HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 - Youth Advisory Board - Annual ReportYOUTH ADVISORY BOARD
2005 Annual Report
The Youth Advisory Board was created by City Council resolution on April 19, 1994.
The purpose of the Youth Advisory Board is to gather information; to communicate with
organizations and agencies regarding youth -oriented issues and problems; to document
and discuss issues of importance to youth in the Fort Collins community, specifically as
they relate to City -operated services; to review and discuss legislation that may affect
youth; and to recommend to City Council local legislation and policy actions or changes
which would enhance the status of youth in the Fort Collins community.
The Board held eight regular meetings in 2005. The calendar year began with Brendon
Votipka, Chairperson, and Ryan Hennig, Vice -chairperson. Officers elected for a one-
year term in October were Ryan Hennig, Chairperson and David Saperstone, Vice -
chairperson.
As the year 2005 ended, the Board was comprised of the following members: Erin
Rooney, Ryan Hennig, David Saperstone, Kristi Thomas, Lee Swanson with 4 seats
vacant. Council member Kurt Kastein was City Council representative to the Board,
John VanderVliet of Police Services and Peggy Bowers of the Recreation Division served
as staff liaisons to the Board, and Janet Urban, Recreation Division, served as staff
support.
Youth Advisory Board highlights of 2005 include:
• A publicity sub -committee was formed to educate the public about the Youth
Advisory Board and its purpose. Information was sent to local schools, and a
letter was written to the school newspapers by Board chairperson Brendon
Votipka. Two Board members also participated in "Minor Talk", a radio show on
local station KRFC. Board member Kristi Thomas drafted an informative letter
for publication in "Soap Box" in the Coloradoan.
• The Youth Advisory Board agreed to help promote the festivities of Youth Fest
which was held on May 6.
• Board members planned a "coin war", a fund-raiser for the Inspiration
Playground, among local high schools. Unfortunately, the timing was not right,
and the event never took place.
• At the request of City Manager Darin Atteberry, the Youth Advisory Board
provided input regarding priorities for the 2006-2007 budget cycle. The Board
voted unanimously for City Council to seriously consider funding for youth
employment.
• The Board was presented with the conceptual plan for amenities/spaces to be
included in the new Northside Aztlan Community Center. Later in the year, an
architect's rendering of the facility was brought to the Board for their review.
2005 Annual Report
Youth Advisory Board
Page 2.
• The Board voted unanimously to recommend a "no" vote on Ballot Issue #1 to
repeal the sales tax on groceries. A letter was sent to City Council stating the
Board's recommendation.
• Following a presentation by Mark Hoog of the Children's Leadership Institute,
the Board voted to support the concept of recruiting high school students to serve
as mentors for children in grades K-6.
• In an effort to educate the Board, three guest speakers presented information and
showed a video on the proposed Inspiration Playground that is scheduled to be
developed at Spring Canyon Community Park.
• Peggy Bowers shared plans for the addition to The Farm's resource building.
• Board members decided to host a "battle of the bands" in January, 2006 as a fund-
raiser for the Inspiration Playground.
• A "speaker series" was planned for implementation in February, March and April
of 2006. City Council member Kurt Kastein will lead off the series at the regular
Board meeting in February.
• Board members received monthly verbal and written reports of activities and
participation at the City's Youth Activity Center and the Northside Aztlan
Community Center.