HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 - Youth Advisory Board - Annual ReportYOUTH ADVISORY BOARD
2007 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 nine regular meetings in 2007. The calendar year began with Matt
Strauch, Chairperson, and Erin Rooney, Vice -chairperson.
As the year 2007 ended, the Board was comprised of the following members: Erin
Rooney, Scott Umbreit, Lee Swanson, Matt Strauch, Laura Lamb, Kai Stuckey and Josh
Disney. Erin Rooney has since resigned. Council member Lisa Poppaw was named City
Council representative to the Board on May 1. Steve Budner of the Recreation Division
served as staff liaison to the Board, and Carol Fahring, Recreation Division, served as
staff support.
Youth Advisory Board highlights of 2007 include:
• The speaker series continued in 2007 with "The Job Guy" by Lee Swanson in
March, Mr. Schlehuber, gang information, in April and Magistrate Mary
Berenato, juvenile justice system, in May.
• Members of the Board continued to work on developing a youth census map with
the City's GIS department. The Board Chairperson presented the map to the Parks
and Recreation Board for feedback.
• The Youth Advisory Board had a retreat in April to set the stage for the future
focus of the Board and to provide input for the Boards and Commissions Review
Questionnaire. The main conclusions of the retreat were that the Board needed to
have more influence on the decisions of City Council that affected youth, and that
the Board make-up needed to be re -organized so that there could be more focus
on all ages of youth from 0 — 21.
• A periodic review by City Council was conducted in July, 2007. Numerous
changes to the YAB structure and purpose were recommended. After the review
the YAB was charged by the City Council to submit proposed improvements. A
memo was submitted in early 2008 for CMO and Council review.
• As is usually the case, the Board did not meet during June, July and August.
• The Board decided to implement a "speaker's series" once again in 2008 with
three presentations, one each in March, April and May.
• 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.
In the fall of 2007 the Board hosted several city employees to speak on topics
concerning youth. In September Craig Foreman, Park Planning, talked about the
Parks and Recreation Policy Plan. In November Jill Stilwell, Cultural Services
presented the Cultural Facilities Plan. In December David Kemp, Bicycle
Coordinator, presented the Bicycle Plan Update. All 3 were well received by the
Board and expressed an interest in returning with more updates.