I. RECOMMENDATION:
City manager recommends Council move forward with the City of Coalinga Youth in Government Program.
This item was requested as a future agenda item by Councilman Singleton.
II. BACKGROUND:
Councilman Singleton approached the City Manager regarding an opportunity to get local youth involved in local government.
Program information is explained below.
III. DISCUSSION:
City of Coalinga - DRAFT
Youth in Government Programs
The Youth in Government Program is a Citywide program designed to give students an opportunity to gain experience in local government and make an impact in the community while earning a stipend or scholarship. The Program contains three sub-programs; the Junior Council Program, the Youth Opportunity Program, and the Future Public Servant Program.
Junior Council Program
The Junior Council Program is made up of five (5) Junior Council Members, one (1) from each Council District within the City. Each Junior Council Member is appointed by the City Council Member elected within their Council District and serves for a term of two (2) years.
The Junior Council meets monthly, on the first Wednesday of each month at 10:00 a.m., to discuss issues and concerns within their district. Their meetings are not considered public meetings, but the Brown Act, Council Code of Conduct and Robert’s Rules of Order will be introduced and generally followed to familiarize Junior Council Members. The City Manager will sit in the meetings to provide guidance and answer questions.
The Junior Council will make an annual presentation to the City Council at a December City Council meeting. The presentation will include recommendations for Council consideration.
Eligibility:
Between the ages of 15 and 22;
Reside within a Coalinga City Council District;
Ability to commit to a two-year term;
How to Apply:
Submit a completed City of Coalinga Junior Council Application with a Cover Letter detailing interest in serving on the Junior Council;
Letters of Recommendation encouraged, but not required.
Selection Process:
All applicants will be invited to participate in an interview. Interview panel members will consist of the Coalinga City Council.
Each Council Member will select one (1) Junior Council Member from within his/her Council District.
If a Council District does not have any applicants participating in the interview, the Council Member from that District may select an applicant from outside his/her Council District.
Benefits:
Aside from gaining valuable experience and making a difference in the community, Junior Council Members shall receive:
$25 stipend for each City Council meeting attended during term. Must attend entire meeting. Maximum of 24 meetings per fiscal year.
$50 stipend for each Junior Council meeting attended during term. Must attend entire meeting. Maximum of 12 meetings per fiscal year.
$100 stipend for Annual presentation at City Council meeting.
Maximum Annual Cost of Sub-Program - $6,500
Youth Opportunity Program
The Youth Opportunity Program is designed to provide at-promise youth with an opportunity to gain work experience while earning a scholarship.
Youth participants will gain hands-on work experience in a professional setting, learn about local government, get paired with a mentor, develop a professional network, work with the community, and make a difference.
Assignments may include City Administration, Financial Services, Police or Fire Services, Public Works, Utilities, or other City operations.
Eligibility:
Between the ages of 14 and 20;
Reside within the City of Coalinga;
Ability to commit to completing 200 hours;
Considered at-promise;
How to Apply:
Submit a completed City of Coalinga Youth Opportunity Program Application with a Cover Letter detailing interest in participating in the Youth Opportunity Program.
Letters of Recommendation encouraged, but not required.
Selection Process:
All applicants will be invited to participate in an interview. Interview panel members will consist of one management employee within the Police Department, one Coalinga Police Officer’s Association Member Employee, and one employee from the Coalinga-Huron Unified School District.
The panel will select two (2) participants each fiscal year.
Benefits:
Aside from gaining valuable work experience and building a professional network, participants will receive a $1,500 scholarship after completing 100 hours of work experience as assigned in the Program.
The City Manager may extend the participant an additional 100 hours for an additional $1,500 scholarship depending on performance
Maximum Annual Cost of Sub-Program - $6,000.
Future Public Servant Program
The Future Public Servant Program is designed to provide youth participants with local government work experience to familiarize them with public service employment.
Youth participants will gain hands-on work experience in a professional setting, learn about local government, get paired with a mentor, develop a professional network, work with the community, and make a difference.
The goal is that these youth participants will become public servants.
Assignments may include City Administration, Financial Services, Police or Fire Services, Public Works, Utilities, or other City operations.
Eligibility:
Between the ages of 16 and 20;
Reside within the City of Coalinga;
Ability to commit to completing 200 hours;
Have an interest in a career in public service.
How to Apply:
Submit a completed City of Coalinga Future Public Servant Program Application with a Cover Letter detailing interest in participating in the Future Public Servant Program.
Letters of Recommendation encouraged, but not required.
Selection Process:
All applicants will be invited to participate in an interview. Interview panel members will consist of three City of Coalinga employees.
The panel will select two (2) participants each fiscal year.
Benefits:
Aside from gaining valuable work experience in public service and building a professional network, participants will receive a $1,500 scholarship after completing 100 hours of work experience as assigned in the Program.
The City Manager may extend the participant an additional 100 hours for an additional $1,500 scholarship depending on performance.
Maximum Annual Cost of Sub-Program - $6,000.
Total Maximum Annual Cost of Program - $18,500
IV. ALTERNATIVES:
1. Do not move forward with the program or
2. Make modifications to the program prior to moving forward.
V. FISCAL IMPACT:
Up to $18,500 annually to the City's General Fund. The intent would be to fund this program beginning in the 2021-2022 Budget. |