Town and Gown Committee

T OWN AND G OWN C OM M ITTE E M E E T I N G T U E S D A Y , O CTOBER 8 , 2 0 1 9 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 MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Ann Bane, Steve Bond, Mark Crump, Beth Dickens, Mary Fugere, Anzell Harrell, Steve Lynch, Jonathan Mack, Robin McCormick, Bob McKenna, Darren Robinson, Raymond Tripp, and Brenda Bailey (recorder) MEMBERS ABSENT: Dr. Charrita Quimby, Novelle Dickenson, Evelyn Graham, Kellie Goral, Eric Harrell, Valencia Huggins, Dan Mackey, Steve Mallon, Richard Mason, Nakia Peek, Pamela Richardson, Jeffery Smith, Bill Thomas, Donnie Tuck, Toni Williams GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE: Dezha Lankford, Director of Student Life, Hampton University Rhonda Toll, Market Director of Career Services, Bryant & Stratton College I. Call to Order – Chair Tripp called the meeting to order at 12:23pm and asked all attendees to introduce themselves for the benefit of the guests. II. Roll Call III. Approve September 10, 2019 Meeting Minutes – Steve Lynch motioned to accept the minutes as presented and the minutes were approved unanimously. IV. Support for HCS Accreditation Success – Ann advised that the good news continues as the graduation and drop-out rates were announced by the Virginia Department of Education just this morning and Hampton City Schools (HCS) are among the highest on- time graduations and the lowest drop-out rates in the Commonwealth of Virginia; she thanked all who participated in spreading the news about HCS being 100% accredited with no conditions; yard signs will be collected and available for reuse in the coming days and weeks for any requests (i.e.: realtors have already requested them to put in the yards of homes for sale in the area). Page 1 / 5  T OWN AND G OWN C OM M ITTE E M E E T I N G T U E S D A Y , O CTOBER 8 , 2 0 1 9 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 V. Strategic Direction Subcommittees Goals & Objectives Update a. Communications/Community Engagement – Mary stated she has been investigating the potential for utilizing geo-fencing techniques to communicate specific messaging to the Hampton University student population as opposed to the current, ineffective visitor guides with a Hampton University wrap; she solicited feedback regarding the possibility of Hampton Convention & Visitor Bureau (HCVB) creating an internship position dedicated to public relations between the City and the university that would be housed in and sponsored by the HCVB office; discussion revealed there is general interest from HU as well as Thomas Nelson Community College (TNCC) and Bryant & Stratton College; Jonathan mentioned that his Student Government Association (SGA) platform is bridging all gaps; he suggested creating Instagram tagged locations on campus, using the geo-fencing to announce campus activities; Mary announced Patra Johnson, Director of Freshmen Studies/University 101 Directory, extended an invitation for a Town & Gown delegation to join the University 101 sessions at 230p on October 21 or November 7 at Memorial Chapel; volunteer participants agreed October 21 would be ideal and will reach out to Raymond or Mary for more details as the date approaches b. Economic Development/Student Retention – Steve Lynch noted the internship directory portal is now open even while entries are still being added; the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce will also be advertising the directory; a portal will be provided to Bryant & Stratton College and other local universities as the purpose of the directory is retaining talent; the committees next milestone will include collaboration and a joint meeting between the two subcommittees as well as recruiting student representation from Bryant & Stratton, TNCC, etal c. Community Outreach – Raymond stated he will send a memo addressed to Bill Thomas and Mary Fugere advising that the Community Outreach Subcommittee has been rolled into the Communications/Community Engagement Subcommittee effective November 1, 2019 d. Nominating Committee/Committee Vacancies – Raymond noted there are currently five vacancies on the Town & Gown Committee and solicited a nomination/volunteer to chair the Nominating Committee; Robin nominated Steve Mallon and/or Toni Williams and Raymond will reach out to them; Mary and Anzell agreed to continue to serve on the Committee Page 2 / 5  T OWN AND G OWN C OM M ITTE E M E E T I N G T U E S D A Y , O CTOBER 8 , 2 0 1 9 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 VI. Key Updates Since the September 10, 2019 Town & Gown Committee Meeting Steve Lynch noted Rosie’s Gaming anticipates a grand opening in late October; Sky Zone projected opening was announced in the Daily Press today as the end of the year; there are an abundance of apartments under construction that target NEW residents: Lumen Apartments at Commander Shepard Boulevard projected opening spring/summer 2020; Monroe Gates Apartments in Phoebus expecting to open spring 2021; and Axis Apartments Phase II at Peninsula Town Center expected to open in 2020; 100% financing has been secured for the 15K SF Virginia Tech AREC expected to open in January 2021; WVS will be breaking ground soon on the first of eight sites identified for multi-use in Downtown Hampton Bob advised the next “Spotlight on the Peninsula” will feature Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) at an information session and networking opportunity with local community stakeholders and leaders 1-3p Friday, October 18 at 3400 Victoria Boulevard; Hampton State of the City address will be held 1130a-130p Tuesday, November 19 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center; United Way hosts the Young Professional Organization Emerging Leaders Society events at Virginia Peninsula Chambers office located at 21 Enterprise Parkway, Suite 100 and is focused on collaborating with HU, Christopher Newport University, and College of William & Mary to retain local talent Anzell stated a bus load of students traveled to Chicago, IL