200 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite #433
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-5160
Fax: (714) 765-4454
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
DATE: DECEMBER 12, 2023
FROM: COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ANAHEIM YOUTH ADVISORY
COUNCIL
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): NO ITEM # 17
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, receive a report on the establishment of the Anaheim Youth Advisory Council.
DISCUSSION:
In 2017, the Anaheim City Council established the first official Anaheim Youth Commission that held an advisory role to City Council and provided recommendations on youth and children’s programs, projects, events, priorities and interests. It was comprised of 21 youth commissioners, three of which were appointed by council per district, and three others at large, by the Mayor. The eligibility age was 14 to 26 years and each youth commissioner served one, ten-month term, starting in September and concluding in June of the following year. Since its inception, city staff faced difficulties in sustaining regular attendance by appointed youth and young adults due primarily to school commitments, but most notably the wide age range of youth commissioners made it difficult for junior high school-age youth to engage in fruitful conversation/discussion with older, college-age commissioners.
In 2020, modifications were approved by City Council to better align all City Boards and Commissions. The Anaheim Youth Commission membership was reduced to a total of 14 members. Two youth commissioners were appointed by council per district, with two additional commissioners appointed at-large, by the Mayor, to serve a two-year term.
Specific to the Youth Commission, an adjustment was also made during this time that established a new eligibility age range of 14 to 21 years. These structural adjustments helped with the interaction and engagement between commissioners; however, attendance issues continued to persist and grew progressively worse due to the pandemic and other difficulties that many faced during this challenging time.
As noted above, the Anaheim Youth Commission has faced difficulties in sustaining regular attendance by appointed members that has impeded the ability of city staff to establish a quorum and hold productive meetings on a regular basis. Community Services staff have actively initiated regular communication through email, text, and Establishment of the Anaheim Youth Advisory Council
December 12, 2023
phone calls; however, staff have consistently received responses citing various reasons why youth commissioners were not able to attend regular meetings and/or not able to fulfill their obligation to the commission. Youth have expressed changes in school commitments, attainment of employment, unforeseen responsibilities to service clubs, enhanced participation in school sports, changes to school leadership commitments, and other familial obligations, all of which have led to their inability to attend and/or continue to participate on the youth commission. This inconsistency, coupled with a general lack of response to regular communication by city staff, have led to difficulties in completing any significant work by the Anaheim Youth Commission. Of the 14 current Youth Commission members, only five respond and have regular communication with city staff. Of the five, two have recently informed us that they will no longer be able to serve in any capacity due to an increase in their college obligations. The last Anaheim Youth Commission meeting hosted with an established quorum took place on March 9, 2022.
The Community Services Department firmly believes in the importance of youth service, engagement, and perspective. Given the difficulties and challenges described above, we aim to create and establish a new Anaheim Youth Advisory Council (AYAC) to take place of the Anaheim Youth Commission, utilizing the following guidelines. Name Change and Brown Act Exemption
The Anaheim Youth Advisory Council will be a voluntary youth council appointed by the Director of Community Services, or designee, and led by youth with the support of Community Services Department staff. Youth members will not be subject to the Brown Act and meetings will be held with any number of members in attendance.
Number of Youth Council Members and Eligibility-Age Requirement The Anaheim Youth Advisory Council will consist of a total of 18 members; three from each council district, with age-eligibility of 14 to 17 years, or 18 if enrolled in high school or home school.
Application and Interview Process
Selection of members will be made utilizing a rated application and potential interview process beginning in early January. Appointments will be made by the Director of Community Services, or designee, based on the quality of the written application and if applicable, the oral interview results. Selection, Meetings, and Duration of Term
Selection of members will occur annually in early February with regularly scheduled monthly meetings taking place February through November, each year. Selected members will serve one, two-year term; the term will automatically end if a member turns 19 years of age during their tenure. An established eligibility list will be used to select new members, if needed.
Establishment of the Anaheim Youth Advisory Council
December 12, 2023
Qualifications
Applicants must be enrolled in high school or home school and maintain a minimum
2.0 grade point average, be a resident of the city of Anaheim, and able to obtain parent or legal guardian permission to participate.
***Special consideration will be given to all existing Anaheim Youth Commission members through the application and interview process.
The Anaheim Youth Advisory Council will continue to offer perspective, advocacy, and advisement to City Council and Community Services Department staff. Additionally, the newly established youth advisory council will actively contribute and help support Community Services and citywide programs, projects, events, and activities including Youth in Government Day, the Project S.A.Y. Youth Summit, and the annual Dia de Los Muertos community event. Without formal constraints, Community Services staff aim to cultivate a more resilient and impactful youth advisory council that will foster improved energy and engagement among its members to benefit and represent the entire city.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
There is no budgetary impact.
Respectfully submitted,
Sjany Larson-Cash
Director of Community Services