Committee adds youth seats to Emerging Youth Achievement Advisory Council

The Economic Development Committee on a unanimous, no-objection voice action approved a substitute ordinance to add two youth members to the Emerging Youth Achievement Advisory Council.

Clifton Crump, policy and administration director for President Perez, told the committee the proposal builds on an April 21 partnership with Milwaukee Succeeds and would add two likely high-school-graduate members, shorten terms to two years because young people often move, and use Milwaukee Succeeds’ youth training model to prepare candidates for board, task force or council roles. “I’m a firm believer that youth must be at the table when they’re being discussed,” Crump said.

Committee members voiced support but pressed for implementation details. Alderman Moore said the policy should include concrete supports, urging “some sort of small stipend” and meeting times that are convenient for high-school and college-age members so participation is not merely rhetorical. Crump said the council will seek private funds or other methods to support youth participation and emphasized the board is not currently a compensated position.

Alderman Chambers moved for passage; the chair called for objections and, hearing none, ordered the ordinance adopted. The ordinance will return to Council records for final enactment and committee members asked that staff return with implementation details on stipends, scheduling and outreach.