2026-09-17 · Boards & Commissions · Agenda Packet · source: ccscrape-meetings · sha256 e81f22e6 · pages 9 · method: text
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STOCKBRIDGE YOUTH COUNCIL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Vacant, Chair Ayesha Gambles, Vice-Chair Youth Council Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda September 17, 2026 6:30 PM Joc’Quelyn Carter, Treasurer Sharika Zellars, Student Liaison Denita Webb, Secretary Valerie Richmond-Reese, Parliamentarian MEMBERS-AT-LARGE Gernita Johnson Candis Jones Georgia McIntyre Vacant Vacant STOCKBRIDGE CITY HALL STAFF LIAISON Cassandra Lester 4640 NORTH HENRY BLVD. STOCKBRIDGE, GA 30281 Website: www.stockbridgega.org Phone: 770-389-7900 Fax: 770-389-7912 AGENDA YOUTH COUNCIL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 6:30 PM I. II. III. Call to Order 1. Invocation Followed by Pledge 2. Roll Call 3. Approve Agenda 4. Approve July 16th & August 20th meeting minutes Old Business 5. Discuss any last minute retreat logistics 6. Youth Symposium Update 7. Remaining 2026 Calendar 8. Area Beautification 9. Advisory Council Roles New Business 10. IV. Advisory Recruitment Adjourn The Youth Advisory Council Committee is to make recommendations to Council based on the following Terms of Reference. 1. To identify and advise on youth issues in the City of Stockbridge. 2. To advise Council on the development of policies that are responsive to the needs of youth. 3. To consult with local youth and feedback results of consultations to Council. 4. To assist in the ongoing development and delivery of youth-targeted projects and programs. 5. To create opportunities for youth leadership development by acting as a resource for youth activities. Note: This Committee meets monthly on selected dates. Stockbridge Youth Council Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes July 16, 2026 I. Call to Order a) Quorum was met, and the meeting was called to order at _6:36pm_ 1. • Invocation led by _Sharika Zellars__ Pledge of Allegiance: Recited in unison 2. Roll Call Roll Call Dr. Renee Gourdine Sharika Zellars Joc’Quelyn Carter Denita Webb Valerie Richmond-Reese Candis Jones Members Absent: Dr. Thomas Smith Georgia McIntyre Ayesha Gambles Gernita Johnson 3. Approve Agenda Denita Webb: Motion to approve the agenda, with the changes to add another Vacant to the Members-At-Large on the front page, shift everything down adding #3 Approve Agenda to Call to Order, moving #4 Approve May 27th and June 2nd Minutes to Old Business, Removing the extra SYC Interviews #11, adding #12 Legislative Opportunity Discussion to New Business, moving the Budget to #14. a. Motion: Denita Webb b. Second: Sharika Zellars c. In Favor: All present d. Oppose: None e. Abstain: None f. Motion: Carries II. Old Business 4. Approve May 27, 2026 Minutes and June 2, 2026 Special Call Minutes Sharika Zellars: Motion to approve the May 27, 2026 minutes, with the change to the Adjournment section to replace Joc’Quelyn Carter with Gernita Johnson. Motion to approve June 2, 2026 Special Call Meeting minutes as written. a. Motion: Sharika Zellars b. Second: Valarie Richmond-Reese c. In Favor: All present 1 d. Oppose: None e. Abstain: None f. Motion: Carries 5. Advisory Council Retreat-AAR • The retreat was held at an off-site location on Saturday July 11, 2026 as planned. • The intent was to have all advisory members in attendance, however despite the absence of the full advisory, the retreat was a success. Those who were in attendance were attentive and interactive. The goal was to have an informal, relaxed environment to build comradery and that was achieved. • There were games, puzzles assisted with the success of the retreat. • A review of the by-laws, and some team building activities was completed. • Sharika suggested that moving forward we should have a timer, so everyone feels heard and it allows the ability to stay on track. • Chairman Gourdine stated moving forward she will enlist for ideas and input for the food choices when creating the menu. • The committee agreed having it off site was a plus and established it is a good idea to continue having these retreats in the future. 