Posted on February 28, 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/Txm5COutiD8

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

III. Yvette Baker, DNCL Treasurer, provided the Financial & Membership Report. As of February 23, 2022, the DNCL had a balance of $1,032.70, 70 individual members, and 14 business members.

IV. Crime Report – Alan Driskell, CRO, Norfolk Police Dept. Officer Driskell reported on January and February crime statistics. In January there was an aggravated assault in the 700 block of Granby. A suspect has been arrested. Car larcenies were high in January with a large number coming from the Wyndham Hotel parking lot. Regarding the shooting that took place in the 200 block of Granby Street, no information is available at this time because the shooting is still under investigation.

V. Downtown Norfolk Council Report – Mary Miller, DNC President and CEO. FRED returns to service on March 1. Mary noted that dog waste has increased and asked residents to remind their neighbors to pick up after their pets. Also, the DNC is working with Waste Managements to get a handle on the trash issues in the alleys. Audrey Fussell, DNC Operations Manager, reviewed the January DNC Operations Report.

VI. Guest Speakers – Business Compliance Unit (BCU): Katherine Taylor/Assistant City Attorney, Michael Goldsmith and Patrick Roberts, Deputy City Managers. One of Kat’s duties in the City Attorney’s Office is code enforcement. Kat’s predecessor oversaw the Bar Task Force which has evolved into a Business Action Team. That concept is being expanded to form the Business Compliance Unit. Currently, the BCU is conceptual with positions being filled for fiscal year 2023 (which begins in July 2022.) The BCU is expected to work with new businesses seeking a conditional use permit as well as regulating marijuana sales, short term rentals, and illegal gambling. With respect to CUP compliance, the BCU is expected to use data to drive its actions. For issues with parking, trash, e-scooters, loading zones, noise, etc. residents should continue to direct their concerns to Norfolk Cares. After some discussion Councilwoman Courtney Doyle indicated that she has intense focus on the BCU and will be asking the City Manager to begin the hiring process for the vacant positions.

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

A. ARB: Sign encroachment at 130 York Street for Chesapeake Bay ENT. Dr. Scott Safford, owner and Robyn Thomas, architect, spoke about the plans for this building. No objections to the encroachment were noted.

VIII. Old/ New Business

A. Membership Committee Update—Ryan Orange. The Membership Committee is designed to increase membership in the DNCL, and Ryan will be presenting more information about the committee at a future meeting.

B. Community Garden Update—John Miller. Residents who are interested in having a plot at the community garden or assisting in some other way will soon have a way to do this online. The registration link can be found at: https://forms.gle/5tBeQhtjX4k1tzYZ8

C. Outdoor Seating Survey—John Miller. Results of the survey were displayed. In general, the respondents believe that the streateries should be permanent and that the DNCL should support those efforts.

IX. Announcements

A. Mary Miller noted some volunteer opportunities: March 19 will be downtown planting day and April 9 will be the NEON District clean up day.

X. Adjourn – The meeting was adjourned at 7:09 pm.