Albany Civic Leadership Academy urges steps to ‘see, hear and value’ youth
November 20, 2025 | Albany City, Linn County, Oregon
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Albany’s Civic Leadership Academy participants presented their recommendations to the City Council on Nov. 19, urging the city to strengthen youth engagement through school partnerships, paid roles and programs that make civic involvement visible and meaningful.
The presentation, led by participant Katrina Przlak and fellow presenter Remy and introduced by Matt Harrington, summarized nine weeks of research and outreach. Przlak said Albany has seen a steady decline in 18-to-24-year-olds since 2018 and urged the city to act to retain young residents. “Youth need to be seen, heard, and valued,” she said, calling for internships, shadowing programs and school-based outreach so students can learn what city government does.
Remy outlined steps the council could take next: tailor engagement to different age groups, remove practical barriers such as meeting times and transportation, offer food and hybrid events so young people can participate online and in person, and ensure participation is not tokenistic. Remy recommended models such as youth advisory councils and paid positions in parks and recreation as practical starting points.
Staff and facilitators told councilors the academy had twice as many applicants as available spots and that participants interviewed many stakeholders, including a middle- or high-school student who proposed a “shadowing” program and a contest called “If I Were Mayor.” The city’s facilitators and staff applauded the work and said they will return with “guiding principles” and an implementation plan that outlines realistic steps and potential barriers.
Councilors asked follow-up questions and praised the presenters; several said existing efforts (paid parks-and-rec jobs and Human Relations Commission work) could be built on. The council did not take formal action at the meeting but directed staff to come back with a plan for expanding youth engagement based on the academy’s recommendations.
Next steps: staff will draft guiding principles and an implementation timeline and return to council with those materials for future direction.
The presentation, led by participant Katrina Przlak and fellow presenter Remy and introduced by Matt Harrington, summarized nine weeks of research and outreach. Przlak said Albany has seen a steady decline in 18-to-24-year-olds since 2018 and urged the city to act to retain young residents. “Youth need to be seen, heard, and valued,” she said, calling for internships, shadowing programs and school-based outreach so students can learn what city government does.
Remy outlined steps the council could take next: tailor engagement to different age groups, remove practical barriers such as meeting times and transportation, offer food and hybrid events so young people can participate online and in person, and ensure participation is not tokenistic. Remy recommended models such as youth advisory councils and paid positions in parks and recreation as practical starting points.
Staff and facilitators told councilors the academy had twice as many applicants as available spots and that participants interviewed many stakeholders, including a middle- or high-school student who proposed a “shadowing” program and a contest called “If I Were Mayor.” The city’s facilitators and staff applauded the work and said they will return with “guiding principles” and an implementation plan that outlines realistic steps and potential barriers.
Councilors asked follow-up questions and praised the presenters; several said existing efforts (paid parks-and-rec jobs and Human Relations Commission work) could be built on. The council did not take formal action at the meeting but directed staff to come back with a plan for expanding youth engagement based on the academy’s recommendations.
Next steps: staff will draft guiding principles and an implementation timeline and return to council with those materials for future direction.
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