Clean City Commission

FULL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES April 12, 2016 ~ 3:30pm Members  Lynn Allsbrook  John Golden  Pat Parker  Dennis VanCamp, Chair  Shirley Boyd  Wendy Iles  Luretta Ray  Jim Williams  Jackie Cannan  Sally Lewis  Brian Rueger  Cris Ausink  Clovis Calloway  Kevin Myers  Edward Robinson  Debbie Blanton  Nethea Calloway, Alt.  Claire Neubert  Teresa Schmidt  CFaison Harris  Treazure Davis  Jamie Osso  Tom Tinsley Welcome, Public Comment, Time Sheet: Vice Chair Edward (Sean) Robinson called the meeting to order. Public comment was offered by a Mr. Harris who voiced concern over the amount of signage appearing throughout the City. Brian Rueger also stated that he also was concerned about illegal signs. Signs on public rights of way and medians are illegal. Signs posted on private property are legal. During election season, political signs are legal, but must be removed after the election. Melody Harrison, Associate Outreach Coordinator of Dominion Green Power, provided a short but very informative presentation on its voluntary green pricing program that allows customers to support renewable energy sources in practical and economical ways. She noted that some of the benefits of supporting Green Power is that is helps to create “green” jobs, is reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and it aids in expanding renewable energy resources, such as wind, solar and biomass, in the Hampton Roads area. Dominion makes no profits from the Green Power program and Green Power is Green-e Energy certified. Melody added that through enrollment in the Green Power program, residents may purchase Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) to match their monthly electricity use at an additional cost to their monthly utility bill of about 1.3 cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity used. A second option allows the purchase of RECs in any $2 fixed increment or block– and they can purchase as many as they wish, with each block guaranteeing 154 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy delivered to the power pool. Melody provided contact information for those interested and said she’d be available to answer any questions. Sean thanked her for the presentation and many members submitted their email addresses to learn more about the program. Approval of March Minutes: Motion to approve offered by Shirley Boyd, seconded by Jackie Cannan. Parks & Recreation Report: Debbie noted that the Director, Kevin Myers, has meetings on the 2nd Tuesdays of each month which accounts for his inability to attend Commission meetings. Mr. Myers, however, did arrive later for this meeting. Public Works Report: No report. Budget Discussion: Sean asked had a request been submitted for a budget increase. Debbie responded, saying that an additional $20,000 had been requested. Teresa Schmidt said that Council would receive the budget request on April 15. A copy of the March 2016 budget was provided in the agenda packet. To date, out of a FY budget of $186,216, $141,221.03 has been expensed with $126,835.48 dedicated to full-time salaries and benefits, and $14,385.55 dedicated to overall operating expenses. Other budget information to date (remaining balances): Keep Hampton Green Donations = $132.00 KAB Community Improvement Grant = $16,358.00 C.H.A.N.G.E Grant = $4,114.93 DOF Water Monitoring Grant = $38.12 HWRP Donations = $1,179.50 Walk Hampton Clean Donation - $100.00 (Friends of Sandy Bottom Nature Park) 20160412 Full Commission Minutes 12 April 2016 Page 2 Presentation of Newly Appointed Board Members: Debbie introduced newly appointed Board Members Clovis Calloway, a returning former member, Treazure Davis, and Nethea Calloway, Board Alternate. Sean welcomed each and standing members then introduced themselves. Volunteer Recognition Celebration: Sean discussed contracting with the Quality Inn as a venue, stating that he has received contract information dated for July 2016. He has confirmed the date of Thursday, October 27, from 4:30pm-8:30pm which he feels allow ample time for breakdown and any cleanup. Other proposed sites are Embassy Suites and Calvary Assembly of God. John Golden noted that he visited Quality Inn and Calvary Assembly of God, taking into account how well received the event and its participants would be when it comes to parking, accessibility, facility staff, and size and appearance of the facility. He