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future for themselves and motivation to work toward that future. She stated that many of the young people she encountered in the juvenile justice system had gotten into trouble because they had no guidance or because they were bored. She said the proposed teen center would meet a critical need in the community. She underscored that the at-risk and low-income teens in the city were asking for the City’s help to be safe, healthy, and productive individuals. She believed that LEAD could make the teen center happen because they were a dedicated and highly organized group of young people and staff. She felt that LEAD would develop a cadre of young community leaders in the process. She respectfully requested the City’s support for the Nuestro Lugar/Our Place Teen Center. Councilor Bettman, seconded by Councilor Papé, moved to allow 45 minutes for the Pub- lic Forum and to place a two-minute limit on testimony. Roll call vote; the motion passed, 6:2; councilors Taylor and Solomon voting in opposition. Marilyn Kalstad , 263 Sunshine Acres Drive, a founding board member for LEAD, recalled that LEAD started as a partnership between the City of Eugene Outdoor Program, Lane County Juvenile Services, and the Housing Authority in service to low-income young people. She said its success was based on strengthening and expanding those partnerships to include the schools, Centro LatinoAmericano, and other youth-focused organizations. She related that LEAD had been searching for the appropriate housing for its teen center for a long time. LEAD members were excited about the possibility of accessing former Fire Station #1 for use as a teen center. She declared that Eugene needed a safe and chemical-free facility where teens had access to services and social activities that they themselves determined were important. She felt it was important that the teens in the community take ownership of the project and were sharehold- ers in its success. She related that current studies showed a strong relationship between having poor grades and exhibiting problem behavior. She said statistics also showed that students involved in co-curricular activities had higher grade point averages, better rates of attendance in school and fewer disciplinary problems. She added that no one would dispute that parents were the foremost influence on kids, but it was important to remember that the formula for raising healthy teens was the responsibility of the whole community. She also supported the proposed canoe canal restoration and the whitewater recreation development. Maya Rios , 882 Almaden Street, co-coordinator for Nuestro Lugar/Our Place Teen Center, a teen center LEAD was working toward creating in the downtown area, wished to provide an update on the center’s progress. She reported that Dr. Dan Close, director of the University of Oregon Family and Human Services program, introduced a business plan to the group. She said they were working to have the business plan completed by spring. She related that LEAD also formed a partnership with the Youth Action Board. She stated that LEAD members met with downtown business owner John Brown and Downtown Eugene Incorporated (DEI) director Russ Brink, and that they participated on a youth activist panel for the Lane County Social Forum. She said they attended Downtown Safety Council meetings. LEAD teens also applied for a $5,000 grant from the McKenzie River Gathering (MRG). She reported that LEAD representatives attended the annual Northwest Human Services Association conference and was awarded the Outstanding Human Services Agency of the Year award. She said LEAD was looking forward to meeting with City staff on April 28. She added that the Lane County Positive Youth Develop- ment asked LEAD to do a training on facilitation. She thanked the council for its support. Teresa Montes , 501 Sandstone Way, spoke on behalf of Juventud FACETA. She said Juventud FACETA was working in partnership with LEAD to provide an alternative and safe space for youth, where they could develop culture, family and social values in a “solidarity environment.” She explained that FACETA was an acronym standing for Familia, Amistad, Communidad, Enthusiasmos, Triumph, Apendizaje; MINUTES—Eugene City Council April 10, 2006 Page 2 Regular Meeting