DATE: April 19, 2022
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Hayward Area Recreation and Parks District and Hayward Unified School District to Fund and Administer the Youth Commission
RECOMMENDATION
That Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) authorizing the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Hayward Area Recreation and Parks District (HARD) and Hayward Unified School District (HUSD) to fund and administer the Hayward Youth Commission and provide youth in the City with a means of communicating their concerns, needs, and opinions to HARD, HUSD, and the City.
SUMMARY
This staff report is to authorize the approval of an MOU for the Youth Commission. While the Youth Commission has operated since 1992 as a partnership between HARD, HUSD, and the City, it has done so without a formal operating agreement beyond the resolutions adopted by each agency. The MOU will generally formalize the partnership, establish clearer responsibilities and roles for each agency and the staff advisors to the Commission, nominally increase the annual financial support each agency provides to the Commission, and allow the financial support to roll over from fiscal year to fiscal year.
BACKGROUND
The Hayward Youth Commission (HYC) was established on September 22, 1992, by City Council via Resolution No. 92-277. The City of Hayward, HUSD, and HARD participated in the development and endorsed the establishment of the HYC. Currently, all three agencies participate in the selection of Commissioners, staff the Commission, and financially support the Commission with an annual contribution of $1,000 per agency. The City serves as the fiscal agent for the Hayward Youth Commission.
The Hayward Youth Commission advises HARD, HUSD, and the City on issues that affect and are of interest or concern to youth in the Hayward community. The HYC body composition for the 2022 year comprises ten alternate and 19 commissioner members, ranging from 13 to 20 years old. Commissioners are appointed upon the recommendation of a six-member interview panel made of two elected officials from each participating agency. Commissioners meet on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month to provide perspectives on policy issues concerning safety, health, environment, education, and teen resources to help the City Council understand matters that may affect Hayward youth.
HYC members work on various projects and activities throughout the year, e.g., identifying youth needs and organizing youth speak-outs and conferences. Additionally, HYC members actively promote and engage in leadership, development, and volunteer activities throughout the community, some of which include:
Adopt-a-Block Earth Day Clean Up
Annual Youth Conference
Annual Youth Fair
Annual Youth Summit
Covid-19 Safe Earth Day
Facebook Youth Councils Program
Fundraising for the Hayward Homeless Shelter
Hayward Animal Shelter Day of Service
Heritage Plaza Clean up
Keep Hayward Clean & Green Clean-up Events
Racial Equity Training
The variety of activities allows for enhanced individual development as it provides youth with opportunities to enact real change in their community. This partnership allows the City to grow future leaders, supports the City’s youth volunteer opportunities, and introduces younger residents to the democratic process.
DISCUSSION
In February of this year, during the Hayward Local Agencies Committee (HLAC) meeting, staff introduced a MOU to be formalized and adopted for the period of July 1, 2021 through July 30, 2023. While the Hayward Youth Commission has operated since 1992 as a partnership between HARD, HUSD, and the City, it has done so without a formal operating agreement beyond the resolutions adopted by each agency. The MOU will formalize the partnership, establish clearer responsibilities and roles for each agency and staff advisors to the Commission, nominally increase the annual financial contribution each agency provides to the Commission, and allow the financial support to carry forward from fiscal year to fiscal year.
FISCAL IMPACT
The MOU requests an additional $500 in annual contribution to fund Hayward Youth Commission activities for a total annual contribution of $1,500 per agency. The additional $500 for this year will be absorbed into the existing FY 2022 budget, and included in budget proposals in subsequent fiscal years. The MOU is stated retroactively to ensure the HYC receives funding for this year’s activities.
STRATEGIC ROADMAP
This agenda is a routine operational item and does not directly relate to any of the six priorities outlined in the Council’s Strategic Roadmap.
NEXT STEPS
Following Council approval of the attached resolution, the City Manager will negotiate and execute a MOU between the City of Hayward, HARD, and HUSD. The Youth Commission will continue to meet and conduct its business.
Prepared by: Bryant Duong, Graduate Intern
Approved by:
Kelly McAdoo, City Manager