Council backs staff to explore a youth council with school district, suggests pilot field trips

Council members discussed a proposal to create a youth council to engage local students with city government and civic learning. Members emphasized collaboration with Jurupa Valley Unified School District and other county youth programs and agreed staff should meet with the superintendent and return with options.

Councilmember Leslie Altamirano, who requested the item, said students had proposed a simple program of monthly or quarterly meetings and community activities; she said the city could begin with low‑cost steps such as field trips, mock hearings or a pilot that leverages existing school programs. “We can start with something like a youth day or a field trip,” several council members said.

Concerns raised included duplication with school‑run student government and long‑term funding. Councilmembers asked staff to identify gaps in current school and county offerings, examine costs within long‑range financial planning and outline partnership opportunities that would avoid unnecessary duplication.

Direction to staff: schedule a meeting with the school district superintendent and bring back a short set of options that range from an inexpensive field‑trip pilot to a longer‑term, city‑supported youth council model. Staff said the initial research and meetings can be done within existing resources and will return with a recommended next step.