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 1 2 : 0 0 PM T U E S D A Y , O C T O B E R 1 3 , 2 0 2 0 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 /E L E C T R O N I C H AMPTON C ITY H A L L 2 2 L I N C O L N S T R E E T , 5 TH F L O O R MINUTES I. Call to Order – Vice Chair Ann Bane called the meeting to order at 12:17pm II. Roll Cal l Present: Ann Bane, Steve Bond, Naima Ford, Mary Fugere, Gabriella Hayes, Sgt Nakia Peek, Darren Robinson, Mayor Donnie Tuck, and Brenda Bailey (recorder) Absent: Mark Crump, Beth Dickens, Evelyn Graham, Kellie Goral, Eric Harrell, Valencia Huggins, Steve Lynch, Jonathan Mackey, Steve Mallon, Dr. Richard Mason, Robin McCormick, Bob McKenna, Dr. Charrita Quimby, Dr. Jeffrey Smith, Bill Thomas, Toni Williams, Elizabeth Yimer, Raymond Tripp Guests: Thomas Hatfield, Thomas Nelson Community College, Student Thomas Mueller, City of Hampton, Assistant City Attorney II III. Vote to Hold Electronic Meeting – Steve Bond reminded the physically present members of the resolution approved at the August 11, 2020 meeting to allow members to attend electronically. Mayor Tuck moved to allow electronic participation in today’s meeting which was seconded by Mary Fugere and the motion carried unanimously. Anzell Harrell joined from his office on the Hampton University campus claiming exemption option 1 (temporary or permanent disability), and Pamela Richardson joined from her office on the Hampton University campus claiming exemption option 1 (temporary or permanent disability). IV. Approve August 11, 2020 Meeting Minutes – Vice Chair noted that the minutes were distributed for review. Steve Bond requested the minutes reflect that Steve Bond read “Resolution of the Town and Gown Committee of the City of Hampton, Virginia adopting an Electronic Meeting Policy” and the committee members physically present voted unanimously to adopt the policy. Steve Bond moved to accept the minutes with the revision, Darren Robinson seconded, and the motion carried unanimously V. Strategic Direction Subcommittees Goals & Objectives Update  1. Enact Electronic Meeting Policy – Thomas Mueller advised there is no need to enact an additional electronic meeting policy for subcommittee meetings and clarified a physical quorum would be required per the previously enacted policy. VI. Key Updates Since the August 11, 2020 Meeting : Mayor Tuck announced that he and officials from Huntington Ingalls along with Virginia Governor Northam broke ground at the Unmanned Systems Center of Excellence near the intersection of Commander Shepard Boulevard and North Campus Parkway where Huntington Ingalls will build a manufacturing facility for undersea drones, creating an anticipated 250 jobs; Thomas Hatfield advised he is sitting in on today’s meeting on behalf of Lizz Yimer who reports that Thomas Nelson Community College (TNCC) announced its grand opening of the Virtual Studio and completed its first webinar titled “How to Podcast”; TNCC is also seeking certification or transferrable degree credit for the Virtual Studio; the next meeting of the Student Government Association will be held October 16 to which Interim President of TNCC, Dr. DeCinque, will be invited, Mayor Tuck will be invited to attend the November meeting; TNCC has hired Dr. Towuanna Porter-Brannon as President of TNCC; TNCC has partnered with City of Hampton to encourage the local community to vote; Darren Robinson announced the Mayor’s Virtual Town Hall is scheduled for October 29 with guests Dr. Jeffrey Smith, Hampton City Schools Superintendent, and Tara Morgan, Voting Registrar, Darren will provide Brenda with a link to the electronic meeting which she will share with committee members; the first Virtual Hampton 101 is being planned for early December; Naima Ford advised Dr. Porter Bannon will begin serving as TNCC President January 1, 2021; the live event “Good People Group” sponsored by city staff of the Citizens Unity Commission has accumulated more than 1,000 viewings; registration for 8-Week 2 Session will be open October 15-December 14 and 5-Week 3 Session will be open November 4-December 12; in light of social justice needs, there is a region-wide effort for naming campus buildings and a dedicated committee has been appointed to conduct several phases of investigation and implementation; Steve Bond advised “Voice to Vote” event can be viewed from the City of Hampton website www.hampton.gov; a health equity initiative is scheduled for 2-4p October 19 at New Living Well Bible Church, 1245 N King Street; he encouraged all to be sure to get a flu shot as flu season is beginning amidst the current global COVID-19 pandemic; he also encouraged all to be prepared during this hurricane season not expected to end until November 30; city staff are in the process of building the Capital Improvement Projects budget that will aid in further growth of city improvement and initiatives; he thanked the members of this committee for their dedication to this committee and their commitment to making Hampton the most livable city; Mary Fugere noted Hampton’s Bluewater Yachts will be an activity destination for this year’s Salty Dawgs Boating Rally that will include sixty yachting crews making landfall approximately November 7; the Crawlin’ Crab will hold a virtual 5K and Marathon this year, swag bags have already been distributed to registrants and there will be future video featuring the Mayor and Vice Mayor of Hampton; Boo Williams Sportsplex is open to some tournament play, there have been reports of excellent service provided by staff from families and participants, the Sportsplex will open to walkers on November 2; while there are no new updates to the  outreach efforts via messenger since the August report, staff is anxious to renew messaging efforts for any and all upcoming events, contact Mary Fugere with event information; new City of Hampton and Hampton Convention & Visitor Bureau (HCVB) logos have been approved by Hampton City Council and will be utilized on HCVB’s new blog, newsletter and correspondence letter head; the Hampton Roads Convention Center is awaiting approval to reopen in January with Hampton City Council approval; she advised City Council approved the naming of the Hampton Roads Aquatics Center, the Mayor voiced his disapproval of the name and Mary cited considerable research and reasons for the naming choice; Ann Bane mentioned Downtown Hampton was recently featured in the “Weekends on the Water” edition of the Chesapeake Bay Magazine, highlighting the amazing waterfront and featuring many of our shops and restaurants; Hampton City Schools has been recognized with the 2nd highest on-time graduation rate as well as the lowest drop-out rate in the region; planning has begun for Hampton City Schools to be prepared when the school board announces the safe return to public schools; discussions of innovations implemented during the quarantine and going forward have been taking place amongst the district; there is great potential for supplementing/augmenting virtual learning measures for future uses, i.e.: snow days, hurricane events, etc.; Pamela Richardson noted that while there are no students on campus, staff remains busy with events like the Hercules Tires Big South Virtual 5K, registration is open October 18 – November 15, $30 registration fee includes a tee shirt and all proceeds go to Hampton University Child Development Center; Anzell Harrell advised Miss Hampton and Mr. Pirate pageants and coronations were virtual this year and Christian Peterson was crowned Miss Hampton while Jordan Ray was crowned Mr. Pirate; Black Love, Season 4 which began airing September 5 on OWN features Hampton University alums Karega and Felecia Bailey; HU 2020 homecoming will be held virtually October 19-25 and will feature two gospel concerts, a hip hop concert and the reshowing of Miss Hampton/Mr. Pirate pageants and coronation; weekly Student Leadership program meetings are being held virtually via Zoom, Austin Sams has been elected new SGA President; other virtual activities included Quarantine Karaoke and Quarantine Cooking Series, and the Student Leader Program is soliciting Hampton City Schools students for enrollment in the tutoring initiative; Thomas Mueller confirmed that subcommittees are allowed to meet electronically as long as they meet the physical quorum requirement VII. Next Meeting: November 10, 2020 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 / E L E C T R O N I C VIII. Adjourn – there being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:08pm