Town and Gown Committee

TOWN AND GOWN COMMITTEE MEETING 12:00pm TUESDAY – FEBRUARY 14, 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: Tracy Ashley, Steven Bond, Shay Claxton, Dominque DeBose, Beth Dickens, Mary Fugere, Andrew Green, Kellie Goral, Anzel Harrell, Robin McCormick, Bob McKenna, Bill Thomas, Raymond Tripp, Donnie Tuck, Carolene Goodwyn-Harris Guests: Angela Haywood (Bryant & Stratton), Joseph Walters (HU Athletics) Staff Present: Anne Ligon, Annette Oakley, Rebecca Spurrier III. Approve January 10, 2023 Meeting Minutes Chairman McKenna stated the draft minutes from the January 10, 2023 meeting were distributed for review, and if there were no changes, called for a motion to approve. Kellie Goral had a change to the January draft minutes, in regards to the FLEX Program expanding to 6th through 8th grade next year; they are actually planning to expand to the 6th grade next year. ACTION: Raymond Tripp made the motion to accept the minutes, with the change noted by Kellie Goral. Steven Bond seconded the motion. All in favor, minutes were approved. Chairman McKenna mentioned we do not have a speaker for today, but have speakers scheduled for the upcoming March, April and May meetings. IV. Key Updates Since the January Meeting: Committee Members gave the following key updates:  Robin McCormick (Marketing, Inc.):  The City has several community input opportunities coming up:  January 15 - Community Plan Checkpoint  January 28 - Mayor’s Town Hall  Upcoming Budget Input Sessions  She encouraged all to sign up for eNews for happenings around the city.  Kellie Goral (Hampton City Schools):  March 24 - HCS will hold their first gala, which will be a Time-travel Mystery Gala from 6:00-9:00pm at the VASSC. There will be a band, ‘Good Shot Judy’, Mistress of Ceremonies Katie Collett (WAVY TV-10), food, cash bar, etc. Informational fliers were provided for everyone.  Superintendent Jeffery Smith is retiring on June 30th and they are doing a search for a new Superintendent. The School Board has hired VSBA to conduct the search. She mentioned a survey is available on their website until February 20th. 1  There are also two public hearings for community input; February 16th at 6:30pm at The Fox Hill Neighborhood Center, and February 18th at 11:00am at Mary Jackson Neighborhood Center.  Tracy Ashley (Virginia Peninsula Community College):  March 24 - Inauguration ceremony for the new President at 2:00p.m., at Liberty Live.  March 25 - Inauguration gala at the Marriott in Newport News at 5:30p.m., to include dinner, dancing and celebrating. More information is on the website.  Steven Bond (City Manager’s Office):  February 15 & 16 - He is participating with Hampton City Schools on their Reality Store at Hampton High School.  February 15 - The Community Plan Check-In at 6:00 p.m. at the Mary Jackson Neighborhood Center, which will be a review of the seven strategic priorities.  The budget process continues and City Council has their first budget prioritization meeting on March 8, 2023.  Raymond Tripp (Coliseum Central BID):  February 25 – Professional Bull Riders at the Hampton Coliseum.  February 28 - The annual meeting at 8:00a.m. at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. Robert McNab will be the guest speaker. Today is the deadline to sign up.  Mary Fugere (Conventions & Visitor Bureau):  Several upcoming events:  February 16-18 - VHSL 2023 Swim Championship (Aquaplex)  February 18 - The Jae Sinnett Quartet (The American Theatre)  February 18 - Volleyball Co-Championship (HRCC)  February 23-26 - Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival (HRCC)  February 25 - Professional Bull Riders (Hampton Coliseum)  March 3-5 - USA Artistic Swimming (Aquaplex)  Anzel Harrell (Hampton University):  April 25 - President Williams’ inauguration -- invitations will go out in March.  The President would like to hold a Community Service Day at various schools and in the community.  Two upcoming basketball games this Saturday and Sunday. Bill Thomas stated he is excited about the new leadership and engaging with the community, and feels we can work together even better. HU has a Homecoming soon, and hopes to have a great event and wants us to be as welcoming as possible. He mentioned he attended a meeting recently with the Governor and Secretary of Education; part of the discussion was we are only retaining about 30%-40% of high school graduates. He stated we need to project the right kind of images --together-- to promote ourselves and he encouraged all to co-equally support each other and try to keep the kids here.  Carolene Goodwyn-Harris (Bryant & Stratton):  February 16 - Financial Aide Information Summit, which is open to the public. She encouraged everyone to pass on the information to those who may be interested. Angela Haywood reported on March 23, they will be celebrating Women’s History Month and will host three local professional women who will participate in a panel to discuss their careers and successes. The event will take place at 5:30pm, at the Bryant & Stratton campus in Hampton. 2   Dominique DeBose (Phoebus Partnership):  She talked with Joseph Walters (HU Athletic Director) regarding partnerships with businesses and athletics to have events, such as game night. She suggested a workshop and discussion on what we want to do and how to support each other. Committee members agreed that this was a good idea. Chairman McKenna stated he would talk with Dominque further. Mary Fugere mentioned in the past, the committee rotated meetings; some at HU, some at other locations, etc.  Bob McKenna (Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce):  March 11 – First Citizens Gala – tickets are going fast.  Speakers for upcoming Town & Gown Committee meetings:  March 14 – Charles English (VASSC)  April 11 – Michael Schwarz (AREC)  May 9 – Darrell Williams (HU) Bill Thomas mentioned years ago that there was a Christmas tree at I-64, which was a delightful welcoming statement. He suggested working together to put up a ’Welcome to City of Hampton’ sign which could also include, for example, ‘The home of Virginia Air and Space Center’, or ‘The home of Hampton University’– giving a good feeling to visitors, as did the Christmas tree. V. Next Meeting: March 14, 2023 VI. Adjourn: Chairman McKenna thanked everyone for coming. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. 3