DATE: JUNE 17, 2025
DEPARTMENT: ADMINISTRATION
FROM: LISA MURPHY, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
SOPHIA ROME, COMMUNITY RELATIONS MANAGER
TITLE: EXTENSION OF SALINAS YOUTH COUNCIL PILOT PROGRAM RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution extending the City of Salinas Youth Council pilot program through July 31, 2027.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On October 22, 2024, the Council approved the establishment of a Youth Council Pilot Program through July 31, 2025, following a recommendation made to the City Manager by the City’s 2024 Youth Interns. The City has established partnerships with the Salinas Union High School District (SUHSD) and the County of Monterey “Striving to Reduce Youth Violence Everywhere” (STRYVE) program to enhance the Youth Council program framework that provides youth leadership development and civic engagement opportunities with alternating two-year terms. With the application period closing in June 2025, the recommendation is to extend the pilot program through July 31, 2027, to allow for a full Youth Council term, which will inform the final recommendations to the City Council before the end of the pilot program period.
BACKGROUND:
The City’s Youth Commission program has been inactive for over five years. In 2024, the City’s Turner Scholar Youth Interns researched similar youth programs from across the country as part of their internship and made a recommendation to the City Manager to establish a Youth Council versus a Youth Commission to expand the focus beyond youth-related initiatives and increase youth civic engagement with the City Council and leadership.
The City has partnered with the SUHSD and Monterey County STRYVE to enhance the program framework, creating a youth council framework designed to facilitate meaningful youth participation in city government and create leadership development and civic engagement opportunities. The Youth Council will attend City Council meetings, provide comments on Agenda items, and make recommendations to the Council using tools like Crime Prevention Through Youth Environmental Design (CEPTD).
The Youth Council program will include activities like:
Youth Council representation and participation at City Council meetings Regular administrative updates to the SUHSD Board
Serve as liaisons between the each SUHSD high schools’ Associated Student Body (ASB) youth leadership and principals to increase civic engagement and outreach Leadership and skill development
Community service projects
The Youth Council will be supported through the City Manager’s Office. Prior to the end of the pilot period, the final policy and program design will be brought back to the Council for adoption.
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
Improve, expand and develop youth and senior facilities and programs Public Safety
Increase collaboration with partner agencies to address public safety public health issues City Services
Promote equitable access to City services and foster inclusive development Engage residents and improve communication with the community DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with extending the City of Salinas Youth Council pilot program. 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
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:
Draft Resolution
Page | 3
Page | 1
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