FORT PIERCE YOUTH COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
MEETING MINUTES
Fort Pierce Youth Council - Thursday, March 20, 2025 - 4:00 p.m.City Hall - 2nd Floor Conference Room, 100 North U.S. #1, Fort Pierce, Florida
1.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Janessa Diaz called the meeting to order at 4:06 PM. A roll call was conducted, establishing a quorum with members Reese Adams, Janessa Diaz, and Naomi Hypolite present.
2.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Vice Chair Reese Adams; Chairperson Janessa Diaz; 2nd Vice Chair Naomi Hypolite
- Absent:
- Emily Maldonado; Elizabeth Outten
- Staff Present:
- Audria Moore, Special Projects Coordinator; Jennifer Robinson, Executive Assistant to the City Manager
3.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a.
Approval of February 20, 2025 minutes
Motion was made by Vice Chair Reese Adams and seconded by 2nd Vice Chair Naomi Hypolite to approve the minutes of the February 20, 2025 meeting.
- AYE:
-
2nd Vice Chair Naomi Hypolite
Chairperson Janessa Diaz
Vice Chair Reese Adams
- Other:
-
Elizabeth Outten (ABSENT)
Emily Maldonado (ABSENT)
4.
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion was made by 2nd Vice Chair Naomi Hypolite and seconded by Vice Chair Reese Adams to approve the agenda as set.
- AYE:
-
2nd Vice Chair Naomi Hypolite
Chairperson Janessa Diaz
Vice Chair Reese Adams
- Other:
-
Elizabeth Outten (ABSENT)
Emily Maldonado (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.
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.
No members of the public were present.
6.
OLD BUSINESS
a.
Labor of Love
Motion was made by Vice Chair Reese Adams and seconded by 2nd Vice Chair Naomi Hypolite to postpone the discussion of Labor of Love until a later date.
- AYE:
-
2nd Vice Chair Naomi Hypolite
Chairperson Janessa Diaz
Vice Chair Reese Adams
- Other:
-
Elizabeth Outten (ABSENT)
Emily Maldonado (ABSENT)
b.
Youth Award Recognition
Next, the Youth Award Recognition was reviewed. With the nomination deadline approaching on March 31, 2025, and only two nominations received—one of which was ineligible—members deliberated on expanding eligibility to include fifth-grade students.
Motion was made by Vice Chair Reese Adams and seconded by 2nd Vice Chair Naomi Hypolite to allow fifth graders with honor roll status to be eligible, and to extend the nomination deadline to April 30, 2025, pending Commission approval.
Motion was made by Vice Chair Reese Adams and seconded by 2nd Vice Chair Naomi Hypolite to allow fifth graders with honor roll status to be eligible, and to extend the nomination deadline to April 30, 2025, pending Commission approval.
- AYE:
-
2nd Vice Chair Naomi Hypolite
Chairperson Janessa Diaz
Vice Chair Reese Adams
- Other:
-
Elizabeth Outten (ABSENT)
Emily Maldonado (ABSENT)
7.
NEW BUSINESS
a.
Fort Pierce Youth Council applicant
In new business, the Council reviewed an application for membership from Serenity Garcia, an 11th-grade student with a 4.3 GPA. She is actively involved in student government, ROTC, the National Honor Society, and community leadership initiatives. She highlighted key youth concerns, including food insecurity, lack of creative programs, and diminishing community engagement.
Motion was made by Vice Chair Reese Adams and seconded by 2nd Vice Chair Naomi Hypolite to recommend Serenity Garcia for Youth Council membership.
Motion was made by Vice Chair Reese Adams and seconded by 2nd Vice Chair Naomi Hypolite to recommend Serenity Garcia for Youth Council membership.
- AYE:
-
2nd Vice Chair Naomi Hypolite
Chairperson Janessa Diaz
Vice Chair Reese Adams
- Other:
-
Elizabeth Outten (ABSENT)
Emily Maldonado (ABSENT)
8.
COMMITTEE AND STAFF COMMENTS
Further discussion centered on increasing awareness of the Youth Council through school partnerships and social media outreach. Proposed initiatives included a “Let Us Hear from You” event to engage local youth and potential collaboration with the city’s communications department to enhance outreach efforts.
9.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Vice Chair Reese Adams and seconded by 2nd Vice Chair Naomi Hypolite to adjourn the meeting.
- AYE:
-
2nd Vice Chair Naomi Hypolite
Chairperson Janessa Diaz
Vice Chair Reese Adams
- Other:
-
Elizabeth Outten (ABSENT)
Emily Maldonado (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.