WECAN Board Meeting minutes 2 February 2023

 

WECAN Mini Retreat 5 January 2023

 

DRAFT WECAN Annual General Membership Meeting 1 December 2022

 

WECAN Annual General Membership Meeting Minutes December 1, 2022 @ 21 Jefferson Drive @ 6:30 pm

  Board Members present: Joe Fioccola, Mike Kenton, Rebecca Lance, Rachel Larson, and Susanne Willis. 

 Board Members not present: Byron Ballard, Stephanie El-Hajj, Sylvia Organ, Carrie Pettler, Rich Peterson, Pattiy Torno and Brittany Wager.

 Also present: Neighborhood Specialist Meredith Friedheim, Lee Lance, Brian Lander, Patrick Pearson and Lynn Player.

  CALL TO ORDER:  Rebecca called the meeting to order at 6:59 pm after hot beverages and snacks.

 GENERAL DISCUSSION:

Rebecca raised some questions for general input. She has talked to several people who live in the neighborhood but many have no interest in serving as a leader or on the WECAN Board. She wants to consider all options for the future such as limiting meetings to quarterly or even dissolving the organization.

Susanne likes receiving updates, but fears the loss of connection. She suggested that maybe there’s another way but she is not the leader.

Brian thinks it is great to have communication through Face Book and access to the garden grants, etc. and it is good to see all the expertise that Pattiy brings to the table.

Joe noted that Pattiy’s surgery went well and she is recuperating.

Rebecca recalled that when she began in WECAN in 2012 Marsha was the Neighborhood Coordinator. Susanne offered that she is okay with quarterly meetings.

Rachel observed that participation has diminished and some people are happy just to enjoy the benefits of living in WECAN. She also noted a national trend that all organizations are losing leadership. WECAN does still serve a purpose. It has a voice at the table and is a conduit to connections. It would be a bigger loss to dissolve WECAN compared to diminishing natural phases. The key is inviting in new people.

Rebecca repeated that Byron will help in defining roles at the January Retreat. It is hard to increase participation when some people prefer Zoom or in-person or Face Book exclusively. Rebecca would prefer more informal meetings less often than monthly.

Susanne suggested progressive dinners or cocktails or fire pits or socials.

Lee noted that the best turnout is usually Halloween.

Rebecca asked if a non-profit could take a break.

Susanne thought it better to keep the structure for projects and grants. 

Lynn was asked if WECAN was actually needed for the garden projects.

Rebecca was told by a friend that the city is afraid of WECAN.

Meredith had an email from Maryann about improving the intersection. (Clingman and Hilliard) Rebecca asked Joe for his take.

Joe thinks the organization is important. As much as people dislike meetings-nothing happens without them. The value of monthly meetings is the ability to respond quickly to whatever comes up without the hassle of trying to call and schedule additional meetings. They do not have to be long meetings but the serious work of a meeting can happen in half an hour or less. It is about communication with neighbors and building relationships. He is happy to continue to offer his service as secretary. Pattiy is generous with her service as Treasurer.

Patrick suggested outlining the various leadership roles and on orientation. 

Rebecca noted the pressure of the role of Chair as some previous chairs left early. When she originally took on that role she agreed to set agendas and facilitate meetings.

Joe is not satisfied with Zoom, or Next Door, or even G-mail for discussions.

Lee has business meetings that are often two or more hours long with observers attending and the business portion often takes 15 minutes or less. He suggested a neighborhood Happy Hour after a brief board portion which might consist of approving the minutes, a brief treasurer’s report and items that need a decision. If there are serious issues then call another meeting. It would be more appealing for him to have a 15 minute meeting and then a happy hour.

Lynn is also bored with all meetings but 15 minutes would be okay.

Patrick noted there has been a lot of pressure on the neighborhood in the last year with conflicting groups but more inclusion would be reassuring.

Lee suggested using the app called SLACK as an alternative to meeting discussions. (Slack is an instant messaging program developed for organizational communications, it has been adopted as a community platform.) It enables threaded and specific conversations on mobile desktop or phone and has customizable groups and channels.

Brian finds it easier than Teams.

Lee volunteered to set it up.

 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Rebecca moved and Rachel seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the WECAN Board meeting on November 3. The motion passed.

