65A - YOUTH COMMISSION BYLAWS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Youth Commission Bylaws and Policy Direction November 17, 2015 Page 2 DISCUSSION On September 7, 1999, the Santa Ana City Council established the Youth Commission with the goal of being a catalyst for the positive development of our younger population. The Commission would offer an opportunity to participate in the community's development by making recommendations on issues facing the youth of today. The composition of the Commission has changed over the years to be able to attract youth of varying age and different perspectives. Currently, regular members are required to be 16 -20 years of age, alternate members 14 -18 years of age and associate members 11 -14 years of age. On October 15, 2015, the Youth Commission held a regular meeting to approve their bylaws. They seek support to increase the age requirement of regular members to 16 -24 years of age to offer more stability in their membership. The Commission has a multi -year history of failure to achieve a quorum as a result of members not vacating their seats when leaving for college outside the City. Also, recently the current Chair of the Commission relocated to Sacramento to attend college. He has expressed interest in continuing to serve on the Commission via teleconference. Current practice would not allow him to continue serving since he has temporarily relocated out of the City limits. Experience has shown that it is of particular importance for the Commission Chair to be present in order to properly carry out the particular responsibilities of his /her position and to maintain current awareness of City issues especially relating to youth. The question before the City Council is whether they would like to ratify the current practice, allow a commissioner to continue serving if they relocate or any other variation at the pleasure and discretion of the City Council. As background, The Board, Commission and Committee Handbook currently has the following provision as it relates to college students, "OUT -OF -CITY RESIDENCY (COLLEGE STUDENTS) Due to the City's residency requirement, students attending college outside of the City limits automatically forfeit their seat on the board, commission or committee. However, the City Council strongly encourages re- engagement upon graduation or return to the City." Although a college student may continue to have a legal address in the City limits, they are not physically here to be active participants in meetings and /or City events. Policy direction is requested as to whether the age requirement of Regular Members should be increased and whether those relocated outside of City limits should be allowed to continue serving on the Youth Commission. 65A -2