Mountlake Terrace council unanimously adds high-school seat to DEI commission; application window open

The Mountlake Terrace City Council unanimously approved language to the city’s DEI commission that specifically creates a seat for a high‑school student, commission members reported during their regular meeting. Council members said the change is intended to encourage youth participation in local advisory work.

Council and commission staff said applications for boards and commissions are open through May 30. The commission discussed outreach efforts to fill vacancies: if the commission does not reach the ordinance-required seven members, the application period can remain open until vacancies are filled, staff said.

Selection is a multi-step process: the council subcommittee conducts interviews and then the full City Council votes on appointments. Staff urged commission members to personally recruit applicants and to encourage students, parents or school leaders to nominate interested high-schoolers.

Why it matters: explicit language naming a student seat lowers the barrier for youth to apply and signals a council-level commitment to include younger perspectives on city advisory bodies. Commission members discussed outreach at local high schools and through community partners to identify interested candidates.

Clarifying details from the meeting: the commission’s ordinance calls for seven members; the application deadline for boards and commissions was cited in the meeting materials as May 30 (applicants may reapply or the process may remain open if vacancies persist). Staff said interviews are handled by a council subcommittee and final appointments are made by the full council.