Clean City Commission

FULL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES October 11, 2016 ~ 3:30pm Members  Barbara Abraham  Gaylynn Johnson  Jamie Osso  Christopher Wilcox  Shirley Boyd  William Kotheimer  Pat Parker  Jim Williams  Jackie Cannan, V Chair  Sally Lewis  Luretta Ray  Cris Ausink  Clovis Calloway  Jason Mitchell  Edward Robinson  Debbie Blanton  Nethea Calloway  Kevin Myers  Teresa Schmidt  CFaison Harris  Wendy Iles, Chair  Claire Neubert  Tom Tinsley Welcome, Public Comment, Time Sheet: Meeting called to order by Wendy Iles. Newest board members were welcomed and introduced. Also in attendance was Mr. George Curran. Approval of September Minutes: Minutes approved as distributed. Volunteer Recognition Celebration: Debbie Blanton explained the concept and purpose of the event to new board members. She stated that the event will most likely be in the cafeteria plaza area of Phoebus High School. The auditorium was initially requested but another event was already scheduled. Debbie distributed a task/activity sheet asking for members to volunteer to work in chosen areas. The timeline Thursday, October 27: 3:30-4:30pm Setup 4:30-5:30pm Registration/Scavenger Hunt 5:30-5:45pm Welcome 5:45-6:30pm Dinner 6:30-7:30pm Presentations 7:30-8:00pm Break down Claire Neubert asked how the scavenger hunt would be coordinated. Debbie responded that scavenger answer sheets would be handed out at registration by greeters/hosts. Debbie noted that additional rectangular tablecloths are needed and asked for members to assist. A photographer is also needed. Former board member Brian Rueger provided the services for past events, but is unavailable this year. Tom Tinsley suggested YARDS Coordinator Marie Smith and Debbie said she would ask her. Members were encouraged to solicit donations for door prizes and giveaways. All donations and provider information must be submitted on or before close of business on October 22. Retreat Update/Action Plan: The retreat will be Tuesday, November 1, 12-6pm, at Sandy Bottom Nature Park. Debbie asked for consensus on inviting standing committee members, as has been done in the past. Jim Williams suggested that a review of Keep America Beautiful’s structure and the agency’s affiliation be presented. Parks & Recreation Report: No report Public Works Report: Debbie noted that the agency’s bi-annual recycling calendar should be ready for distribution in December. She added that the final electronics and recycling event for the year will be Saturday, November 19, 8am-12noon, at HPW’s Complex, 419 N. Armistead Avenue. 20161011 Full Commission Minutes 11 October 2016 Page 2 Budget Update: Debbie noted current expenses and stated that she was still waiting on the Department of Environmental Quality award. Currently, the agency works with a $4000 annual operating budget that is supposed to cover adopt-a-spot supplies, the volunteer celebration, and office supplies. Wendy informed members that the agency has the smallest budget of any city agency. Tom asked about the possibility of accepting monetary donations, perhaps having a box/jar at events. Wendy stated that the issue would be having staff on hand to accept and receipt each donation as per city financial operation procedures. Debbie said that she asked Finance about the having an online auction. Finance referred the question to Internal Audit; Debbie has not yet received a response. Tom stated that he would check into the possibility of using online auction houses. Jim Williams asked that Tom find out if the online auction houses would assist by absorbing fees. Gaylynn Johnson also said that Facebook permits online auctions and that may be something to look into. Beautification Committee Report: Shirley Boyd said that the 2016 Yard of the Year was selected on September 12 and a framed portrait will be presented to the winners at the volunteer celebration. She also announced that a tree tour is planned for Saturday, November 12, 9am-12noon at Matteson Trail and Bethel Park. C.H.A.N.G.E. Report: Debbie stated that Edward Robinson and Kevin Myers are collaborating on a special event but no further information is available at this time. Clean & Green Businesses Committee Report: Debbie is still looking for a board member to chair this committee. Hampton Community Gardens: No report Wendy noted that Hampton Grows has three gardens installed at Eaton Middle School in partnership with Lowe’s Heroes. Jason Samuels came to volunteer and support. They took an unused courtyard and created a spiral herb garden and revamped the butterfly bed. A spring garden will hopefully be installed at Phenix, depending on funding. She noted that the success of school gardens relies heavily upon the enthusiasm and support of the principal. Four vegetable beds are in the unused courtyard and the other is in the library courtyard. Hampton Waterways Restoration Project Report: Claire stated more than 300 ”water wishes” for healthy waterways have been collected so far. She plans to string each of the drops and present them at the October 12 City Council meeting. The goal is to collect enough to stretch them across the Hampton River at the Settlers Landing bridge. Water quality monitoring is still being done. Members asked to contact Cris Ausink if they wish to participate or observe. Claire also mentioned that the committee is participating in Virginia Institute of Marine Science project for building and pouring oyster reefballs. The last committee for the year will be Tuesday, October 25, 6:30pm, at Fort Monroe Community Center with guest speaker Jess Ausura, the self-proclaimed “Bird Nerd”. Cris announced that volunteers are needed for an International Coastal Cleanup at Dandy Haven on Saturday, October 22, 9-11am. She also stated that tree maintenance at Gosnold’s Hope Park will be performed on Saturday, October 15, 9-10am. Cris stated that a cleaning schedule for ditches and retention ponds is on the Public Works website under the stormwater section. Litter Awareness Committee Report: Pat Parker stated that there will be a community cleanup along King Street on Friday, October 21, 3:30pm. Debbie stated that volunteers are to meet in a city lot north of the bus station at King & Pembroke. Pat also announced that the October 5 Community Appearance Litter Index was a success. September Adopt-A-Spot statistics: 63 cleanups; 448 volunteers; 555 volunteer hours; 172 total bags; 7,459 cigarette ends. 20161011 Full Commission Minutes 11 October 2016 Page 3 School Pride in Action Committee Report: Debbie said the next meeting will be Wednesday, October 19, 4:15pm. Projects are the plastic bag recycling campaign and the student art exhibit scheduled for April. Students will also participate in the annual Walk Hampton Clean and Debbie is working on tours de trash for the schools. Master Gardener Report: The 2016 Fall Plant Sale was held September 17. Tom said attendance was slightly down from last year; however, the event garnered $4,000 in sales. Wonderful Wednesday is in the works, an event that home school groups seem to enjoy. Gaylynn noted that she was contacted by Tucker-Capps ES for guidance in selecting plants. She suggested that rather than have perennials that still need to be maintained, that the school consider ground cover that would be low maintenance. Master Naturalist Report: Shirley announced that the Master Naturalists will attend an astronomy presentation at the Jones Magnet School Planetarium, Wednesday, October 12, 7pm. George Curran noted that volunteers oversaw the program for more than fourteen years, but this is the first year a teacher will now be in charge. The event is the second Wednesday of each month. George also encouraged members to observe the orbital launch that will take place Friday, October 14, 8:51pm. He cited Buckroe Beach as being a great location from which to watch. Adjournment: A motion to adjourn was made and accepted. Announcements Litter Awareness Community Cleanup, October 21, King Street, 3:30pm Hampton Waterways Restoration Project Meeting, October 25, FMCC, 6:30pm HCCC Annual Volunteer Celebration, October 27, Phoebus HS, 4:30pm HCCC Retreat, November 1, SBNP (tentative), 12:30pm Litter Awareness Meeting, November 3, Mama Rosa’s, 11:30am Fall Back Time Change, November 6 ELECTION DAY, November 8 Veterans’ Day, November 11 – OFFICE CLOSED 20161011