FORT PIERCE YOUTH COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
MEETING MINUTES
Fort Pierce Youth Council - Thursday, January 16, 2025 - 4:00 p.m.City Hall - 2nd Floor Conference Room, 100 North U.S. #1, Fort Pierce, Florida
1.
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Reese Adams called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM.
2.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Vice Chair Reese Adams; 2nd Vice Chair Naomi Hypolite; Emily Maldonado; Elizabeth Outten
- Absent:
- Chairperson Janessa Diaz
- Staff Present:
- Audria Moore, Special Projects Coordinator; Jennifer Robinson, Executive Assistant to the City Manager
3.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a.
Approval of the Minutes of the December 19, 2024 Meeting
Motion to approve the January 16, 2025 minutes by 2nd Vice Chair Naomi Hypolite and seconded by Elizabeth Outten.
- AYE:
- Elizabeth Outten, Emily Maldonado, 2nd Vice Chair Naomi Hypolite, Vice Chair Reese Adams
- Other:
- Chairperson Janessa Diaz (ABSENT)
4.
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion to approve the agenda made by 2nd Vice Chair Naomi Hypolite and seconded by Emily Maldonado.
- AYE:
- Elizabeth Outten, Emily Maldonado, 2nd Vice Chair Naomi Hypolite, Vice Chair Reese Adams
- Other:
- Chairperson Janessa Diaz (ABSENT)
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 three (3) minutes, as this section of the Agenda is limited to ten 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 three (3) minutes, as this section of the Agenda is limited to ten minutes. The Youth Advisory Committee will not be able to take any official action under “Comments from the Public” section.
6.
OLD BUSINESS
a.
Empower Youth Labor of Love
This item was postponed due to the absence of Chair Janessa Diaz who was to lead the discussion.
7.
NEW BUSINESS
a.
Council Training
Training was cancelled. Deputy City Manager DeVoshay Johnson had to attend a Special City Commission that was scheduled at the same time.
b.
Youth Award Recognition Program
A key discussion topic was the Youth Award Recognition Program. This program, assigned by the City Commission, aims to acknowledge outstanding youth contributions in various categories, such as innovation, leadership, and humanitarian efforts. The Council reviewed the nomination and selection process, emphasizing the importance of community participation. Applications were set to open soon, and Council members were encouraged to share information with their peers. The awards ceremony was tentatively scheduled for June to align with the school year.
The meeting also covered the Legislative Action Days event in Tallahassee from March 25–26, 2024. This annual event provides youth councils with leadership training and opportunities to interact with state legislators. The Council discussed logistics, including travel arrangements and accommodations. Interested members were encouraged to confirm their participation so reservations could be made in advance.
Additionally, the Council reviewed opportunities under the Florida League of Cities, including the Youth Council Excellence Award and a Youth Council Summit in DeLand, scheduled for November. These initiatives aim to broaden members’ understanding of civic engagement and government operations at local and state levels.
The meeting also covered the Legislative Action Days event in Tallahassee from March 25–26, 2024. This annual event provides youth councils with leadership training and opportunities to interact with state legislators. The Council discussed logistics, including travel arrangements and accommodations. Interested members were encouraged to confirm their participation so reservations could be made in advance.
Additionally, the Council reviewed opportunities under the Florida League of Cities, including the Youth Council Excellence Award and a Youth Council Summit in DeLand, scheduled for November. These initiatives aim to broaden members’ understanding of civic engagement and government operations at local and state levels.
8.
COMMITTEE AND STAFF COMMENTS
9.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:22 PM made by 2nd Vice Chair Naomi Hypolite and seconded by Elizabeth Outten.
- AYE:
- Elizabeth Outten, Emily Maldonado, 2nd Vice Chair Naomi Hypolite, Vice Chair Reese Adams
- Other:
- Chairperson Janessa Diaz (ABSENT)
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.