Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-YB-1996-06-10 ITHACA YOUTH BUREAU ADVISORY BOARD Minutes of June 10, 1996 Attendance: Jack Sherman, Cathy Currier, Amy Kuo, Tom Hanna, Joni Spielholz, David Delchamps, Excused: Deb Traunstein Staff present: Sam Cohen, Marilyn Hall, John Doyle, Tim Little Absent members: Steve Ehrhardt, Kurt Johnson, Ed Vallely, Nancy Zook, William Murphy, Gino Bush The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chair Jack Sherman. Approval of minutes from May 13, 1996 were unanimously carried. 1. Kiwanis Program Highlights- presented by Tim Little, Supervisor The transition is going smoothly for Tim Little overseeing the Kiwanis program this year. Statistics indicate that all children have been placed on teams this year- a grand total of 1,175 kids placed on 79 teams! The first week of games were postponed because of the rainy weather; thus the season will be extended one week if these games can not be made up on Saturdays. Coaches are doing an outstanding job with the kids as well as helping the umpires. Rich Armstrong and his son have been doing a remarkable job with handling the scheduling of umpires and game schedules. John Doyle and his crew have been responsible for managing the fields and have done a superb job! Concerns: 1) There are not enough fields! Make up games are not able to be held Saturdays 10 a.m. - noon because of soccer practicing on the same fields. 2) Another concern came to Tim from an elementary school psychologist: one needy family doesn't have transportation for their child to practice. Kiwanis provides transportation to West Village and Park Side(across from Tops)for games but transportation is not provided for practice. Because of rainy field conditions and the Octopus construction teams are scheduling games in;other areas, thus Kiwanis provided transportation cannot travel to those games since it is not scheduled at the Cass Park fields. The handbook clearly states that if a child misses a certain number of practices they are not able to play. Recreation Committee will go over this issue and set in place for next year. 2. Tot Spot Presentation- Linda Cimansky Linda Cimansky gave an excellent proposal to members this evening for an indoor recreation program for young children under the age of 4 that is"baby/child/family friendly", possibly run out of the Youth Bureau gym September- April on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. - noon and possibly 1 Saturday per month. Linda reports that locations have been set up in other states where a low fee is charged for the care-giver to accompany their child while the child plays and socializes with others (similar to a Discovery Zone concept). Currently we have the Imagine That program for 3-5 yr. olds and Home Schoolers at the Youth Bureau with some equipment available to get started. Since storage space is at a premium collaspeable equipment is recommended. A full written description of this proposal is available (see attachment A). Julie Conley Holcomb City Clerk CITY OF ITHACA YOUTH BUREAU TO: Youth Bureau Board Members DATE: 8/29/96 FROM: Marilyn Hall. Admin. Secretary RE: Minutes of June 10.. 1996 The June board minutes went out with one page missing. Please find enclosed a complete set for your records. Thanks! % Suggestions: explore equipment donations - establish Youth Bureau sponsorship first then some seed money to start; base fee on sliding scale, bus schedule might be able to be worked out, advertise through church bulletins, Women's Community Building, Cornell, and neighborhood centers. Recommendation: This proposal should go to Recreation Committee and ECHO/Scholarship/Endowments Committee jointly to discuss further. Executive Committee will make final decision on this at their July meeting since the full Board will not meet again until August. 3. Cass Park Presentation -John Doyle, Facilities Director Kiddie pool: The electrical problems will be dealt with shortly, a ground fault interruption switch installed, and fence around the filter house. At this writing the kiddie pool is expected to be operational by July 1st. Cass Pool: The Olympic size pool opens June 21st. Ice Rink: Copy of the Annual 1995-96 Cass Park Ice Rink Report was available for review. (Pages 2, 3 and 23 is of particular interest regarding the request for energy savings). John Doyle reports that next week a capital improvement request will go to B&A for an energy savings project totaling$108,130. Last fall the facility spent approximately$102,000.00 for utilities. The amount budgeted for this year is$80,000.00 - a figure that will again be exceeded as it has been for the last 10 years. Energy savings items are greatly needed to reduce expenses at the rink. Although there have been no warning signs, eventually a new chiller tank and cooling pipes in the concrete floor will need replacement (indicated in the 1993 capital project work). Members agree we need a good solid plan and need to look at what the community wants 5 years from now: A Cass Park independent sub committee needs to be formed to look at"The Rink's" impact, overall fee structure suggestions, look at summer/winter clientele and ways to tap into the college market. David Delchamps volunteered for Cass Park discussions and we will ask Deb Traunstein to join also. Mayor Cohen would like to see an ad hoc committee formed to study Cass Park issues. 