Town and Gown Committee

T O W N A ND G OWN C O M M I T T E E M E E T I N G TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T C O N F E R E N C E R O O M , 5 TH F L O O R C I T Y H A L L MINUTES PRESENT: Ann Bane, Steve Bond, Mark Crump, Novelle Dickenson, Kellie Goral, Eric Harrell, Steve Lynch, Steve Mallon, Nakia Peek, Donnie Tuck, Toni Williams, Raymond Tripp, and Brenda Bailey (recorder) ABSENT: Charrita Danley, Beth Dickens, Mary Fugere (with notice), Evelyn Graham, Anzell Harrell, Valencia Huggins, Jonathan Mack, Dan Mackey, Richard Mason, Robin McCormick, Bob McKenna, Pamela Richardson, Darren Robinson, Jeffery Smith, Bill Thomas Guest(s): Ann Hunnicutt, Owner of Pembroke Construction I. Call to Order – Chair Tripp called the meeting to order at 12:19pm II. Roll Call III. Approve June 11, 2019 Meeting Minutes – Chair Tripp noted the minutes were distributed and called for a motion to approve as presented; Steve Lynch moved, Novelle seconded, and the minutes were approved unanimously IV. Presentation of Tommy Hunnicutt Service Award – Raymond presented Ann Hunnicutt with an award in honor of Tommy Hunnicutt’s many years of service to the Town & Gown Committee; Mayor Tuck spoke to Mr. Hunnicutt’s dedication to and fondness for the work being done by the Committee V. Strategic Direction Subcommittees Goals & Objectives Update Communication/Community Engagement – Mary was unable to attend so no update was provided Economic Development/Student Retention – Steve Lynch advised the subcommittee continued to meet during the summer months; he thanked all who participated in the efforts to hold a Hampton University Pep Rally which was canceled due to the weather event Hurricane Dorian; HU’s calendar prevented a reschedule for this season but the committee will attempt to schedule again for next school year; there were 37 responses to a survey sent to local businesses regarding the internship directory and the committee will continue to build on those results; a print ad for the directory was well-received on the Peninsula and the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce (Norfolk) will advertise the directory in the near future as well as ODU and NSU will have access to it; there was discussion surrounding ways to further this initiative; Steve Mallon noted that he had met with Daizha Lankford, SGA Director of Campus Life, to brainstorm ways to bring students, parents and families into the community; it was agreed that an ~1/3~  invitation to the October meeting should be extended to her **Brenda will contact Joann at Downtown Hampton Development Partnership** Community Outreach – Chair Tripp stated this committee has not met under the direction of its assigned Chair, Bill Thomas and requested the consensus of the larger committee as to the direction this subcommittee should take; after much discussion, the group chose to integrate the responsibilities/goals into the Communications/Community Engagement Committee as appropriate; Kellie Goral moved, Eric Harrell seconded and the motion passed unanimously VI. Key Updates Since the June 11, 2019 Town & Gown Committee Meeting Chair Tripp advised the group of an email received from Albany Garrett requesting monies from the Town & Gown Committee to host a combined class reunion; after discussion, it was determined that Ms. Garrett will be informed the committee does not have any budgeted funds and will not be able to grant this request Steve Lynch noted a public hearing is scheduled for a Virginia Tech Foundation (VTF) bond issue where VTF will request up to $104M in bonds to build a new Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC) in downtown Hampton; this will not be a City debt as the City will not have any responsibility to the debt and all debt will be based on VT credit/repayment ability; the City of Hampton is simply holding this public hearing on behalf of Virginia Tech Foundation; Mayor Tuck added that the City did seek and obtain some funding from the General Assembly and construction on the AREC will begin around December 2019; he also mentioned that the City of Hampton hosted Cities United (mission to reduce the homicide and shooting deaths of young Black men and boys ages 14 to 24 by 50% by 2025) 6th Annual Convening on August 21-23 to be followed by an upcoming meeting in Norfolk and the 1619 Commemoration of the First African Landing; he proposed that this committee should pose and consider answering the question “What’s next?” to further these initiatives Steve Mallon announced the following events: -SPCA Fund Raiser Barktoberfest Dog Walk & Festival – 12-6p Saturday, October 12 at Mill Point Park in Downtown Hampton -Downtown Hampton Halloween Block Party – 6-1030p Saturday, October 28 on E Queens Way -2019 Hampton Roads Vegfest – 11a-5p Sunday, November 3 at Mill Point Park where 3-5K people are expected to attend -Downtown Hampton Development Partnership is ramping up their Green Clean initiative for streetscaping projects in Downtown Toni announced Sly Clyde Cidery hosted their 1 year anniversary party on August 24 with live music and other festivities including yard games, face painting and live music; 418 Dive Training Center is now open in Phoebus at 11 E Mellen Street; the Partnership for a New Phoebus will host Party in the park 12-5p Saturday, October 5 at Phoebus Waterfront Park featuring yard games, a drawing for a free bicycle, and food trucks; 56th Annual Historic Phoebus Fall Festival is scheduled for 10a-6p Saturday, October 12 on Mellen Street featuring arts & crafts, live music and craft beer ~2/3~  Steve Bond thanked all who participated in Cities United and 1619 Commemoration activities; he also thanked all staff who assisted with Hurricane Dorian planning, damage prevention and cleanup efforts; he also implored everyone to have contingency plans for hurricane season Eric advised the Mayor read a proclamation for Bryant and Stratton’s 165th Anniversary; classes will start October 26; sports season will kick off in late October/early November; Peninsula Town Center (PTC) will host a Virginia High School League (VHSL)-endorsed outdoor e-sports game competition; the first alumni event is scheduled for early November; a Tie-Breaker event is being planned for the near future where students will learn a variety of knot techniques in a workshop environment; a “one-stop shopping” event is being coordinated by ECOVA, a consortium of Hampton Roads colleges Ann noted that the start of the 2019-2020 school year was smooth and thanked the Hampton community for such a great response to school supply drives that provided large boxes of supplies to all Hampton City Schools; she gave kudos to Bryson Dilbey who followed several dignitaries speeches at the 1619 Commemoration with his own brilliant speech, she encouraged all to search and view his speech on YouTube Kellie announced that Virginia Department of Education will be making their accreditation announcement on September 26; HCS is reaching out city-wide with 150 yard signs, feather banners for all schools, marquee boards, and all available e-boards; teasers on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter will run September 23-25 and staff is open to any and all opportunities for community celebration Toni inquired about where to direct phone calls from businesses and residents interest in school supplies distributed to schools, Ann advised all supplies are distributed from counseling offices at each school Raymond stated Crawlin’ Crab 5K is scheduled to begin at 8a Saturday, October 5 to be followed by the Half Marathon beginning at 730a Sunday, October 6 and Craft Brew Fest on both days VII. Next Meeting: October 8, 2019 5 TH F LOOR C O M M U N ITY D E V E L O P M E N T C O N F E R E N C E R O O M VIII. Adjourn - there being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:34pm ~3/3~