 NOMINATION OF BOARD MEMBERS:  Joe reported that Byron, Pattiy, Rachel and Rich had completed an initial 3-year term on the board and all are eligible for a second term.

Joe moved to nominate them in the class of 2025. Rebecca seconded and the motion passed.

Rebecca nominated Brian to the opening in the class of 2024. Susanne seconded and the motion passed.

 HOMELESS CAMPS FORMING IN WECAN: Meredith reported that the city was expecting a report from a homelessness consultant in January. In the meantime the city has just hired a Part Time Special Projects Coordinator and they will be included on email reports to helpendhomlessness@apd.gov.

 WECAN ACTIVITY IN 2022: Joe suggested a better time would be the January meeting/retreat.

The WECAN NEWS provided a lot. Joe was thanked for his efforts as editor

  ADJOURN: Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

  Next WECAN Board meeting January 6, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.

 Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola 

 

 

 

WECAN Board meeting minutes 3 November 2022

 

WECAN Board Meeting Minutes November 3, 2022  via Zoom @ 6:30 pm

 

 Board Members present: Byron Ballard, Joe Fioccola, Rebecca Lance, Carrie Pettler, Pattiy Torno and Susanne Willis. 

Board Members not present: Stephanie El-Hajj, Mike Kenton, Rachel Larson, Sylvia Organ, Rich Peterson, and Brittany Wager.

Also present: Meredith Friedheim.

 

 CALL TO ORDER:  Rebecca called the meeting to order at 6:34 pm

TREASURER’S REPORT: Pattiy received $123.61 in Halloween expense receipts and asked whether it was okay to allow the part over the approved $100. Without objection it was agreed to reimburse.

 

HAYWOOD STREET COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: Carrie updated that the current focus for the last few months is still on fund raising.

--They still plan to break ground and begin construction in ‘early winter.’

--There are two HSCD board openings in the next year. They would like to maintain representatives of color and she would like more neighborhood representation. A few names were mentioned and nominations are needed by December.

--They have changed some of the AMI percentages. They were 30%, 60% and 80% AMI but now 60%AMI will let 50% be additional voucher holders.

--They now also own the yellow house across from the Boy Scout Building which they plan to use for construction, administration and later for housing administration and storage.

--They are considering another neighborhood meeting. The optimal time might be when they break ground or before construction begins. Pattiy noted that it would be helpful and neighborly to know the timeline and possible street closures and when heavy equipment would be coming.

TRASH IN AND AROUND WECAN:

--Susanne observed that there is still trash and debris on the pedestrian bridge to Isaac Dickson Elementary. She picks some up there when she walks her kids to school but could not get anyone from the church to even ask their people to clean up after themselves. They just say it is not their property--even though it is in their community. NCDOT’s Adopt –A Highway or Asheville Green Works’ Adopt-a-City Street were suggested to get people involved and responsible for quarterly litter pick-ups. There needs to be more coordinating with the community, sanitation and APD. Pattiy noted that Dogwood Health Trust hired a Homelessness Consultant whose report and recommendations are due soon. They may include a central entity and ‘boots on the ground’ people. Carrie continues to have trash left behind her house by tent campers. She works with Sanitation to pick it up but is concerned that to keep picking it up will just encourage more. An ‘olive branch’ was suggested of getting trash cans for litter near Haywood Street.

 

NCDOT AGREEMENTS: Pattiy heard from Ken Putnam that they were approved by City Council and were in the process of getting the appropriate signatures before a meeting with Kristina Israel to begin the Neighborhood Matching Grant II.

 

COMMUNITY GARDEN: Joe reported that work has begun on the west side clearing out the old and beginning to install ground cloth and new beds. There were one big workday two weeks ago and a smaller one last week. There will be another small one this week and a larger one the week after.

 

PANTRY UPDATE: Meredith looked at the 2015 Agreement and noted it might need updating and annual review. There were some ideas that were clarified such as the site placement and size of the concrete footings; the source –Asheville Buncombe Food Policy Council; and initial use—not food. These should answer concerns about vermin, security, access and things not being sold from it. The change in use calls for a new agreement for a 2-3 year period maybe up to 5 years and is in process. Joe will forward a map sketching the proposed location and guidelines from ABFBC.

 

WECAN NEWSLETTER: Joe completed the newsletter and Pattiy sent it to the printer today. Allegra will again donate the cost. She requested 300 copies to leave some at the Patton and the Hilliard. They should be ready by next week and should be delivered before Thanksgiving which is just one week before the meeting.

