WECAN May 2018 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN Board Meeting Minutes May 3, 2018

Board Members present: Danny Aull, Joe Fioccola, Jared Fischer, Lynn Hall,

Rebecca Lance, Rachel Larson, Caroline Mullis, Luke Perry and Pattiy

Torno.  Members not present: Byron Ballard, Jessie Coleman, Also Present:

Bill McCurdy, John and Lynne Diamond Nigh,

INTROS: Rachel called the meeting to order at 6:33 pm.

MINUTES: Joe read his comments during the public comment period of the NAC

Central Area Meeting. Rachel was disappointed in the comments and feels

bad about not showing up. Lynn felt upset reading the minutes and took the

comments about gentrification personally. Pattiy suggested the challenge

was to word it better and not represent it as WECAN’s view of

gentrification.  Lynn sees the challenge as how to manage it better going

forward and engage the neighborhood.  Luke always looks at who benefits

and WECAN helps bring people together. How we participate in the community

is what is important. Jared empathized with both sides and lauded what

Byron and Joe have done for the neighborhood over the decades of service,

care, honor, passion, justice and wants to honor that as well. Dan offered

that everyone want a clean, safe neighborhood without traffic congestion,

and is that wrong? Joe explained that his comments were given at a public

meeting of a committee on which he serves and which is reflected in their

minutes. It came to WECAN minutes as a report on that Central Area

Meeting. It represented his opinion. Lynn moved and Pattiy seconded a

motion to approved the Draft WECAN minutes from April 5 with the assertion

that the comments about the Central Area Meeting did not reflect the

opinions of everyone in WECAN. The motion passed.

CRO Update: Pattiy noted the huge and growing homeless camp on the west

bank of the river. Rebecca noted that CRO Justin Wilson had sent her some

information to pass out about safety.  She will post it on the FB Page and

make some copies to distribute door to door. Two lights have been placed

at the end of Jefferson but no signs about community watch.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Rebecca reported the checking balance was $811.42.

HomeTrust Bank has requested a resolution authorizing them to sent

statements to the treasurer.

Joe Moved and Pattiy seconded the motion to change account information for

the WECAN account at HomeTrust Bank, the WECAN Board hereby adopts the

Written Consent of the Board of Directors document from HomeTrust Bank,

and authorize the WECAN Recorder to deliver a signed copy and copies of

the by-laws, and minutes appointing the treasurer and any other documents

required by the bank.

Joe moved and Pattiy seconded a motion To make the permanent legal mailing

address of WECAN as c/o MHO 64 Clingman Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801 The

motion passed.

Joe moved and Pattiy seconded to adopt draft financial procedures which

call for annual financial reporting, 990 filing and orderly transition of

oncoming treasurers. The motion passed.

Joe moved and Rachel seconded a motion to permit all IRS filings for tax

emption to be available for public inspection by the general public as

required by IRS rules by request on the WECAN Website for a link to the

Google Drive. The motion passed.

Joe moved and Jared seconded a motion to approve payment of the balance of

the $275 fee (including costs for printing and postage) for the

retroactive reinstatement application form 1023 and form 990’s from

2010-2017 supplemented by additional funds donated by Pattiy Torno and

Lynn Hall. The motion passed.

After an explanation of the Reinstatement process a reading was waived of

the Reasonable Explanation for Late Filing and Reasonable Cause Statement

(which were passed around)

Lynn Moved  and Rebecca second a motion to accept the advice of the

subcommittee and all the  documents for the Application for Retroactive

Reinstatement of 501(c )3 tax exemption. The motion passed.

Rebecca noted for information purposes that the subcommittee received

assistance from a friend of Katy Aull who is tax attorney. Rebecca

informed the board that she will acknowledge the assistance and proposes

to name one bed in the community Garden for the late pet dog named Mr.

Burns.

Luke thanked the subcommittee for their work.

REZONING REQUEST at 339 W Haywood St.:  Rachel, Jared and others  attended

and spoke at the Planning and Zoning meeting concerning the proposal to

change the zoning from Neighborhood Business to Commercial Business

Industrial. She reported that unsurprisingly P&Z approved the change and

passed it anyway despite her opposition. She noted that the fight can

continue with public comments at city council meetings, emailing

councilors, further meetings and petitions showing opposition. Joe

observed that the Neighborhood Business zoning was intended to provide a

transition from commercial and residential areas. Some differences are

allowing single family residential and size restrictions. Developers were

asking for some single family which Residential Multifamily 8 units per

acre (RM8) or Commercial Business might allow. There are also issues of

on-site patking and lot sizes. Some presidents like CB1 and some are

afraid of density and traffic. Some like RM8 and NHB. There is not a clear

consensus. Lynn suggested that we develop systems to collect and

disseminate information about issues. In each of the three possible zoning

categories the outcome is unclear. Luke pointed out that P&Z may want

increased density but single family housing has the lowest density.

Rebecca pointed out that traffic will increase under each zoning option.

Lynn suggested a fact-based, unemotional explanation of the issue. Rachel

wants a community survey.

Luke noted the key point is good accurate information spelling out the

trade-offs and explanatory links and bullet points.  Joe inserted that

the Living Asheville Comprehensive Plan was going to City Council in June

and calls for increased density along main travel nodes. People should

look at it on the city website. Also after it is accepted the Unified

Development Ordinance (UDO) will be rewritten and other zoning changes

may emerge. Rachel, Jared and Luke will form a subcommittee to format the

issue with facts. Rebecca observed that the current email list is out of

date and hard to update unless you go door to door and canvassing the

neighborhood works best person-to-person. Perhaps a piece of paper on

every doorstep with a link would work

NCDOT ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENTS: Joe expected Brenda to be at this meeting

with a progress report. There was a vague issue about planting on the

site. Not sure if that is holding it up. Joe repeated that NCDOT did clean

up the site on April 6.

STEPS TO HILLCREST: Luke repeated his concern about the erosion at the

base of the steps that he reported years ago.  Some markings have appeared

at the steps that imply something is being done. He will check with Greg

Shuler at Public Works for an update.

DUKE SUBSTATION: Luke summarized the meeting yesterday which was the first

since October 2017. Pattiy outlined the four basic principles: 1-Alignment

with community goals, 2-Community Benefit (leaving an easement on Clingman

to allow increased lanes for bikes, turning, etc to be developed by the

city after the substation is completed in a public process.) 3-Make it as

invisible as possible and 4-Respectfully deal with residential neighbors.

All four goals are still in play. Luke explained the process the group has

gone through so far and what options and trade-offs have got us to this

point after two years. There is an emotional issue about Jessie’s house

one of the longest occupied in WECAN. There may be some naming opportunity

in future development. He wants it to be documented before it is lost

forever and also to attempt to understand the impact on the neighbor

across the street.

WEST HAYWOOD DEVELOPMENT: Bill McCurdy went to P&Z with the goal of

subdividing 4 lots into 5. They advised they could approve it only if

1-rear access is mandatory, 2-there need to be sidewalks on West Haywood,

3-a requirement for front porches and 4-no driveway cuts on W Haywood.  He

showed an illustration of how it would look with a single space driveway

in each.

Parking on W Haywood is an issue that is being used to justify the ban on

driveways.  John and Jared both have concerns about using the rear access

which would despoil their views from the back of their Club/Trade Street

houses.

MSD NEW LINE: Rachel wants to thank MSD for their work. Pattiy offered to

send a photo and will bring a thank you to the next WECAN meeting.

RADTIP: Road closures begin on Monday. The stop lights between Southern

States and Smoky Park Supper Club will control traffic in both directions

through one lane of the railroad trestle for the next six weeks.

JESSIE MAE MEMORIAL GARDEN; Rachel thanked Pattiy for the face Book

picture of a yellow iris given to her by the late Jessie Mae Jones. She

will reach out to JoAnne Skinner for info on getting plants..

QUEEN CARSON COMMUNITY GARDEN: Wood chip mulch arrived thanks to Duke Energy.

It has been spread to cover the garden paths and around the perimeter. 

Rebecca announced there is room for more gardeners to participate. The

regular meeting is on Tuesdays at 6 pm.

KUDZU HILLWORKDAY: The first will be this Sunday May 6 at 5 pm  starting

at the Roberts Street side to keep the invasive plants off the new

hawthorn trees.

Meeting adjourned at 8:33 pm

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola, Secretary

WECAN April 2018 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN Board Meeting Minutes April 5, 2018

Board Members present: Joe Fioccola, Jared Fischer, Rebecca Lance,

Caroline Mullis and Pattiy Torno.  Members not present: Danny Aull, Byron

Ballard, Jessie Coleman, Lynn Hall, Rachel Larson and Luke Perry. Also

Present: APD Officer Justin Wilson, Brenda Mills, Neighborhood

Communication Manager.

INTROS: Joe called the meeting to order at 6:36 pm.

APD/CRO Update: Justin reported recent crimes in March included a bicycle

theft by a BM 5’-8” dreadlocks from a porch on Jefferson, the theft of two

chained mopeds taken from a yard on Jefferson. Follow up on the Jefferson

turn around area were three calls of suspicious activity: two were for

prostitution but they left before officers arrived and the third found

someone claimed picking nettles for a restaurant. 130 Roberts St, Cypress

Creek had a grab of a cell phone from the desk. A house was broken into on

W Haywood Street through an unlocked ground floor window and a TV and

jewelry was taken. He also showed a snapshot comparison of the locations

of property crimes in March 2017 compared to March 2018. Rebecca asked

about pre-packaged advice for crime prevention. Justin will try to locate

a current pdf notice. Pattiy asked about a traffic incident where cars

parked on Clingman were hit by a blue truck. It was witnessed and drug

related and the driver was charged.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT: Brenda urged WECAN to prepare and think about what we

want to do. NNO is on August 7 and is an opportunity for neighbors to

interact with police and get to know each other. In the past WECAN has

gathered at Aston Park with a cookout and luminaria. In other years there

was a more concentrated event in city-county plaza or Carrier Park with

prizes and hot dogs provided by Target. Last year WECAN opted out and it

also rained heavily. This year a more dispersed observance in

neighborhoods is encouraged. Brenda will send out information and ideas

from other neighborhoods by next week.    There is no fee for a city

permit and applications should be received by late June. We may want to

contact Target directly about sponsorships.

