Clean City Commission

FULL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Hampton Clean City Commission May 11, 2021 ~ 3:30pm Board Members Present: Jackie Cannan, Chris Grady, Alex Maness-Vice Chair, Grady McLean, Gayle Mooney, April Receveur Also Present: Barb Abraham (Zoom), Chris Bowman-City Council, Barry Dobbins-HPW Solid Waste Superintendent (Zoom), Dave McCauley-HPRLS Director (Zoom), Debbie Blanton (Zoom), Jim Williams, Wendy Iles, C’Faison Harris Opening Business Welcome and Time Sheet: Alex Maness welcomed attendees and asked all to sign in. Roll Call, Protocol, and Approval of Notes/Minutes: Roll call conducted; a quorum was present. A motion to accept zoom participants made by Grady McLean and seconded by Gayle Mooney. Motion carried. April minutes were reviewed. Motion made to accept the minutes as written by Grady and seconded by Gayle. 1 Motion carried. City Council: Chris Bowman stated that City Council would be voting on the budget at the May 12 meeting and invited members to view the meeting on City Channel 47 or FIOS Channel 22. He noted that the Aquatic Center, the Mary Jackson Center, and the Goodyear site projects are all going well. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services Annual Report: Dave McCauley spoke of HCCC’s Bee City Pollinator Garden initiative and a collaboration with HPRLS in installing a garden at Air Power Park. HPRLS is also looking at options and strategies for locations to be presented as part of the Master Plan. Gayle asked if Bee City had been included in the planning for this, noting that Bee City is separate from Hampton Community Gardens. Wendy Iles responded that this is still in the planning stages by did ask that the Bee City Committee be included in on future talks. Public Works: No report City Attorney’s Office: No report Financial Report: Financial data was distributed. 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. 20210511 Presentation Jonathan McBride, Manager of Community Development’s Housing & Neighborhood Services Division, Anna Hammond, Neighborhood Development Associate, and Joe Griffith, Phoebus Neighborhood Commissioner were introduced as guest speakers. Jonathan noted that the Neighborhood Office was established in the 90s to connect neighborhoods to the city. In 1994, the Neighborhood Commission began that included community members, neighbors, and institutional organizations. He added that Dave McCauley and Assistant City Manager Steve Bond both served as board members for the Neighborhood Commission. The commission addresses neighborhood issues and concerns and lends educational support through its Hampton 101 Workshop, Leadership Academy, Housing Workshops, and grant projects. The Neighborhood Commission consists of ten Commissioners. Jonathan stated that Mr. Joe Griffith is with Phoebus that includes Old Point, East Hampton, and North Phoebus. Wendy Iles added that Joe is also a member of the Phoebus Community Gardens. Joe stated that he interfaces with his community to have a greater understanding of the skills and passions his neighbors possess. He believes in the adage, ‘if you see something, say something,’ in that it increases connectivity and looks forward to partnering with the Clean City Commission. Jonathan added that the Neighborhood Office has a listing of organizations from which Clean City could pull. Currently, there is a need for three more Neighborhood Commissioners for the Butler Farms, Fox Hill, and Coliseum areas. 2 Joe and April Receveur announced that during Phoebus’ April Clean Sweep event, they collected five truckloads of debris. The April 17 event was held in honor of Earth Day. Jonathan stated that a Phoebus Flood Zone event would be held May 15, 10am-2pm at the old Sam’s Restaurant site, now a green space. He and Joe said they want to hear from the community and the public how best to use the space in addition to the creation and maintenance of a living shoreline. Wendy asked if there was a certified Chesapeake Bay Licensed Professional (CBLP), but was told there was not. Wendy, being a CBLP, added that she would put out the word on the event via Facebook. Jackie Cannan then asked how the Neighborhood Commission could assist in her area in that she has been cleaning along Village Drive and Big Bethel for several years, but the trash and litter never seems to lessen. Recently she has discovered an abundance of whippets during her cleanups. Whippets are nitrous oxide found in small metal canisters used in refillable whipped cream canisters and/or used as an inhalant drug to get high. She asked who to contact in order to bring attention to this issue. Jonathan suggested calling either the non- emergency police number or calling the 311 Hampton Customer Call Center and ask for Office Colgan Wilson who works on complicated enforcement issues. Jim Williams asked if whippets are used in E-cigarettes, but Alex responded that they are mostly used by bakeries and, unfortunately, drug users. Anna later added that Hampton’s Resiliency Officer, David Imburgia, left the City in February and a replacement is being sought. In spite of that, she asked that the Commission not hesitate in contacting Resilient Hampton for any future updates. 