WECAN General Membership
Meeting Minutes December 7, 2017
Board Members present: Katie (for Danny) Aull, Rebecca
Lance, Rachel Larson, Luke Perry
and Pattiy Torno.
Members not present Byron Ballard, Jared Fischer, Lynn Hall, Tom Gibson, Mike Kenton,
Caroline Mullis, JoAnn Skinner and Suzanne Willis.
At Large Members not
present: Floree Lowery and Rafael
Rettig.
Also
Present: Matt Bacoate, Joe Fioccola, Lee Lance, Charlie Lance, Denise
LeJean, Bill McCurdy, Brenda Mills, and APD Officer Justin Wilson.
INTROS: Rachel called the meeting
to order at 6:38 pm with a round of introductions and food.
MINUTES/ TREASURER”S
REPORT: Joe
noted that corrections to the minutes were sent with the meeting reminder
notice. Rachel moved and Pattiy seconded a motion to approve the corrected draft
WECAN minutes from November 2. The motion passed. The Treasurer reported no
activity in November. Pattiy reported the pass through donation from New
Belgium would be about $1300 with $130 going to WECAN for kudzu removal, $260
going to RADBA to offset costs of maintenance of Clingman planting and the
balance to RADA for printing the studio stroll guide.
APD/CRO Update: Justin noted a
complaint at the dead end of Jefferson Drive about prostitution, loitering and
suspicious vehicles. He invited suggestions of creative ideas for dealing with
this ongoing problem. He has requested additional lighting and encourages
anyone to call if you see suspicious activity. A motion sensor solar light was
suggested. Other activity: a car was broken into on Jefferson, a house was
either attempted to be broken into or was vandalized on Trade Street. 83
Clingman Ave was broken into again. Trash was rifled through at the end of West
Haywood and 67 Clingman was Broken into and the mental person having an episode
was caught. Regarding the NEXTDOOR request for help removing camping detritus
on land behind Trade Street, Justin recommended not clearing it due to the
danger of drug needles there. He advised her to contact DOT to clear it up.
ELECTION TO WECAN BOARD:
Rachel noted the current board members:
Class of 2017: Mike Kenton, Rebecca Lance, JoAnne
Skinner and Suzanne Willis.
Class of 2018: Byron
Ballard, Rachel Larson, Pattiy Torno.
Class of 2019: Danny
Aull, Lynn Hall, Luke W. Perry, Jared Fischer/Caroline Mullis*.
At Large: Floree
Lowery and Rafael Rettig.
Eligible for another
term from the Class of 2017 is only Rebecca (since the three others have served
two complete consecutive 3-year terms and must rotate off the board for a year
per the WECAN by-laws.)
Also since
Jared/Caroline are no longer residents they can’t serve as resident board
members but may be at-large members leaving an unfilled term in the class of
2019.
Pattiy moved and Rachel seconded a motion to appoint Jessie
Coleman, Joe Fioccola and Rebecca Lance to the Class of 2020. The motion
passed. There is room for 4 At-Large members to be
appointed by the Board in January. Pattiy suggested nominations to consider: Jared
Fischer, Floree Lowery, Caroline Mullis, Bill McCurdy and Rafael Rettig.
WECAN 2017 ACTIVITY REPORT: Joe
reported the following events and activity in 2017: Ongoing and over several months: Duke Substation location in WECAN
and committed to the smaller Gas Insulated Substation, RAD Form Based Code
passed, River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project (RADTIP) begun, Clingman
Forest renamed to Bacoate Branch and Greenway renamed, Adopt A Highway 20th
Year, Kudzu Hill/ Clingman Avenue Trees replanted, Asheville Comp Plan/ Plan on
a Page. Social Events: Jan: Jessie May’s
Birthday, Feb: Kudzu Hill + Luke’s Birthday workday, Mar: Community Garden
Network workday Apr: French Broad River Greenway Ribbon cutting + DeeDee
Birthday, May: Jessie Nell’s Birthday, July: 14 Riverside Drive Grand Opening +
July 4 Party, Aug: Clingman Triangle workday, Oct: Pattiy’s Birthday +
Halloween Party, Nov: Newsletter folding party. Guests
at Board meetings: Brian Combs, Lucy Crown, Payne Kissinger, Marsha Stickford, Officer Justin
Wilson, and residents: Carolyn Addison, Matt Bacoate, Chris, Susan Haynes, Amanda Paffrath, Travis
Smith, Janet Webber. Also Deaths: Pat
Crisp’s nephew Billy, Jessie May Jones, Marjorie Vestal’s son Samuel Hartshorn.
BLOCK JESSIE: Luke reported a tree
down at the end of Clingman Place. He was referred to mark Foster, city
arborist to remove it.
DUKE-ENERGY SUBSTATION: The last meeting was canceled and
process is on hold due to lack of progress on the residential properties.
WECANEWS: Rachel thanked Joe and
Byron for writing and Pattiy for getting it printed and Rebecca for organizing distribution
OTHER ISSUES:
----Bill McCurdy is a
builder who since 2008 has built several homes on West Haywood Street and wants
to subdivide 3 lots there into 5 building sites each with about 30-35 feet of
street frontage and off street parking. He will apply for conditional zoning
permits.
---- Pattiy is a
business owner in the RAD and she is concerned about the communication plan for
RAD TIP. The Business Kit created so far has not been useful except for
the RAD Business owners to know who to call @ the city if there is a problem.
The larger issue is how is RAD TIP going to handle the disruptions going
forward.
the Gateway signs are pretty but subtle.. not
exactly what is called for from a roadway sign. There is $25,000
earmarked for Pole Banner Signs as well as other items… the city has suggested
that one of those items should be bringing in speakers from other cities who
have gone thru a large infrastructure project. Pattiy feels that funding
would be best spent on digital communication strategies but the COA & the
CVB to let everyone (neighbors, visitors & business owners) know, in
real time, how to navigate the construction. Brenda will follow up on
this and check about the WAZE app… a possible tool.
----Mr. Bacoate
presented a calligraphy card that said: “Yes…! We Can! You all did work hard
with a vision to renew and move the West End Clingman Avenue area forward and
with inclusiveness! Congratulations on this 20th
Anniversary.—Matt-the Bacoates. He explained the importance of the WECAN Board
over the years in getting things done.
He was humbled by the naming of the Stream and greenway and noted there
are very few historical Negro identity site in this community. WECAN has a
broader way of thinking: inclusiveness. He thanked everyone.
----Brenda explained
the role and importance of public engagement. They are constantly trying to do
better and optimize the best ways to reach people. If there have been delays
during the transition she recommended keeping positive with people.
Meeting adjourned at 8:25
pm
Minutes submitted by Joe
Fioccola, Secretary Emeritus
Important Upcoming Dates:
Dec 15 NH leaders
Roundtable 8:30 @ Riverlink
Jan 4 Next WECAN
Board Meeting Thursday 6:30 pm
