WECAN Newsletter 2018

 

WECANNEWS 2018

 

WECAN October 2018 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN Board Meeting Minutes October 4, 2018

Board Members present: Danny Aull, Joe Fioccola, Lynn Hall, and Pattiy

Torno.  Members not present Byron Ballard, Jessie Coleman, Jared Fischer,

Rebecca Lance, Rachel Larson, Luke Perry, Floree Lowery, Caroline Mullis.

Also present Gerald Harbinson, Rich Peterson, APD Community Liaison Lt

Chuck Sams, John Steinkraus and CRO Justin Wilson.

INTROS: Lynn called the meeting to order at 6:313 pm with a round of

introductions..

MINUTES: Danny moved and Pattiy seconded a motion to approve the minutes

as emailed. The motion passed.

TREASURERS REPORT: Rebecca reported no activity in September. The balance

is $460.99.

APD CRO UPDATE: Officer Wilson announced that the city has hired a new

Homeless Coordinator. He will invite Brian Huskey to a future WECAN

meeting. A person caught on camera was charged with vandalism to the Jonas

Gerard Studio. A backpack found in the river exploded on a kayak doing a

river cleanup. No one was injured when the portable meth lab detonated. On

September 24 a body was found at a Clingman Avenue job site but it appears

the 53 year old man died of natural causes. An unlocked vehicle was broken

into and the victim also complained about finding syringes in the park. 

Pattiy announced that she has a sharps container if ever needles need to

be disposed. There are no conclusions from studies on whether sharps boxes

or needle exchanges are effective or not. There was a question about

reporting vagrancy or loitering. Justin noted that neither are crimes,

however any suspicious activity can be investigated by officers, even

though many times there is an innocent explanation. A witness saw the

shooting on September 7 near Clingman and Hilliard between two vehicles.

Later a gunshot wound was reported on the Jeff Bowen Bridge.  The victim

survived but is still hospitalized and was not cooperative about the

incident that began at Lee Walker Heights. A tent was reported in the

ravine behind Merritt Park.  There was a question about a gang war.

Apparently there are some gang members in Asheville but no big organized

groups and many conflicts are between individuals who are gang members

rather than between gangs. A question was asked about the crime rate in

Asheville. With no specifics Justin feels the violent crime rate is up and

reminded that on the city website is a community crime map where citizens

can look up different types of reports in geographic areas.

NEIGHBOR/BLOCK JESSIE UPDATES: Ewan Zachary Davis was born to Amanda and

Travis on Jefferson. Another Jefferson resident complained about crazy

drivers. The Curve Studios wwere prepared for hurricane Florence but were

not flooded. Joe noticed a Road Closure sign on Clingman closing Smathers

Lane which apparently runs west from Clingman Avenue .

SAFE STREETS PROPOSAL: Rich and Lyn met with Ken Putnam and the new

traffic Engineer Andrew Cibor about speeding traffic on West Haywood

Street from Hilliard to Roberts. They discussed different ideas about

traffic calming. Step one is to collect data. We are on the tubes

listwhich will tract times of day, speeds and volume.  A traffic count

over a thousand takes you to step two: updating the location and

visibility of the speed limit signs. Step three is to use the ‘your speed

is’ signs and consider other options such as speed humps, or recommending

one way traffic.  Lynn noted the process is ongoing and will report back

on updates.

PROTOCOL FOR BOARD MEMBERSHIP: Joe noted the by-laws are posted on the

WECAN Website explaining the election of board members to three year terms

in November. They elected board selects the roles of officer at the

January meeting. Board members may served up tp two consecutive three year

terms before having to rotate off the board for a year. Among new duties

to be assigned will be for the Chair to publish meeting agenda and the

Vice Chair to publish the minutes and reminders. Pattiy noted the

Communications Committee was working on a plan for organizing distribution

of records and notices. Three who must rotate off in 2019 ate Byron,

Rachel and Pattiy. Two who may serve are Rich or Lesa and Ben. Pattiy

noted we should strive for diversity of all kinds.

From the ByLaws:

V.  BOARD OF DIRECTORS

   A.  The property, affairs and activities of the Corporation shall be

managed by a Board of Directors.

   B.  Directors:

       1.  There may be up to 15 Directors of the Corporation

       2.  There shall be two classes of Directors:

           a.  Resident Directors who must be members of the Corporation

and shall be elected by the membership at its Annual Meeting. 

This class must constitute at least 60% of the Board of

Directors.

           b.  At-Large Directors who shall be elected by the Resident

Directors and shall constitute up to, but nor more than 40% of

the total number of Directors.  The Resident Directors may

from time to time decide on criteria for selecting At Large

Directors, but must provide for representation of WECAN

non-resident property owners.

       3.  TERMS

          a.  Resident Directors shall be elected for three year terms

and shall be organized in annual classes with each class

serving a different three year term.  No Resident Director

shall serve more than two consecutive, three year terms.  Terms

shall begin on January 1, following the Annual Meeting.

           b.  At-Large Directors shall be elected to one year terms at

the January meeting of the Board of Directors.

DUKE SUBSTATION: Duke will appear before the Downtoen Commission on Friday

October 12 at 8:30 on the first floor of City Hall. They are set to go to

Planning and Zoning in December and City Council in January.

NCDOT ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENT: Joe checked back with Ken Putnam and the

agreement has been received from NCDOT but has not heard of progress from

the city.

KUDZU HILL WORKDAY The last two days set were rained out, but the

GreenWorks crew is set to work on Friday October 5 at 10 am. Also regular

scheduled workdays are 5 pm Sunday October 7 and 21.

