15. Teen Comm. restructureDEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CITY HALL
10300 TORRE AVE=NUE • CUPERTINO, CA 95014-3255
C U P S RT I N O TELEPHONE: (408) 777-31 10 • FAX: (408) 777-33fi6
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. ~rF MEETING DATE: March 17, 2009
SUBJECT AND ISSUE
Consider recommendation from the Cupertino Teen Commission to reduce the size of the
commission from 13 to 9 members.
BACKGROUND
The Teen Commission was established in 2007 to advise the Council and Parks mzd Recreation
staff on issues and projects important to youth. (Resolution No_ 02-065) Over the past seven
years, the Commission has been involved with various events and projects such as: a Job Faire,
13igh School Dances, and Lounge Nights at the: Teen Center, and design of the Teen Website. They
have provided valuable input to city projects: Stevens Creek Trail, Sports Center remodel and
Library; in addition to working with West Valley Community Services on community outreach
projects. A Recreation Coordinator serves as ttie liaison between the city and the Commission.
Staff evaluated the size and term guidelines of the Teen Commission in Januazy of 2009. After
presenting the Teen Commission with a staff report on Wednesday, February 25`h, the following
recommendations are a joint collaboration betv~een the Teen Commission and staff_
DISCUSSION
Currently, a 13 seat Commission is appointed in staggered terms. We recommend the Commission
move to a nine seat Commission starting in the fall of 2009. This action would take place over the
next two years in order to achieve the nine-member goal. Currently there are six co*r**>issioners
that will remain for the 09/10 school year; ther~sfore, five should be appointed bringing the total to
i 1 in the 09/10 school year. The following year, the commission would lose 6 members, therefore,
4 would be appointed, thus reaching the desired size of nine members. The Teen Commissioners
expressed several points of interest:
• Larger commission size creates challenges with scheduling, performance, and
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implementation.
• A nine member commission allows for each of the six Cupertino schools the opportunity to
be represented, with three open seats remaining for Cupertino residents not attending a
Cupertino school.
• It was suggested that occasional meetings be held at various- rotating school sites to
encourage awareness, participation, and knowledge of the Teen Commission in hopes of
piquing the interest of students from all campuses in Cupertino.
• Commissioners felt strongly that maintaining staggered terms would insure cohesiveness
within the group and continuity from year to year.
Staff and Commissioners believe these points of interest will enhance communication,
manageability, and scheduling. Ideally, a commission with nine seats will encounter less
scheduling conflicts and will become a more manageable commission.
This recommendation will better suit the purpose of the Commission and increase the caliber of
performance of the Commission members.
RECOMMENDATION
The Teen Commission and Staff support reducing the size of the Teen Commission members from
13 to nine with changes reflected in the fall 2009 term.
PREPARED BY.
La Phillips, Recrea o oordinator
SUBMITTED BYc
ark Linder
Director, Parks and Recreation
APPROVED FOR SUBMISSION BYc
David W. Knapp
City Manager
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