WECANNews 2014

WECAN October 2014 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN Board Meeting October 2, 2014 at 64 Clingman Ave.

Board Members Present were: Byron Ballard, Jessie Nell Coleman, Joe Fioccola, AnnaBeth Hardcastle, Rachel Larson and Luke W. Perry,.  Board Members not present were Jeff Carnivale, Tom Gibson, Mike Kenton, Yuri Koslen, JoAnn Skinner ,Pattiy Torno and Suzanne Willis.  Also present were: Marsha Stickford, CRO Sean Davis, Rafael Rettig.

Chair Rachel called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.

MINUTES: The Draft September minutes were approved as distributed. The treasurer reported no activity.

BOARD VACANCIES: Joe noted with Brett moving out of the neighborhood there is a board vacancy to be filled also an At Large vacancy. Rachel Nominated Rafael Rettig for the At Large position. It was approved unanimously.   

APD/CRO UPDATE: Several homeless campsites were cleared out . There was extensive activity in the area between West Haywood Street and I-240.  17 tents were set up. Several arrests were made that cleared the downtown car break in cases and stolen property was recovered. DOT will clear the area once it is vacated. We need to have a conversation with them about maintenance. Chad Bandy who was with DOT now works for the city. Traffic blocking issues at the construction sites on West Haywood have moved on when contacted. Rachel will get the contact for the owner Bill McCurdie to notify his crews. A homeless man named Fritz with a long beard  has been in the area usually seen picking up trash and recycling and is not a threat.

NEIGHBOR/BLOCK JESSIE UPDATES: Karl Daven's tail has been wandering the area. The sink hole at All Souls has been repaired. Marsha says sink holes are a big problem with aging water and sewer systems whose story needs to be told. AnnaBeth reported one on Jefferson. She also thanked the Garden Club (Joe and David Heetderks) for clearing the overgrowth at the end of Jefferson. Luke has received permits for Demo and Electric but not yet for water. New entertainment venue will be going in at the old Asheville Auto Parts on Riverside Drive near Southern States with parking for 400 cars and a Zombie Walk will happen soon at Aston Park. Luke announced that the Reid Center has been renovated and is now called the Eddington Center. Their grand reopening will be on October 18th. Kendra Penland is the interim Green Opportunities Director. The search continues for a new Executive Director. 

MULTIGENERATIONAL CONVERSATION ON RACE AND AGE:  Joe, Byron and Marsha attended part of the panel discussion at the Grant Center. The conversation overlapped with this WECAN Board meeting. Joe reported that about 30-40 people were there to hear the 6 panelists answer questions about experiences, issues and attitudes about race and age. Part One was sponsored by the Asheville-Buncombe Community Relations Council and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNCA. Part Two will be scheduled for sometime in November. Marsha realized that the most important issue is campaign finance reform.

GRANTS/FUNDING: RADTIP was funded by a TIGER II Grant. No one present attended the meeting on Wednesday but this was only the first of more input meetings to come. Funding for the Greenway is still waiting for a decision from the TDA. Marsha announced there will be a meeting at Public Works on Monday from 5-6 pm about Municipal Service Districts and planning has been worked into the 5 year budget with the city's ability to obligate bonds at a low interest rate. Also letters have gone out to residents in the three newly announced Innovation Zones: Charlotte St, South Slope and River Arts District. For more information check the Projects Page on the city website.

STORM WATER ISSUE: Rafael requested more information and when he gets it will send another letter.  The problem is that the city was aware of the erosion problem when the plans for the new middle school were approved but they didn't address it. The initial plans lacked drainpipes which were added later but may not address the problem and a lack of cooperation from the school. AnnaBeth noted that until this year there has been no school construction in the city for over fifty years and therefore builders today have a steep learning curve and may not have experience with new problems. Rafael will draft a letter of support for the WECAN Board to discuss and approve.

MASTER PLANNING: The committee needs to reconvene to be ready to answer what our number one priority need is: facilitation? The new Director of Urban Planning may not be hired until January and will be doing some actual planning and not just plan-review. Our plan needs an update. Luke noted that some work has already been done. Joe will compile and distribute the summary committee notes. Marsha encouraged us to be vigilant.  It is up to neighborhoods to make neighborhoods important to the city. We need to be part of the process in hiring and when the new director is hired we need to be ready. Our input into hiring should assert that all neighborhoods that desire it will have a neighborhood plan and area plans should include neighborhood vision and land use. Byron noted that the city doesn't have neighborhood strategies only development potential. Marsha noted there is a role here for the Neighborhood Advisory Committee to help. 

STREET LIGHTS: Report any street lights out to Marsha with a Pole Number. They may be reported to the Duke Power website but may be State DOT lights. Marsha is working on getting a light at the end of Jefferson.

TROLLEY BRIDGE: The bridge was found to be structurally sound and does not need to be replaced but some work may need to be done with guard rails.  

NEW BELGIUM BREWERY: Marsha reported that cement pouring will begin at 4 am on Saturday October 18 and go on all day. Byron noted that their communication with the neighborhoods has been inconsiderate.

COMMUNITY GARDEN: Byron planned to attend the Meeting of the Whole with the Food Policy Council and will contact Agricultural Extension Agent Allison Arnold. Marsha noted we need to recruit allies and put forth the proposal and make it strong with interesting aspects of success. The delays are coming from the city's resistance to manage these projects.

WEST HAYWOOD STONE WALL REPAIR:  Joe Byron, Rachel and Marsha visited the storage site for the granite curbstones with Jerry Yates. They are located at a secure site near Azalea Park. Joe and Byron are trying to get an estimate on repairing the wall.  Marsha is planning a meeting with DOT and APD about maintaining the Melk site and she will see what they say about the site and stone wall. 

CONTACT LISTS: The contact list needs to be updated before the next newsletter goes out in November. Rachel will work on the email, face book, next door, etc lists.

WECAN NEWSLETTER: Suggested articles: Byron: Two Neighborhoods into One; Luke: The history of Yarrow Place; Joe: Adopt a Highway and Garden Club; Rachel: Olympians in WECAN;  Other suggestions considered.The copy deadline will be November 10 and the publication date will be November 20. The General Membership meeting will be on December 4.

HALLOWEEN ON JEFFERSON: Jefferson neighbors are organizing some kind of event. We are looking at displaying jack-o-lanterns on the wall past Jefferson on West Haywood Street. AnnaBeth and Yuri should inform the Jefferson Neighbors about the details.

GARDEN CLUB WEDNESDAYS:  The projects for the four Wednesdays may include Short Hilliard, Roberts Street, Knoxville Place, Girdwood Street. Look for the new sign with the times on site on Tuesdays.  

REVIEW PLANNING NOTES: Joe reviewed the year's Planning goals were: Community Building Activities,( gatherings on Jefferson) Garden Club Tuesdays (changed to Wednesdays), Supplemental Census (started), Master Planning(see above), Mailing List (see above) and Meet with EWANA (pending). 

The meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.

DRAFT Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola.

November 6   next  WECAN Board Meeting 6:30 pm at 64 Clingman Avenue

WECAN September 2014 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN Board Meeting September 4, 2014 at 64 Clingman Ave.

Board Members Present were: Byron Ballard, Joe Fioccola and Rachel Larson.  Board Members not present were Jeff Carnivale, Jessie Nell Coleman, Tom Gibson,  AnnaBeth Hardcastle, Mike Kenton, Yuri Koslen, Luke W. Perry, JoAnn Skinner ,Pattiy Torno  and Suzanne Willis.  Also present were: Marsha Stickford, CRO Sean Davis, Rafael Rettig and Chandler Fritz.

Chair Rachel called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.

MINUTES: The Draft August minutes were approved as distributed.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION MASTER PLAN: The plan has been completed and is available for review. (Final Draft of 134 page report attached) After reading a lot of it Joe was disappointed that the focus was more on monetizing historic preservation in terms of increasing property values, using tax credits, increasing investment and enhancing business rather than honoring and respecting the history that brought us here or preservation for its own sake. On page 39 of that report it states "The strategic operating plan for the city currently calls for an update of the WECAN Plan, which is now going on twenty years old."  While it is on their radar, Marsha explained that momentum for WECAN Master Plan updating should pick up when a new Planning Director is hired. That process may take several months or else neighbors can get together sooner and start the ball rolling.

APD/CRO UPDATE: Homeless campsites were reported on the NW corner of Clingman and Hilliard under the apple trees and north of the new stop sign on West Haywood at Park Ave. Sean advised that a miscommunication had put out that the city tolerated an 'interstate campground' and also camping by the river. Both of those are incorrect and Sean has been working to get the word out and the campsites should be all cleared out in the next 3-4 weeks. He also received complaints about vehicles parking in the bicycle lane on Wednesdays at the River Arts District Tailgate Market next to All Souls Pizza but that their organizers were helping to warn people there. Rachel reported several aggressive subjects in the area of Grove St and Hilliard. Joe asked who was responsible for maintaining the vegetation at the turn around guard rail at the end of Jefferson, and also the overgrown strip at the stone wall by the new stop sign on West Haywood. Marsha explained that DOT resists coming into the city to maintain their right of ways. She also noted a recent article in the Citizen Times reporting that Norfolk Southern Railroad had recently sold several miles of its track. This may or may not account for car horn noise in the area.

NEIGHBOR/BLOCK JESSIE UPDATES: Eggs have been laid, elderberries have been harvested, and ducks have been raised and Karl Daven has been wandering.

