CITY OF SAN MATEO
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 26 Section Name: {{section.name}} Account Number: 10-1511 File ID: {{item.tracking_number}} TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: City Clerk's Office
MEETING DATE: August 19, 2024
SUBJECT:
Youth Commissioners – Ordinance Introduction
RECOMMENDATION:
Introduce an ordinance to amend San Mateo Municipal Code Chapter 2.15 “Library Board,” Chapter 2.28 “Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission,” and Chapter 2.29 “Senior Citizens Commission” to provide for Council appointment of two non-voting youth advisory members to each of these entities.
BACKGROUND:
A City Council priority for fiscal year 2023-24 is to “explore increasing representation of youth and seniors on City Boards and Commissions.” At a March 4, 2024 study session, the City Council directed staff to provide for the appointment of youth members to the Library Board, Senior Citizens Commission, and Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission. The proposed ordinance accompanying this staff report is similar to an ordinance introduced by the City Council on February 21, 2023, and later adopted, allowing non-voting youth members of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
The Council appoints members of boards and commissions, and while serving, they must possess the same qualifications under the Charter for election or appointment to the Council. Charter §6.05. Each Councilmember must be a qualified elector and resident of the City and must have continuously lived in the City for 30 days immediately preceding the appointment. Charter §2.01(b). Under State law, qualified electors are U.S. citizens at least 18 years of age. Elec. §321. As such, applicants to boards and commissions must be at least 18 years old.
City Charter section 6.05 contains several additional requirements. For example, the membership of a particular board or commission cannot exceed the number of Councilmembers, unless the voters approve the ordinance establishing the additional number or a unanimous vote of the Council. Also, members of boards and commissions are appointed for terms of four years, except to allow for staggered terms of the initial members of a body. Finally, board and commission members are limited to serving two consecutive four-year terms, except that partial terms do not count towards the term limit. Charter section 6.03 imposes similar requirements on the Library Board.
The Library Board, the Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission, and the Senior Citizens Commission each consist of five (5) members appointed by the Council. Each member serves at the pleasure of the Council and for a term of four years, or until the appointment and qualification of a successor.
The two non-voting youth advisory members must be at least 13 years old, and no more than 17 years old at the time of appointment (“Youth Board Members” or “Youth Commissioners”). They must present written documentation of parental or guardian consent to be considered for appointment, and if appointed would not count towards a quorum. Like other members of the commission, youth advisory members would serve at the pleasure of the Council.
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Under this proposal, youth members would be appointed for one year but could be reappointed for an additional one-year term. The youth advisory members would not be “members” for purposes of the Charter but would instead serve as non- voting advisory members. Thus, a unanimous Council vote is not required, and youth advisory members could serve for less than a four-year term.
In addition, the City currently offers opportunities for youth engagement in local government through the Youth Activities Council (“YAC”), which seeks to provide a voice for youth in the community and offers opportunities for civic engagement and youth advocacy. YAC members are required to be residents of the City of San Mateo or students attending a high school in San Mateo, entering 9th through 12th grade by the beginning of each fall term, and willing to attend monthly meetings and events.
BUDGET IMPACT:
There is no budget impact associated with this administrative action.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
This ordinance introduction is not a project subject to CEQA, because it can be seen with certainty that it will not cause a physical change in the environment. (Public Resources Code Section 21065.)
NOTICE PROVIDED
All meeting noticing requirements were met.
ATTACHMENTS
Att 1 – Draft Ordinance
Att 2 – Draft Ordinance Track Changes
STAFF CONTACT
Martin McTaggart, City Clerk
[email protected]
(650) 522-7044