WECAN General Membership Meeting December 4, 2014 at 64 Clingman Ave.
Board Members Present were: Byron Ballard, Jessie Nell Coleman, Joe Fioccola, AnnaBeth Hardcastle, Yuri Koslen, Rachel Larson. Board Members not present were Jeff Carnivale, Tom Gibson, Mike Kenton, Luke W. Perry, Rafael Rettig, JoAnn Skinner, Pattiy Torno and Suzanne Willis. Also present were: Marsha Stickford, Jeff Staudinger, CRO Sean Davis, Django Koslen, Charlie, Rebcca and Lee Lance, Floree Lowery and Cherish.
After food Chair Rachel called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m. with help from Charlie. Joe noted that the first Thursday in January is the first and that we will move the meeting to January 8th. After a round of introductions the draft minutes were approved on a motion from AnnaBeth seconded by Byron. The treasurer's report was incomplete due to expenses for printing and mailing the newsletter, but is around $600. It was suggested that some be made available to neighbors in need. as well as sending an email reminding residents that WECAN has tax exempt status and welcomes their support.
NEIGHBOR/BLOCK JESSIE UPDATES: Some address swapping on Jefferson and sad news that Jeff and Alphie will be moving to Texas. They will be missed.
PARKS MAINTENANCE FACILITY The Assistant Director of Economic and Community Development, Jeff Staudinger was happy to come to meetings and tell what he knows. The second part of his title means to make sure that low-income citizens are served and their needs are taken into account. He explained the City's interest in best uses of their many properties to achieve stability in their budget. Council has also established a priority for the development of affordable housing. In October they decided to find a better place for the Parks and Recreation Maintenance Facility. The first step is to relocate them in a temporary rental facility over the next 4 to 6 years. Then site issues will be explored such as access and egress, access to the (fully funded) greenway, relation to the Tennis Center and some Aston Park protective covenants and engineering potential site issues. Next criteria will be put together for developing the property and a Request for Proposals will be published.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING Jeff explained the needs and challenges of affordable housing. On December 23 a Housing Market Study was due. Jeff said it would be available on the city website sometime in January. AnnaBeth noted that increasing property values, property taxes, gentrification, non-resident developers and house flippers have a severe impact on a community and development of a key property will have ripple effects. So having information helps us feel like we have a voice in what's coming down. Jeff announced that there would be a public meeting in January (date TBA) which will lead to a draft of priorities as they work on the next 5 year plan. They want citizens to weigh in on the best use to affordable housing for the diminishing Community Development Block Grant and HOME funds. He noted the availabliity of information on the HUD Resource Exchange website. CPD Maps show locations of concentrations of government supported public housing and income.
APD/CRO UPDATE: Sean reported there were no serious incidents. That White Duck Tacos had been broken into. He reached out for help in spotting the increase in graffiti at Depot Station and Clingman at Lyman and asked everyone to keep an eye out and report anything suspicious. Joe reported a tent was visible on the east bank of the river south of the Smith Bridge at Craven Street. Also a dirty American Flag was hanging at an angle on the pole at the southwest corner of Craven at Riverside. Marsha reported that the City graffiti plan was extended to September 2015 or until the allocated money was used up. Regarding the DOT-cleared lots by the Pepsi Billboard Marsha is working on getting a regular clearing schedule. AnnaBeth noted less activity on Jefferson and was glad for the drive bys. Byron noted a very good respectful job at the recent Ferguson Rally. She reminded that APD officers are highly regarded in this community. There were many problems lately around our neighborhood with streets being closed or flagmanned. Marsha is working with a new citizens notification system.
Jessie reported that dog walkers have not been picking up dog waste. Marsha suggested contacting Animal Services to see if they have any suggestions.
ELECTION TO THE BOARD: Joe noted that Mike Kenton, JoAnne Skinner and Suzanne Willis were each eligible for a second term. He nominated those three as well as Rebecca Lance to the class of 2017. AnnaBeth seconded and the motion passed. Welcome aboard!
COMMUNITY GARDEN UPDATE: Marsha reported some movement on the proposal next to Asheville Redefines Traffic.Conversations with Nikki Reid and Norman Schenck (manager of Transit) who said it was a good idea. He said there was a transit employee with a tractor who could turn it and that bus drivers welcomed the opportunity to do weeding on their breaks. Marsha talked to Brad Stein in Risk Management and they said we wouldn't need insurance just a signed waiver. She still needs to talk to Ken Putnam. The strategy is to do this as a pilot project: tracking expenses and benefits. The hope is that as we identify partners they may also want to do more of this type of project in the City. Next steps are to compile a list of challenges (ie access to water, potential underground utilities, etc.) then
set a meeting and begin an action plan. Joe noted some pushback from parents who use the space as a playground.
Hopefully, a plan can be implemented by the spring planting season.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
DRAFT Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola.
January 8 Next WECAN BOARD Meeting 6:30 pm at 64 Clingman Avenue
