WECAN February 2015 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN Board Meeting February 5, 2015 at 64 Clingman Ave.

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

Chair Rachel called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m 

NEIGHBOR/BLOCK JESSIE UPDATES: Canine/feline update: Reports that Coco, Banjo, Fiddle, Karl and Max were all doing well. AnnaBeth met new neighbors on Jefferson. She reported that drug and prostitution traffic were picking up again at the turn around on Jefferson. Marsha will meet with Joel Tweed about a possible partial solution.  AnnaBeth also has a problem with a neighbor whose dogs bark constantly when they are away. The neighbor is very nice but the problem goes on. Marsha requested a name and address to pursue it.

TREASURERS REPORT: AnnaBeth reported that the Balance in our account is $624.22 after paying for the newsletter and after the Garden Club donation.

MINUTES: The draft minutes were approved as distributed.

APD/CRO UPDATE: Sean reported a problem at 114 Clingman Ave where they responded to reports of syringes. Warrants have been issued on Luke Hutchins who has fled and they have been unable to make contact with the property owner. He also reported that RADBA was offering free classes to middle and high school age neighborhood young people. Regarding the graffiti initiative it was noted that there have been many appeals but a good sign was that the new District Attorney was more willing to use circumstantial proof tying offenders to other occurrences. He also reported that sanitation had done a clean up under the bridges. Joe reported that an area had been cleared across from Transit and camping detritus had been left there.

ASHEVILLE DESIGN CENTER: Rachel noted that they have extended their application deadline to February 13 for proposals for their summer design build project. Last year they took on a covering for the outdoor staircase at the YWCA and the year before built the '13 bones' pedestrian bridge next to Jean Webb Park. Some ideas were brought up. Rebecca suggested that there may be some interest in the 'farmers market' area next to All Soul's Pizza at 175 Clingman Avenue. She will contact the people involved and let them know of the deadline.

ADOPT A HIGHWAY: The date of the next clean up was set for Thursday February 19 at 10:00 a.m. A weekend date will be set for the next ones.

SOCIAL GATHERINGS: AnnaBeth pointed out that they usually call one in the summer when Lance makes sangria. The Halloween gathering was fun. Other ideas were an Easter Egg hunt, a fondue party, St Patricks Day, Equinox Celebration. Saturday April 11 was set for a Spring Fest. Joe noted that Block Jessies need to be activated and make contact with new neighbors and let them know about WECAN opportunities and a possible membership drive.

FESTIVAL OF NEIGHBORHOODS: WORKSHOPS: Save the Date! Joe announced that the Neighborhood Advisory Committee developed a follow up to the Festival of Neighborhoods in October 2013. An opportunity to network with other groups with six workshops on offer. Everyone is invited to attend two. They include 1-  Development and Sustenance of a Neighborhood Newsletter led by Joan Miller, editor of the Montford Newsletter;  2-The Circle Forward Governance Program led by Tracy Kunkler;  3- Fundraising for Neighborhoods led by Suzanne and Alan Escovitz (Grove Park/Sunset Mountain Neighborhood;   4-Preventing Crime in Your Neighborhood led by Asheville Police Officer Keith McCulloch; 5-Creating a Vision for Your Neighborhood led by City Councilman Chris Pelly and NAC Vice President Teddy Jordan; and 6- Citizens Police Advisory Council led by Committee members Debbie Applewhite, Larry Holt, and Lt. Janice Hawkins, APD; The program begins at 2 pm on Sunday March 15 at AB Tech. The workshops will run until 3:45 and then refreshments and networking until 4:30. If you are interested in attending email Joe. 

COMMUNITY GARDEN:  Marsha has drafted an amendment to our current Owens-Bell Park Maintenance Agreement. She wants us to look it over and then set up a meeting with the Risk Management Team to finalize it. Pattiy also is planning to seriously maintain the plantings from the Grey Eagle to the Traffic Circle. It is an ambitious two year plan to eradicate weeds and put in appropriate plantings. She wants to add an amendment to the agreement to include that area. The city assumes that there is neighborhood support. Byron assured everyone concerned that there are no plans drawn up yet for the community garden but a lot of ideas are floating around. A meeting will be called to develop a plan which will have to be approved by the City when we sign the amendment. A meeting of interested parties was set for Sunday February 15 at 4 pm on site.(weather permitting) Marsha will check for possible rain meeting space at Transit.(other potential rain meeting spaces: Aston Park, AnnaBeth's, Rebecca's, Byron and Joe's.).

