HomeMy WebLinkAboutYouth Commission Minutes 011223
City Hall 55 W. Tompkins Street Galesburg, IL 61401 309-343-4181 www.ci.galesburg.il.us
Youth Commission Minutes: January 12, 2023
City Hall, Galesburg, IL
Meeting Called to Order: Eciel Burns called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
Attendance: Members Present:
Eciel Burns, Precious Dortch, Jennifer Foubert, Mia Haneghan,
Courtney Wallace, Zakary Warfield, Andrew Jowers
City of Galesburg:
Elizabeth Varner, Director of Parks and Recreation
Jackie Smith -Esters, City Council Member
Absent: Joy Basosa-Nzumba, Chantiara Jackson
Guests: Mayor Peter Schwartzman
Minutes: Minutes from October 2022 meeting were approved, with motions from
Mia Haneghan and Courtney Wallace. There was not a quorum in November or December.
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. She also provided pizza for everyone in
attendance to enjoy.
Old Business:
Youth Commission Shirts: Eciel Burns shared his shirt design with the
Commissioners. He explained this would provide recognition when volunteering,
hosting, or attending events such as the MLK Breakfast and future Park planning
meetings. Rev. Andrew Jowers added that the shirts would provide ownership.
Jennifer Foubert suggested short sleeves might be more versatile since you can layer
under the shirt in colder months. Elizabeth asked if anyone knew a graphic designer.
She then offered to see if she could find someone to assist, based on Eciel’s design.
Other items such a hat, shirt pins, and name badges were also ideas.
New Business:
Youth Extra Effort Award: Elizabeth Varner brought forth a Youth Extra Effort
nomination for the committee to review and vote upon. She explained the history and
that it would be great recognition for a well deserving youth that has “gone the extra
mile”, as well as public relations for the Youth Commission when presenting at a future
City Council meeting. Commissioners reviewed the application. There was concern
that the nominee did not live in Galesburg. Elizabeth pointed out that the award is to
recognize a youth attending Galesburg schools who have gone the “extra mile”. The
individual nominated attends a Galesburg school, started a program to collect scrape
City Hall 55 W. Tompkins Street Galesburg, IL 61401 309-343-4181 www.ci.galesburg.il.us
metal called “Junk for Jingles” and then buys Christmas presents for children that are
on the Galesburg Salvation Army Angel Tree. Motions were made by Mia Haneghan
and Courtney Wallace to approve the nominee, Baylie Mayfield, for the Youth Extra
Effort Award. Elizabeth will reach out to see if she can attend a meeting in February to
receive a Mayoral Proclamation.
Youth Commissioners also reviewed the form for future nominations. There was
concern that they would come from one group. Elizabeth explained that we could
reach out to all the Galesburg schools, churches, and submit a press release to get
nominations not from one group. She explained there were not a lot received in past
years and Commissioners can decide how many to accept in the future.
Suggested changes for the nomination form included:
-Youth must be in a student in K-12 and attend a Galesburg School.
-Can not be nominated by a parent or family member.
- 4) Please provide additional letter of support, separate from the sponsor, with their
contact information.
-Include the school attending in Galesburg.
Elizabeth will update the form for the February meeting. The Youth Commission would
like to publicize this with a press release, Mayor comments during the presentation, and
provide information to the schools. Rev. Jowers suggested attending a future School
Board meeting might be a good idea as well.
Chairperson: It was agreed to vote on a Chairperson at the February meeting.
Guest Comments: Mayor Peter Schwartzman listened to the meeting and offered
input. He asked if there were concerns about the Youth Commission to let himself,
Alderman Jackie Smith-Esters or Parks and Recreation Director Elizabeth Varner know.
Commissioners would like him to return in February to review the mission and goals.
Elizabeth explained the importance of attending and making a presentation at the City
Council meetings, as members have agreed to present and not showed up.
Meeting was adjourned.
Next Meeting: Thursday, February 9, 2023
________________Elizabeth Varner_____________
Director of Parks & Recreation, Elizabeth Varner