Agenda Packets - 1998/02/09 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r -i-e,,r) 7c * INTER MEMO OF F ICE To: Administrator Whiting From: Mary Saarion Subject: Recommendation for advisory group for community center activities. Date: February 5, 1998 As requested I have prepared this proposal for advisory group participation and responsibility regarding operations and activities of the Mounds View Community Center. The Parks and Recreation Commission has the responsibility of advising Parks, Recreation& Forestry Department staff regarding issues of leisure recreational opportunities and use of City owned parks and recreation facilities. Both these responsibilities should carry over to new recreation facilities at the Community Center as well as leisure recreation activities that are being planned and held at the Community Center. I believe that the Parks and Recreation Commission 40 has done an excellent job of advising staff about the needs and desires of the community regarding recreational programs and facility needs and uses. Therefore it is my recommendation that the Parks and Recreation Commission continue to be the advisory group expanding their responsibilities to include the recreational and operational activities of the Community Center. In addition, I propose that a Mounds View Youth Council be organized for representation by the youth community concerning activities that they would like to see at the Youth Center of the Community Center. I believe that this would be a great learning experience as the youth would have an opportunity to work with Parks and Recreation staff in programming activities on a seasonal basis. This will give youth direct ownership of activities that are planned at the Community Center Youth Center. In addition, I would like to see the Youth Council participate in not only the planning but also the implementation of activities through volunteer activities. Youth could be responsible for checking participants in at the door, cleaning up after activities, decorating, preparing refreshment tables, seeking speakers or instructors, planning special event activities such as parties or dances, filling pop machines, etc. I believe that there could be many committees of the Youth Planning Council and therefore would prefer not to limit the Council with rules and regulations but instead work with all the numbers of youth that are interested in participating. I do not foresee additional burdens of another evening meeting because the Youth Council and committees would meet after school which is within normal work hours. Participation in the Youth Council and committees will, in itself, be a leisure recreational activity that will have many benefits for participating youth including mentorship opportunities, planning skills, supervisory and leadership activities, and way to exercise responsibility while ensuring that • their planning encompasses many youths' interests and experiences. In conclusion, I recommend that the Parks and Recreation Commission expand their