 

ANNUAL MEETING PLANNING: Rebecca aims to encourage more participation by shaping the Annual General Membership Meeting into more of a holiday gathering. She also asked for objections to postponing until February the election of officers (which usually takes place in January) and conducting a WECAN Visioning session for the board in January. Byron agreed to lead the visioning session--to look at what we have done, what we are doing, what has changed and where we want to go. Board orientation is also needed especially for new board members to know their roles and what is expected of them. The visioning should only take 1-2 hours-- not days. Byron observed that Rebecca has served us above and beyond and is ready to pass the baton. Neighbors appreciate having an active neighborhood and are ready to step up. The holiday party will include a recap of the year, update of ongoing projects (grants, agreements, pantry, etc. and election of new board members.

 

HALLOWEEN: Joe counted 35 attendees including the children.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Rebecca moved and Byron seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the WECAN Board meeting on October 6. The motion passed.

 

BLOCK JESSIES: JOE noted a Farmers Market has appeared under the Smoky Park (Jeff Bowen) Bridge on Wednesdays. PATTIY noted that the loud vehicle noise was not there last Saturday. She was grateful but did not know what prevented it. She is having a hip replacement and asked only for good energy after 8:30 am on Tuesday November 29.

 

 ADJOURN: Meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.

 Next WECAN Annual General Membership meeting December 1, 2022 at 6:30 at 21 Jefferson Drive.

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola 

 

ADDENDA:

To clarify, Brian delegated Susanne’s concerns to Seth, “Minister of Congregational Care and Mission”. It was Seth who was not interested in the partnership in Adopt-A-Highway but Carrie spoke to Brian on Friday and HSCD would like to adopt a highway and she has connected him with Susanne. 

 

 

WECAN NEWS 2022

 

WECAN board meeting minutes October, 2022

 WECAN General Membership Meeting Minutes October 6, 2022 Via Zoom @ 6:30 pm

Board Members present: Byron Ballard, Joe Fioccola, Rebecca Lance, Rachel Larson, Sylvia Organ and Pattiy Torno.

Board Members not present: Stephanie El-Hajj, Mike Kenton, Rich Peterson, Carrie Pettler and Brittany Wager. Suzanne Willis. 

Also present: Brian Lander, Sandra Villasenor, and Meredith Friedheim.

CALL TO ORDER:  Rebecca called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Rebecca moved and Byron seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the WECAN Board meeting on August 4 and General Membership Meeting on Sept 1. The motion passed.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Pattiy reported no activity since the September meeting and one outstanding payment to Brian. Rebecca moved to approve $100 for Halloween each year. Joe requested a modification “up to $100.”  Sylvia seconded and the modified motion passed.

BLOCK JESSIES: PATTIY reported the Cuban Food Truck at the Cotton Mill was open and very good. RACHEL reported a house on W Haywood sold for $1.25 m and that the Board of Realtors is planning a clinic for people appealing their Property Tax Valuations coming in January. JOE observed the fence up at the corner of Hilliard and Clingman for the new apartments. PATTIY offered to reach out for an update and timeline. She noted that Transportation Director Ken Putnam will put the NCDOT maintenance agreements for approval by City Council on their consent agenda for October 11 or 25.
 
ADOPT A STORM DRAIN: Sandra Villasenor introduced herself working with Riverlink as a Watershed Coordinator for AmeriCorps Project Conserve. Their mission is to promote environmental and economic vitality of the French Broad River watershed. Their three efforts include Water RICH -helping homeowners, Stream Restoration and Adopt a Storm Drain. The third is a partnership with the City of Asheville with an initial focus on Central Asheville. The Process is 1) select a convenient location to check every two weeks and after rain. 2) Fill in the online adoption form. 3) Meet with Riverlink to review responsibilities and instructions and sign a liability waiver. Participants supply their own gloves, trash bag, plastic container with lid, smart phone. 4) Complete field report with smartphone. She can answer questions at sandra@riverlink.org.

NEIGHBORHOOD COORDINATOR: Meredith Friedheim introduced herself as the new Neighborhood Services Coordinator. She has been working with Kristina Israel--the Community Engagement Manager for the last 3 weeks. She will be more involved with the Neighborhood Matching Grants program. She lives in the S French Broad Neighborhood and can be reached at mfriedheim@ashevillenc.gov. Pattiy asked if she would be the first point of contact in reporting Homeless problems as her predecessor Jeremy Lett was with the Homelessness Task Force. She may be integrated on that topic in future but her current role there is yet to be defined. Rebecca asked if she would attend the semiannual meetings with WECAN and ART. Joe asked if there was any advance on legal issues from Kristina about the Community Garden. She will get answers and will plan on attending future WECAN Meetings.

HALLOWEEN: The general plan is for a pot-luck in the field behind the community garden on Monday October 31 at 5:30. Brittany will organize the Haunted Trail at the end of Jefferson and Park. Contact her at brittanywager@gmail.com. She has some ideas for themes. Volunteers may be needed to set up on Sunday October 30. Tables needed for Potluck. Crock Pot will be provided by Byron. Rachel offered some directional signs.

COALITION OF ASHEVILLE NEIGHBORHOODS: Joe reported they are having growing pains as his term as treasurer and that of the president will expire next April. They are having a meeting this month to investigate hiring staff. Byron has been frustrated by their vague mission and goals and observed they could benefit from a board retreat –as could WECAN.

 NEIGHBORHOOD MATCHING GRANT: Pattiy reported an offer of a core-ten steel plate that didn’t work out but she will reach out for a source of a ‘Skeleton Plate” for the sign garden.  She has been following the Stoneyard Development which may be finalized by December. It may call for a sculptural element across from the traffic circle. Rachel suggested using the old Ice House Doors she has been storing.

ANNUAL MEETING PLANNING: Rachel volunteered to organize a location such as MHO, The Patton, All Souls Pizza or Phil Mechanic. The agenda is for a Pot-Luck, Review of the year’s activity and election of new Board members. The regular date is December 1. A final decision is expected by November 3.

WECAN NEWSLETTER: Joe assigned Pattiy: Maintenance agreements, Neighborhood Matching Grant, Duke and Avery development updates. LYNN will report on the Community Garden and Bountiful Cities grant. Rebecca: Halloween and ask Carrie for an HSCD update and ask Ranse to do a neighbor profile on Carrie. Copy deadline is Wednesday October 26, except for Halloween on Nov 3.  They need to be printed and delivered before Thanksgiving which is just one week before the meeting.       

FALL PLANTING: Joe asked about plans for fall planting at the edible triangle and Owens-Bell Park.
Pattiy is waiting on the agreements first and fall planting can happen as late as February.

EVENT: Rebecca reported an event called How to get people out of cars from 12-2 on October 31. Join the Land of Sky Regional Council's Clean Vehicles Coalition, Land of Sky Rural Planning Organization, French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization, and Go Mountain Commuting (TDM) for a lunch and learn speaker session to uncover the mysteries of how to get people out of single occupancy vehicles. Virtual and in-person attendance options are available. www.eventbrite.com/e/how-do-we-get-people-out-of-cars-tickets-433509848627 .

ADJOURN: Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

Next WECAN Board meeting November 3, 2022

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola 

WECAN board meeting minutes September 1, 2022

 WECAN General Membership Meeting Minutes September 1, 2022 on the porch at 21 Jefferson Drive @ 6:30 pm.

Board Members present: Byron Ballard, Joe Fioccola, Rebecca Lance, Sylvia Organ, Pattiy Torno, and Suzanne Willis. 

Board Members not present: Stephanie El-Hajj, Mike Kenton, Rachel Larson, Rich Peterson, Carrie Pettler and Brittany Wager.

Also present: Lisa Adams, Zac Altheimer, Katie and Justin Bledsoe, Emily Fenster, Melanie Ham and Michael, Brian Lander, John and Janet Long, Patrick Pearson, Lynn Player, Ranse, and 5 children 

CALL TO ORDER: After refreshments Rebecca called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm suggesting that social meetings should be quarterly.

