Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates

Minutes from RNA Meeting on May 9, 2012 Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building North Conference Room 308 at 5:30 p.m. Committee Members in Attendance Braxton Naff, Chair Scott Tate, Secretary Valeria Alphin Rena Cromer Dallas Powell Bob Caudle Tony Adams Jim Crawford Committee Members Absent Dallas Powell Johnny Williams, Vice-Chair Brian Harris Guests Travis Akins, Roanoke City Police Department Welcome to Members and Guests Chair Naff called the meeting to order at 5:33 PM. He recognized Officer Akins. Reading and Approval of Minutes Copies of the April 2012 meeting minutes were distributed for review. Mr. Caudle moved to approve the Minutes and the motion was seconded by Mr. Adams. Hearing no further discussion, the minutes were unanimously approved by consensus. Guest Presentations Officer Travis Akins presented a neighborhood crime update. He wanted to talk about two things. He began with the number one current issue, especially in NW neighborhoods, of church burglaries. Officer Akins shared that the amount of loss has not been great, but that there has been significant damage. He asked if the RNA, as individuals, can help get the word out to other church communities that they need to secure the premises and not to leave any cash or valuables in the church. Chair Naff inquired why losses were low and Officer Akins responded by sharing information about a program that he started two years ago to help educate churches about crime and loss prevention. He thinks that has made some difference. Officer Akins informed RNA that the current burglaries usually occur at night between 2 and 5 am. Office Akins’ second item concerned formation of new Neighborhood Watch groups. He observed that there are probably more groups forming now than in the last 10 years combined. He specifically mentioned two in SE and one in NW that are beginning. RNA May 2012 Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 3 Officer Akins also asked RNA members and neighborhood groups to contact him if we hear about any homeless encampments. He emphasized that this is not because the City is anti-homeless but because of the desire to connect homeless individuals to services and to prevent possible criminal activities. Chair Naff asked if the camp behind the old Ukrops building is still an issue. Officer Akins replied that one is less active now. Ms. Cromer and Mr. Crawford mentioned an encampment in Mountain View area near Black Dog Salvage. Ms. Cromer asked how police handle problems from the camps. Officer Akins responded by sharing about diversion projects that engage certain non-violent offenders, such as homeless, in community service and clean-up activities. Ms. Cromer stated a concern with a door-to-door magazine scam in her neighborhood. She had called police and was initially told that a permit was issued to the group. Officer Akins responded that he would check on this particular business if Ms. Cromer would e-mail him the information she has collected. Officer Akins discussed with Ms. Cromer and other RNA members about this type of solicitation and how it was important to communicate and document any issues so that permits could be revoked or denied in the future if appropriate. Neighborhood Reports For Old Southwest, Ms. Cromer mentioned that Habitat for Humanity has selected the 800 block of Day Avenue SW as a location for a new housing project. Mr. Adams added that Old Southwest is planning a ‘Neighbors Helping Neighbors’ event on May 18 on behalf of Neighborhood Month and has also scheduled a ‘Food with Friends’ event on Saturday May 19. Ms. Alphin reported on the open house event at 1222 Campbell Avenue SW in Mountain View last Saturday that was also profiled in the Roanoke Times. Mr. Crawford added that close to 400 people turned out for the event Mr. Caudle mentioned the recent fires in Day Avenue. Mr. Naff reported on Williamson Road Business Association’s plans for Star City Motor Madness. Mr. Tate reported on Grandin Court’s Neighborhood Association’s Neighborhood Month Plant Exchange event tomorrow night and that Grandin Court Elementary is working with Western VA Land Trust and families and youth in neighborhood to do a Garden Club/community garden project at the school. Unfinished Business A. Reassignment of RNA Brand, Marketing, and Social Media • No discussion. B. Reassignment of Neighborhood Groups • Chair Naff asked Mr. Adams to review the list of available neighborhoods and select some that he would like to be assigned. RNA May 2012 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3  C. RNA Participation in Festival in the Park • Ms. Cromer shared on her leadership of this effort. She had requested 2 tables and 4 chairs. She also has collected games and activities including the OLD SW corn-hole game, a ringtoss game, a bubble machine, and temporary tattoos. She stated that we still need to figure out what materials to have available to distribute. Ms. Alphin had secured a laminated map of neighborhood organization and watch group areas. Ms. Alphin said that we need an easel and perhaps some push-pins. Chairman Naff asked if Mr. Tate could do a Doodle Poll with blocks for RNA individuals to select from in terms of their availability to staff. RNA will need to staff the table from 10-5 on Saturday, May 26th. Chairman Naff mentioned we should have name-tags and a contact sheet. Ms. Cromer will work on a banner. Ms. Alphin will get push-pins. Chair Naff will ask Mr. Clement about an easel. New Business A. Process for New Applications Chair Naff led a general discussion of process for applicants. Discussion was that the RNA needed to work on recruiting and bringing all existing and potential applicants to our June meeting as it appears effective in July that the RNA will have five (5) vacancies - two (2) vacancies to appointed by the RNA and three (3) to be appointed by City Council. Open Forum/Announcement Ms. Alphin asked about President’s Council meeting. Chair Naff stated that he’d like to have a joint RNA/President’s Council meeting and see if there were ways we could work together. For next month, Ms.Alphin asked about inviting someone who is in charge of contracting mowing for the city so that we could have a dialogue about removal and location of removed signs. Mr. Tate offered to place that on June agenda and contact Mr. Clement for his input and assistance. Adjournment Chair Naff adjourned the meeting just prior to 6:54 p.m. RNA May 2012 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3