Youth Commission

1 2 MINUTES OF A MEETING OF A REGULARLY SCHEDULED 3 YOUTH COMMISSION MEETING 4 VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK 5 COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS 6 May 18, 2016 7 “Lead, Serve, Shine” 8 9 Adult Commissioners Present (6) 10 Carla Slawson-Martens, Chairperson 11 Gary Moriello 12 Kay Ellen Stein 13 David Whitlock 14 Kelli Christenson 15 Jodie Dinelli 16 17 Student Commissioners Present (5) 18 Danny Martens 19 Ethan Kirschenbaum 20 Grace Elisco 21 Lucia Bosacoma 22 Brandon Mankoff 23 24 Adult/Student Commissioners Absent (6) 25 Bianca Osinski 26 Danny Brodson 27 Jessica Bresler 28 Zainab Ahmed 29 Kieley Anderson 30 Cecilia Calise 31 32 Village Staff Present (5) 33 Sandy Frum, Village President 34 Bob Israel, Village Trustee 35 Rich Nahrstadt, Village Manager 36 Jason Batalden, Staff Liaison 37 Gale Cerabona, Recorder 38 39 1. Call to Order 40 Chairperson Slawson-Martens called the meeting to order in the Terrace Room of Village Hall, 1225 41 Cedar Lane, at 6:21 p.m. A quorum was present. 42 43 2. Welcome 44 Everyone was welcomed to tonight’s YC Meeting. 45 46 47 48 3. Approval of Meeting Minutes  Page 2 Minutes of the May 18, 2016 Youth Commission Meeting 1 Chairperson Slawson-Martens moved, seconded by Commissioner Kirschenbaum, to approve the YC 2 meeting minutes of April 20, 2016. On a voice vote, the motion unanimously carried. 3 4 4. Hear from the Audience 5 There was no Hear from the Audience. 6 7 5. 2015/2016 Upcoming Calendar of Events 8 a. 2016 Film Fest 9 Commissioner Whitlock advised films are being received. 10 11 Commissioner Elisco arrived at 6:24 p.m. 12 13 6. Celebration of Graduating Seniors 14 Commissioner Martens advised he will be attending Milwaukee School of Engineering. Commissioner 15 Kirschenbaum stated he will attend the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Commissioner Elisco shared 16 she will be attending Bradley University. Fond memories of these students were highlighted. 17 18 Awards were presented to Commissioner Martens for 5 years of service on the YC, and Commissioners 19 Kirschenbaum and Elisco for 4 years of service each. 20 21 Commissioners Martens and Kirschenbaum departed the meeting at 6:34 p.m. 22 23 7. New Mission Presentation to President Frum, Trustee Israel, and Village Manager Nahrstadt 24 Chairperson Slawson-Martens advised the presenters this evening will be Student Commissioners Elisco 25 and Bosacoma and Adult Commissioner Whitlock and Chairperson Slawson-Martens, herself. She 26 suggested rehearsing for this evening’s presentation – which then took place. 27 28 Commissioner Mankoff arrived at 6:38 p.m. 29 30 It was noted that Student Commissioners are busy with academics, sports, etc. 31 32 President Frum, Trustee Israel, and Village Manager Nahrstadt joined the meeting just before 7 p.m. 33 34 Chairperson Slawson-Martens explained the meeting has already begun, graduating seniors were 35 celebrated, awards were distributed, and some Student Commissioners had already departed due to 36 school obligations. 37 38 Everyone introduced themselves and gave background as to how long they’ve been on the YC. 39 Chairperson Slawson-Martens welcomed Village Staff and advised where remaining Student 40 Commissioners are this evening. 41 42 Chairperson Slawson-Martens stated this presentation is a response to the re-evaluation request of 43 what the Youth Commission is, its purpose, etc. 44 45 Commissioner Whitlock shared that the YC agreed that the mission did not meet the current YC profile. 46 He noted this presentation will uncover the findings, discoveries, and outcome.  Page 3 Minutes of the May 18, 2016 Youth Commission Meeting 1 Chairperson Slawson-Martens shared that a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) 2 analysis was conducted internally. She noted it was learned that students in Northbrook would like to 3 have a voice. Chairperson Slawson-Martens shared the 2 large events that the YC manages. She noted 4 Northbrook Public Library staff are happy to be a partner and manage these events in the future. 