WECAN General Membership Meeting
and Pot Luck Minutes December 6, 2018
Board Members present: Byron Ballard, Joe Fioccola, Lynn Hall, Rebecca
Lance, Rachel Larson and Pattiy Torno. Members not present Danny Aull, Jessie Coleman, Jared
Fischer, Luke Perry, Floree Lowery, Caroline Mullis and Also present Matthew
Bacoate, Sherrod
Barnes-Ginifer, Gerald Harbinson, David Heetderks, Luella Heetderks, Charlie
Lance, APD Community Liaison Lt. Chuck
Sams, Shelly Schenker, Sandy Sox, CRO Justin Wilson.
INTROS: Rachel called the meeting
to order at 6:30 pm following a great pot luck that began at 5:30. Pattiy reported the latest suggestion for a
new name for the Park Avenue N section off Roberts Street is ‘Artful Way.’
Those present voiced no objection to it.
MINUTES: Lynn moved and Rachel seconded
a motion to approve the November 1 minutes as emailed. The motion passed.
APD CRO UPDATE:
Officer Wilson followed up on a report of
95 Roberts Street being unsecured. The owners
are hired security to check it a few times a week. He also followed up on
report of trash at a campsite near the Hillcrest walkover bridge. There was a homeless encampment there and he
has about half of them moved off and notified NCDOT to clean up the detritus
left behind. He contacted Jason Walls
from Duke Energy about the lighting being turned off at 252 Patton Ave and
recommended that he contact WECAN about lighting needs. There was not a lot of crime this month. Five
break-ins were reported: two at Clingman Lofts (one arrest was made) two across
the street and one further down Clingman. All that was taken was an Xbox and
some loose change. Regarding traffic 27 cars have been stopped inside WECAN
boundaries (mostly on Roberts, Hilliard and West Haywood) and an additional 26
on Hilliard intersections east of Clingman. He had a talk with the supervisor
who then spoke to the manager at Asheville Redefines Transit about busses
speeding. The results from the ‘Your Speed is” sign will come after the first
of the year. Rebecca let Justin know that the residents on Jefferson appreciate
what APD is doing.
WEST PATTON UPDATE:
Pattiy brought up a health and safety problem on what is being called West Patton which is loosely defined as the Central Business District’s western area. She was asked to help and met with Jan Davis, Jeremy Goldstein, Dana Frankel and Brenda Mills about a problem of some homeless people who are fed breakfast at the WNC Rescue Mission but don’t have a place to relieve themselves afterwards have been going outside the back of those businesses to do their business. (i.e. defecation) They want to expand the next meeting to include more area businesses to compile some action steps and compassion building rather than more policing. They want to follow that meeting with one which includes service providers. Brian K. Huskey should also be asked to attend future meetings.
Pattiy brought up a health and safety problem on what is being called West Patton which is loosely defined as the Central Business District’s western area. She was asked to help and met with Jan Davis, Jeremy Goldstein, Dana Frankel and Brenda Mills about a problem of some homeless people who are fed breakfast at the WNC Rescue Mission but don’t have a place to relieve themselves afterwards have been going outside the back of those businesses to do their business. (i.e. defecation) They want to expand the next meeting to include more area businesses to compile some action steps and compassion building rather than more policing. They want to follow that meeting with one which includes service providers. Brian K. Huskey should also be asked to attend future meetings.
NEIGHBOR/BLOCK
JESSIE UPDATES: Rebecca reported that 31 Jefferson is still for sale, and that she and
Charlie attended the dedication of the Trash Trout sculpture has been installed
near the boat dock. She found that the sculptor, David Earl Tomlinson, also
lives in WECAN at 11-B Park Avenue N. Jean Webb was there and people talked
about what inspired them. The neighbor known as ‘Pete’ Basset was in the
hospital with pneumonia but was getting better and loves to talk to people. Joe
noted that Austin CPA on West Haywood next to Jolie De Shays was adding a story
to that building. And that Duke was removing smaller wooden power poles on West
Haywood. Luella observed trash on the Duke property. Pattiy heard from Janet
Webber that John’s house was under contract. Gerald asked about the I-26
Connector maps showing a greenway near WECAN. He will draft a proposal to connect
WECAN to the proposed greenway. The deadline for comments to NCDOT is January
4, 2019 and can be made on line or in writing and no preference is given to
comments from organized groups. They say that all comments carry the same
weight. Rachel will post on Face Book about the deadline for public comment.
