03 Staff Report - Youth Commission~I% N 0
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
!ps°GA:~pS
DATE: JUNE 1, 2005
MEETING DATE: 06-06-05
ITEM NO. 3
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: DEBRA J. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: YOUTH COMMISSION
A. ADOPT RESOLUTION RESCINDING RESOLUTION 2004-67 AND
ESTABLISHING RULES FOR THE YOUTH COMMISSION
B. RATIFY APPOINTMENTS OF MEMBERS AND ALTERNATES TO
THE LOS' GATOS YOUTH COMMISSION AS RECOMMENDED BY
THE AD HOC COUNCIL SUB-COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Adopt resolution rescinding resolution 2004-67 and establishing rules for the Youth
Commission.
2. Ratify appointments of members and alternates to the Youth Commission as recommended
by the Ad Hoc Council Sub-Committee.
BACKGROUND:
On June 7, 2004, the Town Council adopted a resolution regarding the establishment of a Youth
Commission and ratified the appointments of the first 15 members and 5 alternates of the Youth
Commission as recommended by an Ad Hoc Council sub-committee. At its first official meeting,
the new Youth Commission conducted a drawing to determine which members would have two-year
terms and which members would have a one-year term in order to ensure staggered terms allowing
for vacancies in about one-half of the Commission seats in any given year. Seven members of the
Commission drew one-year terms, prompting the need to fill seven seats for the upcoming year, as
well as the five seats for alternates. Recruitment efforts for applicants to fill these seats included
distribution of letters to local schools and non-local schools which Los Gatos youth attend, press
releases to the local media, and posting of the opportunity on the Town's website. The Town
received 30 applicants from eligible candidates for the seats on the Youth Commission.
f Lce,P~ QS deg ca Vaa_
PREPARED BY: PAMELA S. JACOBS
ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER
N:\MMMacobs\Youth Commission\YC staff report 05.wpd
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney Clerk Administrator
4&s Finance Community Development V Revised: 6/1/05 12:11 pin
Reformatted: 5/30/02
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: YOUTH COMMISSION RESOLUTION AND RATIFICATION OF
APPOINTMENTS
(June 1, 2005)
DISCUSSION:
An Ad Hoc Council sub-committee comprised of Mayor Wasserman, Council member Spector,
Assistant Town Manager Pamela Jacobs, Captain Dave Gravel, and Mike Loya, Youth Coordinator
at Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation interviewed the applicants. Youth Commissioner Jacqui Kemp
participated in the interviews, as well, to provide a youth perspective. The interviews included both
individual and group interviews, with the recommendations for appointment based on composite
assessments from these interviews. All of the applicants demonstrated initiative and community
spirit in applying for a seat on the Youth Commission, and should be commended for their effort.
In general, the recommended appointments are comprised of youth from the grade levels of the
vacated seats to maintain a balance of youth representation on the Commission. The recommended
member and alternate appointments are listed on Attachment 1.
Several issues regarding the current Resolution 2004-67 arose during the preparation for the
interview process. The Ad Hoc Council sub-committee and.staff are recommending the following
changes to the current resolution to address these issues:
• Clarify that the term for alternates is one year. This was inadvertently left out of the original
resolution.
• Allow 12`h graders to apply for a one-year term on the Commission. Although a one-year
term for 12`h graders could affect somewhat the objective to achieve a balance of staggered
terms among the Commissioners, the value of appointing a qualified 12`h grader may
outweigh the disadvantages.
• Establish a one-term limit (two year maximum) for Youth Commissioners to allow more
youth the opportunity to participate on the Commission, and to maximize the youth
perspectives weighing in on Town issues. (An alternate would be eligible for one year as an
alternate and a two-year term.)
• Update resolution to reflect ongoing operation of the Youth Commission rather than the first
year of the Commission.
CONCLUSION:
The Council Ad Hoc sub-committee and staff recommend that Council ratify the appointments of
members and alternates as reflected on Attachment 1 and adopt the resolution with the changes noted
above (Attachment 2). The next official meeting ofthe Youth Commission will occur in September;
however, the Commission and staff may plan an orientation session for the new members during the
summer. Police Department staff will continue to provide support to the Youth Commission, and,
along with the Manager's Office, will monitor its effectiveness and identify opportunities for
Commission involvement in Town issues and projects.
PAGE 3
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: YOUTH COMMISSION RESOLUTION AND RATIFICATION OF
APPOINTMENTS
(June 1, 2005)
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
Is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds for staff support to the Youth Commission are available within the Police Department
operating budget and the Town-wide commission training budget.
Attachments:
I . Recommended Member and Alternate Appointments to the Youth Commission
2. Resolution Rescinding Resolution 2004-67 and Establishing Rules for the Youth
Commission.
