[Ord. No. 707, § 1, 5-28-1992; Ord. No. 929, § I,
5-25-2004; Ord. No. 1244, § I, 10-26-2021]
There is hereby established a municipal board to be known as
the "Youth Commission of the City of Pittsfield."
[Ord. No. 707, § 1, 5-28-1992, Ord. No. 727, § 1,
11-25-1992; Ord. No. 776, § 1, 11-10-1994; Ord. No. 822,
§ I, 12-12-2000; Ord. No. 929, § I, 5-25-2004; Ord. No. 1108, § I, 3-10-2015; Ord. No. 1244, § I, 10-26-2021]
(a)
In accordance with Article 2, Section 2-10, Article 3, Section 3-3 and Article 6 of Chapter 72 of the Acts of 2013, there is hereby established a commission to be known as the "Youth Commission." The mission of the Youth Commission will be to provide an ongoing forum for communication between City government and local youth.
(b)
The Youth Commission shall consist of a total of 15 voting members,
including 10 residents ages 13 to 22, two members of whom shall be
middle school students, two members of whom shall be high school students
and two of whom will be college students, and five adults who represent
a variety of interests in the community. The Youth Commission shall
consist of individuals who have an understanding of the needs of young
people in Pittsfield, experience with youth programs or youth organizations,
or involvement with school or community activities. The members shall
represent the diversity of ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation
and socioeconomic status of the people of the City and shall be residents
of the City.
(c)
Each member shall serve a term of one year. In the event of a vacancy, the Mayor shall appoint a successor as soon as practicable, subject to City Council approval, and said successor shall fulfill the unexpired term of the member whose seat was vacated. In accordance with Article 10, Section 10-6(a) of Chapter 72 of the Acts of 2013, the Commission shall choose from among its member a Chairperson, Vice Chair, Secretary and any other officer it deems necessary.
(d)
Members of the Commission shall not be compensated, nor shall they
be reimbursed for expenses.
[Ord. No. 707, § 1, 5-28-1992; Ord. No. 929, § I,
5-25-2004; Ord. No. 1244, § I, 10-26-2021]
(a)
The function of the Youth Commission shall be to provide a resource
for all City boards and agencies in areas involving children and adolescents;
to advocate on behalf of children; to effect an ongoing dialogue and
exchange of views among such agencies regarding issues of children
and adolescents; to make recommendations to and work closely with
the Mayor to further the interests of children and adolescents; to
coordinate as necessary the scheduling of special events for children
and adolescents; to encourage children and adolescents to submit petitions
to the City Council; and to maintain a calendar of scheduled events
for children and adolescents in the City.
(b)
The Youth Commission will respond to requests for comment and recommendation
on matters referred to the Commission by officers, departments, agencies,
boards, commissions and advisory committees of the City of Pittsfield.
(c)
The Youth Commission will advise the City Council and Mayor about
how such recommendations could be coordinated in the community to
eliminate duplication in cost and effort. The Youth Commission will
identify the concerns and needs of the youth of Pittsfield; 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 Mayor and City Council.
This process will allow opportunities for effective participation
by youth in the governmental process, and improve the social, economic,
educational, and recreational advantages of the City's youth.
[Ord. No. 707, § 1, 5-28-1992; Ord. No. 929, § I,
5-25-2004; Ord. No. 1244, § I, 10-26-2021]
The Commission shall meet monthly. The Chairperson of the Commission
shall declare vacant the seat of any member who misses three consecutive
meetings without a valid reason, as determined by the Chairperson.
Upon such vacancy, the Chairperson will promptly notify the Mayor
so that a replacement can be appointed. The Director of Youth Services/Activities
Coordinator shall serve as an ex officio member of the Youth Commission
and one City Councilor who shall serves as a liaison for the City
Council.
[Ord. No. 929, § I, 5-25-2004; Ord. No. 1142, § XLVIII, 9-29-2015; Ord. No. 1244, § I, 10-26-2021]
In accordance with Article 3, Section 3-3 and Article 6, Section 6-1 of the City Charter enacted by Chapter 72 of the Acts of 2013, the Mayor shall appoint a Director of Youth Services who shall also function as the Activities Coordinator. The Director shall serve until a successor is duly appointed or qualified. The Director may be removed by the Mayor. The Director of Youth Services will be tasked generally with improving the quality of life for children, young adults, parents and families throughout the City of Pittsfield.
[Ord. No. 929, § I, 5-25-2004; Ord. No. 1244, § I, 10-26-2021]
The Director of Youth Services shall have a bachelor's degree
or an equivalent combination of work experience and education, have
the ability to apply for grants, and experience in preparing and managing
budgets and quarterly reports.
[Ord. No. 929, § I, 5-25-2004; Ord. No. 1244, § I, 10-26-2021]
(a)
Plan, organize, coordinate and promote City-wide programs and activities
for all age groups.
(b)
Bridge the gap between youth and government by providing references,
resources, and support to families, youth, and community organizations
that are already involved in delivery of youth/family related services.
(c)
Conduct and maintain a comprehensive youth services needs assessment
on a City-wide and community-wide basis.
(d)
Compile and make available data relating to youth, youth services,
and recreational activities in Pittsfield on an ongoing basis.
(e)
Develop, in concert with the Mayor, the City Council, and related
community agencies a strategic action plan to meet the needs of the
youth of the City of Pittsfield.
(f)
Identify and secure funding that will directly benefit and support
youth activities and recreation in the community.
(g)
Initiate opportunities for youth to be directly involved in City
government and encouraging participation in official City functions.
(h)
Submit quarterly reports to the Mayor and City Council.
(i)
Work closely with the Chairman of the Youth Commission to facilitate
ambitious and organized monthly meetings.
(j)
Identify opportunities to expand neighborhood youth services in conjunction
with local community boards.
(k)
Collaborate with the Youth Commission and community boards on youth
summits where groups of young people brainstorm ideas for improving
quality of life in Pittsfield, debate those ideas, and create action
plans to accomplish them.
(l)
Collaborate with the Youth Commission and City Hall to create and
sponsor an annual youth event focused on inspiring students to greater
participation in City government.
(m)
Plan and coordinate National Red Ribbon Annual Campaign with schools
and agencies.
(n)
Find creative ways for youth to become more involved in state and
federal government affairs.
(o)
Work with the Parks Department to assist the coordination and improvement
or recreational programs and activities for all age groups.
[Ord. No. 1138, § I, 8-11-2015; Ord. No. 1244, § I, 10-26-2021]
The Mayor shall appoint a Youth Advisor who shall serve until
a successor is duly appointed or qualified. No member of the Youth
Commission may be appointed to serve as Youth Advisor. The Youth Advisor
shall serve unpaid and may be removed by the Mayor. The duty of the
Youth Advisor is to advise the Youth Commission on matters of procedure
and to assist the Youth Commission on any other matter as requested
by member(s) of the Commission.
