Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMAY 8,1997 I I I 3'1:'0113 .' 01/0 _ S-o O->o'ir1'7 CC CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN mE OffiCE OF mE CITY CLERK MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OF TIffi CITY OF ARCADIA and the ARCADIA UN1F1ED SCHOOL DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD , JOINT MEETING MAY 8, 1997 The City Council and the Governing Board of the Arcadia Unified School District met in a Joint Meeting on Thursday, May 8,1997, at 6:00 p.m. in the Arcadia Community Center. I. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilmembers Kovacic, Kuhn and Harbicht ABSENT: Councilmembers Chang and Young It was MOVED by Mayor Pro tern Kovacic, seconded by Councilmember Kuhn and CARRIED to EXCUSE the absence of Councilmembers Chang and Young. ROLL CALL PRESENT: School Board Members Dougherty, Gibson, McClain and Steinmeier ABSENT: School Board Member Lamb 2, SUPPLEMENT AL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS None, 3. QUESTIONS FROM CITY COUNCIL OR SCHOOL BOARD REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS None, 4, AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION No one spoke, 5. 01,0 - ,!..(J YOUTH Consideration of the repon and presentation of the "Study of Arcadia's Current Youth Programs MASTER and Proposed Activities for Consideration in the Development of an Arcadia Youth Master PLAN Plan," A joint meeting of the Arcadia City Council and the Governing Board of the Arcadia Unified School District was held in December 1995, At that meeting it was decided to conduct a study of the opinions of the community regarding the after school recreational activity needs of the youth of Arcadia, The two governing bodies determined that the School District would chair the pannership because of its ease in contacting and communicating with students and their parents, In January. 1996, a Steering Committee was created to accomplish this task, The Committee was comprised of City Manager William Kelly, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Terrence Towner. Police Chief Ronnie Garner. Director of Recreation Jeny Collins, City Librarian Kent Ross, AUSD Director for Community Services Dr, Suzanne Keavney, and other citizens, parents, clergy, students and PT A leadership, Dr. Suzanne Keavney acted as Committee Chair, The 518/97 3Q,0114 Steering Comminee has met regularly since its inception and has accomplished the following tasks: I Reoorts - Demographics, created and based primarily on the 1990 Federal Census - Student Interest Survey, second through fifth grades - Student Interest Survey, sixth through eighth grades - "Search Institute Profiles of Student Life: Attitudes and Behaviors" - ninth through twelfth grades Presentations to community organizations listed in the Youth Master Plan document. Dr, Suzanne Keavney introduced the twenty-four (24) members of the Youth Master Plan Steering Committee who worked with various segments of the community to develop the Plan: Ana Banelji Nancy Chik Jerry Collins Derek Epps Ronnie Garner Kenny Garren Patrick Hegarty Hsiang-Hsiang Huang Gail Jensen William Kelly Kathy Kimball Daniel Kwan Carol Libby Chris Mead Shelly Romo Kim Rider Kent Ross Keppie Sullivan Dr, Terrence Towner Father Gene Wallace Phyllis Wilburn John Wuo Annie Yuen Dr, Suzanne Keavney, Steering Committee Chair I Following introduction of the members of the Steering Committee, various speakers presented their views of the need for a Master Plan for the youth of the commnnity, A sununary follows: Daniel K wan. Arcadia High School student, stated in part his concern of the rising crime statistics in the City relative to his peer group and the need for positive role models, programs and entertainment for the youth, Chris Mead. parent, expressed positive expectations of the proposed Youth Master Plan, and her experience as a member of the Steering Committee. Ms. Mead believes the Master Plan addresses the needs of a diverse mix of City youth, Kennv Garrell student, stated, in pari, his belief that students, if offered opportunities, would spend their time in positive activities in the City rather than in other communities which have more to offer young people, He explained that young people only want places to meet their friends and new people, Vincent Auveunl!. student, Dana Middle School, explained why he feels that supervised sports and other programs should be offered to Arcadia youth after school and weekends, He urged Council and the School Board to consider what these activities could do for the young people of Arcadia, rather than the cost of such programs, Gail Jensen. parent, stated her part in the presentation this evening is to point out the seven recommendations outlined in the "Implementation Matrix of the Youth Master Plan." which do not reqnire funds to implement: I I - Make the youth of Arcadia and their needs a high priority in all facets of City life, 2 - Create a permanent partnership between the City and the School District, 2 5/8/97 39:0115" I 3 - Increase communication among leaders of various youth programs and agencies by creation of a Youth Master Plan Standing Committee and an Arcadia Youth Coordinating Council as presented in the Youth Master Plan. 4 - Increase avenues of communication between youth activities programs/agencies and student/families via television, web sites and other means. 5 - Provide classes/activities proposed in the Youth Master Plan programs. 6 - Train and supervise personnel working in youth programs to properly implement and maintain the many activities and classes in the Plan, 7 - Add Youth Master Plan Impact Section to all CitylDistrict agenda reports related to youth activities, Ms, Jensen felt that each of the seven points is important in order to keep a constant avenue of communication and cooperation open to best service Arcadia's youth. Mickev SeRa!. parent, presented seven recommendations for youth activities which would require funding: I I - Expand and create recreation/activity programs at all Arcadia schools - $150.000 plus facilities. 2 - Extend school and City Library hours - $37,500 a year, City Library costs, School District costs to be determined. 3 - Continue to administer "Search Institute Profiles of Student Life: Attitudes and Behaviors," and include grades six through eight - $600 per year, 4 - Arcadia Education Foundation to offer educational, "for fee," classes after school, such as drama, computer, tutoring and job training. 