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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Commission On Children And Youth - 04/10/1995 . 410 4 ' 4p. City f COMMISSION ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH :lbc:01,::::"Janc Corpus Christi Regular Monthly Meetingt„ .777 � .►•� April 10 1995. 5.00 P.M City Hall Committee Roam — 12Q1 Leopard Street, Members of the audience will be provided an opportunity to speak at the conclusion of the meeting. A recording is made of the proceedings,therefore, it is requested that presentations be limited to five minutes and you first identify yourself,give your address,and state your point as briefly as possible when addressing the Committee. Persons with disabilities who plan on attending this meeting and may need auxiliary aids or services are requested to contact the Park and Recreation Department(880-3464)48 hours in advance so that appropriate arrangements can be made. AHELIA I. Call to order. II. Roll Call. III. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of March 20, 1995. IV. Action on Absent Members. / , N/� V. Discussion of County Court At Law for Children. ? 1995 VI. Review of Absence Policy. ;R1 VII. Director's Report. . r. VIII. Subcommittee Reports. IX. Current Concerns. X. Hear From the Public. XI. Adjournment. POSTING STATEMENT. This agenda was posted op jhe City's officjal bulletin board in_the Leopard Street foyer, 1201 Leopard St.at .2.'/O a.m:p.rii.on (C Cj/u L t 19 �. S�ANNE Malcolm Matthews,Director ' Park&Recreation Department I 4r MINIJTES COMMISSION ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH March 20. 1995 MEMBERS PRESENT. Grace Rank, Chairperson, Burma Barnett, Paige Dinn,Jeff Jung,Carl Lewis, Juliana Rivera, Monica Stender, Dr. Luisa L. Garza, Veronica Trevino, Orlando Tones, Joey Sanchez, Cynthia Hurst,Dr. Philip Rhoades, Paula Rosenstein, Rudy Sosa, Robin West MEMBERS ABSENT: Mary Strickland,Vice-Chairperson CALL TO ORDER: The regular monthly meeting of the Commission on Children and Youth was called to order at 5:00 p.m.on March 20, 1995,in the Committee Room at City Hall, 1201 Leopard Street by Chairperson Rank. She noted that a quorum was present. APPROVALOF MINUTES: Mr. Sanchez referred to paragraph 3 under "Current Concerns", stating he did not make a presentation on"Teen Scene"while in California. As there were no further modifications,Ms. Stender moved that they be approved as amended. Ms. Trevino seconded and the motion passed unanimously. ACTION ON ABSENT MEMBERS: Ms. Barnett moved that Ms. Trevino's February absence be approved as she had just cause. Ms. Rivera seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Lewis and Ms. Rivera explained that due to work schedules,they were not asking for excused absences. Chairperson Rank stated that neither absence would be excused. Mr. Sosa reported that he was unable to attend due to a parent being hospitalized. Mr.Jung moved that Mr. Sosa' absence be approved. Ms. Stender seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Vice-Chairperson's Strickland's absence was held over until she had the opportunity to report her reason. DISCUSSION ITEMS: Discussion of County Court ALLaw for Children: Chairperson Rank stated that she had invited several individuals to address the issue of establishment of a County Court at Law for Children, which would only hear juvenile cases. She then opened the floor for the individuals to address the Commission. Ms. Cathy Tyree,Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Board to the Juvenile Probation Department, passed out materials from the Juvenile Probation Department, indicating the number of offenses committed by youth since 1988. She explained that the formation of a County Court At Law for Children in Nueces County would address Title II(dealing with abuse and neglect of children) and Title III(dealing with delinquency and run-aways)of the Family Code. She continued that its only 1 �r V jurisdiction would be over these matters as children are currently shuffled from one Court to another and move very slowly through the Court system. Mr.Joe Alley,Nueces County Juvenile Probation Officer,also spoke in favor of the creation of such a Court. He stated the figures indicate family/child issues are increasing and by having one Court to address children' issues,the Judge could obtain any necessary specialized training in order to become better qualified to deal with the dysfunctional family unit. He conceded that individuals who appear before the Court soon learn a"con game" and by having one Judge giving consistent orders of the Court, it would provide for better accountability and there would be no interruption of cases. County Commissioner Joe McComb explained that when the issue to create a County Court of Law for Children came before the Commissioner's Court, the motion died for lack of a second. He pointed out that action by the Commissioners was not necessary, as the District Judges currently have the authority to create such a Court and could make such a decision at any of their meetings, if they had such a desire. He stated that dedicating one Judge to a particular Court has been tried in the past and was not successful because they want to hear a variety of cases. He stated it is very depressing and disheartening to deal with juvenile problems, and takes someone with a genuine interest in youth to hear their cases daily. He reminded the Commission that expertise in a specialized field is not a requirement to run for District Judge;all that is required is to pay a filing fee and run for office. He added that he is the father of five and a special type of person is needed to deal with the youth issues of today. Additionally, he pointed out that the cost to the County would be approximately $200,000 annually and the County currently has an $800,000 short-fall. He asked that before the Commission passed a Resolution in support of the item, they consider all aspects of the issue. Chairperson Rank explained that this item is a County issue and was only placed on the Commission's agenda to update them,rather than as an action item,however, if they wished,they could ask the City Council to endorse it. Ms. Dinn stated she could see the need for consistency in the Court system, but agreed with Commissioner McComb that the Judges currently have the authority to create the Court. Ms. Rivera commented on the need for such a Court, adding she felt that anyone running for the position would know the issues. Commissioner McComb stated the Commissioners recognized the need for the Juvenile Court, but questioned the need to hold a special election, when the Judges could make the decision immediately and could establish their schedule for consistency. Dr.Garza stated she felt the issue is more complex than what was being presented. If the Judges did not want to resolve the issue, it should not be up to the Commission to request the City Council to 2 APO rr1 pass a Resolution, but rather for the community to establish stringent guidelines for those running for office. Ms. West stated she saw the need for liaison with the County, rather than a Resolution. Mr. Torres stated the case load for both adults and juveniles is continuing to escalate and the Commissioners Court is going to be required to make a decision as to which will be addressed. Dr. Rhoades pointed to the figures presented, noting there has been a 300% increase in workload, with no increase in capacity. He stated with the population growth,a new dedicated Court is needed. Mr. Jung stated both groups need to be doing their job, with the focus being on the children. Mr. Lewis pointed these are both powerful forces and either the Judges or Commissioners Court could make the decision,since both have the authority to create an additional Court. Chairperson Rank questioned if the Commission wished to take action on this item. Mr. Lewis stated he felt one of the Judges might appoint themselves,but did not feel the Commission should make a specific motion. Chairperson Rank stated she would place this item on the agenda for April and encouraged members to gather information on this subject. She stated she would invite any suggested guests to address the issue. Drug Free Schools: Chairperson Rank stated she had invited Dr. Ellie Salar from the Education Service Center to address this issue,however,she was unable to attend. Schools currently receive substantial federal funding from Drug Free Schools and Communities and this funding is in jeopardy of being cutoff. As a result,children will lose many direct services. She stated she will send them any information she gets on this issue. Discussion of Juvenile Justice Forum: Chairperson Rank advised that she had been sent a copy of the minutes from the Forum's meeting,wherein it was suggested that the Commission appoint members to the Forum,which is not allowed by City ordinance. She continued that Dr.Peterson, who is in charge of grants at Texas A&M-CC, had been invited to address the Commission,but was unable to attend the meeting. She noted that if any additional information is received on the Forum, she would share it with fellow members. presentation on "Teen Scene": Mr. Sanchez presented a brief video on the filming of"Teen Scene", stating it is produced by and for teens, showing the positive aspects of teenagers. Establish Date for Commission Retreat: It was agreed that the retreat be held April 29th, 9 a.m.- 3 .m:3 p.m. 3 til► 1 DIRECTOR'S REPORT: None. SURCOMMITTEE REPORTS: Legislative: Ms. Dinn, Chairman of the Legislative Subcommittee, passed out a synopsis of legislative bills to date dealing with children and youth issues. She announced that March 23rd is "Call-In Day" to State Legislators and they are asking that everyone call on any bills currently before the Legislature. Grants: Ms. Dinn also reported that the Committee has an opportunity for a$10,000 grant,but it requires matching funds. The deadline is May 8th and could include the Commission,Coastal Bend Foundation and United Way to join forces. (At 6:30 p.m.,Chairperson Rank stated it was necessary that she leave and asked members to appoint a temporary Chairman for the remainder of the meeting. Ms. Barnett moved that Ms. Rivera be appointed Temporary Chairman. Ms. Dinn seconded and the motion passed unanimously.) CURRENT CONCERNS: Mr.Torres announced his resignation, stating he was being assigned a new area of responsibility out of Corpus Christi. Mr.Matthews stated a letter will be sent to the City Secretary's Office,asking for a replacement from the law enforcement field. Ms. Rosenstein expressed concern over SB 262, which would require child protective services to inform parents before an emergency order is served. She asked that members contact their legislators,as this could be devastating to case workers and children. Mr. Jung asked that review of the absence policy be placed on the agenda for the next meeting regarding reconsideration of out of town work related absences. HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC: None. ADJOURNMENT. As there was no further business,Mr.Jung moved for adjournment at 6:45 p.m. Mr. Tones seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Malcolm Matthews, Director Park&Recreation Department 4 • • RECOMMENDATIONS COMMISSION ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH March 20. 1995 1. The Commission heard presentations on creation of a County Court At Law for Children. 2. The Commission retreat was scheduled for April 29th,9 a.m.-3 p.m.at City Hall. 3. The Commission asked that review of the absence policy be an item for the April agenda.