---
date: 2025-10-21
title: YCAC Special Called Meeting Agenda Packet
source: 2025-10/2025-10-21_YCAC Special Called Meeting_Agenda Packet.pdf
pages: 1
---

STOCKBRIDGE Youth Council Advisory
YOUTH COUNCIL Committee
ADVISORY COMMITTEE Meeting Agenda
Dr. Alfreda Renee Gourdine, Chair
October 21, 2025 6:30 PM
Ayesha Gambles, Vice-Chair
Joc’Quelyn Carter, Treasurer
Sharika Zellars, Student Liaison
Dr. Samuel Valme, Secretary
Valerie Richmond-Reese, Parliamentarian

MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
Tykera Goins
Candis Jones
Paige Jones III
Georgia McIntyre
Denita Minnis
Dr. Thomas Smith
STOCKBRIDGE CITY HALL

4640 NORTH HENRY BLVD.
STAFF LIAISON
Cassandra Lester STOCKBRIDGE, GA 30281

Website: www.stockbridgega.org

Phone: 770-389-7900

Fax: 770-389-7912
AGENDA
YOUTH COUNCIL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2025 6:30 PM

I. Call to Order
1. Invocation Followed by Pledge
2. Roll Call
3. Approve Agenda
4. Approve September 16th 2025 Minutes
II. Old Business
5. Fall Festival
6. Youth Symposium Post Brief
7. By Laws Review and Update
8. Area Beautification
III. New Business
9. City Budget Meeting/ SYC Budget Update
10. 2nd Quarter Calendar
11. Stockbridge Tree Lighting Ceremony
12. SYC Winter Wonderland
IV. 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
September 16, 2025

I. Call to Order
a) Quorum was met, and the meeting was called to order at 18:37

1. Invocation led by Dr. Thomas Smith
• Pledge of Allegiance: recited in unison

2. Roll Call

Roll Call Members Absent:
Dr. Renee Gourdine Dr. Thomas Smith Paige Jones III
Ayesha Gambles Tykera Goins Candis Jones
Joc’Quelyn Carter Georgia McIntyre (19:08)
Sharika Zellars Denita Minnis
Dr. Samuel Valme
Valerie Richmond-Reese

3. Approve Agenda

Dr. Samuel Valme: Motioned to approve the agenda with the amendment of adding line item 5.
& removing Dr. Elyssa Green from the agenda. Approve the August 19, 2025, Minutes to the
agenda and adjusting the reminder of the line items accordingly.

a) Motion: Dr. Samuel Valme
b) Second: Tykera Goins
c) In Favor: All present
d) Oppose: None
e) Abstain: None
f) Motion carried

4. Approve August 4, 2025 Special Call Minutes SYCAC Meeting Minutes

Ayesha Gambles: Mentioned to correct the spelling of Candis Jones name in the minutes.

Tykera Goins: Motioned to approve to approved the August 4, 2025 Special Call Minutes with
the change member’s name.

a) Motion: Tykera Goins
b) Second: Ayesha Gambles
c) In Favor: All present
d) Oppose: None
e) Abstain: None
f) Motion carried

5. Approve August 19, 2025 Minutes SYCAC Meeting Minutes

Dr. Thomas Smith: Motioned to approve the August 19, 2025 SYCAC Meeting Minutes.

Valerie Richmond-Reese: Seconded the motion.

a) Motion: Dr. Thomas Smith
b) Second: Valerie Richmond-Reese
c) In Favor: All present
d) Oppose: None
e) Abstain: None
f) Motion carried

II. Old Business

6. Youth Symposium

Madam Vice Chair: Everything is set for departure on Friday, September 19, 2025. The two
committee members attending are Ayesha Gambles and Sharika Zellars, who will travel to
Savannah, GA, from Friday through Sunday, September 21, 2025.

Students Attending:

• Kaleb Acres
• MacKenzy Edwards
• Keyani Furtch
• Marcus McCray
• Madison McCray
• Aiden Zellars

The budget of $2,500 was approved during the last meeting. The per diem allocation is $ 44 per
person for eight participants.

Valerie Richmond-Reese: Asked whether the students will be checking out of school early to
attend.

Madam Vice Chair: Responded that all students are on fall break except for Kaleb Acres, for
whom an excuse will be provided.

