§ 5-510. FRESNO YOUTH COMMISSION.

(a)

There is hereby created a commission which shall be known as the Fresno Youth Commission, or for purposes of this Section, the "Commission." The purpose of the Commission is to advise the Council and Mayor on issues relating to youth. The Commission is created pursuant to and shall be subject to the provisions of Article IX of the Charter governing boards and commissions of the city, and is empowered to and shall perform such advisory functions as are delegated to it by the provisions of this section or other action of the Council.

(b)

The Commission shall consist of eight (8) voting members and eight (8) alternates.

(1)

Each member of the City Council shall appoint two members to the Commission from their district; the Mayor shall appoint two members from the city-at-large. One appointment will be the voting member and the second appointment will be an alternate member.

(2)

Immediate family members of City Councilmembers and Mayor shall not be eligible for appointment.

(3)

City Councilmembers and Mayor shall make an effort to involve local youth-serving organizations in the selection and appointment process when appropriate and convenient.

(c)

Qualifications for Commission members include:

(1)

Each appointed member and alternate must reside or attend school within the Fresno city limits and shall be youth between fifteen and twenty-one years of age, at the time of appointment.

(2)

Members and alternates may serve up to age twenty-three.

(3)

Membership is restricted to youth who have an understanding of the needs of young people, experience with youth programs or youth-serving organizations, or involvement with school or community activities, and who are able and prepared to participate in the Commission activities and make the required commitment of time and energy.

(4)

Members of the Commission shall serve for a two-year term. No person appointed to Commission shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms (a total of four years).

(5)

The Commission shall select a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members to serve for a one year term; no member shall serve more than two consecutive terms in either position.

(d)

The Commission shall establish its rules and regulations for the conduct of its business. Such rules and regulations shall be consistent with this section and all other applicable laws and regulations, and shall enable the Commission to carry out the purpose of this section.

(1)

All meetings of the Commission shall be subject to the Ralph M. Brown Act (Chapter 9 of part 1 of division 2 of title 5, commencing with Section 54950, of the California Government Code).

(2)

The Commission shall schedule at least one meeting per month at a designated time and place. All members are required to attend every scheduled regular and special meeting. Three excused absences shall be allowed per year. More than three excused absences shall result in termination from the Commission. No unexcused absences will be allowed and are grounds for immediate termination from the Commission.

(3)

A simple majority of members shall constitute a quorum at any regular or special meeting of the Commission.

(e)

The youth-serving organization designated by the City Council will work with the City Clerk and city staff together to provide guidance to the Commission.

(1)

Agendas and minutes of the Commission shall be prepared by the City Clerk, or their designee, filed with the Office of the City Clerk, and shall be a public record.

(2)

The youth-serving organization designated by City Council will provide staff in an adult supervisory role to support all the Commission activities.

{3)

The City of Fresno will secure funding for the business of the Commission, provide website hosting, and any other technical support.

(4)

The council staff will serve as liaisons to the Fresno City Council and provide support as needed.

(f)

The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

(1)

Identify the concerns and needs of the youth of Fresno through community outreach and engagement; and hold public forums in which children, youth and families are encouraged to participate.

(2)

Examine existing social, economic, educational, and recreational programs for youth; develop and propose plans that support or improve such programs; and make recommendations thereon to the City Council and Mayor.

(3)

Develop and maintain a yearly strategic plan outlining the areas of focus for the Commission within the purview and jurisdiction of the City of Fresno.

(4)

Submit recommendations to the City Council and Mayor about juvenile crime prevention, job opportunities for youth, recreational activities for teenagers, opportunities for effective participation by youth in the governmental process, and changes in city regulations that are necessary to improve the social, economic, educational, recreational advantages, health and well-being of youth.

(5)

Work with the public and private sectors to bring forth the concerns of youth as well as evaluate programming that will enhance the development of young people.

(6)

Develop a communication network to disseminate information about services for youth and serve as a forum for young people.

(7)

Report to the City Council the activities, goals and accomplishments of the commission by June 30 of each calendar year, effective January 1, 2016.

(8)

Submit quarterly reports or as requested to the City Council and Mayor.

(9)

Commissioners shall meet with their appointing Councilmember or Mayor at least twice a year.

(Added Ord. 2015-17, § 1, eff. 7-20-15).