RESOLUTION NO. 211042

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RESOLUTION - Creating the Kansas City Young Adult City Council to reestablish the Kansas City Youth Commission established in Division 19 of the Kansas City Municipal Code.

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                      WHEREAS, Kansas City’s young adults are the future of our city and deserve a voice in matters concerning youth and young adults who are not necessarily old enough to hold office; and

WHEREAS, Kansas City currently has an existing youth commission that can serve as a catalyst for important conversation and change in our city. The current youth commission’s structure is not conducive of its potential impact on our young adults. A young adult commission designed to create meaningful conversation and serve as a voice for those too young to hold office or even vote will promote a better city for our citizens both young and old; and 

WHEREAS, the City Council establishes the “Kansas City Young Adult City Council”.  The Young Adult City Council shall be comprised of Kansas City’s young adults to function as an advisory body to the City Council on affairs concerning youth and young adult citizens of the city; and

WHEREAS, it is the declared policy of the City Council that the Young Adult City Council shall serve as an advisory body of the city on matters of concern to the young adults of this city. The Young Adult City Council shall render advice and recommendations in areas including but not limited to education, transportation, housing, economic development, health, crime, recreational, and social services.; and

WHEREAS, the Young Adult City Council shall be comprised of 13 members between the ages of 16 and 24.  One appointee will serve as the chairperson of the council and they shall be appointed by the Mayor. The chair person shall be at least 18 years of age. Each Kansas City council office shall appoint one individual from their district to the Young Adult City Council. The appointee must not be an immediate family member of the appointing council person. Young Adult Council members must live within the district they represent. Young Adult Council members must have a valid driver’s license listing their current permanent address and age. The validity of age and residency requirements will be determined by the City Clerk withing fifteen (15) days of the first meeting of the Young Adult City Council; and

WHEREAS, each member shall be appointed for a four-year term, with each term to begin on May 1. A member may be appointed for the remaining term of any vacant position. Two members from each council district shall be appointed to a term beginning May 1 of the year of the City Council election. Each councilperson shall have one (1) nomination each. If a member turns 25 during their term, they shall complete their term but not be eligible for re-nomination; and

WHEREAS, a member of the Young Adult Council may resign their position at any time. Resignations must be submitted in writing to the Chair, City Clerk, and their nominating council person. It is then the responsibility of the nominating council person to find a replacement. If the chairperson is to resign, they must notify the City Clerk of whom will be responsible for notifying the Young Adult Council; and

WHEREAS, the Young Adult City Council shall meet quarterly or upon call of the chairperson or a majority of the membership. Meetings upon call shall be initiated by notice to the City Clerk. Meeting times and date will be established at the 1st meeting of the council and shall not be before 4 pm; and

WHEREAS, the Young Adult City Council, by resolution, may establish committees. The chairperson shall appoint the members and chairpersons of these committees; and

WHEREAS, the City Clerk is hereby designated as the requisitioning authority for the funds of the Young Adult City Council. The Director of Finance is the custodian of the Young Adult City Council fund. The Young Adult City Council may request approval of an annual budget for administrative expense to be submitted to the council by the City Clerk and to be included as a separate budgetary account in the City Clerk's annual budget request; and

WHEREAS, the office of the City Clerk shall provide clerical and administrative services for the Young Adult City Council; and

WHEREAS, pertaining to the inaugural Young Adult City Council: The inaugural Young Adult City Council shall be established immediately following vote on this resolution. The Mayor and City council members shall have (30) Thirty days from the vote on this resolution to submit their nominees to the City Clerk. The City Clerk shall be responsible for verifying the nominee’s eligibility to serve in their position based upon the requirements in this resolution.  NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

Section 1. That the Mayor and Council hereby establish the Kansas City Missouri Young Adult City Council as an advisory committee to the council.

Section 2. The Council directs the Law Department to make all necessary changes to Division 19, Section 2-970.30 through Section 2-970.35 using reserved sections 2-970.36 through 2-970.39 to make the appropriate changes and provisions to the Young Adult City Council.

Section 3. The Council directs the City Clerk to assign a staff member to serve as the primary contact for the Young Adult City Council.

Section 4. The Council directs the Director of Finance to establish the Young Adult City Council fund and work with the City Manager’s office and City Clerk to set budgetary requirements for the Young Adult City Council.

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