ORD 2003-04 - Youth Advisory Board 03-04-2003ORDINANCE NO. 2003-04
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS, CREATING A YOUTH ADVISORY
BOARD.
WHEREAS young people need to be valued by their community and have
opportunities to contribute to others; and
WHEREAS young people need organizations and institutions that provide positive,
supportive environments; and
WHEREAS the City of Huntsville and the Huntsville Independent School District
conducted a survey of public school students grades 7 through 12 to
determine the level of developmental assets found in our youth; and
WHEREAS following administration of the survey the City conducted a "Vision to
Action" session in order to mobilize community action on behalf of young
people; and
WHEREAS the Mayor and City Council are of the opinion that youth input would be
an advantage to their delivery of services and that it would be
advantageous to create a Youth Advisory Board for the City of Huntsville;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS, that:
SECTION 1. There shall be a Youth Advisory Board consisting of eleven members;
seven members shall be appointed by the Mayor with approval of Council;
two members shall be appointed by the Huntsville Independent School
District ( "HISD ") Board of Trustees; one member shall be appointed by
the President of Sam Houston State University ( "SHSU "); and one
member shall be appointed by the Board of Directors of Huntsville's
Promise ( "HP "). Further, two of the seven members appointed by the
Mayor shall be youth — one within 16 -18 years of age, and one within the
14 -16 years of age. The seven City- appointed members shall commence
their term on September 1 of each year. Each member shall be a resident
of the City of Huntsville.
SECTION 2. The members of the Board shall be identified by place members one (1)
through eleven (11). Places one (1), two (2) and three (3) shall be
appointed for a term of three years; places four (4), five (5) and six (6)
shall be appointed for a term of two years; and places seven (7), eight (8)
and nine (9) shall be appointed for a term of one year. Thereafter, all
members shall be appointed for a term of three years. Positions ten (10)
and eleven (11) shall be reserved for the youth members of the Board, and
their term shall be for one year only.
SECTION 3. Should a vacancy occur, the vacancy shall be appointed in the same
manner in which the original appointment was made.
SECTION 4. The Board shall hold at least one regular meeting every two months.
SECTION 5. The Board shall elect a Chairperson who shall serve as presiding officer
for a period of one year. The Chairperson shall vote in all matters
considered by the Board, but shall have no veto power.
SECTION 6. Any six (6) "voting members" of the Board shall constitute a quorum to
conduct business.
SECTIONT The City Manager shall use Huntsville's Promise staff (or if unavailable,
his/her designee) to serve as ex- officio secretary of the B oard and shall
keep minutes, books, files and other records of the Board and perform
such other duties as are incidental to the office.
SECTION 8. The responsibilities of the Youth Advisory Board shall be as follows:
1. The Board shall be the advocate for the community's youth.
2. The Board shall advise the City Council on the needs of youth
involvement in the decision - making process and make suggestions
for the future involvement of the youth of Huntsville.
3. The Board is encouraged and expressly authorized to create Youth
Councils to work with the City's various advisory boards, non-
profit organizations and other governmental bodies within Walker
County. Youth Councils are envisioned to be composed of a super
majority of youth, and is the point in which youth are involved in
the decision - making process.
4. The Board shall perform other duties that may be specifically
assigned to it by the City Council and will have a bearing on the
development of youth programs of the City.
SECTION 9. This ordinance shall take effect immediately from and after the date of its
passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the 4 1 day of March 2003.
CITY OF HUNTSVILL TEXAS
William B. Green, Mayor
ATTEST:
Danna Welter, City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
J
aul C. Isham, City Attorney