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2005 01 10 CSC Minutes ~ 0{ ./p;Quudt COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MINUTES January 10. 2005 I. CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Community Services Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the La Guinta Senior Center. Commissioner St. Johns presided over the meeting and led the Pledge of Allegiance. MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioner Victoria St. Johns Commissioner Ed Hackney Commissioner Bob Leidner Commissioner Jack Fleck STAFF PRESENT: Dodie Horvitz, Community Services Director Therese Vella-Finorio, Secretary II. PUBLIC COMMENT -None III. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval December 13, 2004 Minutes B. Monthly Department Report for November 2004 It was moved by Commissioners Hackney/Leidner to approve Monthly Department Report. Unanimous. V. PUBLIC HEARING - NONE VI. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Youth Workshop - Commissioner St. Johns welcomed everyone to the Youth Workshop and stated the first Youth Workshop with La Guinta High School students was held on April 30, 1997. Commissioner St. Johns Community Services Commission Minutes recapped some of the students' ideas that came from past Youth Workshops: sex education was included to high school curriculum; and the Fritz Burns skate park. She expected great ideas from this workshop tonight. Commissioner St. Johns asked everyone to introduce themselves. She then asked the groups to begin their discussions with each table having a volunteer to record their ideas. At the end of the discussions, one student from each table will have the opportunity to share their ideas with the entire group. Results from the discussions: Table I: 1.More entertainment at the parks (using local bands, students playing instruments, karaoke). 2. Plays or skits at City Picnic utilizing talent from LG High School and Middle School. 3. Movie theater 4. Teen Center 5. Open gym at LGHS to play basketball or football 6. Recreation Center for teens; local live bands again with a $3 admission charge $3; a lot of teens would come. Table 2: 1. Volunteering - Special Olympics 2. Teen Center - a place to go after school for teens only with a fast food restaurant inside 3. Have pool open once a month; holding BBG's there with $3 to $5 admission charge 4. Snowboarding trip or skiing trips on the Tram 5. Skate Park exhibition to show how to do it 6. Get information out through flyers and posters at school, and have information available to the clubs at schools so the students could let everyone know 7. Concert with a famous band 8. Shopping excursions to Cabazon Table 3: 1. Teen Center 2. Dances 3. Boys and Girls Club open with activities for teens such as: a. Drivers' Education classes Community Services Commission Minutes b. Tutoring c. Dirt bike track 4. Field trips to sporting events 5. Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles 6. Separate activities for La Guinta Middle and High School not mixing those two the age groups together 7. Mentoring program for high school students with elementary school; not enough access to transportation to and from the schools Table 4: 1. Amusement Park (Six Flags) 2. Movie theater 3. Dances/Teen Center 4. Shadowing someone on their job for the day 5. Fashion show with big names 6. Hip Hop dance class 7. Electronic game store - Game Plex 8. Sports arena where high schools could play Friday night games; also an Ice skating and roller skating rink and a water park 9. Drag racing facilities 10. Miniature golf and go carts 11 . Have our own "River" 12. Bowling alley 13. Boomers Table 5: 1. Thank you to the City for the new Library 2. Shopping excursions 3. Festivals such as Mexican, Greek or Asian to learn about other heritages; visit museums, go to McCallum Theater 4. College tours 5. Bowling Alley - the one in Indio is next to the Casino 6. Tutoring by students or teachers at the Senior Center 7. Classes - cooking and home repair 8. Volunteering in the community 9. Place for everyone to meet like a Coachella Valley Social club 10. Transportation (16 passenger bus) for students and teens Director Horvitz commented on the ideas that were brought forward from this workshop. She indicated we will take the ideas and work on them. Some of the things that were brought up at this workshop are already started: Community Services Commission Minutes 1. Our staff member, Kristin Riesgo, has started live bands at the La Guinta Park. 2. We have open basketball on Monday to Thursday evening from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm at the Boys and Girls Club for teens. 3. Shopping trips are in our Recreation brochure 4. We had a skateboard competition at the La Guinta Skate Park and will continue to do this. 5. We have an excursion planned to the Museum of Tolerance in April. 6. We have Hip Hop dance classes in the Recreation brochure. 7. Volunteers will be needed for the La Guinta Arts Festival in March and the City Picnic in April. You may contact Kristin Riesgo. 