SINKHOLE ON CLINGMAN Pattiy forwarded an email  from McCrae Coates that the sinkhole near the Grey Eagle was now blocked off and the City and DOT and MSD will meet to determine what is causing the problem and will collaborate on solutions.

ASHEVILLE IN MOTION: Marsha announced that drop in charettes were planned for Tuesday-Friday March 10-13 with a summation on Saturday March 14. Location TBA.

GREEN OPPORTUNITIES OPEN FOR LUNCH: Rachel announced that Monday thru Thursday from 12-1 the food preparation group  was providing lunch for a donation at the Eddington Center on Livingston Street.

NEW BELGIUM BREWERY: Rachel relayed that NBB has put out a request for Artist Portfolio Submissions. Rebecca will forward to artists she knows.

SCULPTURE: Marsha advised that a sculpture would very soon be created temporarily on the old Ice House site.

97 ROBERTS ST: Joe attended the P&Z meeting. It was a technical review to see if the plans were in compliance with regulations. No variance was requested so it does not go to City Council. The plans proposed about 20 parking spaces across Roberts Street and about twice that many including handicap accessible to an elevator on the north side of the building in the railroad right of way. There are four floors divided into about a dozen spaces  for artist studios, restaurants etc.  No objections or comments were presented.

STONEWORKS: Rafael reported that he heard a possible agreement had been reached to at the stone works which may affect Twelve Bones. 

The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.

DRAFT Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola.

March 5   Next WECAN BOARD Meeting 6:30 pm at 64 Clingman Avenue

WECAN January 2015 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN Board Meeting January 8, 2015 at 64 Clingman Ave.

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

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

NEIGHBOR/BLOCK JESSIE UPDATES: Byron reported that Jessie got a dog for Christmas which didn't have a name yet. Rachel reported that Chandler and Raphaella had moved out of 1 Park Ave. Two women were there now and looking for a roommate as was she. Tom lost a duck to some predator (raccoon?) and had to take out the rest of the flock. Luke reported that he does need a variance for the setback and roof changes on Yarrow Place which will delay the rehab into March.

TREASURERS REPORT: In absence of the treasurer Joe reported that the reimbursement for the newsletter printing and postage had been repaid. He reported that 66 copies of the newsletter were mailed to residents for which we have no email addresses and so far only three were returned. We need block Jessies to try and get more email addresses.

MINUTES: The draft minutes were approved as distributed with one correction. (Transit not Traffic)

APD/CRO UPDATE: Lucas requested to continue to watch for and report graffiti vandals. The areas being hit include Lyman, 146 Roberts Street, Clingman Extension and Depot Street. The problem is particularly difficult since this different culture tags businesses and box trucks immediately after they are repainted and then blogs about it. Rachel asked about exceptions if property owners don't want to remove it or consider it art. Marsha said that Legal advised that if it is sanctioned it can be considered art but you should not just call it art just so you don't have to pay to cover it up and if you don't take it down you are promoting it. It's not only vacant properties that are being hit nor is WECAN the only area affected. The ordinance is clear : if you vandalize someone else's property you are in violation. Officer Lovelace emphasized that enforcement is not selective but catching violators is not an easy task. Rebecca questioned whether the data about enforcement trends is pre-social media. Joe reported the tent on the riverbank just south of Craven Street bridge. Lucas had checked it and found it vacant. Rebecca noted that there was still a large amount of litter on the Pepsi Sign property that DOT recently cut down. Marsha will mention that when she calls DOT about some some campsites near there. Rebecca will also call the NCDOT office on Orange Street. Joe noted a new street light was put in last week on Hilliard at West Haywood.  Rebecca was bothered by the new light from Transit that covers the field next to the fence. It needs to be redirected.

ELECTION TO THE BOARD: Joe nominated Floree Lowery and Luke W. Perry as At-Large Board Members for a renewable one year term. Byron seconded and motion passed.

