HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1991 0206 CC REG ITEM 11GPAUL W. LAWRASON JR.
Mayor
BERNARDO M. PEREZ
Mayor Pro Tern
SCOTT MONTGOMERY
Councilmember
JOHN E. WOZNIAK
Councilmember
LILLIAN KELLERMAN
City Clerk
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
MOORPARK
ITEM //- G #
STEVEN KUENY
City Manager
CHERYL J.KANE
City Attorney
PATRICK RICHARDS, A.I.C.P.
Director of
QG�l�x .Community Development
OHN F. KNIPE
City Engineer
JOHN V. GILLESPIE
Chief of Police
RICHARD T. HARE
City Treasurer
MEMORANDUM
The Honorable City Council
Philip E. Newhouse, Director of Community'
Services
January 30, 1991
SUBJECT: Consider Council Committee Teen Dance Report
BACKGROUND:
At the City Council meeting of October 3, 1990, Council
considered a staff report to amend the current Youth Dance
rules. The Parks and Recreation Commission recommended the
Youth Dance admission rule be changed from 7th to 10th grades
to all youths aged 13 to 18 provided the 18 year olds have a
valid school identification card for admittance to the dance.
City staff recommended: 1) The dance format return to a
previous dance format of students in grades 6, 7 and 8; 2)
City begin dances for High School aged students grades 9
through 12; and 3) Consider hiring chaperones for dance
supervision and increase the dance admission from $3 to $5
per person to cover the additional program expenses.
Council action taken was the establishment of a dance
committee of Mayor Perez and Councilmember Harper to meet
with a representative of the Parks and Recreation Commission,
City staff, Chaparral Middle School, MYAC and Our Town to
review and discuss youth dances in Moorpark.
The Council committee did not meet until after the elections
so only Councilmember Perez met with the dance
representatives.
799 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark, California 93021 (805) 529 -6864
The Honorable City Council
Page 2
January 30, 1991
Councilmember Perez met with the dance representatives on two
occasions, November 26 and 28. At the November 28 meeting,
it was agreed the following proposal be presented to City
Council for consideration:
A total of four (4) dances be held, olserved and
evaluated.
MYAC hold two (2) teen dances for students aged 13 to 18
(18 year olds must have any school I.D. to attend)
during the months of February and March, 1991. MYAC to
provide all chaperones, set up and snack bar.
City hold two (2) dances for students in grades 6, 7 and
8 during the months of April and May. City provide, all
chaperones; if not, MYAC assist the City.
On Friday, December 7, staff received a call from Mrs.
McGowan stating MYAC would not be cosponsoring any future
dances with the City.
Mrs. McGowan said there were only eight members of MYAC,
three of them Senior Citizens, and it is becoming extremely
difficult to provide chaperones for the dances. - Also, MYAC
did not want to accept any future responsibility for the
dances or be openly in charge for the dances and wanted
someone else to be in charge. Mrs. McGowan further stated if
the City needs help with the dances, a few of the MYAC
members would be available on a month -to -month basis if
needed. On January 2, 1991, staff received the attached
letter from MYAC stating their current position related to
youth dances.
Additionally, attached is a memo from Lt. Rodriguez regarding
several concerns experienced by Deputies assigned to the
November 30, 1990 youth dance.
1. Deputies are being asked to interpret City dance rules
which are not their job.
2. MYAC is not enforcing the dance rules.
3. Chaperones not fully instructed as to duties and
responsibilities.
4. Chaperone challenging Sheriff's Office instructions from
the City regarding attendance to the dance.
5. Lack of in- charge person at activity willing to take
control and make decisions.
The Honorable City Council
Page 3
January 30, 1991
On December 20, 1990 and January 28, 1991, Youth Dance
Council Committee Member Perez met with Steven Kueny, City
Manager, and Philip Newhouse, Director of Community Services,
to further discuss the teen dance issues.
Councilmember Perez indicated the group, "Our Town Teens"
would be interested in holding "Teen Dances" for youth aged
13 to 19 at the Community Center. Also, that Our Town Teens
is seeking insurance for their group and may have a cosponsor
for said insurance which would cover all of their sponsored
activities including the teen dances. The City would be an
additional insured for all "Our Town Teen" dances held at the
Community Center.
Because of MYAC's decision to no longer cosponsor any future
youth dances with the City (except for the February
Valentines Day Dance which Mrs. McGowan has indicated MYAC
will cosponsor with the City) a need exists for a group to
step forward and assume that role; "Our Town Teens."
The Council Youth Dance Committee recommends the following
for Council's consideration:
1• "Our Town Teens" group be given use of the Apricot Room
two Fridays or Saturdays each month for the purpose of
sponsoring Teen Dances for youth aged 13 to 19 through
the remainder of the current school year.
2. All fees associated for use of the Apricot Room and
kitchen be waived except for direct staff costs for one
Maintenance Worker, which may include setup, cleanup and
attendance at each dance.
