WECAN General Membership Meeting Minutes December 5, 2019

WECAN General Membership Meeting Minutes December 5, 2019

64 Clingman Avenue Meeting room 6:30 pm

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

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

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

CALL TO ORDER:  

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

  

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

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

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

TREASURER’S REPORT:

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

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

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

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

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

   Apr: Easel Rider arrangement with RADBA; Opportunity Zones;

   May: Encroachment Agreement signed; Artful Way named;

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

   Jul: No Meeting; Melk clearing begins;

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

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

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

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

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

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

ELECTION TO THE WECAN BOARD:

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

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

Meeting adjourned at 7:42 pm

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola, Secretary 

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

December 7 10-12 Open Studio at 21 Girdwood Street

December 8      4-6 Melk Encroachment Workday

December 12    5-7 Caroling starting at Jefferson

December 14    12-5 Holiday Market at Curve Studios

December 22    4-6 Melk Encroachment Workday

December 25                           Christmas day

December 31        New Years Eve

January 2          6:30 pm WECAN Board Meeting 

WECAN Meeting Minutes November 7, 2019

WECAN Meeting Minutes November 7, 2019

64 Clingman Avenue Meeting room 6:30 pm

Board Members present: Joe Fioccola, Rebecca Lance, Rich Peterson and Sandi Sox.

Members not present Danny Aull, Lynn Hall, Sherrod Barnes-Ginifer, Lesa Peterson and Shelly Schenker. 

Also present:  Matthew Bacoate, Amanda Paffrath, Gerald Harbinson, Lt Chuck Sams and Pattiy Torno.  

CALL TO ORDER:  

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

  

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  Rebecca moved and Joe seconded a motion to approve October meeting minutes. The motion passed.

APD CRO UPDATE:  Lt Dams didn’t have specific WECAN info. Matt reported a break-in at his neighbor’s at73 Clingman Avenue where the only thing taken was a jewelry box. Sandy noted the exact same thing happened at her neighbors. The applications for Chief of Police closed on October 31.  Human Resources and the City Manager will check them and hope to interview in mid-December and begin service by January to February. He explained the new police districts begin January 1. The big changes join East with North, extending South up to Mission and creating a fourth district in Central which includes WECAN.

NEIGHBOR/BLOCK JESSIE UPDATES: 

Joe reported that the houses on Knoxville Place are gone. Pattiy posted some pictures and said it’s just sad like losing the Club House or Ice House. Joe noticed that the Patton Apartments have replanted the trees on Patton Ave that died.  Pattiy’s 30th anniversary party ay Curve was a big success. Matt hadn’t heard from Rachel in a while and was worried. Joe saw her last week on Park Square. Amanda announced that her husband Travis Smith was running for NC Senate and soon would begin knocking on doors. She thanked WECAN for the introductory article in the WECAN News. The Halloween Party was fun it was a bit cold but there was plenty of hot cider and fun costumes. The Studio Stroll is this Saturday and Sunday. Pattiy asked if WECAN wanted to do some caroling this year. She and Rebecca will organize something. Joe noted the Lewis Isaac Tennis Court Dedication Ceremony at Aston Park was cold but had warm words from Laura Loftis, Bob Smith, Jeff Joyce, Julie Mayfield and Toni Isaac and the Asheville Youth Choirs. Amanda asked about the area across from Asheville Transit. Joe has spent about 20 hours on ten days since July and Gerald helped on one clearing the overgrowth on the second and fourth Sundays at 5. That may change to 4 pm since the end of Daylight Savings Time. You can see into the area now but it’s only about half done.

RADTIP UPDATE: 

 Pattiy noted work begun on the Five Points Roundabout and sidewalks near West Haywood. They may be trying to take advantage of the weather to complete as much as possible before winter but it’s not what they said they would happen and businesses are hurting in their busiest time of year. When the asphalt plant reopens in March there will be hard closure on Lyman and Roberts and that will affect traffic with detours to Clingman.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

 Rebecca reported a balance of $1075.45. Pattiy presented a check for the bar tips matched by Curve for $137.00.

WECAN NEWSLETTER: Rebecca reported that the newsletter was completed. Joe has thanks to everyone who contributed articles. She and Amanda will help distribute before Thanksgiving. Great thanks to Allegra for donating the printing.

