04-14-03 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 14, 2003 their districts. The Mayor, in consultation with the three (3) at large Councilmembers, will pick the three (3) youth at large. Councilmember Pfeifer stated that the Youth Advisory Council is another incentive to keep young people at home and this would give them something exciting and real and tangible to stay here at home in this community. Also, it is hoped that young people will go and ask their parents and grandparents and neighbors if they voted and if they know who their representatives are. These are two (2) initiatives that will benefit the City of South Bend and our young people. Council President White advised that this evening the Public Hearing will be held on this bill and official action will be taken. After the vote, the applications will be available from the City Clerk's office. The deadline for filing applications for student representatives with the City Clerk's office is May 15, 2003. On Monday, May 27, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. a swearing in ceremony will be conducted at the Common Council meeting under Special Business. Council President White informed the Council that she is excited about the Youth Council and will be working very closely with the representatives throughout the upcoming summer months. In conclusion, President White asked for the Council's support. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Ms. Stephanie Tezich, no address given, advised that she is an intern at IUSB working on the development of the Youth Advisory Council and the committee. She expressed her belief that it is very important to get youth involved at an early age in local government so that they take a little bit of ownership for what goes on in their city. She stated that she believes that the youth of our City will definitely benefit from this program. Ms. Sara Tezich, 132 Tasher Street, South Bend, Indiana, spoke in support of the Youth Advisory Council. She stated that there are many benefits that the community will receive from this Council. The Council will provide unique opportunities for students to develop leadership skills. It will also create a link between the youth and the community which has not been there before and that is a very important link that is missing. More importantly, the Youth Advisory Council will instill the values that representatives will hold throughout their lives. Ms. Tezich asked the Council to support the Youth Advisory Council. Mr. Oliver Davis, 1801 South Nash Street, South Bend, Indiana, informed the Council that he is in favor of the proposal for a Youth Council. He recounted that in 1987 he was part of the Huntsville, Alabama Youth Council where all the student government leaders from the public and private schools were able to come together once a month to meet with the city leaders and other student government leaders to talk about the issues that faced the young people in the area. It also gave them a chance to network among themselves about strategies on how they were running their own local student governments at the high school as well as team building and those types of issues. Mr. Davis advised that this was the spark for him to get involved and he definitely wants to see this happen in South Bend. He noted that he is in favor of this Youth Council and is pleased with Councilmembers White and Pfeifer for proposing this bill. Ms. Rosalind Ellis, 52370 Liberty Mills Court, Granger, Indiana, Director, Student Services, South Bend Community School Corporation, stated that on behalf of South Bend schools, it is with great enthusiasm that she comes before the Council to support the creation of the Youth Advisory Council.