Youth and Family Action Committee

LA VERNE YOUTH & FAMILY ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of the Regular Meeting February 23, 2021 1. A regular meeting of the Youth & Family Action Committee was called to order by Don Kendrick at 6:30 p.m. 2. Executive Board Members present (virtually): Executive Board Robin Carder, Chair – Mayor Pro Tem Rick Crosby, Vice Chair – Council Member Krista Chakman, BUSD Board Member Carolyn Cockrell, Roynon Elementary School Counselor Denise Fisher, Resident Don Kendrick, Resident Mark Rodgers, BUSD Kim Bressell, BUSD Sam Gonzalez, LVPD Robert Nishimura, LVPD Rachell Killackey, Resident Kailey Killackey, Resident Jessica Vozella, American Lung Assoc. Elise Wallis, American Lung Assoc. Kimberly Luna, American Lung Assoc. Inesh Rathi, American Lung Assoc. Jason Lorge, Resident Marissa Scholefield, David & Margaret JR Ranells, City of La Verne 3. Review of Minutes Minutes for the January 26, 2021, meeting were approved. 4. School Resource Officer Administrative Lieutenant Sam Gonzalez with the police department noted that School Resource Officer (SRO) Janessa Gonzalez was unavailable and he would be reporting for the evening. Sam shared that the police department was making preparations for students to be back on campuses including bringing back crossing guards for the elementary schools. Sam also reported that SRO Gonzalez would be brought back from patrol duties and back on campus within the next few weeks. 5. Tobacco Enforcement TECO Officer Robert Nishimura with the police department provided an overview of tobacco enforcement efforts supported by a grant through the Youth & Family Action Committee Minutes February 23, 2021, page 2 Department of Justice. Efforts have included visits to the skate park to speak with community youth, attendance at school registration events with the paraphernalia board, and updating the municipal code to better enforce things like vaping in parks/schools. Additionally, Robert noted enforcement visits to all retailers that carry tobacco and tobacco related products at least 2 times recently. 6. American Lung Association Jessica Vozella with the American Lung Association facilitated a presentation regarding the Healthy Lungs La Verne initiative. Jessica as well as other representatives of the American Lung Association shared information on steps their group has taken to educate the community on the dangers of flavored tobacco products and vaping products. They also shared information on engaging community groups on the issue as well as provided information on recommended actions and steps that other area cities have taken. The group provided support for revising the City’s Municipal Code to address the concerns presented by the American Lung Association and the Executive Committee directed staff to prepare a letter from YFAC requesting the City Council’s support for the revisions. 7. BUSD In-Class Return Mark Rodgers with the Bonita Unified School District shared the district has announced plans to open on campus learning for elementary students (includes 6th grade) based on state and county guidelines. The district will be sending out information along with a survey to effected parents to gauge interest and address potential concerns. Mark noted it will be a hybrid model of learning and additional planning is in process with additional specifics to come out in the following weeks. The group discussed optimism with the ability to get students back on campus along with sports and other extracurricular activities. 8. Public Comment None 9. Next Meeting The next YFAC meeting is scheduled for March 23rd at 6:30 p.m. Youth & Family Action Committee Minutes February 23, 2021, page 3 10. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, JR Ranells Assistant to the City Manager