HomeMy WebLinkAboutYouth Advisory Board - Minutes - 09/03/2003YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
Regular meeting — September 3, 2003
7:00 p.m.
Council Liaison: Ray Martinez Staff Liaisons: Peggy Bowers,
221-6853
Board Members Present: Ashley Stephenson, Abby Zier, Amy Flug, Jonathan Fanning,
Ryann Peats, Adrienne Pickett, Erin Rooney, Brendon Votipka
Board Member(s) Absent: None
Staff Members Present: Mark Larkin, Staff Liaison — Police Department
Janet Bielmaier, Supervisor — Recreation Division
Kristie Blackmon, Coordinator — Recreation Division
Debra Bueno, Supervisor — Recreation Division
Frank Martinez, Coordinator — Recreation Division
Janet Urban, Admin. Support Suprv. — Recreation Division
Guest(s) Present: None
Call Meetine to Order:
Meeting called to order by Abby Zier at 7:05 p.m.
Approval of Minutes from May 7, 2003
A quorum of Board members was not available to approve the minutes of May 7, 2003.
Aeenda Review:
No changes.
Citizen Participation:
No citizen participation.
Aeenda:
The meeting opened with introductions of all the Board members (four of which are new),
Recreation staff members and Board liaisons.
YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD OVERVIEW
Janet Urban gave a verbal overview of the Youth Advisory Board, their role and their
responsibilities. A written summary will be mailed with the minutes from this meeting.
PRESENTATION BY MAYOR RAY MARTINEZ
Mayor Martinez gave a presentation on "Shane's Inspiration", a universally accessible
playground for children of all abilities. A board has been put together locally and chaired by
Brownie McGraw to move forward on presenting this concept to the community and raising
funds for playgrounds of this type. At this time, Colorado has no universally accessible
Youth Advisory Board Minutes
September 3, 2003
Page 2
playgrounds such as the one developed in California, and the Mayor is hoping Fort Collins will
be the first city to do so.
The Mayor would like at least one YAB member to be on the planning committee and/or for the
Board to draft a letter of support. The next committee meeting is September 17 at 7:00 a.m. at
Brownie McGraw's home. The Mayor is also hopeful that the new Northside Aztlan
Community Center will include an accessible playground.
Amy, Abby, Ashley and Brendon expressed an interest in serving on the playground committee.
Janet Urban will draft a letter in support of the playground concept and bring it to the next
meeting.
2003 YOUTH SUMMIT RETREAT
Kristie Blackmon presented information on a Youth Summit Retreat which is for youth advisory
boards, councils and commissions. The retreat will be held October 11 and 12 in Estes Park, and
Kristie has offered to chaperone. Four Board members indicated an interest in attending —
Ashley Stephenson, Adrienne Pickett, Brendon Votipka and Ryann Peats. Kristie will take care
of registration and transportation.
YOUTH ACTIVITY CENTER UPDATE/FUND-RAISING
YAC staff distributed the August participation report and the September calendar. Drop -in after
school attendance has been good with a steady flow of the same new members coming in. Staff
gave Board members 1-free-climb passes (valued at $5) to share with their friends.
The current total in the gymnasium fund is $538,660. Three grant requests are pending. A fund-
raising golf tournament will be held on September 22. Barney Apodaca has raised almost $5,000
by soliciting in the downtown area. The Youth Team of the fund-raising group is looking for
people to join their effort.
NORTHSIDE AZLTAN COMMUNITY CENTER UPDATE
The popular tutoring program begins on September 8 with separate times for junior high and
elementary students. The goal of the junior high tutoring program is to keep kids eligible for
their sports. Tutoring volunteers are needed Monday through Thursday from 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Staff would like to have 20-25 kids in the drop -in program.
A hip hop dance class starts next week. The summer youth basketball program was very
successful with 136 teams, estimated at 1,300-1,400 participants. It was estimated that about
1,200 people from all socio-economic levels were in the NACC gym each night of the end -of -
the -season tournament.
A new program that was implemented this past summer, FLY (Fun Literacy for Youth) will
continue and has become a priority. Staff has distributed school supplies that were donated
throughout the year to about 100 kids.
Youth Advisory Board Minutes
• September 3, 2003
Page 3
OTHER BUSINESS
• Election of chairperson and vice -chairperson will take place at the regular Board meeting in
November.
Mark Larkin, the Police Department's liaison to the Youth Advisory Board, has been
replaced by John VanderVliet.
Adjournment:
On a motion by Amy and seconded by Adrienne, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at
7:55 p.m.
l�spectfully mttted,
Janet Urban, Administrative Support Supervisor — Recreation