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HomeMy WebLinkAboutYouth Advisory Board - Minutes - 10/06/1999Ll YOUTH ADVISORY MINUTES Regular meeting — October 6, 1999 7:00 p.m. Scott Gammon, Police, 221-6560 Board Members Present: Ben Brooks, Mike Davis, Brian Fanning, Robin Horak, Bill Leary, Jo Faith Warsteane, Phillip Chavez, Ki Shih Board Members Absent: Steve Hill Staff Members Present: Scott Gammon, Staff Liaison — Police Department Dave Mosnik, Supervisor — Recreation Division Suzy Danford, Supervisor — Recreation Division Kristie Blackmon, Coordinator — Recreation Division Guest(s) Present: Bobbi Jo Rich, Sam Pagni, Erica Stringer Steve Dike - Wilhelm, Susan Dickens Call Meeting to Order: The regular meeting of the Youth Advisory Board was called to order by Chairperson Ben Brooks at 7:00 p.m. Chairman Brooks reminded Board members that City policy for Boards and Commissions requires attendance to regular meetings. Missing 3 consecutive meetings or 4 in a year is cause for termination from the Board. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of September 1, 1999 were approved unanimously (8-0) on a motion by Robin Horak, seconded by Phillip Chavez. Azenda Review: No changes to the agenda. Citizen Participation: No citizen participation. Agenda: DRUGS & ALCOHOL DISCUSSION Sam Pagni (TEAM underage drinking, 224-9931), Erica Stringer (Board member for TEAM), Steve Dike -Wilhelm (AmeriCorps with Poudre Valley Health Care Systems), Susan Dickens (Fort Collins High School SADD sponsor). Youth Advisory Board Minutes October 6, 1999 Page 2 There is money available in a program through TEAM for a media campaign for youth by youth to deter underage drinking. This is a pilot program and there are hopes to implement it statewide. What the group needs is a bridge into the schools — recruit teachers and students who might be interested in being on a committee. Once the committee is formed, different sub -committees would tackle different aspects of the production. The group is looking at prevention more than intervention including legality, health risks, social risks (driving, operating equipment, date rape, etc.). The Board is to recruit individuals who might be interested in being on a committee. Suggestions included incorporating classes that are already underway (marketing, video) and maybe even IB at Poudre High School. Mr. Pagni would be willing to talk to any group about the project. Board members are requested to compile a list of contact people in their school who may be willing to work on the media campaign. That list, which should be brought to the next Board meeting, should include names/groups, phone numbers and possible times/dates that Mr. Pagni could meet with them at the schools. Steve Dike -Wilhelm encouraged youths to make their voices heard. He distributed a flier advertising a community forum scheduled for October 20 at the senior center on prevention of substance abuse. Mr. Dike -Wilhelm reported that there is BASH money available for sponsoring alcohol - free events. Jim Campion holds the funds and will not distribute until a group comes together. More information can be obtained from Steve at 495-7509. Jim Campion will attend the November YAB meeting to discuss the money available. The Fort Collins High School chapter of SADD (Students Against Dangerous Decisions) encourages other schools to form chapters and have some inter -school competition. Ms. Dickens of the FCHS SADD chapter stated that they would like to see more chapters set up so there could be a community -wide event. A teacher sponsor is needed at the school, community service activities would be performed, and there would be an activity newsletter. Susan Dickens would be willing to talk to teachers regarding this program, 416-8161. Scott Gammon handed out information that gave information on what is being done by the Fort Collins Police Department in terms of youth -related drug intervention and enforcement. The prevention program includes DARE which consists of 3 officers giving information on drug prevention and resistance strategies to almost all 6`h grade students who live within the City of Fort Collins. The Police Department actively supports other drug prevention efforts in the community including programs sponsored by TEAM, Poudre School District, Poudre Valley Hospital, and Colorado State University. Intervention includes 7 school resource officers, 3 gang intervention detectives, and police department representatives on the Larimer County Drug Force. Youth Advisory Board Ates • October 6, 1999 Page 3 The SROs provide early intervention and