SEBASTIAN — A Sebastian Youth Advisory Council is set become a part of City’s government structure. The City Council unanimously approved a resolution that will give an official voice to area youth.
The idea had been proposed by City Council Vice-Chairman Jerome Adams, who has long promoted the value of participation and input by the community’s youth “in what our city is to be, because they are the ones who will be running it going forward.”
The new Youth Council will be composed of nine members: five students from Sebastian River High School and two each from Sebastian River Middle School and Sebastian Charter Junior High School.
The Council will meet quarterly, in the City Hall Council Chambers, 3-4 p.m., before a regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
As a City entity, stated City Attorney Robert Ginsburg, the Council will function under all relevant government regulations, including the Sunshine Law, “which will be new for these young people” who basically communicate with each other 24-7 on their smart phones.
Ginsburg will meet with the nine students to ensure they are completely aware of the responsibilities and rules their new positions require.
The meetings will be televised and minutes will be kept.
Council member Bob McPartlan wondered if City staff would be responsible for attending and overseeing the meetings, and taking and processing the required minutes and other related tasks.
Council member Andrea Coy suggested Sebastian Police Officer Ashley Penn as an excellent choice to provide adult support and supervision.
As an officer, Penn is extremely active with area youth, and, said Coy, has expressed interest in the new group.
Scheduling the meetings just before City Council will also save City staff from extra “housekeeping.”
Adams has spoken with all three schools’ administrators, and says all have expressed enthusiasm for the project, and “have some great ideas.”
Sebastian Charter Junior High School Principal Dr. Martha McAdams sees benefit in “getting input from the youth, getting youth involved in government at an early age so they can see how they can make a difference. And I think it’ll be good for the City to understand where the youth are coming from.”
SCJHS students agree with Dr. Adams.
“I believe that the idea of a student action committee is a great idea. This will bring a fresh and young outlook on the town and with younger minds, more ideas and insights can be shared,” said student Serena Davila.
Michael Stutzke, Sebastian River High School Athletic Director, calls the new City advisory committee “an excellent idea, involving youth in providing feedback to our elected officials, as seen through their eyes, providing important, perhaps novel ideas. To see our City government put value on the input of kids is excellent, and the students will have a strong perspective, growing up in the community, of what works and what doesn’t.”
Adams hopes to see the City’s newest citizens committee active by spring.