A proposal that would make the Roanoke Avenue Business Alliance's executive board a special advisory committee to the city council will undergo further scrutiny since first being proposed last week.

Councilman Greg Lawson said following Tuesday night's meeting he fears the proposal would clash with the current structure of city committees in which members are picked from a cross section of community members from within the city limits and its extraterritorial jurisdiction.

The proposal as currently written could also clash with open meeting laws unless its wording is changed, City Attorney Gilbert Chichester said following the meeting.

“We have to make sure anything the city is doing is transparent,” Lawson said.

RABA President Steve Dennis declined immediate comment on any proposals for bylaws as the issue is still being deliberated.

In a public comment section of the meeting, Main Street Director Lance Jenkins clarified statements made at last week's work session after comments made were taken by some council members and staff that Roanoke Rapids was less than the best environment to do business in. “RABA needs the city,” he said, explaining comments made last week were not intended to criticize the city. “We want the city to be even more business friendly.”

Regardless of council's decision, Jenkins said RABA will continue to be an advocate for the city and protect businesses already on the avenue as well work to bring new businesses to the avenue.

Ruthie Gregory, chairwoman of the city's longstanding Beautification Committee, said the panel has, “Very serious concerns in reference to RABA serving as an advisor.”

Gregory said the Beautification Committee has a long list of responsibilities. “I would suggest city council think long and hard before making this decision.”

During the discussion of whether to approve the request, Lawson said, “I'm still struggling with this,” and asked Jenkins to clarify what the difference would be if RABA served in its current capacity as opposed to being a special committee to the city.

In his original proposal to council, Jenkins explained, “There are several benefits to RABA serving as a special advisory committee to the city.”

He said the first is that downtown and uptown revitalization would occur more swiftly. “RABA will be able to move past previous obstacles and focus more on changing facades of storefronts, enhancing the avenue's street scape, bringing more businesses to the avenue district and ultimately bringing positive change to our city's main street district.”

Jenkins also said in the original proposal the alliance would be able to bring more guidance to resources the city may have not had access to. “With a direct connection to the NC Department of Commerce's Urban Development Division, we can provide guidance and funding resources that may or may not have been available to the city otherwise.”

Asked by Lawson what funding resources would need the backing of the city, Jenkins explained there was a Main Street Solution Fund and a Livability Solution Fund allowing for the renovation of uptown and downtown living quarters.

Jenkins said, however, those grants and funds could be administered by RABA.

“The perception is there is a power struggle between between RABA and the Beautification Committee,” Lawson said, “Is that the case?”
Jenkins said it is no secret that RABA wants to replace the trees on the avenue, he said, however, the organization's prime concern is the vacant buildings that need to filled. “We're tired of butting heads. We want to work together.”

Lawson said he didn't have a problem with RABA. “I think RABA does a great job. It's the legal questions I want answered.”