[Ord. No. 707, § 1, 5-28-1992; Ord. No. 929, § I, 5-25-2004; Ord. No. 1244, § I, 10-26-2021; Ord. No. 1284, § I, 10-8-2024]
There is hereby established a municipal board to be known as the "Youth Commission of the City of Pittsfield."
[Ord. No. 707, § 1, 5-28-1992, Ord. No. 727, § 1, 11-25-1992; Ord. No. 776, § 1, 11-10-1994; Ord. No. 822, § I, 12-12-2000; Ord. No. 929, § I, 5-25-2004; Ord. No. 1108, § I, 3-10-2015; Ord. No. 1244, § I, 10-26-2021; Ord. No. 1284, § I, 10-8-2024]
A.
In accordance with Article 2, Section 2-10; Article 3, Section 3-3; and Article 6 of the City Charter, 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.
B.
The Youth Commission shall consist of a total of nine voting members, who shall be Pittsfield residents ages 13 to 17; two members shall be nominated from each high school and each middle school and one shall be an at-large school student. In addition, the Recreation and Special Event Coordinator and Youth Advisor shall serve as ex officio members of the Youth Commission. One City Councilor, appointed by the City Council President, shall serve as a liaison for the City Council. The members of the Youth Commission shall have an understanding of the needs of young people in Pittsfield, 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 and socioeconomic status of the people of the City and shall be residents of the City.
C.
Each member shall serve a term of one year. In the event of a vacancy, the Mayor shall appoint a successor from the school where the vacancy occurred as soon as practicable, subject to City Council approval, and said successor shall fulfill the unexpired term of the member whose seat was vacated. In accordance with Article 10, Section 10-6(a), of the City Charter, the Commission shall choose from among its members a Chairperson, Vice Chair, Secretary and any other officer it deems necessary.
D.
Members of the Commission shall not be compensated, nor shall they be reimbursed for expenses.
[Ord. No. 707, § 1, 5-28-1992; Ord. No. 929, § I, 5-25-2004; Ord. No. 1244, § I, 10-26-2021; Ord. No. 1284, § I, 10-8-2024]
A.
The purpose of the Youth Commission is to provide a resource for all City boards and agencies in areas involving youth to advocate on behalf of youth of Pittsfield; to enable an ongoing dialogue and exchange of views among such agencies regarding issues of youth; to make recommendations to and work closely with the Mayor to further the interests of youth; to coordinate as necessary the scheduling of special events; to encourage youth to submit petitions to the City Council; and to maintain a calendar of scheduled events for the youth in the City.
B.
The Youth Commission shall respond to requests for comments and recommendations on matters referred to the Commission by the Mayor, City Council, officers, departments, agencies, boards, commissions and advisory committees of the City of Pittsfield.
C.
The Youth Commission shall assist the City Council and Mayor coordinating its recommendations to eliminate duplication in cost and effort in the community.
(1)
The Youth Commission shall:
(a)
Identify the concerns and needs of the youth of Pittsfield;
(b)
Review existing social, economic, educational, and recreational programs for youth;
(c)
Develop and propose plans that support or improve such programs;
(d)
Identify opportunities to expand neighborhood youth services in conjunction with local community boards;
(e)
Make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council.
(2)
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.
[Ord. No. 707, § 1, 5-28-1992; Ord. No. 929, § I, 5-25-2004; Ord. No. 1244, § I, 10-26-2021; Ord. No. 1284, § I, 10-8-2024[1]]
The Commission shall meet at least quarterly. The Chairperson of the Commission shall declare vacant the seat of any member who misses two consecutive meetings, in any one-year term, without a valid reason, as determined by the Chairperson. Upon such vacancy, the Chairperson will promptly notify the Mayor so that a replacement can be appointed.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Sec. 2-228.1, Director of Youth Services, added 5-25-2004 by Ord. No. 929, as amended; Sec. 2-228.2, Qualifications, added 5-25-2004 by Ord. No. 929, as amended 10-26-2021 by Ord. No. 1244; Sec. 2-228.3, Duties of Director of Youth Services, added 5-25-2004 by Ord. No. 929, as amended 10-26-2021 by Ord. No. 1244; and Sec. 2-228.4, Youth Advisor, added 8-11-2015 by Ord. No. 1138, as amended 10-26-2021 by Ord. No. 1244, which immediately followed, were repealed 10-8-2024 by Ord. No. 1284.
[Ord. No. 1284, § I, 10-8-2024]
The Mayor shall appoint a Youth Advisor who shall serve until a successor is duly appointed or qualified. No member of the Youth Commission may be appointed to serve as Youth Advisor. The Youth Advisor shall serve unpaid and may be removed by the Mayor. The duty of the Youth Advisor is to advise the Youth Commission on matters of procedure, including posting agendas in compliance with the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law,[1] taking minutes of each meeting, and to assist the Youth Commission on any other matter as requested by the member(s) of the Commission.