Meeting Minutes - February 12, 2025

Social/Cash Bar (6:30pm)

Call to Order (7:00pm

*Welcome remarks from President.

• The Civic League purchased a new PA system to be used at meetings to improve the experience for attendees. This system may also be used to provide music at future events.

*Rosemary Wilson speaks.

• City Manager will present the next budget in March.

• Mrs. Wilson stated that she was glad we were able to get the Winston Salem project approved now that the CIP budget is getting cut.

• Tough decisions are going to have to be made – scope projects or delay.

• Public safety is underpaid based on marketplace research.

• Crime report shows decrease year over year. 

Old Business:

 1. Approve meeting minutes from September 25, 2024.

• Motion to approve and seconded. Motion passes 

New Business:

1. Membership Update

• 315 members at end of last year, 260 as of today.

• All cash/check payments from last year expired at the end of 2024.

• Sign up online for automatic annual renewal or pay cash/check now to renew.

• The goal is to increase membership to 350 in 2025.

2. Treasurer's Report

• Currently $16,650 in Civic League account. 

• 2024 capital improvement projects include a tent, new signs specific to our annual events (Shadowfest, Tour de Shadowlawn, Spring Fling, et.), PA system with microphone for meetings was already purchased for $356 from Amazon. 

• Looking to spend about $1000 in capital improvements per year. 

3. Crime Report

• In VB, crime is down 8%, murder down 50%, gun crime down 48%. 

• Shadowlawn numbers are in line with the city: 124 crimes in neighborhood in 2023, 99 in 2024, 22 crimes were on Norfolk Ave in the 900-1000 block, 700-900 block of Virginia Ave had 19 crimes, only 2 weapons crimes, whereas last year there were 8-9. 

• Member Question: is it possible to install a police camera at the park on Virginia Ave?

  • Worth taking a look at, we will contact the city.

  • They are also looking at building an additional 23 condos on Virginia Ave. 

  • New program allows anyone to connect in their home camera to the police system. Civic league will get add’l details and share info via email/social media.

4. Update on Winston Salem Ave.

• Denis Ozowara, Department of Public Works, managing Winston Salem project:

  • Currently 7 months into the project, working on phase 1 (Baltic to Mediterranean) which is installing underground wire, storm drains, sewer/water, and landscaping. Once completed, we will start to rebuild the road and sidewalks. Expect it to get tighter over the next couple of weeks. Then Dominion, Cox, Verizon can come in and complete their portion of the project. The goal is to get this area usable by end of April or early May.

  • Other details: Utilities are all duct banks w/ manholes. Underground work stops at the intersection of Winston Salem and Mediterranean. Rudees will remain above ground. 

  • Baltic to Arctic is the second phase so excavation will begin there next. If you live between Baltic to Arctic you should have received a Right of Entry form. If you live between Arctic and Pacific you will be receiving one soon. This is important to make sure whatever is on your property that the city needs to take during construction gets restored. 

  • Overall, the project is on schedule and on budget.

  • The whole project should be complete June/July of 2026.

  • Sign up for email updates if you don’t already get them. https://communications.virginiabeach.gov/hot-topics/building-our-vb-future/winston-salem 

• Blake Roberson, President:

  • Please support your local business while this construction is going on. Not only are they local businesses, many of the owners/managers live in Shadowlawn.

  • Zoning signs are posted west of Big Sams. There are two residential houses w/ commercial docks behind the houses, which is not allowed per city code. Rezoning was to ensure the docks could be replaced/maintained but the houses will remain as is.

5. Update since Last Meeting

• Shadowfest

  • Over 300 attendees. 

  • For 2025, will need to register the event with the city, at a cost of $75.

  • The budget for 2024 was $1500. We would like to increase that to $3000 to include hiring a band, better stage, etc.

  • The Parade through the neighborhood is geared toward families; however, please feel free to come for the parade even if you don’t have children. 

  • Member Question: thanked Cheryl McLeskey for allowing us to use the space and asked if we can use that space moving forward? 

