Consider the Establishment of a Youth Liaison to the Park and Recreation Commission

Proposed for consideration, is the establishment of a Youth Liaison to the Park and Recreation Commission.  This would be a Ramsey resident, 16 to 18 years of age, he/she would participate in all affairs and discussion of the Commission, but be a non-voting member (and without a per diem).  There would seem to be many advantages to this new position, and with little or no costs.  Chief among the benefits would be a broader representation of the community to this advisory board—and thereby by extension, also to the Council.

Who:   A Ramsey resident, 16 to 18 years of age.  They would submit an essay to the Commission to be considered, then interviewed and selected to move forward by the Commission Chair, Staff Liaison and an HR representative or appointee.  How Council approval would occur can be determined.

What:   A Park and Recreation Commission Youth Liaison, who may have an assigned ‘term’, but would time-out around when they reach their 19th Birthday (or at the end of that respective term, whichever occurred later) .  (At which point they may be an ideal candidate to serve as an appointed Board or Commission member as part of the usual process.)

 Why:   To expand civic engagement and participation, as well as improve upon the diversity of opinions, ideas, issue identification, and perspectives as the City sets priorities for the development of the park and trail system for the future.  While the establishment of the position now may be particularly useful, the expectation is that the Youth Liaison would be an on-going addition to the Commission.  (Though could be discontinued at any time.)

Staff also proposes using this Parks and Recreation Commission appointment as a pilot project that could be expanded to the other advisory commissions of the City (e.g., EPB, and Planning).  The initial program will help to identify any additional benefits or shot-comings of the program prior to consideration of expanding it to other commissions.

 How:   The Park and Recreation Commission has forwarded a recommendation to investigate this opportunity to City Council (the essence of this case). 
 

Observations

The timing of the establishment of this position, would seem to be particularly beneficial as the City begins both the Comprehensive Plan and a Master Plan for Parks, now with a more direct voice from one of the Park and Recreation Commission's more important constituent groups—young people.  This also begins to develop future leadership within the community, and increases communications in several dimensions and directions.

Since this topic had been discussed by the Park and Recreation Commission in March, Staff has made an inquiry with other communities to see if any had a youth liaison or similar position.  The following is a synopses of the informal survey:

• Many communities do not have a youth liaison
• Some have Youth Commissioners with equal stature (voting) and are fully 'counted' as a part of a seven member commission
• At least one city has the equivalent of a youth liaison (or two members), but as non-voting member(s)
• A few city's have explored the concept but found regular participation to be an issue, and have discontinued the practice
• At least one community had youth liaisons to several commissions and boards

Attached are examples of how three different city's address youth participation relating to their Park and Recreation Commission

Alternatives

1. Do nothing at this time
2. Consider the concept at a future date
3. Investigate further
4. Direct Staff to proceed with the Youth Liaison to the Park and Recreation Commission, based upon Council direction

 

Other than a small amount of recruitment time (staff), there would be no cost over-and-above those that support regular Commission activity.

Staff and the Commission are recommending the establishment of a Youth Liaison to the Park and Recreation Commission.

Motion to authorize/not authorize Staff to proceed with the establishment of a Youth Liaison to the Park and Recreation Commission, (based upon discussion).