Board Members present: Sherrod Barnes-Ginifer, Joe Fioccola, Lynn Hall, Rebecca Lance, Lesa Peterson, Rich Peterson, Sandy Sox, and Shelly Schenker. Members not present Danny Aull. Also present: Carol Allison, Gerald Harbinson, Walter Hartheimer, Rachel Larson, Martie Scull, Sylvia Organ, Peter, Chris Pittman, APD Lt. Chuck Sams, Jeff Santiago, Robert Sipes, Liz Tallent, and APD CRO Justin Wilson.
Welcome!-Introduction/Orientation to WECAN organization/history-Lynn called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm with a round of introductions. Joe explained that the WECAN By-Laws call for monthly meetings and at least two general membership meetings. The one in the fall is to elect new board members. This is the other. He summarized WECAN’s activity since the last general membership meeting in December when Rich, Lesa, Sandra and Sherrod, were elected as resident board members and Shelly was elected as an at-large member. In January the board selected Lynn as Chair, Lesa as Vice Chair, Rebecca as Treasurer and Joe as Secretary. They identified goals for this year including: Adopt a Highway, National Night Out, July 4, Halloween social, WECAN News, Landscape maintenance, Community Garden and Communication policy. Over the following months there has also been some movement on the Encroachment agreement with the city,( Contract is signed and only waiting on answers to some questions.) Neighborhood tiles, Aston Park Advisory Board, 36 Jefferson, Mountain Housing Opportunities, Recycling 101, Opportunity Zones, and an invitation to present to the Neighborhood Advisory Committee in (May, June, July) August.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Lesa moved and Rich seconded a motion to approve the draft May 2 minutes as emailed and corrected. The motion passed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Lesa moved and Rich seconded a motion to approve the draft May 2 minutes as emailed and corrected. The motion passed.
APD CRO UPDATE: Officer Wilson reported two vehicles were broken into, one was occupied and someone reached in to tried to take the keys, at the end of West Haywood. The other one, on Jefferson, was unlocked and a gun was stolen. ADVICE: if you leave a gun in your car, make sure it is locked. Firearms were also stolen in the middle of the day from a house on Rector Street which was broken into through a window-installed air conditioner. A vehicle was stolen from West Haywood at Club, unlocked with keys inside. He also reported walking through the Duke property with Jason and their security folks and reported that the buildings on Knoxville Place were boarded up, which should prevent problems until the construction fence goes up around the property. Lynn reported a parked vehicle was hit more than once on West Haywood Street. Lt Sams talked to Traffic Engineer Andrew Cibor who is catching up on multiple requests and should respond in the next few weeks with the compiled data from the traffic tubes.
NEIGHBOR/BLOCK JESSIE UPDATES: Lynn reported bear sightings in WECAN on Club Street, Jefferson and on Green Street. There was some discussion about the Transit Center opening a rear driveway onto Park Avenue and concerns about Transit employees speeding. Report problems to the transit manager: Joseph Brooks at (828) 301-6463, or josephbrooks@RATPDEV.com. There was also some discussion about Jetty Ray’s proposal for a restaurant on Riverlink property between Riverside Drive and the River. The issue is whether to grant a variance for what was originally proposed as a green space and what kind of precedent that would set for the rest of the area. Joe noted a zoning hearing coming up on June 19 at 8:30 Planning and Zoning considering MHO development on Clingman and Hilliard. Lynn noted a meeting on June 14 for that at the Downtown Commission meeting. Joe also noted a design charrette for the East Patton Area of downtown on June 19 and 20 from 1-5 pm. Rachel was told to limit WECAN to 1 or 2 reps. Rachel and Rich will attend.