BOARD ORIENTATION: Joe will forward a copy of the By laws to Rebecca and to anyone else who wants them.

RE-ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Joe nominated current officers Rachel as Chair, Byron as Vice Chair, AnnaBeth as Treasurer and himself as Secretary. Motion seconded and passed.

PLANNING FOR 2015: There will be four Adopt A Highway Cleanups. Weather permitting they will be in February, May, August and November. The dates and times will be confirmed at each month's board meeting.

Social Gatherings: Joe asked if we need a committee and Byron suggested that the Jefferson neighbors do a very good job. We just need to set a date, theme and what to bring. Luke suggested gatherings be bi-monthly but did not specify odd or even months. Joe reviewed the other activities so far (besides Adopt A Highway): General Membership Meeting in June and Annual Meeting in December and Garden Club would reactivate in February and may add Tuesdays. He announced that the Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods and the Chamber of Commerce were sponsoring a forum on Short Term Rentals at the Diana Wortham Theater on January 21st .He also announced that The Neighborhood Advisory Committee was scheduling workshops in March as a follow-up to the Festival of Neighborhoods. Topics considered include Developing a Neighborhood Newsletter; Communication; Crime/Safety-CPAC; Grassroots Fundraising; Creating a Vision for your Neighborhood; Introduction to Circle Forward: He also noted that Asheville Design Center was accepting applications for a Design Build Project this summer. ( Past projects include the Thirteen Bones Bridge and the YWCA's covered steps.) He also noted that the Frommer's guide has stirred up interest in our area.

COMMUNITY GARDEN UPDATE: Joe and Byron re-submitted the proposal to Marsha and after some details are worked out (such as soil testing and underground utilities and drainage relocation) will bring an addendum to the Owens-Bell Park Contract for board approval. No designs have been finalized yet, just focusing on getting the permission to put in the garden. Suggested are ten plots that are ten by ten feet. Several people have expressed interest and organizing meetings will be held hopefully before the planting season begins. (A copy of the proposal submitted is available on request)

UPDATES: Housing Market Study: not out yet--looking for a public meeting date this month.   Parks and Rec Facility: temporarily on hold seeking permits.

OTHER ISSUES: Luke questioned the unusual restriping on Hilliard between Coxe Ave and S. French Broad Ave. He asked with all the pedestrian traffic how is a sidewalk not a priority? He also asked  about the walkway to the pedestrian bridge at Hillcrest that storm water erosion is causing a problem at the top of the stairs. Joe reported that about 20-30 feet of the the chain link fence on the south side of I-240 between Clingman and the pedestrian bridge has been damaged. Marsha announced that New Belgium's Big Tank was coming on Saturday between 10 and 11 from Smoky Park Highway to Haywood Road to Craven Street. It is a 22 foot circular tank that is 16 feet tall. 

The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

DRAFT Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola.

January 17    (WECAN Resident )Alex Krug Combo performing at Highland brewing 6:30-8:30 pm

February 5   Next WECAN BOARD Meeting 6:30 pm at 64 Clingman Avenue

WECAN December 2014 General Membership Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN General Membership Meeting December 4, 2014 at 64 Clingman Ave.

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

After food Chair Rachel called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m. with help from Charlie. Joe noted that the first Thursday in January is the first and that we will move the meeting to January 8th. After a round of introductions the draft minutes were approved on a motion from AnnaBeth seconded by Byron. The treasurer's report was incomplete due to expenses for printing and mailing the newsletter, but is around $600. It was suggested that some be made available to neighbors in need. as well as sending an email reminding residents that WECAN has tax exempt status and welcomes their support.

NEIGHBOR/BLOCK JESSIE UPDATES: Some address swapping on Jefferson and sad news that Jeff and Alphie will be moving to Texas. They will be missed.

