Chapter 2.90
YOUTH COUNCIL
Sections:
2.90.040 Election of officers.
2.90.060 Youth Council Member responsibilities.
2.90.080 Termination of membership.
2.90.010 Created.
There is created a Youth Council for the City of Gladstone having the duties and responsibilities provided in this chapter.
History: Ord. 1529 §1 (Exh. A), 2024.
2.90.020 Purpose.
The Gladstone Youth Council (Youth Council) is created to provide local students a voice in their municipal government, build an understanding of governance and leadership and to provide opportunities to engage and serve the community. The Youth Council shall be guided by the belief that local involvement at a young age is crucial to ensuring a well-informed and engaged citizenry in the future and to provide an opportunity for members to become equipped with the knowledge and leadership skills necessary to become active contributors in the community now and in the future.
History: Ord. 1529 §1 (Exh. A), 2024.
2.90.030 Membership.
The Youth Council shall consist of seven youth members, one nonvoting City Councilor appointed by the Mayor, and the nonvoting City Administrator (or designee).
(1) Members of the Youth Council shall be high school students at the time of swearing in and shall reside within the city limits of Gladstone and/or attend Gladstone High School or a homeschooled equivalent.
(2) The term of service operates on an academic year that shall be considered from September through June and there are no term limits. A special meeting in August may be scheduled to prepare for each term.
(3) All youth member applicants shall submit an application and will be interviewed by the City Councilor liaison and City Administrator (or designee) before being appointed.
(4) After interviews are conducted the City Council will by majority vote consider approval of the City Councilor liaison and City Administrator (or designee) recommendations to the Youth Council.
(5) Appointed Youth Council members may be re-appointed for an additional term without an interview at the discretion of the City Councilor liaison. Future appointments may require a recommitment interview.
(6) All new Youth Council members shall be sworn in by the City Councilor liaison at the first regular City Council meeting in September.
History: Ord. 1529 §1 (Exh. A), 2024.
2.90.040 Election of officers.
(1) Co-Chairs.
(a) At the beginning of each term the Youth Council shall elect Co-Chairs, who shall hold the positions for one term of service. The co-chairs shall be a junior or senior in high school if possible.
(b) The Co-Chairs are responsible for running the Youth Council meetings, assigning tasks, and working with the City Councilor liaison to set the upcoming agendas.
(2) Communication Coordinator.
(a) At the beginning of each term the Youth Council shall elect a communication coordinator.
(b) The Communication Coordinator is mainly responsible for the strategic coordination of all communications on behalf of the Youth Council. This could include social media platforms (in accordance with the city social media policy), websites, flyers, and communications on specific outreach projects identified in the annual work plan.
(3) Additional Assignments. Youth Council members shall have the ability to create and elect for additional assignments (i.e., secretary, treasurer, etc.) with the concurrence of the City Councilor liaison.
History: Ord. 1529 §1 (Exh. A), 2024.
2.90.050 Meetings and quorum.
(1) The Youth Council shall meet at least once a month. The City Councilor liaison or City Administrator (or designee) may call for a special meeting outside of the regular meetings for a reasonable purpose.
(2) All meetings shall be open to the public and public meetings laws shall apply.
(3) A majority of appointed members shall constitute a quorum.
(4) If a quorum is present, all matters shall be decided by a vote of the majority present.
History: Ord. 1529 §1 (Exh. A), 2024.
2.90.060 Youth Council Member responsibilities.
(1) Review and prepare strategies addressing issues of interest in the greater Gladstone community determined to be of importance by the Youth Council.
(2) Members shall participate in an annual work plan session at the beginning of each term.
(3) Members shall be responsible for completing tasks and projects as assigned.
(4) The Youth Council shall prepare an annual report at the end of the term to present to the City Council detailing the accomplishments, challenges, areas for improvement, and goals for the future.
(5) Members shall remain in good standing by maintaining passing grades.
History: Ord. 1529 §1 (Exh. A), 2024.
2.90.070 Absences.
(1) A missed meeting is qualified as excused if a member informs the City Councilor liaison as soon as it has become known they will miss the meeting and states the reason for not attending. The City Councilor liaison will make the final determination of whether the absence is excused or unexcused.
(2) If a member has more than two unexcused absences the member will meet privately with the City Councilor liaison to determine the status of membership.
(3) If a member is still on the Youth Council after the determination of membership then any additional absence will indicate the member has resigned (barring any medical reasons or extenuating circumstances such as family emergencies).
(4) Absences may be made up for in consultation with the City Councilor liaison, within 30 days of the absence.
(5) Violations and expectations of this section can be reviewed by the member and City Councilor liaison, with the goal of improving the performance and participation of the member.
History: Ord. 1529 §1 (Exh. A), 2024.
2.90.080 Termination of membership.
(1) Youth Council members may resign at any time.
(2) Any member will be deemed to have voluntarily concluded their membership automatically upon the occurrence of any of the following:
(a) The member is disruptive to the efficiency of the Youth Council and/or does not follow through with assignments.
(b) The member does not embody professionalism in their conduct.
(3) The City Councilor liaison and City Administrator (or designee) shall have the discretion to determine if a member shall be removed from the Youth Council.
History: Ord. 1529 §1 (Exh. A), 2024.
2.90.090 Expenditures.
The City will make every reasonable attempt to financially support the Youth Council in completing its annual work plan.
(1) The Youth Council shall have no authority to make any expenditure on behalf of the city or to obligate the city for payment of any sums of money unless the City Administrator or their designee authorizes such expense.
(2) The Youth Council may fundraise for identified goals in their annual work plan. Donations will be deposited and expended in accordance with governmental accounting practices.
History: Ord. 1529 §1 (Exh. A), 2024.