Blue Ribbon Commission

CITY OF HENDERSON BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION ON EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AND YOUTH OPPORTUNITY MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, August 18, 2021 I. CALL TO ORDER Xanie Gann, Recreation Services Manager, called the meeting of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Educational Excellence and Youth Opportunity to order at 4:04 p.m., in the City Hall Annex Conference Room, 280 South Water Street, Henderson, Nevada 89015. II. CONFIRMATION OF POSTING AND ROLL CALL Anthony Rossa, Administrative Assistant III, confirmed the meeting of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Educational Excellence and Youth Opportunity had been noticed in compliance with the Open Meeting Law by posting the Agenda three working days prior to the meeting at City Hall, City Hall Annex, the Multigenerational Recreation Center, the Whitney Ranch Recreation Center, Fire Station No. 86, the Nevada Public Notice Website, the City of Henderson Website, and by mailing and emailing a copy of the Agenda to everyone appearing thereon on the Agenda Master Mailing List and Emailing List. PRESENT: Jennifer Atlas Carrie Cox London Crowley (Left at 4:29 p.m.) Megan Larocque Joseph Palmaffy Mallory Rich McKenzie Shelton-Lott Skylar Stephan Bradley Vidal ABSENT: Luke Adamo (Excused) Daniel Martinez (Excused) Elise Steffensen (Excused) Jack Wohlwend (Excused) Shane Zeller (Excused) STAFF: Xanie Gann, Recreation Services Manager Michael Oh, Senior Assistant City Attorney Anthony Rossa, Administrative Assistant III Janet Sandifer, Deputy City Clerk GUESTS: Ray Everhart, Recreation Superintendent Maxwell Fenster, Education Initiatives Analyst Amie Wojtech, Park Project Manager Blue Ribbon Commission Meeting Page 2 of 7 Wednesday, August 18, 2021 – Draft Minutes III. PUBLIC COMMENT Maxwell Fenster, Education Initiatives Analyst, introduced himself and stated he will be happy to be of assistance. Ray Everhart, Recreation Superintendent, stated he is present to observe the meeting and provide support. IV. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA (Motion) Mr. Vidal introduced a motion to accept the agenda, as presented. The vote favoring approval was unanimous. Acting Chairperson Gann declared the motion carried. V. NEW BUSINESS 1 MINUTES BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION JULY 29, 2020 PARKS AND RECREATION Blue Ribbon Commission Meeting minutes of July 29, 2020. (Motion) The Blue Ribbon Commission meeting minutes of July 29, 2020, were not attached to the agenda packet; therefore, Ms. Cox introduced a motion to continue this item to September 15, 2021, for adoption. The vote favoring approval was unanimous. Acting Chairperson Gann declared the motion carried. 2 GUEST SPEAKER AMIE WOJTECH PARKS AND RECREATION Amie Wojtech, Park Project Manager from the City of Henderson, will provide an overview of her role with the Parks Planning Division. Amie Wojtech introduced herself and gave a summary of her educational and professional tenure. Ms. Wojtech gave a PowerPoint presentation titled Park Planning Roles and Responsibilities and asked the Commissioners if they had any questions regarding the park planning functions and the design and construction process. Blue Ribbon Commission Meeting Page 3 of 7 Wednesday, August 18, 2021 – Draft Minutes Following an inquiry from Ms. Cox regarding whether suggestions are encouraged because she would like to see an all-ability park in Henderson such as Thunder Junction All-Abilities Park in St. George, Utah, Ms. Wojtech stated suggestions are always welcome, and an all-abilities sports park is currently in the design phase. Responding to an inquiry from Mr. Palmaffy regarding what tools are used to receive community feedback and suggestions from the residents, Ms. Wojtech said residents can access the Parks and Trails page from the City’s Parks and Recreation website to view upcoming projects and stated surveys are available when public meetings are scheduled. She also said Contact Henderson can also be utilized to provide feedback that will be directed to her. Following Miss Larocque’s inquiry regarding the timeframe for the completion of a park from beginning to end, Ms. Wojtech said it depends on the project. She said projects that are funded under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act have a five-year timeline. A brief discussion ensued regarding McKenzie Shelton-Lott’s inquiry regarding the process for parks with a construction cost of over $100,000.00. (London Crowley left the room at 4:25 p.m. and returned at 4:27 p,m.) 3 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION OF THE BLUE RIBBON COMMISSIONERS PARKS AND RECREATION Welcome and introduce the Blue Ribbon Commissioners. The Commissioners and attendees introduced themselves and gave a brief overview of their backgrounds. 