3• Attendance to the dances be open to any teenager aged 13
to 19 regardless of what school they attend provided
they have a school identification card.
4. Our Town Teens establish their own rules and regulations
_cr dance conduct.
3• City be named as additional insured on their insurance
=ic'; for period of use c;f the Community Center for
heir dances.
6. The City, beginning in March, hold a monthly dance for
srudents in grades 7 & 8 attending school in the
oorpark Unified School District or outside the district
provided they have a school identification card and live
=n the corporate boundaries of Moorpark, provided the
C -t'✓ is assisted by outside groups to serve as
C-aperones• As an incentive to solicit other groups to
assist the City, the snack Year would be offered to each
The Honorable City Council
Page 4
January 30, 1991
respective group, and all revenues collected would be
theirs. (Moorpark Kiwanis has previously volunteered to
chaparone one youth dance and will be requested to do so
in March.)
7. The opportunity be made available to other Moorpark
based community organizations to sponsor Youth Dances
provided they meet the City's requirements. Should
those groups not wish to staff the snack bar, the
opportunity would be offered to MYAC or other Moorpark
based community organizations.
8. The Parks and Recreation Commission evaluate and provide
the City Council a full report on the dances after the
May dance.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Approve committee's recommended action.
PEN:db
Attachment
DEC 13 '90 16 =42 VTA CO SHERRIFF °S
MEMORANDUM
TO- STEVEN KUENY, CITY MANAGER
FROM: RICHARD RODRIGUEZ, LIEUTENANT
DATE- DECEMBER 5, 1990
SUBJECT: PROBLEMS AT TEEN DANCE
Sheriff -s deputies assigned
30, 1990, advised that the
with staff and chaperones_
where they were expected to
the dance rules and making
Moorpark Youth Activities.
P.2
to work the Teen Dance on November
Y experienced a variety of problems
Deputies were placed in the position.
resolve the problems by interpreting
decisions for City of Moorpark and
The first occurred when a parent that works in the city but
resides in flan Nuys dropped oft sip: youths (four girls and two
boys) and left. Properly, Vicky McGowan refused to allow these
Youths admission to the dance_ As these youths stood outside
local youths (MPLS) started toward them. The girls fled however
the two boys were trapped a-�, the corner of the building.
Deputies intervened and took control of these six youths- These
youths advised deputies that their parents had gone to dinner
and would not return until 10-00 pm-
Dance rules state that echool 1_y). is required for admission
however does not specifically state that only Moorpark scroci
I.D_ will be recognized. Further these rules appear to r:oid
the city liable if youths are aiiowed to leav= prior to 10:GG
Pm- Although it can be argued that these youths were sieve_•
ad.Tnitted there appears to be Elome ambiguity that needs to be
corrected.
Although one of the dance offered to take c,n,: o:
these six youth in a car tc, look for the dining parenta the
youth refused
and opted to walk downtown to look for the
parents. Clearly this was not acc;eptabie and a patrol car was
called to transport these youths to search for the parents_ The
Parent, were located and returned to the dance and argued that
DEC 1� '90 16:43 VTA CO SHERRIFF —)'
P
the dance rules do not specifically limit the dance to Moor-ark
students only.
The second incident occurred when Tricky McGowan allowed s1--
Youths into the dance after the 6:00 pm. hour when admiss_ ors
are stopped. Sheriff -s deputies observed a female dropping o_=
a carload of youths at the Comcaunz' , Center. Because it teas
5 -10 minutes after 8:00 pm_ officers advised the driver not tc
leave because the youthzs would nor be allowed in_ Officers taere
told that it would be alright, Vicj�:y '!cGowar would allow them
ir._ Officerrs observed that these ci :•: youths were allowed to
enter the dance even though the rules-clearly state that no one
will be allowed admission after 8:00 Lm.
This same rule was strictly interpreted a short time late tiher.
8 -10 yuuth3 were turned away anc deputies were required to
ensure that they left the area_
The third incident involved chaperones. A chaperone was having
trouble with two misbehaving youths and wanted to call their
Parents to pick them up. A second chaperone (female) intervene?'
and began arguing this McGowan and the first chaperone and
ultimately walked away commenting to the youths that the first
chaperone was having PMS.
The fourth incident also involved a chaperone. This same second
chaperone 'became involved involved in the interpretation of the
rule prohibiting gang related clothing, ie., baseball hats
This chaperone stood in front of these youths and supported .
their stance on their right to wear their hats at the Glance_
The fifth incident involved a charerone challenging Sheriff's
Officers right to turn away youths standing at the Community
Center door after 8.00 pm. Officers had been previously advised
to turn these youths away. in addit ion to wearing a Raiders
jacket during this confrontat_on, staff alleged that they do r.or
believe this particular chapf,rone .Jam 33 yea ='s.
