City Manager Joseph Scherer said following a closed session his hope is to hire a person by the first part of the year.
The person hired for the position will not only promote the business district but will serve as a city economic development director to promote and recruit businesses throughout the city.
An initial vote on the matter did not come until after council voted to go into closed session to discuss personnel. The motion to discuss the matter in closed session did not come until an initial motion by Councilman Greg Lawson died for lack of a second and Carl Ferebee cast a motion to table the matter for further discussion.
Although it had already set the agenda at the beginning of the meeting, council amended its agenda to add a closed session to discuss personnel. rrspin.com unsuccessfully challenged the addition of a closed session to an already-approved agenda and argued discussion of the matter in closed session was not warranted.
The decision to make the Main Street director a city position came at the direction of Scherer. “The city's goal is to make Roanoke Rapids a successful place to invest, live, work and play by enhancing a historical district and the community as a whole, known as the Roanoke Valley,” a decision paper introducing the matter said.
Lawson said a recent meeting with state Main Street leaders and the Roanoke Avenue Business Alliance showed him the importance of making the director a city position. “I left there with a sense of urgency. It's economic development. It's what we've been preaching.”
Mayor Emery Doughtie said, “I think the Main Street coordinator offers us a way to reach out to those who want to have their own business.”
Doughtie said the buildings on the avenue typically cost less to rent and have the ability to draw a wider range. “If we do it, it's an opportunity to grow that part of the culture. If we let it go away it will be a way they leave our community.”
That RABA has helped locate 36 sustainable businesses to the business district is something that can't be overlooked, Lawson said. “That's important. That's why it's key to work with tourism, the chamber, RABA as a whole. I think it will go a long way to show people we're serious about economic growth.”
Lawson said the fact that state Main Street leaders spoke highly of the organization's accomplishments is something that can't be glossed over.
One of the issues leading to the decision was that RABA was having to do fundraising just to keep a director onboard, Lawson said. “All they've been able to do is focus on funding to pay a director. This heads us in a direction to keep the momentum and start something great. Here's the opportunity to make something happen.”
Lawson, who was attending his last meeting tonight, said, “There are so many opportunities. There's the potential industrial site. We have something to sustain this.”
Following the brief closed session there was further discussion on the matter.
Scherer explained the Main Director would oversee the day-to-day operations of the Main Street program as well handle economic development matters for the city, working with the Halifax County Development Commission.
Scherer said there could be future discussions on whether to form a taxing district within the business district, which is common among cities in the Main Street program.
Councilwoman Carol Cowen, who ultimately cast the dissenting vote on the matter as well as the budget appropriation, questioned why the city should shoulder the cost of a director when there are business owners on the avenue not willing to chip in now.
Following the vote, Doughtie said, “I think it's positive. The avenue offers a wide presence for people opening their own business. I grew up on the avenue. It creates a sense of what people in a small city want, not to see their town crumbling.”
Scherer said he would like to see the director have a background in economic development and urban planning, as well as experience in a Main Street setting.
The city agreed to fund $33,425 for the position for the remainder of the fiscal year. The salary scale is $35,000 to $40,000 a year.
RABA welcomed the news.
In a press release, Carol Moseley, president of the Main Street program, said, “We see this as a win-win scenario for everyone. With the renewed and defined public-private partnership, the Roanoke Rapids Main Street Program can soar to new heights.
“The staff position can place a stronger focus on economic development, business building and retention. With our nonprofit arm of the program, we can continue to raise funds and apply for grants to support projects such as our banner campaign and façade program. We are grateful to the city and our leaders for their vision for Roanoke Rapids and the Main Street Program and look forward to positive results moving forward.”