STORM WATER PROBLEM: Rafael has been in touch with architects, storm water technicians and the Middle School officials and has not received any satisfactory answers to the problem of storm water run off behind the middle school into the stream in Clingman Forest. There are issues of reducing the speed of the runoff which may be abated by a couple of sediment ponds on the upper end and by a rock filled pit which may reduced speed incrementally. There is also a question of the volume of water flowing from two 48 inch lines feeding into one 36 inch line and the flooding problems caused when they back up. He noted there is an opportunity for the city to be proactive and responsible and do the right thing rather than kick the can down the road for others to deal with in the future. Marsha again suggested he set up a face to face meeting. Byron suggested a letter of concern from the neighborhood.

PARKS AND REC MAINTENANCE FACILITY: Marsha reported that RFP's would go out but there is no push to move immediately. Probably in January the move should be complete.

ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION: Joe noted the dwindling attendance at board meetings. Rachel expressed a desire for more social interactions and would put it out on Face Book, and Next Door. Byron offered the idea of a Halloween event such as a Jack-o-Lantern Carving contest. Rachel suggested a group yard sale.  

WEST HAYWOOD STONE WALL REPAIR. Marsha located the Granite Curbstone Agreement with Jerry Yates. They are located at Azalea Park. She noted that the city was working on budgeting to contract for median maintenance in a few select areas such as gateways and high visibility areas such as Clingman Avenue from the Grey Eagle to the traffic circle. 

GREENWAY FUNDING: Rachel reported that the grant which was applied for would be announced in October.

GENTRIFICATION STUDY The final report was completed. The 65 page report is attached. The report has policy suggestions. Marsha noted that there is an active Affordable Housing Advisory Committee that is developing specific recommendations. 

ASTON PARK TENNIS FEES: Marsha reported that on Ashevillenc.gov  the 'City Projects' button has a link to 'Aston Park Tennis Center Public Comment' which will also link to a survey.

ADOPT A HIGHWAY LITTER PICK UP: was set for this Sunday September 7 at 10 am. Cool orange vests will be provided.

GARDEN CLUB WEDNESDAYS: After the article and photo in the Mountain Xpress on August 20-26 the Garden Club will continue in September. The projects for the three Wednesdays will include The west side of Rector at Hilliard, the turn around at the end of Jefferson and the abandoned strip by the new stop sign. Look for the new sign with the times on site on Tuesdays.

COMMUNITY GARDEN: Marsha met with the Agricultural Extension and they were only interested in education. She will contact Asheville Sustainable Agriculture Project next. One aspect of the delay is that by approving a unique project in one place it may establish a precedent that is not sustainable elsewhere in the city. So work continues on a template that will work everywhere. "The Draft City Council Strategic Operating Plan 2014 : Focus Area 3: High Quality of Life: Goal 2: Encourage policies and development that improves public health and safety for City of Asheville employees and citizens: Action item : Pursue implementation of the Food Action Plan, including public/ private partnerships to create community gardens and farmers markets on publically owned land, to ensure all citizens have access to affordable healthy food options."  Marsha identified two aspects of the situation: urban farming and community gardening. The first involved lease agreements such as the farmers market at Public Works which is leased at a nominal fee. The other: community gardens has yet to develop a process such as a 'community garden summit' gathering to organize and guide it. She advised that the city was willing to participate and make land available but not to organize and run it.  

CITY 123 GRAFFITI FREE ASHEVILLE CAMPAIGN: Marsha noted that the October 1 deadline may be extended.

The meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.

DRAFT Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola.

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UPCOMING EVENTS THIS MONTH:

Wednesdays              2-6 RAD Tailgate market next to 175 Clingman Ave

Sept 6                        Riverlink and Big Sweep River Clean up @ Zen Tubing

Sept 11                     AARC meeting @ Chamber 4 pm

Sept 12                     Rivermusic 1-7 pm

Sept 13                    Second Saturday in the RAD   

Sept 10                    Garden Club Wednesdays

Sept 12-13               GOOMBAY Festival Pack Square Park

Sept 17                    Garden Club Wednesdays

Sept 19                    Fall planting with Bill Jones @ Riverlink Office 3-5 pm

Sept 23                    RADBA meeting

Sept 24                    Garden Club  Wednesdays  

October 2                WECAN Board Meeting 6:30 at 64 Clingman Avenue

Every Friday Night    Classic World Cinema 8 pm upstairs at Phil Mechanic Studios Free!  

WECAN August 2014 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN Board Meeting August 7, 2014 at 64 Clingman Ave.

Board Members Present were: Byron Ballard, Joe Fioccola and Rachel Larson.  Board Members not present were Jeff Carnivale, Jessie Nell Coleman, Tom Gibson,  AnnaBeth Hardcastle, Mike Kenton, Yuri Koslen, Luke W. Perry, JoAnn Skinner ,Pattiy Torno  and Suzanne Willis.  Also present was: Marsha Stickford.

Chair Rachel called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. (Meeting was delayed by "The Law Enforcement Use of Force Public Forum" at the Dr Wesley Grant Center.)   

