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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Commission On Children And Youth - 04/17/1999 - Special a it V 2 — COMMISSION ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH SPECIAL CALLED MEETING/ALTERNATE LOCATION MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1999, 5:30 P.M. CITY HALL BASEMENT TRAINING ROOM 1201 LEOPARD ST., CORPUS CHRISTI,TX Members/Advisors Present Absent Staff Joe Alley Paula Rosenstein Gloria Jackson Telma Benavides Marco A.Cisneros Paige Dinn Rebecca Stuns Carl Lewis Rudy Sosa Anne Seddelmeyer Almira Flores Veronica Trevino Missy Medary Pat Eldridge Mary Jackson Phil Rhoades Jefflung Robin West Verna Ponis Tim Wilson Grace Rank CALL TO ORDER—The regular April meeting of the Commission on Children and Youth was called to order by Chair Paige Dinn at 5:33 p.m. II. ROLL CALL—The recording secretary called roll and announced a quorum was present. III. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES—Ms. Stuffs moved to adopt the minutes from the Regular Meeting of March 13,2000. Mr.Jung seconded the motion. The motion passed. IV. HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC—No public was present. V. BUSINESS— H. Resolution in Support of Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant Application—Pat Eldridge, Corpus Christi Police Department Almira Flores arrived at 5:35 p.m. Ms. Eldridge presented the annual request for support for the Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant Application by the Commission. The 1998 award($200,000)has gone toward connecting the Nueces County Juvenile Assessment Center(JAC)computer system with other social agencies(school districts,Nueces County, Municipal Court),to enhance the case management portion of the center to track the juveniles who were brought to the center. The 1999 request($160,000)is to complete the connection of the system. She added that fiber optic cable is currently being laid. Grace Rank arrived at 5:37 p.m. There was a question concerning City staff accessing County information. Mr. Alley responded that the"most recent theory"allegedly was that the files would be "read only." Paula Rosenstein arrived at 5:40 p.m. Ms. Eldridge stated that law enforcement does have access to C.C.I.S.D.records, except for the"little window of opportunity"when a crime is committed. Mr.Alley moved that the Commission members endorse and sign the resolution in H.i.pridiRannes\word\ay\minutes\04700 SCANNED Page l of 5 ISO support of the City of Corpus Christi's Grant Application for the use of FY 1999 Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant funds in an effort to achieve the greatest impact on reducing juvenile delinquency, improving the juvenile justice system, and increasing accountability for juvenile offenders. Ms. Rank seconded the motion. The motion carried. F. Discussion and Action on Probation Rules Enforcement Program(PREP)—Joe Alley Mr. Alley introduced Garland Phillips, Probation Rules Enforcement Coordinator and certified probation officer,who presented the annual request that the Commission act as coalition or advisory council for grant purposes. Mr.Phillips stated the following PREP statistics: There has been a 3%decrease in the Total (#)of Juveniles on ISP (Intensive Supervisory Probation—29.87% to 26.87%) from the Baseline period (11/1/97— 4/30/98)to the First Progress Report period(5/1/99— 10/31/99). During this same period,there has been a 3% increase in the Total(#)of Juveniles on ISP that did not re- offend(70.13%to 73.13%). Mr.Jung moved that the Commission members endorse and sign the resolution in support of the Nueces County Juvenile Probation Department Grant Application for the use of FY 1999 Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant funds in an effort to achieve the greatest impact on reducing juvenile delinquency, improving the juvenile justice system,and increasing accountability for juvenile offenders, the funds being used to continue to fund and improve the PREP Program. Ms. Stutts seconded the motion. The motion carried. A. Presentation of Draft of Corporal Punishment Position Paper—Grace Rank Ms. Rank began her discussion by restating what is in the Master Plan(pg. 9,paragraph B(3): "The Commission supports the adoption by school districts of positive discipline programs that are instruction and not physical." Ms. Penis explained to the Commission the policy of C.C.I.S.D.relating to corporal punishment. Captain Wilson explained to the Commission the Penal Code relating to corporal punishment. Ms. Portis stated that a C.C.I.S.D. student's file is not confidential and that notation of corporal punishment would be coded by the individual person administering the punishment. Ms.Rank stated that there is a state law saying that numbers needed to be kept. She added that use of a non-uniform coding system would be confusing and may lead to an inaccurate count. Ms.Rank stated that there is no corporal punishment in the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Ms.Portis stated that corporal punishment is a"dead issue"in C.C. I.S.D. She elaborated by saying that there is no paddling in high school or middle school,and rare in elementary. She added that"The District frowns on that kind of response." Ms. West asked the Commission if the question was to educate the public or to get the h:\pr-dir'annes‘word\c-y\minutes\121399 page 2 school district to take a stand. Ms. Rank stated that the school district needs to take a stand against corporal punishment. Ms.West stated that instead of going the "resolution route,"the Commission should ask the school districts to join in a partnership with the Commission to promote the positive and educate ourselves and the public creating a"win/win"situation. She added