Willits Municipal Code Ch. 2.78 Youth Commission

A youth commission is established, and shall consist of seven members appointed by the city council. As used in this chapter, the term "commissioner" refers to a commissioner of the youth commission.

(Ord. 94-2 § 2(part)).

In selecting the commissioners, the city council shall give preference to youth who are at least thirteen years of age and not older than eighteen years of age. In selecting the commissioners, the city council shall ensure to the extent possible that equal representation of youth concerns is achieved.

(Ord. 94-2 § 2(part)).

A. In order to establish as much continuity as possible, the terms of office for commissioners shall be staggered and assigned to the seven positions as follows:

Position 1: 1-year term

Position 2: 2-year term

Position 3: 3-year term

Position 4: 1-year term

Position 5: 2-year term

Position 6: 3-year term

Position 7: 1-year term

B. Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of this chapter, any commissioner who absents themselves from any three consecutive regular meetings of the youth commission meetings, unless excused from such attendance by consent of the commission, expressed by action of record in its minutes or who is absent for a total of five regular meetings of the commission in any six-month period without such consent of the commission so expressed on record, shall thereby automatically forfeit their position or office as a member of the youth commission immediately after the adjournment of any such third consecutive meeting or of any such fifth meeting in any such six-month period, as the case may be, at which such commissioner has not appeared.

C. The chairperson or the secretary of the commission shall thereupon promptly notify the city council, and any such person so ceasing to be such commissioner of fact; whereupon the vacancy so created shall be filled by appointment as contemplated under the provisions of this section.

(Ord. 94-2 § 2(part)).

In addition to the seven regular youth members appointed by the city council, there shall be three adult (over twenty-one years of age) ex officio members of the youth commission referred to as advisors who shall attend and participate in an advisory capacity at all meetings of the commission, but who shall not be entitled to vote. In addition, the city manager or designee shall serve as an ex officio member of the commission. Ex officio members/advisors shall serve at the discretion of the city council, and shall not serve for prescribed terms.

(Ord. 94-2 § 2(part)).

During June of each year, the commission shall elect one of its members as chairperson who shall hold office for one year and/or until a successor is elected. At that same time the commission shall also elect a secretary who shall hold office for one year and/or until a successor is elected. The chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the commission and the secretary shall keep minutes of the commission and perform such other functions as may be provided for by resolution of the commission.

(Ord. 94-2 § 2(part)).

The commission shall establish a regular time and place for meetings, and shall hold at least one regular meeting each month. Minutes for all meetings shall be promptly filed with the city clerk for inclusion in the proceedings of the city council. All meetings shall be open to the general public and subject to the provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act.

(Ord. 94-2 § 2(part)).

The commission may make such rules and regulations governing its organization, procedure and activities as it deems necessary and appropriate; provided, however, that no rules or regulations of the commission shall be inconsistent with the ordinances and codes of the city and all such rules, regulations and activities shall be subject to the approval of the city council.

(Ord. 94-2 § 2(part)).

The purposes and functions of the commission shall be:

A. Through the commission's functions and processes, provide an educational opportunity for youth to learn the functions of government and the value of participation through empowerment;

B. To encourage, assist in, and develop programs and events for and by youth that contribute to the enrichment of youth, the family and the community;

C. To encourage and develop an appreciation of the need to provide and encourage youth activities that promote health and safety for youth;

D. To encourage and develop an appreciation of the need to provide and encourage youth activities that discourage the use of drugs, alcoholic beverages, tobacco and gang activity; and

E. To advise the city council, the city planning commission, and other boards and commissions of the city in matters pertaining to youth; provided, however, that nothing in this chapter shall be so construed as to require the city council or any other board or commission to obtain or follow the advice of the youth commission with respect to any public or private projects within the jurisdiction of the city.

(Ord. 94-2 § 2(part)).

With the approval of the city council first had and obtained, the commission is authorized to accept gifts of money and real and personal property from public and private sources on behalf of the city, and to manage and expend such gifts in accordance with instructions provided by the city council. The commission is further authorized to receive gifts and donations, including the proceeds of fund-raising events sponsored by the commission and to expend such funds for its own activities without prior approval of the city council but in conformance with existing city policies and procedures.

(Ord. 94-2 § 2(part)).