TO:City Council
FROM:Bob Engler, Councilmember
David Newman, Councilmember
DATE:June 20, 2023
SUBJECT: Youth Commission Appointments
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve Youth Commission reappointments of Lindsay Freedman and Helen Reveles to serve one-year terms ending July 2024.
2. Approve Youth Commission reappointments of Benjamin Glaubke and Nithilan Jeyakumar to serve two-year terms ending July 2025.
3. Approve Youth Commission appointments of Chenya Kwon and Alex Lee to serve two-year terms ending July 2025.
4. Find that this action is not a project as defined in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Minimal staff time for costs associated with coordinating interviews, appointments, and preparing support materials is included in the Adopted FY 2022-23 General Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND:
The Youth Commission was established in 1985. It consists of 13 members between the ages of 13 - 18. Members serve two-year, staggered terms. High school seniors may be appointed for one year if they have already served a minimum of one year. The role of the Youth Commission is to serve as an advisory body to the City Council on matters dealing with youth.
An open application period for the current six vacancies was opened March 21, 2023, and closed April 20, 2023. Public outreach took place in March and April and
Youth Commission Appointments
June 20, 2023
6 8
9 included news postings on the City's website, social media channels, and the CityScene e-newsletter. Two ads were run in the Acorn. In addition, special announcements were made to the Teen Center. Complete information can be found on the dedicated Youth Resources webpage (www.toaks.org/youth) on the City website.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
Twenty-six applications were received for the six existing vacancies. Five applicants did not meet the eligibility requirements for the Youth Commission and were, therefore, not interviewed. Two of these applicants are not entering 9th – 11th grade in Fall 2023, one does not live in the City of Thousand Oaks, and two applied after the deadline.
Twenty-one interviews were scheduled for May 30, 2023, in the City Manager’s Office Conference Room. The interview committee consisted of Councilmember Engler and Councilmember Newman. Two applicants declined the interview. After reviewing applications and conducting interviews, the following reappointments are recommended: Lindsay Freedman and Helen Reveles to serve one-year terms during their senior year of high school, as well as Benjamin Glaubke and Nithilan Jeyakumar to serve two-year terms. Additionally, the following appointments are recommended for two-year terms: Chenya Kwon and Alex Lee.
Recommended appointment applications are available for review in the City Clerk Department; applications for minors are not provided as attachments to staff reports.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
A. Create a more equitable, accessible, safe, welcoming, and inclusive government and community regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, language, education, and/or socio-economic status.
G. Continue City's commitment to community and cultural programs and services (such as Performing Arts/Theatres, Libraries, TOTV, Visual Arts,Youth and Senior Programs).
PREPARED BY: Sarah Mailes, Community Services Analyst
CMO: 110-20\wl\H:\COMMON\City Council\Council Items\2023 Staff Reports\062023\062023 Youth Commission Appointments Staff Report.docx