WECAN Board Meeting Minutes November 2018

WECAN Board Meeting Minutes November 1, 2018  

Board Members present: Byron Ballard, Joe Fioccola, Lynn Hall, Rebecca Lance and Rachel Larson.  Members not present Danny Aull, Jessie Coleman, Jared Fischer, Luke Perry, Floree Lowery, Caroline Mullis and Pattiy Torno. Also present Sherrod Barnes-Ginifer, Lane Blackwell, Ben Butler, Brian K.  Huskey (Homelessness Lead for the Asheville Buncombe Homeless Initiative,) Rich Petason, APD Community Liaison Lt. Chuck Sams, CRO Justin Wilson.

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

MINUTES: Lynn moved and Rich seconded a motion to approve the minutes as emailed with the following addition which was inadvertently left out of the first draft emailed:

APD COMMUNITY LIAISON PROGRAM: Chief Hooper has initiated a program to improve community relations. Senior staff is assigned to liaise with several community groups. Lt. Sams has been assigned to attend WECAN meetings to share information, address community concerns and discuss opportunities to work together with WECAN. He will report directly to Chief Hooper on community issues beyond the role of the Community Resource Officer.

 The motion passed.

APD CRO UPDATE:

 Officer Wilson checked for the tent reported in the ravine behind Merritt Park and located a lot of trash but no tent. He researched with detectives about a bump lock device being used to break into at 35 Jefferson and they are not aware of any kind of such device being used elsewhere in the city. Subjects have been breaking into the Volvo building on the Duke Energy site to sleep. To the question about Duke keeping the lights off at night, Justin will check with Jason Walls about security. White Duck Taco had a rock thrown through the glass but no break in. Diesel fuel has been stolen from construction equipment on Riverside Drive. There was an armed robbery on the Riverlink Bridge. A homeless victim was robbed at gunpoint. TOfficers have been doing extra checks at the turnaround at the end of Jefferson. Joe noticed the rollup door at the Burco Building on Roberts Street (Next to Phil Mechanic) has been left open. Securing the building is an ongoing problem. Rich observed a campsite near the south end of the Hillcrest walkover bridge with a lot of trash.

Lt. Sams followed up with new Traffic Engineer Andrew Cibor about a traffic study on West Haywood Street. It was put on the list on tube list on October 2 and is number 30 so it may not happen for a while. Radar speed signs may be available as early as next week. The tube study is more complete with speeds and times and volume of traffic. He also drove through and observed that stop signs were overgrown all over and reported to Public Works who sent a trimmer to clear them. He left messages with Asheville Transit about speeding buses and will continue to follow up. Rich advised Andrew will check for potential new signs on West Haywood. Lynn asked about signage where Rector Street becomes one way.

HOMELESS LEAD: Brian Huskey is the Community Development Analyst and Homeless lead. Lynn asked what is the City’s plan and how can we support it. Brian explained his 23 years of experience from street outreach in Nashville, to affordable housing development and financing to his current Continuum of Care (HUD) funding responsibilities. The city has adopted a Five Year Strategic Plan on Homelessness in Buncombe County which is available on Asheville home Page under Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee. The plan was adopted in January 2017. The operating principles include: Advise, Support a Unified Approach, Share Resources, Be Data Driven, Educate, Lead Through Change, and A Common Voice. Priority #1 is Housing.  There is a proposal from Homeward Bound to build an 80 unit complex for the chronically homeless. There is a by-name registry of 185 people A pilot program at the Woodfin Apartments has been successful and is proof of concept that housing first with support works. He has a street outreach team. Homeward Bound has a Path Team which is restricted in by their funder in those they can help. He believes that a multidisciplinary approach is needed but not yet funded. One problem is the two types of homeless: the resident population and the transient population--which is more problematic. The HIAC wants outcomes with impact. Questions about transients, camping, trash, needles, sharps boxes, wet shelters, how drugs are afforded (following the festival circuit, thievery, drug dealing and panhandling.) Potential progress in collaborating rather than working in silos, sharing information on Homeless Management Information System, other cities are trying tiny homes on public land. Local Law enforcement estimates 50-90% of their time spent is homeless related. The biggest concern for WECAN is with transients who are not good neighbors and with certain supporters not interested in safety. As a neighborhood WECAN can be vocal advocates for affordable housing and employment opportunities such as a homeless generated newspaper.

