Blue Ribbon Commission

CITY OF HENDERSON BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION ON EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AND YOUTH OPPORTUNITY MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, November 17, 2021 I. CALL TO ORDER Acting Chair Xanie Gann, Recreation Services Manager, called the meeting of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Educational Excellence and Youth Opportunity to order at 4:16 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. PRESENT: Jennifer Atlas Carrie Cox (Arrived at 4:19 p.m.) London Crowley Daniel Martinez Skylar Stephan Bradley Vidal Jack Wohlwend Shane Zeller (via Teleconference) ABSENT: Chair Megan Larocque (Excused) Luke Adamo (Excused) Joseph Palmaffy (Excused) Mallory Rich (Excused) McKenzie Shelton-Lott STAFF: Xanie Gann, Recreation Services Manager Wade Gochnour, Assistant City Attorney III Anthony Rossa, Administrative Assistant III Janet Sandifer, Deputy City Clerk GUESTS: Duane Graham, Basic Academy of International Studies Bryan Mortensen, Water/Wastewater Operations Manager Michael Mutzhaus, Vice President, Critical Care Comic and former Blue Ribbon Commissioner Blue Ribbon Commission Meeting Page 2 of 6 Wednesday, November 17, 2021 – Minutes III. PUBLIC COMMENT Duane Graham, Basic Academy of International Studies, introduced himself and stated he will be joining the Blue Ribbon Commission soon. Acting Chair Xanie Gann, Recreation Services Manager, stated Mr. Graham will represent the Clark County School District (CCSD) on the Blue Ribbon Commission. IV. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA Anthony Rossa, Administrative Assistant III, stated page 27 of the backup materials was added in error and should be deleted. (Motion) Mr. Vidal introduced a motion to accept the agenda, as amended. The vote favoring approval was unanimous. Acting Chair Gann declared the motion carried. V. NEW BUSINESS 1 MINUTES BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 PARKS AND RECREATION Blue Ribbon Commission Meeting minutes of September 15, 2021. (Motion) Ms. Atlas introduced a motion to adopt the meeting minutes of September 15, 2021, as presented. The vote favoring approval was unanimous. Acting Chair Gann declared the motion carried. 2 GUEST SPEAKER BRYAN MORTENSEN PARKS AND RECREATION Bryan Mortensen, Water/Wastewater Operations Manager, will provide an overview of his role with the Utility Services Department. Blue Ribbon Commission Meeting Page 3 of 6 Wednesday, November 17, 2021 – Minutes Bryan Mortensen, Water/Wastewater Operations Manager, introduced himself, provided an overview of his role with the Utility Services Department, and gave a PowerPoint presentation titled City of Henderson – Department of Utilities Services Water & Wastewater Operations, which has been added to the backup material. He explained that his job is to provide vital water and wastewater services to the citizens while protecting the environment, health, and prosperity of the community. A question-and-answer session ensued with Mr. Mortensen regarding ways everyone can participate in water conservation efforts, the vast role the Utility Services Department serves within the community, and the broad range of career paths that are available within the department. Mr. Mortensen thanked the commissioners for their time and service on the Blue Ribbon Commission. 3 GUEST SPEAKER MICHAEL MUTZHAUS PARKS AND RECREATION Michael Mutzhaus, former Commissioner on the Blue Ribbon Commission, will provide a presentation on a local nonprofit organization called Critical Care Comics. Michael Mutzhaus, Vice President, Critical Care Comic and former Blue Ribbon Commissioner, introduced himself and gave a PowerPoint presentation titled Critical Care Comics, Making Kids Smile If Only For 28 Pages, which highlighted the organization’s purpose, events, personnel staff, fundraising partnerships, and scholarships, which help to lower the children’s healthcare and educational costs. Mr. Mutzhaus stated Critical Care Comics is a non-profit organization that visits pediatric hospitals in the city at least once per month by sending superheroes in movie-quality costumes with comic books, toys, and other gifts for the children. Acting Chair Xanie Gann, Recreation Services Manager, discussed ways the Blue Ribbon Commission has partnered with Critical Care Comics during past events and stated she recommends keeping the partnership with Mr. Mutzhaus, and his organization, in place. A brief discussion ensued regarding the organization’s plans to expand into other states, and Ms. Cox thanked Mr. Mutzhaus, and his organization, for