4 NOMINATIONS AND ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR PARKS AND RECREATION Discuss the nominations and elections for the offices of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Henderson Blue Ribbon Commission on Excellence and Youth Opportunity. Acting Chairperson Gann provided an overview of the nomination and election processes. Blue Ribbon Commission Meeting Page 4 of 7 Wednesday, August 18, 2021 – Draft Minutes Acting Chairperson Gann stated the nominees will have to give a presentation at the September 15, 2021, meeting to promote their eligibility for Chairperson or Vice Chairperson. She said if the nominees provide a PowerPoint presentation, they will need to submit it to Anthony Rossa, Administrative Assistant III, and any other backup material, prior to the September 15, 2021, meeting. Ms. Gann said an email reminder will be sent to the nominees. Ms. Gann said an election will occur immediately after all nominees have given a presentation and the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson will assume their roles at that time. 5 NOMINATIONS FOR CHAIRPERSON TO THE BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION ON EXCELLENCE AND YOUTH OPPORTUNITY PARKS AND RECREATION Accept nominations of the Office of the Chairperson to the Blue Ribbon Commission for the 2021-2022 school year. Nominated students will provide presentations of their candidacy prior to the election during the Blue Ribbon Commission’s regular meeting on September 15, 2021, with the vote occurring immediately afterwards. Acting Chairperson Gann said prior to leaving the meeting, Miss Crowley stated she would like to nominate herself for Chairperson. Miss Larocque nominated herself for the Office of Chairperson. (Motion) Ms. Atlas introduced a motion to accept the nominations of London Crowley and Megan Larocque for the Office of Chairperson to the Blue Ribbon Commission for the 2021-2022 school year. The vote favoring approval was unanimous. Acting Chairperson Gann declared the motion carried. 6 NOMINATIONS FOR VICE CHAIRPERSON TO THE BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION ON EXCELLENCE AND YOUTH OPPORTUNITY PARKS AND RECREATION Accept nominations of the Office of the Vice Chairperson to the Blue Ribbon Commission for the 2021-2022 school year. Nominated students will provide presentations of their candidacy prior to the election during the Blue Ribbon Commission’s regular meeting on September 15, 2021 with the vote occurring immediately afterwards. Miss Rich and Miss Shelton-Lott nominated themselves for the Office of Vice Chairperson. Blue Ribbon Commission Meeting Page 5 of 7 Wednesday, August 18, 2021 – Draft Minutes (Motion) Ms. Cox introduced a motion to accept the nominations of Mallory Rich and McKenzie Shelton-Lott for the Office of Vice Chairperson to the Blue Ribbon Commission for the 2021-2022 school year. The vote favoring approval was unanimous. Acting Chairperson Gann declared the motion carried. 7 BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION ON EXCELLENCE AND YOUTH OPPORTUNITY REVIEW OF BYLAWS PARKS AND RECREATION Staff will review the bylaws for the Blue Ribbon Commission. Michael Oh, Senior Assistant City Attorney, provided an overview of the bylaws for the Blue Ribbon Commission and highlighted the following sections:  Purpose Statement  Membership  Terms of Office  Absences  Vacancies  Meeting Requirements  Amendments  Compensation and Reimbursement for Expenditure Mr. Oh stated a presentation on ethics was held last week and encouraged the Commissioners to review Henderson Municipal Code Chapter 2 to understand the ethics and ordinances that apply to Commissioners to ensure their vote(s) do not contain conflicts of interest. Mr. Oh informed the Commissioners he is available if they have any concerns regarding any potential conflicts or issues that may arise. Mr. Oh said the Chairperson will present to the City Council on the Blue Ribbon Commission’s achievements and said the Council will want to know how they promoted education and leadership during the school year. Following an inquiry from Mr. Palmaffy regarding the member count, Acting Chairperson Gann stated a member resigned just prior to the meeting; therefore, a replacement student can be pulled from the applicant pool to represent that school, which was Nevada State High School. Acting Chairperson Gann said every school vacancy will be filled as the goal is to have representation from every Henderson high school. Blue Ribbon Commission Meeting Page 6 of 7 Wednesday, August 18, 2021 – Draft Minutes 8 STAFF REPORT PARKS AND RECREATION Xanie Gann, Recreation Services Manager, will give an update on upcoming events with the Blue Ribbon Commission. Acting Chairperson Gann said Anthony Rossa, Administrative Assistant III, will need everyone to give him their shirt size in order to receive a Blue Ribbon Commission polo. Acting Chairperson Gann said the dress code for the Blue Ribbon Commissioners is business casual and reminded them to dress appropriately for the meetings. Acting Chairperson Gann encouraged the Commissioners to approach their school’s leadership personnel to let them know what they are doing on behalf of the City as a member of this Commission. She said every agenda will contain a school report item which will be helpful to City staff to get the resources their schools require. Acting Chairperson Gann and Miss Larocque briefed the Commissioners on some of the previous events the Blue Ribbon Commission held. Ms. Gann said because the pandemic is still upon us, the Commissioners will need to think outside of the box regarding events for the 2021-2022 school year. Acting Chairperson Gann encouraged the Commissioners to let her, or Mr. Rossa, know if they have recommendations for future agenda items. VI. CHAIRMAN\MEMBER COMMENTS There were no Chairman\Member comments presented. VII. SET NEXT MEETING The next meeting was set for Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT Maxwell Fenster, Education Initiatives Analyst, stated this is a powerful Commission and stated he looks forward to assisting the Commissioners in their new roles. Blue Ribbon Commission Meeting Page 7 of 7 Wednesday, August 18, 2021 – Draft Minutes IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Acting Chairperson Gann adjourned the meeting at 5:11 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, _____________________ Janet Sandifer, Deputy City Clerk