Encinitas Youth Commission elects chair and vice chair, approves meeting calendar and recommends against adding alternates

The Encinitas Youth Commission on Sept. 3 elected Commissioner Quaid Kelly as chair and Commissioner Hubbell as vice chair, reviewed draft priorities for the 2025–26 work plan and voted to approve a 2025–26 meeting calendar. The commission also voted to recommend the City Council not add two alternate seats to the commission.

Nominations and elections Commissioner Quaid Kelly accepted a nomination and, with no other candidates nominated for the chair position, was declared chair for the 2025–26 year. The nomination was seconded; the chair position was filled without a formal roll‑call tally recorded on the meeting transcript.

For vice chair, three nominees were put forward. Following seconds and discussion, the commission took a verbal roll call; Commissioner Hubbell received a majority and was declared vice chair with a reported majority vote of six commissioners.

Minutes and calendar votes The commission unanimously approved the regular meeting minutes for June 4, 2025, and the youth commission orientation workshop notes for Aug. 20, 2025. Chair Kelly moved to adopt the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 meeting calendar and Vice Chair Hubbell seconded; the commission approved the meeting calendar by verbal vote.

Alternates proposal The City Council had asked the commission for input on a proposed municipal code change to allow two alternates on the youth commission. After discussion, Chair Kelly moved that the commission not recommend adding two alternates; Vice Chair Hubbell seconded. The motion passed with eight commissioners voting yes and one commissioner abstaining. Commissioners who opposed adding alternates cited a preference for maintaining the commission—s current size and concerns about the effectiveness of alternate arrangements; commissioners who spoke in favor of alternatives urged more recruitment and suggested reapplying in future cycles.

Work plan discussion (informational) Commissioners reviewed a draft work plan that groups previous ad hoc activities under broader stated goals. Major themes discussed included civic and community engagement (including a proposed short video series in partnership with the Senior Commission), environmental stewardship and habitat restoration projects, arts initiatives (including Art Night and Pacific View Arts Center collaborations), mobility and e‑bike safety (proposed to be folded into youth health and safety), STEM and library engagement, and a proposed youth financial‑literacy project. Staff and commissioners agreed to refine and condense stated goals before finalizing the work plan at a future meeting.

Scheduling and events Staff identified near‑term volunteer and event opportunities related to the work plan, including a bike valet event Sept. 28, a movie in the park on Oct. 25, and Pacific View Arts Center safe trick‑or‑treat activities on Oct. 31. Commissioners discussed scheduling constraints for January–April meetings and were advised that final calendar adjustments could be made at a later meeting.

Formal actions taken at the Sept. 3 meeting are summarized below.