Clean City Commission

FULL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Hampton Clean City Commission March 10, 2020 ~ 3:30pm Board Members Present: Ryan Adams, Barb Abraham, Jackie Cannan, Chris Grady, Wendy Iles, Gayle Mooney Also Present: Dave McCauley, Jason Mitchell, Melany Libby, Gaylynn Johnson, Jim Williams, Debbie Blanton, Cris Ausink, C’Faison Harris Opening Business Welcome and Time Sheet: Ryan Adams opened the meeting. It was noted that the two newly appointed board members were absent. Roll Call, Protocol, and Approval of Minutes: Roll call conducted; quorum was present. Ryan made a motion to accept the February 10 minutes as amended; Barb Abraham seconded and the motion carried. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services Annual Report: Dave McCauley announced that former Councilperson Teresa Schmidt spoke about Bee City USA at the March 9 Council meeting, and he asked exactly where the Bee City sites are. Debbie Blanton and Barb will forward the information to him. 1 He stated that the HPRLS Master Plan event is scheduled for Monday, March 30, 6:30pm, at the Hampton Roads Convention Center, Rooms A/B/C, and invited members to attend. City Council will be briefed on the plan at the March 12 Council sessions. Surveys from the focus groups have been reviewed, with more programs needing to be added for teens/young adults, more parks for adult use, more community center activities, and greater access to technology. Public Works: Jason Mitchell discussed maintenance of right of way transferred from HPRLS to HPW, including litter control of main traffic ramps. HPW will collaborate with Clean City on special cleanup projects. He noted that an additional $1.5 million in funding was added for maintenance of center medians in residential areas. When asked about VDOT responsibility of the I-64 interchange areas, Jason stated that VDOT only cleans those areas semi-annually, and it is obvious that cleaning needs to be done more frequently. Debbie Blanton stated she would provide a list of AAS groups that have sponsored sites in those selected areas that may be recruited to help keep them clean. Jason cautioned that the I-64 interchanges would be done only by his crewmembers because of the high traffic volume. Those cleanups will be performed during early morning hours. HPW has had several meetings with HRT regarding maintenance of bus stops. HRT will purchase aesthetically pleasing but durable refuse containers for its high-volume stops. HPW will absorb the cost for maintenance. Debbie noted that she is still waiting on feedback from the City Attorney’s Office regarding special Adopt-A- Spot programs. 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. 20200310 Jason asked if area civic groups are asked to participate in the AAS program. Debbie said some groups appear to be more committed than others are. Wendy asked the same about churches, and Debbie noted that there are some that do participate and many participate in the annual Walk Hampton Clean event. City Council: No report City Attorney’s Office: No report Financial Report: Financial data was distributed. Debbie said that the $2,000 in the Keep Hampton Green Fund could only be used for trees and shrubs on public properties. She asked members to work on implementing and planning a Fall tree-planting event. Ryan, Barb, Wendy Iles, Gayle Mooney, Melany Libby, and Jim Williams all volunteered to assist. Wendy said some Master Gardeners are also enthusiastic about trees and asked Debbie to reach out to them also. Ryan add that the “trillion trees” planting initiative mentioned by the President during the State of the Union address might include a potential source of funding. Jim asked about the Tree City initiative, and Debbie responded that the Planning Department is supposed to be heading that, but there’s been no movement on it to date. She added that monies from the now defunct C.H.A.N.G.E. program might also be used for plantings at secondary schools. C’Faison will contact Accounting Office to determine exact amount of funds available now and after start of FY21. 2 Barb stated that the Sav-A-Lot on Kecoughtan Road is closing and should be considered as a site for tree planting or a community garden. Wendy added that this would be a topic also for Bee City USA in the planting of a fruit forest. Discussion Items CUC Meet & Greet Mar/Apr: Debbie is waiting for feedback from Darren Robinson. CUC is also heavily involved with Census 2020, so a summer meet and greet may be in the works. VRD2020: Debbie asked members to think about the event in terms of a theme, a venue, catering options, and awards so everything will be ready for ordering immediately after the start of FY21 (July 1, 2020). The date is set for Thursday, October 29, 4:30pm – 8pm. A proposed venue is First UMC Foxhill, and C’Faison will talk with Pat Parker about penciling in the date. Hampton City Schools Food & Nutrition Services was selected as the vendor, for which no quotes are needed. She also added that a bidding process must be followed, which requires obtaining price quotes from at least two more vendors – and that this is the process that must be followed for all purchases with non-governmental vendors. As far as catering, it was suggested that once a participant size has been determined, to request a ten percent overage on amount of servings. Wendy agreed to chair the event with Ryan as co-chair. The awards committee consists of Gayle, Melany, Jackie Cannan, and Barb. Assistance is also needed with donations/fundraising, awards, decorations, music/entertainment, and guest speaker. 