MINUTES: Joe read an amendment to the minutes:

WECAN HISTORY FLASHBACK FROM MARCH 1998: WECAN residents motivate County

officials to initiate a $30,000 cleanup of a 25-year old dumping site at

the intersection of West Haywood and Club/Trade Street.   WECAN Board

members meet with the Asheville Greenway Plan consultants to encourage

neighborhood ravine as possible route for greenway connector from downtown

to the French Broad River, which leads to consultants’ recommendation of

this site.   Letter sent to (and meetings with) Parks and Recreation halts

expansion plans for maintenance facility that is incompatible with WECAN

Neighborhood 2010 Plan   WECAN Board appoints members to meet with

Hillcrest Community to discuss working together on problems affecting both

neighborhoods concerning the bypass walkover bridge.   WECAN adopts

Clingman Avenue through the Adopt a Highway program.   Jared moved and

Pattiy seconded a motion to approve the draft WECAN minutes from March 1

as emailed. The motion passed.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Rebecca reported the March 30 balance was $1072.42.

Following up on the revoked tax-exempt status she noted there are two

options. The first is called a postmark reinstatement which will cost $275

is easy to file with IRS and just reinstates the status from the date of

the postmark going forward but also needs more notifications to donors.

The second is a full retroactive reinstatement when revocations are older

than 15 months and which may cost $600. Pattiy offered to pay the

difference between the $275 and $600 and do the extra paperwork in order

to do the right thing. After discussion it was the unanimous opinion of

those present and 3 absentees to go for the second. There is a deadline of

May 15 to submit the application and a subcommittee of Rebecca, Pattiy and

Joe will meet on Sunday to begin the 6 month application process.

NCDOT ENCROACHMENT: Brenda has talked to Ken Putnam about the neighborhood

maintaining what we call the Melk Garden across from the bus garage and an

agreement with the city is needed like the one the city had for the mural

on N Lexington under the I-240 bridge. The city is the intermediary

between WECAN and NCDOT but NCDOT has a rule against planting on their

right-of-ways. There was some confusion about what the main goal was

(planting vegetables or keeping it clear of campsites.) Brenda will check

with him later this week about current vegetation and Transportation will

begin to draft the agreement with NCDOT and it shouldn’t take long for the

one between the city and WECAN. Rachel noted that NCDOT reneged on

removing trash they buried. Joe noted that Eric at Asheville Green Works

plans to follow up on the illegal process they used but will wait until

after WECAN has our encroachment agreement. [**Joe observed that NCDOT did

clean up the buried debris on April 6**]

DUKE RIGHT OF WAY: Duke’s power pole installation has begun. Some trees

have been removed from the Trade Street ravine others saved and only

trimmed. . Jason had offered wood chips for the community garden and Joe

met with the crew leader on Thursday March 29th and showed him where to

leave a load of wood chips but as late as Tuesday April 3 none were

delivered. Joe ran into Jason on Tuesday and he said he would follow up on

it. Jared was called by Kyra Thompson 828 279-0083 what kind of trees he

would like to be replaced there. He will ask for a medium height native

evergreen tree from their approved list to visually block sight of the

power lines.

MSD NEW LINE: Pattiy noted that MSD has mulched the top at the end of Park

Avenue and noted that trees cannot be replanted within ten feet of the

sewer line on either side. She is in touch with Shane Meadows from MSD

about the replanted Duke tree along Clingman.

RADTIP: April-June road closures: Pattiy reported that starting April 21

the section of Riverside between Craven Street and Hill Street will be

reduced to one lane under the railroad trestle for about six weeks with an

unmanned traffic signal that is triggered when a vehicle approaches from

the north or south.

OWENS-BELL PARK: Joe observed that the lyriope around the metal Owens-Bell

Park sign had been mowed just like the mulch and the mums that were

planted there before. Pattiy offered some corrugated metal that could

serve as a barrier to mowers.

QUEEN CARSON COMMUNITY GARDEN:   Rebecca noted that there is still room

available for others interested in participating. The regular meeting day

is Tuesday at 6 pm. Byron received three water funnel kits ( like the one

in the garden now.) for a community garden that went defunct To complete

use as water catchment we need trash cans and cement blocks. Pattiy moved

and Jared seconded a motion to authorize spending around $50 to complete

them. The motion passed.

CENTRAL AREA MEETING: Joe attended the Neighborhood Advisory Committee

area meeting on Monday March 19. Only five neighborhood representatives

attended from two central neighborhood groups. Joe was disappointed that

the WECAN Chair didn’t show up. He offered that issues of a Duke Energy

substation proceeding in WECAN and three or four large scale apartment

complexes on Clingman Avenue between Hilliard to Patton that when complete

will double or triple the current resident population. A single family

house near his is being listed for almost a half million dollars. When

people pay that much for a house they come with expectations and community

is often not one of them. When gentrification comes-- like it has here, it

destroys community. It increases property taxes and only benefits

residents if they chose to leave and cash out. The next area meeting is in

North area in May. A brief discussion of purpose of meetings for input

rather than from organized group meetings followed.

COALITION OF ASHEVILLE NEIGHBORHOODS (CAN): Joe read an invitation from

CAN to attend their monthly meeting on Monday April 9. They have decided

to waive their 2018 membership fees to encourage participation. Their

meeting will cover neighborhood concerns, election of officers, future

meeting sites, new website and visioning. Pattiy’s experience is that CAN

is not an effective organization. Joe has issues with their membership

fees and they are struggling with their organization. The difference and

overlap between CAN and NAC leads to confusion. Controversial issues

brought to CAN and NAC include noise from businesses affecting residential

neighborhoods, and the road diet for Merrimon Avenue.