that this action would not polarize people like a full-frontal assault. Ms. Rank stated that the Commission needs to look what it wants to do and what it can do,what is manageable. She added that she will prepare draft letters to be sent to the educators in Corpus Christi,asking them to join the Commission in advocacy for children. Dr.Rhoades stated that 2 documents should be included with these letter: "Why Not Spank"and"How to Non-violently Discipline Your Child." B. Children's Impact Statement—Grace Rank Ms. Rank stated that she had met with Michael Gunning, Senior Planner with the City, who discussed the Comprehensive Master Plan for the City(City's development plan). She said that she would like to add the following statement to the plan: "Development and Zoning in an area should be consistent with health and social concepts which foster or maintain a physically,mentally, socially and emotionally healthy community environment for citizens through the life span. Further,all proposed development and zoning should consider the unique vulnerability of children and should meet accepted community standards for the promotion of health,protection,education and economic security for children." Ms.Rank and Mr. Alley said they will attend the next meeting of the Planning Commission and address the Commission during the public comment. They will ask to be added to a future Commission meeting agenda. At that future meeting, they will ask the Commission to incorporate.the 2 sentences into their document. From there the request will go to City Council as a revision to Master Plan. Ms. Stutts moved that members of the Commission on Children and Youth approach the Planning Commission at the first available meeting to propose that they incorporate the Children's Impact Statement into the Corpus Christi Comprehensive Plan. Ms.Mary Jackson seconded the motion. The motion carried. C. America's Promise—Robin West Ms. West reported on the work that has been done on America's Promise and the America's Promise Coastal Bend Connection. D. Discussion of Presentation to City Council of Revised Master Plan The Commission discussed putting the revised plan into a form to present to the City Council. Mr.Cisneros advised the Commission that City Council uses one meeting per month for major presentations,the 3'd Tuesday meeting. He added that the Commission will need to have the presentation ready 10 days prior to the presentation date. The Commission decided to aim for the June 20"Council meeting. h:\prdtr\annes\word\c-y\minutes\121399 page 3 fr IMP Mr. Jung left at 6:57 p.m. Mr. Cisneros stated that Staff will assist in the preparation of the presentation,but it will be a combined effort. Chair Dinn stated that the presentation needed to show what has actually been accomplished. Dr. Rhoades added that it needed to be a philosophical statement, followed by 3 main goals. He stated that it needed to include priority recommendations that have been accomplished,and current priority goals, showing only 3 top action items in each. He added that it needed to emphasize Y.O.U. and America's Promise. Dr. Rhoades and Ms. West volunteered to work on the presentation. E. Discussion of the Graffiti Ordinance Revisions Mr.Cisneros presented the proposed ordinance revisions by the Corpus Christi Junior League. Mr.Alley stated that the"Junior League really did their homework and did a good job." He noted that the philosophical push was to get property owners to get the graffiti covered up with virtually no cost and without incurring the wrath of gang members. Paula Rosenstein left at 7:15 p.m. Mr.Alley moved that the Commission endorse of the graffiti ordinance revisions as presented. Ms.Trevino seconded the motion. The motion carried. G. Election of Nominating Committee Mr. Cisneros advised the Commission that the term limitations have been reached this year for the following members: Chair Dinn(At Large), Ms. Jung(Business), Ms.Rank (Religion),Ms.Trevino (Education)and Judge Lewis(Legal). Ms.Medary's term expires in May. Mr. Alley,Ms.Jackson and Ms.Trevino agreed to act as a Nominating Committee. They will meet before the May meeting to set a slate for Chair and Vice- Chair. Mr. Cisneros advised the Commission that those members who have met their term limitations will remain on the Commission until they are replaced. VI. COMMITTEE/STAFF REPORTS: None VII. DIRECTOR'S REPORT AND COMMISSION CONCERNS: Mr. Cisneros said that there was no Director's Report. He added as a reminder to the Commission that the Mayor's Reception for Board/Commission members will be after the May meeting,which will be held at 5:00 p.m. to facilitate attendance at the reception. The location of the meeting has yet to be determined. The Commission will be notified of the location at a later date. VIII. REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION,AGENDA ITEMS: hApr-dir\antics\word c-y'minures\121399 page 4 i► Mr. Alley distributed information about a support group for fathers. Dr. Rhoades discussed the Comprehensive Strategy information. He added that information from the West Oso Independent School District is very strange. The results are unexplainable. They appear to reverse themselves year after year. Dr. Rhoades asked the Commission members if they wanted a presentation on the report he is preparing for the County on juvenile probation. Mr. Cisneros said that he will add it to the May agenda. X. ADJOURNMENT—As there was no further business, Ms. Rank and Mr. Alley moved that the meeting be adjourned. Ms. Scotts and Ms. Fortis seconded the motion. The motion carried. The Special Called meeting of the Commission on Children&Youth adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Marco A. Cisneros,Director, Park&Recreation Department h\pr-0ir\annes\word\c-y\minutes\121399 page 5