LOS GATOS YOUTH COMMISSION
RECOMMENDED APPOINTMENTS
June 6, 2005
Members Entering Grade
Hallie Barnes
8
Ellen Rockdale
8
Jan Van Bruggen
8
Yizhi (Amy) Zhang
9
Jonathan Berthet
11
Forest Gallien
12 (one-year term)
Melody Fitzgerald
12 (one-year term)
Alternates
Becky Kon
9
Olivia Rose Colliver
10
Katie Saunders
10
Ashley Yuki
11
Sherine Rahimi
12
ATTACHMENT 1
RESOLUTION 2005 -
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
RESCINDING RESOLUTION 2004 - 67 AND
ESTABLISHING RULES FOR THE YOUTH COMMISSION
WHEREAS, it is recognized that a youth perspective on issues which pertain to the
youth in the community is an important part of decision making in Town; and .
WHEREAS, there is value in increasing communication between adults and youth; and
WHEREAS, there is value in having a mechanism for youth to have a voice in Town
affairs and issues relating to youth; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos found and determined that the
purpose of the Youth Commission is to foster and encourage civic and neighborhood
pride and a sense of identity through the knowledge, understanding, and increased
involvement of the Town's youth in the Town's present and future municipal affairs.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE
TOWN OF LOS GATOS:
There is a need for a Youth Commission to function in the Town of Los Gatos, which
would establish a formal body by which the youth of Los Gatos would have a voice in the
community.
a. There is hereby established a Youth Commission which shall generally be
responsible for studying various problems, activities and other issues of concern
to the youth in general, and for advising Council on matters pertaining to issues
involving the youth of Los Gatos.
b. Membership/Organization
i. The Youth Commission shall consist of fifteen (15) members. The members
shall be students who are entering grades 8 through 12. Membership for the
students requires either residency in the incorporated limits of the Town of Los
Gatos and enrollment in any accredited school, or residency in the
unincorporated areas of the County of Santa Clara, which have a Los Gatos
mailing address, and enrollment in a school located in the Town of Los Gatos.
ii. Up to five (5) Alternates may be appointed to the Youth Commission, with one
representing each grade level appointed to the Commission. The alternates
shall be students who are entering grades 8 through 12. Membership as an
ATTACHMENT 2
Alternate requires either residency in the incorporated limits of the Town of Los
Gatos and enrollment in any accredited school, or residency in the
unincorporated areas of the County of Santa Clara, which have a Los Gatos
mailing address, and enrollment in a school located in the Town of Los Gatos.
An Alternate shall serve on the Youth Commission in the event a member from
that grade or the next higher or lower grade if more than one member from a
particular grade is no longer able to serve the remainder of his/her term.
iii. The terms of office of the members shall be two (2) years, unless such member
is first appointed upon entering the 12`h grade whereby the term of office shall
be one (1) year. Members will serve until their successors are appointed and
qualified, except any appointments to fill an unexpired term shall be for such
unexpired period. The terms of office of an alternate shall be one (1) year.
Members shall serve a maximum of one term (2 years); however, an alternate
may serve one year as an alternate. and a two-year teen as a member.
iv. Eight (8) voting members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the
purpose of transacting business.
v. Commission members shall serve without compensation, provided that, with
advance budgetary approval of the Town Council, the actual and necessary
expenses (if any) incurred by the members in the conduct of Town business
shall be reimbursable pursuant to the current Council policy.
vi. The Commission shall hold a regular meeting at least once each month between
September and June. The Commission shall establish a regular time and
location for its meetings and shall otherwise call and conduct its meetings in
compliance with the provision s of the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code
Sections 54950 and following.) The Commission shall elect a Chair and Vice-
Chair, both of whom shall serve at the pleasure of the Commission. Terms of
office shall be for one (1) year and shall begin on the first meeting September
and end the following September.
vii. Minutes of the actions taken during its meetings shall be kept and filed with the
Town Clerk.
viii. Meeting attendance requirements will conform with the current Town
Resolution. '
C. The duties of the Commission shall include the following:
i. Foster greater involvement of youth in municipal government affairs.
ii. Study problems, activities, and concerns of youth, especially as they relate to
municipal programs or projects of the Town of Los Gatos.
iii. Hold forums on problems, activities and concerns of youth, either alone or in
conjunction with other governmental agencies and community organizations, as the
Commission deems desirable.
iv. Review municipal matters referred to the Commission by the Town Council or
I other Town boards, committees, or commissions and, as appropriate, make
recommendations on those matters.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los
Gatos, California, held on the 6t" day of June, 2005 by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
SIGNED:
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
ATTEST:
CLERK ADMINISTRATOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA