March 20, 2023

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/Aw8XRa3lYiI

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 March 20, 2023, the DNCL had a balance of $1,451.88, 86 residential members, and 20 business members.

IV. Crime Report – Alan Driskell, CRO, Norfolk Police Dept. Officer Driskell reported that the crime statistics are trending downward as compared to this time in 2022. Lelia thanked Officer Driskell and the NPD for their efforts to make downtown and the parking garages safer.

V. Downtown Norfolk Council Report – Rachel McCall reported for the DNC. Rachel thanked the volunteers who participated during the recent Spring planting/work day. Rachel noted that FRED has returned to service and the DNC is getting ready for Spring and for Bike Month in May. From the Operations report, DNC is providing their usual services with a large portion going to business postings near Main Street, Fountain Park, and the Governor’s School for the Arts.

VI. Guest Speakers – Marla Robinson, Supervisor of the Homeless Outreach Team, and Carolsue McGehee, who supervises Housing and Homeless Services from the Community Services Board responded to questions submitted prior to the meeting. The Homeless Outreach Team (currently 4 individuals with plans to expand to 6) drives around Norfolk meeting with those who are experiencing homelessness, responds to calls from concerned citizens, and try to link those who are homeless with community services that might be of benefit to them. There are several hundred individuals who are currently experiencing homelessness in the city.

A. Q1—Do city agencies proactively patrol Downtown for homeless people? A1—Yes, the Homeless Outreach Team does proactively patrol the city. They even get a report from DNC’s Ambassadors every evening noting any encounters during that day with homeless people. Q2—What should be done if someone is aggressive, using abusive language, and/or appears unhinged? Although the Homeless Outreach Team responds to calls and concerns regarding the unhoused, they do not have any enforcement authority. A person who feels threatened by a homeless individual should call 911 or contact the police. Q3—Are there any efforts to educate restaurants about giving food to homeless people? A3—Because Downtown is a public place anyone can be here at any time. Additionally, if restaurant owners are feeling uncomfortable with a homeless person, the restaurant needs to make the calls to the Outreach Team. Q4—Signs have been put at some intersections in the city instructing motorists not to give panhandlers money. Any thoughts about doing the same thing downtown? A4—The signs were installed by the city without input from the Outreach Team. There are no plans to do the same in Downtown by the Outreach Team. Carolsue noted that a distinction between panhandling and homelessness should be made. Most people who panhandle are not homeless. Q5—What can residents and/or businesses do to help discourage panhandling and homelessness Downtown? A5—Panhandling is not illegal in the city. It becomes illegal if it causes a disturbance at an intersection, for example. In terms of discouraging homelessness Downtown, it is important to note that Downtown is a public space, and anyone has a right to be there. However, if there is a disturbance or abusive behavior, the Outreach Team can be reached at 757-756-5600 and they will respond. The police can also be called if someone feels threatened. The best way to discourage homelessness is to create affordable housing. Q6—Some feel bad walking away from those who look hungry yet someone from the CSB advised us to stop buying meals for the hungry. Why should we not help the hungry this way? A6—No one should feel bad when they help someone in need but if a panhandler is successful in a certain area, that behavior will continue in that area. Residents are advised to use their discretion. There are resources available throughout the city for those who are unhoused and/or hungry. Q7—The group of homeless individuals near the MacArthur Square light rail station are making that area unpleasant. Some also are aggressive to those just walking by. A7—The police should be called anytime there is aggressive or threatening behavior. In terms of moving this group of individuals, the Outreach Team always tries to move people to shelters and/or affordable housing and not simply away from one spot to a different spot. The Homeless Outreach Team is willing to work with business owners to help develop solutions. Regarding MacArthur Square specifically, the city is taking steps to address the issues there. Q8—What amount is considered affordable for housing in Norfolk? A8—The federal government gives a subsidy of $1,015 which covers rent as well as utilities so if rent is more than $875 the subsidy will not cover the entire need. Q9—What can be done about a particularly aggressive homeless person? A9—Call the police if you need immediate support. You can also call the Housing Crisis Hotline at 757-587-4202 and give as much identifying information about the individual as possible so that the Outreach Team can try to find that person and understand what is going on. It is also possible that the person is not homeless. Q10—Do you need volunteers? A10—if you would like to volunteer call the main CSB number at 757-756-5600 and follow the prompts to the Housing office. Q11—Are there any projects like the Church Street Station Studios being planned? A11—Church Street Station is one of seven SROs in the region (single room occupancy buildings) with the oldest of them (Gosnold Apartments) currently being renovated and expanded but there are not enough of those to meet demand.

VII. City Planning Commission Projects/Architecture Review Board – Preston Carraway, DNCL VP

A. CUP: High Cup Coffee Shop located at 117 E. Princess Anne Road presented by Joseph Nietes-Lee, the owner.

B. Other projects: Plans for the AA Adams Building located at 271 Granby Street presented by Kara Alexander, the business owner.

VIII. Announcements

A. DNCL April Zoom meeting – Monday, April 17 at 6 pm.

B. DNCL April Social: Brother’s starting at 5pm TBD.

IX. Adjourn – The meeting was adjourned at 7:03 pm.