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<br />Councilmember Elvig noted this lease was jusrSr~ted'ireceritly. He requested clarification on, ' , <br />whether the lease was granted for such a short period of time in order to see how the program.' <br />was working and determine how concerns with traffic play out. <br /> <br /> <br />Interim City Administrator Nelson indicated there was concern about whether Youth First would <br />be able to get the program up and running how it would work out. The desire was to do the lease <br />on a short term basis in order to see how the program is working and to understand how the lease <br />will work Qut in relation to the RALF Program. <br /> <br />Ms. Heidi Geiss, YFCoP, stated YFCoP operates under the Northwest Anoka County <br />Community Consortium, which incorporates the communities of Andover, Anoka and Ramsey. <br />Ms. Geiss informed the Council that the mission of YFCoP mobilizes individuals and <br />collaboratives to support experiences that ensure a healthy start, safe places, caring adults" an <br />effective education and service opportunities for the young people in the greater community of <br />Andover, Anoka and Rarnsey. Ms. Geiss provided a power point presentation on the Youth First <br />Site of Promise Ra,msey l'jTeighborhood Center. Ms. Geiss provided the following information on <br />the Summer Fun Progrant activities at the Ramsey Neighborhood Center: . <br />· Special guests have included Connexus Energyprovidirig education on the danger of <br />electricity,Rams~y Fire Department, Ramsey Police Department, and Northern Clay <br />Center. , <br />· Balance of educa,#onal and recreational field trips; transportation is" provided by the <br />School District Community Education <br />· Lunches have been provided by the School District <br />.. Partnership with the Ramsey Parks Department which includes a fishing outing <br />· Midwest Car Care has agreed to pay for programs like Underwater Adventure and Mad <br />Scientist and has also purchased a number of scientific calculators for the high school <br />kids <br />· Teen Council that learns about the opportunity to serve through community service hours <br /> <br />Ms. Geiss shared the story of a 16 year old boy that lives in Oak Terrace, who came to the <br />program at the Ramsey site. She explained the kids had platlted flowers outside that the boy said <br />would not make it. His f~ily works for one of the local farmers and he took it upon himself to <br />take care oithe flowers on the days the center is not open. He also takes the. garbage out for <br />pickup. Ms. Geiss explained this. is not a kid who is upstanding and doing all the' right things in <br />school, and because of th~ relationship they have built with him he is practicing with the Anoka <br />Football Team. They wi~rbe helping him to start having ownership in the community he lives <br />in. It all takes time and ifis a start,' but it is just .one example. <br /> <br />Ms. Geiss provided information on the following additional activities at the Ramsey <br />Neighborhood Center: <br />· Family Club on W~dnesday nights: Visitors have included Anoka County Public Health, <br />Ramsey Fire Department, Alexander House. and the School District. Meals are donated <br />from local churches and businesses. <br />· Kickball games wi~ the Fire and Police Departments on Saturday mornings <br />· Crime watch meetings <br /> <br />qity Council WorkSe$sion IAugu~f14, 2007 <br />. . Page~of7 <br /> <br /> <br />