TREASURERS REPORT: Rebecca reported no
activity in November. The balance is still $460.99 and two donations were
received tonight. The IRS confirmed a retroactive reinstatement of the 501(c) 3
tax exempt status on November 1, 2018.
BOARD MEMBER ELECTION: Joe noted there are currently 5 vacancies. There are
2 years remaining on Jessie Coleman’s term, 1 year remaining on Luke W. Perry’s
term and 3 openings on the Class of 2021. Several names were considered and
Lynn nominated Rich Peterson, Lesa
Peterson, Sandra Sox and Sherrod Barnes-Ginifer as Resident Board Members
and Shelly Schenker as an At-Large
Member. Rachel seconded. And the motion passed.
ACTIVITY IN 2018: Joe
reported the following Events:
Jan: NCDOT/Burying trash Feb:
Duke Power Poles/Ravine Mar: MHO Apartments, Central Meeting Apr:
Tax Status reinstatement, Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods, May: Adopt formal financial procedures,
Dangerous steps to Hillcrest, Rezoning 339 W Haywood St, June:
Conditional Use 439 W Haywood St, Parking 415 W Haywood St, Jessie 80th
Birthday Party July: West Haywood rezoning/Conditional
use ,MSD line, Aug: Duke Public Meeting,
Kudzu Hill Sep: Clingman Triangle,
Jessie moves Oct: Festival of
Neighborhoods, Halloween Social Nov:
IRS Retroactive
reinstatement granted, Newsletter printed
Dec:
Annual meeting/Election to Board
Guests: Matt Bacoate, Lee Lance, Charlie Lance,
Denise LeJean, Bill McCurdy, Brenda Mills, Justin Wilson, Chuck Sams, Carri
Petler, Troy Wilson, Jason Walls, Mike Wojnarowski, Pamela OKelly Lift, David
Weddington, Avery Dellinger, Bob Fitz, Ted Hughes, Mike Vance, John and Lynne
Diamond-Nigh, Blair Johnstone, Katy Aull, Joann, Ben Butler, Brian Haynes,
Susan Haines, Nancy Rohan, Gerald Harbison, Sandra Sox, Rich Peterson, John
Steinkraus, Sherrod Barnes-Ginifer, Lane Blackwell, Brian K. Huskey.
Ongoing Activity: Adopt A Highway 20 years, Communication:
Listserve/Mailchimp/Newsletter
Community Liaison Officer Gardening: Queen Carson Garden, Ninja Kudzu Hill, Owens Bell
Park, Sign Garden, Edible Triangle,
Encroachment Agreement Homelessness
Issues: Duke Substation Construction, Payne Kissenger
Apartments, MHO apartments, RADTIP, Renaming Park Avenue N, Safe Streets, Usage
of 36 Jefferson Drive
GRATITUDE: Luella
took it on herself to clear brush from the fence at the top of Hilliard and it
gave her appreciation for the ongoing work of volunteers in WECAN. She
specifically named Joe, David and Pattiy for their continuing work on such as
Adopt a Highway, the Nature Trail and commitment to the organization.
2019 ACTIVITY IDEAS: Lynn will send an email appeal to the list/serve
and the Face Book about what we want to do in WECAN this year. One thing is trying to formalize better
communication. Pattiy promoted the idea that communication is a board function
and should be the role of one of the officers possible the Vice Chair.
SAFE STREETS UPDATE: Lynn prepared a handout
(see attached) There is a new issue at Asheville Redefines Transit with a plan
to have all employees only enter the site through the Park Avenue entrance.
Unknown when this will begin.
NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION: Rebecca thanked the
volunteers who hand delivered this year’s Newsletter: Rebecca, Suzanne Willis,
Rachel Larson and Amanda Paffrath. She is not sure about the new residents at
Patton Place and about delivery to businesses in WECAN.
Meeting adjourned at 8:18 pm
Minutes submitted by Joe
Fioccola, Secretary
Mark your Calendars for
upcoming events and meetings
Sundays 4-5:30 pm Kudzu Hill Work Hour (Weather permitting)
Dec 11 World Café on Home Stays
Dec 11 5:00 pm City Council Meeting- Neighborhood
Advisory Committee
Dec 18 TBA Caroling-see Rebecca
Dec 25
Christmas (No mail delivery)
Jan 3,2019 6:30pm WECAN Board Meeting
Jan 10 TBA
Duke Substation Working group Meeting
Jan 21 MLK Day
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