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Meeting Minutes Mayor’s Youth Commission Regular Meeting November 12, 2024, 5:00 p.m. Chandler Nature Center, Painted Desert Room 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd. Chandler, AZ 85249 Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Nivid Singhania at 5:01 p.m. Roll Call Commission Attendance Staff Attendance Shripal Dupati Alexis Apodaca, Staff Liaison Nivid Singhania Brittany Barba, Digital Content Creator Sanjana Balaji Makenzie Cole Julianna Henderson Olivia Lu Anthony Bushard Shea Lee Victoria Jagdon Aashi Singhai Alexander Rahman Hannah Luo Jaden Lu Siddarth Ramkumar Abhiram Kumar Teagan Tollefson Joseph Bushard Absent Lucy Garner Elizabeth Ovelil Scheduled Public Appearances None. Unscheduled Public Appearances None. Action Agenda 1. Approval of Minutes Approval of the October 8, 2024 Mayor’s Youth Commission minutes. Action Agenda Motion and Vote COMMISSIONER Sanjana Balaji moved to approve the October 8, 2024 Mayor’s Youth Commission meeting minutes. Seconded by COMMISSIONER Makenzie Cole. Motion carried unanimously (17-0-2). Discussion 2. Chandler Nature Center Programming - Cadia Hernandez, Recreation Coordinator Recreation Coordinator Cadia Hernandez, provided an overview of the Nature Center, which is a facility within the city's Community Services Department. This center is known for its interactive park features, including fishing areas, and offers a wide variety of programs for the community. Ms. Hernandez oversees educational programs tailored for students in kindergarten through 8th grade, covering nature, STEM, and additional diverse topics. The center also hosts various events, such as craft activities, guest speaker sessions, and teen-focused programs like movie nights and celebrations. Alexis Apodaca introduced Brittany Barba, the Digital Content Creator. Brittany is responsible for writing and creating content for the city’s shows and YouTube channels associated with various city councilmembers. She will be attending future meetings to observe the commission. 3. League Conference Award The commission earned third place in a social media scavenger hunt at the League of Arizona Cities and Towns Conference, receiving a $150 gift card. The group decided to use this prize for a small treat at the next meeting and opted for a pizza party. Additionally, the chair mentioned Page 2 of 4 plans for the December meeting, which will include a gingerbread house-making competition, a white elephant gift exchange with a $15 limit, and pizza funded by the award. 4. Engagement Opportunity Debrief - Chandler City Council Meeting Commissioners who attended the recent City Council meeting were asked to share their observations. One commissioner noted that the council discussed plans for future meetings, which will feature presentations by professionals such as builders, police officers, and firefighters. Another commissioner remarked on the opportunity to learn about future city projects, while another highlighted discussions focused on improving downtown signage and plans for renovations at a local community center. 5. Engagement Opportunity Debrief - For Our City Day Kickoff Commissioners who participated in the "For Our City Day" kickoff shared their experiences. They described the event as an engaging opportunity where they prepared pancakes with City of Chandler councilmembers, worked alongside cadets, and strengthened connections through team activities to serve the volunteers. 6. Community Volunteering Opportunity - Woofstock - Saturday, November 16th 8:30am -11:00am and 10:30am - 1:00pm Chair Singhania reminds the commission of an upcoming volunteering opportunity at the Woofstock event on Saturday, November 16th. Volunteers have already been asked to RSVP for the shifts. During this event, volunteers will assist with creating "puppuccinos" for attendees. 7. Community Volunteering Opportunity - Polar Express - December 11, 12 & 13th 5:00 - 8:00pm Chair Singhania discussed the upcoming Community Volunteering Opportunity for the Polar Express event. Volunteers will assist with setup, post-event cleanup, and adhere to a specific dress-up theme. Additional details about this holiday volunteering opportunity will be provided closer to the event. 8. Community Volunteering Opportunity - Holiday Traditions in the Park - December 14th, 8:00am - 12:30pm and 12:30pm - 5:00pm The commission is also invited to volunteer at the Holiday Traditions in the Park event on December 14th. Volunteers are needed for two shifts: the first from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to assist with setup and event monitoring, and the second from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to staff a booth, oversee a holiday craft activity, and assist with teardown. This event, hosted by the Mayor and Council Office, will celebrate various cultural traditions within the community. Families will have access to nonprofit volunteer opportunities, enjoy performances by school groups singing holiday songs, and have food trucks available. 9. Teen Leadership Academy Planning Commissioners discussed and outlined the general themes, timing, and structure for the Teen Leadership Academy. For the mental health segment, commissioners planned to include a few Page 3 of 4 speakers to share experiences and insights, along with interactive activities like bracelet-making, vision board collages, and other creative exercises. The civic engagement segment will feature a brief presentation on the importance of civic involvement, followed by a structured debate to engage participants on various topics. Plans also include activities focused on youth policies, allowing participants to practice speech preparation and campaign content creation. Additionally, commissioners brainstormed a range of icebreaker activities to encourage team bonding during TLA. Ideas included scavenger hunts, Pictionary, BINGO, self-introductions, and other group games. Member Comments/Announcements None. Calendar 10.Community Volunteering Opportunity - Woofstock - Saturday, November 16th 8:30am - 11:00am and 10:30am - 1:00pm Mayor's Youth Commission December Meeting - December 10th, 2024, 5:00pm at Chandler Police Department Main Station Community Volunteering Opportunity - Polar Express - December 11, 12 & 13th 5:00pm - 8:00pm Community Volunteering Opportunity - Holiday Traditions in the Park - December 14th, 8:00am - 12:30pm and 12:30pm - 5:00pm Tumbleweed Tree Lighting Volunteering Opportunity - Saturday, December 3rd Informational Items Adjourn Motion to adjourn was made by COMMISSIONER Makenzie Cole. Seconded by COMMISSIONER Sanjana Balaji. The meeting was adjourned at 6:11 PM. ______________________________ ______________________________ Alexis Apodaca, Secretary Nivid Singhania, Chair Page 4 of 4