14/06-24
CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
June 24, 2024
TO: City Council
FROM: Office of the City Manager
SUBJECT: APPOINTMENT OF YOUTH COUNCIL MEMBERS
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council authorize, and the Mayor appoint, the 24 applicants nominated to serve one -year terms on the Simi Valley Youth Council, commencing on July 1, 2024, and concluding on June 30, 2025.
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
The Simi Valley Youth Council was established in 1970 as an advisory board to the City Council on issues of concern to local youth. As directed by Resolution No. 2011-14, the Youth Council consists of 21 members and up to three alternates who are in grades 7 throu gh 12. The Youth Council’s composition includes up to ten members that represent each of the three middle schools and four high schools within the Simi Valley Unified School District, 11 to 12 Community at Large representatives, and up to three alternate representatives.
FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
Recruitment for the 24 Youth Council positions opened on March 8, 2024, and concluded on April 2 6, 2024. Youth Council bylaws provide for the reappointment of up to nine returning members. A total of 60 applications were received, 17 of which were received from returning members desiring reappointment. No applications were received from students from Apollo High School ; Monte Vista an independent study/homeschool academy; or other homeschool. According to the bylaws, if no applications are received from any of these alternative education schools, the Community at Large will be allocated an additional representative for the term.
Pursuant to the bylaws, on May 28, 2024, an interview panel comprised of City Cou ncil Member Litster, two non -returning Youth Council members, and Community Services Coordinator Ryan Fowler , reviewed the applications, conducted interviews, and nominated nine incum bents as returning members. On June 12, 2024, and June 13, 2024, an interview panel comprised of four returning Youth Council members reviewed applications, conducted interviews, and made nominations for the 15 remaining Youth
AGENDA ITEM NO.
3(A)5
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Council positions. The process was conducted in accordance with Youth Council bylaws, such that each candidate met all requirements set forth for being a nominee.
Those nominated for Youth Council appointment are shown below:
Royal High School Jasleen Khangura*
Rylan Downey*
Santa Susana High School Advaith Nair*
Nicole Kim
Simi Valley High School Nandhiha Krishnamoorthi*
Kalyssa Ro*
Hillside Middle School Aman Sreejith
Sinaloa Middle School Hannah Khalil
Valley View Middle School Arjun Prabhuram
Community at Large
Ethan Bhat*
Prithika Bijith
Saanvi Daga
Chloe Drury
Abhishek Humbe*
Kirtan Ijju
Tanvi Ijju*
Lakshmi Julakanti
James LeQuang
Rithmika Naveen
Saydee Ro*
Karthik Vishnubhotla
Alternates Nishta Kubsad
Natalie Nguyen
Michelle Sebastian
*Current Youth Council incumbent applicants nominated as returning members
It is recommended that the City Council authorize, and the Mayor appoint, the 24 applicants nominated to serve one -year terms on the Simi Valley Youth Council, commencing on July 1, 2024, and concluding on June 30, 2025.
The following alternatives are available to the City Council:
1. Authorize, and the Mayor appoint, the 24 applicants nominated to serve one-year terms on the Simi Valley Youth Council, commencing on July 1, 202 4, and concluding on June 30, 2025;
2. Provide staff with further direction.
The Youth Council Selection Committees recommend Alternative No. 1. 3 14/06-24
SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL MOTION
I move to authorize, and the Mayor appoint, the 2 4 applicants nominated to serve one - year terms on the Simi Valley Youth Council, commencing on July 1, 202 4, and concluding on June 30, 2025.
SUMMARY
The application period for the 24 Youth Council positions was initiated on March 8, 2024, and concluded on April 26, 2024. A total of 60 applications were received, including 17 incumbent members desiring reappointment. Interview panels met on May 28, June 12, and June 13, 202 4, to interview the applicants. The interview panels nominated 21 applicants for Youth Council membership and three applicants for Youth Council alternate membership. It is recommended that the City Council authorize, and the Mayor appoint, the 24 applicants nominated to serve one -year terms on the Simi Valley Youth Council, commencing on July 1, 2024, and concluding on June 30, 2025.
____________________________________
Linda Swan
Assistant City Manager
Prepared by: Ryan Fowler, Community Services Coordinator