Neighborhood Commission Agendas & Minutes

MINUTES Hampton Neighborhood Commission Meeting Community Development Department November 18, 2013 Time 5:00 – 6:30PM Present Ann Bane, School Rep Alice Callahan, District 6 Pamela Croom, District 2 Steven Edwards, Institutional Rep. Grace Kelley, Youth Rep. Sandra King-Medina, District 4 John Lowe, District 7 Anthony Reyes, City Rep. Jason Samuels, District 8 Tommy Southall, District 9 Peggy Todd, At-Large Rep. Kathy Johnson, Chair Angelique Shenk, Executive Director Rashida Costley-Clarke, Coordinator Absent Ron Davis, City Rep. Karen Duncan, District 1 Barbara Franklin, Public Relations Rep. James Gray, City Rep. Judy Hart, District 10 Chris Henderson, District 3 Henry Mills, Institutional Rep. Patricia Parker, District 5 Guests I. Opening Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 5:10pm. A. Roll Call and Verification of Quorum 1  Quorum was not verified. B. Pledge of Allegiance C. Approval of Minutes of the October 14, 2013 Neighborhood Commission Meeting The Chair asked for any corrections to the minutes for the October 14, 2013 Neighborhood Commission meeting. There were none. D. Chair Announcements E. Recognitions • The Chair presented a plaque to Robin Carpenter in appreciation of his 8 years of service to the Hampton Neighborhood Commission. • The Commission welcomed John Lowe and Grace Kelley to their first Neighborhood Commission meeting. • The Northampton Civic League was recognized as a newly Registered Neighborhood Organization. Carolyn Phaulp, and Alonzo Duncan, were there to accept the reward. II. Director’s Report • The Rental Inspection Program was adopted by City Council. Staff will begin notifying property owners shortly. Owners will have 60 days from the date of the notice to respond. Then inspections will be scheduled. Staff is currently interviewing for the new positions. • There was a Armistead Point Master Plan work session on site at Boo Williams Sportsplex with City Council and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. They will work closely with Boo Williams regarding a possible expansion of the BMX facility currently at Gosnold’s Hope Park. Staff will continue to explore a aquatics facility and a splash park. The next public meeting is scheduled for December 10, 2013, 6pm at the Boo Williams Sportsplex. • Update on the Wythe School Reuse. The property is still used by Hampton City Schools. A community meeting was held to get a better understanding of what the community would like to see in that space. III. Items to be Presented by Public • Vera Moore- True Beginnings o True Beginnings is a program for ex-offenders that re-introduces them into the community. The organization currently has a program in Newport News called “freedom ride” which teaches work ethics, communication and job skills. True Beginnings is interested in locating in the Watkins Feed Store because it has prime location on the bus line, and is near social services and the library. Programming in the Watkins Feed Store would include a call 2  center, and a store. The organization also has a support group for families who support ex-offenders. IV. Briefings A. Briefing on FY15-19 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Gloria Washington, Director- Budget Office presented to the Neighborhood Commission regarding the Capital Improvement Plan. Highlights of the presentation include; • An overview of funding sources • Project expenditure categories • This year’s CIP process including citizen input opportunities Jason Samuels asked if school enrollment increases will funding also increase? o Gloria responded that funding could possibly increase; it would have to be reviewed in the upcoming years. Gloria encouraged Commissioners to give any additional feedback or questions regarding CIP projects to Angelique. B. Proposed Community Gardens Program Tamaria Green, Zoning Official-Planning and Zoning Administration Division presented regarding the proposed community gardens program. Highlights of the program included; o A summary of research o Description of the proposed pilot program o Site selection criteria proposed by staff o Selection of criteria for sponsoring organizations o Recommendations for program operation o Information about program enrollment and application requirements. o Anticipated timeline and next steps for the program. Questions and comments from Commissioners included; • Will the lots selected as community garden sites be in between homes? o The goal is to have lots that are easily accessible. • Would residents adjacent to community garden sites be notified? o Yes. • When would gardeners be able to access lots? o Staff recommends gardening hours be from dawn to dusk. • Will the Clean City Commission and Master Gardeners program be involved? o Yes. • The insurance requirement and cost of insurance may be a barrier. Currently organizations would be required to have $250,000 in liability insurance. 3  Registered Neighborhood Organizations get a waiver. Could there be a similar benefit for this program? o Staff continues to work with Risk Management regarding this matter. • For sponsoring organization requirements- what level of capacity should the organization have? Longevity is important. What is the recourse for organizations if something goes wrong? What condition do they have to leave the site in? • How long is the organization allowed to use the lot? o 2 years then they must reapply. • Can organizations apply for grant money for a community garden? o Yes, they can apply under the existing programs. C. Quarterly meeting debrief The Chair recapped the discussion from the Executive Committee regarding the quarterly meeting and asked for additional comments. Comments included; • Commissioners suggested having Registered Neighborhood Organizations recognized at the quarterly meetings instead of monthly. • Liked having the blitz video playing- wish the music for the video could also be played. • Commissioners liked the discussion corners Sandra King- Medina, Alice Callahan and Patricia Parker have already found a location for the January quarterly meeting, First United Methodist Church at 1 Salt Ponds Rd. Ann Bane mentioned that this church was one of the original faith partners with Hampton City Schools. Kathy suggested that schools give the church a certificate of appreciation during the meeting. D. Hampton Home Repair Blitz Update Jonathan McBride shared the successes and challenges associated with the Fall Home Repair Blitz event. He also showed a video of photographs and video interviews with volunteers and homeowners. There were no additional questions or concerns from Commissioners. Next Meeting Date: January 13, 2014 @ 5:00PM. Location: First United Methodist Church 4