HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-05-08 - AGENDA REPORTS - BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
NEW BUSINESS City Manager
Item to be presinted by: Frank Ferry
DATE: May 8, 2001
SUBJECT: BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE COMMUNITY CHARTER
DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council approve the Community Charter and authorize the Mayor to sign on behalf of
the City of Santa Clarita.
BACKGROUND
At the valley -wide Elected Officials Meeting on November 22, 1999, drug, alcohol, and
tobacco use among teens was identified as a priority issue. The Blue Ribbon Task Force
was established in January 2000 to address the issue. Composed of City staff, parents,
youth, educators, law enforcement, businesses, and community-based organizations, the
Task Force is working to educate parents and increase awareness about teen drug, alcohol,
and tobacco use.
The Blue Ribbon Task Force has created a comprehensive media outreach campaign to
increase awareness and provide parents with the tools necessary to be effective, positive
forces in their children's lives. The campaign includes television, print, radio, and a
speakers' bureau promoting a community standard against the use of illegal substances by
teens. The 30 -second public service announcement has received first place in the California
Parks and Recreation Society's Annual Showcase Awards and the poster has received
second place. The Blue Ribbon Task Force's media campaign ran in September and
October, with community outreach on an on-going basis.
The Blue Ribbon Task Force has also created a Parent's Tool Kit consisting of helpful
publications, resources, and parenting information. Distribution of the tool kit has begun
community wide through schools and outreach by Task Force members and will be
distributed to all parents of sixth grade students transitioning to junior high school.
A Parent's Support Group was formed, as an offshoot of the Blue Ribbon Task Force, in
response to requests from community members. The parents met monthly at the Valencia
Town Center for a special presentation by a guest speaker on parenting issues. In
accordance with the scope of services currently provided, the Parent Support Group has
been transitioned to the SCV Youth Project.
APPROVED
Agenda Item:'
The business community will assist with the outreach and education efforts of the Task
Force. The Business Subcommittee has begun meeting to develop an action plan to assist
in distributing information to consumers and employees and supporting the community
standard against teen substance use.
The Blue Ribbon Task Force's efforts also include a policy component that involves elected
officials. Recommendations from the Task Force members and the community affecting
policy development have been identified. Policy issues discussed by the Task Force include:
random drug testing for high school athletes; zoning issues, particularly the prevention of
adult businesses being located near "teen -frequented" establishments; support and strong
enforcement of a policy targeting "providers" of illegal substances to minors; and assistance
in educating the community that there is a problem in Santa Clarita. Staff will continue to
work with the Task Force to refine these policy issues and present them to the elected
officials.
The Blue Ribbon Task Force Elected Officials Policy Group has been meeting monthly since
September 2000 to develop policies for specific agencies to support the efforts of the Blue
Ribbon Task Force and a community standard against the use and abuse of drugs, alcohol,
and tobacco by youth. The group identified the need for a Community Charter to
strengthen the efforts of the Task Force and show community -wide support.
The intent of the Blue Ribbon Task Force is for each agency to sign the Community Charter
to show their support and assist in educating the community on the dangers to youth of the
use and abuse of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. To date, the following agencies have obtained
board approval to endorse the charter:
• Castaic Lake Water Agency
• Newhall School District
• Saugus Union School District
• Sulphur Springs School District
• William S. Hart Union High School District
• Santa Clarita Community College District
The Charter supports the agencies' intent to work together to provide the tools necessary to
assist youth in making the correct choices and avoid the pressure and temptation to engage
in the consumption of harmful and illegal substances.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Decline signing of the Blue Ribbon Task Force Community Charter.
Other direction as determined by City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
ATTACHMENT
Blue Ribbon Task Force Community Charter — Attachment A.
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Attachment A
COMMUNITY CHARTER 2001
As stakeholders in the Santa Clarita community, we enter into this
Community Charter with the clear understanding that our efforts will
support and enhance the efforts of the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Task Force on
Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco.
We desire Santa Clarita to be a community educated on the dangers to youth
of the use and abuse of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. It is our intent to work
together to provide the tools necessary to assist youth in making the correct
choices and avoid the pressure and temptation to engage in the consumption
of harmful and illegal substances.
We agree to support the efforts of the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Task Force by
adopting appropriate policies and procedures to educate the community and
increase awareness about the dangers of drug, alcohol, and tobacco use.
We, as school districts, water agencies, and local governmental jurisdictions
realize our collective responsibility to the community and commit to
providing a quality, safe, and substance -free environment for the youth of
Santa Clarita.
City of Santa Clarita
Saugus Union School District
Santa Clarita Community College District
William S. Hart Union High School District
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Newhall School District
Sulphur Springs School District
Castaic Lake Water Agency