6. Fill The Bus • Despite the weather, it went very well. • We received the most donations this year than we had in the past. The committee is very grateful for the generosity of those who attended. • We had an additional $75.00 in supplies that were purchased from cash and cashapp donations collected during the event. The committee will also be purchasing $500.00 worth of supplies as well. 7. • • • City of Stockbridge Back to School Drive The Back-to-School Drive will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at the amphitheater. City staff are being used to pack the book bags for the Back-to-School Drive. Chairman Renee Gourdine, Co-Chair Ayesha Gambles, and Valarie Richmond-Reese, from the advisory committee plan to attend. III. New Business 8. Area Beautification • Due to the August student meeting being cancelled, the advisory discussed possibly having the discussion about the teams’ assignments until a later date. Joc’Quelyn Carter: Motion to table the discussion about A & B Team assignments to the August meeting. g. Motion: Joc’Quelyn Carter h. Second: Candis Jones i. In Favor: All present j. Oppose: None k. Abstain: None l. Motion: Carries 2 9. SYC Recruitment • It was confirmed that we currently have 13 applications. With the current 6 active student we have that will bring our numbers to 19 total if all applicants are accepted. • Chairman Gourdine stated we will leave recruitment open just in case all 13 applicants are either not accepted or decline. 10. SYC Interviews • The dates for the interviews August 19th & 20th to ensure all applicants are allotted the appropriate time. Interview time will start at 6:00pm • We will be using Sign-Up Genius tool so the applicants can select time slots that work best for their schedule. Each interview will be allotted a 15-minute time slot. • We typically have 4-5 members on the interview panel and will decide who those individuals are as we get closer to the interview dates based on advisory availability. • After applicants are advised that they are selected, the advisory will have post interview discussion and vote as applicants are not automatically accepted. 11. SYC Orientation & Training Retreat (Sep/Oct) • This retreat will focus on ensuring the students have adequate training for the new students, review of by-laws and review of the current calendar events. • Valarie Richmond-Reese asked if the books she purchased last year about meeting etiquette be included in the budget for this year. • The date for this event is set for Saturday September 19, 2026. • Sharika Zellars volunteered to chair the Orientation & Training Retreat as well as the Leadership Retreat in February. Joc’Quelyn Carter: Motion to set budget for this event is proposed at $2,000.00 a. Motion: Joc’Quelyn Carter b. Second: Sharika Zellars c. In Favor: All present d. Oppose: None e. Abstain: None f. Motion: Carries 12. Legislative Opportunity Discussion • Joc’Quelyn Carter spoke with Reginald Crossley who is the coordinator for the Fulton County Youth Commission. He does many things in reference to legislation and guiding civic engagement projects. • He is willing to do two things to assist and/or partner with us to give our students the opportunity to learn more about things like how to get a bill passed, presenting things to the commission etc. • The first opportunity is where they will sponsor a day at the capital. • The second opportunity is to bring his student commission members to one of our meetings, or we can attend one of their meetings that are held on Wednesdays. • Sharika mentioned we could welcome them to our October meeting on 10/5/2026 and then have our student leaders, i.e. Youth Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem attend one of their Wednesday meetings. • Joc’Quelyn will follow up with Mr. Crossley to get definitive dates for their next meetings and pass that information to the advisory committee. 13. Upcoming Calendar Year Preparation (August-December) 3 • • • • • • • • September 19th will be Area Beautification & the SYC Orientation & Training Retreat. Location and times TBD. October 24th will be the Fall Festival with Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt. November- Suggestion was made to do a teen/youth centered service project. There is one place that was suggested to coordinate with “A Friend’s House” group home/shelter to see what services they need most. Sharika Zellars suggested we collect donations the entire month of November so tentatively November 1st-20th. Hygiene and Toiletry items are what the focus will be but possibly provide small snack bags as well. It is a requirement from the group home that the volunteers be 21+ years old. Charmain Gourdine suggested we possibly do a fundraiser to gather donations and possibly sponsor a Youth Pop-Up so the students can come by and grab the items they would like. Candis Jones suggested we could also solicit barbershops to do a raffle where people can buy a haircut for a student a certain price and we provide the vouchers to “A Friend’s House” and the barbershop will honor it. She plans to start with her personal barbershop. December- The Christmas events are not yet posted. Chairman Gourdine reiterated that we should start participating in parades to be more visible and the budget was already approved and included in the media and advertising section of the budget to purchase the banner. It just needs to be purchased. 