HomeMy WebLinkAbout51-25 Amending Chapter 2, Article 1, Sections 2-12.1.1 Through and Including Article 1, Section 2-12.1.7 to Update Proceedings for Appointment to and Duties of the South Bend Common Council Youth Advisory Council *** City of South Bend
* Common Council
* 11i County-City Building • 227 W.Jefferson BI
it
* South Bend, Indiana 16601
August 20, 2025
Caiuietli Lee
President
Filed in Clerk's Office
Rachel Tomas Morgan South Bend Common Council
Vice President AUG 2 U 2025
4thFloor, County-City Building
"Troy Warner Bianca Tirado
Chairperson, Committee South Bend, IN 46601 City Clerk, South Bend, IN
of the Whole
Canneth Lee_ Re: AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
First District
OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA,AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE
Opticlia Goodcii-Rodgcrs 1, SECTIONS 2-12.1.1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING ARTICLE 1,
Second District SECTION 2-12.1.7 TO UPDATE PROCEEDINGS FOR
Sharon L. McBride APPOINTMENT TO AND DUTIES OF THE SOUTH BEND
Third District COMMON COUNCIL YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL
Troy Warner Dear Chairperson White:
Fourth District
The South Bend Common Council established the Youth Advisory
Sherry l3olden-Simpson Council in 2019. With limited exceptions, the provisions governing the
Fifth District Youth Advisory Council have not been amended since 2019. The purpose of
Sheila Nicrgodski these amendments is to update the proceedings for appointment to, and duties
Sixth District of the Youth Advisory Council. These amendments are designed to conform
the ordinances to the actual practices and procedures currently in use for the
Dr. Oliver Davis Youth Advisory Council.
At Large
The notable changes include the elimination of Youth Advisory Council
Rachel Tomas Morgan members being named to serve specific Council Districts. Another notable
At Large change involves the selection and duties of Youth Advisory Council officers.
Karen L. White Finally, Section 2-12.1.6 has added a requirement that the Youth Advisory
At Large Council organize at least one seminar, town hall meeting or similar public
forum annually.
Please place these amendments on the agenda for consideration of the Residential
Neighborhood Committee meeting for September 8,2025, and the full Council
meeting later that same evening.
Thank you for your consideration.
(571) 235-9321• Fax (.371) 235 9173 •TDD (.171) 235-.i5(i7 • littp://uivw.southhcndiu.gov
City of South Bend
* Common Council
* I* III County-City Building• 227 W.,lelh:r.on Blvd
South Bcnd, Indiana 16601
Sincerely yours,
C7�
Canneth Lee,
President, South Bend Common Council
(571) 235-9321• Fax (571) 235-9173 • "1-1)1) (571) 235-5567 • http://wivw.southbcndin.gov
Filed in Clerk's Office
BILL NO. 51-25 AUG 2 0 2025
ORDINANCE NO. Bianca Tirado
City Clerk, South Bend, IN
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,
INDIANA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2,ARTICLE 1, SECTIONS 2-12.1.1 THROUGH
AND INCLUDING ARTICLE 1, SECTION 2-12.1.7 TO UPDATE PROCEEDINGS FOR
APPOINTMENT TO AND DUTIES OF THE SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL
YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT
The South Bend Common Council established the Youth Advisory Council in 2019. With
limited exceptions, the provisions governing the Youth Advisory Council have not been
amended since 2019. The purpose of these amendments is to update the proceedings for
appointment to, and duties of the Youth Advisory Council. These amendments are designed to
conform the ordinances to the actual practices and procedures currently in use for the Youth
Advisory Council.
The notable changes include the elimination of Youth Advisory Council members being
named to serve specific Council Districts. Another notable change involves the selection and
duties of Youth Advisory Council officers. Finally, Section 2-12.1.6 has added a requirement
that the Youth Advisory Council organize at least one seminar, town hall meeting or similar
public forum annually.
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, as follows:
Section I. South Bend Municipal Code Chapter 2, Article 1, Section 2-12.1.1 through and
including Section 2-12.1.7 are amended to read in their entirety as follows:
DIVISION 1. YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL
Sec. 2-12.1.1. Youth Advisory Council created—Purpose.
