WECAN
Board Meeting May 5, 2016
Board
Members present: Byron Ballard, Joe Fioccola, Rebecca Lance, Rachel Larson, Luke Perry and Pattiy Torno. Members not present: Jessie Nell Coleman, Tom Gibson, AnnaBeth Hardcastle, Mike Kenton, Yuri Koslen,
Floree Lowery, JoAnn Skinner and
Suzanne Willis. Also present: APD Officer Lucas
Lovelace and Marsha Stickford. Rachel called the meeting to order
at 6:36 pm
MINUTES: Minutes of April meeting were approved as emailed
on May 5with the 5 points on the Pollinator Agreement corrected. TREASURER'S REPORT: Rebecca read
a report from the Treasurer. The outstanding reimbursement for the November
WECAN News was paid and the balance is around $600 and AnnaBeth is still trying
to get the monthly statement charges removed.
APD/CRO UPDATE: Lucas reported
that in April there was an incident of the Boy Scout’s flag being removed and
burned. All leads have been exhausted. Also three homeless campers were removed
about three weeks ago. Two were new arrivals in the area thinking it was okay
to set up camps. There were no car break-ins in WECAN in April but there were
several in the North area. Please keep locking and unloading valuables. The
Downtown Unit arrested two graffiti taggers on some 40 charges. Pattiy asked about a noise problem at 4
AM from the dumpster at the Wedge. She was encouraged to call it in to the
non-emergency police number (828 252-1110) even if they are moving quickly.
More information always helps such as name of company and direction of travel
but violations of the noise ordinance are taken seriously and the companies are
aware of it and will be called. The noise ordinance is in effect from 11 pm to
7 am and applies to regular businesses such as bars and breweries, construction
sites and even lawn mowing. Rachel asked about an animal control issue. Leash
laws do apply everywhere in the city but ‘invisible fences’ are allowed on
private property. All animals should be registered with the city with proof of
rabies shots. This can be done on line. Marsha affirmed that the city was working
on better communication and signage for all the new construction disruptions
and delays expected in the coming months. There is Everbridge-- a reverse 911
system that can address specific geographic areas. People can also sign up for
Citizen Alerts and specify how they want to be contacted. There was a question
about the expanded use of NextDoor.com by the Sheriff’s Department. Marsha
noted that the Police and Fire were now pushing some information to specific
areas but were not overdoing it. She will review who all else is using it. Luke
asked about markings on the streets of West Haywood and Hilliard. They are
survey points by a contractor for Duke Progress for proposed new higher power
poles. It is not clear if they will run to a new sub-station on Hilliard at
Asheland or not. Marsha suggested we ask Steph Monson to get Duke to come to a
WECAN Meeting and talk to us about their plans. Joe reported that a recent Adopt
a Highway cleanup revealed more sleeping sites behind the WECAN sign and under
the bushes across Hilliard. BLOCK JESSIES: Joe announced that Luke has passed inspection and had moved into 6
Rector Street. He moved that Luke’s membership in WECAN change from At-Large
to Resident Board member--since Yuri has moved out of WECAN leaving a vacancy
on the board. The motion passed. Rebecca asked about a
traffic issue for eastbound traffric on Hilliard who have difficulty turning
north on Clingman due to backed up oncoming traffic. Marsha will ask Jeff to
devise a strategy to address it. Luke asked for more regular updates on the
large developments such as Patton Place Apartments, Hotel or apartments at
Meeker Volvo, and Meehan Maintenance Facility. Marsha will ask Alan Glines to
keep us informed. Luke also asked about bad patching and paving on Haywood
Street at the new Hyatt Place Hotel and on Hilliard across from CED. They are a
hazard for bicyclists and motorists.
EDIBLE
PLANTING PROPOSAL: Pattiy
reported that Gabi White had been to RADBA with a $1000 grant proposal to put
in an edible planting in the clear area near Grey Eagle. RADBA already pays $2100 a year to
maintain plantings there and they care about what goes in and want a say in
what and where and how. Pattiy and Matt Sprouse had volunteered to help but
were rudely cut out of the process.
Marsha observed that Amber Weaver is trying to develop a program like in
Decatur but there needs to be a maintenance agreement (such as partnerships
with Asheville Green Works or Be City) There needs to be a plan and it needs to
be approved and it should come before WECAN first if it wants to happen inside
the WECAN area.
PLAN ON A PAGE: Rachel
attended the drop in work session on April 19 and is working on answering the
questions which are due by May 15.
RAD
FORM BASED CODE: Comments
can be still be made but only until Sunday May 8 at ‘Open City Hall” online. There
are links to the report and background information, and questions to consider.
More weight is given to comments of property owners in the River Arts District
but all comments are taken seriously especially if the code impacts areas
outside the district. Sasha Vrtunski is in charge of Equitable Development for
the greater community and needs to know the impact to WECAN and viewsheds,
traffic, noise, etc. and also what the benefits are.
WECAN
GARDEN CLUB: Joe suggested that the Gardners meet on the second and
fourth Wednesdays from May to November—weather permitting. They are working on
a priority list and are open to suggestions.
WECAN
COMMUNITY GARDEN: A general meeting has been called for Saturday May 7 at
Noon on site to sign waivers, assign beds, and plant donated starts. The
pollinator garden on the west side of the driveway has been planted and the
blueberry bushes should arrive soon for the east side. Cardboard and more mulch
are scheduled to keep the paths clear.
PLAN FOR 2016:
Joe reminded that the semiannual WECAN General Membership Meeting should be at
the June 2 meeting. Marsha also
announced that National Night Out (first Tuesday in August) were encouraging
neighborhood projects rather than centralized activities.
ASTON
PARK MASTER PLAN: Looking for
reactions Joe thought some of the language was arrogant and officious. Also the
document was incomplete—lacking the site plan and philosophy or rationale or
definitions of ‘passive park’ and of course ignoring the community input (which
asked for swings.).
STAND
AGAINST RACISM: the DOT removed and will
continue to remove anything suspended from the pedestrian crossing signal
poles. The banner was returned to Mountain Housing and Barb Mee offered to get
some temporary poles for the hanging of such banners.
MELK
ORCHARD: Joe and Byron will meet on
Tuesday at 9:30 with Eric from Asheville Green Works and a representative from
the NCDOT about a proposal for placement of an orchard across from Asheville
Transit --initially proposed in 2013. The wheels of progress grind exceedingly
slow.
WILMA DYKEMAN BIRTHDAY PARTY:
Marsha invited everyone to attend on Friday May 20th 4-6 pm at the
Jean Webb Park.
Meeting
adjourned at 7:50 pm Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola
