Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates

Minutes from RNA Meeting on June 12, 2013 Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building Room 159 (EOC) at 5:30 p.m. Committee Members in Attendance Braxton Naff, Chair Johnny Williams, Vice-Chair Scott Tate, Secretary (did not arrive until 6:20 pm) Tony Adams Valeria Alphin Brian Harris Princess Moyer Dallas Powell Committee Members Absent Rena Cromer Asia Smith Guests None Welcome to Members and Guests Chair Naff called the meeting to order at 5:36 PM. Reading and Approval of Minutes Copies of the May 2013 meeting minutes were distributed for review as no business meeting was held during March or April. Ms. Alphin moved to approve the Minutes and the motion was seconded by Mr. Powell. Hearing no further discussion, the minutes were unanimously approved by consensus. Guest Presentations No Guests. Neighborhood Reports Mr. Williams noted there had been an increase in stabbings and robberies around Melrose Towers. He noted a new key system was being installed the following day and that there was a need to install an additional camera. Mr. Powell noted the recent slashing of tires involving 30 vehicles that had recently occurred in the neighborhood around the Rescue Mission. He noted the Rescue Mission had a video showing the RNA June 2013 Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 3 individual. Powell also noted the proposal to build a cell tower in the neighborhood continued to be an issue that the same developer was looking at placing it within a church steeple. Mr. Adams noted that the same company was attempting to build one in the Old Southwest neighborhood but due to the neighborhood's vigilance, it appeared their interest in doing so might be waning. Adams also noted residents of the neighborhood had recently assisted the Belmont Neighborhood Association in the SE neighborhood with a cleanup of the old city cemetery behind the Rescue Mission. He also noted July 15th as the date for the neighborhood's Neighbors Helping Neighbors event and the neighborhood was also making process on the proposed bus shelter project. Ms. Alphin noted crime was down year-over-year in the Mt. View neighborhood and that the Police Department's bike patrol was ending at the end of the month. She noted a ditch witch had recently been used to install water line for use by the new community garden being created on 13th Street and that Freedom First was continuing to work with Virginia's Dept. of Historic Resources re the materials to be used in the facade of their new building being constructed on Patterson Avenue. Mr. Clement advised that the Dorchester Court Neighborhood Watch and Grandview Area Neighborhood Watch were merging into one group and were also expanding their boundaries to include the area between Huff lane and Williamson Road and Hershberger Road and Greenland Ave. Unfinished Business A. Neighborhood Assignments Mr. Clement distributed a current copy of the RNA's neighborhood assignments advising the RNA that additional neighborhoods were unassigned due to Ms. Cromer's departure from the RNA. Chair Naff suggested further discussion be table until the newly appointed members began to participate. B. Follow-up Regarding Hollie Young's Appointment Chair Naff noted a letter had been sent to City Council requesting Ms. Young be removed from the RNA due to her lack of attendance noting her non responsiveness to attempts to contact her. Mr. Clement distributed a letter from the City Clerk advising that Braxton Naff had been reappointed to fill the unexpired term of Ms. Young. C. Follow-up Regarding City Council Appointments Mr. Clement distributed a letter from the City Clerk to Scott Tate advising of his reappointment by City Council for another three (3) years ending June 30, 2016. Clement also distributed a letter sent to Philip Clements advising of his appointment to the RNA for a three (3) year term ending June 30, 2016. D. Selection of New Officers Chair Naff tabled the selection of new officers until the next meeting to allow for a full members hip to participate. He asked that members give consideration to serving. E. Discussion Regarding FY2013-2014 Neighborhood Development Grant Program Mr. Clement reminded the RNA their conversation from a month or so ago regarding the changes they would like to make to the Neighborhood Development Grant Program. Clement also advised that recent changes in HUD guidelines may adversely affect the eligibility of future projects that were at one time funded. He recommended a grant review Committee be formed to begin discussing the changes the RNA would like to make to allow time for their incorporation into the FY 2013-2014 program. Mr. Harris, Mr. Williams, Mr. Adams and Mr. Powell volunteered to serve on the new RNA June 2013 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3  committee. Several members discussed their desire that neighborhood groups receiving funds be required to make a presentation to the RNA upon completion of their project. Mr. Clement suggested the committee convene in the next few weeks to begin discussing the changes they would like included in the FY 2013-2014 program. New Business A. Discussion Regarding Change in Length of RNA Terms Mr. Clement distributed a copy of the City Council Resolution creating the RNA accompanied by a copy of the RNA By-laws. A discussion had taken place at last month's regarding the possibility of shortening the length of term appointments from 3 years to 1 year. As the length of term was established in the initial Resolution creating the RNA, it was discussed that do change the length of term appointment would require another Resolution by City Council. No further action was decided at this time. B. Review of RNA Strategic Business Plan and Discussion of RNA Progress and Actions toward its Implementation Mr. Clement distributed a copy of the RNA Strategic Business Plan. A brief discussion took place on what activities the RNA should undertake the coming fiscal year that would assist in its implementation. Chair Naff requested members review the plan and submit their ideas to him and that he in turn would create a report to share at the next RNA meeting. C. Review of New RNA Applicants Mr. Clement distributed two (2) applications for appointment to the RNA received since the prior RNA meeting. Following a brief discussion, it was decided that Mr. Clement would send a letter to each of the applicants acknowledging receipt of their application and inviting them to the next RNA meeting to personally meet the current RNA members and for the members to meet them. A decision on their appointment would be made following this meeting although it was noted that Council could appoint either of the applicants in the meantime as there currently exist one (1) Council appointee position and two (2) RNA appointee positions available. Open Forum/Announcements Mr. Clement shared information on the Parks and Arts: celebrating Roanoke's Neighborhoods program currently underway during the summer. He distributed a copy of the brochure containing the date, place and time of the events scheduled urging the RNA members to attend if possible. Neighborhood Month activities and urged members to continue to attend and support these events as their schedule allowed. Ms. Alphin called attention to the recent Storm Water Meeting held at the Civic Center earlier in the week. She noted this would become a neighborhood concern in the near future. Chair Naff noted preliminary plans were calling for neighborhood residents to pay a flat fee of approximately $3.00 levied on their water bill whereas a fee would be levied on commercial property owners based upon the square footage of impervious surfaces on their property. It was suggested that the City Engineer, Phil Schirmer be asked to attend the next RNA meeting to make a presentation on the storm water issue. Adjournment Chair Naff adjourned the meeting at 6:25 p.m. RNA June 2013 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3