HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/23/07 Community Relation Committee Meeting Minutes_~. Community Relations Committee Meeting
2007 South Bend Common Council
The April 23, 2007 meeting of the Community Relations Committee of the South Bend
Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Roland Kelly
at 4:16 p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Kelly, Pfeifer, Kirsits, Varner, White,
Dieter, Kuspa and Puzzello; Police Chief Thomas Fautz, Building Commissioner Don
1=ozo, Martha Lewis, Mrs. Kopola, Jamie Loo of the South Bend Tribune and Kathleen
Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney.
Counci! Member Kelly noted that this was the first meeting of this committee this year.
The committee members include Council Members White, Varner, Puzzello and
himself, and that James Burns serves as the Citizen Member.
Bill Na 20-07: Bill Amending Various Sections of Chapter 2, Article 'l, Division 'I
of the South Bend Municipal Code Addressing the "Youth Advisory Council":
Council Member Kelly called upon Council Member White, the sponsor of Bill No. 20-07
for a formal presentation.
Council Member Karen L. White stated that she is happy to be bringing back to the
Council amendments which would improve the overall operations of the Youth Advisory
Council. She noted that on April 14, 2003, the Common Council passed Ordinance No.
9414-03 which created a 19-member Youth Advisory Council for the City of South Bend.
She noted that it required the city to work closely with the South Bend Community
School Corporation in the selection process and ongoing operations.
Council Member White noted that she has had several conversations, has had
extensive research done, and has worked closely with the Council Attorney in
developing proposed amendments to re-invigorate and improve the Council's Youth
Advisory Council. These amendments include:
• Reducing the number of participants from nineteen (19) to eleven (11)
Permitting each District Council Member to select one (1) youth member with the
At Large Council Members selecting five (5) youth members
Community Relations Committee
April 23, 2007
Page 2
Having the application form and related material available on-line so that it can
be downloaded on a 2417 basis
• Having the Counci( work closely with the Office of the City Clerk so that updates
to the City's website about the Youth Advisory Council may be timely made
Council Member White stated that one of the best functioning Youth Councils is the one
in Boston. Same of the many activities which the Boston Youth Council has sponsored
include: an annual Youth Summit which has attracted over '[,500; established a
Youthline so that youth could access information on line; created Positive Image
Awards similar to those initiated by Council Member Dieter in the First District;
conducted surveys, public service announcements; and addressed youth safety
concerns.
Council Member White noted that she envisioned all Council Members working closely
with the South Bend Community School Corporation in their mentoring roles.
In response to recommendations from Council Member Dieter, Council Member White
hoped that Council Members would become involved with high schools located in their
Districts. Terms for the Youth Members run from May to May; and youth in high school
through the age of 21 years of age may apply. She also hoped that neighborhood
associations would be more involved with the Youth Council in the future.
Council Member Pfeifer suggested that churches and other organizations becoming
involved would also be helpful.
Na one from the public spoke in favor or in opposition to the Bill.
Following discussion, Council Member Puzzello made a motion, seconded by Dr.
Varner that Bill No. 20-07 be recommended favorably to Council The motion passed.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Kelly
adjourned the meeting at 4:23 p.m.
Re ctfully submitted,
.~
Council Member Roland Kelly, Chairperson
Community Relations Committee
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