DATE: AUGUST 12, 2025
DEPARTMENT: ADMINISTRATION
FROM: LISA MURPHY, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
SOPHIA ROME, COMMUNITY RELATIONS MANAGER
TITLE: 2025 TURNER SCHOLAR INTERN PROGRAM
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Receive an administrative report on the 2025 Turner Scholar Intern Program; no action required.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City of Salinas was selected to participate in the 2025 Turner Scholar Intern Program (youth intern program) through the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Through partnership with ICMA, the youth intern program has allowed the City to bring a structured youth intern program to Salinas to create opportunity to learn about local government administration and gain professional work experience, while supporting the City with advancement of projects and initiatives through research, outreach and engagement. This is the second year the City was selected to participate in the program.
BACKGROUND:
ICMA is a membership association that advances professional local government through leadership, management, innovation, and ethics. Former ICMA member James Kean established an endowment in Bob Turner’s name to ensure that high school students each year have the opportunity to serve a local government as interns under the guidance of ICMA member mentors. The program goals include increasing local government awareness, networking and mentoring, and future success.
The City applied for the ICMA 2025 Turner Scholar Intern program based on the success and opportunities created for the youth through last year’s program. For 2025, the City received 75 applications, and a total of seven interns were selected. Over eight weeks, the interns worked on:
Recommendations on ways to increase small business promotion and economic development Creating an outreach and engagement strategy for the Williams Road Project to be shared with the Public Works Department Conducted a bicyclist helmet audit, developed a framework and recommendations for an annual audit, and developed an education campaign on bicyclist safety Supported 4th of July fireworks outreach and education and developed a content calendar for monthly fire prevention topics, including collateral for the 2025 Fire Prevention Week Researched communication strategies for sharing project-based information tied to funding to increase awareness of how City projects are funded and promoting work happening in the community Completed a toiletry and pet food drive for the unhoused community as a group service project Expanded reach throughout the summer with fun and engaging content on the City’s social media accounts and website Participated in the Kiddie Kapers parade and other public events to increase awareness of the youth development programs that the City of Salinas offers across multiple departments Additionally, the Salinas interns participated in cohorts with other Turner Scholar Interns from across the country in bi-weekly calls and development of three Public Service Announcements for ICMA.
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:
Economic Development
Support and engage both new and established businesses to drive economic growth and job creation Strategically explore and expand economic development opportunities throughout the City City Services
Engage residents and improve communication with the community DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
Coordination in the development of intern programs was between the Administration, Fire and Police Departments.
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
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CITY OF SALINASCOUNCIL STAFF REPORTCITY OF SALINASCOUNCIL STAFF REPORT
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COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
CITY OF SALINAS
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT