Category: Administration

Shantese Putnam, along with her sister, attended the Winter Wine Celebration on Saturday at the Convention Center. Check it out.

 

CLICK HERE to check out VBTV’s story regarding last month’s State of Tourism Luncheon.

Town Center is featuring four new holiday activities this year! Many of the activities are free and open to the public.

Festival of Trees and Window Display Competition

Get into the spirit of the Season with our first annual Festival of Trees and Holiday Window Display Competition. Town Center of Virginia Beach will shine brightly with the twinkling lights of trees and exquisite window displays masterfully decorated by the businesses in Town Center. Traverse Town Center by foot, enjoy the spectacular displays and make your way back to “Santa’s Cottage” to cast your vote for your favorite tree or window display. The business that receives the most votes will be given a $500.00 check to donate to the charity of their choice! These businesses welcome you inside their stores to get a closer look and take pictures with their festive displays. Cast your vote every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from November 25^th – December 18^th at Santa’s Cottage – 188 Central Park Avenue.

 

Santa’s Cottage

Get into the spirit of the season at Santa’s Cottage in Town Center! Join us at 188 Central Park Avenue every weekend from November 25 – December 18 for free, family fun activities for the entire family! At Santa’s Cottage, children will be able to make a complimentary ornament and write their “Letter to Santa” in a cozy setting. Children can drop their letter in an ornate mailbox that will make it’s way to the North Pole. Portraits with Santa will also be available on December 9-10 and 16-17 by Ramone Photography Studio starting at $25. No appointment is necessary. Pet friendly. Family pictures are available by appointment. Call (757) 498.7366 to schedule. 

 

Holiday Wreath Decorating Class: December 3 – 5

 

Portraits with Santa: December 9-10, 17-18

 

 

Thank you to all those who contributed! A full box of candy was donated!

Director Brad Van Dommelen presented  his first State of Tourism in Virginia Beach address this past Wednesday to more than 215 city, industry and community leaders.

CLICK HERE to see the presentation.
CLICK HERE to watch a video of the luncheon in its entirety.

Today’s CVB Chili Cook-Off at the VBCC was a delicious affair. Thanks to all the Chili Gourmands who made their way over. And thank you, especially, to the chili chefs!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the inaugural Ordinary Awards in Richmond this week, late CVB Director Jim Ricketts was granted a posthumous lifetime achievement award for 42 years of service to Virginia’s travel and tourism industry. A program developed by the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association (VRLTA), these awards highlight the best of the best in the hospitality industry across the state. The Golden Pineapple Lifetime Achievement Award is VRLTA’s highest honor and is given to an individual who has consistently shown exemplary service to the VRLTA and the industry. Jim’s longtime friend and colleague Rita McClenny, President/CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation, presented the award following her remarks heralding Jim as a giant and champion for the hospitality industry. A moving video highlighting Jim’s career rounded out Rita’s tribute. Two longtime members of Jim’s CVB team, Brande Rumpf and Ron Kuhlman, accepted the award on behalf of Jim’s family who were unable to attend. Another fitting tribute to Jim during the ceremony was the renaming of one of the top awards in his honor: the DMO/CVB Employee of the Year Award will now be known as the Jim Ricketts Award for DMO/CVB Employee of the Year. A full list of the winners will be soon be posted on VRLTA’s website: www.vrlta.org

September 28^th, 2016

City Manager Dave Hansen opened the meeting with his usual enthusiasm and passion for the City of Virginia Beach

• Thanks to Public Works, Public Utilities and Parks and Landscape Services for their response to Tropical Storm Hermine and the 13” rain event that followed.
• Announced new Deputy City Manager Ron Williams who will start November 7^th.  Member Update announcement of Ron Coincidently, our own Bryan Miller received his MBA from Regent the same time as Ron.
• Performance Report with City Council – Dave spent a considerable amount to time discussing all of City Council’s projects. A number of important areas were brought up by Council that didn’t fall under one of their specific goals and Dave has dedicated a special office to achieving these for the organization. The new office,  STIR  will be led by former Management Services Director Catheryn Whitesell. Office will be located on Northlanding Road across from Building 1.
  • Strategy Formulation – hang up operations periodically to think strategically
  • Transparency – Open Data project sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropy
  • Innovation – Open a process to encourage innovative thinking
  • Resilience – stepping beyond disaster or emergency planning. Getting back on our feet.
  • Organizational Development
• Former Deputy Director of Management Services, David Bradley, has replaced Catheryn as Director.

 

Mid-Year Council Review for 2016 – Be a cheerleader for your organization by recognizing staff achievements

• Veterans Care Center
• City Manager transition
• Employee Salary adjustments
• Balanced Budget
• Arena
• Lesner Bridge
• SPSA resolution
• City View Project (mixed use development at Burton Station
• EMS reorganization
• High level of citizen satisfaction with City services
• Council pleased with services City is providing to citizens
• Major road projects
• Entrepreneurial and Business Academy in City’s Public Schools
• City facilities funded and moving forward
• ViBE street improvements
• Kempsville Recreation Center
• Bond re-financing – lowest rate in history of the City of Virginia Beach
• Old Capt. George’s Pungo Ferry Road Park
• Top Golf
• Formation of Lynnhaven Business Association (Hilltop through Lynnhaven Parkway) – Area between Oceanfront and Town Center

 

Major Council Discussions

• Development Services Center
• Event homes and short term rentals such as Air B&B
• Light Rail
• Gap financing
• FOIA requests
• African American Cultural Center
• City Hall – Goals & Outcomes
• Storm water management and flooding
• Small Business Development
• Police Retention, recruitment, workforce development
• Affordable workforce housing
• Veterans services
• Broadband development
• All day kindergarten
• College of Health Sciences (Virginia Beach Campus at ODU)
• Filed house in the resort area
• Sand replenishment (Croatan as an example)
• Lynnhaven Corridor
• Croatan Beach Study
• ITA update study
• Monthly water bill option
• Relocation of Admiral De Grasse statue from Ft. Story

 

Dave also provided a long list of expected outcomes by the January 2017 Council Retreat. Many were related to the items stated above.

General reminders:

Encourage everyone to remind staff about taking the opportunity to help the United Way

Reminder of Open Enrollment

Member Survey coming out soon

Performance appraisal due dates

 

Presentations

National Flood Insurance Program – In short, the City provides considerable services to FEMA which allows for discounted flood insurance premiums to homeowners. If you own a home in a flood zone, you’re probably required to carry flood insurance. Home owners insurance does not typically include flooding.

Navigational Dredging Projects

• Beach replenishment through hydraulic dredging
• Navigational mechanical dredging in neighborhoods
  • Paid for by homeowners through special assessment on real estate taxes
  • Maintains high values for waterfront neighborhoods

Other announcements

• Flu Season is coming – Get a free flu shot at Birdneck Elementary October 15^th 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Elections November 8^th. Expect lines. Long ballot
• Hurricane is brewing in the ocean, we’re not out of the woods yet
• New budget analyst Ernie Austin was introduced (he’s CVB’s new analyst too)
• EMS Chief Ed Brazel introduced  new members of his staff

CVB Director, Brad Van Dommelen, presented to City Council to discuss his first six months with the City, and his hopes for our department moving forward.

Check it out: