YOUTH COMMISSION
PRE-MEETING WORKSHOP
September 10, 2001 at 6:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
734 Third Street
Brentwood, CA 94514

CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Stacie Del Chiaro called the Special Pre-meeting Workshop to order at 6:05 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Present were Commissioners Jessica Ordaz, Cynthia Fredenberg, Coree Brown, Stacie Del Chiaro, Laura Wenograd, Ashley Brown, and Daisy Hurtado. Absent was Lacey Barry. Non-voting members Brian Fredenberg and Taylor Brinkman were also present. Others present were Adult Advisor Maria Segura, Ken DeSilva, Parks Manager; Tim Taylor, Recreation Services Coordinator; Poldina Scherff, Recreation Services Supervisor, and other invited guests to the workshop. Adult Advisor Dave Lang had an excused absence.

AGENDA REVIEW: No Comments.

CITIZEN COMMENTS: None.

WORKSHOP: Discussion regarding Skate Park Grand Opening.
Before starting the workshop, Ms. Scherff asked that the Item No. 4 be pulled from the Regular Meeting and brought forward to this meeting.

Item No. 4. California Coastal/Creek Cleanup Day schedule and assignments. (K. DeSilva)
Mr. DeSilva reported on the creek cleanup that will be held this Saturday, September 15. He had flyers passed out to each Commissioner regarding the Creek Cleanup. He indicated on a map the two locations that will be the staging areas for the cleanup. This will be where volunteers will meet for the cleanup and Mr. DeSilva indicated where he will need the most help is assisting in the registration at the two different sites. There will be forms that people will have to fill out in order to participate. Then they will need to help also in handing out garbage bags to those who sign up for the cleanup. There will be some instructions to give at this time also and he would like the Youth Commission’s help in these areas. They will start at 9:00 a.m., so he would like people there who would help with registration at 8:30 or 8:45 a.m. The two locations are Creekside Park and Marsh Creek Staging area, just off of Central. He discussed the type of litter at each site and asked for volunteers at each site. There will also be City employees with pickup trucks to assist and pick up bags as they are filled. Commissioner Wenograd asked how long the cleanup would take, Mr. DeSilva thought only about until 11:30 or 12 Noon. Commissioner Wenograd then said she would volunteer for Creekside. Chairperson Del Chiaro and Commissioner Brown said they would go to Marsh Creek. Ms. Scherff will go where she is most needed. Taylor Brinkman said he would go to Creekside. Mr. DeSilva said he will make copies available of the sites so everyone will have good directions. He also will need a tally of items picked up so they will have tally cards for people working. They will also have good directions in both English and Spanish so that will help volunteers in directing the volunteers. Commissioner Ashley Brown said she may be able to work and will work with Commissioner Wenograd if she is able to go. Mr. DeSilva thanked the Commissioners and said he would appreciate any other donations of water or whatever people could donate.

WORKSHOP: Discussion regarding Skate Park Grand Opening
Guests in the audience, Mr. and Mrs. Albright, owners of Boards ‘N More were introduced, along with Park and Recreation Commission liaisons, Chairperson Karen Rarey and Vice Chairperson Jan Melloni of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Vice Chairperson Melloni is also a commissioner of the Arts Commission.

Ms. Scherff reported that the date they have been working on is October 27, with November 3, as a backup date. She also said they would like the Skate Park to be open a couple of weeks prior to the Grand Opening Ceremony. She reported on results of the last meeting of the Commission where they agreed that they would like Boards ‘N More to be involved in the ceremony. They had indicated an interest, but they would need a lead time of at least three weeks to bring in some professional skaters for demonstration skills for the event. They (the Albrights) felt they could then get various vendors to donate products in addition to the professional skaters. The Task Force, the Arts Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission have indicated an interest in also being involved in the ceremony. Live remote from a local radio station, prizes, and the Youth Commission will unveil a bench they wish to donate will all be a part of the ceremonies. Commissioner Wenograd was going to contact 106.5 radio station to see if they were interested in doing the live remote. Ms. Scherff will look into the bench and what type of food to be served was also discussed. 

