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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2a - Resolution No. 7014 Re-establishing a Youth Commission DATE: December 1, 2015 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Sara Somogyi, Director of Recreation and Community Services SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 7104 RE-ESTABLISHING A YOUTH COMMISSION Recommendation: Adopt SUMMARY Since 2012, youth in Arcadia have been meeting periodically with staff from the Recreation and Community Services Department to examine interest in re-establishing a Youth Commission. Over time, the matrix for the potential Youth Commission has evolved to what may fit nicely with the Recreation and Community Services Department today. Therefore, it is recommended the City Council adopt Resolution No. 7104 re- establishing a Youth Commission on a trial basis of two and one-half years. BACKGROUND In May 1969 Resolution No. 4072 was adopted by the City Council establishing a Youth Commission. The Youth Commission was established to act in an advisory capacity to the City Council in matters relating to youth of the community and to provide leadership for the coordination of youth activities within the community. Initially, the Youth Commission consisted of eight members from those in regular attendance in schools in the community. In May 1975, Resolution No. 4497 was adopted, changing the number of Youth Commissioners from eight to eleven. In February 1987, Resolution No. 5342 was adopted, dissolving the Youth Commission effective June 30, 1987. Since 2012, Mayor Kovacic and staff held a number of meetings with a “committee” of interested youth who wanted to re-establish a Youth Commission. Although, the Recreation and Community Services Department has a Youth Leadership Team and staff was able to determine there are a variety of opportunities in Arcadia for youth to be involved (Student Council/ASB, Leo Club, Key Club, Speech & Debate, etc.), the “committee” still felt there was a current need for youth to share their voice with the City. The goal of the Youth Commission would be to spread civic education to Arcadia’s youth, give students a voice within the City of Arcadia, provide opportunities for community service initiatives, and provide input for youth programming in Arcadia. Resolution Re-establishing a Youth Commission December 1, 2015 Page 2 of 3 DISCUSSION The youth working with staff on re-establishing this commission believes the Youth Commission in Arcadia would make a positive difference for youth in the future. Staff is inclined to concur with this sentiment, provided that there is a steady stream of students interested in the program. Youth Commissions have been successful in other cities (Pasadena, Walnut, West Covina, Diamond Bar, Westminster), although it is unclear why the Youth Commission previously dissolved in Arcadia. Because the Arcadia Youth Commission was disbanded previously, it would be recommended that the Commission be re-established on a trial basis to ensure that it is useful to all before become a permanent feature in the community. The recommended trial period would be two and one-half years. This should provide ample time to more fully develop the goals and protocols and to ensure that there is continued interest by all parties. If approved, the Youth Commission would consist of seven members appointed by the City Council. Of the seven members, four members must consist of current high school students and three current middle school students at the time of appointment. All members must be Arcadia residents and under the age of 18 at the time of appointment. Meetings for the Youth Commission would be scheduled quarterly, the second Wednesday of January, April, July, and October at 4:00 p.m. The proposed powers and duties of the Youth Commission are to:  Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council on matters pertaining to the youth population of the community.  Encourage the interest and participation of the youth community in the various activities and recreational services offered by the City of Arcadia.  Develop additional, more effective methods of communication to actively engage the youth of Arcadia.  Provide collaboration with the City of Arcadia and the various community youth groups.  Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the City Council. The Youth Commission would be subject to the Brown Act, conflict of interest regulations, and all other policies that apply to City boards and commissions. The Recreation and Community Services Department would serve as the liaison to the Commission. Resolution Re-establishing a Youth Commission December 1, 2015 Page 3 of 3 FISCAL IMPACT The fiscal impact would be absorbed by the Recreation and Community Services Department since the proposed meeting dates and times are during regular operating hours. Each Youth Commission Meeting is projected to last one and a half hours, totaling six hours per year. Additional staff time costs may be accrued in the future, as projects relating to the Youth Commission expand or develop. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended the City Council Adopt Resolution 7104 Re-establishing a Youth Commission. The Youth Commission will be established on a trial basis, for a period of two and a half years until June 30, 2018. If a subsequent Resolution is not established prior to June 30, 2018, the Youth Commission will automatically sunset. Attachment: Resolution No. 7104 YOUTH COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP The Youth Commission consists of seven (7) members appointed by the City Council. Of the seven (7) members, four (4) must consist of current high school students at the time of appointment, and three (3) must consist of current middle school students at the time of appointment. All members must be under the age of eighteen (18) at the time of appointment and reside in the City of Arcadia. MEETINGS Commission meetings will be held quarterly as follows: ● Second Wednesday of January ● Second Wednesday of April ● Second Wednesday of July ● Second Wednesday of October POWERS AND DUTIES ● Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council on matters pertaining to the youth population of the community. ● Encourages the interest and participation of the youth community in the various activities and recreational services offered by the City of Arcadia. ● Develop additional, more effective methods of communication to actively engage the youth of Arcadia. ● Provide collaboration between and among the City of Arcadia and the various community youth groups. ● Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the City Council. EXHIBIT “A”