Mount Pleasant Youth Council

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA MOUNT PLEASANT YOUTH COUNCIL Thursday, September 8, 2022 5:00 PM Mount Pleasant Municipal Complex Council Chambers 100 Ann Edwards Lane, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 MINUTES Ms. Sims called the meeting to order at 5:06 p.m. Brooker Hampton, Annie Cunnane, Evan Curb, Garrett Griffin, Grace Griffin, Willa Jones, Cam Milewski, Ainsley Scarlett, Addie Utsey, and Chad Weis were all present. Lane Yarbrough and Rowan Rucker were absent. 1. Public Comments There were no public comments. 2. Welcome and Introductions Ms. Sims asked the Youth Council Members to introduce themselves again as some of the members were not present last month. Ms. Sims informed the members that this would be her last meeting as she is leaving the Town and taking on a new role at Bishop England High School. She stated Kate Miller and Kristen Forbus would be staffing Youth Council going forward. 3. Approval of the minutes from the August 11, 2022 meeting Mr. Weis moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Mr. Griffin. All present voted in favor. 4. Election of Chair and Vice-Chair positions Ms. Sims stated the members running for the Chair position are Willa Jones and Chad Weis. The members running for Vice Chair are Garrett Griffin, Hampton Brooker, Grace Griffin and Evan Curb. Mr. Griffin asked for his name to be removed from consideration. The candidates each introduced themselves and stated why they should be considered for the positions. Ms. Sims asked the members to vote via ballot. While the votes were being tallied, Town Council Member John Iacofano spoke to the Youth Council Members to let them know there would be a recreation referendum on the November ballot, and that a  Mount Pleasant Youth Council September 8, 2022 Page 2 of 3 Recreation Advisory Commission had been appointed. He said they should educate themselves on the referendum as well as discuss it with their parents. Mr. Iacofano stated he would like representatives from Youth Council to speak at the Education Committee to let the Committee know of any challenges they are facing in high school. Ms. Sims announced that Willa Jones had been elected as Chair and Grace Garrett was elected as Vice Chair. 5. Discussion and vote regarding priority projects for the session Ms. Griffin stated last year there was a toiletry drive for Homeless Hope and she would like to do that again this year, as well as schedule packing parties once the toiletries had been collected. Ms. Jones stated she would like to volunteer for the Sweetgrass Half Marathon again this year, and she would also like to pass out trees at the Farmers Market and do a marsh sweep as well. Mr. Weis said he would like to collect homemade cards around the holidays to give out to Meals on Wheels recipients. Mr. Griffin said he thought the mental health fair went over well last year and he would like Youth Council to participate this year. Ms. Brooker stated she is on the dining committee at school and the chef talks about all the work they do to prepare the food and she thought maybe they could help in the kitchen for a day. Ms. Scarlett suggested visiting the hospitals to take sick children or the elderly gift baskets and cards. Mr. Griffin stated around Christmastime, he and his family have asked restaurants to sponsor or donate food which they have taken to the local hospitals to provide a buffet-style meal. Ms. Griffin said one of the members last year participated in a drive to collect preemie clothes and she would like to consider doing that this year. Mr. Curb suggested putting together emergency packs for hurricanes. Ms. Sims highlighted projects on the list that had been done with previous Youth Councils that could be put together easily.  Mount Pleasant Youth Council September 8, 2022 Page 3 of 3 Mr. Curb also suggested having a volunteer day at the Charleston Animal Society. Youth Council Priorities 22 • Toiletry drive and packing party with Homeless Hope • Sweetgrass Half Marathon • Tree giveaway at Farmers Market • Marsh Sweep • Holiday cards for homebound citizens • Mental Health Resource Fair • Kitchen/cafeteria support (food prep) • Visits/baskets/cards/food for hospital patients • Clothing/supply drive for local NICU • Emergency packs (hurricane preparedness) • Animal shelter clean-up day Ms. Jones moved to approve the priority projects for the year, seconded by Ms. Griffin. All present voted in favor. 6. Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:39 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Christine Barrett Clerk of Council September 8, 2022