06-23-03 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 23, 2003 Mayor Luecke noted that this evening the City welcomed representatives from Arzberg, Germany who represent families who came to this City years ago and were important founding members of this community who helped to build South Bend. Now it is time to look to the future and welcome the members of the first Youth Advisory Council. The Mayor thanked Councilmembers who brought this Youth Advisory Council to reality and thanked and congratulated the youth who have offered their services to make South Bend a better community. He stated that he is enthused and excited about their energy, the ideas they will bring and share, the ideals they represent and about the future that they certainly are part of as we move forward. Mayor Luecke stated that the City looks forward to many opportunities to meet with the Youth Council to hear their ideas about how the City is doing but also to offer some additional opportunities through the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns or the National League of Cities noting that there are opportunities to participate in youth conferences that they will now be eligible to attend. In conclusion, Mayor Luecke stated that the City looks forward to their wisdom, questions, challenges, energy and ideals. Council President White welcomed the members of the Youth Advisory Council and their liaisons and commended each of them for taking this important leadership step which will help the City to tap into their energies, skills, ideals and the energies and ideals of the young people they will be representing. She advised that in 1999, when she was interviewed by the South Bend Tribune Editorial Board as an At Large Candidate for the South Bend Common Council one of the initiatives that she indicated that she wanted to bring to the Council was that of youth involvement through leadership and internship opportunities and is happy and humbled to see this initiative accomplished. President White noted that in addition to the Youth Advisory Council, the Common Council has been involved in organizing Civic Day for the 21 st Century Scholars and each of the Youth Advisory Council members will have the opportunity to participate in this event. She informed the members of the Youth Council that serving on this Council will provide to them many opportunities for service as well as allowing them to learn more about how their government and City work. President White thanked Mayor Luecke, Lynn Coleman, Assistant to the Mayor, City Clerk Loretta Duda and Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand for their many hours of work toward this effort and she thanked fellow Councilmembers for their support and assistance. President White stated that the City is fortunate to have such fine outstanding students as members of the Youth Advisory Council who are outstanding both academically and based upon their level of involvement in our community and in the schools. At this time, Councilmember Pfeifer, co- sponsor of the bill, shared some of the goals and objectives of the Youth Advisory Council. Councilmember Pfeifer thanked everyone gathered to launch this leadership initiative. She stated that these youth will be asked to help increase interest in voting as well as to take a look at civic responsibility not only in terms of voting but in responding to what is going on in their neighborhoods, schools and families. Councilmember Pfeifer noted that communication between youth and civic leaders will be established and the youth will be role models for younger people because part of the Youth Advisory Council legislation is for this Youth Council to start a Council for younger people. This Council will also work with the Indiana Youth Initiative which is an institute which organizes positive initiatives for young people. Councilmember Pfeifer stated that the Council wants the Youth Advisory Council members to help them do more things in the community that are youth oriented. She noted that education has always been a big equalizer and asked what can be done to help other young people stay in school and succeed at their academic best.