HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2411-3757CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
Monday, March 17, 2025
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Agenda Item
3.Study Session with Palo Alto Youth Council, Staff Presentation
City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: STUDY SESSION
Lead Department: Community Services
Meeting Date: March 17, 2025
Report #:2411-3757
TITLE
Study Session with Palo Alto Youth Council
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council provide feedback to the Palo Alto Youth Council on their
accomplishments and goals.
BACKGROUND
The Palo Alto Youth Council (PAYC) provides an opportunity for high school students to take an
active leadership role in the community. PAYC’s mission is to “foster communications and
connections between teens and the Palo Alto community.” To achieve this, PAYC is actively
engaged in the community and identifies and addresses the key concerns that teenagers face
while also serving as youth ambassadors to the City Council.
Previous programs and events organized by PAYC include, “Escaping Vaping”, College
Admissions after COVID, Finals Study Cram Slam, Palopalooza, and teen surveys and community
service events.
ANALYSIS
PAYC presents to the City Council their recent achievements and ongoing initiatives aimed at
addressing critical youth-related issues within the community. The presentation (Attachment A)
covers accomplishments from the previous academic term as well as updates on the current
year, detailing the significant progress made by PAYC in fostering community engagement,
mental health awareness, and leadership among Palo Alto youth.
Presentation Topics:
Accomplishments: PAYC will outline notable achievements from last term and this term,
focusing on how these accomplishments align with PAYC’s mission to foster communications
and connections between teens and the Palo Alto community. This will include summaries of
key projects and their impact.
Current Initiatives: PAYC will provide insights into the strategies and actions taken on ongoing
initiatives, highlighting approaches to tackle pressing youth issues. These initiatives
demonstrate PAYC’s commitment to creating supportive, inclusive, and resourceful spaces for
teens in Palo Alto.
Event Summary: PAYC will recap significant events organized over the last two terms, with each
event’s goals, turnout statistics, and community impact. Through these events, PAYC has
successfully engaged a diverse group of youth and raised awareness on topics of importance to
the community.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
ATTACHMENTS
APPROVED BY:
City Council
Presentation
March 17, 2025
1
Who We Are
▣Multiple subcommittees▣30 Palo Alto teens -2x as many applications this year
□Gunn, Paly, Castilleja, Nueva, Crystal Springs, Sacred Heart ▣Objectives
□Connect and educate youth through events, initiatives, and
resources
□Communicate city affairs and global affairs to youth
□Champion youth concerns to the City Council & Parks and
Recreation Commission
■Increase collaboration with council & commission
□Conduct relevant research on teen issues
2
Members & Officers
▣President:Natya▣Vice President:Priscilla▣Secretary: Maddie▣Outreach Specialists (new): Vin, Anika R.▣Public Information Officers:Malcolm, Camille▣Members:
Alyssa, Anika D., Anjali, Averie, Charlie, Dani, Dolly, Elsa, Hailey,
Jayden, Joshua, Keerath, Lara, Maira, Melinda, McKenna, Michael,
Natalie, Rhea, Ruddhra, Sarah, Siyona, Vivian, Zara
3
Past
Accomplishments
4
Themes
1. Mental Health / Substance Abuse 2. Civic Education 3. Climate Change
5
Mental Health Resource Guide -Webpage
6
▣Objective
□Mental health education & awareness▣Contents
□Terminology
□Health Risks
□Community Resources▣Online and Physical copies
□Mitchell Park Teen Services Website
□Mitchell Park Teen Services Instagram
Substance Abuse Video
7
Final Study Cram Slam (Annual)
▣Objectives
□Academic support
□Anxiety relief
□Community bonding▣Offerings
□Study groups
□Free tutoring
□Silent study & game room
□De-stressing activities: therapy
dogs, slime-making, etc
□Free dinner & snacks 8
Civic Impact Summit
▣Objectives
□Increase political awareness
□Support voter pre-registration
□Gain insight from experts▣Offerings
□Workshops and guest speakers
□Food
□Civic action raiser activities
□Raffle
9
Movie Night
▣Objectives
□Community bonding▣Offerings
□Coco showing
□Free entry
□Free snacks
10
College Admissions Panel
▣Objectives
□Increase awareness about financial
aid, essays, and more▣Content
□Two panelists (past admissions
officers)
□Public Q&A
11
2024-2025
Upcoming
Events
12
Pancakes and Pickleball
▣Objectives
□Youth-city communication
□Civic education▣All council members,
commissioners, and other City
officials are invited!▣Bonding over pickleball and
food▣March 29, 2025
13
Youth Issues Census
▣Objectives
□To identify the most important issues for Palo Alto youth
and share findings with City Council▣Topics Addressed
□Climate change
□Civic engagement
□Student safety
□General reflection
14
Over 260 youth
respondents
Upcoming events and initiatives
▣Earth Day Rally
□Friday, April 18, 2025
□Collaboration with PASCC
□King Plaza▣Palopalooza Event
□May 2, 2025
□Mitchell Park Community Center
□From 5pm -9pm
15
Appreciations
▣City Council Representatives▣Parks & Rec Representatives▣Advisor: Chris Sanchez▣The Mitchell Park Community Center
16
Questions
▣What are the City Council’s primary objectives this
year? ▣How does the City Council currently
communicate with youth?▣How can PAYC best serve the City Council? ▣What will collaboration look like between PAYC
and City Council?
□Attending meetings
□Study sessions 17
Thank you
18