Youth group will report to City Council

DOWNEY - The Downey City Council, in an effort to give teens a greater voice in local government, approved plans for a Downey Youth Commission this week.The commission will include 15 high school students, each chosen by a council member. They will meet monthly throughout the year to discuss city-related youth topics before delivering their results to the council. Council members will periodically assign tasks to the commission, such as ways to address youth obesity or tobacco use prevention, officials said. A city employee will spend about 10 hours each month working with the commission. No estimated cost of staff time was provided. The commission is open to all Downey residents in grades 9-12, regardless of the location of the high school they attend. Applications will be made available by the city. Students chosen for the commission will serve two-year terms; the commission will elect a chair, vice chair and secretary to serve for one year.

********** Published: June 30, 2011 - Volume 11 - Issue 10