The Keizer Volunteer Coordinating Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend senior student Talia Masachar to the Keizer City Council as the youth liaison to the Planning Commission.

Masachar, a senior at McNary High School, told the committee she has lived in Keizer most of her life and volunteers weekly at the Humane Society. She described leadership experience in school music programs and marching band and said she wanted to learn more about city planning because it differed from her arts-focused activities.

Why it matters: The youth liaison role gives a high‑school student exposure to planning topics such as zoning, housing and civic process. Committee members praised Masachar’s leadership experience and curiosity; the committee will forward her nomination to the City Council, which makes the formal appointment.

During the brief interview, Masachar said she hoped to study flute performance and environmental science in college and that she was motivated to “be in city hall, like, making a difference in my community and learning about, like, what goes on.”

Formal action: The committee moved and seconded the nomination and approved it by unanimous voice vote; the chair said council will review the candidate at a future meeting before making a formal appointment.

Next steps: The committee will submit Masachar’s name and application materials to the City Council. The committee also encouraged the nominee to be prepared for Planning Commission workload, which several members noted requires homework and packet review before meetings.