NEW TRAFFIC PATTERN

 Signs are up at Green Street and West Haywood Street at the new 3-way stop. It appears to have slowed traffic and also seems like there is less traffic. The ‘road narrows’ signs may be misplaced. They belong on Roberts Street-not West Haywood. Rich will follow up. Joe asked Rich to find out when the ‘New Traffic Pattern’ signs will come down. He also noticed the ‘No Turn on Red’ sign at the West Haywood and Riverside intersection where a new turning lane was built. Thanks go to Rich for heading up the effort.

WECAN TILES

Rebecca noted that they will be offered for donations at the December 5 General Membership Meeting.  She also followed up on the board decision to give a tile to long time residents. Ten Legacy Households have been in WECAN since 1994 or earlier: Matt Bacoate @ 67 Clingman, JoAnne Skinner @ 91 Clingman, Joe Fioccola @ 34 Girdwood, Rickey Brown @ 21 Green, James Bassett @ 69 Jefferson, Howard Hanger @ 31 Park Ave N, David Heetderks @ 69 Park Ave N, Charles Hadden @ 39 Rector, Pattiy Torno @ 6 River Arts , and Herman Crisp @ 34 W Haywood. Rich, Sandy, Amanda will present them and Joe will draft a letter of appreciation to go with them. 

DECEMBER MEETING PLANNING:  

The plan is to Eat and then Meet (briefly.) The agenda will have an Approval of minutes, CRO update, Block Jessies, Summary report on the activities of the year, Election of new Board members, Tile offerings and update on Caroling. Open discussion for concerns or suggestions for the coming year. 

BACOATE BRANCH RENAMING/RIVERLINK WATERSHED RESTORATION

There was some confusion as the stream was already named. Possible with an underground stream near Southside and AB Tech in the watershed that extends from Beaucatcher Mountain west to the French Broad River. A stakeholder event is planned for Friday November 15 from 4-6 at 8 River Arts Place 

(formerly 14 Riverside Dr.)

PROPERTY UPDATES: On the first section of 339 W Haywood, Scott Carter is planning a 1 story with mezzanine and showroom and 15 parking spaces and closing expected in March. Jetty Ray proposal at 144 Riverside Drive is now looking at uses by right and probably won’t go back to City Council. Stone Yard may begin work by the end of the year. The property owner there was told never to sell but continues to own in partnership with proceed of the sale. 

Meeting adjourned at 7:47 pm

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola, Secretary 

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

November 10      4 pm Melk Encroachment workday

November 9-10   10-5         STUDIO STROLL 

November 17      4 pm Melk Encroachment workday

November 28                       Thanksgiving

December 5      6:30pm WECAN General Membership Meeting and POTLUCK

WECAN Meeting Minutes October 3, 2019

WECAN Meeting Minutes October 3, 2019

64 Clingman Avenue Meeting room 6:30 pm

Board Members present: Joe Fioccola, Lynn Hall, and Rebecca Lance 

Members not present Danny Aull, Sherrod Barnes-Ginifer, Lesa Peterson, Rich Peterson, Sandi Sox, and Shelly Schenker. 

Also present:  Amanda Paffrath, Gerald Harbinson, Sylvia Organ, Patricia Oran and APD CRO Justin Wilson. 

CALL TO ORDER:  

Lynn called the meeting to order at 6:32 pm with a round of introductions and two get-well cards for residents on Jefferson Drive.

  

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  

Rebecca moved and Joe seconded a motion to approve the draft minutes from August and September. The motion passed.

APD CRO UPDATE:  

Sandy’s Requested Discussion: Crime is on an uptick. What is APD doing to combat it? And what can we do in conjunction with APD and individually to better protect our neighborhood and property?