14. Budget Report Joc’Quelyn reported our current balance as of July 16, 2026 is $14,229.41. The new revenue line has been established and should be recorded as 100-00000-389012. Our total revenue to date is $758.82. Moving forward we will have two reports, one will be the regular budget report, and the second one will be the revenue report that includes things like fundraising. Joc’Quelyn suggested we do some Double Good fundraising from July-Oct on the following dates 7/27th-29th, 8/24th-26th, 9/24th-26th, 10/26th-28th. The advisory is in agreement with this as one of the fundraisers that will go with our new line item. Joc’Quelyn will follow-up to see if the Events department is sponsoring the Fall Festival this year, if not Sharika suggested the SYC sponsor it and propose a budget for it just in case. Sharika Zellars: Motion to set budget for the Fall Festival event is proposed at $1,000.00 a. Motion: Sharika Zellars b. Second: Joc’Quelyn Carter c. In Favor: All present d. Oppose: None e. Abstain: None f. Motion: Carries IV. Executive Session (if needed) a. Not Required V. Adjourn a. Joc’quelyn Carter made a motion to adjourn at 8:17pm a. Motion: Joc’Quelyn Carter b. Second: Candis Jones c. In Favor: All present d. Oppose: None e. Abstain: None a. Motion: Carries 4 Stockbridge Youth Council Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes August 20, 2026 I. Call to Order a) Quorum was met, and the meeting was called to order at _6:33pm_ 1. • Invocation led by _Joc’Quelyn Carter__ Pledge of Allegiance: Recited in unison 2. Roll Call Roll Call Sharika Zellars Ayesha Gambles Joc’Quelyn Carter Valerie Richmond-Reese Denita Webb Gernita Johnson (6:47pm) Members Absent: Candis Jones Georgia McIntyre 3. Approve Agenda Sharika Zellars: Motion to approve the agenda, with the change of the meeting date under Section I Item 3 to August 20th and add Executive Session as Item II & then move all other sections down accordingly. Also add New SYC Candidates as #8 under Section IV new business. a. Second: Denita Webb b. In Favor: All present c. Oppose: None d. Abstain: None e. Motion: Carries II. Executive Session (6:35pm -8:15pm) a. Complete 2nd Day of SYC Interviews. III. Old Business 4. NLC Registration Update Ayesha Gambles: NLC update is we are not registered despite us having the special call meeting to get the budget approved back in June and to give the Clerk’s office time to complete registration. The Clerk’s office is short-staffed and will not have the capacity to 1 register us for this trip until September, so with this information I make a motion for us not to seek attendance at the event this year. a. Motion: Ayesha Gambles b. Second: Valarie Richmond-Reese c. In Favor: All present d. Oppose: None e. Abstain: None f. Motion: Carries IV. New Business 5. Accept Resignation of Council Members • Ayesha Gambles: I make a motion to accept the resignations of Chair Dr. Alfreda Gourdine & Member at Large Dr. Thomas Smith a. Motion: Sharika Zellars b. Second: Denita Webb c. In Favor: All present d. Oppose: None e. Abstain: None f. Motion: Carries 6. Vacant Advisory Roles • Sharika Zellars: I make a motion that we table this until the remainder of the Board is present. a. Motion: Joc’Quelyn Carter b. Second: Sharika Zellars c. In Favor: All present d. Oppose: None e. Abstain: None f. Motion: Carries 7. GMA Statesboro, GA • Ayesha Gambles: GMA in Statesboro is from October 2nd to October 4th. • Sharika Zellars: I want us to go to one of these conferences, so since we have taken the Clerks recommendation to take NLC off the table, then we need to reallocate those funds towards making sure we take at least 6 students to this conference. I make a motion that we approve a budget of $7,000 to register us for this conference. a. Motion: Sharika Zellars b. Second: Denita Webb c. In Favor: All present d. Oppose: None e. Abstain f. Motion: Carries 2 8. Presentation of New SYC Candidates • Denita Webb: Presented 10 potential SYC Candidate and recommended that we accept 9 out of 10 as one did not interview well. • Open Discussion • Sharika Zellars: Made a recommendation to give all 10 potential candidates a chance and we utilize the bylaws if they are not able to comply with the attendance and schedule adherence at events. • Denita: Motion to accept 10 potential SYC Candidates. a. Motion: Denita Webb b. Second: Joc’Quelyn Carter c. In Favor: All present d. Oppose: None e. Abstain: None f. Motion: Carries V. Adjourn a. Gernita Johnson made a motion to adjourn at 8:46pm a. Motion: Gernita Johnson b. Second: Valerie Richmond-Reese c. In Favor: All present d. Oppose: None e. Abstain: None a. Motion: Carries 3
