M E M O R A N D U M
To: Honorable Members of the Town Council
From: Mayor Peggy R. Bell
Date: January 18, 2017
Re: Amending Youth Council Resolution No. 13-62
REQUEST
title
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CUTLER BAY, FLORIDA, AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 12-63 AS AMENDED BY RESOLUTION NO. 13-62 CONCERNING THE YOUTH COUNCIL COMMITTEE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
body.
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The Town Council adopted Resolution No. 12-63 creating a citizens’ committee known as the “Youth Council Committee” tasked to gather information and facts regarding issues of special interest to youths within the Town and report their findings to the Town Council. In 2013, the Town Council then adopted Resolution No. 13-62 modifying the Youth Council Committee appointment procedures to include a Miami-Dade Public School Liaison and one (1) student recommended by the School District.
Many municipalities use Youth Council Committees to provide fresh ideas and youth perspectives to local policy decision makers. Youth Councils promote community service and foster a better understanding among young people of how municipal government works and are an excellent mean of promoting regular and active civic engagement among young people.
The Town’s Youth Council Committee has been involved in the following projects/tasks:
• Played an active role in recommending to the Town Council, school name changes for both Cutler Bay Middle School and Cutler Bay High School;
• Active participation in Annual Tri-City (Cutler Bay, Palmetto Bay, and Pinecrest) Relay for Life Event;
• Lobbying Miami-Dade School Board Member Dr. Larry Feldman for the need to reintroduce competitive swimming and water polo at Cutler Bay High School which utilizes the Town’s pool;
• Presentation before Town Council and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee for the purpose of renaming Linear Park in the Lakes by the Bay community to Blue Heron Park; and
• Presentation before Town Council and Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners, requesting street renaming of SW 212 Street to Tiger Shark Way; and
• Continue to have an active role in designating schools as a “no place for hate” to combat discrimination.
RECOMMENDATION
To increase efficiency, it is recommended that the Town Council adopt the proposed Resolution, allowing Youth Council Committee members who attend the same school to collaborate in planning, research and fact finding as a designated information-gathering committee.