(a) A Youth Advisory Council is created for those of high school age grades 9-12. This Youth
Advisory Council is established to enhance citizenship skills and to serve the best interests
of youth in St. Joseph County, Indiana.
(b) The Mission Statement of the South Bend Common Council Youth Advisory Council is to
ensure that all youth in South Bend have representation, voice, and respect within every effort
undertaken to promote the betterment of South Bend, its youth, and its communities.
Sec. 2-12.1.2. Membership of the Youth Advisory Council.
(a) The Youth Advisory Council shall be composed of eleven(11) to twenty(20) new
members per cohort. Membership shall represent the rich diversity of the city's youth
regarding gender, race, ethnicity, socio-economic, and religious backgrounds.
(b) Application Process.
Upon passage of this ordinance, the Office of the City Clerk shall see that the
"Application Form" for the Youth Advisory Council is available to be downloaded
from the city website. The Office of the City Clerk shall see that information on the
activities of the Youth Advisory Council is kept updated on the City's interne website.
Hard-copy application forms shall be available and kept on file in the Office of the
City Clerk during regular business hours. Additionally, application forms shall be
made available on the City's website http//www.southbendin.gov on a twenty-four(24)
hour, seven(7) days a week basis.
(1) All youth interested in consideration shall obtain and complete an application
form in its entirety.
(2) The Office of the City Clerk, by the application deadline, shall assimilate all
information and timely distribute copies of all applications and references to the
Chairperson of the Residential Neighborhoods Standing Committee of the
Common Council.
(3) The Chairperson of the Residential Neighborhoods Standing Committee shall
review all applications. All youth interested in being a member of the Youth
Advisory Council must be a resident of St. Joseph County, Indiana and represent
the rich diversity of our community.
(4) All Youth Advisory Council applications must be submitted by the last Friday of
September each year.
(5) Prior members of the Youth Advisory Council who meet the eligibility criteria
may be reappointed upon timely submission of the Youth Advisory Council
application.
(6) The Residential Neighborhoods Committee Chairperson may appoint youth
mentors of college and/or graduate school age who will provide assistance and
guidance throughout the year to the Youth Advisory Council Members. The youth
mentors shall interface with the legislative, administrative, and educational
liaisons identified in Section 2-12.1.6.
Sec. 2-12.1.3. Officers and terms of office of the Youth Advisory Council.
(a) The Youth Advisory Council shall call an organizational meeting to select a President,
Vice-President, and Recording Secretary within ten(10) days after taking the oath of office.
(b) The selected Recording Secretary, shall provide a listing of all Youth Advisory Council
members by name, address,telephone number, email address, school (including
Homeschool), and year of education to the Office of the City Clerk by email for
distribution to the Common Council, the city administration, School Superintendents and
the Principal of each high school.
(c) Any member of the Youth Advisory Council may nominate any member for only one
unfilled office.
(d) Only members attending the organizational meeting in person or by a video conferencing
platform shall be allowed to cast a vote.
(e) In the event that no candidate for an office receives a majority(50% + 1) of the vote for a
given office, another vote shall be between the two candidates having received the most
votes for that office.
(f) Responsibilities of Youth Council officers shall include, but are not limited to:
(i) President:
a. Chairs general "Chamber"meetings;
b. Develops final committee assignments;
c. Oversee officer election process;
d. Propose yearly agenda to City Clerk; e. Issue specialty directives to members or
committees during council recess;
e. Call special meetings; and
f. Establish and eliminate special committees.
(ii) Vice President:
a. Act as presiding officer in the absence of the President;
b. Assist in developing yearly agenda; and
c. Facilitate recruitment efforts for the upcoming year.
(iii) Recording Secretary:
a. Act as presiding officer in the Absence of both the President and Vice-President;
b. Assist in developing yearly agenda;
c. Record meeting activity in minutes;
d. Coordinate with the City Clerk to ensure all Youth Advisory Council documents are
properly filed; and
e. Ensure all means of communication are orderly and up to date.
