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Home My WebLink AboutAGENDA REPORT 1994 0216 CC REG ITEM 11CITEMIL-AC, CITY OF MOORPARK AGENDA REPORT TO: The Honorable City Council FROM: Christine Adams, Director of Community Services DATE: February 8, 1994 (Meeting of February 16, 1994) SUBJECT: Consider Formation of a Teen Council The City Council has determined that one of it's priority goals and objectives for the Community Services Department, is the development of teen recreation programming in the City of Moorpark. Staff has established an ad -hoc Teen Task Fierce involving various youth serving agencies within the community. The purpose was to identify issues and needs for the teenage population in Moorpark and to further identify shared resources between the various agencies which can be coordinated to provide services more efficiently and will reach a larger population of teenagers. The Teen Task Force members are: Parks and Recreation Commissioners John Hall and Sandra Thompson, Toni Carbone,(Boys and Girls Club), Debi Ryono, (Boys and Girls Club), Christina May, (Planning Commissioner, participating as a private citizen), Del Carbine, (Moorpark Unified School District), Vicki McGowan, (Our Town Teens) Ed Tumbleson, (Vent ura County Sheriff) and Kathy Marrujo- Thurman (Moorpark Project Pride). The task force has met twice. The concept of a Teen Council, which was originally discussed at the Parks and Recreation Commission level, was supported by the Teen Task Force. A sample draft of guidelines for a Teen Council was developed by staff and reviewed by the Task Force, who gave additional comments. The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the recommended guidelines at the February 8, 1994, and amended the draft to insure that the make up of the Teen Council would include representation from both middle schools, Moorpark Memorial Iligh School, and Moorpark Community high School, as well as a member at large who may or may not attend a private school in the area. The changes made by the Parks and Recreation Commission to the original draft submitted by staff and the Teen Task Force are shown in italics. Staff recommends deletion of the review of applications by City staff since the appointments are by the City Council and staff doesn't review other City Council appointments. The ether deletion in the guidelines as recommended by staff helps to clarify that agenda items should be related to the purpose of the Teen Council only. A member of the Teen Council could present unrelated items to the City Council, Parks and Recreation Commission or City staff as appropriate. The last section of the guidelines contains an editorial change. It was changed by staff after the review by the Parks and Recreation Commission to clarify the intent of usage of the Council's Rules and Procedures as a model to follow in conducting the Teen Council meetings. If a formation of a Teen Council is approved by the City Council, the Teen Council would function in a similar manner to that of the Senior Advisory Committee, that is, the Teen Council would be advisory to staff on program issues only. There would be no formal relationship between the Teen Council and the Parks and Recreation Commission, other than informational reporting, which would be provided to the Commission by staff as needed. Staff is recommending that the Teen Council be advertised and appointed this spring, so that the Teen Council can develop some programming ideas over the summer for the 94 -95 school year. Staff will also be seeking endorsement and support from the Moorpark Unified School District Board of Trustees of the Teen Council, which can be instrumental in publicizing the Teen Council through the schOols. RECOMMENDATION Approve Teen Council Guidelines as presented. DRAFT TEEN COUNCIL GUIDELINES PURPOSE The purpose of this Council shall be to investigate and make recommendations to staff on recreational programming and other matters of concern to Moorpark teens, and such other duties and functions as may be specifically assigned to the Teen Council by the City Council. AL To encourage young residents to actively participate in the operations of their City government in a positive and productive manner. To provide a mechanism which facilitates communication and a spirit of involvement by youth in City government. To provide a learning experience for Teen Council members that is conducive to leadership growth. MEMBERSHIP All appointments to the Teen Council shall be made by the Mayor of the City of Moorpark, with approval of the City Council. The Teen Council shall consist of seven (7) members. Selection of members shall be as follows: One (1) representative from each grade level from 7th grade to 12th grade, and one (1) representative at large. All representatives must be Moorpark city residents and be enrolled in school. Special attention should be given to insure that all middle schools and high schools in Moorpark have some representation on the Teen Council. The Teen Council shall annually select a chairperson and vice - chairperson from among its members. Members will be restricted to teens who express an interest in representing their peers as members of the Teen Council, and who are able and prepared to participate in Teen Council meetings and activities and make the required commitment of time and energy. Interested youth can a ply through an application process. Applications will be made available at City Hall and at Moorpark High School, Moorpark Community High School, Chaparral Middle School, and Mesa Verde Middle School. Teen Council members shall be required to do the following: 1. Attend all Teen Council meetings and other Teen Council activities. 2. Actively participate in at least one (1) Teen Council sub- committee, as approved. 3. Solicit, receive, and relay to City staff input and suggestions about any matters of concern to the teen of Moorpark. 4. Participate in publicity and promotional activities of the Teen Council. TERMS OF OFFICE Teen Council members shall each serve a one year term, commencing on July 1 of each year. If there are three (3) consecutive unexcused or excused absences, or five (5) total absences during the term by a member, the seat of such member shall be deemed immediately vacant. Vacancies shall be filled in a manner that is consistent with the City's Operating Procedures, regarding Commission vacancies. The Teen Council shall conduct itself in an orderly fashion at all meetings, and shall follow and obey the standing rules. No member of the Teen Council shall use the title of Teen Council member on any form of communication unless authorized by the Director of Community Services and channeled through the Teen Council. The Teen Council shall not present or purport to represent any position, policy, or direction for the City of Moorpark without the prior approval of the City Council. All meetings, minutes, and records of the Teen Council shall be open to the public. The City staff person assigned to facilitate the meetings of the Teen Council shall establish 1 the agenda for �the Teen Council. Howeye� any reg 1 r- fYleotir�n �t the T,-en Council, any member m;ly req es, the 1 the 11 f be placed on the agenda as requested Meetings will be held once a month, on the day of the month in the Moorpark Community Center. The Teen Council may act or conduct official business only at duly notices meetings, operating under the established procedures as set forth under the provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act. All Other procedures shall be adhered to as n. dr.-essed in the City 1 eun4 Rules; 4 Pr -ecea, •re The City Council Rules of Procedure shall be amended consistent with these guidelines and used as the procedures for the Teen Council meetings .