TEEN COURT
ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
MINUTES
August 15, 2001

Present: Duane Baker, Joyce Barkel, Nicole Bierema, Chelsea Brown, Michael Kersman, Mark Geister, Josh Wise

Absent:  Jennifer DeYoung (excused), Alice Holliman, Diane Geese (excused), Adam Rett (excused), Al Rios (excused)

I.        Call to Order

• The meeting was called to order at 3:35 p.m. at City Hall, 270 South River Avenue, Holland, Michigan by Mark Geister.

II.      Old Business

• A letter to Soren Wolff will be written by the year’s end to request a paid position for a Teen Court Coordinator. A sub-committee will be formed during the September meeting to write the letter to Soren Wolff.
• Black River’s commitment to the Teen Court program was reviewed. Mark Geister will talk to the principal to determine Black River’s level of commitment to the program.

III.    New Business

• August 18-20, was set aside for a Teen Court session. It was decided that Holland Christian will host the next session. There are currently no cases pending to be heard.
• Last minute details of the August 16, Teen Court session were discussed.
• A motion was made to seek approval from the city of Holland to hire Josh Wise (for no less than 5 hours a week and no more than 15 hours a week) as Teen Court Assistant Coordinator for the Teen Court Program, and to update the HTC web site. The work would be done in the office of Volunteer Services and/or another approved site.  Approval to access the HTC Process Fee fund to assist in paying an hourly wage of not less than minimum wage and not more than $8.00 an hour. Joyce Barkel will write a letter to the city of Holland Administration in support of this requested action. The motion passed, and is currently awaiting approval by the City Manager.
• A potential source for additional referrals was discussed. There was interest and discussion to contact Holland area school administration to determine the possibility of referring students who have violated school rules, i.e., dress code, class tardiness, and truancy  issues. Diane, Mark and Duane will present the idea to the appropriate person, and report on their level of interest and participation.

IV.     Announcements

• The next meeting is scheduled for September 19, 2001 at 3:30 p.m. at City Hall, 270 South River Avenue, Holland, Michigan. Please contact Joyce Barkel at (616) 355-1324 by September 17, 2001 if you are unable to attend.

V.      Adjournment

• The meeting was adjourned at 4:10 p.m. by Mark Geister.