for the Chicago Football Classic featuring a weekend long event of cultural, educational and other exhilarating activities where they were guaranteed three more years of participation; Parents Weekend October 4-6 hosted 600+ attendees; Homecoming events will take place October 20-26 with 82 vendors and 72 participants registered in the parade; President Harvey offered free enrollment, room & board to 43 Bahamian students displaced by Hurricane Dorian and the community has been welcoming them with open arms, they are all adjusting very well and many are talking about staying in Hampton following their education terms; HCS students will be invited to this year’s student leaders Halloween/Trick or Treat event 11a-1p Saturday, November 2 Jonathan advised the academic year is off to a great start, he spoke at the Bahamian student welcome ceremony and HU students are initiating an effort to send needed items to the Bahamas as an outreach effort; the Pirate Express shuttle is operational Dezha will be leading efforts to connect students to the Hampton community Page 3 / 5  T OWN AND G OWN C OM M ITTE E M E E T I N G T U E S D A Y , O CTOBER 8 , 2 0 1 9 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 Rhonda announced the largest fall census at Bryant & Stratton in five years; Bryant & Stratton will be sponsoring several holiday events at Peninsula Town Center in the coming months; two summer internship positions were well-received by Hampton University and Hampton History Museum; Vice Mayor Gray opened the competitive e- Sports program at the state-of-the-art eSports arena on the Hampton Campus Mary stated the HCVB has a vacancy for Director of Media & Community Relations and Media Relations Specialist which will both be posted soon; NekoCon 2019 registration is open for the conference being held at the Hampton Roads Convention Center November 1-3; tickets are still available for 2019 Jazz Legacy Foundation 7th Annual Gala Weekend November 6-10 at Hampton Roads Convention Center; Dead & Company will hold their Fall Fun Run 2019 November 8-9 at Hampton Coliseum; the Bodacious Bazaar is scheduled for November 8-10 at Hampton Roads Convention Center; Spare Times will host the 2019 Virginia State USBC 39th Annual Senior Open and 38th Annual Senior Women’s Tournament at 1 Family Fun Place October 5-6 and November 2-3; War Memorial Stadium still has several events planned for October and November, see their website www.wmstadium.com/events for details Steve Bond noted the Citizens Engagement Advisory and Review Commission is soliciting to fill two student vacancies; applications accepted at https://hampton.gov/1756/Apply-for-a-Board-or-Commission ; the 2020 “Complete Count Census” is vital to this community because undercounted citizens are the population most in need of services provided by census counts; Hampton seeks to fill the vacancy of Health Director necessary for promoting health and walkability within the City Darren the joint Home Repair Blitz with Newport News was a great success where 250+ volunteers made external repairs at Ivy Baptist Church and 14 area homes; upcoming Hampton 101 sessions will feature key military spouse; the next Mayor’s Town Hall meeting is scheduled for 6-8p October 27 at Hampton Christian Church (151 W Mercury Boulevard) and will feature Hampton Police Department Beth noted TNCC will host the Bon Secours Care-A-Van (mobile medical clinic) on the Hampton campus from 10a-2p Wednesday, October 16; TNCC will sponsor a Day of Destruction Track & Treat event at Langley Speedway beginning at 10a Saturday, October 19, races start at 1p; gently used professional wear donations are being accepted until November 18 for a Pop-Up Clothes Closet to be distributed 8a-7p Wednesday and Thursday, November 20-21 Robin announced any events at schools that involve public attendance can be added to the City calendar, just forward the information to marketing@hampton.gov ; she reminded the group the deadline for State of the City trinkets was last week but the department will still accept item donations; Round Robin is a great way to advertise Page 4 / 5  T OWN AND G OWN C OM M ITTE E M E E T I N G T U E S D A Y , O CTOBER 8 , 2 0 1 9 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 events like Pop-Up Clothes Closet or any community event/program needing public attention, simply contact marketing@hampton.gov to get on the schedule Ann stated Rosie’s Gaming reached to Hampton City Schools to offer their support in spreading the good news about HCS recent results; HCS offered their support to Bahamian students and HCS is investigating the potential for a “Adopt-A-Student” program, Anzell mentioned HU is also considering the same type of imitative; the upcoming 2020 census “Complete Count” is in need of an outreach effort to capture counts for HU students; she offered assistance with peachjar.com event flyers for any public events that would benefit HCS students, i.e.: Bon Secours Care-A-Van; Virginia Department of Education announced HCS graduation rates rose again this year and exceed the state percentage; the drop-out rate decreased making HCS among the lowest in the region; a release to this effect will be available to share via social media in the very near future; anyone interested in enrolling for the weekly “HCS Extra” publication can find an enrollment link on HCS home page http://www.hampton.k12.va.us/ Steve Lynch announced Bull Island Brewery and The Vanguard each won bronze medals in their categories in a competition against 600+ other participants at Great American Beer Festival in Denver, CO; this is a well-known stepping stone to national and international distributorship Raymond noted the American Heart Walk will take place at Peninsula Town Center 8a October 19; Trick or Treat at Peninsula Town Center 5-7p October 31; Crawlin’ Crab Half Marathon and 5K was a great success; J&A Racing has future plans to partner with HCS Tourism Academy VII. Next Meeting: November 12, 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 was adjourned at 1:42pm Page 5 / 5