HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.A.1. Discuss the Creation of a Shakopee Youth Task ForceVotA 4. A. 1.
SHAKO }P F
TO: Mayor and City Council
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
FROM: Zach Stock, Administrative Intern
DATE: 05/27/2014
SUBJECT: Youth Councils
Introduction
Discuss the creation of a Shakopee Youth Task Force.
Background:
Youth Councils are used throughout many communities in Minnesota with each specifying
different roles and responsibilities of the council. Every community that I reviewed provided the
teens with the opportunity to develop the goals and responsibilities of the youth council. The most
reoccurring response for a teen to say about their community is that "there is nothing to do here"
or "I can't vote so what I want doesn't matter." Establishing a stage for teens to develop
knowledge on the community, civic engagement, and an opportunity for their voices to be heard
on issues affecting the average teen would provide Council with a currently untapped source of
information.
The Cities of Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center have joined forces to develop a youth council
that serves students in and around the Brooklyns, from 5 schools in the community. The teens
involved organized their council into three sub - committees: Philanthropy, Data collection and
Polling, and Partnership and Representation. The Council holds weekly meetings where
discussion is had on teen related city issues and fund raising opportunities.
A staff liaison was designated to be the mentor and facilitator for the teens' to ensure they are
keeping on track and stay within reason of their capabilities. The staff member also holds another
position in the city and devotes about 20% of time to the youth council. In addition, she is
responsible for making sure the council does research and becomes knowledgeable about issues
before presenting findings to the City Council. She suggested that the designated staff member be
provided with a phone with unlimited text message service because it is the main form of
communication for teens.
Funding for these programs is done through grants, and youth council fundraising events to help
finance the projects and activities the council deems necessary to pursue.
It was suggested by multiple communities that an elected official not be the head of the group
because of the potential of new people being elected and not having the same support for such an
organization. The youth council should be seen as a source of information and knowledge for the
entire council and community.