    • We are building good relationship with the McLeskeys and hope to use it again in 2025.

• Shadowlawn Shinedown Winners - thank you to Rockafellers for providing the awards.

  • Traditional – Viau family on Terrace Ave 

  • Animated – Christy Scott on Maryland Ave 

  • Griswold – no one entered 

6. Bylaws amendment vote

• Committee was comprised of 2 members and 1 board member.

  • Committee determined this should be done in smaller bites instead of a full blown overhaul 

  • The changes were emailed out 2 weeks prior to our original January meeting

• Article I. Name

  • Current: The name of this Shadowlawn Civic League Incorporated 

  • Proposed Change: Shadowlawn Heights Civic League Incorporated dba Shadowlawn Civic League 

    • Member Question: To clarify, we are not changing the name of the neighborhood, just keeping the historical name of the Civic League in the by-laws 

      • That’s correct. This is just to clarify the legal name of the civic league in the bylaws 

  • Motion for membership to approve the nomenclature for our organization to be the Shadowlawn Heights Civic League  

    • Passes unanimously

• Article V. Officers

  • Current: Section 3: Election and term of officers shall be elected for a term of 1 year or until their successors are elected. Officers shall not hold the same office for more than 2 years in succession. Officers shall assume their responsibilities at the beginning of the administrative year. 

  • Proposed: Officers shall not hold their office for more than 6 years in succession. Assume responsibilities at the beginning of the administrative year. 

    • Discussion: 

      • Member Question: This is a volunteer organization, and it is hard to get folks to volunteer. I agree with longer terms. 

      • Member Question: Why cap it at 6 years? 

        • Blake: Comparing ours to other civic league by-laws, we had the most stringent. Most other civic leagues had 6-year terms. Next step in by-law changes is to ensure there is a way to fire officers. 

      • Member: Why have term limits at all if you can leave at will and the league could fire at will? 

      • Member: We can vote on this tonight, to allow current officers to keep their roles (at 2 years now), and then we can revisit this again. 

  • Motion to approve the changes proposed in email 

    • Unanimous approval 

7. Board Nominations

• Blake moves to provide a slate of officers for this 2-year term 

  • Blake Roberson President

  • Meghan Roberson for Vice President 

  • Jeff Stevens for Treasurer 

  • Morgan Burnett for Secretary 

• Motion to approve the slate of officers

  • Seconded

  • Unanimous approval 

8. Community Reminders/Updates

• 2025 schedule: 

  • April 10th – Movie night during Spring Break (weather-dependent)

  • April 23rd – Next meeting/social

  • April 27 - May 5 – Light the Night Red for fallen firefighters

  • May 3 - Shadowlawn Yard Sale

  • May 14th – Spring Fling

  • June 5th – Shadowlawn Booze Cruise – will increase to 145 attendees. Rain date will be set for the fall before tickets go on sale. No refunds. 

  • June 10th – End of Year Ice Cream Social

  • June 18th – Surf Club Starts (pizza night) – will have a logo and t-shirts for the kids

  • Aug 5th – National Night Out

  • Sept 20th – Tour de Shadowlawn

  • Oct 25th – Shadowfest

• MemberQuestion: Which events that are members-only and included in membership fees?

  • Spring Fling and Shadowfest, members-only and free.

  • Booze Cruize is a members-only event but has an additional charge.

• Look for more information on sponsorships if any local business would like to sponsor events.

• Question: Are there recordings of the meetings Monday and Tuesday for Rudee Loop?

  1. No, the meetings were very informal. There were 3 concepts shown and there will be a 4th. The city is looking to get feedback on the 3. They want you to vote and give feedback on the 3 proposed. The 4th proposal will incorporate the feedback from the first 3. 

• Preorders are available for shirts with original Shadowlawn logo.

Adjourn/Social (7:59pm)

We’d like to give a HUGE THANK YOU to BJ and Rockafeller’s for hosting us this evening. 

**Please take care of your bartenders and tip generously!