HomeMy WebLinkAbout20070416 - VIII-C-2MEMO Vl l 1-C-2
Cih• of Hastings
Parks & Recreation
Department
920 fit' l0ih Si.
Hastings, A4N 5503?
Ph: t651)4R0-E175
t'as: (fi51) 437-5396
w~vw•. ci. hastines.m n.us
Aepiutic Center
901 '4laple St
Itastings, MN 15033
Vh: (b~l) 480-2 ~<T?
Fax: (651)437-i;9G
Civic Arena
2801 RcdwioL t3hd.
castings, h9N SSp3;
21~: (651} 480-6t95
Fax: (651) 4 37-d 940
Date: 4/ 10/07
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Barry Bernstein, Parks and Recreation Director
Subject: Hastings Youth First
Presently'
Youth First is seeking a co-host to assist the organization with operation as funding
has become limited.
The City of Hastings has been an active participant with Youth First since its
inception. As it is apparent from the current survey results that were recently
collected, the community of Hastings believes strongly in the mission of Youth First
and the benefits Youth First provides our community.
Vision 2008
Administration:
It is anticipated that Youth First would be encompassed into the Hastings Parks and
Recreation Department. ]t is believed this is a natural marriage due to the leisure
service component and the ability of the Parks and Recreation Department as parks
and recreation promotes improved quality of life for residents.
Or2anization-
The City of Hastings believes that it would be extremely important to have a person
dedicated and devoted to Youth first initiatives on staff. Therefore, it has been
discussed to have a coordinator on staff working part-time (20-30 hours per week) to
ensure that the message and mission of Youth First is developed, promoted and
executed. This person would become a city employee with the benefits that are
provided pari-time employees.
]t is anticipated that the Director of Parks and Kecreation will oversee Youth First and
the coordinator. It has been discussed that the Youth First office will be relocated to
the Parks and Recreation Office due to the remodeling of City }fall. The Parks and
Recreation Office will provide the coordinator office support, office equipment and
other vital operations to allow the coordinator to focus on the truly important issue of
asset building.
As part of the Parks and Recreation Department, Youth First s budget would be rolled
into the Parks and Recreation Department`s budget. It is anticipated that the
remaining funding of Youth First would be transferred to the City of Hastings to offset
the initial operational costs.
Execution•
As part of the Hastings Parks and Recreation Department, the core of Youth First
projects would remain in contact, but it is anticipated the projects would continually
he evaluated to ensure maximum effectiveness. It is anticipated too that Youth First
become more visible within the community as the coordinator would, once again, be
able to focus on Youth First initiatives. It is believed that Youth First would gain a
significant amount of momentum within the community in this type of setting.
Conclusion•
The City believes in the mission and objectives of Youth First and additionally
believes that Hastings is a better community because of Youth First.
If it is decided that the City of Hastings is attractive to the Youth First Board, City
Council action will need to be taken for this merger of services.
This matter has been brought before both the NRRC and the Parks and Recreation
Committee of Council.
Resolution:
If the City Council wishes to proceed, I have enclosed a resolution whereas if
accepted, conditions and terms our outlined to proceed.