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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Commission On Children And Youth - 11/14/1994 110MINUTES COMMISSION ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH November 14, 1994 MEMBERS PRESENT: Grace Rank, Chair, Mary Strickland, Vice-Chair, Burma Barnett, Paige Dinn, Dr. Maria L. Garza, Carl Lewis, Jeff Jung, Julianne Rivera, Rudy Sosa, Monica Stender, Veronica Trevino, Orlando Tones, Dr. Philip Rhoades, Paula Rosenstein, Robin West MEMBERS ABSENT: Cynthia Hurst CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Rank called the regular monthly meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Committee Room at City Hall. She noted that a quorum was present. ACTION ON ABSENT MEMBERS: In the absence of an adopted absence policy, Chairperson Rank called for a motion to approve Mr. Lewis and Mr. Sosa from the October meeting. Mr. Jung made the motion to approve the absent members. Ms. Barnett seconded and the motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Ms. West referred to page 2, paragraph 6 of the October minutes, stating the sentence should read"...the Police Department had requested their assistance in order to strengthen the ordinance." As there were no further corrections, Ms. Stender moved that they be approved as amended. Ms. Rivera seconded and the motion passed unanimously. DISCUSSION ITEMS: Daytime Curfew: Chairperson Rank informed the members that she addressed the City Council twice on this issue and reiterated that although the Commission generally supported the curfew, they had several questions regarding the ordinance. The City Council did choose to unanimously approve the ordinance, with the explanation that it could be revised at a later date, if required. Police Chief Henry Garrett addressed the Commission on the need for the daytime curfew. He compared the changes to the current curfew ordinance, as well as the number of juveniles involved in various crimes since the beginning of the 1994-95 school year. Chief Garrett stated that it was his understanding that one of the Commission's major concerns with the ordinance was the enforcement option, and offered his assurance that the various school districts have provided the Police Department with their school calendars. The Chief assured the Commission that officers will use reasonable discretion in enforcement of the ordinance. Chief Garrett recognized Jimmy Bray, City Attorney, Municipal Court Judge Rudy Tamez, and Lt. Carlos Rios, CCPD Juvenile Division. He then fielded numerous questions from Commission members and the audience. J • Mrs. Dorothy Spann, 502 Del Mar, expressed concern that students would not have adequate notification of the effective date of the ordinance and suggested assemblies be held to advise them. She inquireed if this ordinance was really needed and questioned the Police Department's discretionary abilities under present law, asking if students could be approached after their first absence. She stated she was not opposed to the ordinance, but encouraged the Commission to take its time, as she did not want to see Corpus Christi compared to Houston, where the percentage of truants/students is much higher. She offered the Commission support material she had gathered from various sources. The Commission discussed the referral services available in the community for the "dropouts", "truants" and "expelled" students and the true numbers of each category. Dr. Gana pointed out that there is not a central data center to provide accurate numbers, which creates a problem. Mr. Mike Griffiths, Nueces County Juvenile Probation Department, addressed the Commission, stating the dropout rate is 3-4 times higher than the figures reflected. Mr. Sosa questioned where students would be taken when they were picked up and if sufficient facilities currently exist to hold them when the ordinance is enforced. He questioned if long range goals had been established. Mrs. Spann commented a community's most valuable asset is its youth, yet she felt very little is being spent on them. Judge Tamez addressed the Committee and explained the various options available through the judicial system when a student is picked up for being truant. He added there is a total of 12 different agencies in the community working with the truant or expelled youth. Members expressed concern over the lack of a mechanism for follow-through, and questioned if the Police Department had someone assigned to track the students. Chief Garrett responded that he did not currently have officers assigned to this function, but hoped the Commission could give hint some direction. Vice-Chair Strickland stated that the Truancy Reduction Impact Program has been established and a Director will soon be hired to track students and organize round table discussions with the various affected agencies. A brief discussion followed and Ms. Dinn moved that the Commission endorse round table discussions with the Truancy Reduction Impact Program with follow up on dispositions. Ms. Trevino seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Mrs. Spann questioned if students would be stopped during their lunch hour. Chief Garrett replied that students will not be arrested, but will be approached and asked for their lunch pass. He emphasized he is convinced the daytime ordinance will work, noting he has received numerous calls from students endorsing the ordinance. (Chief Garrett stated