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. 20210511 Alex thanked Jonathan, Joe and Anna for providing great information and that he also looks forward to partnering with them on future endeavors. Discussion & Voting Items Elections and Voting: Alex announced that as of June 30, he and Ryan’s final terms of office would come to an end and nominations for both the Chair and Vice Chair must take place. The new terms would begin July 1. The floor was opened first for nominations for Chair with Alex being the single nominee. After asking if there were any other nominations, the nominations were closed. Voting was done by a show of hands vote with six votes in favor of Alex. There were no dissents. A motion was made to accept the nomination decision by Gayle and was seconded by Grady. The motion carried. The floor was then opened for nominations for the position of Vice Chair with Ryan being the single nominee. After asking if there were any other nominations, the nominations were closed. Voting was done by a show of hands vote with six votes in favor of Ryan. There were no dissents. A motion was made to accept the nomination decision by Gayle and was seconded by Grady. The motion carried. Congratulations were offered to the new officers. Status of Volunteer Recognition Event: Wendy announced that an event committee meeting would be held Wednesday, May 12, 2pm at HCCC and board members were welcome to be a part of the program planning. Status of VA Peninsula Clean Business Forum: Tabled until June 8 meeting Status of YARDS Beautification Contest: Wendy also announced that a YARDS Contest planning meeting would be Wednesday May 12, 3pm, at HCCC. Board members were invited to participate to learn more about the 3 YARDS program. Status of Schools & Concern About School Reversals of Student- & Staff-led Projects: Tabled until July 13 meeting. Committee & Partner Updates Beautification: The YARDS Contest planning is currently underway with the judges’ training to begin later in May. More information regarding nominations and site visits will be available at the June 11 meeting. Bee City USA: Barb Abraham stated that at the April 18 meeting, planning for Pollinator Week begun. Melany Libby and Melinda Webb are both supplying plants for the event. Wendy noted that she is working on having a proclamation prepared and on having the Pollinator Garden Certification Program ready by June 17. Barb has donated new pollinator garden signs and Wendy added that Marty Wood of Hampton City Schools designed an amazing postcard that contains Bee City information. It was also noted that Clean City now has a brand new pollinator garden, courtesy of Master Gardeners and Board Members and Staff Gayle Mooney, April Receveur, and Wendy Iles. 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. 20210511 Clean & Green Workplaces: Jim announced that the committee is tentatively looking to sponsor a recycling collection event, adding that the planning will be predicated on what the COVID guidelines will be. The next committee meeting will be Tuesday, May 18, 3:30pm at the Goodwill Employment Center. Community Gardens: Wendy stated that the five new beds are planned at the three community gardens in the new few weeks. Hampton Waterways Restoration Project: On April 3, 1pm, Cris Ausink scheduled a relaxed meeting for committee members to get together for a cleanup at Outlook Beach. She noted that regular-scheduled meetings are to begin again in May once Ft. Monroe Community Center reopens. Litter and Recycling Awareness: Adopt-A-Spot statistics were provided, including the phenomenal response to the annual Walk Hampton Clean event. It was added that Staff Cris Ausink would have up to date statistics on Walk Hampton Clean and committee information at the June 8 meeting. School Pride in Action: No report. Hampton Master Gardeners: Gayle noted that this year’s annual plant sale was done virtually. Master Gardener classes will also take place virtually in late August/early September. Sign up for the classes may be done on the Hampton Master Gardener Website. Hampton Master Naturalists: No report. 4 Staff Reports: Cris is working with AskHRgreen and Keep Virginia Beautiful on the Great American Cleanup Campaign and has scheduled cleanup activities at five Hampton sites. Meeting adjourned A motion to adjourn was made by Alex at 4:40pm, and was seconded by Gayle. Announcements Clean the Bay Day Event, May 31-June 5 YARDS Judges Training, June 2, HCCC, 10am LARC Meeting, June 3, 11:30am, Mama Rosa’s LRAC Community Cleanup, June 5, War Memorial Stadium, 9am YARDS Judging, June 7, HCCC, 8:30am HCCC Full Commission Meeting, June 8, 3:30pm, HCCC Volunteer Recognition Planning Meeting, June 9, 2-3pm, HCCC HCCC/FEMA & Hurricane Preparedness Display, June 12, 9am-1pm, Buckroe Beach Farmers Market C&GWC Meeting, June 15, Goodwill EC, 3:30-4:30pm Bee City USA-Hampton Meeting, June 17, 1pm, HCCC HCCC Public Outreach, June 19, 9am-1pm, Buckroe Beach Farmers Market –VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Bee City Public Outreach, June 26, 9am-1pm, Buckroe Beach Farmers Market LARC Meeting, July 1, 11:30am, Mama Rosa’s HCCC Full Commission Meeting, July 13, 3:30pm, HCCC 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. 20210511