[Adopted 2-2-2021 by Ord. No. 21-01]
The Youth Advisory Committee shall consist of seven members
and two mentors. Two members shall be the Chair and the Vice Chair
tasked with facilitating meetings, recording minutes, soliciting members
for consideration and preparing agendas. The Mayor shall appoint the
Chair, and Common Council shall approve. The Vice Chair shall be voted
on by the Youth Advisory Committee. Five Committee members shall be
nominated by the Chair, officially appointed by the Mayor, and approved
by Common Council. All members of the Youth Advisory Committee shall
be youth that reside in the Watertown Unified School District and
shall serve as members of the Committee without compensation. To be
appointed, members should be entering or in Grade 8 and are eligible
through Grade 12. Members that are in Grade 12 may complete their
appointed term. There shall also be two people with nonvoting rights
that serve as mentors to the Youth Advisory Committee; mentors shall
be appointed by the Mayor and approved by Common Council. To be eligible
to serve as a mentor, one may not have been convicted of a felony
in any court within the United States for which they have not been
pardoned or one may not be currently serving a sentence, including
incarceration, parole, probation, or extended supervision, for a felony
conviction. Mentors are subject to complete and pass a Department
of Justice background check.
The terms of office for each member of the Youth Advisory Committee
shall be two years. The mentors shall be appointed for one-year terms.
Members and mentors are eligible for renewal after their term without
term limits until the member no longer meets the grade-level eligibility.
A.
Purpose. In acknowledgement of the incredible value of the youth
in the City of Watertown, the Watertown Youth Advisory Committee (YAC)
is being created to gauge the ideas and input of the youth in the
greater Watertown community. The goal is to incorporate the ideas
and opinions of the Youth Advisory Committee in an effort to have
balanced and strategic growth that is appealing and appropriate to
all generations.
B.
Duties.
(1)
The duties of the Youth Advisory Committee shall include, but not
be limited to:
(a)
The Youth Advisory Committee shall engage youth in City government,
community events, and community service.
(b)
The Youth Advisory Committee shall exercise broad responsibility
in identifying the problems, issues, and desires of the youth in the
City of Watertown and strategizing implementation of such.
(c)
The Youth Advisory Committee members shall provide input on
key issues and ideas throughout the City and, where requested, serve
on special projects and groups.
(d)
The Youth Advisory Committee shall give special attention to
assisting in City-sponsored events.
(e)
The Youth Advisory Committee shall promote a positive environment
for the youth throughout the community.
(f)
The Youth Advisory Committee shall submit minutes to Common
Council.
