HomeMy WebLinkAboutYouth Advisory Board - Minutes - 01/09/2002ADVISORY BOARD
Regular meeting — January 9, 2002
7:00 p.m.
Council Liaison: Ray Martinez Staff Liaisons: Peggy Bowers, Recreation, 221-6357
Mark Larkin, Police, 221-6853
Board Members Present: Mera Geis, Patrick McCosh, Ana Rocca, Cooper Liska-
Smith, Robbie Weisser, Kaise Allen, Amy Flug, Mandy
Hoffer
Board Member(s) Absent: Julian Archuleta
Staff Members Present: Peggy Bowers, Staff Liaison — Recreation Division
Suzy Danford, Supervisor — Recreation Division
Dave Mosnik, Supervisor — Recreation Division
Kristie Blackmon, Coordinator — Recreation Division
Janet Urban, Admin. Support Suprv. — Recreation Division
Guest(s) Present: Jep Erick, Janie Nerger, Andrew Schall, Heather Schall,
Andy Weilert, Carrie Visitainer
Call Meeting to Order: The regular meeting of the Youth Advisory Board was called
to order by Chairperson Ana Rocca at 7:15 p.m.
Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Mera Geis and seconded by Robbie Weisser, the
minutes from November 7, 2001 were unanimously approved (8-0).
Agenda Review: Postpone item #6 (Presentation by Breakfast Optimist Club
Representative) to February meeting. Delete item #11 (Northside Aztlan Community
Center Update).
Citizen Participation: No citizen participation.
Agenda:
INTRODUCTION OF NEW BOARD MEMBER
Mandy Hoffer, a student at Lincoln Junior High, joined the Board in the position that was
vacated by Peter Glaser at the end of his term in December, 2001.
YOUTH AFTER HOURS CENTER
Linda Nerger from FirstCall, an information and referral service for health and human
resources in the county, coordinates the web -based youth center "Youth After Hours
Center". The Youth After Hours Center is a calendar of Larimer County activities/events
Youth Advisory Board Minn
January 9, 2002
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that is updated daily. It can be accessed at www.firstcall-vc.or!4 Additions to the calendar
are most welcome. The information contained on the website is available to young
people ages 5-18. FirstCall is very eager to get the word out about this valuable service.
If Board members would like to assist in publicity, they can contact Linda Nerger at
FirstCall.
FOLLOW-UP ON JUNIOR HIGH VISITS
Ana, Kaise and Robbie visited Preston; Ana also visited Lincoln. Preston students claim
there is "nothing to do"; however, only 1 of the students that the YAB members spoke to
had been to the Youth Activity Center. They want a place to hang out, a "club"
atmosphere for teens. They had not heard about the Youth Advisory Board nor the
dances that are held at the Youth Activity Center. They want a lounge with food and
Starbucks-type beverages. They want to change stereotypes regarding teens; perhaps do
monthly awards for volunteering in the community to encourage that change.
Only I Preston student of those spoken to had ridden Transfort. Perhaps routes should be
posted in schools to inform students. They thought the bus was scary... didn't know
where it went or where it stopped or anything about it. Students would like to change
teens' relationship with police, and they don't like the negative image they have acquired.
Even though they do positive things, they don't get enough press.
Amy visited Boltz, and even though she talked to only 2 students, their thoughts were
pretty much the same as those expressed by Preston students.
Dave Mosnik thinks additional school visits might be worthwhile; the best way to
advertise the YAC is through word of mouth. Youths talking to other youths is
beneficial.
Other junior high schools will be visited and reports will be made at the next YAB
meeting. The YAB representatives are to contact the school to see which group would be
most beneficial to visit, Student Council or leadership class. Junior high students will be
invited to attend the next YAB meeting.
School assignments are as follows:
Mera— Webber
Ana — Lesher
Kaise — Heritage
Amy — Blevins
REVIEW OF WORK PLAN
The Board made no changes to the work plan.
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January 9, 2002
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YOUTH ACTIVITY CENTER UPDATE
Fund-raising for the gymnasium addition to the YAC is being planned. The CSU group
that volunteered to do fund-raising will be invited to the next Board meeting. Dances as
fund-raisers haven't fared very well; inter -school competition might generate some
interest (Krispy Kreme donut sales, car wash).
February 10" is scheduled for the fund-raising kick-off. Dessert will be served and
special guests will be invited. (RECORDER'S NOTE: The fund-raising kick-off has
been postponed; a new date has not been set.)
The January YAC calendar was distributed. Staff reported that the ski/snowboard trips
have been highly successful. Some new activities have been added at YAC — climbing
club, YAC Adventure Club (outdoor recreation -type activities for junior high age
participants), YAC Rocks (climbing wall), additional leagues (pool and ping-pong). Staff
is hoping to start a 3-on-3 basketball league and would love to get programming ideas for
teens. Staff is planning a "latte night".
Christmas break was busy, and some new kids are participating at the YAC; 45 have paid
January dues. A City job fair will be held at the Lincoln Center on January 24.
OTHER BUSINESS
• YAB members discussed filming a TV show to be aired on the school district's
channel about there being "nothing to do in Fort Collins". Ana will work on a script,
which will include brainstorming about things to do in Fort Collins; Mera will contact
Mr. Berman about filming (possibly the end of March).
• Two VISTAs will be invited to the next YAB meeting to discuss the National Youth
Service Day that will be held in April.
• Ana will contact the youth boards from Loveland and Greeley and invite them to our
regular monthly meetings. In October there will be a conference for youth advisory
boards and their staffs. Our YAB may do a pre -conference gathering with the
Greeley and Loveland Boards.
• Jep Erick is co-chairing a committee with the Healthier Communities Coalition to get
youths involved in other boards and commissions. This is a national program. He
can be contacted at 224-9931.
Adjournment:
On a motion by Mera and seconded by Robbie, the Board voted unanimously (8-0) to
adjourn at 8:30 p.m.
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January 9, 2002
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spectfullyls bmitted,
t6ilet Urban, Administrative Support Supervisor — Recreation