PARKS MAINTENANCE FACILITY The Assistant Director of Economic and Community Development, Jeff Staudinger was happy to come to meetings and tell what he knows. The second part of his title means to make sure that low-income citizens are served and their needs are taken into account. He explained the City's interest in best uses of their many properties to achieve stability in their budget. Council has also established a priority for the development of affordable housing. In October they decided to find a better place for the Parks and Recreation Maintenance Facility. The first step is to relocate them in a temporary rental facility over the next 4 to 6 years. Then site issues will be explored such as access and egress, access to the (fully funded) greenway, relation to the Tennis Center and some Aston Park protective covenants and engineering potential site issues. Next criteria will be put together for developing the property and a Request for Proposals will be published.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING  Jeff explained the needs and challenges of affordable housing. On December 23 a Housing Market Study was due. Jeff said it would be available on the city website sometime in January. AnnaBeth noted that increasing property values, property taxes, gentrification, non-resident developers and house flippers have a severe impact on a community and development of a key property will have ripple effects. So having information helps us feel like we have a voice in what's coming down. Jeff announced that there would be a public meeting in January (date TBA) which will lead to a draft of priorities as they work on the next 5 year plan. They want citizens to weigh in on the best use to affordable housing for the diminishing Community Development Block Grant and HOME funds. He noted the availabliity of information on the HUD Resource Exchange website. CPD Maps show locations of concentrations of government supported public housing and income.

APD/CRO UPDATE: Sean reported there were no serious incidents. That White Duck Tacos had been broken into. He reached out for help in spotting the increase in graffiti at Depot Station and Clingman at Lyman and asked everyone to keep an eye out and report anything suspicious. Joe reported a tent was visible on the east bank of the river south of the Smith Bridge at Craven Street. Also a dirty American Flag was hanging at an angle on the pole at the southwest corner of Craven at Riverside. Marsha reported that the City graffiti plan was extended to September 2015 or until the allocated money was used up.  Regarding the DOT-cleared lots by the Pepsi Billboard Marsha is working on getting a regular clearing schedule. AnnaBeth noted less activity on Jefferson and was glad for the drive bys. Byron noted a very good respectful job at the recent Ferguson Rally. She reminded that APD officers are highly regarded in this community. There were many problems lately around our neighborhood with streets being closed or flagmanned. Marsha is working with a new citizens notification system.

Jessie reported that dog walkers have not been picking up dog waste. Marsha suggested contacting Animal Services to see if they have any suggestions. 

ELECTION TO THE BOARD: Joe noted that Mike Kenton, JoAnne Skinner and Suzanne Willis were each eligible for a second term. He nominated those three as well as Rebecca Lance to the class of 2017. AnnaBeth seconded and the motion passed. Welcome aboard!  

COMMUNITY GARDEN UPDATE: Marsha reported some movement on the proposal next to Asheville Redefines Traffic.Conversations with Nikki Reid and Norman Schenck (manager of Transit) who said it was a good idea. He said there was a transit employee with a tractor who could turn it and that bus drivers welcomed the opportunity to do weeding on their breaks. Marsha talked to Brad Stein in Risk Management and they said we wouldn't need insurance just a signed waiver. She still needs to talk to Ken Putnam. The strategy is to do this as a pilot project: tracking expenses and benefits. The hope is that as we identify partners they may also want to do more of this type of project in the City.  Next steps are to compile a list of challenges (ie access to water, potential underground utilities, etc.) then  

set a meeting and begin an action plan. Joe noted some pushback from parents who use the space as a playground.

Hopefully, a plan can be implemented by the spring planting season. 

The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

DRAFT Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola.

January 8   Next  WECAN BOARD Meeting 6:30 pm at 64 Clingman Avenue

WECAN November 2014 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

WECAN Board Meeting November 6, 2014 at 64 Clingman Ave.

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

Acting Chair Joe called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with Skittles.

MINUTES: The Draft September minutes were approved as distributed. The treasurer reported receipt of a $50 donation from Austin CPA at 301 Haywood Street. The current balance is $687.64. Joe received the check when the Garden Club was working across the street at Knoxville Place. They were grateful for the work the club has been doing around the neighborhood. 

APD/CRO UPDATE: Sean noted the tremendous cleanup by the DOT across from Jefferson. Several homeless campsites were cleared out. Joe noted that while it was impressive and a great job, what was cleared was private property owned by Naegle Sign Company. There are still more campsite leavings between the fence and the interstate. Marsha noted another problem spot for DOT at Haywood Road and Patton Avenue where weeds are growing so tall they block vision at the intersection. She will report the remaining campsites. Sean reported an incident on Park Avenue where the subject was arrested. and a couple who were living in an older F250 truck on Jefferson. They were referred to Homeward Bound and warned not to return. AnnaBeth noted that things have been better on Jefferson that it really makes a difference to have random checks. She noted that the lighting is better now. She also thanked her neighbors for their patience with the stretch limo parked there. 

