Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates

Minutes from RNA Meeting on June 13, 2012 Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building North Conference Room 308 at 5:30 p.m. Committee Members in Attendance Braxton Naff, Chair Johnny Williams, Vice-Chair Tony Adams Valeria Alphin Jim Crawford Rena Cromer Bob Caudle Brian Harris Dallas Powell Committee Members Absent Scott Tate, Secretary Guests Asia Smith, Citizen Welcome to Members and Guests Chair Naff called the meeting to order at 5:36 PM. He recognized new City Council RNA- appointee Asia Smith. Naff also thanks Bob Caudle for his years of service on the RNA as he will be retiring from the committee effective June 30, 2012. Reading and Approval of Minutes Copies of the May 19, 2012 meeting minutes were distributed for review. Ms. Alphin moved to approve the Minutes and the motion was seconded by Mr. Crawford. Hearing no further discussion, the minutes were unanimously approved by consensus. Guest Presentations None Neighborhood Reports Mr. Powell provided information about a presentation made at a recent Belmont Neighborhood Watch meeting by the Police Department on the social problems being created by those ingesting ‘bath salts’ and derivatives thereof. Powell noted that the substances were being legally sold in neighborhood convenience stores around the city under a variety of names. He stated that most were being manufactured in China and that people who ingested them became hallucinogenic and involved in bizarre acts many of which are violent. Powell stated that the drug causes one’s body temperature to increase which many times results in users removing their clothing in order to cool off. He urged people to call 911 should they observe others acting strangely. Powell also reported that the Rescue Mission had submitted an application to close a L-shaped alley located behind their Thrift Store between 4th Street SE and the Interstate highway. He noted SE residents were hoping it RNA May 2012 Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 4 would be developed into an area for use by Rescue Mission clients and that most SE residents were generally supportive of the closure. Powell also noted several weeks ago SEAF president and the Rescue Mission Director had walked around the neighborhood together and spoke with the owner of the P&N Market who had agreed to hire a security guard but that this had yet to happen. Ms Alphin reported that four (4) landlords, three (3) guests and twenty (20) residents were in attendance at the most recent meeting of the Mt. View Neighborhood Association. She noted a long discussion was held by all present which resulted in the clearing of misconceptions by both the residents and landlord. Ms. Alphin also noted the Police Department’s BAR program where property owners place ‘No Trespassing’ signs on their property which in turn allows the police officers to arrest those who do not belong on the property. A question was raised in the program required names of potential trespassers needed to be provided to the police department or if anyone caught on the premises can be arrested. Mr. Adams responded that both scenarios are correct for commercial property as the owner can provide specific names as well as allow the police to remove anyone not belonging on the property. Chair Naff asked Mr. Clement to ask Police Officer Akins to speak about the BAR Program at the next RNA meeting. Ms. Alphin noted that the next meeting of the organization will include a grill out at the Fishburn Mansion on 13th Street SW and asked those interested in attending to bring a dish. Ms. Cromer noted that Old Southwest had conducted a historic walk around the neighborhood as the agenda of their most recent meeting. She noted neighborhood historian Joel Richert and Preservationist Alison Blanton lead a discussion on the various architectural styles observed. Unfinished Business A. Report on Festival in the Park • Ms. Cromer noted that RNA participation at the recent Festival in the Park event went well as they met folks from North Carolina, Salem, and other locations outside of the city. She noted the map showing the neighborhood boundaries was also well received as several people thanked her for having the exhibit. Ms. Alphin noted many folks she spoke with were not aware of the neighborhood organizations and suggested the RNA consider participating in ‘Woofstock’ to determine where dog owners reside. Chair Naff noted that the temporary tattoos were popular with the kids. Mr. Adams suggested maybe using the Star Trolley to give neighborhood tours for a small fee next year. Ms. Alphin added that neighborhood tours should include the Roanoke Valley Visitors and Convention Center is the goal is to get outsiders to reside in the city’s neighborhoods. B. Discussion Regarding RNA Business Plan Update & Social Media • A brief discussion was held regarding the status of the RNA website and Facebook page created back in November 2001. Mr. Clement reminded everyone that he had created a Facebook page on behalf of the RNA and had given administrator rights, in addition to himself to both prior RNA Chair Ron McCorkle and prior RNA member Dustin Akers. Clement also noted that McCorkle and Akers were also the administrators of the newly created RNA website, www.roanokeneighborhoods.org using the WordPress software platform. Ms. Cromer noted a feature of the website was the ability to provide email addresses to all of the RNA members without having to use their personal email accounts but that it had been her experience that this feature was not functioning properly. Chair Naff asked why the RNA needed another website in addition to the site maintained by the city. Mr. Clement reminded the RNA members the other website’s purpose was to provide a venue for the RNA to RNA May 2012 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4  post neighborhood-related information without city input or intervention. Following the discussion and with the approval of the RNA members, Chair Naff noted he would contact prior RNA Chair Ron McCorkle to close the website. Mr. Clement also suggested the RNA revisit the updating of their Strategic Business Plan begun during 2011 under prior RNA Chair Ron McCorkle. He noted the plan had not been revised since 2003 when it was initially created and suggested that several of the RNA goals may have changed since that time. Following a brief discussion, Mr. Clement suggested rather than to hold additional outside meetings that the RNA consider setting aside 15 minutes during the next few meetings to work on updating the plan. Chair Naff stated he would send Mr. Clement the documents he had received from prior RNA Chair Ron McCorkle that could be forwarded to the RNA members with the current Strategic Business Plan for their review prior to the next meeting. C. Reassignment of Neighborhood Groups • Chair Naff noted with the recent changes in RNA membership that many neighborhood groups are without RNA representation. He asked RNA members to review the listing distributed and contact Mr. Clement with those they would like to be assigned. D. Update on City disposal of Neighborhood Meeting Signs • Ms. Alphin noted she had contacted the city and had been advised that some department employees will remove and dispose of the signs they find on city right- of-way and other department employees do not. Mr. Clement reminded everyone that placement of temporary signs on the city right-of-way is against city code and as such can be removed by any city employee. He noted that generally city employees will overlook neighborhood organization meeting signs out of respect for the neighborhood group but can and have removed them per city code. He suggested those using neighborhood meeting signs be smart about it by placing on private property with the owner’s permission whenever possible and for a period of time of no longer than 24-48 before the meeting and remove immediately following the meeting. New Business A. Review of RNA Applications and Discussion Mr. Clement provided copies of the two (2) applicants for appointment to the RNA and asked where the RNA stood on their appointment or non-appointment. Following a brief discussion, the RNA reaffirmed the need to work on recruiting and bringing all existing and potential applicants to the next RNA meeting. Chair Naff noted he would ask RNA Secretary Tate to contact the two applicants and invite them to attend the next RNA meeting Open Forum/Announcement Chair Naff stated that he’d like to have a joint RNA/President’s Council meeting in September to see if there were ways both groups could work together. Mr. Clement noted he would assist in making that happen. Following upon Ms.Alphin’s discussion earlier regarding the dialogue between the landlords and Mt. View residents at their recent neighborhood meeting, he suggested the RNA consider having a ‘Grill the Landlord’ workshop in the fall to bring landlords and neighborhood residents together for RNA May 2012 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 a dialogue to learn about each other’s issues and responsibilities concerning the legalities of dealing with unruly tenants. Adjournment Chair Naff adjourned the meeting just prior to 6:50 p.m. RNA May 2012 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4