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1988 10 31 CSC Minutes e e COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 31, 1988 Regular meeting of the Community Services Commission was called to order at the hour of 7:00 P.M. by Chairman Rothschild at the Community Services Center, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENT: Commissioners Beck, Ladner, Mendoza, Chairman Rothschild ABSENT: Commissioners Jaffy, Molina, Pina WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None PUBLIC COMMENT - None OLD BUSINESS A. COMMITTEE REPORTS 1. Human Services Committee Mr. Beck reported on the Anti-Drug Conference attended by himself, Commissioners Jaffy, Rothschild and Mrs. Juhola and commented on the benefit received from it. Mr. Beck then reported on Red Ribbon Week activities advising of the "human billboard" formed at the schools spelling out "L. Q. Says No To Drugs"; red ribbons were distributed throughout the City; drug-free home pledges were sent home to the children of the La Quinta Sports and Youth Soccer Team and a banner was hung on Eisenhower stating that "La Quinta Says No To Drugs". Report of Anti-Drug Task Force. Mrs. Mendoza, Chairman of the Task Force presented the following recommendations of the Task Force: MANDATORY SUSPENSION How to involve the student during the suspension period. She advised that currently, when a student is caught selling or using drugs on campus, there is an automatic 5-day suspension. The Task Force saw a problem with a student being unsupervised during that five day period since in many homes, both parents are working. The possible solutions discussed were reinstituting the TAP (Temporary Alternate Placement) program; and sending first-time offenders to a special 8-hour class during that period. . . . COMMUNITY SERVICES ~ COMMISSION MINUTES ~ Page 2 .tober 31, 1988 MODIFICATION OF DRUG EDUCATION CURRICULUM - Currently, once a student reaches high school, drug education is not available until the 11th grade in the Health Unit. The Task Force saw a problem with this since the Sophomore year is the year that kids become more independent. The recommendation is that the Commission discuss this matter with the Superintendent of the District to resolve it. FURTHER RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. That the Commission ask the policy statement to the effect Quinta intends to be drug-free. Council to make a that the City of La 2. That the Commission establish an Anti-Drug Task Force Committee as a sub-committee under Human Services and ask for Council's ratification of same. The committee would be made up of a representative of all community organizations as well as people from the medical community. 3. That the Commission ask the Council to take a position of opposition to legalization of drugs and publicize same in the City Newsletter encouraging all citizens to do the same. 4. That the Commission ask the Council to take a position of opposing the advertisement of alcoholic beverages on television in the same way that tabacco products were banned, on the basis that alcohol use among adolescents has become a nation-wide health issue. 5. That the Commission ask for Council's endorsement of a "Fair" in the park for the purpose of drug awareness and education, on the basis that adults need to be made aware of the drugs that are being used; how to identify the drugs and drug paraphernalia; and how to detect drug usage. MOTION It was moved by Mrs. Ladner, seconded by Mr. Beck that the recommendations of the Task Force be approved. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Beck commented that there are many parties going on in which teenagers are consuming alcoholic beverages and felt that these parties are being ignored by the Sheriff's Department. Mr. Rothschild and Mr. Beck advised that they would contact Lt. Dye and discuss the matter with him. , . . COMMUNITY SERVICESe COMMISSION MINUTES Page 3 _October 31, 1988 . . f 2. Parks and Recreation Committee - No Report 3. Culture and Fine Arts. Mrs. Mendoza commented that the Village Faire will be held November November 20th; last week the Camber Mixer at the La Quinta Hotel kicked of the Jazz Festival; a new art gallery opened with hours 2:00 P.M. to 2:00. A.M.. Mrs. Mendoza advised that she would check on the of the City's nomination of Fred Rice as Historian of the Year. status County NEW BUSINESS Mrs. Ladner advised that she is working with United Cerebral Palsy and they are currently raising funds to establish a therapy facility down-valley for people who are handicapped and physically challenged. There will be a telethon from which the proceeds will be used to open a facility in a rented building while trying to raise funds to purchase a site and build. Currently, the only therapy program available is at Katherine Finchy in Palm Springs. She could foresee where this type of facility could be used for the students in the TAP program to work during their suspension. She questioned what role the Commission could take in assisting with this endeavor. Commissioners asked Mrs. Ladner to check into how the facilities are operated in the Hemet area and report back. B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 26, 1988. - Carried over as the minutes were not in the Commissioners packets. It was moved by Mrs. Mendoza, seconded by Mrs. Ladner that this meeting be adjourned. Motion carried unanimously. Administrative Services Director California