REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Consider Creation of a Youth Commission - Study Issue
Report
BACKGROUND
At its February 7, 2014 workshop, Council approved Study Issue LCS 14-04: Consider Creation of a Youth Commission to explore the benefits of establishing a Youth Commission to act in an advisory capacity to the City Council (Attachment 1). Council thought was that Sunnyvale teens may wish to be more actively engaged in City government than allowed by the current function of the Teen Advisory Council, which primarily serves to plan social and recreational events. Council directed staff to gauge the interest of local youth in taking a broader role in civic affairs and to explore what form that role might take based on youth engagement models in other cities, including formation of a Youth Commission. In addition, Council asked staff to evaluate the potential for Sunnyvale youth to participate in policy decisions on a national level.
For over twenty years the City of Sunnyvale has actively encouraged local teenagers to participate in city activities through its Teen Advisory Committee (TAC). Initially, the TAC mainly served to allow teens to assist staff in the former Department of Parks and Recreation in planning social events. However, with the recent transition of recreational programming to the new Department of Library and Community Services, the TAC has taken a more active role in both developing and implementing youth-oriented recreational activities. In addition, the TAC has also begun to participate in educational workshops and volunteer opportunities. For example, during the past year TAC members not only planned movie nights and concerts, they also organized park clean-up days and planned activities at the Senior Center. In recognition of their expanded role, a number of TAC members attended a local conference for city-sponsored youth advisory groups at which they shared their experiences as youth representatives in local government.
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