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. 20200310 Spring Calendar Events: There will be a Tour de Trash Express to the Compost Facility on March 11, and a Household and Chemical Collection on March 21 at the Coliseum Parking Lot (8am-12pm). Debbie asked members to participate in as many of these events as possible. For more information, contact Debbie at hccc@hampton.gov. Cris Ausink announced the annual Walk Hampton Clean event taking place the entire month of April. A new component was added – “2020 Vision of a Clean Hampton” – that is a walk relay where participants select connecting segments of the city to clean. For more information, contact Cris at causink@hampton.gov. Committee & Partner Updates Beautification: Debbie said the committee met on March 9 to discuss the upcoming YARDS judging season. The YARDS information packet was updated and finalized and the committee is now making task assignments. YARDS training is scheduled for Monday, April 6, 10am, and will include an updated slideshow and presentation by Gaylynn Johnson and Jim. All judges must attend this training in order to participate in the program. Bee City USA: Barb stated that at the last Bee City meeting, young men from the Newport News Bee Byway initiative presented information about their program in which 30 sites in their city have been designated as bee friendly. Flags have been planted at those sites that will have pollinator gardens. It was noted that Melany Libby also participated in their effort. 3 Debbie will send Dave the site of the first Bee City USA sign installation and garden. Another site will be at Bluebird Gap Farm, with the exact location determined by the Master Gardeners. Clean & Green Workplaces: Jim announced that March 20 is the date for the March Madness Cleanup, 10am- 1pm at the Goodwill Resource Center parking lot. Attendees are encouraged to bring recyclables and vendors will be on hand in addition to educational components. A daylong educational event is being planned for next year that will include awards, speakers, and a luncheon. Community Gardens: Wendy will present a food safety class on March 14 and another forum on March 26 that will include four vendors. April 4 there’ll be a class on herbs. A plastic collection will be done twice monthly by HD Supply. Wendy also announced the “adapt a pot” initiative for Phoebus. Buckroe Community Garden now has two benches, thanks to the plastic bag collection effort. Wendy asked for a volunteer (organization preferred) to take over the collection and to contact her at wendy.iles@hampton.gov for more information. ACE Hardware is also requesting a plastic bag pickup. Debbie said she would contact event sponsor TREX about the cost of collection. Hampton Waterways Restoration Project: Cris stated that at the February 13 meeting, Dr. Fred Dobbs, Chair of ODU’s Ocean Earth Atmospheric Sciences Department spoke. She added that HPW asked about doing a 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. 20200310 grass planting at Boo Williams BMP pond where black headrush grasses would be planted. This plant is specific to BMPs and is a geese repellant and absorbs pollutants Litter & Recycling Awareness: Debbie stated the March meeting was cancelled, but community cleanups are scheduled for March 20 on Kentucky Avenue (3pm), specifically around the War Memorial Stadium; and March 21 on Nettles Lane (10am). Board members were encouraged to participate. Seats are still available for the March 11 Tour de Trash Express, but the April 3 Tour de Trash is booked. Wendy added that she posted a picture of the 35lbs of trash removed from the community gardens and shared information on ways to keep recyclable items out of the landfill. School Pride in Action: Debbie said the schools are working on a cafeteria waste reduction initiative. Virginia Cooperative Extension: Gaylynn noted that VCE is continuing with its water education and landscape programs that aid in reducing the use of fertilizer. A vegetable gardening 101 class will be held on Saturday, March 28 at Bluebird Gap Farm, 9-10:30am. Hampton VCE Master Gardeners: Melany announced the MG semi-annual plant sale on May 2 at Bluebird Gap Farm, 9am-1pm, and a Bee City table will be present. Hampton Master Naturalists: Melany said she helped with the Bee Byway on March 7. Cris noted that water monitoring would take place at Long Creek, Newmarket Creek, Robinson Creek, Air Power Park, and Bluebird 4 Gap Farm. Site coordinators are needed. Melany also said Brittingham Community Center in Newport News would host a ‘free tree for me’ from 12-2pm. Staff Reports: Cris will present rain barrel workshops on March 14 and April 18. There is a currently a wait lit for both. Jason asked about the possibility of making the workshops available online, which Dave recommended be done. Debbie said she and Cris would work on that. Cris also completed a cleanup with one other volunteer on Saturday, February 8 behind the Home Depot at New Market Creek. Meeting adjourned Meeting adjourned at 5:00pm Announcements  Tour de Trash Express – Compost Facility, March 11, 9am, HCCC  HWRP Meeting, March 12, Ft. Monroe, 6:30pm  Rain Barrel Workshop, March 14, HCCC, 9-11am  Oyster Gardening, March 14, Sunset Boating Cntr,, 11am  Clean & Green Workplace Meeting, March 17, Goodwill, 3:30pm  Bee City USA Meeting, March 19, 1pm, HCCC  Community Cleanup, March 20, Kentucky Ave., 3pm and March 21, Nettles La., 10am  Household Chemical & Electronics Collection, March 21, Coliseum Parking Lot, 8am-12pm 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. 20200310