ADOPT A HIGHWAY: Last cleanup was on March 13 the next litter pickup will

be in June.

KUDZU HILLWORKDAY: The first was set for Sunday May 6 at 5 pm to keep the

invasive plants off the new hawthorn trees. Green Works will be asked for

use of the tool trailer.

AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBERS:  Joe noted the WECAN By-Laws call for two classes

of membership. The first are Resident Members and the second are At-large

members. Up to 15 may serve in the 60/40 proportion. That means that with

9 current board members there should be 5 At-large members. Pattiy moved

and Jared seconded a motion to appoint Floree and Rafael back as At-Large

Board members. The motion passed Pattiy will ask Joe Faffy if he is

interested in serving.

RAD BANNERS: Pattiy explained a MOU between the city, RADA and RADBA which

allocates $25,000 to maintain vitality in the River Arts District during

the construction on RADTIP. Enthusiastic response was shown for 114

way-finding pole banners color-coded to the guide map with different

images and sponsors. They will go up in the next two weeks. Some of

Riverside should be done by June and due to loss of some parking at Jean

Webb Park there will be more parking under the Bowen Bridges and some

detours when apartments are constructed.

DUKE SUBSTATION: Pattiy heard from Jason that he is ready to reconvene the

working group which hasn’t met since September. Some progress has been

made on Knoxville Place with assurances that they are ‘looking after the

residents’ and had made contact with Mr. Harrison and expect to close by

August. Duke is ready to move forward.

BLOCK JESSIES: Jared’s neighbor gave up on dealing with the damage to his

house from the broken fire hydrant.  Joe observed that it was 23 years ago

this day that fire destroyed the Asheville Cotton Mill and Chesterfield

Mill. Also that tree removal had begun on Girdwood Street next to the

Davens. With all the trees removes he considered changing the street name

to “Gird.”  Pattiy explained that when RADTIP is complete her road would

be renamed River Arts Row and be one way north bound and need new

addressing for Curve Studios and 14 Riverside Drive. There will also be

artist housing north of Curve Studios and some realignment of Riverside

Drive by the Old Wood Co.

Meeting adjourned at 8:32 pm

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola, Secretary

Important Upcoming Dates:

April 9 CAN Meeting 7 pm

April 17 Opioid Crisis-A Call To Action @Dr Wesly Grant Cntr 285

Livingston St 6-8 pm

April 20 NH leaders Roundtable 8:30 @ Riverlink

May 3    Next WECAN Board Meeting Thursday 6:30 pm

May 6 Kudzu Hill workday-5 pm

LIVING ASHEVILLE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: The final draft is published and

there are several public meetings scheduled before it goes to City Council

for adoption in May.

WECAN March 2018 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN Board Meeting Minutes March 1, 2018  

Board Members present: Byron Ballard, Jessie Coleman, Joe Fioccola, Rebecca Lance and Rachel Larson.

Members not present: Danny Aull, Lynn Hall, Luke Perry and Pattiy Torno. 

At Large Members not present: Jared Fischer, Caroline Mullis,

Also Present APD Officer Justin Wilson, Mike Vance, John and Lynne Diamond Nigh, Blair Johnstone, Katy Aull and Joanna.

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

MINUTES: Byron moved and Rachel seconded a motion to approve the draft WECAN minutes from February 1. (There was one correction: Byron should have been marked as absent.)  The motion passed.

MOUNTAIN HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES: Mike Vance showed illustrations of a proposed affordable housing complex for the NE corner of Clingman and Hilliard. It will have 5000 sf and 80 apartments most of which will be affordable.  20 will be efficiencies, 40 single bedroom and 20 two bedroom. Only 40 parking spaces will be provided below the building. Technical review meeting is set for Monday March 5 and Downtown Design Review on Friday March 9. They have an option to purchase the property until August and are applying for NC low income housing tax credits along with three other Buncombe county projects.(Only one will be selected.) Question: How long will the apartments remain affordable? All will be to some degree( 30,50 or  60% AMI)  The plan is to keep 60 units permanently affordable if the city approves a loan from the affordable housing trust fund. Question: What about parking? Twenty spaces will be reserved for the office use during the day. Some will be available for rent on 24 hour or night/weekend rate and the apartments will be advertised with no parking but on the bus routes and in walking distance to a grocery store, park, movie theatre, etc. Question: If all the financing is approved what it the timeline for completion? Approval will be known by August. Construction should begin within a year and completion expected by the fall of 2020.

APD/CRO Update: Justin had a follow up on the Code Purple situation.  He advised that the policy was to change effective next Friday. As of then only females and children will be guaranteed space on Code Purple nights. Recent crimes reported include: residential break in at 62 Clingman Avenue through a bathroom window in the afternoon; White Duck Taco vandalism to planters and flower pots; unlocked vehicle broken into near Grey Eagle. There was an observed increase in the use of the dead end of Jefferson as a safe space for prostitution. Rachel reported that a streetlight for that location was in process. Lights, Signs and fake cameras were also suggested.  Jessie reported a man behind her house on Knoxville Place. Rebecca suggested some kind of flyer. Justin will check for Community Watch signs and non-emergency phone number refrigerator magnets.

BLOCK JESSIES: Marjory is moving to Black Mountain from Park Avenue and Josie is moving from Jefferson.

