Town and Gown Committee

T OWN AND G OWN C OMMITTEE M EETING 12:00PM TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2020 C OMMUNITY D EVELOPMENT C ONFERENCE R OOM /E LECTRONIC H AMPTON C ITY H ALL 22 LINCOLN STREET, 5TH FLOOR M I N U T E S I. Call to Order – Chair Tripp called the meeting to order at 12:29pm II. Roll Call Present: Ann Bane, Mark Crump, Mary Fugere, Kellie Goral, Gabriella Hayes, Steve Mallon, Robin McCormick, Bob McKenna, Sgt Nakia Peek, Darren Robinson, Mayor Donnie Tuck, Toni Williams, Raymond Tripp, and Brenda Bailey (recorder) Absent: Steve Bond, Beth Dickens, Evelyn Graham, Eric Harrell, Valencia Huggins, Steve Lynch, MPO Dan Mackey, Dr. Richard Mason, Dr. Charrita Quimby, Pamela Richardson, Austin Sams, Dr. Jeffery Smith, Bill Thomas, and Elizabeth “Lizz” Yimer Electronic: Anzell Harrell Guest: Thomas Hatfield, Thomas Nelson Community College, Student III. Vote to Hold Electronic Meeting – Mary Fugere motioned to allow electronic participation, Mark Crump seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Anzell Harrell joined electronically from his Hampton University Campus office citing exemption option 1 (temporary or permanent disability) IV. Approve October 13, 2020 Meeting Minutes – Mary Fugere motioned to accept the minutes as presented, Ann Bane seconded, and the motion passed unanimously V. Key Updates Since the October 13, 2020 Meeting Robin recognized the Mayor, City Manager and school officials for helping citizens connect with the public via Facebook Live sessions; the Virginia Municipal League announced City of Hampton was a 2020 VML Local Champion Award winner; Hampton was named a Top Ten Digital Cities winner for the 18th year out of 20 that the awards have been bestowed Mary announced that, per Robert Griesmer, the Virginia Air & Space Center is expected to reopen to the public December 15 with theater improvements, as the Virginia Air & Science Center; Streetcar 390 is under renovation and an Open House was held November 14 at Fort Monroe; Hampton Marina Hotel is under renovation with an anticipated opening date in January 2021; Hampton Holiday Wonder Walk will take place 5-9p December 12 with a 2.25 mile socially-distanced, glow-lighted trail from Air Power Park to Armistead Avenue and H2O to the Hampton Coliseum, tickets will be sold at $4 per person Bob reminded the group of Hampton’s State of the City address scheduled for 830a Thursday, November 19; LEAD Peninsula will host their virtual orientation on December 3, in 2019 there were a record number of participants (57) and Bill Thomas, Associate Vice President for Governmental Relations at Hampton University has been named to the board on the Public Policy Committee Mayor Tuck noted that in the next 2-3 months there will be a major business announcement; Hampton is one of three contenders for the relocation of the Toronto Gators Thomas Hatfield announced Thomas Nelson Community College’s (TNCC) Student Government Association (SGA) will hold their next meeting at 12:30pm on Friday, November 20 and will be sending a formal invitation to Mayor Tuck; SGA is exploring new ways to get students engaged by holding new online activities such as virtual game night; they are also looking into sending students care packages of items for exam week; the SGA Executive Board will meet today to discuss shared governance group and impacts of COVID-19 Steve M stated public docks are doing well even during pandemic conditions; WVS commenced construction at Settlers Landing Road/King Street with a building that will house retail and apartments; Virginia Tech AREC began construction on their new building; 27 W Queens Way will house a new law firm employing 30-40 employees; Downtown Hampton Development Partnership staff is overseeing an infrastructure improvement project; staff is also attempting to coordinate a lighted boat parade under COVID-19 restrictions, see www.downtownhampton.com for more details Toni announced Phoebus has 40 new businesses opening, including: The Baker’s Wife (by the owner of The Grey Goose), Foxtail Wine Bar which will include a parklet, Charlotte’s Cafeteria (by the owners of Mango Mangeaux), Scratch Bakery will move forward with expansion plans and the owner has advanced as a contestant in Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship; 1865 Brewery, featuring a Fort Monroe theme and the first African American-owned brewery, will open in January with a future planned expansion into Monroe Gates complex; Monroe Gates will open soon for move-ins; Phoebus will host a virtual Holiday Illumination by the means of a 30 minute program that will air four times throughout December on SKY4-TV, the program will highlight Phoebus’s unique business scene: shopping, dining and adult beverage establishments (Sly Clyde Ciderworks), that will culminate with the lighting of our holiday tree. As is tradition, there will be carolers, a visit from Santa, SNOW, a message from the City of Hampton Mayor and much more between December 5th - December 21st, see www.phoebusva.com for more details Darren noted this is a good time for outreach to Hampton neighborhoods Gabriella announced Giaimo Management Corp is partnering with Kroger to sponsor a Trunk or Treat drive-thru for Halloween; a Hokies Spirit Night was held November 6, Veteran’s Day Breakfast 8-10a November 11 at 217 Fox Hill Road McDonalds, McDonald’s staff will deliver 150 breakfast biscuits to Langley Air Force Base; Coffee with a Cop is scheduled for 8- 10a November 13, and Barron McTeacher’s Night is scheduled for 5-7p November 19 at 217 Fox Hill Road Kellie reminded the group of Hampton City Schools on time graduation rate of 96.2% (lowest in the region) and 1.2% drop out rate (lowest in the region); PreK-12 self-contained classes began meeting in person November 4; Hampton City Schools Transportation Director, Darren Wells, has organized a “Fill the Bus” events at the Patriot Center 1589 Wingfield Drive from9a-4p November 19 Raymond noted that due to COVID-19 conditions, the annual Christmas Parade has been converted to a 30-day extravaganza that will run from November 21 to December 23 with activities as follows: selfie station, drive-in movies, local high school band performances, and story time featuring readings by Mayor Tuck, Vice-Mayor Gray, City Manager Bunting, et al culminating with The Night Before Christmas ready by Santa Claus; finally, WTKR and WGNT will air the 2019 Coliseum Central Holiday Parade at various times between November 21 – December 25, visit www.coliseumcentralholiday.com for more details Anzell stated the 2020 homecoming was aired virtually allowing alumni to view the Ms. Hampton/Mr. Pirate ceremonies; student leaders read books to 170+ Hampton City School students for Hallowfest with Hampton City Schools; staff coordinated a virtual game night tournament and Quarantine Karaoke; this year’s What’s on Your Menu? Will feature Thanksgiving plated meals; Student Government Association members  are still tutoring for Hampton City Schools and Six Mile Zion Baptist Temple; on student being tutored raised their grade from a C to an A with the help of their tutor; the annual Christmas tree lighting is scheduled for November 30; Hampton University may need assistance from Town & Gown Committee due to students not returning in upcoming semester Mayor Tuck inquired about how to view the Hampton University Parade: on the Hampton University website; he also asked about basketball games for which Anzell will send him more information as decisions are finalized VI. Next Meeting: December 8, 2020 5TH FLOOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE ROOM VII. Adjourn – there being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:13pm