asked members to also visit the sites to make quality comparisons for themselves. John noted that while Quality Inn may offer its facility free of charge, it does come with the price of using one of its vendors for set-up & catering, and the appearance of the Inn leaves much to be desired. He added that Calvary is a very beautiful site, they would not be able to accommodate the October 27 date due to scheduling. Calvary also runs a daycare and school, which may create issue with timing during a weekday event. Calvary also has fees for custodial services and audio-visual use. Additionally, for larger groups, Parks Division may have to be incorporated to provide extra tables. Tom Tinsley asked were the proposed sites made aware of the budget, and if they would be able to accommodate services to fit within the budget. Teresa then asked if the site of last year’s event had been considered or contacted as a possible venue for this year’s event. Debbie stated that the Planning Committee met April 10 to discuss the outcome of the survey and how best to work those results into this year’s event. The next planning meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 20 at 1pm. Walk Hampton Clean 2016: Cris Ausink reminded members that this is a Commission event and encouraged everyone to get involved. She stated that registration this year was very low as compared to this time last year. She noted that the Boy Scouts, some clubs and churches, in addition to a few individuals, have already signed up, but she’s looking for a greater turn out. Teresa suggested that Cris speak before Council at April 13 meeting to announce the vent. It was suggested that in order to get Council involved that Cris present them with littersticks, gloves and vests. Cris agreed to appear. Audit Update & By-Laws: Debbie distributed copies of the March 25 report and asked for suggestions for by-law revisions. She stated that if there were no further changes to those items marked in red and yellow, a motion to accept them as revised could be made now and voted on at the May full commission meeting. Tom made a motion to accept the changes with Jamie Osso seconding. After affirmation by show of hands, Sean stated that he wanted to table the motion until he had had time to read the revisions. The board agreed to do so, with Debbie noting that any changes had to be submitted no later than Friday, April 15, and that those changes would be forwarded for review to Tom, By-Laws Committee Chair. Beautification Committee Report: Shirley stated that the Beautification Committee’s YARDS Judges Training will be Monday, April 18 at 10am. There are nine judges who will view three yards during the training. The first set of nominated yards will be judged on Monday, May 9. The Committee will also host a Remarkable Trees Tour at Blue Bird Gap Farm on Saturday, May 7 from 9am-12noon. Registration may be completed at www.hampton.gov/hccc. Clean & Green Businesses Committee Report: John noted that the 1st Quarter Virginia Peninsula Clean & Green Business Forum Breakfast, held March 31 at Sentara Careplex, was well attended with City Manager Mary Bunting providing opening remarks, and Mike Yaskowsky (Yaz) of Economic Development as the guest speaker who presented “Growing Hampton.” Also in attendance were Mayor George Wallace, Vice Mayor Linda Curtis, Clerk of Council Katherine Glass, and Council Members Teresa Schmidt and Donnie 20160412 Full Commission Minutes 12 April 2016 Page 3 Tuck, in addition to board members Treazure Davis and Sean Robinson, Melody Harrison of Dominion Green Power, and representatives from Sentara CarePlex, C&F Bank, Langley Federal Credit Union, Tidewater Fiber Corporation, Hampton University, and Pomoco Nissan. John reminded members of the upcoming food drive partnership with Sentara Careplex, “Recycle the Present, Save the Future,” slated to begin May 1 and run through September 30. The next Clean & Green Business meeting will be at Sentara CarePlex on Thursday, April 28 at 11:30am. Members were encouraged to attend. Community Gardens: Debbie reported that Hampton Grows, the local non-profit that supports community gardening efforts, will hold a fund-raiser plant sale on April 23-24. Site of the sale will be 11 Wallace Road from 9am-5pm. More information is available on the Clean City and the Hampton Grows Facebook pages. Tom noted that whatever is not sold at this location will be transferred