Mount Pleasant Youth Council

MOUNT PLEASANT YOUTH COUNCIL Thursday, October 6, 2022 5:00 PM Mount Pleasant Municipal Complex Council Chambers 100 Ann Edwards Lane, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 MINUTES Ms. Forbus called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. Brooker Hampton, Evan Curb, Garrett Griffin, Grace Griffin, Willa Jones, Ainsley Scarlett, Addie Utsey, Chad Weis and Lane Yarbrough were all present. Annie Cunnane, Cam Milewski and Rowan Rucker were absent. 1. Welcome and Introductions Kristen Forbus introduced herself and Rebecca Steele stating with Ms. Sims’ departure, they would be staffing the Youth Council meetings going forward. 2. Public Comments Liz Boyles, 601 Coral Street, Town of Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Livability Division Chief stated Ms. Forbus gave the Youth Council Members a copy of the Comprehensive Plan list of upcoming public hearings and asked them to share the information, spread the word about the meetings and complete the survey. She explained the Comprehensive Plan process. 3. Approval of the September Meeting Minutes Ms. Jones moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Ms. Griffin. All present voted in favor. 4. Discuss potential volunteer opportunities Ms. Forbus stated they were contacted by the Mount Pleasant Community Arts Center Committee and Holy City Arts and Lyric Opera and they are interested in working with Youth Council. Ms. Forbus said if the Council was amenable, the groups could make a presentation at the next meeting. Ms. Jones said she thought they would be interested in hearing the presentation.  Mount Pleasant Youth Council October 6, 2022 Page 2 of 4 Ms. Forbus said that next month Devay Dandy and Claire O’Loughlin from the Engineering and Development Services Department would be speaking with Youth Council which would go along with trash pick-up and the creek clean-up priority. 5. Discuss priority projects Ms. Forbus said today we will be discussing timeframes for volunteer opportunities to spread them out during the session. She stated the Sweetgrass Half Marathon would be in February. She stated the holiday cards would be in the November/December timeframe. Ms. Forbus asked about the mental health resource fair and when it was held. Ms. Jones said it was not a full-blown mental health fair but Youth Council assisted with a Narcan training event the police department held. Ms. Forbus said she would find out if the Town would be holding the event again this year so Youth Council could participate. Ms. Forbus asked about the toiletry drive and Ms. Griffin stated it is usually around spring break, but they wanted to hold another one soon for Hurricane Ian victims, so there would be two. Ms. Forbus asked about the marsh sweep and Mr. Weis said it should be done before it gets too cold. Ms. Forbus asked about holding it in November and the members were in agreement. Ms. Forbus asked if Youth Council wanted to bundle the emergency packs they discussed putting together with the toiletry drive and the consensus was that would be fine. Ms. Forbus asked when they would like to hold the clothing and supplies drive for the local Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She stated there is not much going on the spring and suggested collaborating with March of Dimes’ event in March. The members agreed and Ms. Forbus said she would contact a local March of Dimes office. Ms. Forbus asked Ms. Brooker about assisting with food preparation support in the schools and if she had contacted their cafeteria. Ms. Brooker said she had not reached out but that she would do that and report back to Ms. Forbus.  Mount Pleasant Youth Council October 6, 2022 Page 3 of 4 Ms. Forbus stated Youth Council wanted to hold an animal shelter clean- up day and if they were still interested, when they would like to participate in this and if they had a shelter in mind. Mr. Curb stated he was thinking Charleston Animal Society. Mr. Griffin said that would be a good winter project. Ms. Forbus said the next project is visits, baskets and cards for hospital patients. Ms. Jones said last year they made cards for East Cooper Meals on Wheels recipients around Christmas and it was well received. She said she would like to do that again this year, and said she went around to study halls in her grade a week or two before Christmas break. Ms. Garrett said one of the things they wanted to do was go into the hospitals but she did not know if they would be allowed to do that. Ms. Forbus stated another project was participating in tree give aways and Ms. Boyles said there is an opportunity for volunteers at the Children’s Day Festival. She stated there would be another opportunity at the Blessing of the Fleet and the Farmers Markets. She stated Blessing of the Fleet is in April. Ms. Forbus stated if anyone was interested in volunteering for Children’s Day to please let her know. Ms. Jones said it would be good to find out which schools would allow collection boxes for the toiletries and getting them out to the schools as soon as possible. Ms. Griffin said she would be able to send a letter to any of the schools or speak with the principals to get permission for the collection boxes if necessary. Ms. Jones said it would be good to have representatives from the schools who can participate pick up the bins at the next meeting and get them in the schools.  Mount Pleasant Youth Council October 6, 2022 Page 4 of 4 6. Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Christine Barrett Clerk of Council October 6, 2022