Agenda - Council - 08/28/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Elvig noted this lease was just granted recently. He requested clarification on whether the lease was granted for such a short period of time in order to see how the program was working and determine how concerns with traffic play out. Interim City Administrator Nelson indicated there was concern about whether Youth First would be able to get the program up and running how it would work out. The desire was to do the lease on a short term basis in order to see how the program is working and to understand how the lease will work out in relation to the RALF Program. Ms. Heidi Geiss, YFCoP, stated YFCoP operates under the Northwest Anoka County Community Consortium, which incorporates the communities of Andover, Anoka and Ramsey. Ms. Geiss informed the Council that the mission of YFCoP mobilizes individuals and collaboratives to support experiences that ensure a healthy start, safe places, caring adults, an effective education and service opportunities for the young people in the greater community of Andover, Anoka and Ramsey. Ms. Geiss provided a power point presentation on the Youth First Site of Promise Ramsey Neighborhood Center. Ms. Geiss provided the following information on the Summer Fun Program activities at the Ramsey Neighborhood Center: · Special guests have included Connexus Energy providing education on the danger of electricity, Ramsey Fire Department, Ramsey Police Department, and Northern Clay Center. · Balance of educational and recreational field trips; transportation is provided by the School District Community Education · Lunches have been provided by the School District · Partnership with the Ramsey Parks Department which includes a fishing outing · Midwest Car Care has agreed to pay for programs like Underwater Adventure and Mad Scientist and has also purchased a number of scientific calculators for the high school kids · Teen Council that learns about the opportunity to serve through community service hours Ms. Geiss shared the story of a 16 year old boy that lives in Oak Terrace who came to the program at the Ramsey site. She explained the kids had planted flowers outside that the boy said would not make it. His family works for one of the local farmers and he took it upon himself to take care of the flowers on the days the center is not open. He also takes the garbage out for pickup. Ms. Geiss explained this is not a kid who is upstanding and doing all the right things in school, and because of the relationship they have built with him he is practicing with the Anoka Football Team. They will be helping him to start having ownership in the community he lives in. It all takes time and it is a start, but it is just one example. Ms. Geiss provided information on the following additional activities at the Ramsey Neighborhood Center: · Family Club on Wednesday nights: Visitors have included Anoka County Public Health, Ramsey F ire Department, Alexander House and the School District. Meals are donated from local churches and businesses. · Kickball games with the Fire and Police Departments on Saturday mornings · Crime watch meetings City Council Work Session / August 14,2007 Page 2 of7