HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 - Youth Advisory Board - Annual ReportYOUTH ADVISORY BOARD
2009 Year End 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 11 regular meetings in 2009. It did not meet in September because we
attended the BFO presentation by the City Manager at Lincoln Center which was held the
same night as our regular meeting. The calendar year began with Josh
Disney,Chairperson, and Kai Stuckey, Vice-chairperson. Josh resigned soon after the
year began. Kai was elected Chair-person and Lisa Parker became the new Vice-
chairperson.
As the year 2009 ended, the Board was comprised of the following members: Kai
Stuckey, Lisa Parker, Kelsey Hennig, Brigette Bleicher, Kinsey Kappeler and Brittany
Belmarez. Caroline Wockner was a member for most of the year, but resigned in
December. Aislinn Kottwitz became our City Council representative to the Board in
2009. 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 2009 include:
• The year began with an attempt to re-organize the board. In the past the board has
had 5 youth members and 2 adult members. However the board voted to make the
board a youth only organization, to continue monthly meetings at 7 pm, and
change our “year” from the calendar year to the school year. The September
meeting would be used to develop the work plan for the rest of the year.
• The board studied the 7 results areas and unanimously supported them for
continued use by the City.
• A Recreation department update became a part of every meeting giving members
the opportunity to learn about and comment on Recreation programs.
• The board heard a presentation of the Transit Strategic Plan presented by Kurt
Ravenschlage and Nicole Hahn in April. In May Nicole returned to present the
Transit Financial Plan. The board wrote a letter to City Council recommending
adoption of the plan.
• In May the board helped Recreation staff with a Music Fest at Northside Aztlan
Community Center on the last day of school. It included many bands from the
area, as well as a skateboard demonstration and competition. It was deemed a
rousing success by the more than 400 people who attended. The board decided to
make this an annual event. However with the resignation of the city staff member
in charge of it, it was decided that the 2009 Music Fest would not take place.
• An ambitious work plan was adopted including having closer relationships with
City Council and Poudre School District. It also included learning the concerns of
youth in Fort Collins and sponsoring a presentation on drugs by the Fort Collins
Police department.
• In November members attended the barbecue dinner to recognize and honor all
Boards and Commission members.
• Officer Mark Larkin spoke to the board in November about a possible drug
presentation. He said that the department does not do drug presentations anymore
and suggested they talk to Scoot Crandall at Team Fort Collins. Their current
approach is to focus on kids that don’t use instead of those that do.
• In December a school survey was developed to solicit student’s opinions. The
results will be presented to a variety of community leaders at the March, 2010
meeting.