Chapter 2-7 — YOUTH COMMISSION

(a)

A youth commission of the City of Lafayette is established. The youth commission shall consist of 15 members appointed by the city council. A maximum of five members may be nonresidents that attend a school located within Lafayette city limits.

(b)

The commission shall have associate members appointed by the youth commission.

(c)

A member of city staff will be assigned to assist the commission as staff liaison. In addition, the commission will enlist the help of adult volunteers in their projects and events.

(Ord. No. 671, § 1, 11-26-2018; Ord. 568 § 1 (part), 2007)

The qualifications of members of the youth commission shall be as follows:

(a)

Each member shall be a resident of Lafayette or must attend a school within Lafayette city limits.

(b)

Members shall represent the following schools: Acalanes High School, Campolindo High School, and Stanley Intermediate. Members may also represent other schools within Lafayette city limits.

(c)

Members must be in grades six through 12.

(Ord. No. 671, § 1, 11-26-2018; Ord. 568 § 1 (part), 2007)

(a)

Any person that meets the qualifications listed in Section 2-702 may complete an application to join the youth commission, at which time he or she shall be appointed as an associate member by the youth commission.

(b)

At the time of any vacancy, associate members and other eligible persons may apply to fill the vacancy. Applicants must interview with the city council liaison(s), who shall make a recommendation to city council on the appointment. A city council liaison will base his or her recommendation on the applicant's demonstrated interest in the youth commission and community engagement, such as attendance and participation at youth commission meetings, sub-committee meetings, and youth commission sponsored events or other community leadership and participation.

(c)

The city council will make the final appointment decision, and may consider membership distribution among grades six through 12, among other factors in the discretion of the council.

(Ord. No. 671, § 1, 11-26-2018; Ord. 568 § 1 (part), 2007)

The term of office of each member shall be two years. Upon expiration of a two-year term of office, it is the policy of the city council to automatically reappoint a commissioner upon request. However, commissioners completing their third consecutive partial or full term shall reapply and reinterview for their position in the same manner as a new commissioner. Each member may serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies unless earlier removed if the member vacates the office as described in Section 2-705.

(Ord. No. 671, § 1, 11-26-2018; Ord. 568 § 1 (part), 2007)

(a)

A member may be removed by a majority vote of the city council.

(b)

Whenever a member no longer qualifies, according to the conditions listed in Section 2-702, the commission shall declare that position vacant.

(c)

If a member resigns or is absent without cause from four regular meetings, special meetings, or youth commission sponsored events throughout the year, not including sub-committee meetings, the commission shall declare the position vacant. A member is not absent without cause if the absence is:

(1)

Due to illness; or

(2)

Unavoidable and the member gives the chairman of the commission written notification before the day of the meeting that he or she will be absent and gives the reasons for the absence.

(d)

Whenever a vacancy occurs, the city council shall fill the vacancy in the same manner as was used for the original appointment. A member appointed to fill a vacancy serves for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(Ord. No. 671, § 1, 11-26-2018; Ord. 568 § 1 (part), 2007)

The youth commission shall meet at least once a month at six p.m., at the Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette. The chairman may call a special meeting whenever the situation warrants, after giving such notice to all members as the law requires.

(Ord. No. 671, § 1, 11-26-2018; Ord. 568 § 1 (part), 2007)

Members of the youth commission do not receive compensation for attendance at commission meetings.

(Ord. No. 671, § 1, 11-26-2018; Ord. 568 § 1 (part), 2007)

(a)

The commission shall elect a chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, and treasurer from among its members to serve for one year and until the successor of each take offices.

(b)

The chair shall preside at all meetings of the commission, shall appoint all subcommittees and shall perform the duties necessary or incidental to this office. The vice-chair shall be chair in the absence of the chair or in case of the inability of the chair to act. The secretary shall be present at all regular meetings, take minutes, and publish the minutes within one week after the meeting. The treasurer shall obtain and record expenses and income information from the City of Lafayette after every youth commission event and provide a treasury report to the youth commission at every regular meeting.

(c)

An associate member shall meet the qualifications of members pursuant to Section 2-702. An associate member has no vote on the commission and shall not be considered a member of the commission for purposes of developing a quorum.

(Ord. No. 671, § 1, 11-26-2018; Ord. 568 § 1 (part), 2007)

The commission shall adopt rules for the transaction of its business and shall keep a public record of its resolutions, transactions, findings and determinations.

(Ord. No. 671, § 1, 11-26-2018; Ord. 568 § 1 (part), 2007)

A majority of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

(Ord. No. 671, § 1, 11-26-2018; Ord. 568 § 1 (part), 2007)

The commission is advisory in nature and will assume no authority or responsibility beyond that contained in this chapter, or beyond that which the city council may from time to time delegate to it. The commission shall undertake investigations and studies and make recommendations to the city council concerning the following:

(a)

Formulation of general policies relating to the duties and functions of the commission;

(b)

Policies for the welfare of youth of the city;

(c)

Leisure-time activities and worthwhile programs for youth;

(d)

Youth opinion in the city;

(e)

Involvement of youth in community activities;

(f)

Involvement of youth in community service;

(g)

Programs addressing adolescent problems;

(h)

Other matters related to youth as delegated by the city council.

(Ord. No. 671, § 1, 11-26-2018; Ord. 568 § 1 (part), 2007)

The commission shall:

(a)

Assist and guide by providing consultation to the city council and other interested groups in the city;

(b)

Assist and carry out the directives of the city council for the benefit of youth;

(c)

Initiate and coordinate programs and activities for the benefit of youth in the community;

(d)

Act as a bridge between the youth of the community and the city government;

(e)

Interest and involve the youth in community activities, community service, and city government;

(f)

Act as a clearinghouse and information center on all aspects of youth activities, making this information available to the public;

(g)

Identify funding sources for staffing and proposed activities;

(h)

Study aspects of problems related to the youth of the city.

In performing its duties, the commission shall (1) prepare and submit to the city council minutes of its activities and recommendations for improvements and additions to existing city efforts, and (2) assist and cooperate with existing groups and agencies. The commission may appoint one or more of its members to be a liaison to any public organization concerned with matters within the scope of the commission's functions.

(Ord. No. 671, § 1, 11-26-2018; Ord. 568 § 1 (part), 2007)

The commission may, with the approval of the city council, solicit and accept gifts and grants from any source to assist it in the performance of its functions. Such funds must be deposited in a city account and may only be spent as authorized by the city council.

(Ord. No. 671, § 1, 11-26-2018; Ord. 568 § 1 (part), 2007)