Town and Gown Committee

TOWN AND GOWN COMMITTEE MEETING 12:00pm TUESDAY – JANUARY 10, 2023 HAMPTON COUNCIL CHAMBERS MINUTES I. Call to Order Chairman McKenna welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order at 12:08 p.m. II. Roll Call Chairman McKenna asked the Clerk to call the roll: Members Present: Ann Bane, Tracy Ashley, Steven Bond, Shay Claxton, Dominque DeBose, Novelle Dickenson, Mary Fugere, Andrew Green, Kellie Goral, Eric Harrell, Robin McCormick, Bob McKenna, Raymond Tripp, Donnie Tuck, Carolene Goodwyn- Harris Guests: Angela Haywood (Bryant & Stratton), Ed Reed (Two Capitols Consulting) Staff Present: Anne Ligon, Annette Oakley, Rebecca Spurrier III. Approve December 13, 2022 Meeting Minutes Chairman McKenna stated the draft minutes from the December 13, 2022 meeting were distributed for review, and if there were no changes, called for a motion to approve. ACTION: Steven Bond made the motion to accept the minutes as written. Eric Harrell seconded the motion. All in favor, minutes were approved. IV. Presentation – Ed Reed, Two Capitols Consulting: Chairman McKenna introduced and welcomed Ed Reed, Vice President of Two Capitols Consulting, who spoke on the upcoming General Assembly session. Mr. Reed stated he does the legislative lobbying for the City of Hampton and if anyone had legislative concerns, to please reach out to him. Mr. Reed gave an overview of the Governor’s budget and touched on the following key points:  Session begins tomorrow at noon – which goes for 30-46 days, with February 24th as the adjournment goal  There are several budget amendments this year, which the Governor introduced on December 15th: o No new huge investments in K-12, but teacher compensation amendments as it relates to bonuses o Large investment made in higher education in June/July, so stayed the same for December o Regarding Capitol investments, Commonwealth in a holding pattern right now o Members have until 5:00pm this Friday to submit amendments o There is emphasis on K-12 school construction funding – The committee is trying to find innovative ways to fund  Governor’s top three large investments: o Mental Health o Early Childhood Education o Public Safety  Another important piece is workforce development; Governor may create a Secretary/agency just for this  There are also discussions on Lottery funds used for education 1  Mr. Reed provided an opportunity for questions: Q. Dominique inquired about the workforce development and if the Governor was introducing a bill? A. Mr. Reed stated yes, probably one big bill for workforce development to align with budget amendments. They have until next Friday to introduce new bills. Q. Steve B. inquired, in regards to behavioral health; will issues of staffing and pay be addressed? A. Mr. Reed stated yes, the Governor made amendments to do both. Increase compensation is top priority. Mr. Reed mentioned the General Assembly is now 21/18 in the Senate and 51/47 in the House, and there are three elections today. He will send monthly updates to the Town & Gown and may come back to update the committee. Q. Robin stated, in regards to the tragic shooting in Newport News involving a 6- year-old, there has been increased talk of metal detectors in elementary schools and will this shift into the priorities? A. Mr. Reed stated yesterday, he saw a related bill regarding metal detectors, gun violence and school safety/security, and will probably see some additional funding. Chairman McKenna thanked Mr. Reed for his presentation. V. Key Updates Since the November Meeting: Committee Members gave the following key updates:  Robin McCormick (Marketing, Inc.):  Marketing has City calendars available and she brought some for the Town & Gown Committee. She asked everyone to please take some and distribute.  Novelle Dickenson (Hampton University):  Students start arriving today and classes begin on Thursday.  January 15th - Concert at Odgen Hall at 5:00pm to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. A local high school choir will be the guest choir.  January 16th – Annual march from Emancipation Oak to Ogden Hall (a.m.)  January 29th – Founder’s Day  Kellie Goral (Hampton City Schools):  School Safety - In regards to safety and security, the recent shooting in Newport News was very tragic. Last year Hampton City Schools implemented a Weapons Protection Unit in high schools and now in middle schools this year. Students entering the building go through metal detectors (similar to Busch Gardens). They have encumbered funds for the elementary schools as well, which should be in the spring. This is part of the safety and security plan. They are working out some kinks with the new technology. Last year they had a contract with the K-9 Division and lean on HPD for narcotics sweeps with the K-9s.  