Committee hears mixed report on Youth Commission activity; members say informal events continue despite vacancies

Committee members on Monday discussed the Youth Commission’s activity and membership, saying much of the group’s work now happens informally outside scheduled meetings.

Counselor Wesley Butler said the commission uses a frequently used group chat and that commissioners often organize work such as downtown events and cleanups outside formal meetings. Butler said attendance at scheduled meetings is inconsistent because members have conflicts, but informal activity continues.

Staff and members said there are vacancies on the commission and that some commissioners told members they cannot attend formal meetings because of timing conflicts. Shelley Kelleher noted that volunteers have been meeting outside official sessions and that staff see evidence of continued engagement, including a monthly cleanup organized by a commissioner identified as Melanie.

Members also said liaisons from the local school district had been attending; Melissa Eggert was named as a regular school-district attendee, with another rotating representative joining as schedules permit.

No formal action was taken; members agreed to continue monitoring vacancies and engagement and to encourage broader participation at formal meetings.