           Justin reported daytime break in at 11 Park Avenue North front door glass broken and jewelry box taken. Also an evening break in window screen cut and window pushed in leather bag and some change taken and last month in the 400 block of West Haywood St. For each there were no leads: (no witnesses, no evidence or attempts to pawn items.) He advised that what is most helpful are cameras, alarms, securing items properly. Asked about the amount of patrols in WECAN—it is difficult to track. He offered prevention tips: well kept property, visible from the street, lighting. He also reported that beginning in January 2020 the department will begin redistricting making 3 districts into 4. WECAN will be with South Slope, RAD and downtown roughly from Meadow Road to I-240. He will keep us posted on updates. Other activity reported: DOT cleaned up homeless camp, a tire slasher in the north area also on Clingman, a vehicle stolen from a business on Roberts Street (keys taken from a desk), smash and grab purse from a vehicle near the boat ramp. Lyn reported a homeless camp under the Smith Bridge.

NEIGHBOR/BLOCK JESSIE UPDATES: 

Joe reported that the dedication of a tennis court to the memory of Lewis Isaac, (retired long time city employee and resident on Owens Bell Lane) was postponed from October 24 to November 5 at 6 pm.

Rebecca reported that Pete Basset-long time resident of Jefferson was in an accident and can’t drive any more. Some neighbors were bringing him meals. She also reported that 31 Jefferson was finally occupied. Lyn found that building was not beginning at the end of Jefferson. There was mention of a person living in a camper vehicle on Jefferson.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

 Rebecca reported a balance of $1725.45 (with a $650 payment waiting an invoice from LEAF.)

OLD BUSINESS: UPDATES:

SAFE STREETS: 

Rich received the following plan from the Transportation director:
As a follow-up to our previous meeting, this email summarizes our action plan going forward:

• City Transportation Department Staff will complete the following by the end of October:
• install all-way stop control at intersection of W Haywood St and Green St due to limited visibility
• install a "Road Narrows" sign with a supplemental "Be Prepared to Stop" plaque at each end of W Haywood St between Roberts St and Park Ave N.
• coordinate with Public Works staff to pursue some grass trimming in the northeast and southeast corners of the Roberts St and W Haywood St intersection
• install "No Parking" signage on W Haywood St from the north side of #409's driveway to the Club St intersection.
• Reducing the size of this area was evaluated; however, due to proximity to the intersection and its stop sign, driveway spacing, and the presence of fire hydrant there is not sufficient room for a parked vehicle.
• City Transportation Department Staff will pursue City Council action on the following within the next couple months
• codify 20mph speed limit on W Haywood St between Park Ave N and Roberts St. Once codified, corresponding speed limit signs will be installed. 
• codify 25mph speed limit on Hilliard Ave/W Haywood St between Clingman Ave and Park Ave N. Once codified, corresponding speed limit signs will be installed and radar speed feedback signs to be rotated temporarily to the area.
• Neighborhood to provide input on the City Pedestrian, Greenway, and ADA Transition Plans to be updated soon. These plans help guide City policy development and sidewalk projects
• In the future if the sidewalk along W Haywood St extends south to the Hilliard Avenue intersection and ADA ramps installed, we will be happy to consider the installation of crosswalk markings and corresponding signage at the intersection.

After the action steps identified above have been in place for a while (~6 months), we will be happy to collect updated counts to measure their impact and evaluate additional neighborhood requests. At this time, an all-way stop is not warranted at the W Haywood St/Hilliard Avenue intersection or the W Haywood St/Roberts St intersection. 

Thank you, Andrew Andrew Cibor, PE, PTOE

RADTIP UPDATE: 

 Joe relayed information from the Neighborhood Leaders Roundtable: Work on the Five Points Roundabout is beginning. Detours are to be expected beginning on March for about 4 months. There will be an all way stop at the Grey Eagle intersection then. Completion date for RADTIP is August 2020. The Stone Yard development will begin work in October with a completion date of spring 2021 when way-finding signs are also expected. November 9 and 10 are the dates for the Studio Stroll. Curve Studios  at 3,5 &7 River Arts Place will celebrate 30 years on October 12 with extended hours from 10 am to 6 pm. 2 pm Artist Talk, 4-6 pm Happy Hour in the garden, 4:30 Chair Arch unveiling and 5 pm Birthday cake cutting.

BOARD RECRUITMENT:

 Lyn submitted his resignation by email on September 23,2019 as Chair of WECAN Board effective December 31 and that he could not attend the November or December meetings. Rebecca asked for clarification who is the vice chair and will they move to Chair? Lynn will ask Lesa to chair the meetings in November and December. Eligible to serve on the board include:  Matthew, Byron, Mike, Rachel, Sylvia, Amanda, Lynn, JoAnne, Pattiy and Suzanne.  

