ONA Board Meeting
February 8, 2023 12pm via Google Meet
In attendance: 7 board members, 2 neighbors:
Michael Stratton and Bess McDavid: current co-leaders and points of contact coordinating ONA with COA
Betsy Nesbitt: current/new secretary
Kylie Ryan: new communications chief
Michael Romanello, Ross Pritchard, Erin Hunt: new members-at-large
This meeting is a planned hand-over meeting from current board members to new board members
Updates:
Bess McDavid(BM): ONA leader will be the vis-a-vis between the ONA and the city of Asheville(COA)
ONA co-leaders and various committees have:
Set up a board and created by-laws
Set up task force to save Oakley’s library
2 Open Streets events- 1 in May and 1 in October
Will be an inclusive playground built at Oakley Park
Free fridge program- ONA partnering with Food Policy Council (Gina Smith)
Set up committees: tree, garden, event, transportation, etc
ONA president and vice president are just on top of those things
Michael Stratton(MS): We placed the structure, now we need to build these things out, for example, get people to participate in committees.
BM: we are looking for a president and vice president- maybe not today, but soon!
Ross Pritchard(RP): volunteers as president or vice-president
BM: we need to vote on this nomination at next meeting
RP: wonders about people to plug for at-large positions
Erin Hunt(EH): interested in making a community flier as a way to get info out
MS: outdoor advertising works really well
RP: maybe pair that with a QR code
Community Fridge Program
Gina Smith and BM spoke with COA regarding where to keep fridge: potentially community center. It will have to be cleaned and stocked (using food from community and/or community partners).
We will need a committee to help coordinate
Asheville Buncombe Food Policy Council can help with electricity bills/cleaning supplies
WNCAP was approached as a site, but said their clients would use it and then it wouldn’t be going to Oakley residents and that it would have to be kept inside which would limit availability
RP/EH/Kylie Ryan and husband express interest in helping out with the garden
RP interested in doing video spotlights to highlight Oakley as a food desert
Q: Is Beloved involved here?
A: unsure, but definitely a demand for pantry/grocery items
George Gregor-Holt(GGH): if we could find a way to include seniors in planning and distribution, AARP might be interested in helping with funds
Event Planning
Q: Are we going to do another Open Streets?
RP: has been in contact with Lucy regarding how Open Streets could interface with the greenway project
Michael Romanello(MR): If not Open Streets, we could have an event around the new playground
RP: maybe a pickleball fundraiser this summer?
GGH: AARP would probably be interested in sponsorship of that event!
EH: Does anyone have planning notes from last Open Streets?
MS: We have a google drive with all our important docs- by-laws, meeting minutes, etc. would also like everyone to have access to email
Wrap-Up
RP: next meeting 3.1.23/3.2.23- maybe at French Broad Brewing, but it’s kind of hard to hear there
EH: RP/EH have keys to community center
BM: need to figure out who is going to be responsible to ONA email
RP: can systemize email
MS: working on efficiencies would be ideal