REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Adoption of a Resolution Amending Resolution No. 6047 Regarding the Youth Commission
Report
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clara Youth Commission was established on June 6, 1995 by Ordinance No. 1673 (Attachment 1), is subject to City Code section 2.120.030, and members are appointed by the City Council. The Youth Commission serves in an advisory capacity to Council and makes recommendations on matters pertaining to the youth and teen population, especially as relates to municipal programs and City projects. The Commission operates under the supervision of a staff liaison designated by the City Manager.
On July 25, 1995, Council passed Resolution No. 6047 (Attachment 2) which further defined eligibility criteria for membership and granted powers and duties to the Commission as follows:
1. The Youth Commission shall be comprised of 15 residents of the City of Santa Clara, ages 12-19;
2. Youth Commission members serve a one-year term with a maximum term of service of four calendar years;
3. Appointees cannot hold a paid office or be employed by the City;
4. The Commission should include at least one representative from each high school and middle school in the City.
On May 21, 2019, Council adopted Resolution No. 19-8707 to amend Resolution No. 6047 to update the Youth Commission Selection process.
The date and time of Commission meetings is not defined in the existing City Resolution. However, it has been the City’s practice to hold regular meetings of the Commission on the second Tuesday of each month, September through May, at 6:00 p.m. The purpose of this report is to request approval to amend Resolution 6047 to reflect this practice. In addition, it is recommended that Council also amend the Resolution to set a maximum of six, one-year terms that align to the academic/school year. This will enable middle school appointees to serve throughout their high school careers.
DISCUSSION
Currently, the regular meeting schedule for the Youth Commission is not defined in the Resolution. The proposed Amended Resolution (Attachment 3), if adopted, will set the regular meeting day and time as “the second Tuesday of the month, September through May, at 6:00 p.m.” to align to past practice.
Currently, Youth Commission members are limited to four, one-year terms. For those students who are appointed in middle school, this limits the student’s ability to serve in their sophomore through senior years. Amending the term, as proposed, will allow up to six, one-year terms for those students who are appointed in middle school. This may encourage continuity of service, facilitate representation of teens of all ages and may benefit the operational efficiency of the Commission based on the increased experience and knowledge gained over the additional years of service. Moreover, the changes will update the Commission’s operations to better reflect best practices and standards related to representation of both middle and high school students.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact other than administrative time and expense to set the meetings.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Youth Commission agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> <<mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Action on Adoption of a Resolution Amending Resolution No. 6047 Regarding the Youth Commission
Staff
Reviewed by: James Teixeira, Director of Parks and Recreation
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ordinance No. 1673
2. Resolution 6047
3. Proposed Amended Resolution