Posted on April 18, 2022

Downtown Norfolk Civic League

I. Lelia Vann, DNCL President, called the meeting to order at 6 pm. The recording of this meeting is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SjHzaVcYmvc 

II. A motion to approve the minutes from last month’s meeting was made and seconded. The minutes were approved without change.

III. Financial/Membership Report-- As of April 18, 2022, the DNCL had a balance of $1,125.20, 79 individual members, and 27 business members.

IV. Crime Report – Alan Driskell, CRO, Norfolk Police Dept. Officer Driskell indicated that the recent shootings on Granby Street and MacArthur Center are still under investigation. NPD is gearing up for NATO Fest next weekend. Lelia stressed that the DNCL members strongly support increases to the NPD pay structure and will be relaying that support to City Council. John Miller noted that an unauthorized “after party” took place on College Place with people drinking alcohol and smashing bottles. Drug use was evident as well. John called the Non-Emergency Number (757-441-5610) and reported the activity but failed to document with video, audio, or other details, such as license plate numbers. He reminded DNCL members to document as much as possible when reporting illegal/offensive activity.

V. Downtown Norfolk Council – Mary Miller/DNC President and CEO.

A. DNC Ops Report—Audrey Fussell/DNC Ops Manager. Audrey noted that FRED is back in service. The cleaning crew has been power washing the dog park and removing graffiti. Over the coming month they will be focusing on weeding and getting the landscape in order.

B. Norfolk Bike Month – Rachel McCall/DNC Strategic Initiatives Director. The 11thannual celebration of bike month is planned for May. The signature events during the month will be the Bike Expo on May 3, Bike to Work Day on May 20, and the Glow Ride on May 20.

VI. Guest Speaker – Raymond Stoner/Director of Parking was the scheduled speaker but is not available tonight. He will speak at a later meeting, likely June 2022. He provided a brief response to some parking questions/issues: 1) about 50% of the parking garage cameras ARE functional. 2) all the cameras will be functional by the end of the calendar year (rather than the end of the fiscal year in June as previously reported.) Councilwoman Courtney Doyle will clarify those dates as all 8 Councilmembers are supportive of getting the cameras functional as soon as possible.

VII. City Planning Commission Projects/Architecture Review Board – John Miller, DNCL Past VP

A. CUP: Temporary casino. John Thompson with Golden Eagle Consulting indicated that the CUP for the temporary casino is being postponed until May 2022 with the CUP for the permanent casino going to City Council in April. John addressed questions the members have asked, and a brief presentation of the permanent facility was provided. Casino representatives addressed questions/issues raised by DNCL members.

B. CUP: Brothers Restaurant presented a video in support of a CUP for a change in management.

C. ARB: Public Art sculpture in Flat Iron Park (corner of Granby and W. Charlotte Streets.) The sculpture will honor Norfolk’s role in desegregation of public schools in Virginia. Karen Rudd presented drawings for the project.

D. ARB: Signage for ReStore Dental of Hampton Roads located at 223 City Hall Ave.

VIII. Old/ New Business

A. The Downtown Community Garden will have a community workday, Saturday, April 23.

IX. Special Announcement—Court Appointed Special Advocate Promotion—Marissa Adams/Outreach Assistant for Norfolk CASA. CASA is a volunteer-based organization that advocates for children who are in foster care due to abuse and neglect. Marissa provided information about CASA.

X. Announcements

A. Downtown Norfolk Community Garden: Build-out on April 23, 8 AM- Noon

B. Downtown Norfolk Community Garden: Grand Opening/Ribbon-cutting on April 30, 9 AM.

C. Volunteers Needed: VA International Tattoo & NATO Festival—Katie Fenimore/Virginia Arts Festival.

D. The next DNCL meeting will be May 16 with John Stevenson/Acting Transit Director as the guest speaker.

E. Next DNCL Monthly Social - Tuesday, May 17 beginning at 5 pm at Grace O’Malley’s

XI. Adjourn – The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 pm.