Presenter
Presented by Mr. Motznik
Title
Ordinance establishing Chapter 178 of the Pittsburgh City Code creating a Youth Commission and a Youth Council; vacancies; meetings; duties and responsibilities.
Body
Whereas, the needs of children, youth and families are inextricably tied to the quality of life of the citizens of Pittsburgh and, thus, the City of Pittsburgh has deemed it a priority to focus attention and resources on issues affecting our City's children, youth and families including, but not limited to, providing high quality after school activities, mentoring initiatives, college youth retention, recreational opportunities, youth crime prevention, and delivery of information regarding existing services and programs that meet the needs of our City's children, youth and families; and
Whereas, Pittsburgh youth are the lifeblood and future of the City of Pittsburgh and are an invaluable resource that must be heard from and considered in the decision making process of the City of Pittsburgh and its government; and
Whereas, Mayor Bob O'Connor and the City of Pittsburgh are committed to work with the youth of our City to address their concerns and needs in a comprehensive and meaningful way through the establishment of a commission to address the same; and
Whereas, it is the desire of Mayor Bob O'Connor to establish a Youth Commission consisting of Pittsburgh experts in fields related to youth needs, activities and interests to define priorities to address the needs of Pittsburgh's children, youth and families, to identify or create programmatic and policy opportunities to address those prioritized needs and to inform elected and appointed officials representing the children, youth and families of the City of Pittsburgh opportunities to help the children, youth and families of Pittsburgh to achieve their fullest potential in terms of mind, body and spirit and to meaningfully connect to the City of Pittsburgh; and
Whereas, it is the desire of Mayor Bob O'Connor to establish a Youth Council to serve as a forum for young Pittsburghers to address those needs and involve Pittsburgh youth in the creation of a better Pittsburgh.
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Pittsburgh as follows:
Section 1. Establishing Chapter 178 of the Pittsburgh City Code, as follows:
178.01. Youth Commission
The Youth Commission shall consist of 15 members who are residents of the City of Pittsburgh and experts in fields related to youth needs, activities and interests, and shall be appointed by the Mayor subject to the approval of Council. Said members shall include, but not be limited to, three representatives from the Youth Council established pursuant to ยง178.05 of this Code, at least one representative from the administration of the Pittsburgh Public Schools, who shall be selected by the Superintendent of the Pittsburgh Public Schools, at least one representative from the business community, at least one representative from a non-profit, youth serving organization, two University or College representatives, at least one law enforcement representative and at least one representative from a community-based organization. The Mayor shall serve as Chair of the Youth Commission. The Youth Commission shall meet at least four times a year. The Youth Commission may establish committees as it shall deem necessary to advise the Youth Commission on such issues as determined by the Youth Commission. The membership of each committee shall include no less than one member of the Youth Commission with the membership and the chair of each committee to be appointed by the Chair of the Youth Commission. Committees established by the Youth Commission shall meet as often as necessary as determined by the respective chair of each committee.
178.02. Youth Commission Terms, Vacancy.
The term of each member shall be four years. A successor shall be appointed upon the expiration of the term of a member, which successor shall have a term of four years. The appointment to fill a vacancy shall be only for the unexpired portion of the term.
178.03 Youth Commission Quorum; Regulations.
(a) Nine members of the Youth Commission shall constitute a quorum.
(b) The Youth Commission shall make regulation for its own organization and procedure, consistent with the laws of the Commonwealth and of this Code. Members shall serve without compensation.
178.04 Youth Commission Powers and Duties.
The Youth Commission shall have the responsibility to address the needs of Pittsburgh's children, youth and families, to identify or propose the creation of programmatic opportunities to address those needs and to inform elected and appointed officials representing the children, youth and families of the City of Pittsburgh about opportunities to help them to achieve their fullest potential in terms of mind, body and spirit, and to have a meaningful voice in the direction of the City of Pittsburgh. The Youth Commission shall report in writing quarterly to the Mayor and Council on its recommendations and suggestions.
178.05 Youth Council.
The Youth Council shall consist of two (2) representative student leaders from each public high school located in the City of Pittsburgh, one (1) representative student leader from each religious, parochial and private high school located in the City of Pittsburgh, and five (5) young people between the ages of fourteen and eighteen to be selected from the community at large and nine (9) young people between the ages of fourteen and eighteen, one (1) from each city council district to be nominated by the Member of Council representing that district. All members of the Youth Council shall be residents of the City of Pittsburgh, and shall be appointed by the Mayor subject to the approval of City Council. All Youth Council members will be selected through an open application process and selection criteria shall be based upon proven leadership, community involvement and recommendations from school principals and instructors. The Youth Council shall meet no fewer than four times in each calendar year.
178.06 Youth Council Terms; Vacancy.
The term of each member of the Youth Council shall be for one year. Their successors shall be appointed on the expiration of their respective terms. The appointment to fill a vacancy shall be only for the unexpired portion of the term.
178.07 Youth Council Quorum; Regulations.
(a) A simple majority of the members of the Youth Council shall constitute a quorum.
(b) The Youth Council shall elect from its membership a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer for one year terms of office.
(c) The Youth Council shall meet at least monthly at times and places it may designate.
(d) In all other respects, the Youth Council shall make regulations for its own organization and procedure consistent with the laws of the Commonwealth and of this Code.
(e) Members shall serve without compensation.
178.08 Youth Council Powers and Duties.
The Youth Council shall serve as a liaison between the City of Pittsburgh youth and the Youth Commission on issues affecting youth and to encourage the positive growth and development of youth by involving them in social, cultural, recreational and other drug and alcohol free activities. Upon request of the Mayor or Council, the Youth Council shall provide advice and assistance on matters concerning the needs of youth from the perspective of youth. In the performance of its function, the Youth Council is authorized to make recommendations to the Mayor and Council on:
(a) Policy matters affecting Pittsburgh youth;
(b) Planning, organizing, coordinating and carrying out drug and alcohol free social, cultural, recreational, and other activities for Pittsburgh youth;
(c) Establishing guidelines, rules and procedures for participation in such activities; and
(d) Entering into agreements with entertainers, concessionaires and other third parties as may be desirable by the Commission within available funds and in accordance with all applicable laws and procedures.
The Youth Council shall report in writing annually to the Mayor and Council on its recommendations and suggestions, describing its activities in the previous year and an annual work plan for the ensuing year.
178.09 Employees; Expenses.
The Youth Commission and the Youth Council shall employ persons and employees as may be necessary, whose salary, with necessary expenses, may be provided for at the discretion of Council and the Mayor by the proper appropriations and ordinances.
Finally, that any Ordinance or Resolution or any part thereof conflicting with the provisions of this Ordinance is hereby repealed so far as the same shall affect this ordinance.