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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-22-1997 Cities & Schools CITIES AND SCHOOLS FORUM MINUTES Wednesday, October 22, 1997, 6:00p. m. Auburn Riverside High School Library I. INTRODUCTIONS The Cities and School Forum was convened in the Riverside High School Library at 6:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Mayor Charles A. Booth and Councilmembers Richard Wagner, Trish Borden, Fred Poe and Stacey Brothers from the City of Auburn; Mayor Glenn Wilson and Councilmembers Phillip Legg, Paul Mallory and Dan Johnson from the City of Algona; Councilmember Kathi Barrett from the City of Pacific; and Superintendent Linda Cowan and School Board Members Janice Nelson, Ted Leonard and Ray Bradley from the Auburn School District; as well as a number of guests from the community and Brian Whitson, reporter, South County Journal. Following introductions, dinner was served by the Riverside High School Culinary Arts Class. II. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS The Forum reconvened following dinner to receive subcommittee reports dealing with several subjects that could offer possible savings and increased efficiency to participants through closer collaboration and information sharing. A. Printine Tim Cummings reviewed progress made toward sharing printing services among interested cities. The Auburn School District, which operates a comprehensive printing operation, has printed stationary and envelopes as well as completed a number of print jobs for both Algona and Pacific in addition to assisting the City of Auburn with a complex project when the City's system was down. Closer cooperation with resultant savings may well be possible in this area. The subcommittee will continue to pursue such possibilities for the future. B. Legislative Undate Trish Borden reported that the Legislative Subcommittee would like to schedule a candidate's night with local legislators prior to the beginning of the upcoming session this January. The committee envisions something less than last spring's dinner meeting--perhaps a dessert or something similar. Ray Bradley suggested a simpler agenda that could emphasize a limited number of important concerns and recommendations rather than overloading the participants with too much information Cities and Schools Forum Minutes October 22, 1997 Page 2 at one time. The committee will meet during the coming week to work out a meeting time and necessary details. C. Vehicle Maintenance Chuck Booth outlined the recommendations of the Vehicle Maintenance Subcommittee. The committee met to explore several possibilities. Both the City and the School District operate comprehensive maintenance programs. The possibility of having the City concentrate on gas operated vehicles and the schools on diesel was discussed. This arrangement is not viewed as particularly beneficial to the parties at this time due to time schedules, trip demands, etc. Algona and Pacific remain somewhat interested in looking into using either the School District or City service to provide a regular maintenance service for city vehicles. Some time was also spent in discussion of subjects such as shared parks and grounds maintenance, small engine repair and specialized equipment. D. Technology Sue Singer introduced the Technology Subcommittee Home Page project. Kathi Barrett described the newly installed information systems program in place at Pacific. City offices have a complete networking system, including e-mail capabilities for work stations. The City also has a home page which is accessible via home computer. City offices enjoy links to Municipal Research and various AWC programs and services. Bill Ar~goni and students from his class at Riverside High School presented a demonstration of home page technology, showing examples of a number of home pages including those used by Kent, Seattle, Federal Way, New York City and Sidney, Australia. Mr. Arrigoni explained the structure and organization of the District system and capabilities of the District's foundation program. It would appear that a great deal of collaboration and cooperation is possible. Mike Newman outlined the structure of the District's overall information services program and responded to questions regarding the District's planned transition from the present WebNet to the K-20 Network, which is a much more powerful support alternative. The subcommittee will continue to monitor progress in each entity and encourage information sharing and close cooperation wherein possible. E. Children and Families Phil Legg summarized the activities of the Children and Families Subcommittee. Kathi Barrett outlined a number her city's efforts to provide interesting activities for Pacific area young people. Among those discussed were open gym, the Super Saturday and Late Night programs, which are also available to Algona young people. These programs are sponsored by community clubs and organizations such as Kiwanis and church organizations for the most part. Programs and activity schedules are listed on Cities and Schools Forum Minutes October 22, 1997 Page 3 local TV channel 28. The City continues to look for efforts to provide worthwhile leisure time activities for young people within the constraints of available budget. Dena Gustafson described her function as a Children and Family Specialist employed by the City of Algona. Dena is a police service employee who works with many of the community's at-risk youth and their families. She finds individual contacts with children and parent meetings most effective for her community and jurisdiction. She is somewhat frustrated by the lack of transportation necessary to enable many Algona teens to participate in programs offered by Pacific, Auburn and the school system. She will investigate possible support of Metro, a church group or parent car pool to address this concern. Jim Westhusing described a number of initiatives promoted through the Auburn City program and encouraged expansion and development of the youth leadership programs. He outlined the activities of the Peers Educating Peers program, the Youth Council Leadership Weekend activities and several other initiatives that could be considered by the cities and District. III. NEXT MEETING A Youth Cities & Schools Forum will be scheduled in February 1998 to provide youth and adult leaders an opportunity to discuss and plan youth activity and training efforts and to facilitate open discussion and exchange regarding a number of subjects. Youth representatives from the various participating groups will meet to consider ways to achieve increased cooperation and participation. Linda Cowan, Chuck Booth, Jim Westhusing, Dena Gustarson and Kathi Barrett will work together to plan this meeting. IV. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Forum, the meeting was adjourned at 9:47 p.m.