DUKE RIGHT OF WAY: Lynne and John are concerned about activity in the ravine between West Haywood and Club/Trade. Their Club Street home used to look out on a wooded area and that is changing with the development of new houses along West Haywood and the installation of new power transmission poles in the ravine. Duke is also getting ready to cut mature trees inside their property line. Their concern is about not knowing what is going on in this historic area. They question what the plans may be for replanting the area. Rachel offered to research rights of way and easements. Duke power pole installation is set to begin by the end of March and continue through May and June. 

TREASURER’SREPORT: Rebecca explained that the IRS Tax exemption was revoked 7 years ago for failure to file annual forms. There is a process for reinstating the determination but professional accountants will charge $200. Katy offered to consult a friend who is an accountant for not-for profits in Philadelphia.

NCDOT ENCROACHMENT: Joe and Byron have been working with NCDOT about an encroachment agreement to put in a community Garden across West Haywood from Park Avenue.  The application form on line is for utilities. They have contacted Brenda Mills to get with the City transportation department—with contacts at NCDOT to get the city on board as a third party. When that happens we will have an agreement with the city and they will go- between with NCDOT.  Rachel has received a letter of support from Asheville Greenworks and three adjacent property owners who want to maintain smaller portions of the right of way.

JESSIE MAE MEMORIAL GARDEN: Rachel will check with Pattiy and Joanne about getting plants from Jessie Mae’s garden.

QUEEN CARSON COMMUNITY GARDEN:  There was a rainy work day on Sunday. Marjory and Suzanne have sent emails about freeing up their beds. Katy and Danny will take on one and Zac and Lynn will continue their. There is still room available for others interested in participating.

CENTRAL AREA MEETING: Joe announced the Neighborhood Advisory Committee area meeting on Monday March 19 6:30-8:30 pm at Public Works. Rachel will attend. Others?

ADOPT A HIGHWAY: Joe set Tuesday March 18 at 9 am for the next litter pickup meet at Clingman and Hilliard.

KUDZU HILLWORKDAY: set for Sunday March 4 Afternoon?

Meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola, Secretary

Leftover from February minutes:

To add to March Agenda: Appointment of at-large members: How to get people involved, to participate, to come to meetings, to give input? Not just a membership drive but some social aspect, face to face, also to begin planning activities for 2018. Invite Payne Kissinger to show plans for 338 Hilliard.

Important Upcoming Dates:

Mar 3                        Lyman Street Cleanup 2:30-4:30 Meet at Greenworks 318 Riverside Dr

Mar 4                        Kudzu Hill workday-afternoon

Mar 5                        Technical Review Committee Meeting on MHO Apartment proposal

Mar 9                        Dntn Design Review Meeting on MHO Apartment proposal

Mar 10             Tree Planting 165 S French Broad 9-1pm

Mar 11                        Daylight Savings time begins

Mar 12                        CAN Meeting

Mar 13                        Adopt a Highway litter pick up 9 am

Mar 13                        Growing From Seed workshop and Tea 6-7:30 at Sow True Seed on Haywood St

Mar 16                        NH leaders Roundtable 8:30 @ Riverlink

Mar 19                        NAC Central Area Neighborhoods Meeting at Public Works

Mar 26                        Transit Master Plan Public meeting

Apr 5               Next WECAN Board Meeting Thursday 6:30 pm

WECAN February 2018 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN Board Meeting Minutes February 1, 2018

Board Members present: Danny Aull, Byron Ballard, Jessie Coleman, Joe

Fioccola, Lynn Hall, Rebecca Lance, Rachel Larson and Pattiy Torno.

Members not present: Luke Perry

At Large Members not present: Jared Fischer, Caroline Mullis,

Also Present Amanda, APD Officer Justin Wilson and Sgt Chuck Sams, Duke

Energy Team: Jason Walls, Mike Wojnarowski, Pamela Okelly Lift, David

Weddington, Avery Dellinger, Bob Fitz, Ted Hughey.

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

introductions.

MINUTES/ TREASURER”S REPORT: Rebecca moved and Rachel seconded a motion to

approve the draft WECAN minutes from January 4. The motion passed. The

Treasurer reported on activity in January. The current balance is

$1,072.42. She asked about a requirement to acknowledge donations over

$250 with a letter. Pattiy found that tax exempt status was revoked in

2013 for failure to file a 990 form. She and Lynn will work on getting a

reinstatement and the letter will wait until then.

DUKE POWER POLES: Jason came to report on the rebuilding the transmission

lines to downtown as phase 2 of the RADTIP moving infrastructure. There is

one more foundation left to go in the gully between Roberts Street and the

top of Trade St. There is more tree clearing to be done in the same area.

He explained that the new poles will have horizontal arms which will

locate the lines in the center of the right of way. Avery and the

distribution team will begin in late March to early April working from

Park Ave east. The river crossing near the old Twelve Bones should be

completed by April 23. Then from Trade St east and then Hill Street to

Cherry St and finally completing from Trade St to Roberts St. The two

periods when WECAN will be affected are from May-Jun and connecting up in

early August. Some traffic disruptions are expected but flaggers and cones

should mitigate that and care will be taken about parking near Jefferson

and W Haywood where visibility is limited. If any problems occur he

encouraged to contact him since he is local. Jason Walls: Office:828

258-5019, Cell:803 818-7593 Email: jasonwalls@duke-energy,com. He also

asked for the best way to keep in contact with updates. WECAN webpage,

flyers, FaceBook group, NextDoor and email were suggested as well as

posting the map on the FaceBook page. Overall when the project is

completed there will be a reduction in the number of poles and lights will

be replaced on them. There needs to be a further conversation about

replanting or mulching in the gully.

