---
date: 2025-03-18
title: Youth Council Advisory Committee Agenda Packet
source: 2025-03/2025-03-18_Youth Council Advisory Committee_Agenda Packet.pdf
pages: 1
---

STOCKBRIDGE Youth Council Advisory
YOUTH COUNCIL Committee
ADVISORY COMMITTEE Meeting Agenda
Dr. Alfreda Renee Gourdine, Chair
March 18, 2025 6:30 PM
Joc’Quelyn Carter, Treasurer
Sharika Zellars, Student Liaison
Dr. Samuel Valme, Secretary
Valerie Richmond-Reese, Parliamentarian

MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
Ayesha Gambles
Tykera Goins
Dr. Elyssa Green
Candis Jones
Paige Jones III
Georgia McIntyre
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, MARCH 18, 2025 6:30 PM

I. Call to Order
1. Invocation Followed by Pledge
2. Roll Call
3. Approve Agenda
4. Approve February Meeting Minutes
II. Old Business
5. SYC March Meeting Minutes
6. 2nd Annual Youth Entrepreneur Expo Update
7. Area Beautification - Friday Option
8. SYC Senior Banquet
9. SPC and SYC Dinner and Discussion
III. New Business
10. Place Making Grant Program
11. SYC Leadership - Upcoming Openings
12. SYC Recruitment
13. SYC/AC Summer Break
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
February 18, 2025

I. Call to Order
a) Quorum was met, and the meeting was called to order at 18:33

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

2. Roll Call

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

3. Approve Agenda
a) Table Item #10 – Postpone discussion of the January SYC minutes until the
next meeting.
b) Add Item #13 – Include the budget under New Business.
a) Motion: Joc’Quelyn Carter
b) Second: Dr. Samuel Valme
c) In Favor: All present
d) Oppose: None
e) Abstain: None
f) Motion carried

4. Approve 12/17/2024 SYCAC Meeting Minutes
a) Motion: Paige Jones III
b) Second: Dr. Thomas Smith
c) In Favor: All present
d) Oppose: None
e) Abstain: None
f) Motion carried

II. Old Business

5. Area Beautification

a) Area Beautification:
• Scheduled for the second Saturday of each month, weather permitting.

b) Leadership Retreat:
• Valerie Richmond-Reese will oversee the retreat.
• The first retreat is held when new students are accepted, typically in July.
• Their first meeting is in August, and a retreat is traditionally held in
February for team-building and municipal education.
• Due to scheduling conflicts in October, the board considered March 8,
2025, as an alternative date.

c) Venue Selection:
• A space is needed for 14 students and the advisory committee.
• Last year’s planned venue, the Fairview Library, was unavailable due to a
citywide shutdown, and the police station was used instead.
• The board agreed not to assume the police station is always an option.
• Dr. Thomas Smith suggested requesting approval from the police chief for
venue use.

d) March 8, 2025 Schedule:
• Area Beautification: 8:45 AM – 10:15 AM
• Leadership Retreat: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Location: Smith Barnes Elementary School, 147 Tye St, Stockbridge, GA
30281
• Dr. Samuel Valme recommended not scheduling area beautification the day
before the retreat to prevent conflicts.

6. SYC/AC Attendance

a) Commitment to Participation:

• Madame Chair reminded the advisory committee of their sworn
commitment to actively participate in Youth Council events.
• Madame Chair emphasized the importance of honoring their oath of office
and referenced December 17, 2024, minutes, which noted several
member’s absences and removal.
• While the committee acknowledges that life commitments may arise,
members who find themselves unable to fulfill their duties are encouraged
to step down so that someone with the necessary availability can take on
the role.
• Former members are always welcome to return when they are able to
commit.

b) Meeting Format & Schedule:

• Valerie Richmond-Reese reminded Madame Chair that, per the bylaws,
meetings are in person and not virtual.
• A quorum must be present in person for meetings to proceed.
• Advisory committee meetings will continue to be held at 6:30 PM.

7. 2025 First Quarter Calendar

a) Black History Month Program

• Councilman Thomas traditionally leads this initiative. However, he is
currently hospitalized.
• Joc’Quelyn Carter informed the council that the event may be removed
from the calendar, and members will keep him in their prayers.

b) Women’s History Month Program

• This program is typically organized with Councilman Alexander’s
involvement.
• The Chair has not yet received any updates and will provide further
information as soon as possible.

8. GMA Youth Forum

• Madam Chair provided an overview of the GMA Youth Forum, an event
organized by the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA). The forum serves
as a platform for young individuals participating in city youth councils
across Georgia to connect, exchange ideas, learn about leadership, and
discuss issues affecting their communities with fellow youth council
members and city officials.