Madam Chair: That concludes the update regarding the upcoming Symposium. Since the
Symposium is scheduled for February, we will discuss it further in the next couple of meetings.
At that time, we will identify the chaperones, and Mrs. Sharika Zellars, along with the Board, will
decide which students will attend.

7. By Laws Review

Madam Chair: We are going to review and revise the bylaws for both the Advisory Committee
(AC) and the Youth Council (SYC). Currently, attendance requirements are based on percentages,
but Mrs. Sharika Zellars suggested setting a fixed number of allowable absences. For example, if
you miss a specific number of meetings, you may no longer be allowed to remain on the
committees. The current percentage-based system is confusing and subjective, so we will work on
clarifying it.

Sharika Zellars: I recommend that the bylaws state members cannot miss more than three
meetings. Alternatively, if we host 10 events, members could be allowed to miss up to three,
aligning with our policy for Area Beautification.

Dr. Samuel Valme: Will consideration be given for excused absences, or will any missed
meeting count against members?

Sharika Zellars: We want to set a concrete number so the board does not need to decide case by
case what qualifies as a valid reason.

Dr. Samuel Valme: I agree, but how do we define an excused absence for the board’s reference?

Sharika Zellars: Excused absences would include school-related priorities such as SAT, PSAT,
or ACT testing.

Madam Chair: What about medical reasons?

Valerie Richmond-Reese: And bereavement?

Sharika Zellars: Medical and bereavement absences would require a letter, which could then be
brought before the board for a decision.

Dr. Samuel Valme: Who makes the final decision to excuse a student—the Board or the Chair?

Madam Chair: The Board makes that decision.

Madam Chair: These revisions apply to the SYC bylaws, but I also expect the AC bylaws to be
reviewed and adhered to. Please begin reviewing the bylaws and provide any recommended
changes. We will circulate revisions of the SYC bylaws to the Board for review.

Madam Chair: Time Noted: 19:08 – Please record that Georgia McIntyre is present.

Dr. Samuel Valme: Who will take the lead in revising the bylaws?

Madam Chair: Mrs. Sharika Zellars will begin drafting the revisions and submit them to the
Board for review and approval.

8. Area Beautification

Madam Chair: Area Beautification is held on the second Saturday of every month at 10:45 a.m.
on Tye Street. Do we still want to offer a Friday option for students who cannot attend on
Saturdays? We currently provide this as a courtesy for students who may have work conflicts,
SAT/PSAT testing, or travel.

Madam Vice Chair: Are students still requesting the Friday option, Mrs. Sharika? I ask because I
was assigned as the advisory council member to attend on Fridays, but I cannot arrive until after
5:00 p.m. With daylight ending earlier soon, should we only offer the Friday option in the spring?

Dr. Thomas Smith: Daylight saving time changes around Halloween, and it begins getting dark
around 5:30 p.m.

Madam Vice Chair: I could be available at 5:15–5:30 p.m. Would that be sufficient?

Madam Chair: Is she the only one available to assist with Friday sessions?

Madam Vice Chair: I would prefer not to be the only adult present.

Dr. Samuel Valme: If the time is 5:30 p.m., I can assist, but we should avoid being on the roads
after dark.

Madam Chair: Board thoughts?

Denita Minnis: I think it’s a good idea to offer students an alternate date.

Madam Chair: Should we restrict the option to spring and summer, excluding fall and winter
when it gets dark early?

Denita Minnis: That would be best.

Tykera Goins: I agree. Fall is football season, and students may not be available.

Georgia McIntyre: I will not vote in favor.

Joc’Quelyn Carter: I am natural on this because I cannot participate.

Madam Chair: I also cannot commit to Fridays. If advisory members such as Mrs. Ayesha or Dr.
Valme are unavailable, we should not offer the option. Could we agree to only offer Fridays
during spring and summer?

Tykera Goins: Do we have confirmed members who can support Fridays?

Madam Chair: Only Mrs. Ayesha and Dr. Valme.

Madam Vice Chair: Other members are welcome to join, and I will attend Saturdays when
available.

Tykera Goins: What if only one of you can attend?

Madam Vice Chair: In that case, I would cancel. We agreed to Fridays at 5:30 p.m. only during
spring and summer.

Madam Chair: The Friday option is specifically for students with legitimate conflicts such as
work or standardized testing.

Madam Chair: Do we want to vote or table the item?

Valerie Richmond-Reese: I recommend Fridays from February to May.

