Youth Commission

YOUTH COMMISSION City Hall—Council Chambers, 590 40th Ave NE Wednesday, September 14, 2022 6:00 PM MINUTES The following are the minutes for the Meeting of the Youth Commission held at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 590 40th Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, Minnesota. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 6:00 pm by Chair Hernandez Monroy. ROLL CALL/STATUS OF MEMBERSHIP Members Present: Commissioners Garcia Genis, Hernandez-Monroy, Johnson, Mamo, Rogne, Solem Members Absent: Commissioner Marquez, Novitsky, Kucera, Tabor Council Liaison: Mayor Márquez Simula, absent Also Present: Connie Buesgens, Councilmember, Sara Ion, City Clerk; Ben Sandell, Communications Coordinator APPROVAL OF AGENDA The September 14th, 2022 Agenda was approved unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The May 11th, 2022, Youth Commission Meeting minutes were approved unanimously. CORRESPONDENCE Communications Coordinator Sandell stated that there will be an extension to the deadline for Youth Commission Applications as the City hopes to get a few more people to apply. He is hoping the current commissioners can each ask their friends and fellow students to apply now that school is back in session. Summer Meeting Reports. The Commissioners discussed the government meetings and events they attended over the summer break. OLD BUSINESS Recap of Spring 2022. Commissioner Sandell gave a recap and refresher on activities and votes from the winter/spring 2022 term. He reminded the Commissioners that there will be new members appointed as of the next City of Columbia Heights MINUTES September 14, 2022 Youth Commission Page 2 meeting in October. The first meeting in October marks the first meeting of the new term, there will be new officer elections at the October 12th meeting. NEW BUSINESS 2022-2023 Goals. Commissioners brainstormed activities, goals, and projects that they hope to accomplish in the upcoming year. Commissioner Solem would like to support the Skate Park and she and Commissioner Rogne are planning to attend the September 28th Park and Recreation Commission meeting as recommended by Councilmember Buesgens. Commissioner Mamo would like to see more events at the Community Center for teens. Commissioner Rogne would like to see more social events and E- Sports. There was also group discussion with Councilmember Buesgens about partnering with HeightsNext to bring back the Haunted House at Murzyn Hall in 2023. 2022-2023 Speakers. Commissioners discussed speakers they might like to have at upcoming meetings. Communications Coordinator Sandell suggested Public Works Superintendent David Cullen as he would have information related to the process for initiating and upkeep of a skate park. The commissioners thought that it would be great to hear from David. They would also like to hear from the local Kiwanis group, a reporter from the Newspaper and the Embedded Social Worker who works with the Police Department. Meeting Leadership Transition. Communications Coordinator Sandell and Clerk Ion again talked about transitioning from staff-led meetings to Youth Commissioner-led meetings as we could potentially have newly elected Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary starting at the next meeting. ADJOURNMENT Chair Hernandez Monroy adjourned the meeting a 7:32pm. Respectfully Submitted, ______________________________________ Sara Ion, City Clerk