Satellite Beach Youth Council elects chair and vice chair, outlines environmental and outreach priorities

The Satellite Beach Youth Council held its first official meeting Oct. 28 and elected Alex LaFortune as chair and Charlotte Barnes as vice chair, setting early priorities that emphasize environmental work and youth outreach.

Members were sworn in at the start of the meeting and then heard a procedural briefing from Webb Pierce, the city clerk, on parliamentary procedure and Florida’s Sunshine Law. After a short discussion of qualifications and goals, McKenzie Parson moved to nominate Alex LaFortune for chair; a second was recorded and members voted to approve the nomination. LaFortune then presided over the meeting and opened nominations for vice chair. Sarah Zicki moved to nominate Charlotte Barnes for vice chair; that motion was seconded and approved by the council.

The council spent much of the meeting brainstorming a mission and short-term projects. Members proposed focusing this year on the Indian River lagoon — suggestions included beach and lagoon cleanups, oyster-mat or mangrove-planting events, and partnerships with the Brevard Zoo. The group also discussed social-issue programming such as anti-bullying or vaping-awareness events, service projects that connect youth to the community, and establishing a visible presence at local events.

On outreach, members favored Instagram for youth engagement but debated maintaining a Facebook presence to reach parents. City staff cautioned that council social media would be subject to public-record rules and offered technical support and a small start-up budget for council initiatives.

Before adjourning, the council agreed to prepare mission-statement drafts, shirt designs and preliminary project proposals for the next meeting. The chair adjourned the meeting after setting the next steps and schedule expectations.