DATE: OCTOBER 22, 2024
DEPARTMENT: ADMINISTRATION
FROM: SOPHIA ROME, COMMUNITY RELATIONS MANAGER
TITLE: SALINAS YOUTH COUNCIL PILOT PROGRAM
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution establishing a City of Salinas Youth Council Pilot Program through July 31, 2025.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Salinas City Council identified establishment of a youth commission as a priority in the Council Strategic Plan. The City’s 2024 Youth Intern team conducted research and made the recommendation to the City Manager to establish a youth council to expand the impact and engagement of the body compared to the limited focus area of a youth commission. The pilot program will allow the City to work with youth to establish a sustainable program that provides youth leadership development and civic engagement opportunities and will align the Youth Councilmember terms with the school year.
BACKGROUND:
The City’s Youth Commission program has been inactive for over five years. In the 2022 Strategic Plan update, the City Council identified reestablishment of a youth commission as a strategy under the Youth and Seniors strategic goal. The City’s 2024 youth interns researched similar youth programs and made a recommendation to the City Manager, which included:
Consider a youth council to expand the impact and engagement of the body compared to the limited focus area of a youth commission One youth councilmember from each high school
Appointed support roles to include:
Youth Clerk – Performs duties like those of the City Clerk and serves as the official record keeper of the Youth Council Youth Communications Officer – Oversees communication, outreach, and engagement efforts of the Youth Council Youth Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer – Makes recommendations to the Youth Council on alignment of items being considered to with the City’s DEI goals and priorities The goals of the pilot program are:
Purpose – Create a sustainable youth council program that will facilitate meaningful youth participation in city government and create leadership development and civic engagement opportunities through program participation Partnerships – Establish community partnerships to increase interest, participation, and program sustainability Procedure – Finalize the policy and procedure for the Youth Council, including purview, meeting frequency, attendance at Council Meetings, and terms The Youth Council will be supported through the City Manager’s Office. Prior to the end of the pilot year, the final policy and program design will be brought back to Council for consideration.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378). In addition, CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 includes the general rule that CEQA applies only to activities which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Because the proposed action and this matter have no potential to cause any effect on the environment, or because it falls within a category of activities excluded as projects pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378, this matter is not a project. Because the matter does not cause a direct or foreseeable indirect physical change on or in the environment, this matter is not a project. Any subsequent discretionary projects resulting from this action will be assessed for CEQA applicability.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES:
No.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
Youth and Seniors
Aligns with the strategy of the establishment of a youth commission Expands volunteer opportunities for youth
Opportunity to continue strengthening the relationship with the school districts Effective and Culturally Responsive Government
Supports effective governance for City commissions
Creates opportunities to hire locally through local government awareness and civic engagement DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
The 2024 youth interns coordinated with the Library and Community Services Department to understand the City’s prior Youth Commission program, which was incorporated into the recommendations to the City Manager.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the establishment of a City of Salinas Youth Council Pilot Program.
Fund
Appropriation
Appropriation
Name
Total Appropriation
Amount for recommendation
FY 24-25 Operating Budget Page
Last Budget Action (Date, Resolution)
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
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