MINUTES: The Draft June minutes were approved as distributed. In addition, the minutes of the non-meeting on June 28 (see attached) were also approved. [There was no meeting in July.]

APD/CRO UPDATE: The new CRO for WECAN will be Sean Davis. A hit and run-property damage was reported on social media. It should be reported to police. The non-emergency number is (828) 252-1110.

NEIGHBOR/BLOCK JESSIE UPDATES: Riverside Drive was closed recently for movie filming. Craven Street will be closed from Waynesville to Haywood Road. Bret has moved to Haw Creek and  Chandler and Raphaela Fritz have moved in. Another new neighbor was seen recently making the rounds. His name is Karl Daven. Welcome Karl, from all the other WECAN cool cats!

PARKS AND REC MAINTENANCE FACILITY: Marsha reported that Parks and Rec was in the process of moving to the National Guard Armory on Shelburne Road. The property on Hilliard will be available for development proposals soon.

CITY 123 GRAFFITI FREE ASHEVILLE CAMPAIGN: Marsha noted that businesses have until October 1 to register and pay amounts over $500. Graffiti on public property can be reported any time on the Asheville App or the city website.

MASTER PLANNING: Tabled until committee meets.

CITY PROJECTS: Marsha reported that the bike lane would be marked on Haywood Road from the Riverlink Bridge to Beechum's Curve and will be park of the Craven Street improvements

WEST HAYWOOD STONE WALL REPAIR. Marsha will search for the Granite Curbstone Agreement. She will also continue to research ownership/maintenance responsibility of the 150 feet of stone wall and curb right of way near the new stop sign and the metal fence where Hilliard runs into West Haywood.. She is trying to get with DOT, Public Works and Parks and Rec to see who does what in bump outs and curbside strips city-wide.(Ditto the COMMUNITY GARDEN PROPOSAL).

FIRE HYDRANT PAINTING:  Joe offered to volunteer to help the Fire Department paint the 25 or so Hydrants in WECAN if others are willing to pitch in. 

GARDEN CLUB WEDNESDAYS: Back from the July hiatus the WECAN Garden Club is back. The projects for the remaining three Wednesdays in August will be: August 13 from 2-5: Owens Bell Park weeding. August 20 from 3-6 Sign Garden weed/trim and August 27 1-4 Hilliard to Rector and beyond. 

STORM WATER PROBLEM: Rachel heard from Rafael that the Middle School plans do not contend with storm water runoff towards the greenway. He has written to McCrae Coates in charge of the Storm Water Services Department. Marsha noted that the Technical Review Committee will have to review compliance but suggested he set up a face to face meeting.

SOLID WASTE INITIATIVE: Joe attended a meeting with SACEE (Sustainability Advisory Committee on Energy and Environment.) City Council has set a goal to reduce solid waste going to the landfill by 50% by the year 2035. Two strategies are under consideration one is CART BASED: where the size of the cart determines how much you pay and BAG BASED: where you pay for bags individually. Recycling remains the same and working on a composting component.

APPS 4-U: Marsha reviewed three Apps currently available:  The Asheville App: to take pictures of potholes or graffiti and send email to the appropriate department and get one back when completed. There is also a Paring App to pay for parking downtown. Finally there is a U-Haul App: where you can rent a car from the street downtown.

GENTRIFICATION STUDY: Rachel found the complete report. Marsha suggested to send her an email to request follow ups and keep informed on progress.

TRAFFIC STUDY ON CLINGMAN AVENUE: Several people brought up the problem of speeding on Clingman Avenue on social media and at the Block Party. Rachel will send a letter to Anna Henderson at NCDOT requesting a study. This is the first step in requesting a change in the speed limit.

GREENWAY FUNDING: Joe asked about the status of a second TIGER II grant that was proposed for construction of the greenway. Marsha suggested checking the RADBA minutes for updates. They meet the last Tuesday at 4 pm at FLS.

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

DRAFT Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola.

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UPCOMING EVENTS THIS MONTH:

Wednesdays              2-6 RAD Tailgate market next to 175 Clingman Ave

August 9                    Rivermusic 1-7 pm

August 9                    Second Saturday in the RAD   

August13                   Garden Club Wednesdays 2-5 Owens Bell Park.

August 20                  Garden Club Wednesdays 3-6 Sign Garden

August 27                  Garden Club  Wednesdays 1-4 Hillard to Rector+ 

August 28                  FBRMPO:  2012-2020 TIP Amendments  [View proposed amendments at fbrmpo.org/tip/ ]

                                   Then comment by email to mpo@landofsky.org or by  phone (828) 251-6622 before 5 pm on August 27

                                    or at their board meeting Thursday 12:30 pm

August 29                 Rivermusic 1-7 pm

September 1             Labor Day

September 4             WECAN Board Meeting 6:30 at 64 Clingman Avenue

Every Friday Night    Classic World Cinema 8 pm upstairs at Phil Mechanic Studios Free!  