DUKE ENERGY SUBSTATION UPDATE: Robert Sipes announced that all approvals were in hand both internal and external. An RFP has been issued for the demolition portion which is set to begin in August and will take about four months. Early next year site preparation will begin, with drainage and setting the retaining wall and then construction of the substation expected to be finished and energized in 2021. The vacant homes on Knoxville Place have been posted and boarded up. In August they will come down along with the Volvo building and the site will be fenced. Rebecca was concerned about trees and plantings but none have been marked for removal yet. Lynn asked about a 30-day notice policy for removing homeless persons. Robert will check on that. He also shared that Duke’s CEO Lynn Goode was at a Bloomberg Conference in the last two months on a panel talking about the transformation of their industry and how the way they interact with customers has to change from what it’s traditionally been. She made reference to this project as an example of how they are learning from people like us of the right way to do that. We should be very proud that our actions have had that kind of impact. Another example he shared was that Jason Walls was asked to come to their state presidents’ annual meeting where everybody from across the state who has responsibilities to interact with communities and other stakeholders. Their state president asked Jason to share our story because the state president (who happens to have a residence in Asheville) believes this is the right way to do business going forward. He wanted us to know that our impact is greater than just this little corner of the world but more importantly that it is changing their company and with what’s going on with their industry those kinds of changes are really important. He thanked us for that. He urged residents not to hesitate to report problems of any size. He also advised that all the other real properties they owned here have been released for sale except for one near the hospital.
ORANGE PEEL CONCERT ON S. ANN ST: Liz Tallent Special Events and Marketing Manager for the Orange Peel for 13 years and Jeff Santiago, Operations Manager for almost 13 years came to inform neighbors about an upcoming event behind 45 S. French Broad Avenue. On Saturday July 13 indie-folk band Lord Huron will play an amplified concert from 5pm-10-pm. S. Ann Street from Patton Avenue to Pearl Street will be closed on Friday night through Sunday with overnight security. They were asked to contact residents on S. Ann Street directly. They are directing concert goers to park in nearby parking decks and not in the residential neighborhoods and the will make sure no litter will be left in or around the area. She also left some free tickets to the event. Contact information before event: 828 398-1837 or managers@theorangepeel.net; Day of event: Liz Tallent 828 775-2136, Justin Ferraby 828 450-3796 or Dana Roberson 828 450-2597.
MOBILE ART LAB IN THE RAD: Shelly announced the LEAF Easel Rider mobile art lab will be stationed across from the Curve Studios for the Second Saturday events on June 8, July 13 and August 10 from 10-5 pm. WECAN is listed on the poster among the other sponsors: River Arts District Artists, North Carolina Glass Center, The Old Wood Center, Curve Studios and Garden, Sitework Studios, River Arts District Business Association, Eco-Depot Market Place and The City of Asheville.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT: Sandi and Shelly are working on a flyer and on getting gift certificates from area businesses donated as prizes. One activity planned will be a dog parade. The theme for this and other events is to take back the park. The event will have tents and hot dogs and buns from the city. Neighbors will be asked to bring their own chair and potluck to share.
MOUNTAIN HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES DEVELOPMENT: Lynn reported that not much has changed, except that one story of the building has been removed from the plans. Downtown Commission and Planning and Zoning meetings coming up on June 14 and 19 and construction may begin as early as the fall of this year.
MOUNTAIN HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES DEVELOPMENT: Lynn reported that not much has changed, except that one story of the building has been removed from the plans. Downtown Commission and Planning and Zoning meetings coming up on June 14 and 19 and construction may begin as early as the fall of this year.
NEIGHBORHOOD ADVISORY COMMITTEE: The Neighborhood Advisory Committee invites you to attend the first of two "Neighborhood Issue Forums." These forums will provide an opportunity for neighborhoods to discuss and explore solutions to a particular issue. The first Issue Forum is on "Neighborhood Traffic," including pedestrian, vehicle, etc. Refreshments will be provided. Please register at: www.eventbrite.com/e/neighborhood-issue-forum-tickets-61662548342 For more information contact Brenda Mills at 828-259-5506 or bmills@ashevillenc.gov
TREASURER’S REPORT: Rebecca reported the balance is $985.99. She received a payment from Matt Bacoate Jr.
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm with a yummy potluck and thanks to The Patton for use of their space.
Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola, Secretary.
Mark your Calendars for upcoming events and meetings
June 8 10-5 Second Saturday at the RAD: LEAF Easel Rider
June 10 4-6 pm CAN Meeting
June 22 10-12 am Neighborhood Advisory Committee Neighborhood Traffic Forum
July 4 NO WECAN Meeting, just fireworks
July 13 5-10 pm Orange Peel Concert behind 45 S French Broad Ave
Second Saturday at the RAD: LEAF Easel Rider 10-5
Aug 1 6:30 pm WECAN Board Meeting
Aug 6 National Night Out cookout/potluck at Aston Park
Aug 10 10-5 Second Saturday at the RAD: LEAF Easel Rider
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