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03/11/2019 Youth Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 04/08/2019 CITY OF GILROY YOUTH COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MARCH 11, 2019 6:00 p.m. Senior Center Meeting Room 7371 Hanna Street Gilroy, CA 95020 MINUTES Page 1 of 6 I. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Youth Commission was called to order by Chair Akash Sabharwal at 6:02 p.m. II. FLAG SALUTE III. SECRETARY'S REPORT The amended meeting packet was posted on the City’s website on Thursday, March 7, 2019 at 12:37 p.m. and the agenda was posted in the Public Notice Cabinet on Thursday, March 7, 2019 at 12:45 p.m. A. Roll Call Members Present: Chair Akash Sabharwal, Commissioner Bryan Alonso, Commissioner Kenneth Apte, Commissioner Bettye Chargin, Commissioner Elizabeth Van Sambeek, Commissioner Senna Kolagotla, Commissioner Edwin Lopez, Commissioner Vikash Sabharwal, Commissioner Paul Song and Commissioner Jane Tovar Members Excused: Vice Chair Justin Fajardo Members Absent: None Staff Present: Vince Bautista IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. 1/14/2019 Meeting Minutes Motion was made by Commissioner Kolagotla to approve the minutes of the January 14, 2019 regular meeting as written. The motion was seconded by Commissioner V. Sabharwal. The motion carried with a 10-0-1 vote (Absent: Vice Chair Fajardo). B. 2/11/2019 Meeting Minutes Motion was made by Commissioner Kolagotla to approve the minutes of the Febraury 11, 2019 regular meeting as written. The motion was seconded by Page 2 of 6 Commissioner Lopez. The motion carried with a 10-0-1 vote (Absent: Vice Chair Fajardo). V. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion was made by Commissioner Song to approve the agenda for Monday, March 11, 2019. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kolagotla. The motion carried with a 10-0-1 vote (Absent: Vice Chair Fajardo). A. 2/11/2019 Approval of Minutes Motion was made by Commissioner Apte to approve the agenda for Monday, February 11, 2019. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Alonso. The motion carried with a 10-0-1 vote (Absent: Vice Chair Fajardo). VI. AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS None. VII. INTRODUCTIONS None. VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA None. IX. NEW BUSINESS A. Presentation by Sanjeev Tanna on Solving Global Issues Staff Bautista introduced President and Entrepreneur Sanjeev Tanna out of San Jose, California. Mr. Sanjeev Tanna is the founder of Next Generation Nations and presented his topic of Solving Global Issues to the Youth Commission. The Next Generation Nations is a non-profit and international organization that addresses social, economic, environmental, political, and many global issues that challenge humanity and the progress of societies around the world. This organization has been around for a year and a half. The vision is to empower the next generation to solve problems affecting the progress of societies around the world by year 2120. Mr. Sanjeev Tanna and his team are currently in the phase of extending across the country through high schools. The mission for the organization is predominately high school students who lead the program in providing leadership in Solving Global Issues. For example, two issues that were mentioned are climate change and population change. Therefore, students in each high school and club group involved will address the issue together and come up with a community project to help them address the issue on a local level. Service projects, events and collaborating with government organizations have all been a part of bringing awareness and education to the community to solve these particular issues. In addition, those projects and events that take place can be classified as community service hours. Also, some of the benefits of enrolling in the program includes a 15,000 scholarship, networking with citizens and other students and making a difference in the world. As a result, moving forward, the Youth Commission will individually decide if the program is the right fit for them and contact Sanjeev Tanna if interested. X. OLD BUSINESS Page 3 of 6 A. Follow-up Regarding Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office Staff Bautista reintroduced Santa Clara Deputy District Attorney Adam J. Flores. Mr. Flores took the floor and summarized what the Commission was tasked to do for the Monday, March 11, 2019 meeting. The question asked by Mr. Flores was "what they believed the issues are affecting the youth of Gilroy?". The Commission shared one by one their findings. The Commission reported nicotine usage, vaping, cigarettes, e-cigs, lack of programs and services, lack of tutor services, anxiety, teen pregnancy, depression, xanax, mental health and lack of education in schools and with parents. One interesting statement that Commissioner V. Sabharwal reported back was "they will stop before it affects them". This stood out because the youth are not realizing the type of drug that they are putting in there body. This plays a big role on there physical, mental, physiological system in the long hall. Nonetheless, other factors could possible be at risk such as addiction, abuse, leading into other drugs and more. Also, another interesting observation that Commissioner Alonso mentioned was how easy it is to hide an e-cigs. For example, he witness youth storing there vaping pins in there sleeves in the classroom and at high school. As easy as five or less seconds to smoke it and store it back in there sleeve. The interesting fact about this issue is that vaping pens have no sense of smell. Some vaping pens can be easily confused with cologne or perfume. Some suggestions that the Youth Commission recommended is reaching youth at a younger age which includes the middle school age group. Furthermore, the Commission stated clearly if presentations are going to be presented to high school students they feel it would be more beneficial to demonstrate the affects of drugs in small classroom sizes. This will allow the presentation to be more direct and confidential. Additionally, the Commission expressed that it's