In recognition of the history of youth councils in the Ithaca
community, the Common Council of the City of Ithaca hereby creates
an entity that shall be known as the "City of Ithaca Youth Council,"
hereinafter also referred to as the "Youth Council," in accordance
with the following conditions.
The purposes and duties of the Youth Council shall be as follows:
A. To develop future leaders by providing the teenage members opportunities
to participate in City governance and have an active role in addressing
community issues.
B. To give a formal voice to the youth of the community. The Youth Council
will provide ongoing, two-way communication with policymakers, especially
the Common Council, so as to better address youth and community issues.
The Youth Council will develop mechanisms to receive input regularly
from other youth about their ideas and concerns.
C. To help provide a hands-on civic education to participating members
through direct experience with democratic processes and practical
skill development.
D. To contribute to the community in a concrete way. The Youth Council
will plan and execute projects to improve conditions for teenagers.
E. To help youth build their social networks, engage with the opportunities
available within their local community, and help their peers make
positive connections to the local community.
F. To submit a written annual report on the membership and activities
of the Youth Council, to the Mayor and Common Council (and the City
Clerk), and to report on a regular basis to the Mayor.
The members of the Youth Council shall be appointed for terms
of one year or until the time of their high school graduation, if
that occurs first. Terms shall begin in September, except in the case
of members appointed to fill vacancies. Vacancies shall be filled
in the same manner as the original appointment, except that a vacancy
occurring other than by the expiration of a term of office shall be
filled only for the remainder of the unexpired term.
[Amended 11-3-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-09]
A staff person(s) from a City Youth Services Department shall act in consultation with the Common Council Liaisons and under the direction and supervision of the City department head so designated by the City Manager. The duties of this staff person with regard to the Youth Council shall be set forth in writing and kept up-to-date by the department head and provided to the Mayor and City Manager, and a current version of such description shall be appended to the annual report required by §
120-2 herein.