City of Sacramento
City Council - 2PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2022-02102 12/6/2022 Discussion Item 23.
Proposed Youth Advisory Liaison to the Sacramento City Council File ID: 2022-02102
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: 1) Review a Resolution for the creation of Youth Advisory Liaison (Resolution) to the City Council; 2) receive feedback from the Sacramento Youth Commission on the Resolution; and 3) adopt the Resolution approving the creation of a Youth Advisory Liaison to the City Council.
Contact: Jay Schenirer, Councilmember District 5, (916) 808-7005, [email protected], Office of Councilmember Schenirer Presenter: Jay Schenirer, Councilmember District 5, (916) 808-7005, [email protected], Office of Councilmember Schenirer Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Resolution
3-Proposal
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: 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 advisory position, held by an individual who is 18-24 years old, to their legislative body. In the Sacramento region, the only governing bodies that have a seated youth member, generally a high school student, are the school districts. Four of the 7 districts serving Sacramento youth have student members on their Boards of Education.
Councilmember Jay Schenirer hereby seeks to create a position that will further elevate the voice of the City’s youth by providing a high profile, transparent, and direct channel between youth and the City Council.
Policy Considerations: The National League of Cities (NLC) has worked with local governments to
File ID: 2022-02102 12/6/2022 Discussion Item 23.
engage young people intentionally and authentically in public policy, planning, and decision-making.
Through this work, the 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.
Although the City has the Sacramento Youth Commission (SYC) in place, not all issues that ultimately reach the City Council that have an impact on youth are reviewed by the SYC. The creation of the Youth Advisory Liaison, held by an individual under the age of 24, institutionalizes the ability of City Council to better understand how proposed policies impact its young people and the future adult citizens of the City.
To demonstrate the City’s commitment to the engagement of youth voice at a significant policymaking level and to recognize the benefits of doing so, a Resolution for the Creation of Youth Advisory Liaison to the City Council (Resolution) will be considered by the City Council for approval. The Resolution provides that the Youth Advisory Liaison will:
· Attend regularly scheduled City Council meetings, except closed sessions or quasi-judicial proceedings, to be available to City Council to provide advice on any matters relating to youth; · Have a designated seat at the dais;
· Receive the City Council agenda at the same time such material is provided to Councilmembers; and
· Be invited to attend staff briefings offered to Councilmembers, except those briefings relating to closed session, quasi-judicial proceedings, personnel or labor matters, or any matters that are otherwise privileged.
The Youth Advisory Liaison will also present a report to the Sacramento Youth Commission, on matters presented to City Council related to youth, no less than once per calendar year or more frequently if necessary.
File ID: 2022-02102 12/6/2022 Discussion Item 23.
To ensure the success of the Youth Advisory Liaison, City staff will review and make recommendations to the City Council regarding potential staffing support for, and a stipend to, the Youth Advisory Liaison.
The selection of the Youth Advisory Liaison will be similar to the process for selecting City commissioners and will include a role for the Sacramento Youth Commission. Applicants for the Youth Advisory Liaison position must be between the ages of 18-24 at the time of appointment and have experience with at least one of the following criteria:
· Participating in a youth leadership program sponsored by the City of Sacramento, the County of Sacramento or a Joint Powers Authority located within the County of Sacramento; · Participating in a leadership skill-building program, through a multi-session curriculum, presented by a community-based organization located within the City of Sacramento; or · Attending and making public comment at a minimum of 3 Sacramento Youth Commission or 3 Sacramento City Council meetings, within the 12 months prior to appointment.
Economic Impacts: Not applicable.
Environmental Considerations: Not applicable.
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: On November 15, 2022, the City Council directed the Sacramento Youth Commission (SYC) to review a proposal for a youth advisory position on the City Council and report back to the City Council with their feedback and recommendations. Since that directive from City Council, a Resolution based on the prior proposal for the creation of a Youth Advisory Liaison to the City Council has been drafted. The SYC has been directed to review the proposed position and provide feedback to the City Council.