to Blue Bird Gap Farm for the upcoming Master Gardner Plant Sale. Hampton Waterways Restoration Project Report: Claire announced HWRP is currently researching the feasibility of creating bat houses to help combat the mosquito problem. Tom suggested looking into more ways to create bat habitats and mentioned he had seen bat habitats under bridges. Claire stated that the city etymologist is being consulted on the issue and they would certainly look into Tom’s suggestion. Claire congratulated Cris Ausink on her work with the water quality monitoring effort and providing statistics to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. She also noted that T-Shirts have been ordered and purchased for HWRP members from funds donated from last year’s art auction. Upcoming events include a kayak cleanup at Pembroke Spit on May 21, and the next HWRP meeting will be 6:30pm, April 26 at the Fort Monroe Community Center. Litter Awareness Committee Report: Pat Parker reiterated the importance of Walk Hampton Clean, again encouraging members to get involved. The next Community Cleanup will be 3pm on April 15 along Findley Street. Please contact hccc@hampton.gov to sign up for the cleanup. March Adopt-A-Spot statistics: 37 participating groups; 90 cleanups; 294 volunteers; 460 volunteer hours; 273 total bags; 23,265 cigarette ends. School Pride in Action Committee Report: Debbie stated that the committee is planning an online Earth Day Art Exhibit for school- wide project in 2017. A smaller scale Student Earth Day Exhibit will be available on Facebook on Earth Day. C.H.A.N.G.E. Report: Sean addressed Community Night at The Cinebistro, giving a date of April 19. He noted that the movie “Jungle Book” is the suggested film because it addresses environmental stewardship. The event would allow for a meet and greet prior to the viewing and the provision of food for guests. He feels this is a strong outreach tool and one that C.H.A.N.G.E. grant monies could support. One hundred tickets would be given only to those who reserved and show up, and he’d like to target students between the ages of 14 and 21, in addition to all board members. Teresa asked how the event would be advertised in order to reach the target audience and Sean stated that social media sites would be the best vehicle, in addition to possibly Round Robin and Channel 47. Luretta Ray asked how schools were being targeted. John responded by saying that the School Pride in Action committee would be great for getting the word out to students. Luretta and Treazure then suggested partnering with school ecology clubs and after school programs. Debbie advised that the April 19 date does not give enough lead time to have contractual information reviewed and approved by the City Attorney and allow for advertising. Sean noted that the bistro is willing to work with alternate dates. Claire asked about the cost of the event. Tom stated a proposed contract from Cinebistro showed a cost of approximately $1,100 for tickets and another $450 for food. Teresa then asked if serving food was necessary with Luretta adding that the Citizens Unity Commission provided only popcorn 20160412 Full Commission Minutes 12 April 2016 Page 4 and sodas during its Community events. Luretta also suggested checking into using AMC 24 at Hampton Town Center as a possible venue for the event due to costs. Master Gardener Report: Tom announced the April 30 Plant Sale at Blue Bird Gap Farm, noting that the event hosts from 850 to 975 visitors. Master Naturalist Report: No report Adjournment: A motion to adjourn was made and accepted. Announcements Beautification Tree Tour Meeting, April 13, 3pm, HCCC Walk Hampton Clean Meeting, April 14, 3pm, HCCC LAC Community Cleanup, April 15, 3:30pm, Findley Street International Children’s Festival, April 16, 9:30am, Mill Point Park Beautification YARDS Judges’ Training, April 18, 10am, HCCC Walk Hampton Clean Event, April 22-23, 4:30pm Earth Day, April 22 Hampton Waterways Restoration Project Meeting, April 26, 6:30pm, Ft Monroe Community Center School Pride in Action Meeting, May 4, 4:40pm, HCCC Litter Awareness Meeting, May 5, 11:30am, Mama Rosa’s Beautification Remarkable Trees Tour, May 7, 9am Beautification YARDS Judging, May 9, 8:30am HCCC Full Commission Meeting, May 10, 3:30pm, HCCC LAC Community Cleanup, May 20, 3:30pm, Nettles Lane Household Chemical/Computer Collection, May 21, 8am-Noon, 419 N Armstead Ave. 20160412