Martinez seeks more youth participation; council asks for update on community garden at Hidden Valley

Martinez council members discussed strategies to increase youth participation on city commissions and asked staff for an update on a city-owned community garden that sits adjacent to Hidden Valley Elementary.

Council Member Satinder Mahi said he has repeatedly solicited applications from nearby high schools and has appointed at least one student who applied. "Every spring in about April, we identify how many vacancies we're gonna have," he said, and added that the city is willing to accommodate shorter appointments for high-school students who are applying to college.

Separately, council members asked for a report on the community garden next to the school. City staff said the garden is city owned and that in the past some teachers and volunteers have maintained connections with the site; the council asked staff to prepare an update on current volunteer arrangements and opportunities to strengthen the school–garden partnership.

No formal action was taken; council members said they would follow up with outreach to local high schools and seek a staff briefing on the garden.