CC Minutes - 02/24/99 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Kelly observed that swift removal of graffiti was most effective. He noted the location of graffiti at the 6th Avenue underpass at the Ferry Street Bridge viaduct and encouraged staff to have it removed. B. Youth Leadership Program Reports Mayor James Torrey welcomed the youth leaders to the City Council meeting, and invited them to present their reports. Courtney Barta, a senior at Marist High School, said that every student in Eugene attending any school, public or private, had the same needs: an education, an area of special interest they could rely on to expand in, new opportunities, and safety. Those requirements were satisfied through strong relationships between teachers, students, parents, and community. Ms. Barta said that special interest clubs and community involvement in activities with one's peers were vital to an education. Knowledge gained from such activities was immense. She briefly described her activities as a members of Marist's Human Rights Alliance, Key Club, and Students for Political Action Club. Ms. Barta said that worldwide issues and concern affected all Eugene high school students. Efforts made to educate students about those issues would strengthen and unite Eugene. Ms. Barta cited issues of concern to Marist that the City Council might be able to address: 1) vandalism; 2) bus transportation; and 3) student internships. She suggested that Eugene Police could do routine parking lot checks to cut down on vandalism. Ms. Barta said that Marist also needed bus service at about 3:25 p.m. to give students time to attend club activities after school. She said that internships for seniors in the field of government and business would help students both broaden their horizons and narrow their future career choices. Ms. Barta thanked the council for the opportunity to speak and suggested it represented a bridge between Eugene high school students and the City government. Lindsey Rogers, a junior at Willamette High School, said she was pleased by the opportunities that Willamette High School offered through the CIM (Certificate of Initial Mastery) and CAM (Certificate of Actual Mastery) programs. Students choose an area of interest and receive a certificate of advanced mastery when they complete their studies. Ms. Rogers said she was in the health careers cam and would have an opportunity to work with athletes as she considered a career in sports medicine. She said that other schools do not offer such opportunities and she felt fortunate. Ms. Rogers said that the student-teacher ratio at Willamette High School was a problem. Students suffered from overcrowding. Willamette High School was too small for the number of students currently enrolled. She said that students needed the council's support in that and other areas of education to prepare them for the 21st century. Jeff Quindlen represented the New Roads School. He described New Roads as a collaborative effort between the 4J School District and local business community. The school is operated by LookingGlass and includes middle school and high school classes as well as a GED program. The school served homeless youth and runaways. Mr. Quindlen said that he had spoken with other students about their concerns and interests, and they indicated that they were affected by issues such as the need to stay away from drugs, alcohol, and tobacco when under strong peer pressure to use them, the need to avoid unsafe sex, stealing, cheating, and lying. He said that the issues affecting students at New Roads were different from those at other schools. Mr. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 24, 1999 Page 3 11:30 a.m.