DUKE SUBSTATION: Jason also noted there has been no change in the

substation planning since October but he plans to call the working group

together soon pushing for a resolution by June.

APD/CRO Update: Jason also noted a lot of people walking on their property

and that the were asked by APD to post ‘no trespassing’ signs and provide

a letter authorizing APD to charge violators. Justin explained that the

rcent fire on Park Avenue North behind Grey Eagle was not being

investigated as arson because the fire started outside the building. 

Followint up from last meeting he explained some more information on the 9

assaults that occurred last year. Three were domestics indoors, three were

road rage incidents, one was a robbery of a cellphone at the bus stop, one

was vaguely reported on the Riverlink Bridge and the last was a

disturbance at Greens on Depot Street.  He talked to investigators of the

homicide from 2015 and evidence points to it having occurred at the end of

Jefferson. In January there were two break ins of vehicles which were not

locked at 130 Roberts and 146 Clingman and a smash and grab at 185

Clingman (Grey Eagle.)  The dog problem on Jefferson has abated for now

even though no action was taken.

There was a question about frequent panhandling at the Craven Street

Bridge and discussion of what constitutes panhandling. Justin posted the

panhandling ordinance on Next Door. Pattiy reported seeing working

girls/sex workers at Aston Park. Joe asked about charging people who

don’t pick up after their dogs.

HOMELESS SITUATION: Sgt Chuck Sams answered questions about the seven day

notice city policy on homelessness. In the next few weeks the Department

will be meeting with stakeholders and looking at revising the policy to

offer police more discretion in moving homeless camps from public property

Pattiy reported a problem from Brian Gompers at the Western Carolina

Rescue Mission during a recent Code Purple. They are supposed to keep

their doors open for all but there were so many more than they could

handle and they lost control inside the building. They asked APD if during

Code Purple could they provide security and were told the cost of off-duty

officers.  They were forced to change their participation in Code Purple

event to take no more than ten over their number of beds and then close

their doors. Rebecca asked about there being a neighborhood stakeholder

and how to keep updated on changes for input.

NCDOT ENCROACHMENT: Joe sent an email to Troy Wilson and has not heard

back yet. He could find nothing on the NCDOT website about any

encroachment other than for utilities. He will try calling Troy’s office.

There was discussion about what WECAN wants to achieve. The main thing is

to maintain the area keep is visibly clear—like the billboard company lots

to deter camping there. Rachel asked about clearing brush, lighting

solutions, a privacy fence which may have added to the problem and moving

or privately replacing the NCDOT controlled access fence to potentially

expand the private lots.  Pattiy noted it is important to prioritize the

issue with internal discussion. Next steps include reconnecting with Troy

Wilson, asking Brenda Mills if Sanitation can help. Pattiy asked if a

public garden can solve the problem. We have some leverage with the

illegal burying of hazardous waste and should think about other asks such

as kudzu removal on Clingman up to Park Ave or the pedestrian bridge.

To add to March Agenda: Appointment of at-large members: How to get people

involved, to participate, to come to meetings, to give input? Not just a

membership drive but some social aspect, face to face, also to begin

planning activities for 2018. Invite Payne Kissinger to show plans for 338

Hilliard.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola, Secretary

Important Upcoming Dates:

Feb 12 CAN Meeting

Feb 13 Growing From Seed workshop and Tea 6-7:30 at Sow True Seed on

Haywood St

Feb 16 NH leaders Roundtable 8:30 @ Riverlink

Mar 1        Next WECAN Board Meeting Thursday 6:30 pm

WECAN January 2018 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

DRAFT: WECAN Board Meeting Minutes January 4, 2018

Board Members present: Byron Ballard, Jessie Coleman, Joe Fioccola, Lynn

Hall, Rebecca Lance, Rachel Larson,

Members not present: Danny Aull, Luke Perry and Pattiy Torno.

At Large Members not present: Floree Lowery and Rafael Rettig.

Also Present: Jared Fischer, Caroline Mullis, Carrie Pettler, APD Officer

Justin Wilson and NCDOT Engineer Troy Wilson.

INTROS: Rachel called the meeting to order at 6:34 pm with a round of

introductions.

MINUTES/ TREASURER”S REPORT: Byron moved and Rachel seconded a motion to

approve the draft WECAN minutes from December 7. The motion passed. The

Treasurer reported on activity in December. The check from New Belgium of

$1305.00 was deposited with $130.50 going to WECAN for kudzu removal, $261

will go to RADBA to offset costs of maintenance of Clingman planting and

$913.50 will go to RADA for printing the studio stroll guide. She also

took care of a reimbursement for an unpaid receipt for 14.89 from 2016.

BLOCK JESSIE: Rachel reported a problem with a dog running loose on

Jefferson Drive. The owner is a new renter in WECAN and claims the dog is

a country dog and likes to run free. She was informed by the police about

the leash law in effect inside the city limits and the consequences.

Rachel is reluctant to have the animal picked up but thinks a fine might

get their attention. Justin will have the animal control officer get in

touch with Rachel to advise her of all options available. Demo has begun

at 338 Hilliard Ave.

