HomeMy WebLinkAboutYouth Commission Minutes 090822
City Hall 55 W. Tompkins Street Galesburg, IL 61401 309-343-4181 www.ci.galesburg.il.us
Youth Commission Minutes, September 8, 2022
City Hall, Galesburg, IL
Meeting Called to Order: Precious Dortch and Joy Basosa-Nzumba called the meeting to
order at 4:35 p.m.
Attendance: Members Present: Joy Basosa-Nzumba, Precious Dortch,
Jennifer Foubert, Mia Haneghan, Chantiara Jackson, Brother Shabazz,
Courtney Wallace, Zakary Warfield
City of Galesburg:
Elizabeth Varner, Director of Parks and Recreation
Jackie Smith -Esters, City Council Member
Absent: Eciel Burns, Deion Crider, Paula Johnson,
Guests: None
Minutes: Minutes from June 9th, 2022 meeting were approved, with motions
Courtney Wallace and Chantiara Jackson.
Parks & Recreation Report:
Director of Parks and Recreation, Elizabeth Varner, provided a report of various programs
offered by the City of Galesburg Parks and Recreation. The Youth Commission had free
admission to the last Teen Splash Bash of the season at Lakeside Water Park. Precious Dortch
was there and said it was well attended. Additional programs mentioned for teens included
E-sports, craft classes, Lakeside Nature Center programs, On-Line Babysitting, and Adult Fall
Kickball on Thursday, September 29th, 2022. The Kickball starts at age 15 and is a $5 drop-in
program. Elizabeth also discussed the Monarch Migration Festival, which is this Saturday,
September 10th, 2022.The event is from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and will include activities and
informational presentations. This is open to all ages and is a FREE event. The Mobile
Playground has been busy all summer at various parks throughout the City of Galesburg
Old Business:
Open Meeting Act Training- Precious Dortch and Joy Basosa-Nzumba praised everyone
for completing the Open Meetings Act Training in June. Jennifer Foubert, Chantiara Jackson,
and Zakary Warfield all attended the training and felt it was too much talking. They would like
to be able to sign up to attend some classes. Youth Commissioners discussed what they would
like and agree it would be nice to attend some classes and learn more about certification type
classes.
Discussion also was led to other programs they would like to see at the high school. Programs
they would like to see brought back included DARE, Drunk Driving Consequences such as a
scenario on the high school track and Mental Health Training to discuss suicide prevention and
substance abuse. They would like to see programs that could help their peers. Open
conversations are needed. Jennifer Foubert will be meeting with Mindi Ritchie and will provide
City Hall 55 W. Tompkins Street Galesburg, IL 61401 309-343-4181 www.ci.galesburg.il.us
this information to her at GHS. Another program mentioned was Social Emotional Learning
(SEL). Mental health is self-care.
New Business:
Adopt A Park and Treat Street – Adopt-A-Park was discussed, and they mentioned
adopting HT Custer Park. The commission decided to adopt HT Custer, with a motion from
Courtney Wallace and a tied 2nd motion from Chantiara Jackson and Brother Shabazz. They
agreed to clean up HT Custer on October 29 after Treat Street. This then led to discussion of
having a booth at Park Plaza during Treat Street to show their presence and leadership in the
community to the youth. City Council Member, Jackie Smith-Esters will ensure a booth is
reserved for the Youth Commission and look into getting hot cocoa or cider for the park clean
up. Elizabeth Varner will provide bags and gloves for the clean-up.
Knox College Visit: Jennifer Foubert provided an update on a future visit to Knox College.
A date was set for November 11, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. Knox College will provide an information
session, campus tour, lunch in the cafeteria, opportunity to visit a class and a free t-shirt.
Brother Shabazz and Jennifer have been planning the visit with Knox College. Elizabeth
expressed that this allows more planning and promotion time, which will help attendance.
Jennifer will set up registration at Knox College and Elizabeth will prepare a flyer based on the
information Jennifer sends to her. Additional promotion can be in the GHS Budget, press
release, flyers in the school cafeteria, and around campus. All Galesburg high schools should
receive information.
Youth Commission Shirts: Jackie will investigate purchasing Youth Commission shirts.
Elizabeth and Jackie will look at something to go on the shirts and asked Youth Commissioners
for input. They were asked to provide shirt sizes and color combination suggestions. This
would provide more visibility.
Youth Commission Additions:
Youth Commissioners were asked to complete a questionnaire and asked if they wanted to
continue to serve on the commission. Everyone present wanted to continue. Elizabeth
explained that according to the ordinance they must attend at least 75% of the meetings.
Those that do not will be sent a letter to see if they want to continue. Paula Johnson has
expressed she cannot attend the meetings due to health issues. The Youth Commission will
miss her and asked to send well wishes.
Joy Basosa-Nzumba will provide the Youth Commission report at the next City Council meeting.
Brother Shabazz will help her prepare a report for the meeting. Elizabeth will ensure that a
Youth Commission report is added to the agenda. Adjourned: 5:20 p.m.
Next Meeting: Thursday, October 13, 2022
________________Elizabeth Varner_____________
Director of Parks & Recreation, Elizabeth Varner
City Hall 55 W. Tompkins Street Galesburg, IL 61401 309-343-4181 www.ci.galesburg.il.us