5 Chairperson Slawson-Martens also noted an external analysis was conducted – with faculty of GBN, etc. 6 7 Student Commissioner Elisco advised the Quiz Bowl and Film Fest will be spun off to the Northbrook 8 Public Library staff. She shared civic considerations (with GBN, Chamber, etc.). Student Commissioner 9 Elisco advised after talking with GBN’s Student Advisory Board, it was determined Northbrook’s youth 10 would like to have a voice. She shared 15 students are currently excited to become members of the YC. 11 12 Student Commissioner Mankoff concluded important reasons why Northbrook youth need a voice, how 13 this initiative proves youths’ voices matter, and how the YC can embrace this concept. 14 15 Student Commissioner Bosacoma explained how this endeavor will be accomplished (i.e. Student 16 Advisory Board partnership, publication articles, bridging current gaps, working with and promoting 17 effective communication from the Village Board to youth in Northbrook. She noted this concept is 18 loosely developed so that the YC can evolve and grow with the present needs of the Northbrook 19 community. 20 21 Village Manager Nahrstadt asked what the definition of youth is. Chairperson Slawson-Martens 22 responded – all youth but mainly the youth at GBN as well as junior high and elementary students. She 23 advised that the Student Advisory Board at GBN would be targeted as the starting place as youth are 24 more plentiful there. 25 26 President Frum thanked the YC for their hard work in offering tonight’s presentation. She noted the 27 connection with GBN is an excellent start as the need is there. President Frum asked YC youth members 28 what they envision as a topic that they could address. Student Commissioner Elisco suggested a safe 29 place/location to go to following a game. Trustee Israel shared personal similarities regarding his 30 children. Student Commissioner Bosacoma stated there is so much that needs to be said; this would give 31 youth in Northbrook an opportunity to voice their opinions. 32 33 Commissioner Whitlock suggested a possible Open-Mic Night; a forum where youth could speak. Other 34 options might be to create an evening basketball league, provide education on retailers, etc. 35 36 Chairperson Slawson-Martens provided comments on potential limitations. She raised the issue of 37 Northbrook Cares. President Frum shared a goal is to have Commissions work better together. She 38 agreed with connections between Commissions. President Frum shared that the Chair of the CRC 39 inquired and took on a potential partnership with Northbrook Cares. She believes the YC could take on 40 this partnership. President Frum shared it is possible to enlist people, not on the YC, to participate on 41 Subcommittees. 42 43 Commissioner Stein stated YC youth members have learned how a meeting is run, etc. 44 45 Village Manager Narhrstadt gave a small history/evolution of Northbrook Cares. He noted its web site is 46 being renewed. Chairperson Slawson-Martens and Village Manager Nahrstadt concurred that the 47 Northbrook Public Library has added resources in this regard.  Page 4 Minutes of the May 18, 2016 Youth Commission Meeting 1 Chairperson Slawson-Martens shared some options where Northbrook youth may have a voice (multi- 2 culturalism, actual experiences of Northbrook youth). She noted the YC could be the vehicle where 3 youth may voice topics of interest to them. 4 5 President Frum shared that issues at the high school impact the community. She noted surveys, etc. 6 were previously conducted at the high school however they have been abolished. 7 8 Trustee Israel asked what the difference is with topics at the high school, YC, and the youth community 9 in Northbrook. Student Commissioner Bosacoma shared the need to have a voice externally. 10 11 Commissioner Christenson stated the social-worker staff at GBN is extremely supportive of this concept 12 and noted this could be an empowerment to give youth hope, engagement, and connection that their 13 lives matter (as an outlet is needed). 14 15 Commissioner Dinelli asked about the Village’s relationship with Northbrook Cares. President Frum 16 noted the lines of communication regarding information (of Commissions). She shared there was a 17 discussion with the Chair of the CRC to move forward with Northbrook Cares. 