APD/CRO Update: Justin reported a tag stolen from a vehicle parked at the

Wedge. Regarding last month’s complaint at the dead end of Jefferson Drive

about prostitution, loitering and suspicious vehicles, he met with the

city traffic engineer about putting barriers in the road. They let him

know that such an option was not available on Jefferson but was an option

for the dead end of Park Avenue North. Additional lighting was going in on

Jefferson. He also printed some charts and graphs of the reported violent

and property crimes in WECAN in 2016 and 2017 with the disclaimer that

sometimes the numbers are confusing due to variations in coding and

reporting. The city website also shows crime reported in neighborhoods in

the city at communitycrimemap.com. Justin will follow up with details on

the 8 reported assaults at the Feb 1 WECAN meeting. He will also check on

the release of information on the double murder from two years ago.

NCDOT AND HOMELESS CAMP REMOVAL: Carrie Pettler explained the genesis of

the problem. Her home on West Haywood at Trade Street is surrounded on

three sides by NCDOT land which is often used as homeless campsites for up

to 15 tents at a time and as a result is littered with debris. She has

empathy for the situation and there is no simple solution but something

should be done. This occurs mostly at night. Her concerns are trespassing,

fallen trees, fences cut, fires and not least the trash left behind. When

she reported it to NCDOT they came in one week. She became concerned when

they dug a trench with a backhoe and buried it on site. Troy Wilson

explained that the NCDOT maintains responsibility for large areas and with

limited resources.  They repair fences and normally don’t remove trees

unless they are in traffic or damaging fences. For violations in

controlled access areas there are different charges such as trespassing,

littering and destruction of vegetation. However, enforcement is the

responsibility of local law enforcement and their intent is not to

criminalize homelessness. It is the standard procedure regarding hazardous

waste removal--which includes human waste, needles and drug paraphernalia,

to bury it in order to keep workers safe. It sometimes costs as much or

more than manual bagging and removal to the state dump in Charlotte since

the Buncombe county landfill won’t accept it. Rachel asked for a copy of

the policies, laws, standard operation procedures covering this kind of

removal to determine what options might exist for affected neighborhoods.

Troy explained one-- that for a community garden after an encroachment

agreement was obtained, the NCDOT would partner with  a community group

and prepare the site. DOT would welcome volunteer assistance in bagging

and removal and maintenance. Byron offered to send a proposal by the end

of the month.  NCDOT.GOV/ENCROACHMENT. Other options discussed include

trimming brush and trees from 2 feet to 7 feet to provide clear

visibility, trespass letters on file locally vs General Statutes, the

severe cutbacks in DOT staffing and the city homeless policy. They will

give property to a municipality or group to maintain and use or develop

but not to sell. NEXT STEPS: Rachel has been trying to get the Homeless

Coordinator Christiana Tugman to attend a meeting and will invite someone

from the BeLoved Community for their perspective.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS: After discussion of the role of the Chair and vice

chair and how incomplete terms are filled Jared moved and Byron seconded a

motion to continue the terms of the current officers except that Joe be

secretary instead of Byron. The motion passed.

APPOINTMENT OF AT LARGE MEMBERS: There was some discussion of the role of

at-large members. They represent non-resident property owners or those who

have some skill or expertise that would benefit WECAN. Rebecca moved and

Byron seconded a motion to appoint Jared and Caroline as at-large members.

The motion passed. There is room for two more to be considered at the next

meeting.

DUKE-ENERGY SUBSTATION:  No movement since the last meeting was canceled

and process is still on hold due to lack of progress on the residential

properties.

OTHER ISSUES: Lynn suggested an agenda item for the next meeting: How to

get people involved, to participate, to come to meetings, to give input?

Not just a membership drive but some social aspect, face to face, also to

begin planning activities for 2018. Invite Payne Kissinger to show plans

for 338 Hilliard.

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola, Secretary

Important Upcoming Dates:

Jan 16      Mushroom workshop at Sow True Seeds 6-7:30

Jan 19      NH leaders Roundtable 8:30 @ Riverlink

Feb 1        Next WECAN Board Meeting Thursday 6:30 pm

WECAN December 2017 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN General Membership Meeting Minutes December 7, 2017  

Board Members present: Katie (for Danny) Aull, Rebecca Lance, Rachel Larson, Luke Perry and Pattiy Torno. 

Members not present Byron Ballard, Jared Fischer, Lynn Hall, Tom Gibson, Mike Kenton, Caroline Mullis, JoAnn Skinner and Suzanne Willis.

At Large Members not present: Floree Lowery and Rafael Rettig.

Also Present: Matt Bacoate, Joe Fioccola, Lee Lance, Charlie Lance, Denise LeJean, Bill McCurdy, Brenda Mills, and APD Officer Justin Wilson.

INTROS: Rachel called the meeting to order at 6:38 pm with a round of introductions and food.  

MINUTES/ TREASURER”S REPORT: Joe noted that corrections to the minutes were sent with the meeting reminder notice. Rachel moved and Pattiy seconded a motion to approve the corrected draft WECAN minutes from November 2. The motion passed. The Treasurer reported no activity in November. Pattiy reported the pass through donation from New Belgium would be about $1300 with $130 going to WECAN for kudzu removal, $260 going to RADBA to offset costs of maintenance of Clingman planting and the balance to RADA for printing the studio stroll guide.

