Clean City Commission

FULL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES February 14, 2017 ~ 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 (Sean) 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. She again reminded members of the three-minute comment rule. Attending guests were Darius Swift, a community cleanup volunteer, Richard Harris, and George Curran. Debbie Blanton noted that the centerpieces on display in the conference room were donated by SrA Candice Acuri’s 633d CONS unit from Langley AFB and will be used for the 2017 volunteer recognition event. Approval of October Minutes: Minutes approved as distributed. By-Laws Update: Copies of the approved by-laws were emailed to members for review. Debbie asked if there were concerns or revisions to be addressed. Edward (Sean) Robinson asked for more in-depth wording to Article II Section 2.02 – Resignation and Removal. He stated that as it is currently written, members are not given an opportunity to address and discuss issues leading up to pending removal. Jim Williams and Will Kotheimer discussed the meaning of “without cause”, and Wendy stated she would present all noted opinions, ideas, and recommendations for revisions to the City Attorney. Will asked if members were entitled to the compensation found in Article II Section 2.04 – Compensation, as it refers to travel expenses. Debbie answered that only Staff is eligible to receive expense reimbursement and that this is another section to be presented to the attorney for revision. Jackie Cannan noted that Article VI Section 6.08 – Amendments will become Section 6.07 due to the deletion of 6.07-Expenditure of Funds. Fund-raising Update: Wendy and Debbie met with Luci Cochran, Director of the Hampton History Museum, for ideas for effective fundraising. Suggestions included auctions, dinners, and collection boxes at events. Lucy emphasized that effective fundraising aids in building an agency’s brand. Other options given by members were the creation of a non-profit (e.g. Friends of Sandy Bottom) and collaborating with Finance, the City Attorney, and City Manager offices. Wendy stated that attorney fees for filing for a 501(3)c could be as high as $5,000.00; however, Tom Tinsley noted that Hampton Master Gardeners was able to file for free and the board could do the same but must be committed to putting in the work. Debbie will check with Keep America Beautiful (KAB) to see if it can provide insight or if having a non-profit falls within its guidelines. She said that while at KAB’s national conference in January, a credit card reader was provided to President’s Circle Award winners that could be used for collecting donations at exhibits. KAB also had a Dipjar device on display that accomplished the same purse. Claire Neubert asked about the possibility of adding a donation button to the website. Debbie will check with Finance and City Attorney for clarification. Parks & Recreation Report: No report 20170214 Full Commission Minutes 14 February 2017 Page 2 Public Works Report: Debbie will meet with HPW personnel next week for their regular quarterly meeting. The 2017 Household Chemical and Computer Recycling Collections program will begin again in Hampton on March 8, 8am-12pm at its new location of Coliseum – the parking lot directly across from the Embassy Suites. Other dates are May 20, July 15, September 16, and November 18. For more information, go to www.vppsa.org Budget Update: Debbie commented that budget line items are basically down to the wire with still four months before the end of the fiscal year. C.H.A.N.G.E. Report: Due to time constraints, Gaylynn Johnson was invited to speak on her ideas for a gardening program for current twelve C.H.A.N.G.E. participants called the Northampton Agriculture & Natural Resource Explorers Program at Northampton Community Center. This program’s proposed start date is March 15 and would take place monthly. A program description and proposed budget was distributed. Gaylynn said the raised garden beds would be located in the grassy area between the community center’s side entrance and Jefferson Davis Middle School. There was a question of whether the property was private or city-owned; Sean stated that it is the center’s property. Sean also noted that the Hampton Police Relations personnel would also be on hand to provide a presence needed in the community. Discussion ensued regarding the costs of the program equipment and supplies. Will and Tom stated they would be glad to donate supplies toward the effort to save money and that soliciting for more donations should be considered. Will also stated that advertising the event could also draw in more donations. Gaylynn stated that in initially putting together the budget, she did not rely on donations simply because they were not a reliable source at the time. She was, however, open to receiving such. Sean added that since funding is provided through a grant and those funds must be used in a timely fashion, donations could be accepted but were not necessary. Sean then iinformed members of his desire to use the remainder of the previously approved funding for the purchase of promotional items for C.H.A.N.G.E. to use as getting the word out about the program. It was moved and seconded that $300 be moved from the C.H.A.N.G.E. grant Advertising line item to Other Operational Supplies. Motion carried. Beautification Committee Report: Unavailable Clean & Green Businesses Committee Report: Unavailable Hampton Community Gardens: Unavailable Hampton Waterways Restoration Project Report: Unavailable Litter & Recycling Awareness Committee Report: Will asked that the remaining Community Cleanups be formatted on a map for for distribution to the Neighborhood Watch groups. Debbie said she would provide the map. January Adopt-A-Spot statistics: 37 cleanups; 123 volunteers; 168 volunteer hours; 108 total bags; 7,165 cigarette ends. School Pride in Action Committee Report: No report available Master Gardener Report: Tom Tinsley noted that the Home and Garden Show at the Convention Center was a very good success for the Master Gardeners. They were able to talk with more than 400 people throughout the weekend. Master Naturalist Report: Adjournment: A motion to adjourn was made and accepted. 20170214 Full Commission Minutes 14 February 2017 Page 3 Announcements PRESIDENT’S DAY, February 20 – Offices Closed Litter Awareness Community Cleanup, February 17, Briarfield Park, 3pm Hampton Waterways Restoration Project Meeting, February 28, FMCC, 6:30pm Litter Awareness Meeting, March 2, Mama Rosa’s, 11:30am HWRP Buckroe Beach Cleanup, March 11, 7:45am Rain Barrel Workshop, March 11, HCCC, 9am Full Commission Meeting, March 14, HCCC, 3:30pm Litter Awareness Community Cleanup, March 17, Shell Road, 3pm Rain Barrel Workshop, March 25, HCCC, 9am Hampton Waterways Restoration Project Meeting, March 28, FMCC, 6:30pm Litter Awareness Meeting, April 6, Mama Rosa’s, 11:30am Tour de Trash, April 7, HCCC, 9am Rain Barrel Workshops, April 8, HCCC, 9am & 1pm YARDS Judges Training, April 10, HCCC, 10am Full Commission Meeting, April 11, HCCC, 3:30pm School Pride in Action Meeting, April 12, HCCC 4:15pm International Children’s Festival, April 15 Litter Awareness Community Cleanup, April 21, Milford/Bright/Shell, 3pm Hampton Waterways Restoration Project Meeting, April 25, FMCC, 6:30pm 20170214