HomeMy WebLinkAboutYouth Advisory Board - Minutes - 11/07/2001YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD ME
Regular meeting — November 7, 2001
7:00 p.m.
council Liaison: nay Martinez I Statr Liaisons: Peggy Bowers, Recreation, 221-6357
Mark Larkin, Police, 221-6853
Board Members Present: Mera Geis, Patrick McCosh, Ana Rocca, Cooper Liska-
Smith, Robbie Weisser, Kaise Allen, Amy Flog, Peter
Glaser
Board Member(s) Absent: Julian Archuleta
Staff Members Present: Peggy Bowers, Staff Liaison — Recreation Division
Suzy Danford, Supervisor — Recreation Division
Dave Mosnik, Supervisor — Recreation Division
Kristie Blackmon, Coordinator — Recreation Division
Debra Bueno, Supervisor — Recreation Division
Janet Urban, Admin. Support Suprv. — Recreation Division
Guest(s) Present: None
Call Meeting to Order: The regular meeting of the Youth Advisory Board was called
to order by Chairperson Ana Rocca at 7:07 p.m.
Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Mera Geis and seconded by Robbie Weisser, the
minutes from October 3, 2001 were unanimously approved (8-0).
Agenda Review: No changes.
Citizen Participation: No citizen participation.
Agenda:
SEPTEMBER 11 EXPRESSIONS
Linda Maher, parent and youth advocate, attended the meeting to discuss "September I 1
Expressions" with the Board. Her idea to give kids a forum to express their feelings
following the tragedies of September 11 was developed after she saw a teen write "war"
underneath the word "stop" on a sign. The plan is to have youths submit their entry
(poster, poem, essay, artwork, etc.) to the Youth Activity Center or the Recreation office
by November 16 to be displayed in public places, i.e. the library, Lincoln Center, etc.
Linda is working on getting coupons to distribute to those who submit entries, and each
entrant will also receive a certificate. The displays will be up until the end of November.
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November 7, 2001
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Youth Advisory Board members are encouraged to get their peers involved and to solicit
entries through their school announcements.
YAC FUND-RAISER
Breanna Farnsworth, Ashley Frank and Emily Levi, members of CSU Rammie Aides
outreach committee, spoke to the Board about their plan to host a 3-on-3 basketball
tournament as a fund-raiser for the Youth Activity Center. They will be talking to
student governments at the local high schools and will be invited back to a Youth
Advisory Board meeting to report on their fund-raising project.
YOUTH ACTIVITY CENTER UPDATE
Dave Mosnik reported that participation at the Youth Activity Center has been
increasing, and a lot of junior high kids are coming in after school. Staff is working with
a group of Human Development students who are hosting a high school -age dance on
November 30 or December 1. The Board thought Friday might be a better choice than
Saturday. The group is going to do fund-raising to pay for refreshments and the d.j. and
would probably charge $3 at the door. Publicity is the key component to success.
The dance that was organized by Centennial High School students on October 26 was not
well attended.
RAVES/CLUB DRUGS
Scott Gammon, Student Resource Officer at Rocky Mountain High School and formerly
with the Police Department's gang unit, presented information to the Board about party
drugs. Most local teen cases involve alcohol and marijuana, ecstasy is the next most
popular. GHB is the new date rape drug and has proven to be addictive. He reported that
the rave scene has sort of disappeared, but the use of party drugs is lingering.
NORTHSIDE AZTLAN COMMUNITY CENTER
Twelve kids were accepted for the project that Educo is starting on November 8. The
wrestling program is going very well. There is a need for volunteers to tutor as numbers
are increasing. Especially needed are people willing to read one-on-one with children. A
group of Poudre High School students are coming to NACC regularly to work out in the
weight room. The annual Toys for Kids drive has begun which will benefit more than
500 kids. The gift -wrapping party will be held on December 8 (volunteers are welcome);
parties will be held on December 15. If Board members are aware of any family that
needs a food basket or would benefit from the party, they are asked to call NACC.
OTHER BUSINESS
Dave Mosnik gave an update on Fossil Creek Community Park. Construction has
begun on this 100-acre park that will open in 2003. A skateboard park with
streetscape-type features is planned and is in the design process with local skaters.
The natural terrain and features of the area are being utilized, and the park will
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November 7, 2001
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include soccer and ballfields. The park will have access from both the east and the
west, but the entry streets will not connect. Amenities of the park will include a dog
park, pavilion by the lake, interactive water features, etc.
The Board was handed a memo from Mayor Ray Martinez regarding community
outreach. He had spoken to the Preston Junior High Leadership Class and one of the
most important topics of discussion centered on their voices being heard and being
represented as young adults. He requested that the Board and Preston students
arrange a joint meeting. Amy, Kaise, Ana and Robbie will meet with the Preston
leadership -class. Students from Boltz and Lincoln junior highs will be invited to the
December 5 meeting; hopefully, each class at those junior high schools will be
represented. Recreation staff will provide a letter of introduction for Ana, Kaise and
Amy to take to the schools. Staff will also provide a follow-up letter if needed after
Board members contact student councils.
Janet Urban distributed revisions to the boards and commissions manual and a current
YAB roster of members.
Adiournment•
On a motion by Robbie Weisser and seconded by Mera Geis, the Board voted
unanimously (8-0) to adjourn at 8:25 p.m.
pectfully submitted,
T et Urban, Administrative Support Supervisor — Recreation
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