11-12-1997 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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515 Little Canada Road. Little Canada. YIN 55117 -1600 (612) 484 -2177 / FAX: (612) 484 -4538 September 18, 1997 TO: Mayor Fahey and Members of the City Council FROM: Kathy Glanzer, Deputy Clerk RE: Youth Involvement in City Government MAYOR Michael L Fahey COUNCIL Beverly Scalze Jim LaValle Steve Moreton Bob Pedersen ADMINISTRATOR Joel R Hanson As requested by the Council, I have contacted some of the cities which provide a means for youth involvement at the City level. The following is a summary of what I have found: Falcon Heights — This City has a youth advisory member on their Solid Waste Commission and their Human Rights Commission. Attendance has been sporadic. The City also has a Parks & Recreation Commission and a Planning Commission, but no youth members on these two Commissions at this time. If someone were interested, there would likely be an appointment of a youth member, although staff has some concern with having a youth member on the Planning Commission given that the Commission deals with people's property rights. Falcon Heights has used youth as election judges. This City also has a Junior Leaders Program which involves youth volunteers (middle school age) who serve as recreation helpers for children's programs. Eventually these volunteers can work into paid positions. About a year ago a group of about a dozen residents (youth included) formed a volunteer task force called Keeping Connected. Their focus was to get people to know their neighbors. Some of the projects they have been working on include putting together neighborhood directories. Last May they held an intergenerational dialogue and hope to hold this at least once a year. ( See information attached.) Burnsville — This City has had two youth members on their Parks & Natural Resources Commission. Youth participation has not been totally successful, attendance has been sporadic, one member recently left to join the Army, and the other has not attended Page 53