HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 2016-016 Adding New Chapter 2.106 to the Arlington Municipal Code Establishing a Youth Council ORDINANCE NO. 2016--016
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ARLINGTON, WASHINGTON, ADDING NEW
CHAPTER 2.106 TO THE ARLINGTON MUNICIPAL CODE
ESTABLISHING A YOUTH COUNCIL
WHEREAS, the city council believes that youth are an important part of the Arlington
community and their needs and well-being are a legitimate concern of the City of Arlington; and
WHEREAS, it is important that today's youth be encouraged to take interest in local
government and community and that opportunities be created to foster civic participation by
young people; and
WHEREAS, establishment of a City of Arlington Youth Council will ensure that the
voice of Arlington's young people is a part of the dialogue when talking about how the
community builds for tomorrow; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the youth council is to serve as an advisory committee to the
city council, and other boards and commissions, on issues affecting the youth of the community;
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Arlington does hereby ordain as
follows:
Section 1. A new chapter 2.106 is hereby added to the Arlington Municipal Code, to
read as follows:
2.106 YOUTH COUNCIL
2.106.010 Purpose.
2.106.020 Membership.
2.106.030 Chairperson.
2.106.040 Meetings.
2.106.050 Attendance at Regular Meetings—Forfeiture of Office.
2.106.060 Responsibilities.
2.106.010 Purpose. The purpose of the youth council is to advise the mayor and city council
in all matters related to and affecting the youth in our community and provide youth perspectives
on a range of community issues and topics. The youth council is structured to create an essential
link among Arlington's teens, the community, and city government.
ORDINANCE NO. 2016-016 1
2.106.020. Membership. The City of Arlington Youth Council shall consist of seven
members, who shall reside within the Arlington School District or have an Arlington address.
(a) Members shall be selected through an application process and shall be
appointed by the mayor with the consent of the city council.
(b) Youth Council members shall serve a term of one year, commencing on
September 1 and ending June 1. Members may re-apply to serve more than one term.
(d) Members shall be entering 81" grade through the 12th grade at the time of
application.
2.106.030. Chairperson. The youth council shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson from
their members during the month of September. At the expiration of their terms, both officers may
run for re-election. The chairperson will preside at all meetings and the vice-chairperson will
preside if the chairperson is absent. The city will provide staff support for the youth council.
2.106.040. Meetings. For the first year, beginning in September 2016, regular meetings of the
Arlington Youth Council will be held on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month in
Arlington, Washington; provided, however, that whenever such regular meeting day falls on a
Thursday declared in RCW 1.16.050 now or in the future as a legal holiday, then the regular
meeting of the youth council will be cancelled or rescheduled. The youth council shall have the
power to determine meeting dates, times and locations.
2.106.050. Attendance at regular meetings - Forfeiture of Office. Any youth council member
with unexcused absences from more than half of all regularly scheduled youth council meetings
during any six-month period, or with unexcused absences from any three consecutive regularly
scheduled meetings, will forfeit his or her office, and the mayor, upon being so advised by the
youth council, will appoint a new member to serve the unexpired term of the youth council
member whose office was forfeited.
2.106.060. Responsibilities. The youth council is an advisory board authorized to make
recommendations to the city council on the following matters and take the following actions:
(a) Policy matters affecting the youth of the community;
(b) Planning, organizing, coordinating and participating in social, cultural,
recreational, educational and other activities for youth in our community;
(c) Examining methods of funding for youth initiatives, both from the city's annual
budget, as well as attention to grants and partnerships that may be available;
(d) Working to get more youth involved in government and community by engaging
with other students in the community and serving as role models for all youth in
Arlington;
(e) Occasionally, embarking on tours, community meetings, or community service
projects in lieu of meetings or in addition to the meetings;
(f) Attending annual Joint Meetings with the Arlington City Council, Arlington
Public Schools, and Cascade Valley Hospital and Clinics.
ORDINANCE NO. 2016-016 2
I
Section 2. Severability. If any provision, section, or part of this ordinance shall be
adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the
ordinance as a whole or any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or
unconstitutional.
Section 3. Effective Date. This ordinance or a summary thereof consisting of the
title shall be published in the official newspaper of the City, and shall take effect and be in full
force five(5) days after publication.
N�
ASSED BY the City Council and APPROVED by the Mayor this � v� day of
2016.
CITY OF ARLINGTON
(&41, V\ /-
Barbara Tolbert,Mayor
Attest:
is 'n Banfield, City Cle
Approved as to form:
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Steve J eiffffW
City Attorney
ORDINANCE NO. 2016-p (gyp 3