the service they provide to hospitalized children on behalf of herself and the community. Blue Ribbon Commission Meeting Page 4 of 6 Wednesday, November 17, 2021 – Minutes 4 AUTHORIZE PARTICIPATION IN VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY AT THE BLUE STAR MOTHERS' STOCKING STUFFERS IN NOVEMBER 2021 PARKS AND RECREATION Commission members will discuss and approve whether the Blue Ribbon Commission will participate at the Blue Star Mothers' Stocking Stuffers Event on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Acting Chair Xanie Gann, Recreation Services Manager, provided an overview of the Blue Star Mothers' Stocking Stuffers Event on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, at the Valley View Recreation Center from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and discussed the Commissioners’ responsibilities at the event. She stated the Commissioners in attendance will need to wear their Blue Ribbon Commission polo shirts during the event. (Motion) Mr. Martinez introduced a motion to approve the Blue Ribbon Commissions’ attendance and participation at the Blue Star Mothers' Stocking Stuffers Event on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, at the Valley View Recreation Center from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The vote favoring approval was unanimous. Acting Chair Gann declared the motion carried. 5 COLLEGE AND BEYOND...LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL EVENT PLANNING PARKS AND RECREATION Discussion on the future planning and event details regarding the College and Beyond Event. Acting Chair Xanie Gann, Recreation Services Manager, provided an overview of the College and Beyond…Life After High School event and asked for suggestions regarding whether the Commission would like to host this event within the next nine months and whether the name of the event should be changed. Responding to an inquiry from Ms. Atlas regarding the timeline for this event, Acting Chair Gann said it is typically held in September or early October, which is before the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) due date. She said this item will be further discussed and voted upon at the next meetings. Blue Ribbon Commission Meeting Page 5 of 6 Wednesday, November 17, 2021 – Minutes 6 STAFF REPORT PARKS AND RECREATION Xanie Gann, Recreation Services Manager, will give an update on upcoming events with the Blue Ribbon Commission. Acting Chair Xanie Gann, Recreation Services Manager, briefed the Commissioners on the Parks and Recreation department’s recruitment efforts at Henderson high schools and stated, in addition to the 100 current job openings, the department is looking to recruit and train approximately 400 staff members for summertime employment. Acting Chair Gann stated last month’s meeting was cancelled due to no quorum and said quorum was barely made today. She reminded the Commissioners of the importance of being present for the meetings and arriving on time. Wade Gochnour, Assistance City Attorney III, reminded the Commissioners that any discussion related to the Blue Ribbon Commission may only take place during the meetings, which is in compliance with Open Meeting Law. VI. CHAIRMAN\MEMBER COMMENTS Following an inquiry from Mr. Wohlwend regarding the criteria for various grants and new textbooks for Coronado High School, Acting Chair Gann said she will provide Mr. Wohlwend with staff contact information for the Henderson Community Education Advisory Board (HCEAB) and the City Council for Principal Piccininni to contact directly. Responding to an inquiry from Ms. Crowley regarding Foothill High School advisors requesting more information concerning the high suicide rates in Nevada, Acting Chair Gann said the HCEAB, the Mayor and City Council, and Tara Phebus, Education Initiatives Officer, and her team are taking the subject matter very seriously and are currently developing ways to provide suicide prevention assistance to students. She said staff can provide information regarding what is being done regarding suicide prevention and said she will look into scheduling a guest speaker to apprise the Blue Ribbon Commission of those efforts as well. VII. SET NEXT MEETING The next meeting was set for December 15, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no public comments presented. Blue Ribbon Commission Meeting Page 6 of 6 Wednesday, November 17, 2021 – Minutes IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to be discussed, Acting Chair Gann adjourned the meeting at 5:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _____________________ Janet Sandifer, Deputy City Clerk