Downtown Advisory Board

CITY OF HENDERSONVILLE DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD Downtown Program Office | 125 Fifth Avenue West, Suite 200 | Hendersonville NC 28792 Tuesday, January 10, 2023 – 4:00 PM MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER – 4pm Present: Chris Cormier Jerry Fitzgerald Phil Wilmot Joe Dinan Patsy DuPre Matthew Hickman Carol Sitzer Heang Uy Caroline Gunther Staff Present: Jamie Carpenter, Terrye Jacobs, Sgt. Gardin, Chief Myhand, Lew Holloway Public present: Aaron (White Duck Taco), online: Mountain Page Press Absent: John Ryan (joined via zoom), Mark Pavao (joined via zoom), Jared Bellmund, Anthony McMinn, Councilwoman Debbie Roundtree 2. PUBLIC COMMENT – There were no public comments. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Carole Sitzer made a motion to approve, Matthew Hickman Seconded. All were in favor. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. December 2022 Downtown Advisory Board Meeting Minutes – Patsy DuPre made a motion to approve, Carole Sitzer seconded 5. NEW BUSINESS 1. Police Department Update – Sgt. Gardin was present to discuss efforts regarding homelessness – a lot of partnerships with Hope Coalition, Thrive, Rescue Mission to help with placement and housing. Not a lot of teeth with laws because of recent changes/courts that make some enforcement unconstitutional. Alternative for youths – creating a center or place for downtown – working with local churches Authorization to Act – This form allows police the authority to move trespassers without having to wait for the consent of the business/property owner. This only applies to outside of business – if someone is trespassing inside a business PD has authority. No trespassing signage – this gives PD more ability to act. DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD – January 10, 2023 Page | 1  Q – P. Wilmot – What course of action to businesses have as far as loitering. They have placed no loitering signs. A - Loitering laws were found unconstitutional by supreme court – better course of action is no trespassing sign and officer can enforce trespassing. Sidewalk – cannot prevent people from standing on sidewalk but they cannot block the path. If they are blocking a path or leaning on the building may be something they can enforce. M. Hickman noted that typically they have asked people to move away and there have been little issues. Chief – would encourage you to call police any time there is an issue so the officer can determine if there is a violation. They may also be able to encourage someone to move on without taking further action. Q – John Ryan - what kind of juvenile problems are most prevalent? Sgt. Gardin – mischievous behavior – theft Q – Patsy – have businesses not signed authorization to act? Sgt Gardin– if you have nothing outdoors it doesn’t make sense to do it, but if you have outdoor property, the authorization to acct makes sense. Chief – encourages as business owners and residents to go to council to express concerns or issues. Mark Pavao – has had good success with their outdoor dining, communicating with people, letting them know the rules, communicating with officers. Chris Cormier– would like to go with a louder voice to city council Caroline – after a certain amount of infractions it can often get to a point where they get moved to adult services Police have collected data regarding calls to dispatch – tracking downtown related calls and provide a report – March 2022 specifically started coding interactions with people who are homeless. Coding impact on budget, cost etc. Numbers to call:  non-emergency phone 828- 697-3025  911 can also be called for emergencies.  Sherriff Department Non-Emergency 828- 697-4911 Request / Action steps: Caroline Gunther – requested for PD to note that the Downtown Advisory Board is discussing the issues related to loitering. ACTION – Request staff to inform council that this was discussed at downtown advisory board meeting that it was concerning enough to bring the Police Department to the meeting to review. DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD – January 10, 2023 Page | 2  ACTION – is there a rack card or post card for places to send people to? Caroline will make a note. Send the list to Jamie, Jamie will make a rack card ACTION – Jamie will send the monthly chief report to the board as it comes out. ACTION – Anyone wishing to sign an Authorization to Act if they have not, should contact Sgt. Gardin – ggardin@hvlnc.gov 6. OLD BUSINESS 1. 2023-2024 Downtown Workplan, Annual Report & Program Accreditation – This will be reviewed at the February meeting. 2. Reschedule the February meeting to February 7 (one week prior to normal meeting time) 7. ADJOURNMENT – Patsy DuPre made a motion to adjourn. – Carole Sitzer second. The City of Hendersonville is committed to providing accessible facilities, programs and services for all people in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Should you need assistance or an accommodation for this meeting please contact the City Clerk no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting at 697-3005. DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD – January 10, 2023 Page | 3