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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08. Youth Task Force AGENDA MEMO DATE: April 26, 2011 TO: Mayor & Members of the City Council FROM: Office of the City Manager By: Shannon DeLong, Assistant to the City Manager SUBJECT: FORMATION OF A YOUTH TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATION That the City Council approve the formation of a Youth Task Force to serve for a one year period and authorize solicitation of applications to the Youth Task Force. DISCUSSION The Downey City Council formed a Youth Subcommittee to discuss the creation of a Youth Commission. The resulting recommendation is that a Youth Task Force be formed first. This task force would function as an executive committee of adults who will examine existing city, school district, private, nonprofit and religious youth programs. After a thorough, community-wide review, the Task Force will make a recommendation to the City Council on the structure and function of a Youth Commission (on which the youth of the community would serve). Council would appoint two members each to the Youth Task Force. Members should include school district representatives and a combination of experts in youth services, youth sports and nonprofit or private organizations with youth programming. The Youth Task Force shall choose from among its members a Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. The Chair (or her/his designee) shall provide periodic reports to the City Council. A City staff member will be the liaison between the City and Youth Task Force. Goals : To meet, research, and discuss on a regular basis, and to make recommendations to City Council through interim reporting, resulting in a final comprehensive report at the end of the 12-month term. Consideration and final recommendations shall include factors such as: summary of existing programs; research and data analysis of potential new programs; and specific plans for the structure and function of a Youth Commission. Roles & Responsibilities of the Youth Task Force: Attend regularly-scheduled monthly public meetings for a term of 12 months and occasional special meetings as necessary. Review available information, including reports and other materials as necessary. Conduct independent research on assigned issues and forward materials to the other Task Force members for review and consideration. CITY OF DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA One of the City Council representatives to the Task Force shall serve as the Task Force Chairperson and will report to the full City Council every 3 months during a regularly scheduled City Council meeting. The Youth Task Force shall have no authority to expend Staff time or City funds without City Council approval. Membership Description: A nine (9) member volunteer Youth Task Force will be selected to represent a broad spectrum of community stakeholders (including residents, schools, and private/nonprofit entities) and will reflect a range of experience and skill sets. Two (2) Council members should serve on the Youth Task Force to relay the Council’s expectations, to help guide the research efforts and to assist in reporting progress back to the full City Council. Additionally, the Downey Unified School District (DUSD) Board should appoint two (2) members to represent the school district. These selections should be made in advance of the Council’s review and selection of the five (5) remaining Task Force members. There should be nine (9) members total, as follows: Two (2) Councilmembers, as selected by the Council Two (2) DUSD Board appointed member Five (5) at-large members selected by the City Council from applicant pool The five (5) at-large members will be selected by the City Council, based on a review of applications with consideration given to factors including the applicants’ management of or involvement in youth programs within the City of Downey, related experience and geographic representation, as follows: Community Sports Organizations Nonprofit, Youth-Oriented Organizations Scouting or Adventure Troops/Groups Religious Youth Organizations Youth Volunteer/Community Service Organizations Recreation and Community Services Commission Youth Advocacy Organization Youth Mental and Physical Health Professionals Youth Mentors Application/Appointment Process: Advertise for applicants in the local papers, on the City’s website, and at City Hall. Establish an application open and end date. Approve an application (see attached) providing the candidate an opportunity to describe how he/she qualifies for the Task Force. Council and School Board appointments made prior to Council’s review of applications for the remaining members. Full City Council review of applications and selection of remaining members Current Board and Commission members should not be considered for selection exceptthat one (1) current Recreation and Community Services Commissioner may be appointed. FISCAL IMPACT No Youth Task Force Members will receive compensation for their time served on the Task Force. It is estimated that approximately 80 staff hours, or $3,200 in salary costs (not including benefits) will be required to prepare for and conduct the Youth Task Force meetings. Attachment: Draft Youth Task Force Application APPLICATION for the YOUTH TASK FORCE The City of Downey is forming a volunteer Youth Task Force that will meet monthly for a term of twelve (12) months with the purpose of making specific recommendations to the City Council on best management practices for the creation of a sustainable city. The City is seeking a diverse cross-section of Downey’s residential, business and school community to become members of this task force. There is no compensation for Youth Task Force members. Please fill out the application below and return by Friday, May 27, 2011 at NOON to: Annette Cleary, Senior Human Resources Analyst P.O. Box 7016 Downey CA 90241 acleary@downeyca.org 562-904-7294 (phone); 562-904-7296 (fax) Name __________________________________________________________ Home Phone ____________________ Other Phone ______________________ Address _________________________________________________________ Email Address ______________________________ Will you be able to attend monthly Task Force meetings? _____ Will you have time to review materials prior to your monthly meetings? _____ Please check each box that describes your qualifications: Community Sports Organization Recreation and Community Services Commission Nonprofit, Youth-Oriented Organization Youth Advocacy Organization Scouting or Camping Organization Youth Mental or Physical Health Professional Religious Youth Organization Youth Mentoring Program Youth Volunteer/Community Service Organizations You may attach a separate paper to answer the following questions. Please limit your answers to approximately 200 words per question. Thank you. 1) Please describe your experience and expertise in the items checked above. 2) Why do you wish to serve on the Youth Task Force? 3) What do you feel is the biggest problem facing the youth of Downey today and what do you think the Task Force can do to address the problem? 4) If appointed to the task force what strengths would you bring? ___________________________________________ ______________ Applicant Signature Date Resumes and/or additional information may be attached and submitted with application. All materials submitted are part of the public record and will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration (contact information will be redacted in the agenda packet).