Banning Municipal Code Ch. 2.42 Youth Council

There is hereby established a youth council of the city. The youth council shall serve as an advisory board to the city council. The purpose of the youth council is to provide city youth with a vehicle to learn about government, participate in the process of city government, represent and articulate the needs of city youth, and advise the city council on matters affecting the youth and teen population, especially city programs relating to youth and teens.

(Ord. No. 1590, § 2, 7-11-23)

The youth council shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

A. The youth council shall foster increased youth involvement in the affairs of city government.

B. The youth council shall study problems and hold forums on issues, activities, and concerns of city youth.

C. The youth council shall comment on existing or proposed legislation, ordinances, resolutions, and policies that impact city youth.

D. The youth council shall present methods to resolve youth-related conflicts between youths and between youths and adults.

E. The youth council shall recommend the implementation of community programs to improve the lives of youth.

F. The youth council shall monitor programs and policies that affect youth to ensure they are achieving the intended results.

G. The youth council shall work with other youth organizations in the city to collaborate on shared issues and interests.

H. The youth council shall submit to the city council an annual report of its activities prior to the end of the school year for the Banning unified school district.

I. The youth council shall utilize social networking sites and/or technology to engage and inform city youth of important city activities.

J. The youth council shall participate in an annual workshop that will introduce the members of the youth council to the city council meeting agenda process, a mock city council meeting, and the role of city officials.

K. At the first regular meeting following appointment of members, the youth council shall select a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among its members. The chairperson and vice-chairperson shall serve for one term.

1. The chairperson shall preside at the regular and special meetings of the youth council.

2. The chairperson shall serve as the youth council's liaison to the city council.

3. The vice-chairperson shall assume the duties of the chairperson in their absence.

L. The chairperson of the youth council shall attend the regular meetings of the city council and serve as a non-voting liaison to the city council.

(Ord. No. 1590, § 2, 7-11-23)

A. Qualifications. Members of the youth council:

1. Shall be residents of the city;

2. Shall be high school students in the 9 th , 10 th , 11 th , or 12 th grades; and

3. Shall demonstrate, in their application, a sincere interest and motivation to work for the community.

B. Composition and compensation. The youth council shall consist of a minimum of five members and maximum of nine members who shall not receive compensation.

C. Appointment. The city council shall appoint members of the youth council. Applications shall be made available and the closing date announced by July 1 of each year.

D. Term. Youth council members shall serve two-year terms. Members may be appointed for a subsequent one-year term, provided that no member shall serve more than three years. Youth council members shall serve at the pleasure of the city council and may be removed at any time by a majority vote of the entire council.

E. Vacancies.

1. Any member who is unexcused for two consecutive regular meetings of the youth council or six meetings within a twelve-month period, whether the six meetings are excused or not, will be deemed to have resigned their office and the city council shall appoint a new member to serve in the resigned youth council member's place for the remainder of their term.

2. To be excused from any such meeting, a member shall notify the staff liaison, at least forty-eight hours prior to any such meeting. If a member is unable to attend due to illness, injury, or family matters, a statement by the member at the next regular meeting of the youth council shall constitute an excused absence.

(Ord. No. 1590, § 2, 7-11-23; Ord. No. 1601, § 2, 3-26-24)

A. Meeting times and place. The youth council shall meet on the first Tuesday of each month, except the months of July and December, at a regular time established by resolution of the youth council, at the City Council Chambers located at 99 E. Ramsey Street.

B. Conduct of meetings.

1. The youth council shall be subject to the Brown Act.

2. A quorum of the youth council shall consist of a majority of the members (not including vacancies), whether the youth council is a five-, six-, seven-, eight-, or nine-member body at the time of a meeting. A quorum must be present in order for the youth council to hold a meeting.

3. A vote of the majority of members present constituting a quorum shall be required to constitute action taken by the youth council.

C. Rules of procedure. That certain "Manual of Procedural Guidelines for the Conduct of City Council and Constituent Body/Commission Meetings for the City of Banning" adopted on October 23, 2012, as may be amended from time to time (the "manual"), shall govern the conduct and procedures applicable to meetings of the youth council.

D. Staff liaison. The city manager shall designate the staff liaison to the youth council. The staff liaison to the youth council shall support the youth council in carrying out its purpose, duties, and responsibilities and provide facilities for meetings and other activities, as necessary.

(Ord. No. 1590, § 2, 7-11-23; Ord. No. 1601, §§ 3, 4, 3-26-24)