4. Skateboarding-Mayor Alan J. Cohen is investigating another location for skateboard park. Mayor has talked with ICSD Board of Education's Finance Committee about the possibility of purchasing the block of Plain Street across from GIAC. 5. Youth Development Report(attachment B). 6. Recreation/Recreation Mainstreaming Services Report (attachment C) 7. HIS/Boynton and the IYB Walkway: Richard Gray reports the Town of Ithaca Planning Department is studying this. Members agree this is a very dangerous situation with two large schools and Youth Bureau across the way. A walkway is definite needed and we urge Town of Ithaca to proceed. Ithaca Youth Bureau Board unamiously passed the following Resolution. 6/10/96: WHEREAS, there is no safe walkway to the Ithaca Youth Bureau and Stewart Park, and WHEREAS, many youngsters from Boynton Middle School and Ithaca High School come directly to Stewart Park, and WHEREAS, large numbers of people from the community at large come into Stewart Park, and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Ithaca Youth Bureau Board of Advisors strongly urges the Town and City of Ithaca to establish a safe walkway. 8. Echo/Scholarships/Endowments: Cathy Currier and Deb Traunstein will be the designated Board members with Sam Cohen, Director to make decisions on requests for use of funds . Echo Fund Recommendation guidelines update: #3 - sentence added"This does not apply to special fund uses within ECHO"; and#7 -two additional criteria added a) creative new programs and b) high need programs. ACTION: Motion made, seconded and carried to approve ECHO fund recommendation guidelines. Sam has made the decision that memorial contributions may be made to the Ithaca Youth Bureau Echo Fund in honor of Leslie Ruth Cohen for the creation of a room dedicated to fine arts and crafts. Executive Committee will be scheduled to meet in July. PLEASE NOTE: dates for upcoming Board meetings: • August full board meeting (budget discussions)will be meet on Monday.August 26th at 7:30 p.m. • September full board meeting- Monday, September 30th at 7:30 p.m. • No October meeting • November full board meeting- Tuesday. November 12th at 7:30 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Attachement A TO: The Board of Directors of the Ithaca Youth Bureau RE: Proposal for a Community "TOT SPOT" Program FROM: Linda Cimakasky, Ithaca Mother & Baby Group There are approximately 1500 children under the age of three in Ithaca, however there is`n_ o program or "baby friendly/family friendly" place for these children and their parents to come.together. There is no indoor play space in Ithaca for young children Active engagement is critical for`.a child's early learning and development: All children, whether they are infants, preschoolers, or older are active learners. They acquire knowledge by actively experiencing the world around them. Children thrive with stimulating interactions with 'their care-givers and benefit from socialization with other children in developmentally appropriate 'settings. As an educator, a parent and an organizer of a 30 member mother's group I am very interested in the creation of a community based indoor play/activity program for the city's youngest children and their parents or caregivers. I have spoken with many parents, and staff members from the Day Care and Child Development Council of Tompkins County who share this same concern. Community members, parents and care-givers need a place to meet others that is "child-friendly", affordable and easily accessible. A place to meet families from different neighborhoods and to share parenting ideas and experiences. Such a space, with the proper equipment and supervision (staffed with a teacher or trained parent-leader) would provide our city's youngest children with an "all-weather" place to explore, play and exercise. I am requesting funding to establish an indoor playspace and activity program for children ages 4 months to 4 years, this space would be located in a convenient, indoor location easily accessible by public transportation and will provide ample parking. The space would be staffed and would be open to parents and care-givers to accompany their child(ren) while the child plays, explores, socializes and exercises. � r JF, When developmentally appropriate for the group attending, activities would be led by the staff member. (Activities such as musical games, parachute play, etc.) As a certified elementary-school teacher, experienced Head Start teacher and mother of an active toddler, I have the knowledge and training to set-up such a space. With the proper funding, I would equip the space with mats, climbing structures, large tumbling balls, foam blocks, parachutes and music. The playspace would be open during weekday mornings and occasional Saturday morning hours, during the months of __ September through April. A schedule would be developed and advertised as community,needs_and_usage were evaluated. There,would be an admission charge for each visit and/or monthly passes available. • Funding would be required to purchase the initial equipment and supplies, salaries for 1 or 2 part-time staff, consumable supplies(minimal) and advertising. The program would become self-sufficient after the 2nd year with funding coming from the fee charged, community donations, fund-raisers and the use of college-student interns and pa rent volunteers to staff the facility and lead activities. ESTIMATED COSTS: Equipmenmt:_$2400 Staff: Supplies: Advertising:. Thank you for your consideration! • Linda A. Cimakasky Attachment B Youth Development Report Ithaca Youth Bureau Advisory Board Meeting - June 10, 1996 1) Delinquency Prevention Grant Update: Those grant proposals that receive high ratings at the staff level will then be reviewed by the Advisory Board of the Division of Criminal Justice Services for a final decision as to whether they will be funded. As of this date we have not received any feedback as to our proposal. The review and final funding decision is still scheduled to take place on June 27 th. We have been advised that the location for the review has been changed from New York City to Albany. 2) Summer Jobs Program Expansions: a) Municipal Jobs Program - We're pleased to report that we have been advised by Tompkins County that we will be receiving $3449.00 in additional funding to support our summer Municipal Jobs Program. This funding will enable us to expand the number of summer job opportunities for older teens from the City of Ithaca for the coming summer. b) Youth Conservation Corps - Town of Ithaca - We have been advised by the Town of Ithaca that they would like to expand the Youth Conservation Corps program and the Municipal Jobs Program for Town of Ithaca teens for the coming summer and increase the number of teens who can participate. We will be receiving $4573.00 in additional funding from the Town of Ithaca in order to support this program expansion Both of these items will be taken to the June meeting of the Budget and Administration Committee as they involve budget amendments. 3) Effect of proposed minimum wage changes: As you may have read, the federal government is seriously considering raising the minimum wage from $4.25/hour to $4.75/hour effective July 1,1996 and to $5.15/hour effective July 1, 1997. This legislation has passed in the House of Representatives and is currently under consideration in the Senate. Apparantly the legislation would exempt teens during the first 90 days on a new job. We're working on getting additional information on this from our area representatives. All things considered, at this point it seems somewhat unlikely that our summer programming would be affected significantly. There is, however, a slight possibility that we would need to request additional funding in order to cover our costs without reducing the number of teens to be employed. 4) Video report on the BJM/Caroline Outings Group - Stay tuned until next month. Attachment C Ithaca Youth Bureau Recreation/ Rec Mainstreaming June Report to the Board 1. General Recreation Spring and Summer programs • Kiwcmis Baseball report from Tim Little • Lacrosse program has wrapped up cmd a spin off travel team( not operated by the Youth Bureau) , is being run by coach Jamie Thomas. • Junior Olympics was a smashing success with almost 270 participants, gorgeous weather and a beautifully organized set of events. Thanks to Susie Thomas Morrnile from the Rec staff and Jason Trumbull, IHS Varsity Track coach. • Registration for summer programs is proceeding well with the following first sessions already filled: Summer Drama; Imagine That for pre-schoolers, and Junior Golf lessons. • Scholarships have been awarded to 99 children through June 9 - for a total scholarship value of $11,880. We have tentatively capped the total value of scholarships at $13,000 - and will call a meeting of the scholarship committee to consider alternatives for requests beyond the cap, and for any appeals by individuals who did not qualify under the income guidelines. 2. Recreation Subcommittee • Committee members reviewed spring and summer program reports and discussed ideas for making the committee work more effectively. One idea is having a separate subcommittee that can focus specifically on issues related to the Cass Park complex -since it is more free standing under the current recreation reorganization. • New programming. The committee has reviewed proposals for new programming including the TOT SPOT. Preview of coming attractions for the August meeting: teen programming, a report on the new Youth Network program (formerly Youth Council) and a fall fencing program. 3. Recreation Mainstreaming Services • With sadness we report the passing of Bill Ware, a recreation specialist in RMS for more than 8 years. He will be missed by the many RMS participants and fellow staff members. He had been on medical leave since August. RMS has arranged for part-time seasonal staff(Bob Novick and Ami Callery) to continue covering programs while a search for a new recreation specialist is instituted. • Em Harp has been hired to fill the half time vacancy left when Liz Vance resigned to return to school. She brings experience inteaching, fine arts, and creative expression to the program. She will also assist in the Center for Expressive Arts, directing the Tin Can FAntasy Factory travelling children's theatre program this summer. • More than 170 adults with disabilities and their caregivers enjoyed an ice cream social last Wednesday Night at Stewart Park's large pavilion. • Summer program planning is well underway, with Camp Iroquois re-instated at DeWitt Middle school to serve about 50 children with disabilities this summer, and six mainstreaming aides getting ready to assist children who need extra help in IYB and other area camps. Attachment B Youth Development Report Ithaca Youth Bureau Advisory Board Meeting - June 10, 1996 1) Delinquency Prevention Grant Update: Those grant proposals that receive high ratings at the staff level will then be reviewed by the Advisory Board of the Division of Criminal Justice Services for a final decision as to whether they will be funded. As of this date we have not received any feedback as to our proposal. The review and final funding decision is still scheduled to take place on June 27 th. We have been advised that the location for the review has been changed from New York City to Albany. 2) Summer Jobs Program Expansions: a) Municipal Jobs Program - We're pleased to report that we have been advised by Tompkins County that we will be receiving $3449.00 in additional funding to support our summer Municipal Jobs Program. This funding will enable us to expand the number of summer job opportunities for older teens from the City of Ithaca for the coming summer. b) Youth Conservation Corps - Town of Ithaca - We have been advised by the Town of Ithaca that they would like to expand the Youth Conservation Corps program and the Municipal Jobs Program for Town of Ithaca teens for the coming summer and increase the number of teens who can participate. We will be receiving $4573.00 in additional funding from the Town of Ithaca in order to support this program expansion. , Both of these items will be taken to the June meeting of the Budget and Administration Committee as they involve budget amendments. 3) Effect of proposed minimum wage changes: As you may have read, the federal government is seriously considering raising the minimum wage from $4.25/hour to $4.75/hour effective tuly 1,1996 and to $5.15/hour effective July 1, 1997. This legislation has passed in the House of Representatives and is currently under consideration in the Senate. Apparantly the legislation would exempt teens during the first 90 days on a new job. We're working on getting additional information on this from our area representatives. All things considered, at this point it seems somewhat unlikely that our summer programming would be affected significantly. There is, however, a slight possibility that we would need to request additional funding in order to cover our costs without reducing the number of teens to be employed. 4) Video report on the BJM/Caroline Outings Group - Stay tuned until next month. Attachement A TO: The Board of Directors of the Ithaca Youth Bureau RE: Proposal for a Community "TOT SPOT" Program FROM: Linda Cimakasky, Ithaca Mother & Baby Group There are approximately 1500 children under the age of three in Ithaca, however there is no program or "baby friendly/family friendly" place for these children and their parents to come together. There is no indoor play space in Ithaca for young children! Active engagement is critical for a child's early learning and development. All children, whether they are infants, preschoolers, or older are active learners. They acquire knowledge by actively experiencing the world around them. Children thrive with stimulating interactions with their care-givers and benefit from socialization with other children in developmentally appropriate settings. As an educator, a parent and an organizer of a 30 member mother's group I am very interested in the creation of a