Parks & Recreation Advisory Board

Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services Advisory Board Meeting Tuesday, August 8, 2023 | 5:00 p.m. | 5th floor City Hall, Canty Conference Room Members: Steven L. Raudman, Chair Michelle Griffin, Vice Chair Dr. Irina A. Gorbunova-Ford Katherine G. Dermanis DeRocke Croom Jennifer R. Parker Remi Travis B. Wright Dr. June G. Javier [One Vacancy] Opening Business  Welcome, Introduction and Call to Order Attendees: Katherine Dermanis, Dr. Irina A. Gorbunova-Ford, Michelle Griffin, Dr. June Javier, Jennifer Parker, David McCauley, Angela King, Nicole Dennis, Marie St. Clair, Larry Vaughan Absent: Steven Raudman, DeRocke Croom, Remi Travis B. Wright Director McCauley welcomed the attendees and provided general information. Michelle Griffin arrived at 5:12pm and called the meeting to order. It was advised that a quorum was present.  Approval of May 2, 2023 Minutes Michelle gave the board members an opportunity to review the minutes from the last meeting. Katherine Dermanis made a motion to accept the May minutes as written. Jen Parker seconded the motion and the minutes were unanimously approved. New Business Board Member Updates Angela King began with a general training to welcome the new board members that were in attendance. The general training may have to be completed again for those that did not attend today’s meeting. The general training included information regarding the Advisory Board Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services 22 Lincoln Street | Hampton, Virginia 23669 Bylaws, meeting calendar, the City’s Commitment to Excellence, the Virginia the Freedom of Information Act, the State Conflicts of Interest Act, and Roberts Rules. Department Update Director McCauley discussed the schedule of meetings and attendance. It is noted in the Council Resolution for board meetings to be held monthly. There is also to be no more than two (2) absences within the calendar year. He also shared that he will have the Capital Improvements Project (CIP) brief for the Council in September. The CIP brief will include the progress of Darling Stadium and Air Power Park. These are considered to be multimillion projects. The department is also in the process of finishing the Master Plan. As far as special events, the following are listed below: ❖ Groovin’ By the Bay (All American City) on August 27th at Mill Point Park ❖ Crabtown Festival on September 2nd at Mill Point Park ❖ Blue Bird Gap Farm Fall Festival on October 21st-October 22nd at Blue Bird Gap Farm ❖ The return of the Holly Days Parade on December 9th in Downtown Hampton. ❖ Holiday Wonder Walk on December 16th-December 25th at Water Walk Trail. Director McCauley shared that they are in the process of building playground shelters at Mary Jackson Neighborhood Center. Also, there is a plan to redo the playground at Buckroe Beach. He shared information about the Rec ‘N’ Roll Scuttle Bus that goes to different neighborhoods and parks on Tuesday’s/Thursday’s from 5pm-8pm. The Rec ‘N’ Roll Scuttle Bus also includes the gaming bus. On August 23rd, the department will be adding a pilot program called Parks After Dark which is a community event for children to be held at Buckroe Beach. During the Parks After Dark, there will be a survey for the youth and teens to be completed to see that type of programs they wish to move forward with in the future. Program Proposal Applications Review Nicole Dennis shared the purpose of bringing the program proposal forms to the Advisory Board, which is for the board to provide input of nonprofit organizations, LLCs, and other individuals who would like to do business with Parks and Recreation. The program proposal form was created to have a layout of what the departments expectations are and what the organization expectations are. The board is being asked to review the applications that are in need of funding and help assist the department by going to the City Council meetings to initiate funding to be created for the programs. The board is looked upon to be advocates for our citizens who are trying to do business with Parks & Rec. Nicole shared that Parks & Recreation had an opportunity to meet with the Office of Youth and Young Adult opportunities where they provide grant funding for nonprofit organizations to do business in the city of Hampton. Parks & Recreation found that these individuals and Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services 22 Lincoln Street | Hampton, Virginia 23669 organizations already have funding but the people are in need of locations and children for the programs. Parks & Recreations had the opportunity during the meeting to inform individuals that the community centers are open and available for use. The department asked the organizations to send their program proposal forms to make sure we match perfectly with what their mission is for their organization. The first organization program proposal that was reviewed was called “4 WHEY LLC”. The organization wants to be able to provide counseling sessions along with skill set drills for basketball and football (all in the compliance of the NIL). They are in search for a field, basketball court, and etc. Discussion began and it was suggested by the board for the organization to contact the Athletic Division. The second organization program proposal to be reviewed was called “Hampton Road Police Athletic League After School Program”. The organization would like to extend the program that offered during the summer and now have it available for the fall/winter season. The organization selected Westhampton Community Center as the first choice, but Parks & Recreation Advisory Board has decided Northampton Community Center to be the first location for the program due to his needs for classroom space. The third organization program proposal to be reviewed was called “Community of Change: Trauma-Informed Mentoring”. The department will contact the organization to see if this program would be a good partnership and ask additional questions due to the nature of the trauma related portion of the program. The fourth organization program proposal to be review was called “The Healthiest Me Inside and Out Body Image and Yoga Program”. This particular program involves yoga and a research component. The board and the department considered this program to be a good fit at Northampton Community Center. There was also discussion about the privacy concerns regarding the research aspect of the program. The fifth organization program proposal to be reviewed was called “Malons Project, Inc.” This organization previously submitted their program proposal at North Phoebus Community Center for the summer months, but were unable to do so. The department is looking to activate them for the fall/winter season. The organization’s objective is the summer enrichment preventative for youth and teens, providing activities and programs that promote building strong social skills and community involvement. The organization is requesting a grant. However, the department does not offer grants. It was suggested that the organization should contact the Office of Youth and Young Adults to solicit a grant. Themed Board Meetings Angela King shared the previous discussion regarding themed board meetings versus having subcommittees. September’s themed meeting will be focused on budget. October’s themed Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services 22 Lincoln Street | Hampton, Virginia 23669 meeting will be focused on special events. Upcoming additional themed meetings will be announced at a later time. Adjourn: There being no further business, a motion was made to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. Next Meeting: Tuesday, September 12, 2023 @ 5:00 p.m. 5th Floor City Hall, Canty Conference Room Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services 22 Lincoln Street | Hampton, Virginia 23669