WECAN NEWSLETTER: The deadline was set for Friday October 26 which just

happens to be Pattiy’s birthday. The following assignments are expected:

Joe: Adopt A Highway, Tax Exemption and Kudzu Cleanup. Pattiy: Duke

SubStation, RADTIP (and photos of Jessie and Kudzu Hill.) Rebecca:

Community Garden Update and Participation Appeal. Rachel: Memorial for

John Weber. Charlie: Cartoon.

RENAMING STREET ISSUE:  The City Street name coordinator affirmed that it

is a good time to rename the section of Park Avenue North behind Grey

Eagle--since no one is currently living there. It is confusing for 911 to

have two discontinuous sections of a street with the same name.  He

received a request from a developer to call it RAD VIEW RIDGE. Pattiy is

concerned about the commercialization aspect and that it contributes

nothing to the neighborhood. She suggested remembering some of the first

River Artists Porge and Lewis Buck and was dismissed. Another suggestion

was Thunder Road which at least relates to the history of place. (The

Robert Mitchum movie was filmed there.) The general feeling is that it

should respect and relate to the neighborhood.

144 RIVERSIDE DRIVE: The Planning and Design Review Committee of the

Asheville Area Riverfront Redevelopment Commission will meet in the 5th

floor of City Hall at 11 am, Monday October 8th. The purpose of the

meeting is to perform Design Review on one or more projects in the Wilma

Dykeman RiverWay corridor, including the Jettie Rae's Restaurant proposal

for 144 Riverside Drive.

FESTIVAL OF NEIGHBORHOODS: Joe announced that the Neighborhood Advisory

Committee event will take place at AB Tech on Saturday October 27 from

10-12 to find out about Plan on a Page, Corridor Plans and Small Area

Plans. Flyer attached.

Meeting adjourned at 8:27 pm

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola, Secretary

Mark your Calendars for upcoming events and meetings

Oct 5                Friday 10 am             GreenWorks Kudzu Hill workday

Oct 7               Sunday 5-6 pm           Kudzu Hill Work Hour

Oct 12             Friday 8:30 am           Downtown Commission Duke meeting

Oct 13/14        Sat/Sun Parade of Homes including 21 Girdwood Street

Oct 13             Saturday                      RAD Second Saturdays

Oct 11             Thursday 6-7 pm        Community Garden Meet Up

Oct 18             Thursday 6-7 pm        Community Garden Meet Up

Oct 25             Thursday 6-7 pm        Community Garden Meet Up

Oct 20/21       Sat/Sun Parade of Homes including 21 Girdwood Street

Oct 21             Sunday 5-6 pm            Kudzu Hill Work Hour

Oct 26                                                 Newsletter copy

deadline

Oct 27             Saturday 10-12            Festival of Neighborhoods AB

Tech

Oct 31             Wednesday 5:30          Halloween Pot Luck at Community

Garden

WECAN September 2018 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN Board Meeting Minutes September 6, 2018

Board Members present: Danny Aull, Byron Ballard, Joe Fioccola, Rebecca

Lance, Rachel Larson, and Pattiy Torno.  Members not present Jessie

Coleman, Jared Fischer, Lynn Hall, Luke Perry, Floree Lowery, Caroline

Mullis. Also present APD CRO Justin Wilson.

INTROS: Rachel called the meeting to order at 6:33 pm.

MINUTES: Byron moved and Pattiy seconded a motion to approve the minutes

as emailed. The motion passed.

APD CRO UPDATE: Officer Wilson reported homeless and drug issues near the

Boy Scouts building.  A BMW with bullet holes left on Clingman Ave was

disabled with a flat tire, but the bullet holes were received at Erskine

Apartments last month. There was an attempted burglary of a power washer

at 63 Clingman Ave. A truck was broken into on Clingman and a laptop and

cash stolen from a vehicle on West Haywood. An officer initiated check on

the end of Jefferson lead to an arrest of two subjects doing drugs. There

was a fight at the Wedge Brewery and a break-in at the Bull and Beggar

also a larceny of a phone at the Wedge. Joe observed a blue tarp covering

some items next to the WECAN sign.. Pattiy noted that Asheville GreenWorks

was placing sharps containers and looking for appropriate places to locate

them. Joe reported that the S French Broad Neighborhood may be interested

in joining WECAN for next National Night Out at Aston Park. Rebecca

observed and reported a painter polluting the storm drain in N Ann Street.

There was some discussion about dealing with prostitution problems around

the city.

TREASURERS REPORT: Rebecca reported mo activity in June, August and

September. In July one check cleared for Community Garden supplies and a

check foe $325 was deposited from Pattiy to cover part of the IRS fees.

The current balance in $460.99. Joe noted that it has been 90 days since

the IRS received the Reactivation application and we should hear very soon

or else in another 90 days.

NEIGHBOR/BLOCK JESSIE UPDATES: No one knows when Jessie is moving. Joe

complained about dog poop in his driveway. Rachel thinks she knows the dog

responsible—since the owner obviously isn’t. Possible solutions were

offered to keep parked cars from

blocking the entrance to 34 Girdwood Street. Rebecca wants to gather the

Jefferson Drive residents to talk about issues there. Byron added Rachel

and Rebecca to the WECAN FaceBook Page Admin. Pattiy explained the

changing of the name of Riverside Drive and all that will entail. Curve

Studios new addresses will be 3, 5 and 7 River Arts Place. A public

hearing will be at City Council on Tuesday September 11. Joe was seen in a

video purportedly from this year’s National Night Out but were actually

from the Clingman Circle Celebration prep days.

