03/13/2023 Youth Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 04/10/2023
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City of Gilroy
Youth Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
Monday, March 13, 2023 | 6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Youth Commission was called to order by Chair L. Hwang at
6:01 p.m.
2. FLAG SALUTE
Flag salute was led by Chair Hwang.
3. ROLL CALL
Attendance Attendee Name
Present James Dinh, Commissioner
Aiden Francis, Commissioner
Sophie Gong, Commissioner
Isaac Hwang, Commissioner
Alfred James, Commissioner
Ezequiel Lopez, Commissioner
Alexis Miller, Commissioner
Melanie Reynolds, Commissioner
Winston James, Vice Chair
Lavender Hwang, Chair
Absent Jaimee Nguyen, Commissioner
4. SECRETARY'S REPORT
The Youth Commission meeting packet and agenda was posted online and at the City
Hall kiosk on Friday, March 10, 2023.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
5.1. February 12, 2023
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Ezequiel Lopez, Commissioner
SECONDER Winston James, Vice Chair
AYES: Commissioner Dinh, Commissioner Francis, Commissioner Gong, Commissioner
Hwang, Commissioner James, Commissioner Lopez, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner
Reynolds, Vice Chair James, Chair Hwang
ABSENT: Commissioner Nguyen
6. INTRODUCTIONS
None
7. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
No public comment.
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8. NEW BUSINESS
8.1. Election of Treasurer for Youth Commission.
The Commission elected Commissioner Francis for Treasurer.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Alexis Miller, Commissioner
SECONDER James Dinh, Commissioner
AYES: Commissioner Dinh, Commissioner Francis, Commissioner Gong,
Commissioner Hwang, Commissioner James, Commissioner Lopez,
Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Reynolds, Vice Chair James, Chair Hwang
ABSENT: Commissioner Nguyen
8.2. Adopt a Revised Youth Commission Meeting Schedule
Per the adopted bylaws, the Commission can meet throughout the school year,
including in August and September. The Commission proposed adding those
months to their regular meeting schedule in 2023.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Sophie Gong, Commissioner
SECONDER Winston James, Vice Chair
AYES: Commissioner Dinh, Commissioner Gong, Commissioner Hwang,
Commissioner James, Commissioner Lopez, Commissioner Miller,
Commissioner Reynolds, Vice Chair James, Chair Hwang
NAYS: Commissioner Francis
ABSENT: Commissioner Nguyen
9. OLD BUSINESS
9.1. Finalizing the Proposed Youth Commission Bylaws
The Youth Commission adopted the proposed changes cited in the attachment
of the Youth Commission Bylaws.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Aiden Francis, Commissioner
SECONDER Ezequiel Lopez, Commissioner
AYES: Commissioner Dinh, Commissioner Francis, Commissioner Gong,
Commissioner Hwang, Commissioner James, Commissioner Lopez,
Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Reynolds, Vice Chair James, Chair Hwang
ABSENT: Commissioner Nguyen
9.2. Discussion of a Youth and Teen Center in Gilroy
Chair Hwang and Commissioner Reynolds shared their feedback regarding the
March 6, 2023 CARAS presentation to City Council. Commissioner Reynolds
shared that the goal of CARAS is to bring awareness for a Youth Center on the
eastside of Gilroy. This will provide a safe place for youth in Gilroy and reduce
the likelihood of drug use and crime rates.
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To further their knowledge, commissioners will work in small groups to explore
the history of youth centers in Gilroy as well as existing youth centers throughout
neighboring communities. It was agreed upon that a commissioner will research
a question and report their findings, all of which will be used during a future
presentation to Council. The questions were assigned to the following:
Commissioner Miller:
1. What has been the history of youth/teen centers in Gilroy? Were they
successful? Why/Why not?
Commissioner Reynolds and Commissioner Dinh:
2. What other communities of a similar size in CA have successfully
developed a Youth and Teen Center? What made the project successful?
What features are utilized the most? Are there any model Youth and Teen
Centers for a similar sized community that would be a good example to
share?
Chair L. Hwang and Commissioner Gong:
3. What elements/features are critical for a Gilroy Youth and Teen Center
and why?
Commissioner I. Hwang and Commissioner A. James:
4. Where would be the ideal location for a Youth and Teen Center and why?
School property? Downtown? Civic Center
Chair L. Hwang and Vice Chair W. James:
5. How much does it cost to build a Youth and Teen Center? Where will the
money to build come from?
Commissioner Lopez and Commissioner Aiden:
6. How can input be gathered from all aspects of the community? How do
you ensure sufficient and equitable representation when gathering input?
Chair Lavender:
7. How will the Youth Commission approach the City Council with a report
and recommendation? A letter? A memo? A presentation?
9.3. Youth Commission Fiscal Year 2024 and Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Requests
Staff member Bautista announced that the City of Gilroy is seeking requests
from commissions and boards for the next two-year budget cycle. Boards and
commissions have an opportunity to submit a/an budget request for
consideration. This may include services, materials, trainings, or capital
projects. After discussion, it was determined that a Committee (I. Hwang, L.
Hwang, A. James, W. James) plans to meet on Thursday, March 30, 2023, to
discuss option in more detail and will present their findings at the next meeting.
9.4. Updates to the Youth Commission Work Plan
The Commission discussed the following items from their current work plan:
• Day of the Child/Kids Discover Art: Saturday, April 29 from 1-4 pm at
San Ysidro Park. Staff and Commissioners will arrive at 11 am for setup.
The Commission will continue to update the Google spreadsheet
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comprised of materials to purchase. This includes bracelets and face
paint.
• Royal Red Carpet: Confirmed for Saturday, May 13, 2023, from 9-12pm
at Wheeler Community Center. Commissioners will continue to update
the Google spreadsheet for requested materials. The materials include
crowns and stickers, decorations, nails, and face paint supplies.
10. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
The following items will be added to the next regular meeting agenda:
1. Consensus on the Youth Commission Fiscal Year 2024 and Fiscal Year 2025
Budget Requests
2. Report Findings for a Youth and Teen Center
11. STAFF/COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Staff Bautista commended the Commission for their participation in today’s discussion.
Staff Bautista also reminded the Commission the importance of starting the meeting on
time, which is 6:00 p.m.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Chair L. Hwang adjourned the meeting at 7:22 p.m.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly adopted at a regular meeting of the
Youth Commission of the City of Gilroy.
Vince Bautista, Jr.
Secretary