NEIGHBOR/BLOCK JESSIE UPDATES: A Trash Trout sculpture has been installed near the boat dock. Half of the new traffic circle is now open. The Halloween Party was fun and 50-60 people showed up in costume. Some are thinking of a Haunted Trail theme in the future. 

Carolina Stoneworks has been sold to Shelley Schenkar who owns the Eco Depot on Depot Street. Rebecca is getting a locksmith to change cores for security. If anyone is interested contact her.

 

TREASURERS REPORT: Rebecca reported no activity in October. The balance is $460.99.

There is still no word from the IRS ref Reinstatement of Tax exemption.

SAFE STREETS UPDATE:  It will take a while for the study to happen and we need to let the professionals do their work and suggest solutions and it will be our job to judge the solutions. The game plan from WECAN is to keep on the city to provide solutions to the traffic and parking problems. We need to develop communication about what is going on and who is in charge and who to contact. Squeaky wheels do get greased and face to face contact gets results.

DUKE SUBSTATION: Duke set to go to Planning and Zoning on December 5.

NCDOT ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENT: On October 30 Ken Putnam emailed Joe about the status of the agreement: It is temporarily "bogged down" internally due to a shortage of personnel in the Transportation Department.  We will try and get it moving again in the near future.

RENAMING STREET ISSUE:  No progress since last month about the section of Park Avenue North that runs south from Roberts Street.

KUDZU HILL WORKDAY Progress continues on all Sundays (weather permitting) and since it gets dark sooner after Daylight Savings Time ends on November 3 will begin the hour at 4 pm.

COMMUNITY GARDEN UPDATE: There are beds available. Participation has flagged some but winter gardening isn’t as popular.

WECAN NEWSLETTER:  It has gone to the printer and should be ready soon for hand delivery (but not in mailboxes.)

FESTIVAL OF NEIGHBORHOODS: Joe and Lynn attended. It was informative from several city departments and networking opportunities with other neighborhoods.

36 JEFFERSON DRIVE: Joe received an email from Mike Vance at Mountain Housing Opportunities:

 Joe, The lot on Jefferson has been exempt from property tax while held for

development of low income housing.  It's been exempt since 2003 and was just

recently audited by the County Tax Department.  The holding term for exemption is

only 10 years (we are past that by 5 years) and they are requiring us to take action

or pay back taxes.

One option could be to donate the property to WECAN but that would be a lost

resource for MHO and it really doesn't seem to be the ideal property for a pocket

park due to its steep terrain.  We would like to either build on it or sell the

property to fund another development and hope to have the support of the

neighborhood.

Sorry I can’t be at the meeting to discuss in person.

 Lynn recommended the formation of a study group around the potential of MHO gifting this property to WECAN. It is unknown if the Jefferson residents would prefer this over it being sold and developed. Other questions arise such as who might owe the back taxes,  could we get the 10 year exemption on taxes, how does this affect tax exempt status,  is it really impossible to develop a park and might this just cause other problems. No action taken.

Meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola, Secretary

Mark your Calendars for upcoming events and meetings

Nov 6              Election Day VOTE!

Nov 4              4-5:30 pm  Kudzu Hill Work Hour

Nov 7-16          Hand delivery of  WECANNEWS

Nov 10-11       RAD Studio Stroll

Nov 11            4-5:30 pm  Kudzu Hill Work Hour

Nov 18            4-5:30 pm  Kudzu Hill Work Hour

Nov 22            Thanksgiving

Nov 25            4-5:30 pm  Kudzu Hill Work Hour

Dec 5               Planning and Zoning Duke meeting

Dec 6   6:30     WECAN General Membership Meeting/Potluck/election of Board members