City of Sacramento
City Council - 5PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2022-02014 11/15/2022 Consent Item 28.
Proposal to Establish a Youth Advisory Seat on the Sacramento City Council File ID: 2022-02014
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Pass a Motion: directing the Sacramento Youth Commission (SYC) to (1) review the Proposal for Youth Advisory Seat on City Council, and (2) report feedback on the Proposal to the City Council.
Contact: Jay Schenirer, Councilmember District 5, (916) 808-7005, [email protected], Office of Councilmember Jay Schenirer.
Presenter: None.
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Proposal
Additional Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: The City of Sacramento is researching the viability of creating a Youth Advisory Seat on its City Council in order to recognize the importance of youth voice in policymaking. A cursory review of the City Councils in 8 major cities across the nation (New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Miami, Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles) revealed that none have a youth-designated seat on their legislative body. In the Sacramento region, the only governing bodies that have a youth member are the school districts. Four of the 7 districts serving Sacramento youth have student members on their Boards of Education.
The attached Proposal outlines precursory concepts for the contemplated position.
Policy Considerations: The proposal to create a Youth Advisory Seat on the City Council demonstrates the City’s commitment to elevating youth voice to a significant policymaking level. The National League of Cities (NLC) has worked with local governments to engage young people intentionally and authentically in public policy, planning, and decision-making. Through this work, the
File ID: 2022-02014 11/15/2022 Consent Item 28.
NLC found that, when civic leaders and elected officials intentionally engage youth in their communities, young people’s participation, and their encouragement of peers to do the same, increases. Moreover, the NLC has observed the following benefits resulting from meaningful and authentic youth engagement:
· Budget savings and revenue generation;
· Increased support for city initiatives;
· Improved policies and programs for youth;
· Identification as a youth-friendly community; and
· Improved indicators of well-being among youth.
It is in the City’s interest to recognize that youth are an important part of its systems and communities and that youth perspectives will lend new understanding of the intimate aspects of proposed policies.
If the City ultimately institutes the proposed position, it may necessitate changes to the City Charter and City Code.
Economic Impacts: Negligible.
Environmental Considerations: Not applicable.
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: The Sacramento Youth Commission (SYC) is directed to review the Proposal and provide feedback to City Council. As currently drafted, the proposed position would require amending the Sacramento City Code in order to broaden the powers of the SYC.
Rationale for Recommendation: Creating a Youth Advisory Seat on the City Council is in the City’s long-term interest. By deepening the engagement of young people in the City’s policymaking, the City is creating a new cadre of civic leaders. Moreover, there are multiple benefits documented by the NLC that result when youth are intentionally and authentically engaged in a locality’s policymaking and planning efforts.
Financial Considerations: It is anticipated that the proposed position will be associated with negligible expenditures in the form of a stipend and/or training allowance. Staff continue to review these considerations.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
915 I Street New City Hall 5th Floor
Sacramento, California 95814-2604
[email protected] O: 916.808.7005 F: 916.264.7680 Proposal for Youth Advisory Seat on City Council
The City of Sacramento is poised to make history by creating a youth advisory seat on its City Council and recognizing the importance of youth voice in policymaking. A cursory review of the City Councils in 8 major cities across the nation (New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Miami, Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles) revealed that none have a youth-designated seat on their legislative body. In the Sacramento region, the only governing bodies that have a youth member are the school districts. Four of the 7 districts serving Sacramento youth have student members on their Boards of Education.
Recommendations for the youth seat on City Council are as follows:
Term
2 years
Type of Seat
Preferential voting seat on all matters except closed session with Preferential voting defined as formal expression of opinion that is recorded in the meeting minutes and cast before the official Council vote
Preferential vote shall not affect the final numerical outcome of City Council vote.
Rights
Attendance all council meetings except closed session Seated with councilmembers on dais
Receive all materials at the same time they are presented to Council except those related to closed session as well as all materials between meetings except those for closed session Invited to staff briefings or provided with separate briefing within same timeframe as other Councilmembers
Other Considerations
Considered a member of a legislative body for purposes of Brown Act Not liable for any acts of Council
Shall not be counted in vote to carry any motion or whether a quorum is present Elimination of seat only possible through Council approved resolution
Compensation
For time in trainings, meeting preparation, meeting attendance and Council-related activities
For mileage
Eligibility to Apply
Be a citizen of the United States and a resident of the State of California Be a registered voter and a resident within the City of Sacramento not less than 30 days Be between ages 18-24 at time of swearing in
Participation in:
o Youth leadership program sponsored by the City of Sacramento, County of Sacramento, JPA, or community-based organization with program providing leadership skill-building through a multi-session curriculum;
and/or
o Attendance and public comment at 3-4 Sacramento Youth Commission meetings and/or
o Attendance and public comment at 3-4 Sacramento City Council meetings
Selection Process
Application created by City Clerk and Sacramento Youth Commission (SYC) Application submission to City Clerk
Upon closing of application period, SYC reviews applications and recommends up to 5 candidates to P&PE
P&PE makes recommendation to Council
Council approves
Outreach
Must involve Sacramento Youth Commission
Conducted through
o City-operated youth-serving programs
o CBOs
o All high schools in school districts serving Sacramento youth o SETA
o SCOE
o Community college system
o CSUS
Training and Support
Initial orientation by City Clerk to build knowledge of City Council and to understand responsibilities and expectations
One City staff assigned as “supervisor” for individual Ongoing support prior to each Council meeting provided by a Council office (Councilmember or staff) by reviewing agenda with and answering questions from youth member
Responsibility for ongoing support rotates every two months starting with District 1 through District 8 and ending with Mayor’s office then rotation repeats
Estimated Time Commitment
Preparation for meetings: 4-5 hours/week
Meeting attendance: 4-5 hours/week
Training/support: 1-2 hours/week
Other Council-related activities: 0.5-1 hour/week
Total estimated time: 9.5 - 13 hours/week