Rationale for Recommendation: Creating a Youth Advisory Liaison to 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 expenditures in the form of a stipend and/or training allowance and potential staffing support as staff continue to review these considerations.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
File ID: 2022-02102 12/6/2022 Discussion Item 23.
Background: As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting youth within the City of Sacramento, the City Council established the SYC in 2019. (Ord. 2019-0010.) The SYC provides a means to engage community youth while providing them with a platform for their opinions and advice.
On August 31, 2022, the City Council directed staff to research the viability of a youth advisory position to the Sacramento City Council, to further explore ways to empower community youth and bring the voice of youth to Council discussions.
On November 15, 2022, the City Council directed the SYC to review a proposal for a youth advisory position on the City Council and report back to City Council with their recommendations. Since that directive from City Council, a Resolution for the Creation of Youth Advisory Liaison to City Council has been drafted, that is based upon the prior proposal. The SYC is to review the Resolution and provide feedback to City Council.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
[DATE]
Creation of Youth Advisory Liaison to City Council
BACKGROUND
The City Council finds and declares the following:
A. Integrating the voice of youth within governmental processes serves the best interests of not only youth, but the also the larger Sacramento community of which they are a part.
B. The City Council recognizes the importance of elevating and integrating the voice of youth between the ages of 18 and 24, in the City of Sacramento’s policymaking process.
C. As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting youth within the City of Sacramento, the City Council established the Sacramento Youth Commission (SYC) in 2019. (Ord. 2019-0010.) The SYC provides a means to engage community youth while providing them with a platform for their opinions and advice.
D. On August 31, 2022, the City Council directed staff to research the viability of a youth advisory position to the Sacramento City Council, to further explore ways to empower community youth and bring the voice of youth to Council discussions.
E. The City Council now hereby seeks to create a position that that will further elevate the voice of the City’s youth by providing a high profile, transparent, and direct channel between youth and the City Council.
BASED ON THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE BACKGROUND, THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The City Council directs the City Manager to establish the position of Youth Advisory Liaison to the City Council, within the Office of Youth Development, to serve a term of 2 years from the date of appointment.
Section 2: The Youth Advisory Liaison shall:
A. Attend regularly scheduled City Council meetings, except closed sessions or quasi-judicial proceedings, to be available to City Council to provide advice on any matters relating to youth;
B. Have a designated seat at the dais;
C. Receive the City Council agenda at the same time such material is provided to Councilmembers; and
D. Be invited to attend staff briefings offered to Councilmembers, except those briefings relating to closed session, quasi-judicial proceedings, personnel or labor matters, or any matters that are otherwise privileged.
Section 3: The Youth Advisory Liaison shall present a report to the Sacramento Youth Commission, on matters presented to City Council related to youth, no less than once per calendar year. Nothing in this resolution shall prohibit the Youth Advisory Liaison from presenting to the Sacramento Youth Commission with greater frequency.
Section 4: The City Council directs staff to review and make recommendations to the City Council regarding potential staffing support for, and a stipend to, the Youth Advisory Liaison.
Section 5: The City Council shall establish the process by which the Youth Advisory Liaison will participate during City Council Meetings.
Section 6: The City Council directs the City Manager’s Office to establish a selection process similar to the process for selecting City commissioners and which shall include a role for the Sacramento Youth Commission.
Section 7: Applicants for the Youth Advisory Liaison position must be between the ages of 18-24 at the time of appointment, and have experience with at least one of the following criteria:
A. Participating in a youth leadership program sponsored by the City of Sacramento, the County of Sacramento or a Joint Powers Authority located within the County of Sacramento;
B. Participating in a leadership skill-building program, through a multi- session curriculum, presented by a community-based organization located within the City of Sacramento; or
C. Attending and making public comment at a minimum of 3 Sacramento Youth Commission or 3 Sacramento City Council meetings, within the 12 months prior to appointment.
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