WECAN Board Meeting Minutes February 1, 2018
Board Members present: Danny Aull, Byron Ballard, Jessie Coleman, Joe
Fioccola, Lynn Hall, Rebecca Lance, Rachel Larson and Pattiy Torno.
Members not present: Luke Perry
At Large Members not present: Jared Fischer, Caroline Mullis,
Also Present Amanda, APD Officer Justin Wilson and Sgt Chuck Sams, Duke
Energy Team: Jason Walls, Mike Wojnarowski, Pamela Okelly Lift, David
Weddington, Avery Dellinger, Bob Fitz, Ted Hughey.
INTROS: Rachel called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm with a round of
introductions.
MINUTES/ TREASURER”S REPORT: Rebecca moved and Rachel seconded a motion to
approve the draft WECAN minutes from January 4. The motion passed. The
Treasurer reported on activity in January. The current balance is
$1,072.42. She asked about a requirement to acknowledge donations over
$250 with a letter. Pattiy found that tax exempt status was revoked in
2013 for failure to file a 990 form. She and Lynn will work on getting a
reinstatement and the letter will wait until then.
DUKE POWER POLES: Jason came to report on the rebuilding the transmission
lines to downtown as phase 2 of the RADTIP moving infrastructure. There is
one more foundation left to go in the gully between Roberts Street and the
top of Trade St. There is more tree clearing to be done in the same area.
He explained that the new poles will have horizontal arms which will
locate the lines in the center of the right of way. Avery and the
distribution team will begin in late March to early April working from
Park Ave east. The river crossing near the old Twelve Bones should be
completed by April 23. Then from Trade St east and then Hill Street to
Cherry St and finally completing from Trade St to Roberts St. The two
periods when WECAN will be affected are from May-Jun and connecting up in
early August. Some traffic disruptions are expected but flaggers and cones
should mitigate that and care will be taken about parking near Jefferson
and W Haywood where visibility is limited. If any problems occur he
encouraged to contact him since he is local. Jason Walls: Office:828
258-5019, Cell:803 818-7593 Email: jasonwalls@duke-energy,com. He also
asked for the best way to keep in contact with updates. WECAN webpage,
flyers, FaceBook group, NextDoor and email were suggested as well as
posting the map on the FaceBook page. Overall when the project is
completed there will be a reduction in the number of poles and lights will
be replaced on them. There needs to be a further conversation about
replanting or mulching in the gully.
DUKE SUBSTATION: Jason also noted there has been no change in the
substation planning since October but he plans to call the working group
together soon pushing for a resolution by June.
APD/CRO Update: Jason also noted a lot of people walking on their property
and that the were asked by APD to post ‘no trespassing’ signs and provide
a letter authorizing APD to charge violators. Justin explained that the
rcent fire on Park Avenue North behind Grey Eagle was not being
investigated as arson because the fire started outside the building.
Followint up from last meeting he explained some more information on the 9
assaults that occurred last year. Three were domestics indoors, three were
road rage incidents, one was a robbery of a cellphone at the bus stop, one
was vaguely reported on the Riverlink Bridge and the last was a
disturbance at Greens on Depot Street. He talked to investigators of the
homicide from 2015 and evidence points to it having occurred at the end of
Jefferson. In January there were two break ins of vehicles which were not
locked at 130 Roberts and 146 Clingman and a smash and grab at 185
Clingman (Grey Eagle.) The dog problem on Jefferson has abated for now
even though no action was taken.
There was a question about frequent panhandling at the Craven Street
Bridge and discussion of what constitutes panhandling. Justin posted the
panhandling ordinance on Next Door. Pattiy reported seeing working
girls/sex workers at Aston Park. Joe asked about charging people who
don’t pick up after their dogs.
HOMELESS SITUATION: Sgt Chuck Sams answered questions about the seven day
notice city policy on homelessness. In the next few weeks the Department
will be meeting with stakeholders and looking at revising the policy to
offer police more discretion in moving homeless camps from public property
Pattiy reported a problem from Brian Gompers at the Western Carolina
Rescue Mission during a recent Code Purple. They are supposed to keep
their doors open for all but there were so many more than they could
handle and they lost control inside the building. They asked APD if during
Code Purple could they provide security and were told the cost of off-duty
officers. They were forced to change their participation in Code Purple
event to take no more than ten over their number of beds and then close
their doors. Rebecca asked about there being a neighborhood stakeholder
and how to keep updated on changes for input.
NCDOT ENCROACHMENT: Joe sent an email to Troy Wilson and has not heard
back yet. He could find nothing on the NCDOT website about any
encroachment other than for utilities. He will try calling Troy’s office.
There was discussion about what WECAN wants to achieve. The main thing is
to maintain the area keep is visibly clear—like the billboard company lots
to deter camping there. Rachel asked about clearing brush, lighting
solutions, a privacy fence which may have added to the problem and moving
or privately replacing the NCDOT controlled access fence to potentially
expand the private lots. Pattiy noted it is important to prioritize the
issue with internal discussion. Next steps include reconnecting with Troy
Wilson, asking Brenda Mills if Sanitation can help. Pattiy asked if a
public garden can solve the problem. We have some leverage with the
illegal burying of hazardous waste and should think about other asks such
as kudzu removal on Clingman up to Park Ave or the pedestrian bridge.
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.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm
Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola, Secretary
Important Upcoming Dates:
Feb 12 CAN Meeting
Feb 13 Growing From Seed workshop and Tea 6-7:30 at Sow True Seed on
Haywood St
Feb 16 NH leaders Roundtable 8:30 @ Riverlink
Mar 1 Next WECAN Board Meeting Thursday 6:30 pm
