TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file a report from the Commission on Youth and Children (Commission); request City Attorney to draft a resolution repealing Resolution No. C-28279 for the dissolution of the current Commission; and request City Attorney to draft a new resolution creating a nine-member advisory Commission on Youth and Families. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On October 21, 2003, the City Council adopted Resolution No. C-28279 establishing the 19-member Commission on Youth and Children (Commission) (Attachment A). The objectives and functions of the Commission are to advise the Mayor and City Council on issues relating to Long Beach youth, and promote coordination between the City of Long Beach (City), the Long Beach Unified School District (District), and other youth-serving agencies. The current Commission consists of members representing each City Council District with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise, as required by Resolution No. C-28279.
In recent years, the Commission has experienced various challenges. Some of these challenges include the inability to regularly convene a quorum to conduct the business of the Commission and determining the purpose and role of the Commission. Some of the Commissioners have expressed concern that the 19-member body is too large to consistently and effectively convene a quorum. Some of the Commissioners have also expressed confusion with the Commission’s purpose and are interested in being more involved with current City initiatives related to youth and families.
At its March 7, 2017 meeting, the City Council requested that City staff work with the Commission to conduct a review of the Commission and report back. In response, the Commission created an ad hoc Committee (Committee) comprised of six Commissioners to review current Commission practices and provide recommendations for improvements.
The Committee worked with City staff to develop various recommendations for improvement. However, due t...
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