community based indoor play/activity program for the city's youngest children and their parents or caregivers. I have spoken with many parents, and staff members from the Day Care and Child Development Council of Tompkins County who share this same concern. Community members, parents and care-givers need a place to meet others that is "child-friendly", affordable and easily accessible. A place to meet families from different neighborhoods and to share parenting ideas and experiences. Such a space, with the proper equipment and supervision (staffed with a teacher or trained parent-leader) would provide our city's youngest children with an "all-weather" place to explore, play and exercise. I am requesting funding to establish an indoor playspace and activity program for children ages 4 months to 4 years, this space would be located in a convenient, indoor location easily accessible by public transportation and will provide ample parking. The space would be staffed and would be open to parents and care-givers to accompany their child(ren) while the child plays, explores, socializes and exercises. Suggestions: explore equipment donations - establish Youth Bureau sponsorship first then some seed money to start; base fee on sliding scale, bus schedule might be able to be worked out, advertise through church bulletins, Women's Community Building, Cornell, and neighborhood centers. Recommendation: This proposal should go to Recreation Committee and ECHO/Scholarship/Endowments Committee jointly to discuss further. Executive Committee will make final decision on this at their July meeting since the full Board will not meet again until August. 3. Cass Park Presentation - John Doyle, Facilities Director Kiddie pool: The electrical problems will be dealt with shortly, a ground fault interruption switch installed, and fence around the filter house. At this writing the kiddie pool is expected to be operational by July 1st. Cass Pool: The Olympic size pool opens June 21st. Ice Rink: Copy of the Annual 1995-96 Cass Park Ice Rink Report was available for review. (Pages 2, 3 and 23 is of particular interest regarding the request for energy savings). John Doyle reports that next week a capital improvement request will go to B&A for an energy savings project totaling $108,130. Last fall the facility spent approximately $102,000.00 for utilities. The amount budgeted for this year is $80,000.00 - a figure that will again be exceeded as it has been for the last 10 years. Energy savings items are greatly needed to reduce expenses at the rink. Although there have been no warning signs, eventually a new chiller tank and cooling pipes in the concrete floor will need replacement (indicated in the 1993 capital project work). Members agree we need a good solid plan and need to look at what the community wants 5 years from now. A Cass Park independent sub committee needs to be formed to look at"The Rink's" impact, overall fee structure suggestions, look at summer/winter clientele and ways to tap into the college market. David Delchamps volunteered for Cass Park discussions and we will ask Deb Traunstein to join also. Mayor Cohen would like to see an ad hoc committee formed to study Cass Park issues. 4. Skateboarding-Mayor Alan J. Cohen is investigating another location for skateboard park. Mayor has talked with ICSD Board of Education's Finance Committee about the possibility of purchasing the block of Plain Street across from GIAC. 5. Youth Development Report(attachment B). 6. Recreation/Recreation Mainstreaming Services Report(attachment C) 7. HIS/Boynton and the IYB Walkway: Richard Gray reports the Town of Ithaca Planning Department is studying this. Members agree this is a very dangerous situation with two large schools and Youth Bureau across the way. A walkway is definite needed and we urge Town of Ithaca to proceed. Julie Conley Holcomb City Clerk ITHACA YOUTH BUREAU ADVISORY BOARD Agenda for Monday,August 26, 1996 Meeting Ithaca Youth Bureau Building 1 James L. Gibbs Dr. First Floor Activities Room 7:30 I. Call to order/welcome new members/approval of minutes SPECIAL ITEM: Review and Approval of 1997 Budget A. Special Requests 1) Weekend programming 2) Increase in parttime seasonal re: minimun wage increase Youth Employment Service will participate in discussion 3) Other related increases re: to ongoing programming H. STAFF AND COMMITTEE REPORTS 1) Director Personnel Update Vacancy and B & A requests Report on Children & Youth in City of Ithaca 2) Recreation Items Recreation Partnership General Recreation: Summer program review Fall preview Other business Cass Park: - Summer program review Fall preview Other business Recreation Mainstreaming Program: Summer program review Fall preview Other business 3) Youth Development Summer program review Fall preview Other business III. BOARD COMMENTS/ISSUES IV. OLD BUSINESS V. NEW BUSINESS VI. ADJOURNMENT