Staff advised that several adu.ltc acted as chaperones and
included four of the Parks -,nd Recreation Commissioners, -e
MayOr PrOTem, the city staff pzrs,.Dn � .:'hel'ey) and Vicky I
State _ J i!nprESSian was that ro to :_eemed to be in- charge and
willing to take control of the activity and crake the deci si ors
tat had to be made. Sheriff -s o`fic_rc were asked t i
the dente r -• f� ' o nterpret
ules. Of�icers advised t}�at this was not their du -!:y
but rather to enforce the directivee of the Person in- charge u,
they related to maintainIng the peace caring this activity_
Th.i is riot the first time t?2 at officers have adv_ -ged P f
pro icros at the darnces _ p c
;° m o_
rior, incic�ent� _evolved Youth-r. wearing
H.1:
local the clothing attire associated with the MPLS group. Both
their behavior and presence appeared to be intimidating to other
youthe in attendance_ Although no specific dress code exists or
ie being enforced perhaps this is a topic Tor the Parks and
Recreation Commission_ to discuss_
A final incident, unrelated to those problems previously
mentioned, but directly associated with the dance occurred in
the parking lot as those attending the dance were leaving the
Community Center_
A patrol car was present in t -he Community Center area because
the dance was concluding. Officers observed two vehicles arrive
with several occupants. An occupant of one of the vehicles
approached a female leaving the dance and hugged her_ Six local
male youths observed this and approached one of the vehicles_
Officers then observed a Moorpark youth, identified from
previous contacts, hanging or to the side of the vehicle as it
started to leave t he Community Center. The, vehicle weaved
through pedestrians in the driveway area continuing with the
Youth hanging on to the side of the vehicle. The youth
eventually fell away, rolling onto the pavement as the vehicle
continued out of the parking lot. Officers pursued the vehicle
and stopped the vehicle at the intersection of Charles /Walnut.
As officers approached the three occupants they observed a
firearm. Officers called for backup officers and ordered the
occupants from the vehicle- Officers had to contend with a
large crowd of youths that followed the: fro,;: the Community
Center that caused a potential safety hazard for the offices as
they atte;apted to remove the three vehicle occupants.
Eventually, backup officers arrived, the scene was secured and
the crowd was dispersed.
Officers arrested two 19 Year old and one 1 year old males for
reckless driving and brandishing a firearm. The weapon was
later determined to be a nel?et rifle that resembled an assault
rifle. The female that these
identified. The victim of Youths contacted wag not
location of h the brandishing was observed at the
t:.E traffic 3�op but left the area before he could
be interviewed_ None of these tt'ee youths resides in the city
Of Moorpark_ mhe occur, ants of the -
identified as second -rehicie were
note Moorpark residents, ages 16 , 1 % and 15
Of age- Years
Staff was also contacted
Y concerned Moorpark parent last
week concerning threats t"Qt were made to i� i S eon b
adults ecfter the dance on '.Vovrc�ber 30th_ ni5 h y young
threatened over Youths life was
his previc��s relationship with a young :emale
that is currently listed as
c ui.uway
January 2, 1991
RE: Re- evaluation of Teen Dance Program arrangement
Dear Mr. Newhouse,
"UNITING MOORPARK
THROUGH OUR CHILDREN"
At our December meeting, members of the Moorpark Youth Activities Committee discussed the teen
dance program at great length, As you know, we have been "Co- sponsoring" the dances for the vast three years.
Our involvement has consisted of lining up chaperons, stocking and running the snack bar, decorating, promotion
and publicity, providing door prizes and occasionally finding way to enhance the program with special
enticements such as silk roses for all the girls at the Valentine's dance or S100 g
Christmas. iveaways and Halloween and
We have decided that it is time for other individuals and groups to come forward and offer assistance.
We hesitate committing to yet another year of dances with literally no end in sight to this arrangement.
Therefore, effective January 1, 1991, we need to withdraw "co- sponsorship" of the program.
However; we are willing to continue to help the City with the dances in the following ways:
1. We would like to continue to operate the snack bar.
2. We would like to continue to offer door prizes, utilizing the proceeds from the snack bar.
3. We would like to decorate theme related dances such as Valentine's, Halloween and Christmas.
4. We are, as individuals, available to chaperon, and only need to be called in advance.
5. We will try to assist with promotion of the dances with the City's notices and flyers.
Overall, we have enjoyed the dances immensely, and it is with mixed emotions that we feel it necessan
to come to this decision. We sincerely hope it will in no way affect other co- sponsored events we do with the _
City of Moorpark We are, after all, only .1 small ;roue of volunteers, ',vith limited time and resources. Please lei
us know at your earliest convenience if you need our help .0 the Fchniary dance. Incidently,,ve have already
hccun makin, silk roses for the girls, as has been done in iie p;Lst.
Sincerely,
r--
Moorpark Youth Activities Committee
cc: Mavor, City Council, Park Commissioners
1 306 View Mesa Street - 'loorpark, California (305) 529 -5233