(g) Terms of office of Youth Advisory Council members shall be for one(1) year, with
reappointments of the same youth member permitted for one(1) additional year.
(h) The Youth Advisory Council shall maintain a record of their meetings. Such meeting
minutes shall be submitted to the Office of the City Clerk by email by the elected recording
secretary.
Sec. 2-12.1.4. Duties of Youth Advisory Council members.
(a) Each Youth Advisory Council Member shall be required to attend meetings of the Youth
Advisory Council, with three(3) excused absence permitted each year.
(b) Each Youth Advisory Council Member shall be required to attend not less than two (2)
committee meetings of any Standing Committee of the South Bend Common Council, two
(2) neighborhood association meetings, and one(1) school board meeting by the end of
December of each year.
(c) Each Youth Advisory Council Member shall be required to attend the Mayor's Annual
Address to the Common Council scheduled for the first Common Council meeting in
February of each year.
(d) The Youth Advisory Council may monitor other city boards and commissions for issues
related to youth and make recommendations for such boards or commissions consideration
when deemed appropriate.
Sec. 2-12.1.5. Initiatives, responsibilities, and goals to be addressed by members.
(a) The Youth Advisory Council may develop:
(1) Mission Statement;
(2) Committee structure if deemed necessary;
(3) Composite of the youth in the high school of specific geographical locations in the
city;
(4) Newsletters and other means of communication with youth in the city;
(5) Grant proposals;
(6) Initiatives and Goals to be addressed, including but not limited to:
a. Leadership opportunities;
b. Civic responsibilities;
c. Arts and Activism;
d. Educational opportunities;
e. Youth perspectives on local issues(health and wellbeing, environmental justice,
sustainability, climate control, etc.;
f. Creating a means of formal communication between city officials and youth in
our community;
g. Creating a model for youth involvement; and
h. Partnering with local, state, federal, and international organizations which focus
on youth involvement and development.
i. Indicators of measuring success.
(b) The Youth Advisory Council shall make recommendations to enhance participation of
youth throughout the community, to improve communications with school and
governmental entities, and to improve employment opportunities for youth in the
community.
(c) The Youth Advisory Council shall provide an annual report of its activities, initiatives, and
objectives.
(d) The Youth Advisory Council shall address the Common Council under the "Special
Business" portion to provide an annual report of its activities, initiatives, and objectives.
Section 2-12.1.6 — Public Engagement Initiative.
(a) The Youth Advisory Council shall organize at least one seminar, town hall meeting or
similar public forum annually.
(b) The topic shall be selected by the Youth Advisory Council and may include issues such as
Mental Health, Civic Engagement, Education Equity, or other matters relevant to youth in
the community. The event should aim to foster dialogue, raise awareness, and promote
youth-led solutions.
Sec. 2-12.1.7. Liaisons to the Youth Advisory Council.
(a) The Residential Neighborhoods Committee Chairperson shall be the legislative liaison to
the Youth Advisory Council and be available for mentoring duties. All Councilmembers are
welcome to serve, but the Common Council President and/or Vicechair of the Residential
Neighborhoods Standing Committee are also strongly encouraged to act as legislative
liaisons to the Youth Advisory Council.
(b) The City Administration shall designate a point of contact as a liaison to the Youth
Advisory Council and be available for programming and mentorship duties.
Secs. 2-12.1.8-2-12.1.10. Reserved.
Section II. Severability.
If any part, section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance is for
any reason declared to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, such decision shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.
Section III. Effective Date.
This ordinance shall be in full force and effect immediately from and after its passage by the
Common Council and approval by the Mayor.
Canneth J. Lee, Council President
South Bend Common Council
Attest:
Bianca L. Tirado, City Clerk
Office of the City Clerk
Presented by me, the undersigned Clerk of the City of South Bend, to the Mayor of the
City of South Bend, Indiana on the day of , 2025, at o'clock .m.
Bianca L. Tirado, City Clerk
Office of the City Clerk
Approved and signed by me on the day of , 2025, at o'clock
.m.
James Mueller, Mayor
City of South Bend, Indiana