5 - Expand Dial-a-Ride program and revise Dial-a-Ride pamphlet to include services for youth and expand distribution - Proposition A and C funds. 6 - Acquire Arcadia County Park and expand facilities to include a roller hockey rink, basketball courts, band shell and open and improve the swimming pool - $700,000 per year maintenance. 7 - Establish a scholarship fund for students whose families cannot afford to pay fees for their participation in the Youth Master Plan programs - $10,000, Mr. Segal displayed a chart of the City of Arcadia FY 1996-97 General Fund budget of approximately $26.000,000. and noted that $1,000,000 (4%) of the General Fund is the Recreation Department budget of which $250,000 (25%) per year appears to be spent on children.., not including staffing and administrative costs. Mr. Segal further pointed out that there may be as many as 37.3% or 9,500 of the City's registered voters that are School District parents... stating he is mentioning this because the School District may be the largest business within the City and it is important that careful consideration be given to City youth when plans are considered, In conclusion Mr, Segal commented that the Master Plan would provide a Citywide opportunity to get school children involved in recreational and educational activities and use their time constructively and enjoyably, Moreover, implementation of the proposed Youth Master Plan would cost the City less than 1% of the tota1l996-97 General Fund budget. Considerable discussion followed the presentation, School Board President Steinmeier thanked the committee for their time and effort in preparing the Youth Master Plan, I Board Member Gibson 'also expressed her appreciation to the Committee for their work. Member Gibson felt that a Citywide communication would be very beneficial to inform parents of available activities and services for children, and also expanded after school programs are crucial... as well as trained people to run the programs, Member Gibson expressed great interest in the City obtaining the County Park for construction of an auditorium, lighted athletic fields and other facilities that young need, 3 5/8/97 o 3~~0116 Mayor Pro tern Kovacic commended the Committee for their work on the Plan, and noted that I the City would have to defer a lot of money and effort from other City programs to develop the County Park if the City were to obtain ownership. The park provides a resource for the City as it now exists... he would rather expend funds elsewhere. In reference to the Youth Master Plan Implementation Matrix he would like to get many of these recommendations on the City Council agenda and move forward on many of the activities. Mayor Hartlicht noted that the Council has requested that the City Recreation Commission look into the County Park and recommend options that would make the park self-sustaining and defray the maintenance costs if it should become City property. As to roller hockey and indoor soccer, the City is actively negotiating with a developer for a roller hockey facility, and passively negotiating with a second developer in a different part of the City, Councilmember Kuhn commended the Youth Master Plan committee for their efforts. She is very interested in going forward, with some of the recommended programs; however, because of fiscal restraints the City will have to work within a thin margin of available funds, and the fiscal responsibilities must be balanced between the City and the School District and, perhaps, the Arcadia Education Foundation. School Board Member Dougherty expressed her appreciation to the Steering Committee and, in particular, Dr, Keavney. Member Dougherty suggested that, in the negotiations for the County Park, Council ask for a portion of the County golf course on which to build an auditoriwn in close proximity to the high school. Member Dougherty suggested also that a screening committee could be fonned to process scholarships for those families unable to pay fees for some of the Youth Master Plan programs, Further, the Red Cross has some programs that would I benefit young people... this organization could be brought into partnership with the City and School District. Mayor Hartlieht, in reference to the Youth Master Plan document, stated that he is very impressed with the clear and concise report which was the result of the involvement of many people, He congratulated the Committee for a very professional job. The City Council will take the recommendations of the Committee under advisement and respond to some of the recommendations immediately, and other recommendations could be placed on a suspense calendar for future considerations as finances pennit. Mayor Pro tern Kovacic felt the recommendations which do not require funding could be placed on the Council's agenda for action at the next regular Council meeting, Some of the items could be combined in a staff report which would include a time line for implementation. Those activities requiring funding would need more detailed analyses, President Steinmeier expressed concern that the proposed Youth Master Plan move forward and suggested consensus for Item No, 3.., Increase communication among leaders of various youth programs and agencies by creation of a Youth Master Plan Standing Committee and an Arcadia Youth Coordinating Council as presented in the Youth Master Plan, This committee could report to the School Board and the City Council from time to time, President Steinmeier suggested that the School District could take the lead and come back to the Council and Board so the Plan would not be forgotten. A discussion ensued of the direction to take at this time, Member Gibson suggested School District staff and City staff meet to consider which programs in the Master Plan to implement I and present their recommendations to the respective boards for consideration, followed by a future joint meeting of the School District Governing Board and the City Council. This suggestion received consensus of the Board and City Council. o 4 5/8/97 I I I 39:0117 ADJOURN-' At 7:23 p,m, the Joint Meeting of the City CounciJ and the Governing Board of the School MENT District ADJOURNED. The City Council to Tuesday. May 20, 1997 at 6:00 p.m, in the City Council Chambers Conference Room for a Regular Meeting of the Cil)' Council. And, the Arcadia Unified School District Governing Board to Tuesday, May 13, 1997 for a Regular Meeting of the Governing Board in the School District Board Room, /fd~ Robert C. Harbicht, Mayor of the City of Arcadia ATTEST: ~j)op" 5 5/8/97