Mr. Albright has been involved in various types of water boarding and skate boarding events all of his life and felt the Commission has been doing well in the effort. He had some suggestions for marketing and promoting the event. He stated he already has commitments from all his vendors to bring their team riders. He suggested rather than use names of professional skaters, just say “team riders” on their publicity. Sometimes if the names of the riders are put on the flyers and those same people are not available, it may disappoint some people. They have all committed to providing skateboard products and some have committed riders, they just want to be included in advertising. Mr. Albright also advised that to give away the donated products there should be contests so that the events are challenging and exciting. He also suggested that 93.1 would be a better choice of radio station for the live remote to get away from the foul language and more family-oriented and still plays youth music. Must have firm dates as soon as possible for all advertising to get the best results. Mr. Albright also said the press needs to be contacted and suggested the local press, Brentwood Press, Ledger Dispatch and suggested contacting Rick Lemyre, local writer for press. The question came up for advertising budget and Ms. Scherff assured them they do have the money for advertising the event in their budget. Mr. Albright said the vendors will want to see flyers and how they are advertising there and in press and radio, this will be important to them. The question was asked if Mr. Albright could get the company logos so they could be used in the advertising and he affirmed that they could. Mrs. Albright gave them a list of many companies that have committed to giving product or bringing skaters to the ceremony. They will want a banner up at the park and be included in the advertising. Mr. & Mrs. Albright said they are willing to put up between $500 - $1000 in certificates and/or merchandise from their store. There also is a connection with the skate board architect to some pros and feel there will be added attraction through this avenue. 

It was necessary to establish an exact date, and the Albrights said they will need a concrete date to effectively bring in the vendors and skaters. They are going with October 27. Karen Rarey, Chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Commission said it should be done by the end of September, and should have no problem with October 27 date. If not done, then will back up to November 3. Question asked how soon in advance they need definite date, and response was as soon as possible. Consensus was to get flyer together and fax copy to Albrights, get logos and vendors, etc. and proceed as October 27 is the date. He will assist with the flyer, but Ms. Scherff said she will put flyer together, just needs elements for promotion, contests, etc. Discussion of having tee shirts with logos for advertising the event. The Albrights need a letter from the City of Brentwood stating date to confirm with vendors and professional skaters.

Discussion of having different contests and demonstrations scheduled throughout the day to retain interest so the public will stay for a period of time. Suggestion of contests, then demonstrations, then more contests and possibly some free skating time, and continuing throughout the day. Something to appeal to all types of skaters. Question of whether there would be bladers as well as skaters. Generally, it was felt that would be okay too. 

Commissioner Wenograd will look into the radio stations, she will call and find out about availability and discuss the commission’s needs. More discussion of desirability of 93.1 as the preferred station. 

Discussion of food, what type to be served. Pizza was mentioned and also getting volunteers to serve hot dogs and hamburgers, have food booths. Looking also for donations, or good discount.  There will be no police presence, safety signs only. There will be a camera for surveillance.

Some discussion as to whether there should be food booths, and with the number of people there and the full day event, probably should have booths rented out to local vendors. Could be pizza, barbecue, Mexican food and could give coupons to professional skaters for free food if they wish.

It was decided to schedule a meeting with the Skate Board Task Force, the Art Commission and the Youth Commission as soon as possible. Commissioner Jan Melloni suggested having the meeting no later than next week. Discussion of date for meeting, Monday, September 17, at 6:30 p.m. was set as tentative date and time for the meeting. The meeting will be at the multi-purpose room at the Community Center.

There was some additional discussion of bands, PA system and radio stations. Commissioner Wenograd will call the radio stations and report back at the next special meeting. Chairperson Del Chiaro thanked the other commissioners and the Albrights for attending the meeting and for their help in planning. She thanked the Albrights for their donations as well.

CITIZEN COMMENTS: None.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business for this meeting, it was adjourned at 7:02 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Betty Jo Whincup
Minutes Recorder