Clean City Commission

FULL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Hampton Clean City Commission April 9, 2019 ~ 3:30pm Board Members Present: Barb Abraham; Ryan Adams; Will Kotheimer; Alex Maness; Gayle Mooney Also Present: Linda Curtis; George Curran; Claire Neubert, Jim Williams Opening Business Welcome and Time Sheet: Will Kotheimer opened the meeting. Roll Call & Protocol: Roll call was conducted and it was announced that a quorum was present. Approval of March Minutes: Minutes from the March meeting were approved. Motion to accept minutes as amended offered by Barb Abraham, seconded by Alex Maness. Amendment was to change the Bee City USA Meeting from February to March. Motion approved. Presentation: Lucy Stoll, Anna Hammond, and David Imburgia presented an update on Resilient Hampton efforts. They reported on the community meeting held January 31 and some of the progress made since that meeting. Some of the “no regret” projects they mentioned were connecting green (green space) and blue spaces (waterways) and reducing impervious areas over time. Among the potential near-term projects were connecting Forrest Elementary School and the former Mallory School to Newmarket Creek by retrofitting a ditch that runs by both of the schools to the Creek, and adding some linear parks. Another potential action would be a parcel grant program to encourage people to take needed steps to adapt to rising water. 1 The team is also working with Hampton City Schools science curriculum specialists on lessons that address Hampton’s future resilience and meet standards of learning. Adult education will focus on how-to guides, resources, and partnerships. Potential ordinance/policy changes, funding opportunities, and other implementation challenges were also discussed. An interesting tool they discussed was the NASA Flood Impact Tool that models the impact of various storms and may be used to identify vulnerabilities. There may be another community meeting held in the summer to update citizens. Commission Member comments and responses:  The Schools Appearance Index may be a tool used and/or adapted for the effort. Debbie will send the most recent index to the team.  In terms of the Newmarket Creek project, it’s important to educate citizens that this area is supposed to flood by its nature, and that culture and information are an important part of the education process.  Parking lots with other purposes would be helpful to the overall project. For example, having larger green area with trees for shade and gardens with benches will encourage more walking.  Partnering with Soil & Water Conservation Districts may be helpful with educational efforts.  Partnering with neighborhoods to provide incentives for maintaining trees and green space and to adjust sensibilities to accept unmowed and natural areas would be helpful.  Buffers requirements along streams should be more strictly enforced. Currently, they are enforced in development, but less so once property is purchased by residents. Concern from enough citizens could change this. More and easier to find guidance could help as well. The ultimate intent is to keep the bay clean, which is something most people could support.  Coordinated regional efforts are good.  Identifying the value of trees through state actions may be helpful in encouraging people to retain them. Will thanked the Resilient Hampton Team and praised their work. 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. 2019409/DLB City Council: Linda Curtis reported that a new member would be appointed April 10. Debbie added that the Waste Management Think Green Grant for Adopt-A-Spot signs and the Keep American Beautiful Cigarette Litter Prevention Fund Grant for portable ash receptacles were both accepted by City Council. City Attorney’s Office: No report Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services: No report. Financial Report: No questions. Ideas and Projects from March Minutes None New Business None Discussion Items None Appointed Member Reports Bee City USA: Barb reported that the next meeting will be April 25, 1pm. The committee is pushing for as many support letters as possible. Fundraising ideas include a paint night, garden plant sales, pollinator plant sales, and bee bracelets. Suggestions were for the Boys & Girls Club, Fox Hill Central United Methodist Church, the Community Development Department, and the District United Methodists to provide letters. Beautification Committee: Debbie reported that the YARDS Judges Training took place on Monday, April 8. A tour of the Booker Moon Tree will take place on April 25, 11am. Debbie will also send information to the group. 2 Fund-Raising Committee: No report. Hampton Community Gardens: Wendy Iles reported that there would be a blueberry gardening workshop. The Boys & Girls Club was interested in establishing a community garden to be maintained by 11-14 year old participants. Standing Committee Reports Clean & Green Workplaces: Jim Williams reported that the committee is working on educational ideas that include using YouTube videos. The next meeting will be April 16. Hampton Waterways Restoration Project: George Curran announced that the committee would be discussing how to spend the money earned through the Trash to Art Shows. A kayak cleanup will be April 20, 8am, and will include both boat and shoreline cleanups. Litter and Recycling Awareness: Debbie reported that the committee discussed future Community Cleanup. Hampton Master Gardeners: The plant sale will be May 4, 9am-1pm, at Blue Bird Gap Farm. Master Naturalists: No report. School Pride in Action: Debbie reported that the committee would discuss using the C.H.A.N.G.E. Committee funds in the coming year. Virginia Cooperative Extension: No report. Staff Reports Walk Hampton Clean: Cris Ausink asked everyone to sign up for a Walk Hampton Clean spot. 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. 20190409/DLB  Announcements  HCCC Full Commission Meeting, HCCC, April 12, 3:30pm  HWRP Meeting, April 11, FMCC, 6:30pm  Clean & Green Workplaces Meeting, April 16, 3:30pm  International Children’s Festival, April 20, Mill Point Park, 9am  WALK HAMPTON CLEAN, April 20-27  Bee City USA Meeting, April 25, HCCC, 1pm  LRAC Community Cleanup, April 26, Briarfield Park, 3pm  Prescription Drug Take-back Day, April 27, Carmel Center, 10am  Litter & Recycling Awareness Meeting, May 2, Mama Rosa’s, 11:30am  Great American Cleanup, May 4, Shell Road, 10am  Newmarket Creek Clean Sweep, May 4, 8pm  HWRP Meeting, May 9, FMCC, 6:30pm  YARDS Judging, May 13, HCCC, 8:30am  Full Commission Meeting, May 14, 3:30pm, HCCC 3 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. 20190409/DLB