FLEX Program – This is an online program for K-5 and its going very well. They plan to expand to 6th grade next year. She will send information to Robin McCormick.  School Board – Tomorrow they will swear-in new school board members.  Raymond Tripp (Coliseum Central BID): The annual meeting is February 28, 2023 and Robert McNab (Chair of Department of Economics and Director of Dragas Center at ODU) will be the guest speaker. The meeting will be held at the Hampton Roads Convention Center at 8:00a.m. with a breakfast. 2  Tracy Ashley (Virginia Peninsula Community College):  Students started back yesterday.  Inauguration of the new President will be March 23-24, 2023.  Shay Claxton (Workforce Council): Continuing to enroll clients into programs, however, it is a limited enrollment number. We are hoping the enrollment number increases within the coming months.  Steven Bond (City Manager’s Office):  The City is in budget season and we are preparing for a busy season.  The City is also in the middle of the Community Plan process and he leads the Safe & Clean Work Group, which meets tonight. February 15 th is the mid-point check-in to see the group’s progress.  Steven Lynch is the Interim Director for Economic Development, as Chuck Rigney is taking a position in Virginia Beach.  Dominique DeBose (Phoebus Partnership):  Their board meeting is the 1st Monday of the month and is open to the public. The next meeting is February 6th.  They are now official members of Mobilizing Virginia Main Street Program!  In 2025, Phoebus will celebrate 125th Anniversary and they are putting together a committee to work on events. Robin mentioned the SKA Festival has been getting a lot of attention. Dominque stated the event will be various bands, from many different places, playing at Fort Monroe in September 2023.  Eric Harrell (Bryant & Stratton):  Classes start tomorrow, but they are enrolling through January 20th.  Bryant & Stratton is now V-3 Certified (Virginia Values Veterans)!  Change of address -- they are now in one building, at 5030 Kilgore Avenue, located above Barnes and Noble.  Congrats to Carolene Goodwyn-Harris, as the new Marketing Director of Business Development!  Financial Aid Workshops on February 16th (6:00-8:00pm) with federal aid experts – includes helping military families with information and resources.  Mary Fugere (Conventions & Visitor Bureau):  The Visitors Guide is now going to print and the cover features the Fort Monroe Visitors & Education Center.  Harbour Tours – The Hampton Queen expected to arrive in February and tours will start in April.  Attended the Hammerheads game this past weekend. They have two future games; February 3rd and February 10th. A very fun time, similar to ice hockey.  Virginia Duals will be at the Hampton Coliseum this weekend.  Home Show will be at the Hampton Roads Convention Center.  CVB positions open:  Group Sales Manager  Sports Services Technician  Shuttle Driver (Skuttle Bus)  Black History Month – Offering tickets to attend historical attractions in Hampton. If interested, can go to the Hampton website for more information.  ‘Learn to Swim’ program at the Aquaplex began this week – First group of 2nd graders.  Hampton University Intern is working with CVB media team. 3   In the process of working on VA250 Committee to celebrate the birthday of the nation. Also, on February 16th will be a Sail 250 America (Opsail) event.  Hospitality Huddle – January 17th at 8:30 and tour at VTAREC.  Mayor Tuck (Hampton City Council):  Wished everyone a Happy New Year!  The Swearing-In Ceremony for the new City Council members will be tomorrow at 1:00pm, followed by the afternoon work session.  Attending an event hosted by the French Embassy on January 19th in Washington DC, with a Mayor’s panel discussion regarding transportation and workforce development. On 21st there will be another discussion regarding environmental impact funds for resilience programs.  Bob McKenna (Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce):  January 24 – Meet the Mayor of Newport News (information will be on the website)  January 25 – Spotlight on the Peninsula at Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute from 5:00-7:00pm  February 9 – Impact Peninsula from 5:00-7:00pm. Attorney General Jason Miyares will be the guest speaker  March 11 – First Citizens Gala, a semi-formal event with dinner, music and a First Citizens Award. Charlie and Maryann Banks were last year’s recipients. Nominations are still open for this year. Novelle Dickenson inquired about Hampton’s Sister Cities program and if colleges could be connected to let students know about the program and ways they can be involved. Mayor Tuck responded yes. VI. Next Meeting: February 14, 2023 VII. Adjourn: Chairman McKenna thanked everyone for coming. There being no further business, the Chair adjourned the meeting. 4