Madam Chair: And from August to September?

Valerie Richmond-Reese: I suggest March to May.

Dr. Thomas Smith: Daylight changes in late October, so darkness begins around 5:00–5:30 p.m.

Madam Vice Chair: Dr. Smith noted it doesn’t get dark until after October, so perhaps we can
extend through October.

Madam Chair: It seems the consensus is to offer Friday Area Beautification from March to May
and August to October, only for students with valid conflicts and when advisory members are
available.

Dr. Samuel Valme: Do we currently have students working?

Madam Vice Chair: Yes, we have three.

Madam Chair: Would someone like to make a motion to offer the Friday Area Beautification
option during March through May and August through October, contingent upon student need
and the availability of the advisory committee?

a) Motion: Joc’Quelyn Carter
b) Second: Dr. Samuel Valme
c) In Favor: 8
d) Oppose: 1
e) Abstain: None
f) Motion carried

III. New Business

1. New AC Member Introduction

Madam Chair: We have a new Advisory Council member with us today, and Dr. Smith would
like to provide the introduction.

Dr. Thomas Smith: Introduced new member, Ms. Denita Minnis.

Ms. Denita Minnis: Addressed the Board and expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome.

Madam Chair: Extended congratulations and a warm welcome, expressing appreciation to Ms.
Minnis for joining the Area Beautification and the retreat.

2. Vote for New SYC Member

Madam Chair: Item number 10: Vote for New SYC Member. We held a special call meeting
previously to vote on the first five students. Today, we interviewed a young lady named Reea
Patel. We believe she will be a great fit for the SYC, as she has already demonstrated leadership
in multiple areas. The panel consisted of three AC members, and we felt she would bring
significant value to the Youth Council. She also participated in the retreat and is already
integrated into our activities.

Dr. Thomas Smith: Reea started the Asian Club at her school, aiming to promote inclusivity
and help others understand diverse perspectives. She was very confident and articulate during
the interview, and I believe she will be an inspiration to other youth council members.

Madam Chair: Does anyone have any questions?

Dr. Samuel Valme: Who were the three members of the panel?

Madam Chair: The panel consisted of myself, Dr. Smith, and we will provide the name of the
third member.

Madam Chair: Would someone like to make a motion to accept Reea Patel as the newest
member of the SYC?

a) Motion: Dr. Samuel Valme
b) Second: Valerie Richmond-Reese
c) In Favor: All present
d) Oppose: None
e) Abstain: None
f) Motion carried

3. Meeting Date Change

Madam Vice Chair: We conducted a poll in our GroupMe. At the time of the poll, it appeared
that the third Thursday would have the most votes. The purpose of the poll was to accommodate
our Student Liaison, who cannot attend meetings on the third Tuesday due to a conflicting 7:00
p.m. meeting. If we keep the meetings on Tuesdays, we would need to appoint a new Student
Liaison.

Dr. Samuel Valme: I have a conflict on the second Thursday.

Dr. Thomas Smith: The first Thursday of the month conflicts with the Police Council meeting
for me.

Madam Vice Chair: So, the options are to vote for the third Thursday, which won the poll, or to
keep meetings on Tuesdays. If we keep Tuesdays, a new Student Liaison would be required.

Madam Vice Chair: Clarification of Term Expirations:

• Dr. Renee Gourdine: 2025
• Ayesha Gambles: 2026
• Joc’Quelyn Carter: 2026
• Sharika Zellars: 2025
• Dr. Samuel Valme: 2025
• Valerie Richmond-Reese: 2026
• Paige Jones III: 2025
• Candis Jones: 2025
• Dr. Thomas Smith: 2026
• Tykera Goins: 2026
• Georgia McIntyre: 2026
• Denita Minnis: 2025

Joc’Quelyn Carter: Is that date specified in our by-laws?

Madam Chair: Before we vote to change the meeting to Thursdays, there will be a $100 fee for
printing and republishing materials.

Dr. Samuel Valme: So, the motion would need to include changing the meeting to the third
Thursday and allocating the $100 fee.

Joc’Quelyn Carter: I have concerns that the fee may not be covered in policy.

Madam Chair: Do you know, or do you not know?

Georgia McIntyre: Since it is only $100 and we have the budget, I think we should proceed with
the vote.

