§ 320-45 — Youth Council

320-45. Youth Council.

1. CREATION. There is created a city youth council, which is attached to the office of the city clerk, to serve and advance the interests of city youth as a representative body in city government through a working partnership with the common council and the mayor. 2. COMPOSITION. The youth council shall be comprised of 17 members, one residing in each aldermanic district and 2 at-large members nominated by the city clerk. Each youth council member shall: a. Currently attend high school or alternative school, or demonstrate the intent to attend a high school or alternative school. b. Be committed to improving the lives of all the young people of Milwaukee. 3. SELECTION. The city clerk's office shall be responsible for recruitment of individuals to serve on the youth council. Nominations shall be submitted annually no later than July 1 to the common council for confirmation. 4. TERM OF OFFICE. a. All youth council members shall take an oath of office before beginning their terms. b. Members shall serve a term from September 1 to August 31 of the following year. c. A member shall continue to serve until he or she resigns or is replaced. d. Vacancies shall be filled for unexpired terms of 120 days or more in the same manner as original appointments. 5. OFFICERS AND RULES. a. The youth council shall elect a president and vice-president for one-year terms and may select such other officers as it provides by rule. b. The youth council may adopt rules to assist the council in carrying out its responsibilities. c. The president may appoint youth council members and other interested parties to serve on committees. d. The presence of 8 members shall constitute a quorum. e. Attendance requirements shall be established by the city clerk. Any member not meeting attendance requirements shall have his or her seat declared vacant. f. In the absence of a youth council rule to the contrary, the provisions of Robert's rules of order, latest edition, shall govern the proceedings of the council. 6. DUTIES AND POWERS. a. The youth council shall: a-1. Participate in the operation of programs as specifically authorized or directed by the common council, including such programs as may be financed in whole or in part by city financial contributions used to carry out a particular youth council program or accomplish a particular youth council goal. a-2. Assess and evaluate community needs and resources relative to the protection and promotion of city youth and communicate those assessments and evaluations to the common council and mayor. a-3. Encourage and assist in studies designed to evaluate and recommend changes in laws, policies, procedures and practices for the purpose of improving community conditions and promoting wholesome youth development. a-4. Receive program proposals from youth groups within the city. . a-5. Recommend funding allocations for the execution of program proposals authorized by the common council. b. The president may designate representatives to attend community forums and meetings. 7. STAFFING. a. The office of the city clerk shall provide staff assistance to the youth council and the selection committee and maintain the records of both bodies. b. All city departments and agencies shall cooperate with the youth council and assist the youth council to achieve its objectives. 8. REPORTS. The youth council shall annually provide a written report of its activities to the common council and the mayor and shall report more frequently as the youth council, the common council or the mayor may find proper. 9. FUNDING. Ten percent of annual city community development block grant reprogramming dollars shall be allocated to support the recommendations for youth service activities and objectives. The city shall create, administer, and audit all revenue and expenditure accounts related to the youth council according to city budget and accounting standards and procedures. 10. OVERSIGHT. The common council shall review all programs and contracts proposed for funding by the youth council and may reject any youth council decision by a majority vote.