REDUCING MEETING FREQUENCY: 

A board email discussion suggested: “Perhaps WECAN consider meeting every other month or even quarterly if monthly participation is waning.” Joe explained some reasons for meeting monthly. One reason is the by-laws. Another is that things come up each month and we are ready to hear them. The CRO and Liaison come monthly to respond to issues. Issues get worse when they are held for 2 or 3 months and having a regular meeting place and time is easier to remember than which month do we meet and also for general members to know when the board meets. It is also critical that we meet and get to know our neighbors face to face rather than in a virtual online community. No action was taken. 

HALLOWEEN PARTY: 

Wednesday Oct. 31 at 5:30 pm behind the WECAN Queen Carson Community Garden. Rebecca has the laminated signs to post. This is a Pot Luck Social gathering with costumes optional. Gerald offered to provide name tags to get to know neighbors. Some discussion about a WECAN story board, what’s going on, and social media signups: Face Book, Meeting info, CTO contacts, email etc.  Sylvia offered to create a scavenger hunt/bingo activity collecting names of people you didn’t know, favorite costume, etc.

NEWSLETTER PLANNING:

 Joe set the copy deadline for Monday October 21. Pattiy offered to write up Curve 30th Anniversary, River Arts Place and maybe RADTIP and remembering Lewis Isaacs; Charlie will submit a comic; Rebecca will write up about offering the WECAN Tiles for sale; Byron offered to write about Pattiy’s Tree; Rich may write about Traffic and street safety; Sherrod may write about the community garden;  (Other topics to consider: Kudzu Hill, Duke, Encroachment agreement, I-26 Connector and the Kassinger Hilliard development—if anyone feels inspired.) Rebecca will lead the delivery team during the second week in November.

REQUEST TO ACT AS PASS THROUGH: 

Background: Pattiy was offered a donation of beer from New Belgium for the Curve Studios 30th anniversary party. They requested the donation go through WECAN for tax purposes. Some board members were uncomfortable about that and asked for a professional opinion. An opinion was offered that characterized the request as fiscal sponsorship and offered a way for cash donations to be solicited in return for the beer. Added to that were requirements for insurance and paid professional bar staff and a proposal was made by email to the WECAN Board. Four board members approved the proposal by email (Lynn, Lesa, Rich, Rebecca.) Four made no comment (Joe, Sandi, Sherrod and Danny). 

Discussion: Joe thought the proposal was unnecessary because the professional opinion assumed it was a cash donation and did not consider that it would be an in-kind donation for a community use going to a business (and not an individual.)He found nothing in IRS pub 526 Charitable Contributions to conflict with this.

A heated discussion followed which also covered whether motions and votes can be taken by email. Finally Rebecca moved to adopt the following proposal and Lynn seconded.

To accept a donation from New Belgium Brewery of approximately 5 cases of beer with a retail value of $150 and make the beverages available for the Curve 30th anniversary party where WECAN will ask patrons to donate money to WECAN in exchange for the beverages. Further, WECAN understands that professional bartenders hired by Curve will serve the beer and take responsibility for monitoring consumption and that Curve has liability insurance covering the event that extends to WECAN. Lastly, WECAN will separately adopt a policy resolution covering the subject fund raising activity that details fair and measurable criteria which affords WECAN residents and businesses equal access to similar sponsored fund raising activities.  The motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola, Secretary 

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

October 6   5 pm         Kudzu Hill

October 13        5 pm Melk Encroachment workday

October 12        10-5       Second Saturday at the RAD: LEAF Easel Rider 

October 12       30 Anniversary at Curve Studios

October 13                         Greenworks Tree Giveaway

October 20       5 pm Melk Encroachment workday

October 21       Newsletter copy deadline

October 27       5 pm Kudzu Hill

October 31        5:30 pm Halloween Pot Luck Social

November 3                       Daylight Savings Time ends

November 3     5 pm Kudzu Hill workday

November 5                       Election Day

November 5     6 pm Dedication of Lewis Isaac Tennis Court

November 7     6:30pm WECAN Board Meeting