APD/CRO Update: Justin noted a complaint at the dead end of Jefferson Drive about prostitution, loitering and suspicious vehicles. He invited suggestions of creative ideas for dealing with this ongoing problem. He has requested additional lighting and encourages anyone to call if you see suspicious activity. A motion sensor solar light was suggested. Other activity: a car was broken into on Jefferson, a house was either attempted to be broken into or was vandalized on Trade Street. 83 Clingman Ave was broken into again. Trash was rifled through at the end of West Haywood and 67 Clingman was Broken into and the mental person having an episode was caught. Regarding the NEXTDOOR request for help removing camping detritus on land behind Trade Street, Justin recommended not clearing it due to the danger of drug needles there. He advised her to contact DOT to clear it up.

ELECTION TO WECAN BOARD: Rachel noted the current board members:

     Class of 2017:  Mike Kenton, Rebecca Lance, JoAnne Skinner and Suzanne Willis.

     Class of 2018: Byron Ballard, Rachel Larson, Pattiy Torno.

     Class of 2019: Danny Aull, Lynn Hall, Luke W. Perry, Jared Fischer/Caroline Mullis*.

     At Large: Floree Lowery and Rafael Rettig.

Eligible for another term from the Class of 2017 is only Rebecca (since the three others have served two complete consecutive 3-year terms and must rotate off the board for a year per the WECAN by-laws.)

Also since Jared/Caroline are no longer residents they can’t serve as resident board members but may be at-large members leaving an unfilled term in the class of 2019.

Pattiy moved and Rachel seconded a motion to appoint Jessie Coleman, Joe Fioccola and Rebecca Lance to the Class of 2020. The motion passed. There is room for 4 At-Large members to be appointed by the Board in January. Pattiy suggested nominations to consider: Jared Fischer, Floree Lowery, Caroline Mullis, Bill McCurdy and Rafael Rettig.

WECAN 2017 ACTIVITY REPORT:  Joe reported the following events and activity in 2017: Ongoing and over several months: Duke Substation location in WECAN and committed to the smaller Gas Insulated Substation, RAD Form Based Code passed, River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project (RADTIP) begun, Clingman Forest renamed to Bacoate Branch and Greenway renamed, Adopt A Highway 20^th Year, Kudzu Hill/ Clingman Avenue Trees replanted, Asheville Comp Plan/ Plan on a Page.     Social Events: Jan: Jessie May’s Birthday, Feb: Kudzu Hill + Luke’s Birthday workday, Mar: Community Garden Network workday Apr: French Broad River Greenway Ribbon cutting + DeeDee Birthday, May: Jessie Nell’s Birthday, July: 14 Riverside Drive Grand Opening + July 4 Party, Aug: Clingman Triangle workday, Oct: Pattiy’s Birthday + Halloween Party, Nov: Newsletter folding party.     Guests at Board meetings: Brian Combs, Lucy Crown, Payne Kissinger, Marsha Stickford, Officer Justin Wilson, and residents: Carolyn Addison, Matt Bacoate, Chris, Susan Haynes, Amanda Paffrath, Travis Smith, Janet Webber. Also Deaths: Pat Crisp’s nephew Billy, Jessie May Jones, Marjorie Vestal’s son Samuel Hartshorn.

BLOCK JESSIE: Luke reported a tree down at the end of Clingman Place. He was referred to mark Foster, city arborist to remove it.

DUKE-ENERGY SUBSTATION:  The last meeting was canceled and process is on hold due to lack of progress on the residential properties.

WECANEWS: Rachel thanked Joe and Byron for writing and Pattiy for getting it printed and Rebecca for organizing distribution

OTHER ISSUES:

----Bill McCurdy is a builder who since 2008 has built several homes on West Haywood Street and wants to subdivide 3 lots there into 5 building sites each with about 30-35 feet of street frontage and off street parking. He will apply for conditional zoning permits.

---- Pattiy is a business owner in the RAD and she is concerned about the communication plan for RAD TIP.  The Business Kit created so far has not been useful except for the RAD Business owners to know who to call @ the city if there is a problem. The larger issue is how is RAD TIP going to handle the disruptions going forward.

the Gateway signs are pretty but subtle.. not exactly what is called for from a roadway sign.  There is $25,000 earmarked for Pole Banner Signs as well as other items… the city has suggested that one of those items should be bringing in speakers from other cities who have gone thru a large infrastructure project.  Pattiy feels that funding would be best spent on digital communication strategies but the COA & the CVB to let everyone (neighbors, visitors & business owners) know, in real time, how to navigate the construction.  Brenda will follow up on this and check about the WAZE app… a possible tool.

----Mr. Bacoate presented a calligraphy card that said: “Yes…! We Can! You all did work hard with a vision to renew and move the West End Clingman Avenue area forward and with inclusiveness! Congratulations on this 20^th Anniversary.—Matt-the Bacoates. He explained the importance of the WECAN Board over the years in getting things done.  He was humbled by the naming of the Stream and greenway and noted there are very few historical Negro identity site in this community. WECAN has a broader way of thinking: inclusiveness. He thanked everyone.

----Brenda explained the role and importance of public engagement. They are constantly trying to do better and optimize the best ways to reach people. If there have been delays during the transition she recommended keeping positive with people.

Meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola, Secretary Emeritus

Important Upcoming Dates:

Dec 15                              NH leaders Roundtable 8:30 @ Riverlink

Jan 4                                Next WECAN Board Meeting Thursday 6:30 pm

WECANNewsletter 2017