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Meeting Minutes Mayor’s Youth Commission Regular Meeting April 8, 2025, 5:00 p.m. Chandler Police Department, Main Station Community Room 250 E. Chicago St., Chandler, AZ Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Nivid Singhania at 5:00 p.m. Roll Call Commission Attendance Staff Attendance Shripal Dupati Alexis Apodaca, Staff Liaison Nivid Singhania Sanjana Balaji Olivia Lu Anthony Bushard Alexander Rahman Hannah Luo Jaden Lu Lucy Garner Siddarth Ramkumar Abhiram Kumar Elizabeth Ovelil Joseph Bushard Makenzie Cole Victoria Jagdon Aashi Singhai Julianna Henderson Shea Lee Absent Teagan Tollefson Scheduled Public Appearances None. Unscheduled Public Appearances None. Action Agenda 1. Approval of Minutes Approval of the March 4, 2025 Mayor’s Youth Commission minutes. 2. Election of Officers Approve the election of Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary, effective May 14, 2025 Action Agenda Motion and Vote COMMISSIONER Makenzie Cole moved to approve the March 4, 2025 Mayor’s Youth Commission meeting minutes. Seconded by COMMISSIONER Shripal Dupati. Motion carried unanimously (18-0-1). COMMISSIONER Sanjana Balaji moved to appoint Olivia Lu as Mayor’s Youth Commission Chair, Shripal Dupati as Mayor’s Youth Commission Vice Chair, and Jaden Lu as Mayor’s Youth Commission Secretary, effective May 14, 2025. Seconded by COMMISSIONER Makenzie Cole. Motion carried unanimously (18-0-1). Discussion 2. Professional Development Opportunity Debrief - Teen Leadership Academy Commissioners discussed the recent Teen Leadership Academy, noting that it was even more successful than the previous year. Everyone was highly engaged, actively participating, and making meaningful connections with one another. The setup was well-organized and ran smoothly. Commissioners agreed there were no major improvements needed and considered the event a great success. 3. Professional Development Opportunity Debrief - LEAD Academy Appearance (Olivia Lu) Commissioner Lu provided an update on the LEAD Academy, a youth empowerment initiative organized by the City of Chandler. The program was designed as a three-day pilot and was set to Page 2 of 4 begin with a kickoff event, where Olivia planned to speak about her experience serving on the commission and what she has learned from it. However, the event has been postponed and will now take place in Fall 2025. 4. Volunteer Opportunity Debrief - Family Bike Ride Commissioners who participated in the Chandler Family Bike Ride shared their experiences, focusing on the fun and community-focused nature of the event. Some commissioners helped distribute clothing, while others managed the bike decorating station. Commissioners noted the diverse turnout, with participants of all ages, and appreciated the opportunity to engage with the public in a family-friendly setting. 5. Professional Development Opportunity - Board and Commission Strategic Plan Representation (Shea Lee) Commissioner Lee will represent the Mayor’s Youth Commission in the Board and Commission Strategic Plan initiative. The strategic plan, which spans from 2023 to 2025, is a guiding document developed by City Council outlining the city’s growth and priorities. Boards and commissions are being invited to contribute, and Shea will provide input on how youth can support and amplify the Council’s goals within the community. 6. Professional Development Opportunity - League of Arizona Cities and Towns Conference (August 21, 2025) Alexis Apodaca introduced an upcoming opportunity to attend the League of Arizona Cities and Towns Conference, a respected annual event scheduled for August 21, 2025. Additional details regarding logistics, registration, and participation will be shared via email in the coming weeks. Commissioners were encouraged to monitor their inboxes for further information. Member Comments/Announcements Professional Development Opportunity Debrief - For Our City Day Commissioners who participated in For Our City Day shared that the experience was rewarding and enjoyable. Their assigned tasks included painting a house, focusing on touch-ups and painting boards. Commissioners appreciated the hands-on service and noted the event was a fun bonding moment, especially with the opportunity to participate in a moonwalk at the end. Overall, the event was considered a great success. End-of-Year Celebration Planning Chair Singhania introduced plans for the annual end-of-year party, to take place in May. Options currently being considered include a trampoline park, Skateland Chandler, and bowling. The commission decided on May 13 for the celebration date. Senior Recognition Page 3 of 4 The commission held a special farewell for graduating seniors. Each senior shared their favorite memory from their time on the Mayor’s Youth Commission, reflecting on their experiences and contributions throughout their service. Calendar Adjourn Motion to adjourn was made by COMMISSIONER Makenzie Cole. Seconded by COMMISSIONER Sanjana Balaji. The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m. ______________________________ ______________________________ Alexis Apodaca, Secretary Nivid Singhania, Chair Page 4 of 4