Youth Commission

YOUTH COMMISSION City Hall—Council Chambers, 590 40th Ave NE Wednesday, December 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, December 14, 2022, in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 590 40th Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, Minnesota. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Rogne called the meeting to order at 6:05pm ROLL CALL/STATUS OF MEMBERSHIP Members Present: Commissioners Garcia Genis, Israelson, Johnson, Mamo Marquez, Solem, Rogne, Tabor, Williams Members Absent: Commissioners Ali, Solem Council Liaison: Mayor Márquez Simula Also Present: Connie Buesgens, Councilmember; James Hauth Utilities Superintendent; Sara Ion, City Clerk; Ben Sandell, Communications Coordinator Silvia Hernandez Monroy (via Zoom) APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Move to approve the December 14, 2022 Youth Commission Agenda. All Ayes, motion approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of 9/14/22, 10/12/22, and 11/9/22 Youth Commission Meeting Minutes. MOTION: Move to approve the September 14, 2022, October 12, 2022, and November 9, 2022, Youth Commission meeting minutes. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Williams. Al ayes, motion approved. Utilities Superintendent James Hauth. Communications Coordinator Ben Sandell introduced Utilities Superintendent James Hauth. Superintendent Hauth gave the commission information about what he does for the City, as well as his educational background. He spoke about the importance of the Cities water system, how the water we drink is purified, and the different ways the water gets to our homes and businesses. He will help plan a tour of the Water Works in the Spring of 2023 for the Youth Commission. Councilmember Connie Buesgens. Councilmember Buesgens shared details about upcoming community garden volunteering opportunities. The Commission is looking forward to working with Councilmember Buesgens when the weather is warmer. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES December 14, 2022 Youth Commission Page 2 OLD BUSINESS Discuss Commissioner Absences and Hold Vote on Membership Status for Non-Attending Members. Communications Coordinator Sandell presented information on the bylaws for the Youth Commission and those members that were currently in violation of the attendance standards. Commissioner Novitsky had missed the 9/14/22, 10/12/22, 11/9/22 and 12/11/22 and several of the meetings in the spring of 2022. Commissioner Tabor had missed the 9/14/22, 10/12/22, 11/9/22 meetings but was in attendance tonight. Commissioner Tabor stated that he was sorry to have missed the meetings that he did but had a school commitment with football. He promised to be in attendance going forward and to communicate his absences. The commission members discussed the seriousness of Commissioner Novitsky missing every meeting except the first meeting and felt that it was best to move forward with asking the Council to remove her from the Youth Commission. Commissioner Marquez made a motion to terminate the membership of the Youth Commissioner Novitsky having missed the 9/14/22, 10/12/22, 11/9/22 and 12/11/22 Youth Commission meetings with out communication to Staff or Commission Leadership as to the reason for missing the meeting. Commissioner Israelson seconded the motion. Al ayes, motion approved. Next Steps in Haunted House Production. Postponed until the next meeting. Water Lantern Festival Report and Discussion. Postponed until the next meeting. NEW BUSINESS Future Boards and Commission Meeting Attendance. Postponed until the next meeting. Youth Engagement Ideas Brainstorm. Postponed until the next meeting. Other Business. Postponed until the next meeting. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Rogne adjourned the meeting at 7:25pm Respectfully Submitted, ______________________________________ Sara Ion, City Clerk