Town and Gown Committee

Town and Gown Committee Meeting Tuesday, January 8, 2019 Lawson Conference Room, 8th Floor City Hall MINUTES I. Call to Order – Chair Tripp called the meeting to order at 12:20pm II. Roll Call - Attendees: Steve Bond, Novella Dickenson, Mary Fugger, Evelyn Graham, Kellie Goral, Rodenna Kirksey, Steve Lynch, Steve Mallon, Dr. Richard Mason, Robin McCormick, Bob McKenna, Sgt Nakia Peek, Darren Robinson, Mayor Donnie Tuck, Toni Williams, Raymond Tripp, and Brenda Bailey III. Introductions – The committee went around the table and introduced themselves IV. Approve December 11, 2018 Meeting Minutes – Steve Lynch motioned, Novelle Dickenson seconded to approve accept the minutes as presented, and the motion was passed unanimously V. Nominating Committee Update – Mary Fugere advised while Mark Crump and Valencia Huggins have accepted their nominations, they were unable to attend today’s meeting; there has been no response from Lakesha Brown Renfro so Mary will attempt to find another candidate; Mayor Tuck inquired why Bryant & Stratton isn’t represented on this committee; Mary will provide contact information and Raymond will ask them to join as an at-large member VI. Strategic Direction Subcommittees Goals & Objectives Update Communication/Community Education – Mary stated the first spring edition of the Hampton Visitor Guide will be distributed on the Hampton University campus within the next couple weeks; Mary and Rodenna confirmed Thomas Nelson Community College may be ready to display the guides for the school year 2019-2020; Kellie requested copies for a Hampton City Schools recruitment fair Economic Development/Student Retention – Steve L. advised a meeting has been scheduled for January 16th with the Hampton University Student Government Association to engage students and obtain their input; Steve will accept any committee suggestions for questions to be utilized; Steve will share the results of the meeting at a future Town & Gown Committee meeting VII. Key Updates Since the December 11, 2018 Town & Gown Committee Meeting Kellie Goral noted the December 13th Academies of Hampton exploratory session was very successful with more than 100 businesses participating; rising 10th graders are currently in the registration period; the preference selection lottery deadline is January 18 and can be accessed via the parent portal Mayor Tuck wished the committee members a Happy New Year Steve Mallon advised Downtown Hampton Development Partnership is adapting and adjusting their efforts to draw more people to the Downtown area with a focus on a green and clean  initiative; a mural development program is identifying potential mural sites Mary Fugere announced there will be a year-long 2019 Commemoration exhibit at the Hampton History Museum with a launch reception on February 1st at Queen Street Baptist Church, upcoming planned events are for all student grades; Virginia Duels are scheduled for January 11-13 at Hampton Coliseum; Hampton Convention & Visitor Bureau is working to launch their new website in the very near future Rodenna Kirksey advised Angela Jackson has been named the new athletic coordinator replacing Chad Smith; Thomas Nelson Community College began their spring 2019 semester on January 7th Darren Robinson announced the next Hampton City Codes Academy on Thursday evenings from 6-8pm beginning January 4th at various locations (mandatory for voluntary codes inspectors) Steve Bond noted the Martin Luther King, Jr and Hampton Heroes Memorial Plaza will be unveiled on January 21st in front of the Hampton Roads Convention Center Evelyn Graham announced University Corporate Partners Day at Hampton University on January 26 with a complimentary reception at 5:30pm to which all committee members are invited Novelle stated Hampton University classes will begin January 10th; please notify evelyn.graham@hamptonu.edu if you’re interested in attending; Novelle Dickenson added that Hampton University spring 2018-2019 sessions will begin on January 10th Steve Lynch announced that work on Hyatt Place and Element continue with an expected opening around late spring 2019; Sky Zone is expected to be open by late spring 2019; Yama Chen’s Sushi Roll (offering traditional and delicious Japanese cuisine) at 2040 Coliseum Drive, Suite 25 is now open after hosting a soft opening through January 5th; Ya’s Thai Kitchen at 1593 Briarfield Road, Suite B was featured in a December 28th Virginia Pilot article as one of the top restaurants in Hampton Roads according to Yelp reviews. Their menu includes a variety of Thai delicacies that can be enjoyed in a casual dining setting or via takeout; a ribbon cutting ceremony was held December 15th at indoor skate board facility Meko’s Skate Park (3420 Von Schilling Drive); Eye Deaux, a permanent makeup, waxing and eyelash extension salon, will open at 2100 Hartford Road; VA ABC Store will relocate in February to Riverpointe Shopping Center (1114 Mercury Boulevard) from 2400 Cunningham Drive; Stone4Kitchen, a countertop fabricator and installer of natural stone, etal, is projected to open a 3,200 square foot expansion cabinet showroom and storage warehouse in March 2019 at 401 Industry Drive, Unit B; Boo Williams State Farm Agency was relocated from the Quality Inn office complex to 1919 Commerce Drive; several awards were bestowed upon Oozlefinch Craft Brewery, Bull Island Brewery, St. George Brewing Company and The Vanguard at the December 11th Veer Magazine Annual Local Beer Awards event; and Economic Development staff attended the 9th Annual Virginia Economic Summit in Williamsburg on December 9th VIII. Next Meeting: February 12, 2019 IX. Adjournment – there being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:00pm.