Clean City Commission

FULL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES April 10, 2018 ~ 3:30pm Board Members Present: Barb Abraham, Wendy Iles, Will Kotheimer, Gayle Mooney, Jamie Osso Also Present: Veronica Meade-City Attorney, Claire Neubert, Jim Williams, Cris Ausink, Debbie Blanton, C’Faison Harris Opening Business Welcome and Time Sheet: Wendy Iles opened the meeting. Roll Call & Protocol: Debbie Blanton conducted the roll call, announcing that a quorum was present. Wendy read the opening statement and reminded everyone to sign in on the time sheet. Eleanor Weston Brown was also in attendance and introduced herself by saying she was a candidate for Hampton City Council, is a tax lawyer, a law professor, and is very much involved in environmental issues, particularly environmental taxation tools to promote positive campaigns. Approval of March Minutes: Barbara Abraham noted correction to Cigarette Litter Project. Motion to approve with minor revision made by Jamie Osso; seconded by Gayle Mooney. City Attorney’s Office: No report City Council: No report. Parks, Recreation, & Leisure Services: No report. 1 Public Works: No report Financial Report: Distributed with agenda packet. Discussion Items McDonald’s Good Neighbor, Good Grounds Coffee Grounds Collection & Composting Proposal (KAB): Will Kotheimer noted that McDonald’s will not be doing the program. Claire Neubert asked if it was possible to check with area coffeehouses on becoming involved in a stewardship program, offering free advertising as an incentive. Also discussed was the necessity of having such an initiative be citizen-led because total and consistent involvement will be key. HCCC 40th Anniversary Celebration Plans and Committee: Debbie said that several items are in the planning, one being a city school trash monster display at City Hall during the Council meeting and displayed on featured on Facebook. She is also looking into having surviving HCCC Board Members be in attendance, which would showcase a focus on leadership. Wendy asked if students could be involved in the trash monster project during the summer months. Jamie Osso noted that most community centers’ after school programs have a loose curriculum during the summer months so this project may work. Wendy also wants to make a giant cigarette butt such as that make by Keep Britain Tidy. Debbie also discussed a cigarette mascot to be placed at intersections, with Barb Abraham noting that the butt should be made small so as not to confuse it with a no-smoking campaign. Jim Williams asked about funding of the celebration and having assemblies on environmental topics at the schools. Will offered that a survey should be done with libraries to determine the amount of environmental literature available. Barb suggested that libraries provide special environmental displays as a way to promote the agency’s 40th year. Clair stated that a good time to do these things would be on Earth Day. She will be meeting with educators who may be able to share some information on pertinent activities. She also suggested that the upcoming tree planting be live-streamed for public viewing. Will stated that providing memorial plaques for deceased board members could be considered. Debbie stated that another memorial idea would be to plant seeds from the Moon Tree. As a note, Council will recognize long-standing Full Commission members and volunteers on April 25, at 6pm. Debbie encouraged members to arrive by 5:45pm for the short ceremony. The Hampton Clean City Commission works to improve and enhance the physical environment of Hampton through beautification, solid waste management education, coastal awareness activities, and litter abatement programs; educates citizens; and encourages their participation. As an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful Inc., we share the philosophy that each of us has a responsibility for enhancing our community environment. 20180410 Discussion of New Chair and Vice Chair Nominations: Nominated for Chair are Ryan Adams and Will Kotheimer; Vice Chair nominations are Ryan Adams, Jamie Osso, Gayle Mooney, Barb Abraham, and Will Kotheimer. Jamie and Will asked that their names be removed from the Vice Chair nomination roster. Bay Days Participation: The Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s emphasis for this year’s event will be “Live, Work, Play on the Chesapeake Bay.” Clean City will have a booth at the event on September 25-26. Barb asked if bringing own tent, chairs, and tables was permissible. Will commented that there are no fees for space or electrical usage. Debbie asked Veronica Meade to research the history between City Council and Bay Days. Will asked who actually benefits from the income from the event and questioned the average overhead costs. It was noted that previous Bay Days exhibits did not have a notable return on the investment for Clean City’s involvement due to out-of-town attendees and lack of interest unless give-a-ways were offered. It was suggested that a donation box be available at Clean City’s table, but Gayle asked that the ideas be tabled until such time Veronica has completed her research. Debbie will check into the finance and overhead costs prior to any vote. Appointed Member Reports Beautification Committee: Barb announced that training for the Beautiful YARDS judges was April 9. The judges also had the opportunity to view the yard of Ms Marie Hare, a former YARD of the Year. Members were encouraged to submit nominations. Fund-Raising Committee: Wendy announced that her husband will be teaching a rock making class on May 19. Flyers will be distributed noting discounts for early registration (April 30). Workshop time is 9:00am, but participants are encouraged to arrive by 8:30am. Maximum of ten participants. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to HCCC. Hampton Community Gardens: April 14 is the date for learning about six different techniques for water conservation at the Buckroe Garden. This class begins at 9am and is free and open to the public. The next free class will be “Herbs: How to grow, harvest and enjoy!” on May 14, 6pm, Buckroe Community Garden. 2 Standing Committee Reports Clean & Green Workplaces Committee: Jim stated the Community Collections Day is slated for Saturday, April 28 at Goodwill on Saville Row. Acceptable donations are electronics, foodbank items, plastic wrap and bags, clothing, furniture, and household goods. Big tube televisions, however, will not be accepted. Jim stated that volunteers are needed to man the event. Roger Fournier of Goodwill will be discussing the possibility of coordinating with Langley Federal Credit Union for next year’s event. Jim also requested ideas to enhance business involvement. Also discussed was the opportunity to tour the Goodwill facilities for interested members by contacting Mr. Fournier. Hampton Waterways & Restoration Project: Claire stated that the Hampton University Marine and Environmental Science students presented a discussion “Crassostrea Virginica Oyster Spat Recruitment in the Hampton River” on Thursday, April 12, 6:30pm, Ft. Monroe Community Center. She also noted that the cigarette butt project was progressing well and that she has asked to partner with askHRGreen. She is waiting on logos to be added to the signage which will be installed at the intersection of Foxhill and Mercury. The project is still working on the street cleaning aspect, and should receive TMDL credit when the streets are swept. The Hampton Seafood Industry Tour will be May 11. Graham and Rollins, unfortunately, will not be able to offer support for the May 18 tour; it will, however, pay for the seafood platters. The tours will be unable to access Amory’s. The Hampton Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is graciously providing transportation free of charge and the Virginia Aquarium will provide the seafood selection guides. Funds from its treasury will be used for ice, drinks and gift bags. HWRP is considering this a pilot program to gauge public interest in future events. A special thank you was given to Hampton University’s Isaiah Tiimmons for his creation of the flyer invitation. HWRP will be participating in both Walk Hampton Clean, April 21-28, and the grand opening of the Water Walk at Central Park on May 12, with a booth and a water quality testing demonstration from 10am-2pm (volunteer sign-up sheet will be available). Other events will be:  April 14, 8:30am, Dandy Haven Marina, Oyster Gardening  April 16, 1pm at Gosnold’s Hope Park/Elizabeth Lake,, Water Quality Testing  April 28, 11am, Sunset Boating Center, Oyster Gardening  June 14 will be an Oyster Roundup at Dandy Haven Marina, with a seminar beginning at 6pm. The next committee meeting will be May 10, 7:30pm at the Fort Monroe Community Center. The Hampton Clean City Commission works to improve and enhance the physical environment of Hampton through beautification, solid waste management education, coastal awareness activities, and litter abatement programs; educates citizens; and encourages their participation. As an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful Inc., we share the philosophy that each of us has a responsibility for enhancing our community environment. 20180410 Hampton Master Gardeners: The semi-annual plant sale is slated for May 5, 9am, Bluebird Gap Farm. Litter & Recycling Awareness: A community cleanup is slated for April 20, 3pm, along Nettles Lane. Peninsula Master Naturalists: No report Virginia Cooperative Extension: No report School Pride in Action: The next meeting will be April 12, 4:30pm. Currently the leader in the plastic bag competition is Phenix School. Debbie noted that Kroger already has a vendor in place for the bags and may be willing to establish its own collection competition between elementary and middle schools with cash prizes in the offering. HCCC Staff Reports Cris Ausink reminded commission members to register for the HCCC Walk Hampton Clean event April 21-28. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 5:10pm. Announcements  School Pride in Action Meeting, April 11, 4:30pm  Master Gardener Plant Sale, May 5, 9am, BBGF  HWRP Meeting, April 12, 6:30pm, FMCC  NEXT HCCC FULL COMMISSION MEETING May 8,  LARC Community Cleanup, April 14, 9am, 3:30pm, HCCC Mercury/LaSalle  LARC Meeting, May 9, 11:30am, Mama Rosa’s  Clean & Green Workplaces Meeting, April 17, 3:30pm,  HWRP Meeting, May 10, 6:30pm, FMCC 3 Goodwill Office  Seafood Tour, May 11, 1pm  LARC Community Cleanup, April 20, Nettles La., 3pm  Rain Barrel Workshop, May 12, 9am, HCCC  Walk Hampton Clean, April 21-28  Grand Opening Water Walk Trail, May 12, 10am  International Children’s Festival, April 21, Mill Point Park  YARDS Judging, May 14, 8:30am, HCCC  Council Spotlight on Volunteers, April 25, 6pm  HPRLS Volunteer Recognition, April 26, 6pm  Community Collections Day, April 28, 9am, Goodwill The Hampton Clean City Commission works to improve and enhance the physical environment of Hampton through beautification, solid waste management education, coastal awareness activities, and litter abatement programs; educates citizens; and encourages their participation. As an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful Inc., we share the philosophy that each of us has a responsibility for enhancing our community environment. 20180410