[Ord. of 7-13-2010; Ord. of 8-10-2021]
There is hereby established a commission to be known as the
"Youth Commission." The mission of the Youth Commission will be to
provide an ongoing forum for communication between City government
and local youth.
The Youth Commission will respond to requests for comment and
recommendation on matters referred to the Commission by officers,
departments, agencies, boards, commissions and advisory committees
of the City of North Adams.
The Youth Commission will advise the City Council and Mayor
about how such recommendations could be coordinated in the community
to eliminate duplication in cost and effort. The Youth Commission
will identify the concerns and needs of the youth of North Adams;
examine existing social, economic, educational, and recreational programs
for youth; develop and propose plans that support or improve such
programs; and make recommendations thereon to the Mayor and City Council.
This process will allow opportunities for effective participation
by youth in the governmental process, and improve the social, economic,
educational, and recreational advantages of the City's youth.
The Youth Commission shall consist of a total of nine voting
members, including six residents ages 13 to 22, and three adults who
represent a variety of interests in the community. The Youth Commission
shall consist of individuals who have an understanding of the needs
of young people in North Adams, experience with youth programs or
youth organizations, or involvement with school or community activities.
The members shall represent the diversity of ethnicity, race, gender,
sexual orientation, academic and socioeconomic status of the people
of the City and shall be residents of the City.
Members of the Commission shall not be compensated, nor shall
they be reimbursed for expenses.
[Ord. of 7-13-2010]
The Mayor, with the approval of the City Council, will make
appointments.
The youth members shall be appointed for terms of such length
and so arranged that the terms of four members will expire in one
year; the terms of three members will expire in two years; and the
terms of the remaining three members will expire in three years.
The adult members shall be appointed for terms of such length
and so arranged that the terms of two members will expire in one year;
the terms of two members will expire in two years; and the term of
the remaining one member will expire in three years.
All subsequent terms of the Commissioners shall be three years
in length.
In the event a vacancy occurs during the term of office of any
voting member, a successor shall be appointed to complete the unexpired
term of the office.
Any member of the Youth Commission so appointed may, after a
public hearing, if requested, be removed for cause by the Mayor.
[Ord. of 7-13-2010; Ord. of 9-13-2011]
Yearly, at the first meeting in October, the Youth Commission
shall elect Co-Chairs consisting of one youth Commissioner and one
adult Commissioner. A majority of the Commissioners then in office
shall constitute a quorum.
[Ord. of 7-13-2010; Ord. of 8-10-2021]
The Youth Commission shall meet at such times as may be necessary
for the proper exercise of its powers and duties.
To aid in the orderly conduct of business, the Commission may
have the authority to create, amend, and repeal its own code of bylaws.
On all matters of parliamentary procedure Robert's Rules of
Order shall govern.
[Ord. of 7-13-2010]
The Youth Commission may exercise all the powers vested in it
under the law or prescribed to it by law and shall perform such duties
as the City Council by ordinance may from time to time prescribe.
[Ord. of 7-13-2010]
The Youth Commission shall, from time to time, conduct public
hearings in order to ascertain the youth needs of the community.
