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HomeMy WebLinkAboutYouth Advisory Board - Minutes - 01/11/1995CITY 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 Jackie Rael, Administrative Aide II MINUTES: Regular Meeting -- January 11, 1995 CALL MEETING TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:05 by Board President Callie Sigl. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the meeting of December 14, 1994 were unanimously approved on a motion by Dallas Davis, seconded by Leticia Martinez. (6-0) AGENDA REVIEW: Staff added: School Resource Officer Partnership (Police Chief Rainguet) and 1994 Annual Report CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: Christy Wolfe, Chamber Link Coordinator/. Youth Employment, spoke to the Board regarding youth employment. She said Chamber Link is a working partnership among the Chamber of Commerce, CSU, Front Range Community College, and Poudre R-1. This pilot project will actively develop and enhance community and school -to -work opportunities for designated youth. Their goal is to place 150 students into businesses. She wanted to let the Board know about the program and ask how they could get the word out to the students. Peggy Bowers suggested the school newsletters and Callie Sigl added the Poudre R-1 Cable television program. Dallas Davis asked what their goals are for each schools? She replied that they will fill as many jobs as possible. Callie suggested the school counselors and the PACE Director be notified. Abby Jones suggested the Poudre R-1 Internet. Dallas asked if this pertains to just students? Does it relate to non-traditional students? Christy replied that this pertains to 22-year-olds and under. However, anyone who is interested should ask. YOUTH ADULT LIBRARY GRANT/YOUTH FORUM Larry Webber, Library Program Administrator, spoke about the $18,000 grant the Library received for the youth adult program for the mini library. Since it is still unknown as to where the mini library will be located, he has not come to this Board prior to tonight. His purpose for speaking to the Board was to try to develop focus groups as to what the youth of the community would like to see at this Library and try to attract the youth to the Library. He said that from 6th grade on, statistically interest in the library drops off. Leticia Martinez asked if he has been to the schools to ask what the students need? He said that they will go to the schools south of Drake for their input since the mini- Youth Advisory Board Minutes January 11, 1995 Page 2 library will be located south of Drake. He said the mini library would be a temporary library until a branch or main library would be built on the south side of Fort Collins. It would have a variety of material for all age groups and interests. He would like the focus groups to begin in February or March and will get back to this Board to request youth participation in the focus groups. SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER Police Chief Fred Rainguet spoke to the Board about the School District and the City of Fort Collins Police Services proposing a joint agreement to have a school resource officer partnership. Community policing is designed for proactive problem solving before incidents occur. If the City Council approves this funding, the program would start September 1995. He reviewed the purpose and mission: • Create a collaborative, problem -solving environment regarding public safety issues in the school community. (Meet with the Student Council and faculty and have a police officer on duty at school events). • Help provide a safe learning environment. (Fix the problem before it occurs). • Answer calls for service with a school officer rather than sending an areas patrol unit. (Answer calls from within the schools). • Improve relations between students, faculty, staff and police officials. (Officer would meet with the students in an informal meeting). He then reviewed the school resource officer agreement. A police officer would be assigned to each of the three high schools. School resource officers would be expected to initiate prevention and problem solving efforts and develop a rapport with students and working relationship with student organizations, faculty, staff members and community members. This officer would solve problems that occur in the school community. Duties and activities of the school resource officer are clearly delineated in the proposed agreement. Police officers would not be involved in the actual discipline of students, but would take appropriate police action on the school property and adjacent neighborhoods, as necessary. Youth Advisory Board January 11, 1994 Page 3 A marked unit would be assigned to each school and the officer would be in uniform. - The only classroom instruction would be pertinent areas and in appropriate classes. Examples of proposed classroom topics include traffic laws, victim rights, crime prevention, community involvement, and youth programs. School resource officers would be expected to attend school functions and training. - School resource offers would be utilized for special projects during the summer months. He reviewed the proposed funding scale that would begin with Poudre R-1 funding the money for the first year and then the City would pick up full funding in two years. Leticia Martinez asked if this funding would come from taxpayer money? Reply: yes, it would all be taxpayer money. Callie Sigl asked if these officers would be armed? Reply: yes they would. Callie asked what methods they will be using to build rapport with the students? Police Chief gave data and examples. Reagan Hogerty asked if the same police officer would be at the school activities? Police Chief: yes, in addition to probably another officer. The junior highs would also be connected with the school officer so that they will be familiar with the officer prior to attending high school. Question was asked if this has been done in other parts of the country? Fred replied that there is one officer in Loveland and this program is successful. He also referred to the success of this program in Boise, Idaho. Peggy Bowers asked the Board for their comments. Leticia said personally she does not like this and feels it wouldn't work. She said this officer would try to be the savior, and no matter what, there would be a person who would do wrong. She said that the community is panicking. Dallas Davis said there is no such thing as over panicking. All it takes is one gun to be found at school and he has seen a gun at school and there is no one to help out: He said that if there was a police officer at school, many incidents could be prevented. Reagan said changing the stereotype officer to a helpful police officer who prevented something drastic just one time would make the program worthwhile. He thinks it is a good idea. Police Chief wanted to elaborate on Leticia's concern. He said we can't prevent everything, but the officer would be aware of the community. The focus is community focusing. Reagan asked if the same officer would return to the same school every year? He said a continuity would help as much as possible. Police Chief agreed with Reagan that the continuity would be very important. Abby said that there is a concern about the uncomfortable attitude with the DARE program. He said he is Youth Advisory Board January 11, 1994 Page 4 aware of this and the school resource officer would play a different role. Police Chief Rainguet thanked the Board for their input. Secretary's Note: After the Police Chief left the Board continued to talk about the School Resource Officer and commented as follows: Callie Sigl said she didn't know what to say about the subject. She said the Gang Police Officer at School gave her this proposal. She feels it is a good program and they are going in the right direction for problem solving and prevention, but she feels that it needs to stay on track. Reagan Hogerty said there are two officers at FCHS and they are visible all the time. He referred to comments that Chief said that these officers will be people who want this position with the youth. Police Officer Scott Gammon said he is in favor of it because the officers will want to be there and will take a vested interest in the youth. These people will take pride in these positions. The second issue is that they will know the dynamics in the school and come up with problem solving techniques and work with the kids. The officer will realize what the problems are; recognize the problems; and hopefully mediate with the kids. Callie asked if it would be easy for the police officers to remain friends with the kids and still be able to maintain professionalism? Scott replied, yes. Will Smith said the role of the resource officer is not to be a disciplinarian at the school as that is the responsibility of the school district. Will asked fbr comments from the student population as he and other Councilmembers have heard from the "grown ups" and they need to hear the comments by the youth of the community. The Board members agreed that it will be a rough start. As it progresses it should work. Scott Gammon said that once a relationship starts, the students will realize that the police officers are human beings and are willing to help. Abby said that it will be a rough start and students will be intimidated and that the police officer needs to be in the library and cafeteria and needs to mingle with the kids. Dallas said a good way to introduce this is to have an assembly and have the officer talk and get into it with the kids and be cool about it. Scott said it will be learning experience for both the students and the police and he understands their fears. Crissy said that this program needs to be introduced to the students before the officers begin at schools. Reagan said if a fight was brewing and the officer was in the school, the students would think differently because of the 0 Youth Advisory Board January 11, 1994 Page 5 presence of the cop. Reagan further added that sometimes there is a "bunk" cop there at the basketball games, who doesn't care. Dallas added that as the Chief said the program could be canceled at any time -- so why not try it. Abby said there needs to be some quality control. Leticia doesn't like it and thinks it is no good. The Board voiced their agreements/disagreements to having a school resource officer as follows: Dallas Davis, yes; Callie Sigl, yes; Crissy Maxwell, yes; Mathew Alvarez, yes; Reagan Hogerty, yes; Leticia Martinez, no; Lois Switzer, yes; Abby Jones, yes. Scott appreciated the Board's input. OLD FORT COLLINS HIGH Peggy Bowers distributed a map of Old Fort Collins High and asked the Board for their input. She reviewed the initial assumptions as follows: 1. Priorities will change as interests change. 2. Both drop in and structured uses. 3. Need some revenue to offset expenses. 4. Wide and varying age range. 5. Youth involvement in management. 6. Won't be able to do everything. She introduced Recreation Supervisor Suzy Danford, who displayed charts around the room for the Board members to state their comments on the use of Old Fort Collins High as follows: Use of Auditorium Let people use Old Fort Collins High instead of schools (like academy of arts) Forensics Plays Acting Classes Dance Classes Concerts Fees and Charges Food Video games Youth Advisory Board January 11, 1994 Page 6 Valets Dances (low fees) Businesses -rent Member fees Locker rental Facility Hours (by season) More outside during the summer 3-10 11:00-1:00 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. summer 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. school days 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. summer 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. school year Services/Classes Problem solving things Youth Newspaper/writing classes Counseling - have specific focus confronting/affecting per month or week pertaining to youth First Aid/CPR classes Study/tutoring areas Dance classes Workout area, i.e., a health club Tutoring Admin Area would be great Hang -Out Facilities and Hours Gym Mornings After school T.V. Bean Bag Chairs Summer -- all days Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight School Days -- Monday through Saturday 3:30 p.m. to 12:00 midnight Gymnasium Uses Sports Youth Advisory Board January 11, 1994 Page 7 Basketball Floor hockey Weight room Organized sports Open gym Classes Tournaments Dances (16-21) Somex's Dances (12-21) Somex's Concerts Other Comments Smoking section Non-smoking Dance classes Art classes Class youth are interested Second floor music rooms Graffiti wall Child care Integration of Ages 12-21 16-21 Junior High - pre bar age Daytime driving school Pre-schoolers At night - high school Use of Outdoors Keep tennis courts Get rid of tennis courts Fitness trail Sunbathing Outdoor basketball courts Pod Tennis courts Graffiti wall/floor Football fields Use by Others Health center Pre-schoolers Youth Advisory Board January 11, 1994 Page 8 To get out of other schools Youth Involvement in Management TAB access high school groups For Youth By Youth Youth Employment Forums Work studies (18-21 years old) Parking/Building Access Put parking lot where tennis courts are Non-existent Buss access 1994 ANNUAL REPORT Jackie Rael distributed a draft copy of the 1994 annual report for the Board's approval and recommendation. On a motion by Reagan Hogerty, seconded by Abby Jones, the Board voted unanimously (8-0) to accept the annual report as submitted by staff tonight. OTHER BUSINESS - Leticia Martinez was interviewed by a school newspaper reporter at Rocky Mountain High School. Students want a youth center on the southside. She said she would bring it up at tonight's meeting. Reagan Hogerty said the Board is focusing on Old Fort Collins High as a youth center. Will Smith suggested Leticia check with the Boys and Girls Club because they were trying to get something going at the Mall. Dallas Davis said he was at the Rocky/Poudre basketball game, and as a representative to one of the junior high schools, he was asked to participate in their Leadership Meeting. Dallas asked the Board what they envision his position at this meeting? Callie said his position is to gather information and bring it back to this Board. Callie Sigl reminded the Board that when they are called to be interviewed to be careful what they say and to be very clear that they are speaking as a representative of the Youth Advisory Board. Reagan said TEAM would write a letter in support of Old Fort Youth Advisory Board January 11, 1994 Page 9 Collins High. Will said that there are multiple agencies that are in support of Old Fort Collins High as a Youth Center and they are forming an umbrella in support of the Boys and Girls Club. - Abby is sending out a survey to Lesher Junior High asking what they would like to see at the Youth Center if it becomes a reality. On a motion by Reagan Hogerty, seconded by D as Davis, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. MEETING ATTENDANCE BOARD MEMBERS Callie Sigl Crissy Maxwell Reagan Hogerty Matt Alvarez Dallas Davis Abby Jones Leticia Martinez Lois Switzer City Council Liaison Will Smith ctfully submitted, e Rael, STAFF ive Aide II Peggy Bowers Suzy Danford Scott Gammon Police Chief Rainguet Jackie Rael