Chapter 2.12
YOUTH COMMISSION
Sections:
2.12.060 Duties and responsibilities.
2.12.010 Established.
A. The Youth Commission of the City, hereinafter referred to in this chapter as the “Commission,” is created.
B. The Youth Commission is a standing commission. [Ord. 30-2010 §1, eff. 2-11-11; Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 45-2008 §3, eff. 10-10-2008]
2.12.020 Membership.
A. The Commission shall consist of ten (10) members. At time of appointment each member shall be: 1) no less than thirteen (13) years of age and no more than eighteen (18) years of age; 2) a student in grades seven (7) through twelve (12), in an approved education program for middle school or high school students; and 3) a resident of the City or its sphere of influence, at the time of application for appointment and continuously thereafter. The sphere of influence is defined to include circumstances where a member attends an Elk Grove school but lives just outside the City limits. Immediate family members of City Council Members shall not be eligible for appointment.
In addition to ensuring each Council district is represented to the greatest extent possible given the number of qualified applicants, every effort will also be made to ensure that the composition of the Youth Commission equitably represents area high schools (public, private, and charter); provided, that each appointee meets the residency requirement. Every effort will also be made to appoint applicants from a variety of grade levels who also meet the age requirements for membership.
B. A quorum shall constitute six (6) members. [Ord. 9-2021 §2, eff. 5-14-2021; Ord. 21-2012 §4, eff. 11-9-2012; Ord. 17-2012 §2, eff. 8-24-12; Ord. 30-2010 §1, eff. 2-11-11; Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 45-2008 §3, eff. 10-10-2008]
2.12.030 Term limits.
A. Members of the Commission shall serve for a two (2) year term. No person appointed as a Commissioner shall be eligible to serve more than two (2) consecutive terms (a total of four (4) years).
B. The Commission shall select a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Historian, and Communications Officer from among its members. Vice Chair will assume Chair responsibilities when Chair is absent. If Chair and Vice Chair are both absent, an acting Chair shall be selected from the Commission officers in attendance either by the City Manager or authorized designee (Youth Commission Advisor) to facilitate the meeting. A Commission member may only serve in the same officer position for no more than a total of two (2) years. The term of each officer position shall be one (1) year. The Commission will vote yearly to appoint members to the offices of Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Historian, and Communications Officer. Commissioners holding officer positions agree to fulfilling duties and tasks listed in EGMC Section 2.12.060.
C. Any member may resign from the Commission prior to the completion of his or her term by submitting a resignation letter to the City Clerk with a copy to the City Manager or authorized designee (Youth Commission Advisor). If a midterm vacancy occurs, the City Council may consider applicants from the most recent annual appointment process or authorize a new recruitment process. [Ord. 9-2021 §2, eff. 5-14-2021; Ord. 30-2010 §1, eff. 2-11-11; Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 45-2008 §3, eff. 10-10-2008]
2.12.040 Meetings.
A. The Commission shall schedule at least one (1) meeting per month at a designated time and place. The Youth Commission year runs September through May and takes recess June through August. All members are required to attend every scheduled regular and special meeting and Youth Commission events. Three (3) excused absences shall be allowed per year. An absence must be communicated to the Youth Commission Advisor in advance of the scheduled meeting to be considered excused. Appropriate reasons for absence may include but not be limited to death in the family, illness, school activity, or other unforeseen circumstance. More than three (3) excused absences shall result in forfeiture of the appointment to the Commission. Commission members are required to contact the Youth Commission Advisor prior to the meeting start time if they will be absent or late. If a Commissioner does not contact the Advisor and arrives more than fifteen (15) minutes after the start of a scheduled meeting or event, an unexcused absence will be counted. Two (2) late arrivals shall count as one (1) unexcused absence. Commissioners holding officer positions are expected to exceed these attendance and punctuality expectations.
B. A majority of members shall constitute a quorum at any regular or special meeting of the Commission. For this Commission, a quorum is defined by six (6) members.
C. The Commission will use an ad hoc committee structure to meet outside of the regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Ad hoc committees will allow for spontaneous meetings to work on special projects. An ad hoc committee will consist of five (5) members or less so as not to violate the Brown Act or break the quorum requirements.
D. The City Manager, or authorized designee (also defined as Youth Commission Advisor), will provide support to the Commission. [Ord. 9-2021 §2, eff. 5-14-2021; Ord. 30-2010 §1, eff. 2-11-11; Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 45-2008 §3, eff. 10-10-2008]
2.12.050 Rules and records.
Minutes of the Commission shall be prepared by the Youth Commission Secretary, in consultation with the City Manager or Youth Commission Advisor, and filed with the Office of the City Clerk. Minutes approved by formal action of the Commission shall be held as a public record. [Ord. 9-2021 §2, eff. 5-14-2021; Ord. 30-2010 §1, eff. 2-11-11; Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 45-2008 §3, eff. 10-10-2008]
2.12.060 Duties and responsibilities.
The tasks outlined below lay the foundation of the Commission and provide a guide of expectations of each Commissioner by the City Council. These tasks are to be considered the charge and direction of the City Council.
A. Commission Officer Roles.
1. Chair – Runs all meetings, acts as a spokesperson for the Commission, meets regularly with the Youth Commission Advisor, engages Commission participation.
2. Vice Chair – Works closely with the Chair and fills in when Chair is unavailable; monitors and reports attendance; and provides guidance and updates to Commission members absent from meeting(s).
3. Secretary – Documents meeting notes and official records, drafts minutes, presents to Youth Commission Advisor for review and Commission approval.
4. Historian – Documents events and projects for Commission, takes pictures, and prepares presentation for semi-annual City Council report.
5. Communications Officer – Develops and maintains a communication network to disseminate information about projects and events to the City Council, community youth, and other stakeholders; monitors Youth Commission website and social media platforms and works with Youth Commission Advisor for edits and content.
B. Develop and maintain a yearly strategic plan outlining the areas of focus for the Commission.
C. Review issues relating to programs and services for children and youth.
D. Identify and recommend priorities among programs and services for children and youth.
E. Create a forum for discussion with children, youth and their families.
F. Advocate for services and programs for children and youth.
G. Make recommendations for programs, policies, and necessary legislation to promote the health and well-being of children, youth and their families.
H. Work with the public and private sectors to bring forth the concerns of children and youth as well as evaluate programming that will enhance the development of children and youth.
I. Provide two (2) presentations each year to the City Council at designated City Council meetings.
J. Commissioners who hold officer positions are expected to fulfill assigned duties and have increased participation. [Ord. 9-2021 §2, eff. 5-14-2021; Ord. 30-2010 §1, eff. 2-11-11; Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 45-2008 §3, eff. 10-10-2008]