12/14/2020 Youth Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 01/11/2021
CITY OF GILROY
YOUTH COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 14, 2020
6:00 p.m.
Gilroy Senior Center
7371 Hanna Street
Gilroy, CA 95020
MINUTES
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I. CALL TO ORDER– Chair Ramirez called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
II. SECRETARY'S REPORT – The Youth Commission agenda was posted online
on December 10, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. and posted in the City Hall kiosk on
December 10, 2020 at 11:10 a.m.
III. ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status Time
Jacob Baker Commissioner Present
Esmeralda Garcia Commissioner Present
Alyssa Gonzalez Commissioner Present
Winston James Commissioner Present
Meyhar Kamrah Commissioner Present
Alexis Kong Commissioner Present
Joshua Martinez Commissioner Present
Reet Padda Commissioner Present
Augusta Schulte Vice Chair Present
Yashila Suresh Commissioner Present
Serena Ramirez Chair Present
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Youth Commission Regular Meeting on November 9, 2020 – Vice Chair
Schulte motioned to approve the minutes. Commissioner Suresh seconded.
Motion passed 11-0-1.
V. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Commissioner Kamrah motioned to approve the
agenda. Commissioner Gonzalez seconded. Motion passed 11-0-0
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA – none.
VII. OLD BUSINESS
A. Review of Youth Advisory Council (YAC) Social Event – The YAC Social
was held virtually on Friday, November 20, 2020. Over 150 teens from
Youth Advisory Boards and Commissions around the Bay Area attended the
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event. The event included break-out sessions with small group discussions
regarding YAC work plans, mental health issues affecting teens today
during the pandemic and social justice issues. Commissioners Gonzalez,
Padda, Kong and Ramirez attended the event and shared their experience
with the group and ideas that could be included in future work plans in
Gilroy like a drive-in movie or hosting a finals cram session. Overall, the
consensus was the YAC social was enriching and a well-planned event.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Planning of Commissioner-led Workshops for Young Gilroy Residents
– As part of this year’s work plan, the Commission decided to host a
workshop that focuses on mental health, teen vaping and drinking, and
diversity and inclusion for youth in teens in the Gilroy community. After
much discussion, the following was decided:
a. Date: A virtual workshop will be held via Zoom on Friday, March 26,
2021 from 6:00 to 7:30pm.
b. Pre-registration will be required. We will use the Recreation
registration software for registration. This can be set-up by Staff
Advisor Sendejas once Recreation converts to the new system
(January 11, 2021). Registration cannot open before this date. A
deadline needs to be set for registrations. Sendejas will send the
registration information to the Marketing Committee after the
workshop registration has been set up.
c. Workshop design: the guest speaker will present in a larger group
and then we will breakout into smaller groups for an ice-
breaker/game followed by discussion of the speaker’s topic.
d. Committees:
i. Guest Speakers: Chair Ramirez and Commissioners Gonzalez
and Meyhar are responsible for securing guest speakers for
the event. Commission Padda will send them a contact she
has for vaping and drinking.
ii. Marketing: Commissioners Padda, James and Schulte will be
responsible for creating flyers and promotions.
iii. Ice-Breakers/Fun Games: Commissioners Suresh, Kong,
Martinez, and Garcia will come up with the ice-
breakers/games that will be played in the breakout group s
prior to discussions.
iv. Zoom Tech Guy: Commissioner Baker will be responsible for
running the Zoom meeting and for managing the breakout
sessions.
IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Virtual Holiday Cards – Vice Chair Schulte, Commissioners James and
Padda reported on the Spread Holiday Joy! Campaign. The flyer has been
created and was posted on the City of Gilroy Youth Commission website
page and on the Recreation social media sites (Facebook, Twitter and
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Instagram). The Committee reached out Melanie Corona with the Gilroy
Unified School District and received confirmation that she will be promoting
the campaign with the elementary schools this week. The Committee
encouraged commissioners to share the flyer and social media posts with
their family and friends to encourage participation. The campaign will run
until the end of the month.
X. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING – Workshop Committees will report on
their progress; the Virtual Holiday Card Committee will report on their
campaign.
XI. STAFF COMMENTS – Sendejas commended the Commission on a job well
done with volunteering for assignments and participating in the meeting.
Sendejas recognized Chair Ramirez for her leadership in guiding the
Commission.
XII. FUTURE MEETINGS - Monday, January 11, 2021 at 6:00pm
XIII. ADJOURNMENT – Vice Chair Schulte motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:10
p.m. Commissioner Martinez seconded. Motion passed 11-0-0.
Monica Sendejas,
Recording Secretary
Youth Commission Advisor