wednesdays
October 2 WECAN Board Meeting 6:30 at 64 Clingman Avenue
Every Friday Night Classic World Cinema 8 pm upstairs at Phil Mechanic Studios Free!
