HomeMy WebLinkAboutYouth Advisory Board - Minutes - 12/03/1997YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
Regular Meeting - December 3, 1997
7:00 p.m.
Council Liaison: Will Smith I Staff Liaisons: Peggy Bowers, Recreation
Scott Gammon, Police
Board President: Abby Jones, 493-5487 (h)
Board Members Present: Farah Inam, Ashlan (Jo Faith) Warsteane, Phillip Chavez, Steve Hill,
Abby Jones, Lupe Quintero
Board Members Absent: Brooke Delehoy, Richie Lynn, Bonnie Deaville
Staff Members Present: Peggy Bowers, Staff Liaison - Recreation Division
Scott Gammon, Staff Liaison - Police Department
Suzy Danford, Supervisor - Recreation Division
Dave Mosnik, Supervisor - Recreation Division
Janet Urban, Administrative Aide - Recreation Division
Guest(s) Present: Kristie Blackmon, Ki-Sheh, Jose Sandoval
Call Meeting to Order: The regular meeting of the Youth Advisory Board was called to order at
7:07 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 1997 at the Youth Activity Center by Board Chairperson Abby
Jones.
Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Steve Hill and seconded by Phillip Chavez, the minutes of the
meeting of November 5, 1997 were approved unanimously (6-0).
Agenda Review: No changes to printed agenda.
Citizen Participation: Jose Sandoval, a representative of TEAM Fort Collins, reviewed the recent
Splash Dance event that was held at the Senior Center and asked for Board members' input on improving
the next one. Attendees, who were in grades 6-9, were charged $3.00 each and some were turned away
when the maximum capacity had been reached. Not many participants used the swimming pool. Some
suggestions were to have more Splash Dances (rather than only two per year) and maybe collaborate with
the YAC staff for a similar event at the Youth Activity Center. It was mentioned that "Suite 152" is
hosting events for minors (ages 14-19) where local schools compete for number of attendees.
Youth Advisory Board Minutes
December 3, 1997
Page 2.
Agenda:
POUDRE SCHOOL DISTRICT CODE OF CONDUCT
Board members reported the following from some students they had spoken to at various schools:
Lesher - Students feel there is a trust problem in the schools.
Preston - Students disliked dress code (extraordinarily strict). Kids need to have more of a say as
to the content of the Code.
FCHS - Most students haven't looked at it; others felt it was too long, irrelevant, and too hard to
understand.
Wellington - Kids tested on the contents of the Code and therefore had a better understanding of it.
RMHS - Law class disagrees with the Code; it doesn't make sense legally.
Abby stated that the Code is expensive to print, and it is not used by parents and students. Ki-Sheh, a
guest, feels that the Code is good and that it makes students responsible and accountable for their actions.
Steve thinks the Code should be simplified.
SCHOOL REPORTS
Board members reported on their recent contacts with students at schools they represent:
Fort Collins High School. Police officers and the treatment of teens is an issue; teens get picked on
unfairly (almost harassed).
Lesher. Students who feel "picked on" end up harassing police, thereby starting a lot of problems.
Concerned with growth of the city. Concerned with condition of roads, incomplete sidewalks. Concerned
with drug use, from alcohol and tobacco to hard drugs. Transfort is working pretty well, most often
drivers are courteous, but extended hours are needed. Excited about trails in abandoned railroad beds.
Skateboarders need a place to go, feel harassed.
Webber. Skateboard park on south side of town needed.
Rocky Mountain High School. Police officers discriminate. There needs to be a reduction in teen
drinking and partying. Concerned about city's growth. Need more parks and playgrounds. Curfews and
speed cameras are bad. Streets need to be cleaned better after a snow storm. Need discounted health
clubs for teens. Not enough buses and bus stops. A club just for teens is desperately needed where
admission is cheaper than $6.
Other comments made during this portion of the agenda follow. Farah stated that she will try to get
RMHS Student Council involved in the dances that are held at the YAC. Dave Mosnik feels that
promotion of YAC events needs to be promoted at the schools by students themselves. Jose Sandoval
thinks the YAB needs to look at prevention of drug use. Scott Gammon stated that the drug problem is
much worse than it was 1-2 years ago. Jo Faith would like to see transportation provided to Denver for
Youth Advisory Board Minutes
December 3, 1997
Page 3.
events that are held there. Abby suggested renting a shuttle bus; Dave suggested a shuttle to Longmont to
pick up RTD. Lupe had heard of an incident where a pregnant Mexican woman was mistreated by a
Transfort bus driver. Staff encouraged Lupe to contact David Lilly, Transfort director, to report the
incident. Abby feels code of conduct signs on buses are no longer aimed at teens.
School reports will be made again at the May, 1998 Board meeting. Board members are encouraged to be
assertive when soliciting information.
COLORADOAN ADVISORY BOARD
If any Board members are interested in serving on the Coloradoan's advisory board, or it they know of
anyone who is, they are encouraged to contact Kathleen Duff at 224-7733.
ALTERNATIVE PARTY FOLLOW-UP
The alternative party "BASH" will depart January 17 at noon for Glenwood Springs and will return the
morning of January 18. $10 per person includes transportation, swimming, dancing all night at Colorado
Mountain College. For high school age participants. Poudre, Fort Collins, Rocky Mountain and
Centennial high schools had students on the planning committee. Permission slips are required. Funding
may be available for people unable to pay.
Jose Sandoval suggested using funds such as these ($20,000 for the Glenwood Springs party) to do
something locally as an alternative party.
YAC UPDATE
Calendar was distributed. Special events being held during Christmas break will be available next week.
There are still openings on the ski trip to Winter Park on 12/20. RMHS students are doing two dances at
the YAC - December 19 for junior high and December 20 for high school - both 8 p.m. -midnight.
The public library has Young Adult Advisory Committee is sponsoring math and science study sessions
(physics, calculus, chemistry) from 7:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16. On December 9 from 7:00-
8:30 p.m. Scientists & Sorcerers will meet to discuss the book currently being read by its members.
A CSU social work class has set up a forum for junior high students to discuss issues of importance to
them. Dave Mosnik will attend.
YAC staff has concluded that the best advertising for YAC events is word of mouth.
Business card -size YAC schedules are available for Board members to distribute. The Winter/Spring
Recreator will have more programs for teens, some of which were developed from ideas submitted by
youths. YAC staff welcomes ideas and organizational expertise.
Youth Advisory Board Minutes
December 3, 1997
Page 4
NACC UPDATE
Deleted from agenda.
OTHER BUSINESS
* Abby recently sat on a panel for a local television show about ageism. The Senior Advisory Board and
the Youth Advisory Board have a lot to do related to this topic and will try to have a joint meeting.
Seniors are concerned about teens. Both groups (seniors and teens) have a lot to offer each other. Using
youths to help seniors understand technology is an idea for interaction of these two age groups.
* A school will start in January for students from Fort Collins and Greeley who have been expelled.
Adjournment:
On a motion by Phillip which was seconded by Jo Faith, the Board voted unanimously (6-0) to adjourn at
8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
anet Urban, Administrative Aide