WECAN June 2014 General Membership Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN General Membership Meeting June 28, 2014 4 pm Jefferson Drive

On the Agenda was:  

WECAN Activity since last general membership meeting:

                    Dec    Board members re-elected: Jessie Coleman, Joe Fioccola, AnnaBeth Hardcastle,

                                    Jeff Carnivale and Tom Gibson class of 2016

                    Jan    At large member: Luke Perry    Need to review Curbstones agreement and Owens

                                    -Bell Park Maintenance

                    Feb    Stephanie Monson Dahl: Greenways, Sidewalks, Enhancements; Historic Preser-

                                    -vation (12 Riverside Dr);East of the Riverway; requested #1 priority need for

                                    Master Planning from Planning Dept? Historic Preservation Master Planning

                    Mar    Park Avenue Trolley Bridge Study, Gentrification Study funded, NAC Central Area

                                    Meeting 3/24, NBB Time Capsule, EOTR Wrap up 3/18

                    Apr    Luke buys Yarrow Place, large tree down at Owens-Bell Park, AAH 15 year photo

                                    4/12, Clingman Forest Walk Through 4/15

                    May    Supplemental census, Short term rentals, NAC Coffee 5/2, NBB groundbreaking 5/2

                    Jun    Community Garden proposal, Greenworks Clingman cleanup 6/8, Gentrification

                                    report 6/23, Storm Water, Fire Hydrants Painting, NBB construction noise,

                                    Motorcycle creep,

Sign Up Opportunities: 

                    Communication/Mail list, Next Door, etc.

                    Community Garden

                    Fire Hydrant Painting

                    Fund Raising

                    Garden Club Wednesdays

                    Master Planning                       

Issues/Reports:    

                   Gentrification

                   Short Term Rentals

                   Sidewalks

                   Stormwater

                   Traffic Calming

Next steps: Jul 3   No WECAN Board Meeting

                    Aug 5 National Night Out Carrier Park 5:30-7:30

                    Aug 7 WECAN Board Meeting

                    Sep 4 WECAN Board Meeting; Adopt A Highway clean up         

                    Oct 2 WECAN Board Meeting

                    Nov 6 WECAN Board Meeting: Newsletter goes out

                    Dec 4 WECAN General Membership Meeting-Election of new board members

Draft Non-minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola

WECAN June 2014 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN Board Meeting June 5, 2014 at 64 Clingman Ave.

Board Members Present were:  Jessie Nell Coleman, Joe Fioccola, AnnaBeth Hardcastle, Rachel Larson and Pattiy Torno . Board Members not present were Byron Ballard, Jeff Carnivale, Tom Gibson,  Mike Kenton, Yuri Koslen, Luke W. Perry, JoAnn Skinner, and Suzanne Willis.  Also present was: Marsha Stickford and APD Officer Evan Coward.

Chair Rachel called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.   

MINUTES: There were two corrections to the Draft April minutes: Stephen Lee Johnson led the Clingman Forest Walk Through and Sasha Vrtinski's name was misspelled. The minutes were approved as distributed and corrected.

APD/CRO UPDATE: Officer Coward reported that on May 22 the Curve Studios had been broken into; at 33 Jefferson Drive a truck window was smashed out; and on May 17 two cars had their tires slashed on Clingman Avenue Extension.  Pattiy relayed that in social media it was reported that people have been camping and starting fires behind All Souls Pizza and asking folks on Jefferson to report anyone they see there. Evan also noted that he is working on removing the homeless camp under the Craven Street Bridge. Pattiy reported a blue and white tent  between 233 Riverside Drive and the Railroad Trestle. Also noted was construction noise from New Belgium some possibly occurring before 7 AM. It is legal from 7 AM-7 PM Mon-Friday and later on the weekend. Pattiy will check with the construction crew. Rachel asked about a Face Book posting of a male dressed in black with a skull and crossbones on his back riding a motor scooter and and chasing females on Haywood Road. Evan noted that is is a problem when people post things on social media instead of calling the police. Joe asked about the APD Strategic Plan. Evan advised that a draft has been received by the Assistant City Manager. From there it goes to the Public Safety Commission and then to Council for final approval. The effective date is July 1.  Evan served on the Community Quality of Life Committee which recommended surveying the community and improvements to public information and communication. Joe noted problems with finding things on the city website. Marsha  suggested the need for a webmaster but that the city is headed in the right direction. Thanks to volunteer efforts the city budget is now available and they are aiming to get necessary information such as recycling and trash removal days available online by address. AnnaBeth asked about the best procedure to address the nuisance of dogs who bark constantly when their owners are out. She was advised to call the police non-emergency number: 828 252-1110 and ask for a call to be made for animal services who may respond the next day. You can also ask them to contact you to explain the problem or to report what action they have taken. Rachel asked about the effectiveness and liability issues surrounding "fake" security cameras.  They may give a false sense of security and they may be effective.    

BLOCK JESSIES: The three babies born last year are now a year old and toddling around .

