FORT PIERCE YOUTH COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
MEETING MINUTES
Fort Pierce Youth Council - Thursday, October 26, 2023 - 4:00 p.m.City Hall - 2nd Floor Conference Room, 100 North U.S. #1, Fort Pierce, Florida
1.
CALL TO ORDER
Acting Chair Iyonee Allen called the meeting to order at 4:07 p.m.
2.
ROLL CALL
3.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a.
Approval of September 28, 2023 meeting minutes
Motion to approve the minutes by Tyanna Gore and seconded by Reese Adams.
4.
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
5.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Any person who wishes to comment on any subject on this Agenda may be heard at this time. Please limit your comments to no more than five (5) minutes, as this section of the Agenda is limited to thirty minutes. The Youth Advisory Committee will not be able to take any official action under “Comments from the Public” section.
Any person who wishes to comment on any subject on this Agenda may be heard at this time. Please limit your comments to no more than five (5) minutes, as this section of the Agenda is limited to thirty minutes. The Youth Advisory Committee will not be able to take any official action under “Comments from the Public” section.
6.
OLD BUSINESS
a.
Youth Council Orientation: Role and Responsibilities
Ms. Moore-Wells spoke about the youth council’s roles and responsibilities. This youth council is not a club, but rather an advisory council focused on improving the lives of youth in Fort Pierce. It involves meeting, addressing tasks assigned by the City Commission, and advocating for improvements in the community. Members will learn about the city government's operations and participate in FLC activities, but school will always be prioritized.
b.
Youth Award Recognition
The item was tabled until the next meeting so that members could be given more information.
Ms. Moore-Wells reminded the members that this was the Council’s primary assignment from the City Commission. They will need to finalize the application and the review process because the goal is to start promoting the program in January.
Ms. Moore-Wells reminded the members that this was the Council’s primary assignment from the City Commission. They will need to finalize the application and the review process because the goal is to start promoting the program in January.
c.
Video Project
Acting Chairperson Iyonee Allen informed the members that participation in the video project was entirely voluntary. She also shared a project idea that she had.
Ms. Moore-Wells informed the Council that Janessa Diaz had volunteered to lead the project but was unable to do so due to school obligations.
They also talked about each member making a video about something in Fort Pierce that could be included in the video project and submitted to the FLC in November. The requirements for the video project were further discussed. Some members expressed an interest in taking part in the video project.
Motion for the Youth Council video competition idea where each member will record a 45-second video and submit it by 10/30 to Mr. Moore-Wells answering all 3 questions and wearing a Fort Pierce remembered shirt made by Tyanna Gore and seconded by Tenelia Garner.
Ms. Moore-Wells informed the Council that Janessa Diaz had volunteered to lead the project but was unable to do so due to school obligations.
They also talked about each member making a video about something in Fort Pierce that could be included in the video project and submitted to the FLC in November. The requirements for the video project were further discussed. Some members expressed an interest in taking part in the video project.
Motion for the Youth Council video competition idea where each member will record a 45-second video and submit it by 10/30 to Mr. Moore-Wells answering all 3 questions and wearing a Fort Pierce remembered shirt made by Tyanna Gore and seconded by Tenelia Garner.
d.
Community Event Volunteering
Chairperson Deonna Davis had placed this item on the agenda for discussion. Ms. Moore-Wells stated that the chairperson was considering having the Youth Council volunteer in the community. If a member is aware of an upcoming community event, he or she may bring it to the council for consideration of all members volunteering. As a reminder, there is no requirement for a member to volunteer for community service.
e.
Weekend Community Cleanups
This was another item on the agenda that Chairperson Deonna Davis had placed for discussion. However, this may not be possible because some of the members are taking demanding classes or working.
7.
NEW BUSINESS
a.
YOCO hosted event / City of Fort Pierce Event - EMPOWER YOUTH!
Acting Chairperson Iyonee Allen solicited suggestions from members for an Empower Youth Event. She also explained what an Empower Youth event was and what the Council did for 2023 to the new members. Ms. Moore-Wells provided the requirements and deadlines for a community service event in 2024.
Chairperson Deonna Davis would like members to consider any issues that the youth are facing that could be highlighted at the next Empower Youth event. Members suggested topics for the next event, such as college preparation, scholarship opportunities, healthy relationships/mental health, a teen survival guidebook, trade/vocational school information, cosmetology school, teen pregnancies, and community responsibilities.
The members discussed themes and offered suggestions for the next Youth Empower event.
Chairperson Deonna Davis would like members to consider any issues that the youth are facing that could be highlighted at the next Empower Youth event. Members suggested topics for the next event, such as college preparation, scholarship opportunities, healthy relationships/mental health, a teen survival guidebook, trade/vocational school information, cosmetology school, teen pregnancies, and community responsibilities.
The members discussed themes and offered suggestions for the next Youth Empower event.
8.
COMMITTEE AND STAFF COMMENTS
a.
Upcoming Florida League of Cities Youth Council Programs
Ms. Moore-Wells informed the members about the upcoming Youth Council conference, which would take place in the last week of January. The final YOCO meeting will most likely be in May. In June and July, there will be no meeting.
Ms. Moore-Wells also informed the members that the YOCO meetings will be held at City Hall beginning in January 2024. She asked the members whether they would prefer to meet on the third or last Thursday of the month. The members responded that the third Thursday would be preferable. Ms. Moore-Wells stated that they would resume meeting at City Hall on the third Thursday of each month beginning in January 2024.
Ms. Moore-Wells will be sending an email to the members requesting that they provide her with 2 ideas for their 45-second video by 11/3/23 if they are participating in the contest.
Ms. Moore-Wells also informed the members that the YOCO meetings will be held at City Hall beginning in January 2024. She asked the members whether they would prefer to meet on the third or last Thursday of the month. The members responded that the third Thursday would be preferable. Ms. Moore-Wells stated that they would resume meeting at City Hall on the third Thursday of each month beginning in January 2024.
Ms. Moore-Wells will be sending an email to the members requesting that they provide her with 2 ideas for their 45-second video by 11/3/23 if they are participating in the contest.
9.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn by Reese Adams and seconded by Tyanna Gore.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 286.26, Florida Statutes, persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in this meeting should contact the City Clerk’s Office at (772) 467-3065 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.