MAILING/CONTACT LIST RENEWAL GROUP UPDATE: A date was set for the next

meeting. It will be on September 19 at 6 p.m. at Rebecca’s.

NCDOT ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENT: Joe will check back with Ken Putnam to check

on any progress with the NCDOT.

KUDZU HILL WORKDAY Two successful workdays have been held so far on August

5 and September 2. The first one was so exhausting that the second one was

limited to one hour and scheduled for the first and third (and fifth)

Sundays. Pattiy reported that GreenWorks scheduled a crew to attack the

kudzu and was planning on 2 crews in early March.

QUEEN CARSON COMMUNITY GARDEN: A new couple from Merritt Park moved into

the city and misses gardening. They are building a new bed.   The Tuesday

meeting times have been proving inconvenient. The new Community Garden

meet up time will be Thursdays at 6 p.m.

WECAN NEWSLETTER: the following assignments were made for articles: Joe:

Adopt A Highway, Tax Exemption and Kudzu Cleanup. Pattiy: Duke SubStation,

RADTIP and pfotos of Jessie and Kudzu Hill. Rebecca: Community Garden

Update and Participation Appeal. Rachel: Memorial for John. Charlie:

Cartoon. Neighbor Profile? Patton Apartments?

THANK-YOU’S:  Rachel working on MSD, Jason Walls, Duke Arborist, David

Heetderks.

CLINGMAN TRIANGLE WORKDAY: Set for Sunday September 9 at 9 AM to weed,

trim and spread mulch. (provided by Pattiy)

JESSIE MAE MEMORIAL GARDEN:  Planting will occur in October.

ADOPT A HIGHWAY: The date was set for Tuesday September 25 at 9 AM to do

the Fall clean up and place the new 20-Year stickers and take some

pictures.

COMMUNICATION DISCUSSION: Pattiy noted that other groups are discussing

solutions to timely minutes distribution.  Ideally she thinks they should

go out within a couple of days to a wide audience instead of the current

system (of sending the draft minutes just to the board and attendees.) 

Even posting approved minutes the following month would be too late for

some events. She feels that keeping them in an insular group diminishes

participation. This discussion will continue to seek ways to keep all

members informed of upcoming events

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola, Secretary

Mark your Calendars for upcoming events and meetings

Sept 8               Saturday                     RAD Second Saturdays

Sept 9 Sunday 9-12 am:        Clingman Triangle workday

Sept 11 Tuesday 5 pm             City Council Hearing: River Arts Place

Sept 13             Thursday 6-7 pm        Community Garden Meet Up

Sept 16             Sunday 5-6 pm           Kudzu Hill Work Hour

Sept 19             Wednesday 6pm         Mailing Contact Lists working group

Sept 20             Thursday 6-7 pm        Community Garden Meet Up

Sept 25 Tuesday 9-11              Adopt A Highway Litter Pick Up

Sept 20             Thursday 6-7 pm        Community Garden Meet Up

Sept 30             Sunday 5-6 pm            Kudzu Hill Work Hour

WECAN August 2018 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN Board Meeting Minutes August 2, 2018

Board Members present: Danny Aull, Byron Ballard, Jessie Coleman, Joe

Fioccola, Lynn Hall, Luke Perry and Pattiy Torno.  Members not present:

Jared Fischer, Rebecca Lance, Rachel Larson, Floree Lowery, Caroline

Mullis.

INTROS: Joe called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.

MINUTES: Byron moved and Lynn seconded a motion to approve the minutes as

emailed. The motion passed.

APD CRO UPDATE: Joe read the update from CRO Justin Wilson by email:

attempted break-in of a home on West Haywood, Burglary on Clingman Ave,

not sure if the two are related. Austin CPA on W Haywood reported vagrants

sleeping, trespassing human waste trash, etc. Homeless camps on the west

side of the river between New Belgium and the dog park are being tended to

including a large scale clean-up and safety improvements. Pattiy added

that RADBA was informed that construction of the FBR greenway is set to

begin soon and no trespassing signs will go up closing the un-built

section until construction is complete. Danny reported that he has

installed a motion activated camera from the front of his house on

Jefferson. He was happy to report that between 12 and 2 and it shows

police patrols but that from 3-5 shows vehicles going to the turn around

and leaving a short while after. He can’t tell if they are doing something

illegal or casing the residences. Pattiy noted that the bathrooms at 14

Riverside weren’t being locked at night. The new security guard unlocked

them on Wednesday at 02:45. They are supposed to be locked from Dusk to

dawn.

DUKE SUBSTATION UPDATE: Pattiy reported that at the Public meeting on

August 1 went well. The plan is to have a working Gas-insulated substation

in service by June 2020. It will be in the northwest corner of the

property and be a brick and rusted steel fenced building with a retaining

wall facing Knoxville Place that is 20 feet at the lowest point. She

thanked the Duke working group who set out parameters and Duke actually

paid attention. Questions arose about noise levels since outdoor

transformers make noise. It is unclear exactly what it will sound like in

decibels or megahertz. Another concern is EMF (electro-magnetic fields).

The science shows exponential drop off with distance and the higher

transmission lines should therefore be safer. There is still some doubt

that things will be right until after it is done. Pattiy acknowledged the

research by Lou Popovich and Mike Wasmer from SFB Neighborhood and says

she is cautiously optimistic. Next month demo and site prep will begin.

