Mayors Committee for People with Disabilities

Hampton Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities Meeting Minutes Thursday, March 9, 2023 The meeting was called to order by the Chairperson, Ms. Ellen Shackelford at 3:00 pm. Members Present (8): Liaisons (3): Ellen Shackelford Rebecca Spurrier (City Manager’s Office) Evelyn Alston Shaeron King (Parks & Recreation Department) Tyrell Mullen Marie Giles (Hampton City Schools) Dora Parker-Jimenez Venezia Jimenez Guests (2): Rev. William Anderson Dana Reid Debbie Apperson Shirley Nettles Vivian Austin Absent (4): Gwendolyn Burnett (Excused) Irene Ferrainolo Sharon Griffith Kennard Dukes The minutes for February 12, 2023, were handed out, and with no corrections, were accepted. Treasurer’s Report FY23 Beginning Balance January 01, 2023 $54, 209.85 Credit: $00.00 Debit: $00.00 Ending Balance: January 31, 2023 $ 54,209.85 Respectfully submitted, Gwendolyn Burnett, Treasurer Dora Parker-Jimenez moved, and Tyrell Mullen seconded that the treasurer’s report be approved. The motion carried. City Manager’s Office - Rebecca Spurrier reported that on 15 Feb 2023, the Community Plan Steering Group will hold a discussion on the Vision and Goals for Hampton. She will send the time and place in an email. She also stated that the city is working on the budget. All Hampton residents are welcome to attend the discussions to see what the city is planning. Parks & Recreation Department - Ms. King reported that the Valentine’s Dance is this Saturday, 11 Feb. 2023 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Also, on Sunday 12 Feb 2023, Special Olympics will host the Basketball Tournament at Boo Williams Sportsplex from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. There will be 4 teams from Hampton competing. 1 full court team and 3 half court teams. Registration for Spring Break Camp will begin 1March 2023, and registration for Summer Camp will begin 16 April 2023. 1 Subcommittee Report(s): Accessibility - Ellen Shackelford reported on a concern from a resident about the travel distance from the parking lot to the Crumble Cookie establishment. She found out that it is a private company. She has a call in to 311 to see what can be done. Ms. Spurrier suggested that she call Jason Mitchell, Director of Public Works for assistance. There is a gash in the parking lot of the Ruppert Sargent Building that could potentially cause a wheelchair, cane, etc. to get stuck and cause a fall. She will contact 311 to report this as well. Ms. Shackelford noticed that the signage in the Cracker Barrel parking lot still reads Handicapped parking instead of Reserve Parking. Other cities have changed their signs and she asked what the next steps would be for Hampton to do the same. The button to open the door coming into the City Hall building was not working today. She encouraged the committee member to speak up if they noticed something that needs to be fixed. Newsletter Mailing/Communication: Rev. Anderson spoke with Robin McCormick, from marketing, to see if the committee could create a Facebook or Instagram page. She said we could. Rev. Anderson will ask Ms. McCormick if marketing can assist us with posting content on Facebook and our Hampton.gov website. The committee discussed the question of whether we wanted to continue mailing the newsletter or posting it on our Facebook page. Currently, we pay $290. A yearly bulk mailing fee is accessed for undeliverable mail. In addition, we pay a fee to a printing company to have it printed and put together. The bulk mail permit expires on 19 Feb 2023 and the fee will need to be paid. We have money on file because we haven’t mailed any letters out because of the Pandemic. We can request a reimbursement for those funds from the post office. Mrs. Jimenez moved that we no longer use bulk mail and disseminate the newsletter via Facebook and the website. Rev. Anderson seconded and the motion carried. Gwen Burnett will get the reimbursement form from Mail Tran, the bulk mail technician and cancel our permit. Awards Luncheon Committee: Tyrell Mullen stated the subcommittee members are in the process of looking for a location to hold the October 2023 luncheon. Rebecca Spurrier stated she would provide a time frame sheet to help the committee stay on track. She will send a copy of the document in an email. Education: No report Legislation: No report Publicity / Public Awareness: Dora Parker shared information about Peninsula Reads (Hampton & Newport News location) offer literacy programs for individuals wanting to enhance their skills 2 Transportation: Tyrell stated HRT are in the process of hiring new drivers and obtaining new buses for transporting its consumers. Old Business: None New Business: A letter was sent to The Honorable Tim Kaine, regarding support for City of Hampton Community Project Funding Request for Therapeutic Recreation Center, in the amount of $2.7 million for the renovation to improve the accessibility for persons with disabilities. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 4:20 pm 3