October 12, 1999

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1999
6:30 PM TO 8:00 PM
CITY HALL, ROOM 421

Present: Bill Barnes, Francisco Castillo, Jessica Devine, Kelly Durkee, June Strohlin; staff, Susan Kim

1. The meeting was called to order at 6:45pm.

2. The agenda was approved.

3. New Business

A. Roles and Responsibilities of Executive Committee (EC)

Susan Kim mentioned that as a result of discussion of staff roles over the summer, the EC can discuss whether or not an outside facilitator is necessary. Since roles are not clear cut, the facilitator could aid in the ongoing discussion between Youth Commissioners and staff regarding roles. EC members decided that a facilitator is not necessary for this task since there was an discussion of staff’s role at the beginning of the year retreat. They decided to have a retreat of staff and EC and possibly hire a consultant with skills appropriate for the discussion. EC members believed that the Commission should have an overview of the responsibilities of staff and Commissioners and EC members. Commissioners expressed interested in all Commissioners being familiar with each other’s roles.

Commissioners suggested two processes to ensure Commissioners are on track:

1. Record of attendance every month and

2. Regular one-on-one check-in meetings. Commissioner Barnes and Ms. Kim will have further discussion regarding youth development responsibilities fall under staff’s role and under Commissioner Barnes’ role. Commissioner Barnes did state that if a Commissioner has 2 absences, she/he should meet with Commissioner Barnes and Ms. Kim.

B. Structure of Youth Commission and Formation of Committees

Commissioner Barnes proposed a committee structure for the Commission. Seven committees (including the existing EC) would have approximately 5 members each. The committees are as follows: 1. Education and the Workforce, 2. Juvenile Justice and Public Safety, 3. Public Health, Social Services and the Environment, 4. Housing, Transportation and Land Use, 5. Culture and Urban Environment and 6. Diversity and Cultural Competency. Each committee would meet once a month to discuss and make recommendations on items referred to it. Select committees are also suggested. Commissioner Strohlin voiced interest in a resource guide for youth stating what services are available. It was suggested that each committee ask city department what services they are performing for young people.

The EC approved the committee structure and decided that Commissioners will choose their top choices for committee assignment and possible projects ideas. The EC will determine final committee assignments and project ideas will be categorized under the appropriate committee.

C. Strategies to Address Upcoming City Elections
For the DA Forum, Commissioners Barnes and Durkee will be the leads on content. The Forum will begin with an opening/introduction and a question in each of the committee areas answered by each of the candidates. The forum will end with a closing from each of the DA candidates.

D. Setting Next Meeting’s Agenda
The EC reviewed the agenda for the full Commission meeting on Monday, October 18, 1999. They rearranged items and suggested placing New Business before Old Business and added an Executive Committee Report. The next EC meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, October 19th from 6:30-8:30pm. A regular meeting time will be set at the next meeting.

4. Staff Report

The EC determined that the Coleman Advocates’ Stand Up, Speak Out should be put into the Commission library as a resource for Youth Commissioners.

The meeting adjourned at 8:25pm.