HomeMy WebLinkAboutYouth Advisory Board - Minutes - 01/03/19960
CITY OF FORT COLLINS
YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD
City Council Liaison to the Board: Councilman Will Smith
Staff Support to the Board: Peggy Bowers, Recreation Program Administrator, Scott
Gammon, Police Officer, and Janet Urban, Administrative Aide
Minutes: Regular Meeting -- January 3, 1996
Call Meeting to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Board Vice
President Chrissy Maxwell.
Agenda Review: No changes to the printed agenda.
Citizen Participation: No citizen participation.
Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the December 6, 1995 meeting were unanimously
(5-0) approved on a motion by Dallas Davis, seconded by Leticia Martinez.
PEER COUNSELING UPDATE
Lois Switzer and Etirsa Gamez met with Sue Hammerton at the Youth Clinic on January 2. Sue
provides 16 hours of training for her peer counselors which is in addition to the training they
receive as high school -trained counselors. Peggy Bowers suggested that staff spearhead the effort
to provide peer counseling at the Youth Activity Center. Jennifer Colwell from CSU is interested
in volunteering her time in this regard. Lois Switzer, Dallas Davis and Leticia Martinez will visit
the Youth Clinic on a Tuesday that is agreeable to all; Suzy Danford, Jennifer Colwell, and Kate
Walker (also from CSU) are to be notified so that they may also attend.
NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE DAY
Peggy Bowers asked if the YAB was interested in doing anything in honor of National Youth
Service Day on April 23. Whatever is decided it should highlight youth service to the
community. Some suggestions were to do a feature in the Coloradoan (similar to "Hidden
Heroes"), do a bulletin board at the YAC to highlight successes of youth in Fort Collins from
junior high through high school, place posters at the schools to recognize outstanding youths,
and/or distribute flyers to the schools in recognition of National Youth Service Day. Leticia
Martinez and Chrissy Maxwell will research putting an event together and will report their
findings at the February YAB meeting. Peggy Bowers will take care of drafting a proclamation
for the Mayor's signature.
Youth Advisory Board Minutes
January 3, 1996
Page 2
SATURDAY NIGHT HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Dave Mosnik was approached by some students from Poudre High School to do Saturday night
dances (with recorded music) at the Youth Activity Center maybe 1 or 2 times per month. Dave
will follow up with them. Leticia Martinez questioned whether there would be rules on type of
music that can be played and was assured by Dave Mosnik that the music would be acceptable.
Drop -in fee would be $3.00-$4.00 per person with $1.00 retained by the Youth Activity Center.
Callie Sigl suggested eliminating the fee, and Dave Mosnik suggested that perhaps scholarships
could be obtained or free tickets could be distributed to the high schools. Callie Sigl expressed
a concern that junior high school kids would be excluded; Dave Mosnik feels junior high and
high school students should be separated.
JUST FOR FUN
120 kids attended the first event, then attendance dropped to 70, 50, and finally 30 kids on
December 22. The first night there was high participation of 14 & 15 years olds, but they didn't
come back because there were not enough activities for that age group. The staff may consider
devoting one Friday a month to junior high age kids.
YOUTH CENTER STUDY AREA
Both IBM and Macintosh computers (some new, some used) will be available soon for drop -in
use in the old conference room. A dot matrix printer is also available. Staff may hire some
youths to monitor the study area and maybe provide tutoring during specific hours. Jennifer
Colwell suggested that high school kids who are in the high school PACE program at the high
schools may want to volunteer. Software will be acquired.
OTHER BUSINESS
- Dave Mosnik distributed gym rules. Since full -court basketball has been a big attraction, staff
has specified special gym hours for that purpose. Based on the rules developed at the Youth
Activity Center, only 4 youths have been ejected since the Center opened. Anyone ejected
has to talk to Dave Mosnik or Suzy Danford in order to gain readmission.
- Dave Mosnik shared December participation numbers (6,077); participants average 2.5-3
hours per stay. Poudre High girls who played basketball at the YAC over Christmas break
were impressed with the facility. Ping pong usage was up over Christmas break. Drop -in
basketball play quite often combines junior high and senior high youths on the same
basketball team.
- Dave Mosnik reported that the graffiti wall has been painted over.
- Chrissy Maxwell has friends who are interested in tutoring (music, etc.) and will set up details
with Dave Mosnik. Tutoring has not been promoted thus far, but maybe have certain hours
for tutoring certain subjects. Dallas Davis suggested seeing if there is an interest.
It
Youth Advisory Board Minutes
January 3, 1996
Page 3
Dave Mosnik reported part-time staff numbers (5 building attendants, 6 receptionists, 5 work
study students, 1 PACE student, 3 scorekeepers). Front desk staff has developed rapport with
teens, and full-time staff (Mosnik and Danford) have made an effort to circulate throughout
the facility and get to know the participants. The different age groups of the participants has
not created a problem thus far. Dave Mosnik indicated the staff is considering sports camps
and playgrounds at the YAC this summer.
- In response to Callie's question about problems, Dave Mosnik reported that there have been
a few thefts and some problems with profanity. The building is understaffed custodially. The
positive expectations of the staff have been greatly exceeded. Negative comments or concerns
should be directed to staff in a timely manner.
- Peggy Bowers reported that new wallet -size cards with YAC hours would be available soon
for distribution to junior highs, high schools, etc.
- Board President Callie Sigl encouraged Board members to visit schools and report back in the
next 3 months. One item of particular interest is transportation.
Transportation issues as they relate to teens include the need for extended hours for buses,
the complaint of getting kicked off city buses for "no apparent reason". Will Smith suggested
that the Transit Development plan would provide a good forum for youths to express their
ideas. He also suggested conducting public outreach on the buses. Chrissy Maxwell and
Dallas Davis are willing to assist. Peggy Bowers suggested implementing a "secret rider"
program for evaluating bus drivers.
Adjournment:
On a motion by Dallas Davis and seconded by Callie Sigl, the Board voted unanimously (6-0)
to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Attendance:
Board Members
Callie Sigl
Dallas Davis
Nathan Dexter
Leticia Martinez
Lois Switzer
Chrissy Maxwell
;eteUrban
ctfully, Administrative Aide
Staff
Peggy Bowers
Scott Gammon
Dave Mosnik
Will Smith
Janet Urban
Guests
Jennifer Colwell
Scott Moyer