McHenry Times

City of Crystal Lake Youth Commission met December 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

1. Call to Order

      Commissioner Lisle called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m. Thursday, December 12, 2024.

2. Roll Call/Attendance

      Commissioners Charlie Ann Benton, Jackson Lisle, Sunny Tomberlin, Alyssa (Theo) Johnston and Lauren Wolfe were present.

      Mayor Haig Haleblian and Councilmember Denise Smith were present. City Manager Eric Helm, Crystal Lake Library Director Becky Fyolek, Teen Librarian Angie Baugher, and Deputy City Manager Nick Hammonds were also present.

3. Approval of Minutes from the November 14, 2024 Meeting

      Commissioner Benton moved to approve the minutes of the November 14, 2024 meeting.

      Commissioner Wolfe seconded. Upon voice vote, motion passed.

4. Public Presentation

      Commissioner Lisle asked if there was anyone in the public who wished to speak on an item not found on the agenda. No one wished to speak. Commissioner Lisle closed public presentation.

5. Social Media Discussion

      Commissioner Benton Discussed potential topics for the Youth Commission to share messaging affecting youth in the community. She stated that the winter weather is coming soon, and driving on icy roads and parking lots will be a concern. Deputy City Manager Hammonds stated that the Police Department will visit an upcoming Youth Commission meeting and the Commission can discuss messaging regarding parking lot safety.

      Deputy City Manager Hammonds stated that the City has a placeholder for the Youth Commission to share a message each month in the newsletter. The January newsletter is due soon, and the City would like to have a message from the Commission. Commissioner Benton stated that she will create a draft newsletter article for review and will provide the photo from the Interact Club’s visit to City Hall last week.

      Commissioner Johnston discussed the morning broadcasts at school and how the Commission could utilize this messaging platform to reach the students. The Commission discussed the school newsletters that go out each month. Commissioner Wolfe stated that the parents are the main audience, and students do not typically read the newsletter. Commissioner Lisle stated that students will often place flyers on school bulletin boards, or tape them over the school clocks, to make sure that messages are being received.

      The Commission discussed the social media platforms available to share messages. Commissioner Benton stated that the Commission could create short video clips reporting on the current events in winter. The video can be recorded on a phone and edited to share on social media. Commissioner  Johnston stated that the Commission could focus on safety in the community, and provide reports on the Commission’s recent work. Commissioner Benton stated that Youtube, We Video, and the teachers’ Remind App.

6. Crystal Lake Public Library Discussion

      Library Director Becky Fyolek and Teen Librarian Angie Baughers introduced themselves to the Commission. Director Fyolek brought items from the Library’s promotional office to share with the Commission, including a Digital Resources flyer, museum adventure pass, and a bookmark.

      Director Fyolek stated that the Digital Resources flyer includes information that kids can access through the library. The museum adventure pass provides local students with access to various museums, includes the Brookfield Zoo. Director Fyolek detailed the homework resources provided by the Library. The Library coordinates with teachers who provide tutoring and homework review services for students. In addition, the Library offers a testing center for students preparing to take the SAT or ACT.

      Teen Librarian Angie Baugher discussed the craft programs offered by the Library once per month. She stated the Library coordinates high school visits on Fridays during lunch. Students from each high school are invited to visit the Library during their lunch to read to the younger kids. She discussed how the Library offers spaces for studying for the ACT and SAT, but there are some difficulties in becoming a certified test center. Primarily, a company has to be secured to provide the testing. Commissioner Lisle stated that the Commission’s goal was to create a general test study area. Director Fyolek stated that guests are welcome to contact the Library to schedule a time to use a study space.

      Mayor Haleblian asked the Commission for their thoughts on what they would like to see at their library. Commissioner Johnston enjoys going to the Library after taking finals to have a calm space to relax. Commissioner Tomberlin discussed the Algonquin Library’s rooms where students can present and practice presentations on a monitor. Commissioner Benton stated that she did not know about all the programs and resources offered by the Library. She stated that sharing this information with other youth would be a great start.

      Mayor Haleblian asked Commissioner Benton for her thoughts on the best way to share this information with local youth. She stated that getting District wide dissemination of information would be ideal. She also stated that she is one of the publishers of the Wolf Print (Prairie Ridge’s newsletter) and she could include the Library’s information. Commissioner Johnston suggested funneling announcements through the English teachers, since students are required to take English all four years of school.

      Commissioner Wolfe stated that each school has an Advisory Class, and the teachers could present some announcements from the students. Commissioner Johnston stated that Central High School is starting an Advisory Class next year. Mayor Haleblian asked about the purpose of the Advisory Class. Commissioner Wolfe stated that it is a mentor program for seniors to give lessons to younger students. The class only runs for one semester in the fall each year, but this would be an opportunity for guest speakers to be prepared with targeted and specific information for the younger students.

      Director Fyolek suggested the school librarians as a contact to share information. Teen Librarian Baugher stated that the students can contact the Library to reserve a conference via their online chat feature or to call in. There are some restrictions, but the Library does their best to accommodate everyone. 

7. Open Discussion

      City Manager Helm discussed the upcoming City Council meeting attendance by Commissioners Lisle and Johnston. He stated that the Commissioner would be expected to provide a brief presentation utilizing a prepared statement. The public presentation portion of the meeting is five minutes or less, and this serves as an opportunity for the Commissioners to provide a brief background of themselves and report on a recent topic the Commission is working on.

      Commissioner Benton stated that she is writing an article for her school newspaper. She also discussed the morning announcements at school. The announcements are five to ten minutes long and cover all the events happening that week. Commissioners Lisle and Wolfe stated that they think it would be a great idea to get the Youth Commission involved with providing messaging during the morning meetings.

      Commissioner Johnston discussed the BREAK Teen Center. Representative students participating in the BREAK often present at local schools. Mayor Haleblian stated that he could see an assembly type event where the Commissioners can engage with other students. This would be an opportunity for the Commission to get a read on what is important to the local youth. Commissioner Lisle agreed that an event would be the ideal opportunity to receive feedback and gather information from students.

      Mayor Haleblian suggested the Commission could start with a survey to gather feedback from local youth. Deputy City Manager Hammonds inquired if the local schools send out surveys to students. The Commissioners confirmed that the schools will send out surveys via various apps or platforms available.

8. Adjourn

      There being no further business, Commissioner Tomberlin moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:54 p.m. Commissioner Benton seconded the motion. On voice vote, all present voted yes. Motion passed. 

https://www.crystallake.org/home/showpublisheddocument/23847/638701263509600000