8. Snowboarding trip to Big Bear on February 11th. Director Horvitz stated we will work on the rest of the ideas presented. As an update to the Teen Center, the City is working on adding a room to the Boys and Girls Club just for the City's use with a weight room. Our staff, Kristin Riesgo and Christina Calderon, are working on having some demonstrations at the skate park. We did have an event with a live band but not very many people came. We sent flyers to the middle school and high school, but they may not have gotten it. Director Horvitz liked the suggestion made about getting the word out to the students through their on campus clubs. Regarding the movie theater, Director Horvitz said one was built about seven years ago but the company couldn't make it work. Some of the suggestions made regarding new businesses would not be something we could implement. Director Horvitz said we have a talent show planned which is listed in the current Recreation brochure. She said to take a look at the brochure because we have some great activities coming up. She hoped the students would support these events and classes. Miss Ramirez said she has tutoring classes and would love to have community members helping. Commissioner St. Johns asked the students when is it they need transportation? The students said that the need transportation to the River, the Mall or book stores. The Sun Bus has too many transfers and is very J Community Services Commission Minutes expensive. Commissioner St. Johns said the last time we had a Youth Workshop the Sun Bus sent a representative who added a special bus that went from the City Hall to the pool at Lake Cahuilla. She said the Sun Bus wants to work with us. Commissioner St. Johns asked the students about the restaurants. The students said they have lots of fast food restaurants but no place to hang out. They want an In 'N Out. The Boys and Girls Club representatives attending the forum asked for the students suggestions. The students would like to have a club in the school similar to ASB. Commissioner St. Johns said they would love to have leadership from the Community Service Commission each month. The High School representative to the La Guinta Rotary receives a flyer from them. Miss Ramirez said they would like to find one student representative to go the Community Services Commission meeting each month who would bring a report back to the student body. Another suggestion was the MADD group on campus could have volunteers to help bring home students on Friday and Saturday night so they won't get into trouble. Commissioner Hackney asked if we could get brochure to high school for students and get information to people across the community? Director Horvitz said we feature four activities in a flyer which we send to the schools. Kristin Riesgo makes large supply of flyers she takes to the schools but we have no control of the flyers once they get to the school. She also stated the "Desert Sun" newspaper features a column Youth Yak which gives information on what's going on. Check out youthyak.com The Community Services Department also puts out public service announcements on radio and on television stations. Director Horvitz said there is a problem because we have offered programs but no one comes. "We need you to come out in force to continue these programs." She said we will work on getting information into the school newspaper. Director Horvitz and Commissioner St. Johns said they are excited about the student ideas presented at this forum. Commissioner St. Johns said the Drivers' Education written course is on line for free from Desert Sands Unified School District. u Community Services Commission Minutes VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIALS VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS A. Reports from Commissioners Regarding Meetings Attended: Commissioner Leidner wanted to know if the Commissioners will be asked to be involved in the SilverRock grand opening. Director Horvitz stated the marketing firm will be handling the grand opening. Commissioner Hackney stated he has been unsuccessful in trying to reach someone at the "Desert Sun" newspaper. Director Horvitz reconfirmed the phone number with Commissioner Hackney. Commissioner Fleck gave follow-up information regarding the Viet Nam Veterans celebration. Director Horvitz stated she will go before the City Council at their April meeting to request they issue proclamations. Commissioner Fleck also gave information related to the National Flag Foundation who are having a special commemoration on June 14th "Flags Across America". They have requested the VFW to support this cause. Commissioner Fleck has contacted the La Guinta High School for their support. Commissioner Fleck was recommending hosting an event at the City's campus. Commissioner Fleck will provide Director Horvitz with the literature when he receives it. IX. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioners Leidner/Hackney to adjourn the Community Services Commission meeting at 8:40 PM. Unanimous. NEXT MEETING INFORMA nON Monday, February 14, 2005 @7:00 PM La Guinta Civic Center - Study Session Room Submitted by: ,- , . Community Services Commission Minutes Therese Vella-Finorio, Community Services Secretary , .....l.' l /~ ./ L ) " \., ' i c/---, L/ I/~_ ,: r (