Madam Vice Chair: I amend my motion to change the meeting to the third Thursday with
allocation of the $200 limit for the fee.

a) Motion: Ayesha Gambles
b) Second: Georgia McIntyre
c) In Favor: All present
d) Oppose: None
e) Abstain: None
f) Motion carried

4. SYC Retreat

Madam Chair: We held the SYC Retreat this past Saturday, and it was excellent. The students
will conduct an after-action review at their upcoming meeting and share the results with the
board. Ms. Tykera Goins conducted a survey, and she will present the findings.

Tykera Goins: We received 10 responses. Overall, the feedback was positive (attached as Exhibit
A). Key points included:

• Avoid serving the same meal for breakfast and lunch.
• Ice-breakers were well received.
• Involve other board members in the retreat activities.

Madam Vice Chair: I suggest having the food delivered next time, as picking it up caused a
member to miss part of the event.

Madam Chair: I agree that the advisory committee was less involved than desired. Next time, we
could rotate instructors to increase participation and engagement.

Tykera Goins: I recommend that the advisory board arrive earlier to assist with setup.

Madam Vice Chair: We should check the availability of the Cochran Library, as it is closer and
opens at 7:30 a.m.

5. Fall Festival

Madam Chair: Every year, we participate in one of the council members’ events. This year’s
event is hosted by Lakeisha Gantt. We are requesting a Chair and Vice Chair for the Fall
Festival, which will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025.

Denita Minnis: I volunteer to serve as Chair.

Madam Vice Chair: I will serve as Co-Chair and assist with logistical setup. Please note, I will
not be in attendance at the event.

Madam Chair: We have a budget of $500 for a donation and $500 for candy.

Madam Vice Chair: I will serve as Co-Chair and assist with logistical setup. Please note that I
will not be in attendance at the event.

6. First/Second Quarter Calendar

Madam Chair: Our calendar for the first quarter includes August, September, and October. The
second quarter will cover November, December, and January, which aligns with the school
calendar. Currently, we are in the first quarter.

Madam Vice Chair: The students added Bridge Fest to our calendar. If funds remain, I propose
we purchase games for Bridge Fest ourselves rather than borrowing someone else’s.

Madam Chair: That’s a good idea.

Madam Vice Chair: The students will be at Bridge Fest on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from
2:30 to 5:00 p.m., and they would like to promote their future events during that time.

Board Members who will attend:

• Georgia McIntyre
• Sharika Zellars

Madam Chair: During the next meeting, we can discuss Fall Festival Bridge Fest further and
consider allocating a budget to purchase our own games for the event.

Valerie Richmond-Reese: In the future, let’s ensure we check the advisory board’s calendar to
confirm availability before adding events to the schedule.

7. Budget Update

Joc’Quelyn Carter: According to the city, we have $13,550, which we know is incorrect. We
will need to revert to the previous method of tracking the budget because I am no longer
receiving receipts or requests. We will also need to change our bookkeeping process, as there is
no way for me to keep up with expenses without notifications. We estimate that our actual
balance is closer to $8,000.

Madam Vice Chair: I appreciate that, because when we received the $13,550 figure, none of
the Symposium costs were reflected. At this point, we just need an updated budget.

Joc’Quelyn Carter: Typically, government finance reports lag 30 to 45 days behind real time.
I propose we revert to our expense request tracker, so I am copied on the verification process
and can maintain a more accurate running total of our expenses.

Madam Chair: This year, we would like to request an increase to the budget of $10,000. We
need to ensure that our funding is allocated appropriately.

Georgia McIntyre: In the past, we provided etiquette training for the students.

Madam Chair: That aligns with our current plans to provide leadership training for both
students and board members. Georgia, can you research etiquette training options and report

back to the board? Additionally, if any members identify training opportunities that would
benefit students and board members, please bring them to my attention.

Joc’Quelyn Carter: I will prepare an itemized justification for the requested $10,000 increase
for the SYC.

Madam Vice Chair: The Staff Liaison will present it to the city on our behalf.

Madam Chair: The time is now 8:37 p.m. I am adjourning this meeting. Would anyone like to
make a motion?

IV. Executive Session (if needed)
1. Not required

V. Adjourn
a) Motion: Joc’Quelyn Carter
b) Second: Denita Minnis
c) In Favor: All present
d) Oppose: None
e) Abstain: None
f) Motion carried
g) Adjourned at 20:37

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Exhibit A: Survey Response

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