WECAN General Membership Meeting Minutes Feb 2, 2017
Board Members present: Byron Ballard, Jared Fischer, Rebecca Lance, Rachel
Larson, and Pattiy Torno
Members not present: Danny Aull, Tom Gibson, Len Hall, Mike Kenton, Luke
Perry, JoAnn Skinner and Suzanne Willis.
Also Present: Joe Fioccola, Officer Sean Davis, Officer Justin Wilson,
Rafael Rettig, Lucy Crown and Marsha Stickford.
INTROS: Rachel called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
MINUTES/ TREASURER”S REPORT: Byron moved and Pattiy seconded a motion to
approve the WECAN Minutes from January as distributed with one correction
of the date. The motion passed. Treasurer reported no activity.
APD/CRO Update: Sean showed off a picture of his new daughter. He
introduced Officer Justin Wilson and explained some of the department’s
personnel changes. Marsha added that many departments move personnel
around to expose them to other parts of the community. Sean noted the
theft of tools from a worksite on Roberts St during the lunch hour. There
was a break in at White Duck Taco. There have also been follow ups at
homeless camps in Clingman Forest, Behind Aston Garden Apartments and near
the Boy Scouts building. Rachel advised there were two car break-ins near
Girdwood St. but the victims refused to report them. Sean also reported
that the subject who was attempting to jump off the Bowen Bridge was
successfully taken into custody and committed. Pattiy asked about drug
needles being found and Green Works desire to put sharps containers along
greenways.
BLOCK JESSIES: Jared reported that he had been operating an Air B and B on
weekends until the city gave him notice. He has applied for a Home Stay
Permit. Marsha explained that it was important for safety inspections,
appropriate insurance and reasonable fees. Rebecca requested a
walk-through of the Clingman Forest Greenway. Lucy will notify when the
Greenways Committee does their next one. Rachel noted that Sven and
Melissa were moving from Park Ave after their rent doubled. There was some
discussion of the property tax revaluation impacts.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS: The slate of Rachel for Chair, Jared for Vice Chair,
Rebecca for Treasurer and Byron for Secretary was approved. At-large
members Rafael and Floree Lowery were also approved for a one year term.
APPRECIATION OF NEIGHBORHOOD COORDINATOR: After ten years of service
Marsha Stickford is retiring. She was thanked for her contributions to
WECAN with a card, a “Crackle” elf (for her garden) and a bottle of ‘Side
By Side’ wine. She said she liked coming to WECAN meetings because they
were inclusive, welcoming, fun, and sometimes we cussed. She affirmed that
the city needs people to hold them accountable and encouraged us to
continue. She noted that staff will continue to answer phones, but hiring
her replacement will take a process like that of the new Equity Manager
with a lot of public input and the Neighborhood Advisory Committee will be
involved in writing the job description which will be different from when
she was hired. Then the position will be posted and eventually someone
will be hired, but it could take several months. She directed us to be
clear about what we want and make sure to talk to council about it.
GREENWAYS: Clingman Forest Greenway Renaming proposal. Lucy read the City
Policy for Naming Publicly Owned Properties. Names should 1) carry
geographic, historical or cultural significance, 2) name an individual
associated with the property, the area or a leadership role through
distinguished service (such as Bowen Bridge) 3) name an individual or
organization that has made significant contribution (such as the US
Cellular Center) and 4) avoids duplication, confusion or
inappropriateness. Pattiy suggested that the neighborhood does not want to
honor the name for the forest after someone who supported slavery. She
suggested that the name should be the WECAN Forest--and therefore the
