Agenda Date: 02/05/2019
Subject:
Title
A resolution approving creation of the Littleton Next Generation Advisory Committee
Body
|
Presented By: |
Samma Fox, Assistant to the City Manager |
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION:
Does city council approve the resolution creating the Littleton Next Generation Advisory Committee (NGAC)?
BACKGROUND:
Youth in Government Initiatives take many forms in Colorado and nationally:
- Authority, Board, and Commission Liaisons
In communities such as Englewood and Durango, there are youth liaisons appointed to each board. These are typically 8th to 12th grade students, and in the case of Englewood, they are recruited with the help of the schools.
- Youth Commissions/Committees/Councils/Panels
This is the most common option and typically includes a group of 7-15 students in grades 8-12. Often these groups serve solely as youth advisory committees, but many organizations allow a larger role. In Centennial for example, the committee partners with the municipal court for a teen court program. In Longmont, the committee can issue grants of up to $500 and in Westminster it is also a service group.
- Next Generation Commissions/Committees
These are typically advisory committees with young adult or millennial membership. For example, Boston and Philadelphia have a millennial council and millennial advisory committee, respectively. Aspen has a next generation commission that allows participants up to age 40 and Aurora mixes participants aged 21 and over into its youth commission.
- Coordinated Service Groups
Some communities coordinate service activities for youth, which may or may not be in conjunction with their youth commission.
Common Issues
Sustained interest and attendance are often challenges for these groups. The interest issue can be mitigated through partnership with schools and community organizations, as well as through marketing of the group. Interest is less of an issue for millennial or next generation groups than it is for groups targeting 13-18 year-olds (8th-12th grade students). Among the recommendations to encourage attendance could be less frequent meetings, (i.e. monthly rather than weekly), and including an attendance requirement in the by-laws.
Other recommendations to ensure the group adheres to its mission is to keep it relatively small, have a defined mission with clear parameters, and include a sunset period where continuation of the program can be re-evaluated.
Littleton History
The most recent youth in government initiative involved a partnership with Littleton Public Schools (LPS) for a Youth in Government Day Scholarship Event. This required students to take a day out of school and significant time investment from staff to coordinate and participate. The program ended after its 2013 cycle due to a number of factors including staff resources, cost, and low participation.
Why the NGAC
Next generation groups are an opportunity to reach a demographic that is typically underrepresented by traditional outreach methods, such as surveys and printed news. The Envision Littleton 2040 Report is a reminder that while this demographic may not respond to surveys as highly as others, they want to participate but need to be met on their terms. Forming the Next Generation Advisory Committee would provide an additional method to reach and engage this demographic, maintaining the high standard for civic involvement set by Littleton’s founders and civic leaders.
The creation of this committee stems from City Council’s 2018 Strategic Imperative to build collaborative relationships.
PRIOR ACTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS:
Creation of a NGAC was discussed at the March 27, 2018, June 5, 2018 and January 8, 2019 study sessions.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Council Direction
The following changes/refinements are based on direction from council:
- Addition of the NGAC Action Plan
o The action plan highlights NGAC objectives and outlines the initial implementation timeline. Once created, the group will develop a two-year work plan.
o The working objectives were updated to include serving as a forum for greater public engagement from an often less engaged demographic; and sparking ongoing discussions around challenges, opportunities, and contributions of younger Littleton residents to consider their viewpoint in public decision-making.
- By-Law Changes
o Mission updated from advancing the policy interests of the 17-34 year-old demographic to:
Support the city council’s vision statement with thoughtful, considerate and insightful recommendations, suggestions and feedback on matters of city policy that directly impact the attraction and retention of young residents and employees.
o Goals were updated to better align with a municipal focus
o The group will take member recommendations from local schools
o Members do not have to be a Littleton resident, but must work or attend school in Littleton
o Members will be expected to keep current with council activities
Meetings
- Monthly on the first Thursday
- Anticipated to begin in May of 2019
- The first 5-6 meetings will be dedicated to learning the city and engaging in the Envision Littleton process
- The group will develop a work plan through December 2020
(See the attached Action Plan for a timeline)
Envision Littleton and the NGAC
- The NGAC will act as an advisory committee ensuring the voice of the 17-34 year-old demographic is captured in a meaningful way:
o Engagement will begin during Phase 3 The Future City of Littleton (Mar-Jul), with an introduction to Envision Littleton and review of Phases 1-2
o The group will be engaged at its regular meetings, in a similar fashion to other groups, during Phases 3-5
- The NGAC will have the opportunity to sponsor events or act as ambassadors for Envision Littleton. The following are some possibilities:
o Sponsor a speaker series event by hosting, emceeing, or participating in storytelling
o Promote Envision Littleton events on social media
o Volunteer at Envision Littleton events
Application and Appointment Process
- February: Initial application period
o Application Form: A modified version of the Authorities, Boards, & Commissions Application <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd4hIXhwwoa2bfX_dBXotN474R6dcS4nil7xjmqi-pKBytn3Q/viewform>
§ Section 3. Board preferences will be removed
§ Section 4. Experience will only have one set of responses (rather than two)
o Littleton Public Schools will be asked to recommend three students
o Arapahoe Community College will be asked to recommend one student
- March: Council subcommittee to interview applicants and make a recommendation to council
- March: Council appoint members to the committee
Liaisons
- Council Member Schlachter
- Assistant to the City Manager
OPTIONS/ALTERNATIVES:
1) Approve the resolution and direct staff to begin marketing and recruiting for the Littleton NGAC.
2) Do not approve the resolution and do not pursue the committee at this time.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
Fiscal impacts are expected to be incidental but may change as the group evolves. Staff will reach out to council if impacts become material.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Littleton Next Generation Advisory Committee for a trial period ending December 2020 under the assumption the group become self-sufficient.
During the trial period, council should provide direction to the group and in December 2020, council will review the group’s work and effectiveness, and determine whether to stop, continue, or modify the Littleton Next Generation Advisory Committee.
PRESENTATIONS:
i. Staff Presenter: Samma Fox, Assistant to the City Manager (if requested)
ii. Applicant Presenter: N/A
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve the resolution creating a Littleton Next Generation Advisory Committee with a sunset and re-evaluation in December of 2020.