COMMUNITY GARDEN PROPOSAL; A meeting was called on Friday May 23. Joe Brett, Rachel and Byron attended. Joe read a draft proposal for a community Garden on the corner of Jefferson and West Haywood outside the fence of Asheville Redefines Transit Center.(a copy is attached.) Joe moved and AnnaBeth seconded a motion to support the proposal. The motion was approved following discussion of  the following: ACCESS TO WATER: the city has made arrangements with Bountiful Cities to pay for water used at the Edible Gardens near Stephens Lee. STAFFING: Pattiy expressed concerns about having participation with the commitments already in place for Owens Bell Park, sign planting, etc. The proposal is to phase in gardening as we get committed participants. There are currently 6-12 people who have expressed some interest so far and it is possible that interested parties from outside WECAN may be permitted to participate. FINANCIAL: AnnaBeth assured that garden/water funds could be easily kept separate from WECAN general funds. NEXT STEP: Marsha will check the legal research aspect with Charlotte Hutchins. STONE WALL: She will also ask for research about 150 feet of stone wall across from the Transit in the recently cleared section of the new stop sign. Joe suggested that it would be good for it to be restored or repaired. The cost is unknown. The ownership is unknown. However, WECAN has  a reserve of granite curbstones from Jefferson Drive that may be used as a capstone for the wall--if it is a public use.

GENTRIFICATION STUDY: Rachel reported on a meeting with Sasha Vrtinski and Mike Brown which included Joe and Rafael. The impression they seemed to get was that they were not sure that affordability was a problem in WECAN. They are going to research the history of home prices and will have a public meeting in the week of June 23. Pattiy gave an artist's view. Her impression, when she and Tim Schaller and Mike Gardener met with the group was that they were very concerned with the Housing Authority and theta they felt very privileged among the other residents of Census Tract 9. AnnaBeth expressed the concern based on prices on Jefferson that with prices inflating so quickly she could not afford to move here now and that we are pricing out regular people and making the neighborhood more exclusive. Marsha noted that the study is supposed to research what can legally be done and legally not be done in North Carolina. That will be supplemented by information about what other cities have done and other things to consider. The study should be complete by June 30.  

SEMI-ANNUAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING: The date for the pot luck was set for Saturday June 28 from 4-9 PM. The location is Jefferson Drive. AnnaBeth volunteered to make flyers to publicize it.

MASTER PLANNING: A meeting was called of the original committee on May 20. Joe and Byron met and reviewed and made some slight revisions to the proposal. Joe will forward to Marsha.(Copy attached)

MAYOR'S DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE:  On May 16 the Mayor announced a task force to streamline the development process.  Rachel had questions about the stakeholders and how members would be selected. Marsha distributed a sheet explaining the mission: "To review standards and policies for the purpose of developing recommendations designed to promote sound growth and development in the city, balancing the needs and wants of a diverse citizenry." She emphasized that this is not a standing commission they have one task: to streamline the process that is unnecessarily complex and inefficient.

STORM WATER MEETING: Joe and Rafael attended the CAN meeting on May 12. The current fee of $2.34 ERU/Month nets about 3 million each year. The Proposed Objectives for 2015 include: Improve preventive maintenance operations ditches, pipe replacement, system inventory; Increase investment in infrastructure; and Complete system analysis to accurately prioritize infrastructure needs. They are offering three options to proceed: Option 1: Minimal improvements and Capital construction projects: Fee: 2.34 ERU/mo raised to 3.20 ERU/Mo=revenue increase of $1,045,000  (a 36% increase) Option 2: Strategic Program Improvements including planning objectives and undertaking measured plan for capital improvement Fee: 2.34 ERU/mo raised to 3.50 ERU/Mo=revenue increase of $1,399,000. (a 50% increase) Option 3: Visionary program to create capital improvements that address major community needs. Fee: 2.34 ERU/mo raised to 4.00 ERU/Mo=revenue increase of $1,995,000. (a 70% increase) Additional Considerations include: an aging storm water infrastructure,  Citizens request high level of service and a legal option of a 5% potential increase each year. It was noted that in the 1990's an estimate quoted $70,000,000 needed for storm water system then. Next Steps: include Getting guidance from council, doing outreach and education to the public and brining to council for adoption. 

FIRE HYDRANT PAINTING:  Joe has counted about 25 Hydrants in WECAN that need to be painted every other year. He is interested in working with a crew to take on the task.  Will look for other interested parties at the General Membership Meeting.

Get2gether Neighborhood Challenge Grant: WECAN is eligible for one of these matching grants up to $2,000. The project must be focused on building a local economy, greening your community or be linked to a sharing system. The application deadline is June 30, The grants will be announced on August first and then there is until September 15 to raise the matching funds. A team of four is required and It was felt that we aren't ready for it at this time but maybe next year.

ADOPT A HIGHWAY Clean up date set for Wednesday June 11 at 9 AM.