NEIGHBOR/BLOCK JESSIE UPDATES: Luke is having an 'open house' to share initial designs for his house on Rector Street this Saturday November 8 between 3:30 and 5. AnnaBeth reported that the Halloween Celebration on Jefferson was a big success. There was a pot luck and people showed up in costumes and the rain held off until six o'clock. She would love it to be an annual affair.

MAILING LIST: Joe noted that the list needs to be updated soon ( to reduce postage costs before the newsletter is sent out.)

NEWSLETTER: Joe completed one article about the Garden Club. AnnaBeth agreed to write one on Jefferson Socials. Articles due: Byron: Two Neighborhoods into One; Luke: The history of Yarrow Place; Rachel: Olympians in WECAN. The copy deadline is November 10 for a publication date of November 20

ANNUAL MEETING: The General Membership Meeting will be on Thursday December 4 at 6:30. Still looking for ways to increase attendance. Local micro brew tasting and pizza were suggested.

The main agenda item is election of new board members. Those whose first term expires in December are: Mike Kenton, Jo Anne Skinner and Suzanne Willis. They are each eligible for a second term and another slot is also open.

ASHEVILLE IN MOTION: Joe attended the symposium on Saturday October 25. The panel did have a good conversation looking at the big picture issues of generational change and expectations. They have an online survey and encourage everyone to respond. The link is http://ashevilleinmotion.metroquest.com which will be open for about a month. Their initial survey results should come back before the second symposium sometime in March.  

NAC/CAN CONVERSATION: Joe announced that the next Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods meeting would be at the Oakley Community Center on Monday November 10 from 7 to 9 pm. Marsha  explained that there would be a conversation on affordable housing. There will be an overview on the situation and explanation of what's being done, how sites are selected and what challenges are faced by Jeff Staudinger, Assistant Director of Housing and Community Development, Scott Dedman from Mountain Housing Opportunities and Paul Reeves from Habitat for Humanity. Some challenges are infill, short term rental effects and even the effect of micro homes at high end costs. 

NAC PROFILE: Joe on the Neighborhood Advisory Committee reported that they are working on the city website and will be including neighborhood profiles. He will fill out the basic information for the profile.

PARKS FACILITY STATUS: AnnaBeth asked for an update. Marsha explained that the old National Guard Armory was being prepared to receive the Parks maintenance equipment. There is  no asbestos in the facility and when the move is complete the building would be taken down. At some point an RFP would go out probably for mixed use/ mixed income with affordable housing. The School of Government was working on an RFP but unknown what the status is. Marsha advised that she could talk to Nicki Reed to get someone to talk to us about it.

STORMWATER ISSUE: Rafael found that because of the funding the project is overseen by the state and not by the city. He met with an engineer and reviewed plans and could not find a temporary parking lot already located on the old ball field anywhere in the plans. Some legal action may be an option.  The support letter proposed will be on hold for now. 

NEW BELGIUM BREWERY: Marsha reported changes in the street closing on Craven Street moving from Logan through Waynesville to Waynesville through Hazel Mill. Progress is also moving on the rerouting Hazel Mill to Craven Street and Emma Road.

OLD DAVE STEEL APARTMENTS:  Marsha indicated that some private development projects could be accessed on the ashevillenc.gov website under Development Mapper. AnnaBeth noted that sometimes projects are announced and then drop out of sight or change. There should be a way to make the process more visible to the community.

COMMUNITY GARDEN: There was a community gardening workshop on the same day as the AIM Symposium.  Marsha repeated the city's resistance to manage these projects. She will contact Agricultural Extension Agent Allison Arnold.

The meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.

DRAFT Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola.

December 4   next  WECAN General Membership Meeting 6:30 pm at 64 Clingman Avenue

WECANNEWS 2014

 

WECANNews 2014

WECAN October 2014 Board Meeting Minutes • Draft

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.

DRAFT Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola.

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