Newcastle teen proposes city-run youth council; council asks staff to refine plan for Sept. 2

A Newcastle high school student formally proposed a Newcastle Youth Council at the Aug. 18 City Council meeting and council members asked city staff to refine the proposal for possible council consideration at the Sept. 2 meeting.

The proposal was presented by Aashna Sitka, a 17-year-old senior who said the Youth Council would admit any high school student living in the Newcastle community or within Newcastle school boundaries, hold monthly meetings, elect student leadership and serve as a youth liaison to existing city commissions.

Sitka said the council would ‘‘drive youth involvement within the community, provide a student perspective in City Council discussions, plan events with a student focus and foster civic leadership education.’’ She outlined leadership roles (chair, vice chair, secretary, publicity manager, service supervisor and commission liaisons), attendance and service requirements, and an application and election process for leadership positions.

Why it matters: Council members said the Youth Council could improve civic education and bring student perspectives into planning, events and commission work. Several council members and staff noted sustainability and legal-record questions that must be resolved before the council is formally tied to the city.

Council Member Charbonneau and other council members praised Sitka’s presentation but flagged two technical issues the city must address before formal adoption: how the Youth Council will be structured so it is long-lived and how it will fit with public-record and Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) requirements. Council members discussed avoiding the full legal and recordkeeping burdens of a formal city commission while still ensuring oversight and continuity.

City Manager Scott Pingel and council members said staff would review the proposal and legal issues, and work with Sitka to return to the council with recommended language. Council members discussed using a council rules adjustment to create a council liaison role and to avoid making the Youth Council subject to OPMA or full city recordkeeping in a way that would make the effort unsustainable.

The presentation included recruitment plans (outreach to career counselors, local schools and community groups), a sustainability plan (partnerships with local organizations including the Newcastle Library and local youth organizations) and event ideas such as a youth town hall, youth-run fair and theater-in-the-park. Sitka said about 20 people had already expressed interest.

Council direction and next steps: Council members asked staff to ‘‘massage’’ the proposal’s legal and operational details and return with a refined recommendation and draft council rule changes for the Sept. 2 meeting. No formal vote or ordinance was taken on Aug. 18.

Council members and residents asked clarifying questions about meeting location, records and liability; staff said they would consult the city attorney and return with options for reconciling youth engagement with recordkeeping obligations.

Ending: Council members generally expressed support for the idea and urged staff to return with a practical, legally compliant implementation plan in time for the council’s September meeting.