WECAN General Membership Meeting Minutes December 5, 2019

WECAN General Membership Meeting Minutes December 5, 2019

64 Clingman Avenue Meeting room 6:30 pm

Board Members present: Sherrod Barnes-Ginifer, Joe Fioccola, Rebecca Lance, Rich Peterson and Sandy Sox.

Members not present Danny Aull, Lynn Hall, Lesa Peterson and Shelly Schenker. 

Also present Byron Ballard, Gerald Harbinson, Lee and Charlie Lance, Shawn and Keith Leetz, Sylvia Organ, Amanda Paffrath, Rachel Larsen, Martha Scull, Pattiy Torno, Suzanne Willis and  APD CRO Justin Wilson

CALL TO ORDER:  

Rebecca called the meeting to order at 6:34 pm with a round of introductions and invitation to enjoy pot luck meal..

  

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  Sandy moved and Rebecca seconded a motion to approve the November meeting minutes with one spelling correction. The motion passed.

APD CRO UPDATE:  Justin described the extent of the new Central Police District which includes all of the Central Business District, East End Valley Street Neighborhood, South Slope, South French Broad, WECAN, Depot to Greens Mini Mart and the River Arts District. The new districts begin in January and are designed to improve response times. Recent crimes in WECAN: 32 Clingman Ave CED suspect jumped the fence and broke into 2 vehicles; near Riverside Boat Ramp: female assaulted on Nov 7; Green Street and Owens Bell Lane 2 vehicles broken into one was unlocked and a tool box stolen; Residential break in across from All Souls Pizza. Pattiy reported graffiti tags on the back of her building and found a flip phone. Sherrod’s mailbox was knocked over; City Wide: mail and package thefts, [Lee noted that the post office will scan mail deliveries at no cost so people will know what was delivered and what may have been taken.] car break-ins downtown and S French Broad (12 of 14 reported were unlocked); 7 motor vehicle thefts; Justin noted that the homeless policy was being looked at and the department had some input on the revisions to the noise ordinance. Lt Sams had family obligations and apologized for missing this meeting and the January meeting.

NEIGHBOR/BLOCK JESSIE UPDATES: People asked about Howard Hanger’s health. And whether there were restriction on using the trail between Park and Jefferson and the steps from Park Square to Roberts Street. Pattiy announced a Holiday Market on Saturday December 14 from 12-5 at Curve Studios. Sherrod announced an open studio at 21 Girdwood Street with coffee or tea on December 7 and on First Saturdays from 10-12. Rebecca announced neighborhood caroling will begin at 5 pm on Thursday December 12 at Jefferson with soup and cider. She will bring lyrics, singers should bring lanterns. . Rich, Sandy, Amanda hand delivered the legacy tiles. 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

 Rebecca reported a balance of $1212.45 with a donation from Curve Studios. She also received donations and presented tiles to donors at this meeting.

ACTIVITY REPORT:
Joe gave an activity summation for 2019 as follows:

   Jan: Officers elected: Lynn, Lesa, Rebecca and Joe; Discuss changing meeting date; River flooding; 36 Jefferson; Objectives: Duke rezoning, Streets and landscaping;

   Feb: Safe Streets meeting with Traffic engineer; Duke rezoning; Melk Encroachment agreement began; Communications plan;

   Mar: Tiles usage; Aston Park Advisory Board; MHO Clingman Property; Recycling 101;

   Apr: Easel Rider arrangement with RADBA; Opportunity Zones;

   May: Encroachment Agreement signed; Artful Way named;

   Jun: General Membership Meeting at The Patton Apartments; NAC Forums announced Orange Peel Concert behind Hopey; NAC requested presentation. Kudzu Hill Sundays; RAD way-finding signage meetings; River Arts Place renamed;

   Jul: No Meeting; Melk clearing begins;

   Aug: National Night Out; Street Study completed; NAC Forums on Traffic and Noise; Jetty Ray proposal; Granite Curbstones request;  

   Sep: brief meeting and I-26 Asheville Design Center ideas;

   Oct: Safe Streets Plan; RADTIP update; Meeting frequency question; Newsletter; New Belgium Donation pass-through;

   Nov: Knoxville Place houses demolished; New Traffic Pattern on W Haywood and Green Streets; Aston Park Tennis Court Dedication; Halloween party;

   Dec: General Membership Meeting; new board members elected: Byron and Mike to class of 2021 and Rachel, Pattiy and Rich to Class of 2022.

     Pattiy explained the use and caveats regarding the granite curbstones from Park and Jefferson.

ELECTION TO THE WECAN BOARD:

Joe explained the assignments to unexpired terms for 2019 : Rich (Luke), and 2020 Sandy (Jessie); Five names were nominated: Rich, Byron, Pattiy, Mike Kenton and Rachel. Rebecca moved and Joe seconded approval of the slate and the motion passed with Byron and Mike in the class of 2021 and Rachel, Pattiy and Rich in the class of 2022. Thanks to Danny and Lynn from the class of 2019.

ISSUES DISCUSSION: The idea of a welcome wagon might be needed and handouts like the hand delivered newsletters to let more people know what is going on--maybe a garden cleanup or spring event? Sandy suggested having National Night Out in WECAN instead of Aston Park for several reasons: uphill, no parking, homeless issues. 

Meeting adjourned at 7:42 pm

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola, Secretary 

Mark your Calendars for upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and meetings:

December 7 10-12 Open Studio at 21 Girdwood Street

December 8      4-6 Melk Encroachment Workday

December 12    5-7 Caroling starting at Jefferson

December 14    12-5 Holiday Market at Curve Studios

December 22    4-6 Melk Encroachment Workday

December 25                           Christmas day

December 31        New Years Eve

January 2          6:30 pm WECAN Board Meeting