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 Hu?nh, 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 approv...
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