Mayors Committee for People with Disabilities

Hampton Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities Meeting - Minutes for January 11, 2024 Members Present Liaisons Present Ellen Shackelford – Chairperson Shaeron King Vivian Austin - Secretary Kimberly Judge Rev. Anderson Sara Snowden Venezia Jimenez Dora Parker Jimenez City Manager’s office Evelyn Alston Taiub Mohammad Hui-Shan Walker Members Excused Steven Bond Deborah Apperson Gwendolyn Burnett Guests Shirley Nettles Unexcused Sally Joe Nichols Tyrell Mullen Lauren Johnson Jauqueline Kenner-Weatherford Linda Boone Dana Reid The meeting was called to order by Chairperson, Ellen Shackelford. Each member, liaison and guest stated their name. City Manager’s Office - The meeting started with the city manager’s office, Taiub Mohammad gave information about the Hampton Mayors Committee for People with Disabilities (HMCFPWDS) grant is currently available on line and can be found at: https://hampton.gov/198/Mayors-Committee-for-People-with-Disabil The link to the Grant Application Page can be located: https://hampton.gov/4164/Committee-Grant-Application 1|Page For additional information regarding the grant application, inquiries should be sent to the subcommittee members for the grant application process; Vivian Austin, Secretary or Rev. Anderson, member, in an email to the following address: mcfpwd@gmail.com . Hui-Shan Walker, Interim Assistant City Manager, introduced herself as taking the position to assist with concerns or matters to be addressed from the department. She will be in attendance to meetings with Taiub Mohammad. Steven Bond is currently the Interim Hampton City Attorney, as Cheran Ivery no longer working for the City of Hampton. Treasurer’s report – Beginning Balance: November 01, 2023 $54,416.89 Credit: $ 0.00 Debit: $ 0.00 Ending Balance: November 30, 2023 $54,416.89 Respectfully submitted, Gwendolyn L. Burnett, Treasurer January 11, 2024 The Treasurer’s report was read by Vivian Austin, Secretary in Gwendolyn L. Burnett’s absence. The Treasurer’ report was approved by the committee. November 9, 2023 – Minutes – Motion was made to accept the minutes as read by Rev. Anderson, seconded by Vivian Austin. The minutes were accepted as read Liaison Reports – Sara Snowden – Emergency Management. Ms. Snowden will be in attendance to represent the Emergency Preparedness office. She reports: She will be in attendance to the HMCFPWDS meeting to serve as the liaison for the city. Information was given on how this office is working diligently on how to carefully 2|Page prepare for inclement weather and first aid efforts to assist residence in the city of Hampton when a need is addressed. They are providing shelter and rescue efforts at YH Thomas Community Center which includes: Community events such as resource fair. The community fair is about “Disaster Preparedness,” one coming up is: Saturday, May 5, 2024, for more information on programs and community related events you may search the web site at: www.hampton.gov or call Ms. Snowden at: 757.726.0649. She also was asking for volunteers from the HMCFPWDS and how we can partner with efforts to assure citizens with disabilities are included. Hampton Parks and Recreation Department – Shaeron King, CTRS – Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services reports: We had Winter Break Camp the last two weeks of the year. Well attended. Our unique number was 19. We had 13-14 campers per week. Special Olympics Traditional Bowling season begins on Tuesday, January 16th. 7pm-8:30pm at Century Lanes. Sun Wheelers Wheelchair Basketball team is based out of Fort Monroe Community Center. They will be playing on Saturday, January 13 against Fayetteville at Fort Monroe, Our first game at 12pm and second at 1:45pm. Free. Schools are Out/Recs In January 25 and January 26 at TR Center 7am-6pm $20/a day for members, $30/day for non-members. If already enrolled in the TR Afterschool Program it is free. Mardigras Dance on Saturday, February 10, 6pm-8:30pm at TR Center $5/individuals or $7/couples. Can register online or pay at the door. Food, DJ and photographer Hampton City Schools (HCS) – Kimberly Judge, Directory, Special Education reported: Aligned with our vision of One Community, One Transformation we are exploring our partnership with versability Resources to ensure that we truly have a continuum of services for our students with disabilities; 3|Page Conducting interviews for our SEAC Board; Our Joint Annual Resource Fair will be held on April 9, 2024 from 5:30pm to 7pm at One Franklin Street. Subcommittee reports – Accessibility – Ellen Shackelford – the subcommittee is well on the way to surveying businesses, parks, hotels, restaurants, etc., for updates to include our findings in the 2024 accessibility guide we hope to have completed late spring. This will be an updated version of our prior published guide. Publicity/Newsletter – Rev. Anderson reported the NL is currently available on Social Media via Facebook. He asked for article contribution to be submitted to him by the 25th of each month. There were questions concerning appropriate content placed on the page, so Mr. Steven Bond, Interim Attorney for the City of Hampton will provide some guidelines to assist with this process. There were no other subcommittee reports given today. OLD BUSINESS A discussion regarding HMCFPWDS grants application, it is currently on line. New Business Rev. Anderson requested information about any assistant for homeowners with disabilities, who can apply for financial assistance for home repair. Ms. Hui-Shan Walker replied in an email the following information. Jonathan McBride in CDD provided the following guidance: Those seeking assistance should contact the Hampton Redevelopment & Housing Authority for information and applications related to current programs available to residents. Sherri Payton is the program lead (spayton@hamptonrha.com) and the programs are currently found here: https://www.hamptonrha.com/development/home_rehabilitation_programs.php 4|Page Ms. Payton is a good contact to share information at a future meeting on current programs and partnerships that are available. I have copied her on this email. Have a wonderful day! Hui-Shan Walker Interim Assistant City Manager Public Comment – - Two of our guest(s) from Blue Bird Gap Farm (Ms. Linda Boone & Jacquline Keener Weatherford) has called prior to the meeting to be a speaker for the January meeting, in November) gave a short presentation regarding a partnership with the farm and how it will benefit its’ visitors, including those with disabilities. They are seeking grants from various organizations to provide a Mobility Aid to assist those who are in need of getting around the grounds safely. They have requested assistance from members of the HMCFPWDS to serve as help agents to give their input on items and being involved in the planning process, to assure all are included socially. Ellen Shackelford, Evelyn Alston and Vivian Austin have volunteered to visit the farm to see how they may be of assistance, as representatives of the HMCFPWDS. All members were in agreement of the offer. - We have 2 individuals who have been coming to the committee meetings since early 2023 hoping to land a seat on the committee. Originally, they were told (from our prior criteria) to attend three (3) consistent meetings and then apply on line for a seat on the committee. However, it is understood, they have to wait until the City Council reviews the applications and make the decision of whom (if anyone) will be granted a seat on the committee. Mr. Bond, interim City Attorney stated he will inquiry about the process. 5|Page The meeting was called to adjourn at 4:15 pm Next meeting is scheduled for February 8, 2024 at 3:00 pm – Community Department Conference Room, 5th Floor. Hampton City Hall 6|Page