CITY OF SEATTLE

ORDINANCE __________________

COUNCIL BILL __________________

AN ORDINANCE relating to the Seattle Youth Commission; amending Sections 3.67.020, 3.67.030, 3.67.050, and 3.67.060 and repealing Section 3.67.070 of the Seattle Municipal Code.

WHEREAS, the City of Seattle has a long history of working with youth for the purposes of supporting their needs and interests; and

WHEREAS, the youth in Seattle have particular insight and opinions on the issues affecting their community and their presence in the Department of Neighborhoods will allow them to influence how the City engages with youth; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Section 3.67.020 of the Seattle Municipal Code, enacted by Ordinance 123251, is amended as follows:

3.67.020 Membership

The Commission shall consist of (( twenty-five (25) )) 15 members. (( One (1) )) At least one position shall be held by a representative from each of the (( 13 )) seven City Council districts (( of the city as defined by the Department of Neighborhoods for the City’s District Councils )). If a member cannot be found from a particular district, that seat will remain empty. The remaining membership shall reflect a broad range of opinion, background , and neighborhood diversity. All members shall be (( nineteen ( ))19(( ) )) years old or younger at the time of appointment to the Commission.

Section 2. Section 3.67.030 of the Seattle Municipal Code, enacted by Ordinance 123251, is amended as follows:

3.67.030 Appointment and (( Term )) term

(( Thirteen (13) )) Eight members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor and (( twelve (12) )) seven members shall be appointed by the City Council for a term of (( one year )) two years (( , beginning June 1 and ending May 31 )). Whenever possible, a term start date will be the Monday of the week in which the Seattle Public Schools has placed the start of school for the academic year, and a term end date will be the Sunday that is closest to the term start date plus two years. If the Seattle Public Schools have not declared a start of school date at the time of appointment, a term will start September 1 and end August 31 two years later. All appointments shall be subject to confirmation by the City Council. Staff of the Department of Neighborhoods may provide appointment recommendations to both the Mayor and the City Council.

Section 3. Section 3.67.050 of the Seattle Municipal Code, enacted by Ordinance 123251, is amended as follows:

3.67.050 Duties and functions

A. The duties of the Commission include but are not limited to:

1. Organizing forums of Seattle youth to better educate the City about the opinions of youth on civic issues affecting both their specific communities and the city at large and to inform youth about the City’s policies, programs and processes for public engagement;

2. (( Organizing an annual Youth Town Hall with participation from )) Participating in events with the Mayor and members of the City Council to discuss issues affecting the city and the perspective of youth on these issues;

3. Drafting policy proposals on topics of its choosing and presenting these proposals to the Mayor and the City Council;

4. Testifying at City Council meetings and public hearings; and

5. Providing an annual report to the relevant Council Committee about the Commission’s activities.

B. The Commission’s functions shall be advisory only.

Section 4. Section 3.67.060 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 123476, is amended as follows:

3.67.060 Ancillary powers

A. The Commission shall have the power to:

1. Select (( one )) from its member s a chair or co-chairs as (( the )) presiding officer( s) of the Commission for a term of one (( (1) )) year. No person shall serve as presiding officer for more than two years;

2. Organize itself, establish committees or subcommittees , and delegate duties for the performance of its work; and

3. Adopt rules of procedure in accordance with (( the Administrative Code ( )) Chapter 3.02 (( of the Municipal Code) )) to accomplish its functions.

B. The (( Mayor’s Office )) Department of Neighborhoods shall provide staff support and meeting facilities for the Commission and maintain its records. The Commission may also receive staff assistance from other City departments.

C. Meetings of the Commission, the minutes of its proceedings , and its findings and recommendations shall be open to the public.

Section 5. Section 3.67.070 of the Seattle Municipal Code, enacted by Ordinance 123251, is repealed:

(( 3.67.070 Unexcused absences and temporary members

The Commission may remove from office any member who is absent without excuse from three (3) consecutive Commission meetings. Removal of a member requires a majority vote of the Commission. The Commission may replace removed members with temporary members to serve the remainder of the term. Temporary members are not subject to confirmation and shall have voting authority. ))

Section 6. Seattle Youth Commission terms existing as of the effective date of this ordinance are extended to end the day before the start date of the first two-year term created under Section 3.67.030 of the Seattle Municipal Code.

Section 7. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.

Passed by the City Council the ____ day of ________________________, 2016, and

signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this

_____ day of ___________________, 2016.

    _________________________________

    President __________of the City Council

  Approved by me this ____ day of _____________________, 2016.

_________________________________

    Edward B. Murray, Mayor

  Filed by me this ____ day of __________________________, 2016.

____________________________________

    Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk

(Seal)