HomeMy WebLinkAboutID-3249-Youth-Liaison City of Palo Alto
COLLEAGUES MEMO
October 22, 2012 Page 1 of 2
(ID # 3249)
DATE: October 22, 2012
TO: City Council Members
FROM: Mayor Yeh, Council Members Price and Shepherd
SUBJECT: COLLEAGUE’S MEMO FROM MAYOR YEH, COUNCIL MEMBERS PRICE
AND SHEPHERD REGARDING A COUNCIL YOUTH COMMISSION LIAISON
Request for Addition of a City Council Youth Liaison and the Addition of an
“Impact on Youth” Section in Staff Reports
Recommendation
That the City Council create the new role of Youth Liaison, appointed by the Mayor each
year, to integrate and coordinate youth issues with the City Council and separately, to
direct staff to include a new section of impact on youth into City Council agenda item
staff reports. Since the number of youth-focused groups is significant, we are
recommending that there also be an alternate to the Youth Liaison who would assist
with coverage and sharing information on upcoming events and programs.
Background
To sustain the integration of youth well-being in City policy making and administration,
we propose that there be a Youth Liaison created for the City Council for the purpose of
keeping the City informed and engaged in youth activities and interests. This position is
intended to ensure a Councilmember is delegated as a hub for the City Council’s efforts
to promote collaboration and partnerships among youth-serving groups in Palo Alto.
This position would ensure that the City Council agenda integrates youth and would
expand on existing Council relationships such as serving as the liaison to Project Safety
Net. It would support information sharing between PSN and other youth efforts in the
City with the City Council. This would support and promote youth group collaborations
and partnerships and strengthen the connections with other commissions and
programs, thereby helping to eliminate the duplication of efforts and interests.
The Youth Liaison Position would include the following responsibilities:
・ Liaison to City-organized Palo Alto Youth Council.
・ Liaison to Project Safety Net.
October 22, 2012 Page 2 of 2
(ID # 3249)
・ Outreach and relationship building with City-sponsored youth and teen
organizations such as the Children’s Theater, Teen Art Council, Junior Museum
and Zoo, Children’s Library and others as appropriate.
・ Keep the City Council informed of community initiatives and the calendar of
events focused on or organized by youth and teens.
・ Work with City Council leadership to schedule one study session a year for the
City Council that highlights youth and teen issues and includes representatives of
various youth groups in Palo Alto.
Furthermore, to integrate an understanding of the impact on youth arising from the
many issues and decisions that come before the City Council every year, we propose
that staff:
・ Create an Impact on Youth section in appropriate staff reports which explicitly
point out how policies or actions recommended in the report would affect youth
and teens in our community.
A similar impact statement approach has already been created and implemented by
Santa Clara County. This Colleagues Memo does not recommend that staff incorporate
an Impact on Youth Section in every staff report but only in those that have any clear
and direct impact on youth and teens.
Conclusion
The City Council continues to take important steps to support and empower our youth in
Palo Alto. As the Community Collaborative for Youth Health and Well-Being reaches its
third year as a City Council priority, by creating a Youth Liaison and integrating impact
on youth into staff reports, we would formalize and further strengthen the City Council's
and the City's commitment to youth. Therefore, we request our colleagues support our
recommendations outlined in this memo.