Citizens’ Engagement Advisory and Review Commission (CEARC)

City of Hampton, VA Meeting Minutes Citizens’ Engagement Advisory and Review Commission Attendance: Alice Callahan, Charlene Johnson, Corey Palmer, Will Moffett, Jim Williams, Leroy Foster Jr., Michele E. Benson, Shannon D. Freeman (Vice Chair), Shawn O’Keefe (Chair), Sanket Acharya (CEARC Community Liaison), Steven D. Bond (ACM), Debbie Hudgins Absent: Dr. Ahmed Noor, Crystal Carrington, Michelle Riddick Hamilton, Ryan Taylor, Rev. Simeon Green III, Councilwoman Chris Snead Staff: Latiesha Handie (Executive Director) _______________________________________________________________ Date: March 19, 2019 Time: 6:30 pm- 8:30 pm Venue: Ruppert-Sargent Building, Veterans Conference Room, 1Franklin Street Hampton, VA __________________________________________________________________ Call to Order: CEARC Chairperson Shawn O’Keefe called the meeting to order at 6:39 pm Roll Call: Latiesha Handie, CUC Executive Director Action Items Item 1: Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes 1-15-19  Commissioner Will Moffet made a motion to approve the minutes; with one recommended verbiage change found on page 3 bullet 1 “Chief Sult reiterated that the role of CEARC isn’t to talk to the media without the direction of one of the city’s public information groups.” To (Chief Sult recommended that prior to speaking with media CEARC consult with the city’s public information groups.) motion seconded by Commissioner Michelle Benson. Minutes approved by vote of commissioners.  The meeting minutes were approved, with one correction.  Meeting agendas and approved meeting minutes are now available online at www.hampton.gov/unity. New Business Item 1: Review and Approval of CEARC Bylaws amendments  Chairperson, Shawn O’Keefe explained that the By-Laws were revised to include Terms of Elections, found and Section 7 and Officer Responsibilities in section 8.  Executive Director, Latiesha Handie stated that Councilwoman Snead made one recommendation to the proposed term of officer service commitment. Councilwoman Snead suggested that the term of office be for one (1) year from the date of the election, with the option to succeed themselves for one additional term. 1   Commissioners voted to keep the terms and duties as written to include two year terms of officers.  Commissioner Michelle Benson made a motion to approve the by-laws; as written motion seconded by Commissioner Alice Callahan. Bylaws approved by a vote of commissioners. Item 2: Vacancies & Term Expirations  Latiesha Handie, announced that Commissioner Reverend Simeon Green III is scheduled to complete a partial full term as of March 30, 2019, and has elected to submit his resignation leaving one vacancy for a new election.  Commissioners Shawn O’Keefe and Corey Palmer have elected to be reappointed.  Recommendations will be submitted to the council for all new persons and reappointments on March 29, 2019.  Those scheduled for term expirations in June of 2019 were notified and advised of the application process. Training Session  During this portion of the meeting, the commission received facilitated training on Building a Rapport with Youth and Young Adults. This session empowered CEARC members on how to connect with young people in civil conversation during potential divisive situations.  Commissioner Corey Palmer invited participants from the community and the Youth and Young Adult Opportunity Office who participated in the conversation of understanding what civil discourse is and how it can be applied in our communities.  During the activities commissioners heard two sound bites, one explaining civil discourse and the other of an interview between Nikki Giovanni and James Baldwin, who discussed the topic of "Demanding a Man be a Man."  Directly after Commissioners participated in separate discussion circles around the topics of Music, Marriage and Mass Incarceration.  Corey Palmer provided dinner which he used as a catalyst to generate conversation. Announcements  Latiesha Handie, mentioned that she would be out of town for the planned May meeting and she requested that the meeting be moved to May 14th or the 28th. The Commission agreed on May 14th at the same time and location.  New Business: Item 3 has been deferred to the May Meeting. 1. Call meetings: In the event that a crisis or other significant incident occurs a special call meeting will be scheduled by the City Manager or the CUC Executive Director. Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 14, 2019, 6:30p-8:30p, Ruppert L. Sargent Building, 1 Franklin Street, Hampton, VA Meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm 2