Technical Review meets August 15 and will see a floor plan and elevation.

The September Downtown Commission will see refined materials. October it

goes to Planning and Zoning Meeting and in November to City Council.

NCDOT ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENT: Joe received an email on July 22 from Ken

Putnam stating that ‘the NCDOT is now in the process of preparing the

appropriate maintenance agreement for the city’s review and further

action.’

CLINGMAN SATREETSCAPE: Pattiy reported that the city has hired a firm to

maintain the medians all over the city. She will meet with Chad Bandy  to

direct them on what needs to be mowed or mulched from the traffic circle

to the Grey Eagle and what the RADBA paid maintenance person can be freed

up to do..

RADTIP: road closures will continue north to the train trestle through

August. Rumor has it that New Belgium won’t be using that route for its

trucks. Pattiy noted a push from Asheville on Bikes to work on the grade

level crossing north of the railroad trestle. Norfolk Southern rejected

one proposal and they are championing a reroute of the greenway/sidewalk

west of White Duck Taco. She noted some funds in RADTIP that may be

available for some changes but what was proposed was too expensive. There

is also some hope for funding the “missing mile” (between  the railroad

trestle and Broadway and into Woodfin.)

JESSIE MAE MEMORIAL GARDEN:  Planting should occur in September and

October. The edible triangle is also doing well and may need a workday.

MAILING/CONTACT LIST RENEWAL GROUP UPDATE: Pattiy advised that Lee Lance

helped set up a MailChimp WECAN list. It is still a work in progress and

the next meeting is set for August 8.

KUDZU HILL WORKDAY: Sunday August 5 at 5 pm is set for the next workday.

We will try pushing the cuttings up the hill instead of where they aren’t

being picked up by the sidewalk. RADBA is exploring the use of goats to

clear the area. Reclaiming the area from kudzu may take up to five years.

Pattiy hopes to get a large group together with Asheville Green Works and

Riverlink in February for other treatment.

QUEEN CARSON COMMUNITY GARDEN: We need to try and start a fall

planting--maybe broccoli, greens, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, beets.

The rain saucers are working well.

NEIGHBOR/BLOCK JESSIE UPDATES: New House on Girdwood will be a live-work

space. Sylvia Organ has bought Marjorie’s house Floree’s may be under

contract. Jessie moving to High Meadow Drive in Enka and will have a party

when she moves in.

ADOPT A HIGHWAY: Joe received the 20-year stickers and also got a new

orange vest with the 20 years stars on the back.

For future Planning:

August 7: National Night Out S French Broad

September 6: IRS ruling due

October 27: Festival of Neighborhoods,

Jessie Mae planting, General Membership meeting/Social

November: WECAN News

December: Election to WECAN Board

Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola, Secretary

WECAN May 2018 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN Board Meeting Minutes May 3, 2018

Board Members present: Danny Aull, Joe Fioccola, Jared Fischer, Lynn Hall,

Rebecca Lance, Rachel Larson, Caroline Mullis, Luke Perry and Pattiy

Torno.  Members not present: Byron Ballard, Jessie Coleman, Also Present:

Bill McCurdy, John and Lynne Diamond Nigh,

INTROS: Rachel called the meeting to order at 6:33 pm.

MINUTES: Joe read his comments during the public comment period of the NAC

Central Area Meeting. Rachel was disappointed in the comments and feels

bad about not showing up. Lynn felt upset reading the minutes and took the

comments about gentrification personally. Pattiy suggested the challenge

was to word it better and not represent it as WECAN’s view of

gentrification.  Lynn sees the challenge as how to manage it better going

forward and engage the neighborhood.  Luke always looks at who benefits

and WECAN helps bring people together. How we participate in the community

is what is important. Jared empathized with both sides and lauded what

Byron and Joe have done for the neighborhood over the decades of service,

care, honor, passion, justice and wants to honor that as well. Dan offered

that everyone want a clean, safe neighborhood without traffic congestion,

and is that wrong? Joe explained that his comments were given at a public

meeting of a committee on which he serves and which is reflected in their

minutes. It came to WECAN minutes as a report on that Central Area

Meeting. It represented his opinion. Lynn moved and Pattiy seconded a

motion to approved the Draft WECAN minutes from April 5 with the assertion

that the comments about the Central Area Meeting did not reflect the

opinions of everyone in WECAN. The motion passed.

CRO Update: Pattiy noted the huge and growing homeless camp on the west

bank of the river. Rebecca noted that CRO Justin Wilson had sent her some

information to pass out about safety.  She will post it on the FB Page and

make some copies to distribute door to door. Two lights have been placed

at the end of Jefferson but no signs about community watch.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Rebecca reported the checking balance was $811.42.

HomeTrust Bank has requested a resolution authorizing them to sent

statements to the treasurer.

Joe Moved and Pattiy seconded the motion to change account information for

the WECAN account at HomeTrust Bank, the WECAN Board hereby adopts the

Written Consent of the Board of Directors document from HomeTrust Bank,

and authorize the WECAN Recorder to deliver a signed copy and copies of

the by-laws, and minutes appointing the treasurer and any other documents

required by the bank.

Joe moved and Pattiy seconded a motion To make the permanent legal mailing

address of WECAN as c/o MHO 64 Clingman Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801 The

motion passed.

Joe moved and Pattiy seconded to adopt draft financial procedures which

call for annual financial reporting, 990 filing and orderly transition of

oncoming treasurers. The motion passed.