enforcement issues on school campuses. The enforcement includes underage alcohol and tobacco use as well as illegal drug possession and distribution. The gang unit works with gang and drug related issues — who is selling, where drug debts are, etc. The Larimer County Drug Task Force deals with hardcore users, distributors. Methamphetamine is the current drug of choice. It is a stimulant, can be manufactured easily, and is highly addictive. Scott stated that the zero tolerance approach is being used for enforcement at the schools, and the SROs are doing the best job possible with their limited numbers. When Scott was asked about dogs coming into the schools, he replied that because of site -based management, it depends on the school. Also, having only one officer on campus makes enforcing the tobacco ordinance very difficult. The narcotics division of the police department works on eliminating the sources of drugs in the community. In reply to the question about what the Board can do, Scott replied that law enforcement is only part of the solution. If more "eyes and ears" will report, it will be easier for the police to do their jobs. Robin Horak motioned that the Board work with the Healthier Communities Coalition to create a forum where youth would provide information to the adults about the drug problem. The motion was amended to include forming a sub -committee of interested Board members to explore the possibility of a forum. Seconded by Brian Fanning, approved unanimously (8-0). Steve Dike -Wilhelm will talk to the Healthier Communities Coalition to see if they might be interested in assisting. Dave Mosnik handed out the STAR (Sober Teens Acting Responsibly) information. The statistics are through 1991 only; Sam Pagni can get updated statistics which will be distributed to the Board. NORTHSIDE AZTLAN COMMUNITY CENTER UPDATE The calendar for October was distributed. Spanish for kids ages 6-10 will start on Saturday. A wrestling tournament to raise money for Toys for Kids will be held on October 30. YOUTH ACTIVITY CENTER UPDATE Dave Mosnik distributed the calendar for October. He also reported that participation numbers for September are down due to the fact that kids are finding other places to go including their open school gyms. Volunteers are needed for Treatsylvania, the Recreation Division's trick -or -treat street at The Farm. House of Freaks & Shrieks will Youth Advisory Board Minute. October6, 1999 Page 4 be held on Saturday, October 30 at the YAC. The second Friday of the month is band night at the YAC; Summitview Youth Band will play in November. In response to the question about the future of the Youth Activity Center, Dave replied that discussions are underway about what to do when CSU asks staff to vacate old Fort Collins High although the YAC will remain there until at least December, 2001 or later. OTHER BUSINESS • Bill Leary reported that Coloradoan staff is still considering a youth page depending on funding. Mike Davis and Bill Leary will discuss some options. • Depression screening is being held tomorrow (October 7) at various locations including all of the high schools. A schedule was printed in the Coloradoan. • Ben Brooks reminded Board members of items that were discussed at the retreat in August. Laws that affect youths: forum Smoking issues — no smoking in any public places Curfew Developing inter -relationships with fellow students as part of student orientations • Ben Brooks reminded Board members to get names for BASH and for the sub- committee to work on a media campaign funded by the TEAM grant • Will Smith and his wife will be moving to Guatemala soon. • Ben Brooks will inquire about the process of funding for youth(s) to attend the National League of Cities convention in December. Brian Fanning is interested in attending if there is funding. • Ben wants the group to look at Edora Park as a possible location for a youth center since there are many youth -oriented facilities there already. • Dave Mosnik updated the group on the skateboard park. A public meeting will be held later this month. Following input, final design will be completed, bids will open in the spring, and the park should be ready for use by early next summer. It will be located in Edora Park. Dave got some information from people at Silverthome regarding their skate park. Dave will see that Ki gets some fliers to distribute. Adiournment: The Board voted unanimously (8-0) for adjournment following a motion by Mike Davis and seconded by Jo Faith Warsteane. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Suzy Dan?orb, Supervisor —Recreation flf.Room