18 19 Trustee Israel shared how a Commission is a recommending body to the Village Board. He cited that he 20 believes there’s value in hearing youth’s opinions. Trustee Israel believes tonight’s proposal can be the 21 framework; is on the right path; YC yet to learn the mechanics on how that works. President Frum 22 stressed the importance of communication with the Board (on direction, endeavors, ideas, etc.). 23 24 Commissioner Whitlock cited subjects where the YC could investigate, report to the Board, and provide 25 a result. He noted this shares what youth are considering. Commissioner Whitlock recalled the former 26 “drop-in center” and conveyed the need for youth to be heard. Student Commissioner Bosacoma 27 reminded that GBN has Clubs, and the Village could offer this needed outlet for youth. 28 29 Village Manager Nahrstadt shared his views regarding opportunities for civil discourse. He suggested the 30 YC manage the process and expectations; perhaps an annual forum. Village Manager Nahrstadt advised 31 he just met with various school district staff as well as other entities, and noted the collaboration. He 32 anticipates the power of ideas coming out of a forum; then the YC, along with discussion with the Board, 33 could find a solution and enlist partners. Village Manager Nahrstadt recommended all-aged youth to 34 participate. 35 36 Village Manager Nahrstadt and President Frum agreed a partnership with GBN’s Student Advisory Board 37 appears logical. He noted in years to come, this may change; flexibility is appealing. 38 39 President Frum suggested the YC work on: 40  More concretely developing the YC’s mission 41  Flushing out this idea, creating next steps 42 43 President Frum stated it may take perhaps 6 months to solidify the goals. 44 Commissioner Christenson stated a potential topic would be using marijuana and driving as it’s a 45 concern at the high school. Other topics such as drugs, gun control, stress, bullying were raised. Village 46 Manager Nahrstadt stated he likes the Open-Mic /Forum concept. 47  Page 5 Minutes of the May 18, 2016 Youth Commission Meeting 1 President Frum stated there is a tendency to let GBN handle all the issues but wonders if that is the best 2 way. Commissioner Whitlock shared an initial reaction is that help is not needed. 3 4 President Frum shared that topics typically come from the top (Administration) down. She likes the YC 5 potentially raising the educational piece. Village Manager Nahrstadt suggested broadening the 6 resources (politically, etc.). 7 8 Student Commissioner Elisco said she would like to see everyone working together (instead of each 9 entity working separately). Student Commissioner Bosacoma reiterated filtering out solutions that the 10 high school may not be good at doing. 11 12 President Frum stated she really likes the way this is going. She noted indicating how to get around the 13 challenges. Quorums, public notice, Subcommittees, etc. were discussed. Trustee Israel concluded there 14 would be some subset within the YC that allies with GBN’s Student Advisory Council. 15 16 Commissioner Whitlock stressed the importance of being cohesive before going to the outside. 17 18 President Frum reminded the YC should communicate with the Village Board. 19 20 Chairperson Slawson-Martens stated she would like more conversations with the YC’s liaison, Trustee 21 Israel. She noted the importance of listening to youth first. Trustee Israel stated a goal of giving youth a 22 voice is admirable. 23 24 President Frum stated the Village Board will amend the Mission Statement though it’s not a priority. 25 26 Village Manager Nahrstadt suggested the YC think about obstacles at the high school. He stressed the 27 focus to connect issues (rather than objecting). 28 29 President Frum concluded the Student Advisory Board may be used as a source of information. 30 Chairperson Slawson-Martens stated the Student Advisory Board sees the YC as a vehicle in which to 31 disseminate information. 32 33 President Frum suggested reaching out to Bruce Doughty, Chair of the CRC, to see how the YC can assist 34 with Northbrook Cares. She thanked YC Commissioners for their excellent work. 35 36 8. Adjournment 37 Commissioner Elisco moved, seconded by Commissioner Bosacoma, to adjourn the meeting at 8:34 p.m. 38 On a voice vote, the motion unanimously carried. 39 40 Respectfully submitted, 41 42 43 Gale Cerabona 44 Recorder