Citizens’ Engagement Advisory and Review Commission (CEARC)

City of Hampton, VA Meeting Minutes Citizens’ Engagement Advisory and Review Commission Attendance: Steve Bond (ACM), Chris Bowman (Chairperson), Leroy Foster, Jr., Jim William, Michele Benson, Alice Callahan, Shannon Freeman, Simeon Green III, Shawn O’Keefe, Councilman Will Moffett, Ryan Taylor, Sanket Acharya (CEARC Community Liaison) Absent: Ahmed Noor, Larry Enscore, Yolanda Earl, Diana Gulotta Staff: Synetheia Newby (Executive Director), Latiesha Handie (Program Coordinator) __________________________________________________________________ Date: November 21, 2017 Time: 6:30pm Venue: Ruppert-Sargent Building, Veterans’ Conference Room, 1 Franklin Street, Hampton __________________________________________________________________ Call to Order: Commissioner Chris Bowman called the meeting to order at 6:38 pm  Prayer was offered by Commissioner and Pastor Simeon Green III Action Items Item 1: Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes- May 16, 2017  The meeting minutes were approved, with no corrections.  Meeting agendas and approved meeting minutes are now available online at www.hampton.gov/unity Old Business Item 1: Approval of CEARC Bylaws  The bylaws were approved, with no corrections.  The approved bylaws require the signature of the Chairperson on page 4  Commissioners received the updated CEARC bylaws electronically. Item 2: Summer Training Wrap-up (Comments and Feedback)  CUC Executive Director Synetheia Newby recapped the Crisis Intervention, Management and Communication Workshop, which was held in September 2017. Several commissioners shared their insights and reflections.  Commissioners who were absent from the workshop received the associated training handout materials via mail  Additionally, Commissioners Michele Benson and Simeon Green III reported that they attended a modified Police Citizens’ Academy training; both found the simulated 1  training essential and beneficial to their service on the commission. Assistant City Manager Steven Bond added that the Police Citizens Academy is available twice a year for 12 weeks once a night and would highly recommend enrollment. Information for upcoming Police Citizens Academy training dates will be made available to commissioners through CUC staff.  Councilman Moffett encouraged commissioners to engage in community events and programs as this will help in increasing their knowledge of groups and individuals in the community.  Synetheia Newby concluded the summer training feedback and comments by suggesting that the next meeting begin with Communications skills training along with initiating the development of a Crisis Communication plan. Item 3: Approval of CEARC By-Laws – Correction!  This item was erroneously duplicated on the agenda and will be removed before official posting. New Business Item 1: Vacancy Updates  Before the announcement of vacancies, new CUC Program Coordinator Latiesha Handie, Community Liaison Sanket Acharya were reintroduced to commissioners. City Council designated Sanket as a Community Liaison due to his unique influence and voice in the Indian and Hindu community.  CEARC currently has three vacancies; these vacancies are due to residency requirements, job relocation, and changes in availability for Sanket Acharya, Henry Mills, Jr., and Diana Gulotta.  Upon inquiry, CUC Executive Director and Assistant City Manager Steven Bond clarified the CEARC appointment process. Currently, potential commissioner names are submitted through a process of community nominations; those nominations are submitted to City Council for review and the requisite appointments. For the current vacancies, the applications in the Board Bank will be considered and recommendations will be submitted for the December 2017 Council meeting. Item 2: Committee Updates  Commissioners Michelle Benson and Shawn O’Keefe will continue to serve on the Media & Marketing committee in the absence of former Commissioner Diana Gulotta. Item 2: Training Roadmap- Summer Training Recommendation  Based on feedback given during the meeting, nine, key training areas have been identified for the 2018 CEARC Training Roadmap. Those areas are: 1. Simulations 2. Utilization of scenarios and role plays to teach and reinforce training concepts 3. Learning how to engage with the media from persons within the city and local media 4. Working with elected officials to employ cohesive messaging and build a rapport 5. Identifying key stakeholders and groups within the community 6. Addressing gun violence in the community 7. Understanding gang activity and involvement 8. Identifying violence prevention strategies and services 9. Working with a diversity of youth and building a rapport with them 2   In attempts to cover a significant amount of training, recommendations have been made to use bi-monthly meetings and summer to execute courses.  Councilman Moffett recommended further simulated training sessions, which mirror those of crisis situations. He suggested revisiting the previously discussed simulations with the Peninsula Health Department.  Commissioner Michele Benson inquired about Stage 3 (Situational Review) from the Four Stages of CEARC Involvement and Engagement plan, along with process questions when situations appear. CUC Executive Director suggested that Commissioner Chris Bowman provide an in-depth review of all four phases at the next meeting. Announcements  Commissioner Chris Bowman announced his resignation from the commission and from the position of Chairperson. He noted the positive changes made by the CUC department and commission and extended his willingness to continue to support the commission.  Assistant City Manager Steven Bond, Councilman Will Moffett and CUC Executive Director Synetheia Newby extended appreciation and gratitude for his service and commitment to the City of Hampton and CUC Staff.  There are now four vacancies on the commission and elections for a new chairperson will be held at the January meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:03 pm. Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 16, 2018 3