Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates

Minutes from RNA Meeting on October 10, 2012 Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building Room 159 (EOC) at 5:30 p.m. Committee Members in Attendance Braxton Naff, Chair Johnny Williams, Vice-Chair Valeria Alphin Jim Crawford Rena Cromer Brian Harris Dallas Powell Princess Moyer Hollie Young Committee Members Absent Scott Tate, Secretary Tony Adams Asia Smith Guests None Welcome to Members and Guests Chair Naff called the meeting to order at 5:32 PM. He recognized members and guests including newly appointed members by City Council, Princess Moyer and Hollie Young. Reading and Approval of Minutes Copies of the September 12, 2012 meeting minutes were distributed for review. Mr. Powell 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 Chair Naff stated that there were no scheduled presentations tonight. He reminded everyone should they have an interest in having a speaker come before the RNA to advise him a couple of weeks in advance of the meeting. Chair Naff provided a brief summary of the discussions that took place at the recent Presidents’ Council meeting held on Monday, September 10, 2012 at Edgewood Christian Church and hosted by the Edgewood Morwanda Summit Hills Neighborhood Organization. Neighborhood Reports Ms Alphin reported it was noted at a recent meeting of the Mt. View Neighborhood Association meeting that crime rates are significantly lower than last year due to the residents reporting of crime-related activities taking place in the neighborhood. She noted representatives from both the police department RNA October 2012 Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 4 and vice were in attendance at the meeting. Mr. Crawford added that employees of Freedom First conducted a ‘clean-up’ activity on Monday October 8th Columbus Day as a way of their giving back to the community. Ms. Alphin concluded by noting a group from VA Tech had joined neighborhood residents in their recent annual Fall Clean-up that took place on Saturday, October 6. Mr. Williams noted that new fixtures and boilers were being upgraded in Melrose Towers. Ms. Cromer noted the annual Old Southwest Parlor Tour would be held during the first weekend in December and that tickets would be available in advance and online in a joint venture with the Jefferson Center. Cromer also noted the Old Southwest neighborhood would be conducting a holiday “light Up the Night’ event as part of the neighborhood’s holiday celebrations. Cromer also noted the neighborhood had recently honored city staff and residents with their annual Appreciation Dinner on September 20 noting businessman and local housing developer Tom Serrano and resident Mark Hostetter were recipients of this year’s award. Mr. Powell reported that the SE neighborhood was seeing increased crime activity as residents were experiencing thefts of personal items from yards and storage buildings. Powell noted violent crimes were also occurring as two (2) home invasions had recently taken place. He also noted automobiles were being broken in to but that the cars involved had been left unlocked. Mr. Powell noted Liz Dudley had resigned as president of the Belmont Neighborhood Watch Association and Amy Morgan had assumed the role of the group’s president and Julie Buchikos had assumed the role of Vice President. He noted past President Liz Dudley had created a new ‘Belmont neighborhood committee’ and still continued to work with the Rescue Mission in helping to resolve the neighborhood’s quality of life issues. Powell noted recent meetings with Joy Sylvester Johnson, Executive Director of the Rescue Mission had been somewhat positive as recently Rescue Mission staff and clients re now wearing bright yellow vests and scheduled to patrol the Rescue Mission campus and surrounding neighborhood streets to question people if they are Rescue Mission residents to help determine who are actually residents as opposed to those who are hanging out. He noted they are also picking up trash helping to keep the appearance of the neighborhood better than before. Powell noted that the SE neighborhood is refocusing their efforts to holding Ms. Johnson accountable for a social commitment of Rescue Mission clients and neighborhood residents. Powell stated discussions are continuing between the Rescue Mission and SE neighborhood residents and stakeholders. He stated the neighborhood continues to have a deep concerned over the Rescue Mission’s proposed relocation of their Thrift Store from the current 4th Street SE location to the church located in the median between Bullitt and Jamison Avenues SE in the SE neighborhood gateway. Powell also noted they are looking at developing an alcohol interdictive program that would address habitual drunkenness. Chair Naff suggested Powell and other SE neighborhood residents attend and speak at City Council meeting to publicly update Council and the public on issues taking place in the SE neighborhood and the steps underway to resolve them. Old Business Neighborhood Assignments Discussion was tabled until the next meeting. RNA Applicant Review Chair Naff provided a brief overview and background regarding the two RNA applicants that were invited to last month’s RNA meeting. Following a brief discussion, Mr. Powell moved that a vote be taken on RNA October 2012 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 each of the RNA applications received individually, the first on Mr. Howard’s application to be followed by second vote on Ms. Little’s application. Following a brief discussion, Chair Naff called for the vote to appoint Mr. Howard to the RNA. The vote was as follows – 1 yes, 7 no and 1 abstention. Following a brief discussion, Chair Naff called for the vote to appoint Ms. Little to the RNA. The vote was as follows – 8 no and 1 abstention. Chair Naff requested Mr. Clement to send a letter of thanks to the applicants and urged the RNA members to continue seeking qualified applicants. Annual Neighborhood Potluck Dinner Mr. Clement noted that the annual ‘Harvesting of the Fruits’ neighborhood potluck dinner would be held at the Jefferson Center’s Fitzpatrick Hall on Wednesday evening, November 7 from 6-8 pm. He urged the RNA members solicit neighborhood resident participation from their assigned neighborhood organizations and watch groups. RNA City Council Dialogue Chair Naff announced that the RNA would be meeting with City Council during their 9:00 a.m. work session on Monday, November 5 in City Council Chambers on the 4th floor of the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building. He noted he would like other RNA members than himself to be part of the presentation and solicited volunteers. Chair Naff read through a list of accomplishments the RNA had achieved during 2012. Ms. Alphin noted she would speak re the RNA Business Plan update and the RNA’s Festival in the Park participation and Mr. Williams noted he would speak regarding the FY2011- 2012 Neighborhood Development grant projects underway. Mr. Naff noted he would note RNA’s participation in providing citizens with education opportunities such as the Innovative Leadership Program and Code Enforcement 102 workshop. Mr. Clement suggested that the RNA also personally invite Council members and city staff to the upcoming neighborhood potluck. ‘Grill the Landlord’ Workshop Mr. Powell noted the city was developing a new committee comprised of landlords, tenants, neighborhood residents and city staff to talk about neighborhood related issues. As this committee was new and has yet to meet, he suggested the RNA table the workshop to which all unanimously concurred. New Business FY2013-2014 Neighborhood Development Grant Program Overview and Content Mr. Clement distributed a copy of the FY2013-2014 Neighborhood Development Grant Program overview. He noted the information was the same as last year with one exception. Clement noted that because of the recent emergence of several groups who were not following city guidelines regarding becoming a recognized neighborhood organization or watch group, Clement recommended that applicants be required to submit a copy of their organization’s membership-approved Bylaws when requesting funding amounts over $500.00. Following a brief discussion, Ms. Alphin moved that Neighborhood Development Grant Program applicants submitting applications for funding in amounts over $500 be required to submit a copy of their organization’s membership-approved By-laws in order to be eligible to receive the requested grant funding and that inclusion of the By-laws be incorporated as a component of the grant application process. Mr. Williams seconded the motion. Hearing no further discussion, the motion was unanimously approved. Open Forum Tom Carr Resignation Mr. Clement advised that Tom Carr, Director of Planning Building and Development had submitted his resignation to be effective on November 1, 2012. Clement noted Mr. Carr had stated he planned to remain in Roanoke and was looking forward to spending more time with his family while pursuing bicycling and other outdoor activities. RNA October 2012 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 City Works(X)po Conference Mr. Clement advised he had several complimentary passes remaining for neighborhood leaders to attend next week’s annual City (X)po Conference taking place at the City Market Building‘s Charter Hall beginning Thursday, October 18 through Saturday, October 20 and offered the RNA an opportunity to attend. Ms. Moyer, Mr. Harris and Mr. Williams indicated they would like to attend if possible. Change to Next Month’s RNA Meeting Chair Naff noted that the date of the November RNA meeting fell on the same night as the scheduled graduation of the Innovative Leadership program graduates of which RNA is a co-sponsor. He suggested the RNA plan to conduct a short meeting on this same Wednesday November 14 evening between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. which would then be immediately followed by attendance at the Innovative Leadership graduation in City Council chambers. Following a brief discussion, the idea was unanimously approved by consensus. Adjournment Chair Naff adjourned the meeting at 7:27 p.m. RNA October 2012 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4