NEIGHBORHOOD MATCHING GRANTS: Pattiy reviewed that for the first round of grants WECAN was awarded $2500 which was matched with over 300 volunteer hours (at $25/hr.) That $5,000 value went toward renewing half of the community garden and some planting at Owens Bell Park. The city offered a second round and WECAN applied and was awarded $5,000 (to be matched with volunteer hours and $1500 cash from RADBA) for four projects: $4,000 for the Sign Garden, $4,000 for the Clingman Streetscape, $1,000 for the Edible Triangle and $1,000 for the Urban Trail and possible seating. A request was made to post pictures of these on the FaceBook page and a question about sub-groups there or an album to post pictures to that anyone can access. Many volunteers will be needed for WECAN’s match and information about opportunities will be distributed by the listserve or email list and on FaceBook. Anyone can sign up at WECANNEWS.blogspot.com and Pattiy will add a tab there for NMG (Neighborhood Matching Grants.) There was a question about a pin post on the FaceBook group. Pattiy would also like a shorter url. Lynn observed that there are about 25 people who have expressed interest in the Community garden contact group. Pattiy noted that the city’s goal is to make neighborhoods work together and they have been successful.  Pattiy thanked Lynn for a third grant of over $3,000 which was awarded through Bountiful Cities and an anonymous donor and which will go toward renewing and expanding the other half of the community garden.

WELCOME WAGON: Ranse along with Lisa and Rachel need help in knowing who our new neighbors are.

COMMUNITY GARDEN: Lynn described several achievements besides the harvest of potatoes, peppers, squash and garlic available at the meeting.

• Last March the Sunrise garden was refenced and ten new beds were built. The purpose was about food which is awesome but also about building relationships in the community
  
• The garden achieved Pollinator status with native plants and water
  
• ART was happy to supplement our water supply. Thanks to Barry and John there.
  
• Compost Bins were built by Brian and Swann and primed for painting. There is a list of allowables posted and Ranse will also post the list on FaceBook. The three bins are Sun for fresh kitchen scraps and eggshells, the Moon bin to ‘bake’ and the Earth bin with ready to use compost which should have some ready for fall planting time.
  
• Sunset garden will need a lot of volunteer help to clear out, level, place ground cloth, stakes, fencing and ten new beds.
  
• Asheville Buncombe Food Policy Council proposed a food pantry for neighbors to share. It should be for the neighborhood and not passersby. We could use it to hold tools, seeds, produce directions or instructions or however we want. There are potential construction costs associated with the kit but can be installed with volunteers. Rebecca recalled the discussion from the last meeting that the choice was with the community garden group. Joe also met with Kristina Israel about permissions to install and expand. Her meeting with the city legal is delayed by vacations.
  
• The effort now is to be consistent, continuing to meet on Thursdays at 6, maintaining what we have and working on signage and agreements/norms (aka rules) about which beds are community efforts and which are for individuals.

HALLOWEEN GATHERING: Rebecca recalled the successes of the Haunted Trail which will be returning this year. There is an annual budget. Work times are TBA. If you are interested in helping out please contact Brittany at 35 Jefferson. (brittanywager@gmail.com)

ANNUAL MEETING PLANNING: Joe announced the annual meeting on December 1, 2022 will be the 25th anniversary of the first WECAN meeting. Cake will be appropriate. Suggestions for a location include The Patton or maybe The Hilliard. The annual meeting is where new board members are elected.

WECAN NEWSLETTER: Joe reported that each year WECAN produces a newsletter. Some topics he suggested include: City Agreements (Pattiy), Community Garden (Lynn), Halloween (Rebecca), HSCD update (Carrie), Neighbor Profile (Byron), and Worm Knightmares (Charlie).

WECAN ORGANIZATION: Rebecca recalled that WECAN needs a meeting facilitator, treasurer, communications co-chair, minutes taker and to talk to us if you can help.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Joe announced upcoming events of interest:
            Thursday September 8     10-12   River Summit at New Belgium
            Saturday  September 10   10:30   W Avl Garden Stroll 587 Haywood Rd
            Friday      September 16   4-5:30  French Broad Greenway West Opens  
            Friday      September 16   8:30     Neighborhood Leader RoundTable
            Tuesday  September 20    9 am    Adopt A Highway Litter pick up

DUKE SUBSTATION UPDATE:
Pattiy spoke with Jason Walls and the substation is still in the works except that GIS technology has been changing. The exterior design of the building will remain as planned but the interior is changing. The redesign of the interior should be completed this year with construction moved to 2024-2025.  

TREASURER’S REPORT:  Pattiy reported a balance of $3989.89

ADJOURN: Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Next WECAN Board meeting October 6, 2022           
Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola