Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutYouth Advisory Board - Minutes - 05/03/2006YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES Regular meeting — May 3, 2006 7:00 p.m. Council Liaison: Kurt Kastein Staff Liaison: Peggy Bowers, Recreation, 221-6357 Board Members Present: Lee Swanson, Kai Stuckey, Laura Lamb, Erin Rooney, Matt Strauch, Kristi Thomas, David Saperstone Board Member(s) Absent: Ryan Hennig (1 seat vacant) Staff Members Present: Peggy Bowers, Staff Liaison — Recreation Division Janet Urban, Staff Support — Recreation Division Dave Mosnik, Supervisor — Recreation Division Guest(s) Present: Linda Maher, Anita Basham, Cindy Lodes, Taylor Lodes, Kurt Young, Cynthia Eichler NOTE: Minutes approved September 6, 2006. Call meetine to Order: The regular meeting of the Youth Advisory Board was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by Board vice chairperson David Saperstone. Approval of Minutes from April, 2006 On a motion by Lee Swanson and seconded by Kristi Thomas, the minutes of the regular meeting on April 5, 2006 were approved unanimously (7-0). Agenda Review: Item #7 pulled from agenda. Citizen Participation: Cindy Lodes, parent of teens, opened the discussion regarding saving the YAC from closure in 2007. Her comment about the facility being safe and comfortable with lots to do was echoed by other guests. Ms. Lodes suggested increasing the membership fee to generate more revenue and implementing a sliding scale for families who couldn't afford regular fee. She also stated how wonderful the staff is and how well they work with the teens who participate at the YAC. She posed the question of the mall owners donating the facility to the City. Foothills Mall manager Cynthia Eichler stated that no one likes the situation of the YAC closing but also said that no one has an answer. Councilmember Kurt Kastein said it costs $744,000 annually to run the YAC, and revenue is $166,000 per year. Agenda: DISCUSSION WITH COUNCILMEMBER KURT KASTEIN The majority of the discussion centered around theYouth Activity Center and was a continuation of the citizen participation section of the agenda. Mr. Kastein stated that $5 million had to be cut from the Youth Advisory Board Minutes May 3, 2006 Page 2 two-year budget that was prepared for 2006 and 2007 in the last half of 2005. The operation of the YAC was one of the cuts identified. He said it is not likely that money will be available to keep it open in 2007, in fact, Council is looking at another $2 million shortage in 2007. Council will be discussing the 2007 budget in a study session next week. The lease for the YAC is $280,000. Cynthia Eichler, mall manager, stated that the City needs to drive the effort to save the YAC. She also stated that there has been talk with the City about reducing the lease payment to half or dropping the payment of $1 per year. According to Ms. Eichler, the City could not afford to operate the YAC even with the reduction in the lease payment. She also said that mall officials realize the value of having the YAC in close proximity in terms of dollars. The mall owners are not currently looking for another tenant for the YAC space, and they hope that the City will be able to maintain operation of the gymnasium even if the YAC were to close. Kurt Kastein stated that City Manager Darin Atteberry feels that usage numbers at the Youth Activity Center do not justify the expenditure. Kurt Young, owner of Fazoli's, stated that he has many fund-raising ideas and is willing to work to educate the community about the need for a Youth Activity Center. Linda Maher stated that CSU research folks are going to conduct a survey and will hopefully raise awareness about the proposed closure of the current YAC. Mr. Kastein made it clear that the group needed to think about the three following things, 1) capitol needed to purchase the building; 2) ongoing money to fund the Youth Activity Center... $290,000 annually; and 3) ongoing money to staff the new Northside Aztlan Community Center if staff were to stay at the YAC rather than moving to the facility .... $255,000 annually. So, even if enough money was generated to cover the lease payment to the mall, there would still be a $500,000+ operation and maintenance need (YAC plus new NACC staffing). There was some discussion about encouraging a YMCA to open a facility in Fort Collins. Two teens, Eric and Tina, were present to state that they would be participating in a fund-raiser to help the YAC on May 20 with 5-6 bands, food, etc. INVENTORY OF FACILITIES & PROGRAMS Peggy Bowers showed the map that staff has been working on to plot existing City facilities and programs for youth. Mr. Kastein indicated that the information should be tied to population so that it can be determined what is being offered based on where youths live. Drop -in facilities, neighborhoods where young kids are, transit routes for kids to get to programs, bike trails, etc. should all be depicted. Mylar overlays will be incorporated to give more data. YOUTHFEST The YouthFest event will take place in the parking lot at the YAC on May 31 from 4:00-10:00 p.m. YAB members will staff a table where youths can complete a survey in exchange for a Ben & Jerry's coupon. The youth survey that was used in 2002 will be revised to include a question about what issues teens want City Council to be aware of and what the function of the Youth Advisory Board should be. Youth Advisory Board Minutes May 3, 2006 Page 3 YOUTH PROGRAM UPDATE Dave Mosnik distributed the calendar for May as well as flyers to hand out. Spring activities are winding down and staff is getting ready for summer. During the summer, 11 year olds will be allowed to use the YAC in order to transition them into use when they are 12. Club 56 (for 5th and 6th graders) will change to Club 57 (grades 5-7). OTHER BUSINESS • The Youth Advisory Board will not meet during the summer; next meeting will be September 6. • Kristi Thomas will resign as she is completing her senior year. • The Board has not received a response from Kurt Kastein regarding decreasing the number of Board members from 9 to 7. Matt Strauch will contact Mr. Kastein for a response. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Erin Rooney and seconded by Kristi Thomas, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:55 p.m. R pectfully bmitt J et Urban, Administrative Support Supervisor — Recreation Next meeting September 6, 2006 at the Youth Activity Center