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Report regarding an ordinance adding Chapter 2.83 to the South San Francisco Municipal Code establishing a Youth Commission. (Ashley Crociani, Policy Analyst)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council introduce an Ordinance adding Chapter 2.83 to the South San Francisco Municipal Code establishing a Youth Commission.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
South San Francisco’s first Youth Commission began on July 15, 1981, with the goal of providing City Council input and advice from the youth community. On October 5, 1988, the Youth Commission became inactive due to the ongoing lack of quorum and on July 12, 1989, staff recommended that the City Council disband the City’s Youth Commission.
The current Youth Advisory Council (YAC) was created in 2018 by former Councilmember Karyl Matsumoto. The YAC currently has 19 members between the ages of 13 to 21, and members either attend South San Francisco schools or live in South San Francisco city limits. The YAC has worked on projects such as voter registration booths, Concert in the Park, Donuts for Democracy, and others. However, members of the YAC hope to evolve the Commission from an informal council to a recognized city commission that is able to submit recommendations, advise City Council, promote cooperation with the school district, and hold and conduct forums on issues, activities, and concerns of youth.
The proposed ordinance establishes a 15-member Youth Commission, composed of members aged 14 to 22 who live within the limits of South San Francisco or the South San Francisco Unified School District (“SSFUSD”).
Upon formation by City Council, the proposed ordinance states the initial members of the new Youth Commission will be the same 23 members of the existing YAC, serving an initial term of one year from the effective date of the ordinance. After the initial one-year term, City Council will advertise for applicants and appoint Youth Commission members as with all other city boards and commissions, striving to maintain geographic representation of South San Francisco’s neighborhoods. Appointed members serve a term of two years. The Youth Commission shall hold regular meetings at least once every two months.
If a vacancy occurs on the Commission, the City Council shall appoint an individual to serve the remaining unexpired term of the former incumbent. The City Council may also choose not to fill a vacancy created by the resignation or disqualification of an initial member of the Commission if the total membership of the Commission is greater than the maximum number of members.
The Commission will be an advisory body to the City Council. The fundamental responsibility shall be to advise and make recommendations to the City Council on issues affecting the community through a youth focused lens. The Youth Commission will be responsible for:
• Identifying the concerns and needs of the children and youth of South San Francisco
• Examining existing social, economic, educational, and recreational programs for children and youth
• Developing and proposing plans that support or improve such programs
• Making recommendations to the City Council
The Commission will report to the City Council on the activities, goals, and accomplishments of the Commission at least once each fiscal year, beginning in Fiscal Year 2021-22.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the administration of this commission as the printing of agenda packets and staff-time to prepare agenda materials and meetings is nominal and can be absorbed into the City’s regular operating budget.
As currently drafted, all commissioners would receive a $50 stipend for each regular meeting attended under the proposed ordinance. Assuming all 19 members want to serve on the Youth Commission the first year would cost a total of $11,400. Subsequent years would result in an annual cost of approximately $9,000 based on the compensation paid to all 15 members.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council introduce and waive further reading of an ordinance adding Chapter 2.83 to the South San Francisco Municipal Code. This ordinance would establish a Youth Commission to ensure that the City of South San Francisco is receiving the perspective of the youth community.