GARDEN CLUB WEDNESDAYS: There was a request to clear the bushes encroaching the sidewalk on Clingman Avenue. There is more to do on the sign hedges. These will happen on June 18. Short Hilliard will continue on June 25.

METAL FENCE ON HILLIARD: Marsha said this is still in dispute between the city and the D.O.T. and she will follow up with Ken Putnam and Jeff Moore.

HALF MARATHON: Pattiy noted the route through WECAN this Saturday starting downtown at 8 AM was south on Riverside Drive to Depot Street. The bulk of the runners are at the beginning and there would be rolling road blocks for the rest.

WECAN GARDEN CLUB: Garden Club will assist RADBA on Sunday June 8 from 9-12 AM pulling weeds from the traffic Circle to All Souls Pizza.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Officer Coward announced that effective June 19 he would be promoted to the rank of Sergeant.  While we are happy for him and the department, we will miss him at our meetings. 

The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.

DRAFT Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola.

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UPCOMING EVENTS THIS MONTH:

June 7                        Half Marathon starts 8 AM

June 8                        Garden Club 9-Noon Clingman from Roberts to Clingman Extension.

June 11                      Adopt-A Highway 9-10 AM 

June 14-15                 Studio Stroll

June 18                      Garden Club Wednesdays Sign/Clingman 1-4 PM

June 19                      Sergeant Evan Coward Swearing In Ceremony

June 21                      Juneteenth Celebration

June 23-27                Gentrification meeting TBA

June 25                      Garden Club Wednesdays Short Hilliard 3-6 PM 

June 28                      WECAN General Membership Meeting 4-9

Every Friday Night     Classic World Cinema 8 pm upstairs at Phil Mechanic Studios Free!  

July 3                         WECAN Board Meeting 6:30 at 64 Clingman Avenue

WECAN May 2014 Boar Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN Board Meeting May 1, 2014 at 64 Clingman Ave.

Board Members Present were: Byron Ballard, Jessie Nell Coleman, Joe Fioccola, and Rachel Larson. Board Members not present were Jeff Carnivale, Tom Gibson,  AnnaBeth Hardcastle, Mike Kenton, Yuri Koslen, Luke W. Perry, JoAnn Skinner, Pattiy Torno and Suzanne Willis.  Also present was: Marsha Stickford and APD Officer Lucas Lovelace.

Chair Rachel called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.   

MINUTES: There was a correction to the Draft April minutes: The Clingman Forest Walk-Through was on Wednesday April 23 and the Bridge Work day was moved to Saturday April 26. The minutes were approved as distributed and corrected.

APD/CRO UPDATE: Officer Lovelace reported that the graffiti tagger who signs as "EAWS" has been charged 33 times but has not been picked up yet.  He said a warning was left for one campsite and that DOT has been notified about debris between I-240 and a fence at the future community garden off West Haywood Street. Joe reported that he saw a white pup tent between the river and the back of the tobacco warehouse on Riverside Drive just north of the Smith Bridge (aka Craven Street Bridge). Rachel reported that a helmet was stolen from a scooter on Park Avenue but was not reported in a timely manner. She also asked about people doing construction or development work in the area blocking the road for extended periods of time. She was advised that if it is more than 15 minutes it should be called in to the police department (unless they have a permit) because emergency vehicles may have to pass.  

BLOCK JESSIES: Luke's house on 'Yarrow Place" had a big clean out.  Joe noted the big tree that fell down at Owens Bell Park. Part of it landed on the bench and knocked it off its stand. Marsha will report that. Rachel announced a birth on Park Square: Annalyn was born on April 7, 2014 to Mike and Sarah Kenton. Marsha advised that regarding the erosion/washout on Jefferson Drive, Monte Clampett had talked to the contractor also that the mulch on the trail to Park Avenue has washed out. Joe noted that the Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup on April 12 was a success--the 15-year decals were installed and celebratory picture taken. 

Rachel complimented Joe on WECAN's contribution to the New Belgium Time Capsule.  On April 23 Stephen Lee led a group of about 10 on a tour of the proposed Clingman Forest Greenway. Joe noted that one section in the middle was going to be a large raised deck/ gathering area with emergency phone that still allows MSD to access their lines. Another grant may be available for construction funding.  

STORMWATER MEETING: Marsha sent a notice that McCray Coates, City of Asheville Storm water Services Manager, and Joel Storrow, an Engineer with McGill and Associates, will be making a presentation on possible changes to storm water services at the May 12, 2014 Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods  meeting at 7:00 PM  at the Oakley Community Center at 715 Fairview Road. She encourages residents to come and learn about options being considered (such as raising rates) to allow the city to provide additional storm water-related services for local residential customers.

GENTRIFICATION STUDY: Marsha announced that Sasha Ratinski and another person would be gathering and analyzing data, determining the scope and creating a timeline for completion. The initial focus is on gathering data to identify changes in the last 15 years: where in the city, rentals, prices, market values to establish a baseline then research strategies used in other metro areas.

TROLLEY BRIDGE: Marsha announced that the engineering report was due soon on the bridge on Park Avenue off Roberts Street and that Capital Improvement construction money was in the works.  

MASTER PLANNING: Joe and Rachel met with Alan Glines (Cathy Ball was not available.) He advised that Director Judy Daniels was leaving and it may take up to a year to fill her position. In the meantime in-house staff will take over her duties but would diminish the planning department which is already understaffed. He agreed that the shelf life on a master plan was about ten years and ours should be updated and that he would like to help. He suggested we submit our proposal. Joe will reconvene the Master Planning Committee to review the proposal and complete the supplemental census. (Proposed date Tuesday May 20 @ 7 PM.)

WECAN GARDEN CLUB: Garden Club Wednesdays have been productive in April: on April 2 Hilliard at Rector, April 9 Hilliard at Rector continued, April 16 Finished Jefferson, April 23 Hilliard to Yarrow, April 30 the wall reveal on West Haywood at Park Ave. The goals for May are on May 7 @ 5-7 p.m. Owens Bell Park; on May 14 @ 4-7 p.m. more wall on West Haywood; on May 21 @ 12-4 p.m. more Hilliard; on May 28 @ 12-2 p.m. Sign Garden.  Marsha is still trying to find who is responsible for the fence on Hilliard that is damaged. (It is a city maintained road in a state DOT right-of-way.) Joe believes it is a city fence. since the city erected it when they put in the sidewalk. Also much thanks for picking up brush pile on Hilliard.(twice!)

WECAN COMMUNITY GARDEN: Marsha suggested that a proposal be made to create a garden next to the driveway at Asheville Redefines Transit. She would also check with Ken Putnam again about  meeting with the new NCDOT person. The wall on West Haywood that the garden club cleared is damaged and needs repair. some stones appear to have been moved to block a driveway. Byron suggested contacting Tom Gibson  who may know someone or knows himself how to repair an old stone wall.

SUPPLEMENTAL CENSUS: Joe mailed a survey to everyone on the East side of Clingman and on April 26 knocked on every door. He got 1 back by mail, 2 filled out in person, and 2 or 3 with the on-line survey monkey. Mike with MHO will help with Merritt Park.

CITY STRATEGIC OPERATING PLAN: Joe was one of the handful of citizens and several city staff and leaders who met at CT Koontz Intermediate School on April 29. South Asheville Projects announced included: Sidewalks on Overlook Road, New interchange at I-26 and Airport Road, Water line construction from Mills Gap to Harris Teeter on Hendersonville Road by June 30, and CTS remediation.  Joe attended the focus group on Affordable Housing and Upward Mobility. The main suggestions were to increase Sunday Bus Service and child care and that the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee was recommending several changes to increase density, keep the Affordable Housing trust fund,, relaxing rules for on-site parking for apartments with no-car residents. Joe noted that the exodus of high school graduates was anecdotal but should be looked into since jobs and housing keep them from making a life here.

SHORT TERM RENTALS: The planning department is working on changes to the short term rental policy. It is estimated that there are currently around 450 but only a handful are problems such making noise, parking, trash, affecting property values, not enough insurance, not paying room taxes, etc. The discussion raised mixed feelings.' For some it represents needed income.' 'It may increase property values.' 'It should be taxed at a higher rate as a business.' 'It is good to keep owners on premises.'

COFFEE AND CONVERSATION Joe reviewed the questions to be discussed at the  Friday May 2 meeting.

Officer Lovelace gave Rachel 2 Ride-Along applications.

The meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m.

DRAFT Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola.

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UPCOMING EVENTS THIS MONTH:

May 2                        Coffee and Conversation: Public Works 830-1030 am

May 6                        Primary Election Day: VOTE!

May 7                        Garden Club Wednesdays 10-2 Owens-Bell Park

May 7                        3-5 PM Free Admission day at Asheville Art Museum (First Wednesdays) 

May 12                      Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods Storm water Meeting 7 PM 715 Fairview Rd

May 14                      Garden Club Wednesdays 4-7 West Haywood Stone Wall

May 15                      Planning and Zoning meeting discussing Short Term Rentals

May 17                      Stream Clean up with Greenworks 318 Riverside Drive 10AM-4PM

May 20                      Master Planning Meeting 7 PM (place TBA)

May 21                      Garden Club Wednesdays  12-4 Hilliard East from Rector

May 24                      Mtn Sports Fest @  Greenworks FBR Cleanup @ Carrier Park 10-3PM

Every Friday Night     Classic World Cinema 8 pm upstairs at Phil Mechanic Studios Free!  

May 28                     Garden Club Wednesdays 12-2 Sign Garden  

May 30                     Rivernusic with Riverlink @ 125 Riverside Dr                   

June 5                       WECAN Board Meeting 6:30 at 64 Clingman Avenue