vital on who is the speaker to the students because in the past guest speakers were not taking seriously. Another idea that the Commission voiced was the discipline steps at high schools. They feel that the consequences are not enough for the youth to stop in act. For example, Commissioner Kolagotla stated that she observed an individual expressing that he or she did not care about being suspended two to three days of school. The question is if this is the right solution to keep them out of school. Now this is only one question as I am sure there are others. The Commission agreed that there needs to be more of an aggressive approach and additional resources and services for individuals in need. All of these issues are affecting the youth today and the Commission find it hard for youth to receive help. With a lack of education, programs, services and support, it's hard to attack each of these issues at once. As a result, Deputy District Attorney Adam J. Flores will focus on the drug issues such as xanax, nicotine, vaping, cigarettes, and e-cigs. Mr. Flores plans to visit other issues affecting youth in the near future. B. Provide Budget Input for Commission Related Items for Upcoming Budget Cycle Staff Bautista shared the status of the budget request for the budget cycle of 2020 and 2021. The Commission requested an additional $1,000 for the upcoming fiscal years. The proposal was submitted to Bryce Atkins and remains on hold for future update. C. Recap on Pampered Princess Party Page 4 of 6 Commissioner Kolagotla led the discussion of the recap of the Pampered Princess Party. Each Commissioner shared there pros and cons of the event. Chair Sabharwal helped with set-up and was dismissed early for the event due to commitment for school. Although Chair Sabharwal expressed that he heard nothing but positive feedback from the event. Commissioner Tovar was in charge of the hair station. She had eleven (11) volunteers and felt it wasn't enough volunteers. The flowers were a big hit at the event as they ran out of flowers towards the end of the event. The participants also enjoyed the hair color dye and glitter spray. Next year we will purchase more flowers, color dye and glitter spray. Commissioner Kolagotla and Commissioner Van Sambeek had seven (7) volunteers for the nail station. Both Commissioners expressed that this was enough volunteers for the event. The nail station was accessible and had plenty of supplies. Overall Commissioner Kolagotla and Commissioner Van Sambeek felt the event went smoothly. Commissioner Song and Commissioner Apte held the arts and crafts station. Both Commissioners thought the event was successful. They mentioned that the had more then enough of volunteers for five (5) tables. A suggestion for next year is to have a few more tables and possibly distribute arts and crafts supplies as oppose to leaving them on the table for participants. Commissioner V. Sabharwal coordinated the face painting station. Commissioner V. Sabharwal had about six (6) face painters. Although this was not enough because of the line that they had throughout the event. Also, towards the end of the event they ran out of white. Overall, V. Sabharwal expressed that the event was great and he heard a lot of positive feedback. An idea for next year is possibly going through a company for face painting. Also, the purchase of more white will be on next year items list. Commissioner Chargin and Commissioner Fajardo (absent) organized the photo booth. The help of Commissioner Chargin father Tom was a huge success. The line of the photo booth was popular and well maintained. Parents got to access there pictures through social media the week after the event. One suggestion for next year is changing the location of the photo booth to another area. The photo booth tended to be too close to hula's performance. As a result, both Commissioner Chargin and Commissioner Fajardo (absent) felt the event was a success. Page 5 of 6 Commissioner Lopez and Commissioner Alonso planned the welcome and snack station. Both Commissioner Lopez and Commissioner Alonso expressed that the bananas, fruit snacks and waters were a good choice. Both ended up with extra waters after the event. The event was a success to both Commissioners. One thing they noticed was the lines being long at face painting and hair. As a result, the Commission agreed that the event was a huge success. The Commission had forty (40) volunteers and a hundred and seventeen (117) participants. Together, they agreed that the welcome table and rings were great. Despite that there were certain areas to improve, the Commission agreed to bring back the Pampered Princess Event and possibly move to a bigger space such as Wheeler Gymnasium. D. May Presentation to Council Staff Bautista will be completing the May Presentation to City Council for the Gilroy Youth Commission. Staff Bautista will complete this task by the end of March and send for review and feedback to the Commission. In addition, Chair Sabharwal and Vice Chair Fajardo will be the presenting to City Council in May. Both Commissioners will be practicing presenting to the rest of the Youth Commission at the April meeting. Pictures of the Holiday Parade, Pampered Princess Party, San Juan Bautista and Morgan Hill Social will be included in the presentation along with descriptive slides expressing the work of the year from the Youth Commission. XI. COMMITTEE REPORTS None. XII. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING May Presentation to City Council Update on Budget Cycle for 2020-2021 Pampered Princess Donation Update of the GPAC Meeting XIII. STAFF COMMENTS None. XIV. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Commissioner Apte to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Chargin. The motion carried with a 10-0-1 vote (Absent: Commissioner Fajardo). Chair Sabharwal adjourned the meeting at 7:11 p.m. XV. FUTURE MEETINGS The next regular meeting of the Gilroy Youth Commission will be held on Monday, April 8, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Gilroy Senior Center Meeting Room. Page 6 of 6 Vince Bautista, Recreation Specialist City of Gilroy Youth Commission Advisor Recording Secretary