Joe moved and Rachel seconded a motion to permit all IRS filings for tax

emption to be available for public inspection by the general public as

required by IRS rules by request on the WECAN Website for a link to the

Google Drive. The motion passed.

Joe moved and Jared seconded a motion to approve payment of the balance of

the $275 fee (including costs for printing and postage) for the

retroactive reinstatement application form 1023 and form 990’s from

2010-2017 supplemented by additional funds donated by Pattiy Torno and

Lynn Hall. The motion passed.

After an explanation of the Reinstatement process a reading was waived of

the Reasonable Explanation for Late Filing and Reasonable Cause Statement

(which were passed around)

Lynn Moved  and Rebecca second a motion to accept the advice of the

subcommittee and all the  documents for the Application for Retroactive

Reinstatement of 501(c )3 tax exemption. The motion passed.

Rebecca noted for information purposes that the subcommittee received

assistance from a friend of Katy Aull who is tax attorney. Rebecca

informed the board that she will acknowledge the assistance and proposes

to name one bed in the community Garden for the late pet dog named Mr.

Burns.

Luke thanked the subcommittee for their work.

REZONING REQUEST at 339 W Haywood St.:  Rachel, Jared and others  attended

and spoke at the Planning and Zoning meeting concerning the proposal to

change the zoning from Neighborhood Business to Commercial Business

Industrial. She reported that unsurprisingly P&Z approved the change and

passed it anyway despite her opposition. She noted that the fight can

continue with public comments at city council meetings, emailing

councilors, further meetings and petitions showing opposition. Joe

observed that the Neighborhood Business zoning was intended to provide a

transition from commercial and residential areas. Some differences are

allowing single family residential and size restrictions. Developers were

asking for some single family which Residential Multifamily 8 units per

acre (RM8) or Commercial Business might allow. There are also issues of

on-site patking and lot sizes. Some presidents like CB1 and some are

afraid of density and traffic. Some like RM8 and NHB. There is not a clear

consensus. Lynn suggested that we develop systems to collect and

disseminate information about issues. In each of the three possible zoning

categories the outcome is unclear. Luke pointed out that P&Z may want

increased density but single family housing has the lowest density.

Rebecca pointed out that traffic will increase under each zoning option.

Lynn suggested a fact-based, unemotional explanation of the issue. Rachel

wants a community survey.

Luke noted the key point is good accurate information spelling out the

trade-offs and explanatory links and bullet points.  Joe inserted that

the Living Asheville Comprehensive Plan was going to City Council in June

and calls for increased density along main travel nodes. People should

look at it on the city website. Also after it is accepted the Unified

Development Ordinance (UDO) will be rewritten and other zoning changes

may emerge. Rachel, Jared and Luke will form a subcommittee to format the

issue with facts. Rebecca observed that the current email list is out of

date and hard to update unless you go door to door and canvassing the

neighborhood works best person-to-person. Perhaps a piece of paper on

every doorstep with a link would work

NCDOT ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENTS: Joe expected Brenda to be at this meeting

with a progress report. There was a vague issue about planting on the

site. Not sure if that is holding it up. Joe repeated that NCDOT did clean

up the site on April 6.

STEPS TO HILLCREST: Luke repeated his concern about the erosion at the

base of the steps that he reported years ago.  Some markings have appeared

at the steps that imply something is being done. He will check with Greg

Shuler at Public Works for an update.

DUKE SUBSTATION: Luke summarized the meeting yesterday which was the first

since October 2017. Pattiy outlined the four basic principles: 1-Alignment

with community goals, 2-Community Benefit (leaving an easement on Clingman

to allow increased lanes for bikes, turning, etc to be developed by the

city after the substation is completed in a public process.) 3-Make it as

invisible as possible and 4-Respectfully deal with residential neighbors.

All four goals are still in play. Luke explained the process the group has

gone through so far and what options and trade-offs have got us to this

point after two years. There is an emotional issue about Jessie’s house

one of the longest occupied in WECAN. There may be some naming opportunity

in future development. He wants it to be documented before it is lost

forever and also to attempt to understand the impact on the neighbor

across the street.

WEST HAYWOOD DEVELOPMENT: Bill McCurdy went to P&Z with the goal of

subdividing 4 lots into 5. They advised they could approve it only if

1-rear access is mandatory, 2-there need to be sidewalks on West Haywood,

3-a requirement for front porches and 4-no driveway cuts on W Haywood.  He

showed an illustration of how it would look with a single space driveway

in each.

Parking on W Haywood is an issue that is being used to justify the ban on

driveways.  John and Jared both have concerns about using the rear access

which would despoil their views from the back of their Club/Trade Street

houses.

MSD NEW LINE: Rachel wants to thank MSD for their work. Pattiy offered to

send a photo and will bring a thank you to the next WECAN meeting.

RADTIP: Road closures begin on Monday. The stop lights between Southern

States and Smoky Park Supper Club will control traffic in both directions

through one lane of the railroad trestle for the next six weeks.

JESSIE MAE MEMORIAL GARDEN; Rachel thanked Pattiy for the face Book

picture of a yellow iris given to her by the late Jessie Mae Jones. She

will reach out to JoAnne Skinner for info on getting plants..

QUEEN CARSON COMMUNITY GARDEN: Wood chip mulch arrived thanks to Duke Energy.

It has been spread to cover the garden paths and around the perimeter. 

Rebecca announced there is room for more gardeners to participate. The

regular meeting is on Tuesdays at 6 pm.

