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

WECAN November 2017 Board Meeting Minutes• Draft

WECAN Board Meeting Minutes November 2, 2017  

Board Members present: Danny Aull, Jared Fischer, Lynn Hall, Rebecca Lance, Rachel Larson, Caroline Mullis, Luke Perry and Pattiy Torno.  Members not present Byron Ballard, Tom Gibson, Mike Kenton, JoAnn Skinner and Suzanne Willis.

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

Also Present: Joe Fioccola and APD Officer Justin Wilson, Rev Brian Combs.

INTROS: Rachel called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm.  

MINUTES/ TREASURER”S REPORT: Rachel moved and Pattiy seconded a motion to approve the draft WECAN minutes from October 5 as emailed. The motion passed. The Treasurer reported a balance of $695.31. Pattiy reported on the pass thru proposal for New Belgium tips to RADA for the Fall Studio Stroll. She suggested 70% go to RADA for printing the Studio Guide and 20% go toward the maintenance of the Clingman Streetscape and 10% go to the WECAN Garden Club for Kudzu removal, public gardening and beautification. The size of the donation is unknown. The board approved the suggestion.

APD/CRO Update: Justin responded to the graffiti at Hunter Volvo that Duke was taking care of cleaning it. Also that he found who did it and charged them with 30 counts since July. There was a theft of a stroller from a porch which suggests to not leave valuables on open porches. There was a robbery of a cell phone after an altercation at Clingman and Hilliard that appeared to not be random. Doors were left open at 95 Roberts S and graffiti found inside and they need to better secure the building. More tents have been seen in the usual areas. Also Jared’s renter’s stolen motorcycle was found in a homeless camp at the top of Club St a block north of where it was stolen.

BLOCK JESSIES:  JoAnne’s birthday is on Friday.  About 70 people enjoyed the potluck at the Halloween Party. Great job Rebecca!  Jared’s box elder bugs have returned again this year. Pattiy remarked on the construction near the old 12Bones where they are creating a new waterway to divert the creek during the installation of a new culvert. She hopes it will have a good affect on the creek that sometimes floods.  Unfortunately AT&T broke a water line there but the Water Department was on it and got it restored as predicted.  She reported that Duke is still waiting on word from NCDOT for permission to use the city’s encroachment agreement for the tree replanting on Clingman. Pattiy will ask JoAnne about getting Jessie Mae plants for the Owens Bell/Jessie Mae Garden.

DUKE-ENERGY SUBSTATION Update:  The last meeting was set for November 1 but was canceled due to lack of progress on the residential properties.

HAYWOOD STREET CONGREGATION: Rev Brian Combs was invited to speak to WECAN because we seek greater understanding of homelessness and how we might support people getting “off the streets”.jasked what brings people to homelessness and how to engage better since the city policy doesn’t seem to be working. He explained that the congregation tries to help people suffering from poverty, addiction and mental illness. Their theology is to engage and listen to people’s needs and to that end they have set three programs: WELCOME TABLE: Every Wednesday they serve fresh home-made meals in four 45 minute sittings beginning at 10:30 am. They have also added Sunday night dinners. RESPITE: provide healthcare for chronic ailments with 8 beds to return to a baseline of health. Also free acupuncture, haircuts, yoga, dog food and needle exchange. WORSHIP SERVICE: Their strategy is to serve first then worship and not qualify or justify services. Chronic Homelessness remains a challenge. It is characterized by a dual diagnosis of addiction, PTSD and generational poverty and personalities that can’t abide the many shelter restrictions. Camping also has risks besides the weather such as theft of precious possessions (and identification needed for services), disease, violence, etc. Pattiy observed that in Japan there is a different reality with homelessness and recalled that John Payne had complained years ago that some campers under bridges are just not good neighbors defecating and littering. There are competing strategies to address needs: ‘Housing Last’ is one. It calls for being worthy first by getting off drugs, getting education, getting jobs first and then being rewarded with housing. ‘Housing First’ is the opposite strategy to provide housing security first and then provide the stabilizing services. Brian favors the second and has been trying for years to get a hard-to-house complex built because economically it makes sense. One study showed the cost in services to keep people homeless is $40,000 per person per year.  It is also hard to assess the size of the problem because even though there is an annual point-of-time count there are seasonal surges drawing people from all over the country. One estimate is about 100 chronically homeless and maybe 1000 occasional. Brian volunteered drug use is not uncommon among homelessness and he has experienced and is dealing with use and distribution in his church, but chooses tactics to curb it without involving the police. When asked about safety, he said it was not his mission’s first priority. Brian’s faith informs his trying creative approaches, getting people involved and giving with no expectation of any kind but it is very difficult to measure effectiveness. Brian does not coordinate with other nonprofits and the city to obtain services for people he serves. His mission is to provide condition-free and judgment-free comfort to the homeless by feeding them. After Brian left the conversation continued. Gentrification changes the physical landscape and reduces the spaces where homeless camp. Gentrification will make it more difficult for homeless. It is here now and homeless will be displaced. Joe observed that with Haywood Street Congregation, Western Carolina Rescue Mission, Salvation Army’s Red Shield Lodge, Homeward Bound and AHope day shelter within a few blocks of each other and of WECAN that the homeless and indigent will be with us for a long time. Rachel offered trash and sharps receptacles near campsites but we can’t give permission to camp on rights of way. When he sees campers Luke struggles with the options of calling the police and burdening the ineffective system or calling Brian. Pattiy framed the question how can WECAN be inclusive of everyone in our neighborhood. 

RAD FORM BASED CODE Is now set to go before City Council on November 14 with the issue of lodging in the RAD.  Pattiy explained the history and politics of the issue and the implications for the RAD and the city at large and the pressure from short term rentals and their effect of residential neighborhoods.

WECANEWS: Joe showed a draft of the Newsletter. Dave Campbell has offered to print 300 copies for free. In a discussion of delivery methods hand delivery of a paper copy for every address is preferred since we don’t have a good clean email/snail mail list and postage costs so much. Rebecca is considering hosting a folding party again. Joe will insert an appeal for email addresses and reassure that it will be used infrequently.

COMMUNITY GARDEN Rebecca will do a general email invite for a work date later this month to clean and tidy and prepare for spring planting.

ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY: Joe has set Thursday November 9 at 10am.

OTHER ISSUES: Rebecca reported that Asheville Redefines Transit has changed companies again. There was a problem with busses idling behind their house and Lee met with the new management. They are kind, nice and approachable. Lynn has asked NCDOT to undertake a study of Hilliard /Clingman intersection to determine if they can implement left-hand turn arrows for East and West bound traffic. As well as address rudh hour grid lock and pedestrian safety.

Meeting adjourned at 9:03 pm

Minutes submitted by Joe Fioccola, Secretary Emeritus

Important Upcoming Dates:

Nov 3                              JoAnne’s Birthday

Nov 7                              Election Day           

Nov 9                    Adopt A Highway 10 am

Nov 11                              Community Garden Workday?

Nov 11                              Cotton Mill Studios Grand Opening

Nov 11-12                  Studio Stroll

Nov 13                      C.A.N. Meeting 7 p.m. Oakley Community Center

Nov 17                              NH leaders Roundtable 8:30 @ Riverlink

Nov 16-17                  Folding Party?Distribution Date for WECAN NEWS

Dec 7                                Next WECAN Board Meeting/Potluck Thursday 6:30 pm

WECANNEWS 2017