he had another meeting to attend and excused himself at this time.) 160 IMO • Aooroval of Title V Incentives Grant for Juvenile Delinquency - (Commission member Torres excused himself from the meeting as he is employed by the Nueces County Juvenile Department, which is seeking this grant.) Mr. Mike Griffiths, Nueces County Juvenile Probation Department, reviewed the various factors of the $100,000 grant, stating it requires an equal match of either cash or in-kind services. He asked the Commission for their endorsement at this time, as it was due in Austin within two weeks. The grant would generate county-wide community intervention to deal with social development strategies and individual characteristics, in order to reach children at an earlier age. Mr. Griffiths stated all information gained could be reported directly to the Commission. Mr. Joe Alley, Nueces County Juvenile Probation Department, addressed the Commission, and spoke in support of the grant. Mr. Matthews explained that several objections could be raised, as the Commission on Children and Youth, a City advisory committee, is being asked to be involved in a grant that will be administered by the County. He stated the Commission cannot take direct administrative control of funding, but could probably be the local board listed in the grant, as long as the City was not committed to any particular action. He advised that he would need a legal opinion from the City Attorney. A lengthy discussion followed and Mr. Matthews suggested that due to the time frame on the submittal, the Commission be listed as the policy board, with a proviso that if it is not acceptable, it would be changed. Mr. Griffiths stated he felt this would be acceptable, as the Governor's Office has agreed to such amendments in the past, adding the County Citizen's Advisory Board could possibly be listed if a change was necessary. Ms. Dinn made the motion the Commission for Children and Youth be listed as the Prevention Policy Board on the grant with the proviso that if this was not acceptable, another way to accomplish it be found. Vice- Chair Strickland seconded and the motion passed unanimously. (Chairperson Rank left the meeting at 6:20 p.m.) Recommendation on Youth Representative: Mr. Matthews stated three nominees had been received for the youth position and their resumes were mailed with the agenda packets. Dr. Rhoades reported that he had submitted two nominees for the position. He explained he had placed an advertisement in the campus newspaper at Texas A&M-CC and held individual interviews with the two students who had expressed an interest in the position. Mr. Sosa stated the representative he submitted has worked with the Teen Court several years and felt the individual was highly qualified for the position. A roll call was taken and Joey Sanchez was unanimously recommended as the youth representative. Mr. Matthews stated Mr. Sanchez' name will be submitted to the City Council for approval. V • • Discussion of Absence Policy: Action was not taken on this item, deferring until the December meeting. Ms. Burma suggested that when counting a member as absent, consideration be given to the number of agenda items missed in a particular meeting. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: Ms. Dinn reported that the Legislative Subcommittee did not meet. Mr. Jung stated the Subgrants Subcommittee did not meet. Vice-Chair Strickland stated that the Action Plan Subcommittee was planning a retreat to establish goals and form a blueprint for the Committee. She asked that the members consider the dates of January 20th and 21st, February 17th and 18th or February 24th and 25th. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Mr. Matthews informed the Commission that Dr. Rhoades had asked staff to secure copies of two publications from national clearing houses. To date, they have not arrived, but copies will be available for all members by the time of their retreat. HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC: Mrs. Dorothy Spam, 502 Del Mar, expressed concern over bars being located adjacent to schools. She stated there is an ordinance against this, but because of a loophole in TABC regulations, they continue to be "grandfathered in" and are not closed or relocated. She submitted ordinances from other cities which have successfully dealt with this problem. (Mr. Sosa left at 6:45 p.m.) Discussion continued, with Mrs. Spann stating she felt this matter was under the Commission's authority and asking that it be considered for action. Vice-Chair Strickland stated she felt the Legislative Subcommittee should review and consider this matter prior to discussion by the Commission and moved the item to Ms. Dinn. ADJOURNMENT: As there was no further discussion, Vice-Chair Strickland announced the meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m. j4jb./iti Malcolm Matthews, Director Park & Recreation Department rovmmcdty:jd COMMISSION ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH RECOMMENDATIONS November 14. 1994 1. The Commission unanimously endorsed establishing round table discussions with the Truancy Reduction Impact Program. 2. The Commission unanimously endorsed the Title V Incentives Grant for Juvenile Delinquency to be submitted by the Nueces County Juvenile Department. 3. Mr. key Sanchez was unanimously recommended as the Commission's youth member. 4. Discussion on the absence policy was deferred until the December meeting.