Title
Special Recognition - Appointment of the Inaugural City of Olympia Youth Council
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Youth Council interview committee and the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee, recommends recognizing the appointment of the Inaugural City of Olympia Youth Council.
City Manager Recommendation:
Recognize the appointment of the Inaugural City of Olympia Youth Council.
Report
Issue:
Whether to Recognize the appointment of the Inaugural City of Olympia Youth Council.
Staff Contact:
Susan Grisham, Assistant to the City Manager, 360.753.8244
Presenter(s):
Susan Grisham, Assistant to the City Manager
Background and Analysis:
In June 2022, Mayor Pro Tem Huỳnh, with the support of Councilmembers Parshley and Madrone put forward a referral requesting the hiring of a consultant tasked with researching successful youth council models and best practices; engaging and consulting with Olympia area youth and providing a recommendation to the Olympia City Council on how best to stand up an Olympia Youth Council.
In the summer of 2022, the City launched a Request for Proposal to select a firm to develop a recommendation. The contract was awarded to Truclusion. Truclusion used a Human-Centered inclusive approach which helped guide the development of recommendations that would create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive Youth Council. An Olympia Youth Council will increase the sense of belonging and value of the youth in our community as they contribute to City government and decision making in a meaningful manner.
Throughout 2023, Truclusion engaged with Olympia Youth reaching across cultural, social and economic group identities. The focus on these areas increased diverse participation and captured stakeholders’ unique perspectives in the formulation of recommendations for the Youth Council. The youth that have been participating have been referred to as the Youth Advisors.
In October 2023, the City Council approved the Research and Recommendations Report for standing up the Olympia Youth Council. Since that time, the Youth Advisors have continued meeting to develop their standard operating procedures including mission, purpose and vision statements; community norms; subcommittees and leadership positions.
On July 24, the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee approved the recruitment and seating plan for the Youth Council.
The application for Youth Council members was open from August 14 - September 11. A recruitment event was held on August 17 at Percival Landing Park. Six applications were received, and all applicants were moved forward to be interviewed. Five applicants were interviewed, as one did not respond to interview scheduling communications.
On October 16, a panel consisting of Mayor Pro Tem Yến Huỳnh, and Youth Advisors Shruthi Lingam-Nattamai; Allison Walker and Willow Chen interviewed five applicants for the Youth Council.
The following five youth that were interviewed are recommended for appointment: Varshana Horback, Demorie Joseph, Eman Haroon, Stella Artemis and Kaelyn Valazquez.
At the July 27, 2024 Community Livability and Public Safety Committee meeting the Committee agreed that current Youth Advisors that would like to continue to the full Youth Council would move forward for appointment.
The Youth advisors that would like to continue on are: Allison Walker; Enrique Luis Rodriguez Lloyd; Eric Zhang, Gavin Cruz, Melinda Le, Nolan O'Connell, Shruthi Lingam-Nattamai, Sophia Park, Toby Wilson, Victoria Liu and Willow Chen.
On October 22, the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee approved the recommendation to appoint the above named youth to the Inaugural City of Olympia Youth Council.
We are holding the special recognition to recognize the milestone in the implementation of the Youth Council. The approval of the candidates will take place through the approval of the consent calendar.
Once the appointments are approved, Youth Council onboarding will take place on November 6, 13 and 20. The First Olympia Youth Council meeting will occur on January 15, 2025.
Climate Analysis:
This project is not expected to have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions.
Equity Analysis:
Based on data from the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s “Report Card”, minority enrollment in Olympia’s schools is at 40% and approximately 20% of students are economically disadvantaged. (This data does not include students who are not in traditional schools, like home school or G.E.D programs.) One of the main goals of a Youth Council is to engage and lift up voices and perspectives of people who are often excluded from decision making and lack access to power.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Youth in our community have expressed an interest in participating in decision making that effects their future.
Financial Impact:
The City has allotted $30,000 n 2024 for the contracted work using Council goal funds.
Options:
1. Recognize the milestone in the implementation of the Youth Council. The approval of the candidates will take place through the approval of the consent calendar.
2. Do not recognize the milestone in the implementation of the Youth Council.
3. Take other action.
Attachments:
Approved Youth Council Recommendations and Research