KUDZU HILLWORKDAY: The first will be this Sunday May 6 at 5 pm  starting

at the Roberts Street side to keep the invasive plants off the new

hawthorn trees.

Meeting adjourned at 8:33 pm

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola, Secretary

WECAN April 2018 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN Board Meeting Minutes April 5, 2018

Board Members present: Joe Fioccola, Jared Fischer, Rebecca Lance,

Caroline Mullis and Pattiy Torno.  Members not present: Danny Aull, Byron

Ballard, Jessie Coleman, Lynn Hall, Rachel Larson and Luke Perry. Also

Present: APD Officer Justin Wilson, Brenda Mills, Neighborhood

Communication Manager.

INTROS: Joe called the meeting to order at 6:36 pm.

APD/CRO Update: Justin reported recent crimes in March included a bicycle

theft by a BM 5’-8” dreadlocks from a porch on Jefferson, the theft of two

chained mopeds taken from a yard on Jefferson. Follow up on the Jefferson

turn around area were three calls of suspicious activity: two were for

prostitution but they left before officers arrived and the third found

someone claimed picking nettles for a restaurant. 130 Roberts St, Cypress

Creek had a grab of a cell phone from the desk. A house was broken into on

W Haywood Street through an unlocked ground floor window and a TV and

jewelry was taken. He also showed a snapshot comparison of the locations

of property crimes in March 2017 compared to March 2018. Rebecca asked

about pre-packaged advice for crime prevention. Justin will try to locate

a current pdf notice. Pattiy asked about a traffic incident where cars

parked on Clingman were hit by a blue truck. It was witnessed and drug

related and the driver was charged.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT: Brenda urged WECAN to prepare and think about what we

want to do. NNO is on August 7 and is an opportunity for neighbors to

interact with police and get to know each other. In the past WECAN has

gathered at Aston Park with a cookout and luminaria. In other years there

was a more concentrated event in city-county plaza or Carrier Park with

prizes and hot dogs provided by Target. Last year WECAN opted out and it

also rained heavily. This year a more dispersed observance in

neighborhoods is encouraged. Brenda will send out information and ideas

from other neighborhoods by next week.    There is no fee for a city

permit and applications should be received by late June. We may want to

contact Target directly about sponsorships.

MINUTES: Joe read an amendment to the minutes:

WECAN HISTORY FLASHBACK FROM MARCH 1998: WECAN residents motivate County

officials to initiate a $30,000 cleanup of a 25-year old dumping site at

the intersection of West Haywood and Club/Trade Street.   WECAN Board

members meet with the Asheville Greenway Plan consultants to encourage

neighborhood ravine as possible route for greenway connector from downtown

to the French Broad River, which leads to consultants’ recommendation of

this site.   Letter sent to (and meetings with) Parks and Recreation halts

expansion plans for maintenance facility that is incompatible with WECAN

Neighborhood 2010 Plan   WECAN Board appoints members to meet with

Hillcrest Community to discuss working together on problems affecting both

neighborhoods concerning the bypass walkover bridge.   WECAN adopts

Clingman Avenue through the Adopt a Highway program.   Jared moved and

Pattiy seconded a motion to approve the draft WECAN minutes from March 1

as emailed. The motion passed.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Rebecca reported the March 30 balance was $1072.42.

Following up on the revoked tax-exempt status she noted there are two

options. The first is called a postmark reinstatement which will cost $275

is easy to file with IRS and just reinstates the status from the date of

the postmark going forward but also needs more notifications to donors.

The second is a full retroactive reinstatement when revocations are older

than 15 months and which may cost $600. Pattiy offered to pay the

difference between the $275 and $600 and do the extra paperwork in order

to do the right thing. After discussion it was the unanimous opinion of

those present and 3 absentees to go for the second. There is a deadline of

May 15 to submit the application and a subcommittee of Rebecca, Pattiy and

Joe will meet on Sunday to begin the 6 month application process.

NCDOT ENCROACHMENT: Brenda has talked to Ken Putnam about the neighborhood

maintaining what we call the Melk Garden across from the bus garage and an

agreement with the city is needed like the one the city had for the mural

on N Lexington under the I-240 bridge. The city is the intermediary

between WECAN and NCDOT but NCDOT has a rule against planting on their

right-of-ways. There was some confusion about what the main goal was

(planting vegetables or keeping it clear of campsites.) Brenda will check

with him later this week about current vegetation and Transportation will

begin to draft the agreement with NCDOT and it shouldn’t take long for the

one between the city and WECAN. Rachel noted that NCDOT reneged on

removing trash they buried. Joe noted that Eric at Asheville Green Works

plans to follow up on the illegal process they used but will wait until

after WECAN has our encroachment agreement. [**Joe observed that NCDOT did

clean up the buried debris on April 6**]

DUKE RIGHT OF WAY: Duke’s power pole installation has begun. Some trees

have been removed from the Trade Street ravine others saved and only

trimmed. . Jason had offered wood chips for the community garden and Joe

met with the crew leader on Thursday March 29th and showed him where to

leave a load of wood chips but as late as Tuesday April 3 none were

delivered. Joe ran into Jason on Tuesday and he said he would follow up on

it. Jared was called by Kyra Thompson 828 279-0083 what kind of trees he

would like to be replaced there. He will ask for a medium height native

evergreen tree from their approved list to visually block sight of the

power lines.

MSD NEW LINE: Pattiy noted that MSD has mulched the top at the end of Park

Avenue and noted that trees cannot be replanted within ten feet of the

sewer line on either side. She is in touch with Shane Meadows from MSD

about the replanted Duke tree along Clingman.

RADTIP: April-June road closures: Pattiy reported that starting April 21

the section of Riverside between Craven Street and Hill Street will be

reduced to one lane under the railroad trestle for about six weeks with an

unmanned traffic signal that is triggered when a vehicle approaches from

the north or south.

OWENS-BELL PARK: Joe observed that the lyriope around the metal Owens-Bell

Park sign had been mowed just like the mulch and the mums that were

planted there before. Pattiy offered some corrugated metal that could

serve as a barrier to mowers.

QUEEN CARSON COMMUNITY GARDEN:   Rebecca noted that there is still room

available for others interested in participating. The regular meeting day

is Tuesday at 6 pm. Byron received three water funnel kits ( like the one

in the garden now.) for a community garden that went defunct To complete

use as water catchment we need trash cans and cement blocks. Pattiy moved

and Jared seconded a motion to authorize spending around $50 to complete

them. The motion passed.

CENTRAL AREA MEETING: Joe attended the Neighborhood Advisory Committee

area meeting on Monday March 19. Only five neighborhood representatives

attended from two central neighborhood groups. Joe was disappointed that

the WECAN Chair didn’t show up. He offered that issues of a Duke Energy

substation proceeding in WECAN and three or four large scale apartment

complexes on Clingman Avenue between Hilliard to Patton that when complete

will double or triple the current resident population. A single family

house near his is being listed for almost a half million dollars. When

people pay that much for a house they come with expectations and community

is often not one of them. When gentrification comes-- like it has here, it

destroys community. It increases property taxes and only benefits

residents if they chose to leave and cash out. The next area meeting is in

North area in May. A brief discussion of purpose of meetings for input

rather than from organized group meetings followed.

COALITION OF ASHEVILLE NEIGHBORHOODS (CAN): Joe read an invitation from

CAN to attend their monthly meeting on Monday April 9. They have decided

to waive their 2018 membership fees to encourage participation. Their

meeting will cover neighborhood concerns, election of officers, future

meeting sites, new website and visioning. Pattiy’s experience is that CAN

is not an effective organization. Joe has issues with their membership

fees and they are struggling with their organization. The difference and

overlap between CAN and NAC leads to confusion. Controversial issues

brought to CAN and NAC include noise from businesses affecting residential

neighborhoods, and the road diet for Merrimon Avenue.

ADOPT A HIGHWAY: Last cleanup was on March 13 the next litter pickup will

be in June.

KUDZU HILLWORKDAY: The first was set for Sunday May 6 at 5 pm to keep the

invasive plants off the new hawthorn trees. Green Works will be asked for

use of the tool trailer.

AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBERS:  Joe noted the WECAN By-Laws call for two classes

of membership. The first are Resident Members and the second are At-large

members. Up to 15 may serve in the 60/40 proportion. That means that with

9 current board members there should be 5 At-large members. Pattiy moved

and Jared seconded a motion to appoint Floree and Rafael back as At-Large

Board members. The motion passed Pattiy will ask Joe Faffy if he is

interested in serving.

RAD BANNERS: Pattiy explained a MOU between the city, RADA and RADBA which

allocates $25,000 to maintain vitality in the River Arts District during

the construction on RADTIP. Enthusiastic response was shown for 114

way-finding pole banners color-coded to the guide map with different

images and sponsors. They will go up in the next two weeks. Some of

Riverside should be done by June and due to loss of some parking at Jean

Webb Park there will be more parking under the Bowen Bridges and some

detours when apartments are constructed.

DUKE SUBSTATION: Pattiy heard from Jason that he is ready to reconvene the

working group which hasn’t met since September. Some progress has been

made on Knoxville Place with assurances that they are ‘looking after the

residents’ and had made contact with Mr. Harrison and expect to close by

August. Duke is ready to move forward.

BLOCK JESSIES: Jared’s neighbor gave up on dealing with the damage to his

house from the broken fire hydrant.  Joe observed that it was 23 years ago

this day that fire destroyed the Asheville Cotton Mill and Chesterfield

Mill. Also that tree removal had begun on Girdwood Street next to the

Davens. With all the trees removes he considered changing the street name

to “Gird.”  Pattiy explained that when RADTIP is complete her road would

be renamed River Arts Row and be one way north bound and need new

addressing for Curve Studios and 14 Riverside Drive. There will also be

artist housing north of Curve Studios and some realignment of Riverside

Drive by the Old Wood Co.

Meeting adjourned at 8:32 pm

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola, Secretary

Important Upcoming Dates:

April 9 CAN Meeting 7 pm

April 17 Opioid Crisis-A Call To Action @Dr Wesly Grant Cntr 285

Livingston St 6-8 pm

April 20 NH leaders Roundtable 8:30 @ Riverlink

May 3    Next WECAN Board Meeting Thursday 6:30 pm

May 6 Kudzu Hill workday-5 pm

LIVING ASHEVILLE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: The final draft is published and

there are several public meetings scheduled before it goes to City Council

for adoption in May.

WECAN March 2018 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN Board Meeting Minutes March 1, 2018  

Board Members present: Byron Ballard, Jessie Coleman, Joe Fioccola, Rebecca Lance and Rachel Larson.

Members not present: Danny Aull, Lynn Hall, Luke Perry and Pattiy Torno. 

At Large Members not present: Jared Fischer, Caroline Mullis,

Also Present APD Officer Justin Wilson, Mike Vance, John and Lynne Diamond Nigh, Blair Johnstone, Katy Aull and Joanna.