• Each year, we are permitted to send five students to the GMA Youth
Forum, accompanied by two chaperones. This year’s participants are:

1. Keyani Furtch
2. Ananya Augustine
3. Laylah Simpson
4. Gavin Bradley
5. Mackenzy Edwards

• The selection of students was based on criteria such as attendance,
performance, and participation. Preference was also given to students who
did not attend the forum in the previous year. The registration fee for both
students and chaperones are $150.00, which has already been paid. The two
chaperones for this year’s event are Dr. Renee Gourdine and Valerie
Richmond-Reese.

• The GMA Youth Forum will take place from February 28, 2025, to March
2, 2025. Following the event, the chaperones will provide an event report
during the next meeting.

III. New Business

9. Welcome New AC Members

• Members introduction

10. Review SYC Minutes January/February 2025

• Postpone discussion of the January SYC minutes until the next meeting.

11. Second Annual Youth Entrepreneur Expo
• Second Annual SYC Youth Entrepreneurial Expo

▪ Date: March 29, 2025
▪ Location: Clark Park (inclement weather backup: Merrill Manders
Conference Center).
▪ 2024 Recap:
1. Over 30 vendors participated.
2. Paige Jones III noted the event’s success and suggested
improvements for 2025.
▪ Vendor Invitations:
1. Returning vendors were invited via email. So far, one response has
been received.
2. Vendors have until February 28, 2025, to confirm participation
before new vendors are invited.
▪ Vendor Fees:
1. Last year’s event was free for vendors.
2. This year, a $7 per table fee is proposed (standard rates are $20–
$25).
3. Joc’Quelyn Carter explained that collected fees will be turned over
to the city and allocated to a separate funding line, not the annual
budget.

• Vendor Selection Process

▪ The Chair reviewed the city’s vendor list and requested assistance in
contacting potential vendors for participation.
▪ Food trucks are a priority, but selection will be strategic to avoid
competition between vendors (e.g., ensuring lemonade vendors are not
placed alongside food trucks selling similar items).
▪ A final vendor list will be reviewed and finalized at next month’s meeting.

• Event Data Collection & Planning
▪ Tykera Goins asked how event data is being collected to improve future
event planning. She inquired whether attendance is tracked or if there is a
record of who participates in the events.
▪ Valerie Richmond-Reese emphasized the importance of data tracking to
measure event success. She noted that the goal is to increase participation
by 15%, but without data from the previous year, it is difficult to assess
progress. She suggested implementing post-event surveys to gather
insights, including vendor sales, as a measurable indicator of event impact.
▪ Paige Jones III agreed to bring the garden games again.

12. 2025 Second Quarter Calendar

• Madame Chair outlined the following:

▪ April is traditionally led by Councilwoman Barbra, who organizes the
Mother's Day Tea.
▪ On April 15, 2025, at 6:00 PM, we will host the Stockbridge Police
Department Dinner/Forum. This will be the event’s third year, and we aim
to invite more external students. A budget for this event will be voted on in
next month’s meeting.
▪ The Senior Banquet will require assistance, and we are seeking a Chair and
Co-Chair to lead the event. This year, we plan to modify the approach by
using participation and attendance as criteria for distributing Senior
Banquet baskets. Further discussion will take place in our next meeting.
▪ Dr. Samuel Valme raised a potential conflict with the April 15, 2025,
banquet date. Madame Chair suggested using the March meeting to finalize
the logistics and budget for the Senior Banquet.

13. Budget

a) Second Annual SYC Youth Entrepreneurial Expo Budget: $3000.00
• $600 – Tables
• $400 – Food
• $1000 – Supplies
• $600 – Incidental
• $400 – Food truck
a) Motion: Dr. Samuel Valme
b) Second: Candis Jones
c) In Favor: All present
d) Oppose: None
e) Abstain: None
f) Motion carried

b) Leadership Retreat Budget: $6000.00 with an itemized account of actual
expenditures.
a) Motion: Dr. Samuel Valme
b) Second: Georgia McIntyre
c) In Favor: All present
d) Oppose: None
e) Abstain: None
f) Motion carried

c) Purchase of 50 black beanies with the SYC emblem embroidered Budget: Not
to exceed $450.00.
a) Motion: Dr. Samuel Valme
b) Second: Georgia McIntyre
c) In Favor: All present
d) Oppose: None
e) Abstain: None
f) Motion carried

d) Motion amended for the Purchase of 50 black beanies with the SYC emblem
embroidered Budget: Not to exceed $500.00.
a) Motion: Dr. Samuel Valme
b) Second: Paige Jones III
c) In Favor: All present
d) Oppose: None
e) Abstain: None
f) Motion carried

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

V. Adjourn
a) Motion: Dr. Samuel Valme
b) Second: Joc’Quelyn Carter
c) In Favor: All present
d) Oppose: None
e) Abstain: None
f) Motion carried
g) Adjourned at 20:38