 INTROS: Rachel called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm with a round of introductions.  

MINUTES: Byron moved and Rachel seconded a motion to approve the draft WECAN minutes from February 1. (There was one correction: Byron should have been marked as absent.)  The motion passed.

MOUNTAIN HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES: Mike Vance showed illustrations of a proposed affordable housing complex for the NE corner of Clingman and Hilliard. It will have 5000 sf and 80 apartments most of which will be affordable.  20 will be efficiencies, 40 single bedroom and 20 two bedroom. Only 40 parking spaces will be provided below the building. Technical review meeting is set for Monday March 5 and Downtown Design Review on Friday March 9. They have an option to purchase the property until August and are applying for NC low income housing tax credits along with three other Buncombe county projects.(Only one will be selected.) Question: How long will the apartments remain affordable? All will be to some degree( 30,50 or  60% AMI)  The plan is to keep 60 units permanently affordable if the city approves a loan from the affordable housing trust fund. Question: What about parking? Twenty spaces will be reserved for the office use during the day. Some will be available for rent on 24 hour or night/weekend rate and the apartments will be advertised with no parking but on the bus routes and in walking distance to a grocery store, park, movie theatre, etc. Question: If all the financing is approved what it the timeline for completion? Approval will be known by August. Construction should begin within a year and completion expected by the fall of 2020.

APD/CRO Update: Justin had a follow up on the Code Purple situation.  He advised that the policy was to change effective next Friday. As of then only females and children will be guaranteed space on Code Purple nights. Recent crimes reported include: residential break in at 62 Clingman Avenue through a bathroom window in the afternoon; White Duck Taco vandalism to planters and flower pots; unlocked vehicle broken into near Grey Eagle. There was an observed increase in the use of the dead end of Jefferson as a safe space for prostitution. Rachel reported that a streetlight for that location was in process. Lights, Signs and fake cameras were also suggested.  Jessie reported a man behind her house on Knoxville Place. Rebecca suggested some kind of flyer. Justin will check for Community Watch signs and non-emergency phone number refrigerator magnets.

BLOCK JESSIES: Marjory is moving to Black Mountain from Park Avenue and Josie is moving from Jefferson.

DUKE RIGHT OF WAY: Lynne and John are concerned about activity in the ravine between West Haywood and Club/Trade. Their Club Street home used to look out on a wooded area and that is changing with the development of new houses along West Haywood and the installation of new power transmission poles in the ravine. Duke is also getting ready to cut mature trees inside their property line. Their concern is about not knowing what is going on in this historic area. They question what the plans may be for replanting the area. Rachel offered to research rights of way and easements. Duke power pole installation is set to begin by the end of March and continue through May and June. 

TREASURER’SREPORT: Rebecca explained that the IRS Tax exemption was revoked 7 years ago for failure to file annual forms. There is a process for reinstating the determination but professional accountants will charge $200. Katy offered to consult a friend who is an accountant for not-for profits in Philadelphia.

NCDOT ENCROACHMENT: Joe and Byron have been working with NCDOT about an encroachment agreement to put in a community Garden across West Haywood from Park Avenue.  The application form on line is for utilities. They have contacted Brenda Mills to get with the City transportation department—with contacts at NCDOT to get the city on board as a third party. When that happens we will have an agreement with the city and they will go- between with NCDOT.  Rachel has received a letter of support from Asheville Greenworks and three adjacent property owners who want to maintain smaller portions of the right of way.

JESSIE MAE MEMORIAL GARDEN: Rachel will check with Pattiy and Joanne about getting plants from Jessie Mae’s garden.

QUEEN CARSON COMMUNITY GARDEN:  There was a rainy work day on Sunday. Marjory and Suzanne have sent emails about freeing up their beds. Katy and Danny will take on one and Zac and Lynn will continue their. There is still room available for others interested in participating.

CENTRAL AREA MEETING: Joe announced the Neighborhood Advisory Committee area meeting on Monday March 19 6:30-8:30 pm at Public Works. Rachel will attend. Others?

ADOPT A HIGHWAY: Joe set Tuesday March 18 at 9 am for the next litter pickup meet at Clingman and Hilliard.

KUDZU HILLWORKDAY: set for Sunday March 4 Afternoon?

Meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola, Secretary

Leftover from February minutes:

To add to March Agenda: Appointment of at-large members: How to get people involved, to participate, to come to meetings, to give input? Not just a membership drive but some social aspect, face to face, also to begin planning activities for 2018. Invite Payne Kissinger to show plans for 338 Hilliard.

Important Upcoming Dates:

Mar 3                        Lyman Street Cleanup 2:30-4:30 Meet at Greenworks 318 Riverside Dr

Mar 4                        Kudzu Hill workday-afternoon

Mar 5                        Technical Review Committee Meeting on MHO Apartment proposal

Mar 9                        Dntn Design Review Meeting on MHO Apartment proposal

Mar 10             Tree Planting 165 S French Broad 9-1pm

Mar 11                        Daylight Savings time begins

Mar 12                        CAN Meeting

Mar 13                        Adopt a Highway litter pick up 9 am

Mar 13                        Growing From Seed workshop and Tea 6-7:30 at Sow True Seed on Haywood St

Mar 16                        NH leaders Roundtable 8:30 @ Riverlink

Mar 19                        NAC Central Area Neighborhoods Meeting at Public Works

Mar 26                        Transit Master Plan Public meeting

Apr 5               Next WECAN Board Meeting Thursday 6:30 pm