Council extends youth council pilot for two years to expand student involvement

The Salinas City Council voted unanimously June 17 to extend a city-run youth council pilot for two years and to proceed with recruitment and a curriculum of civic-skills training.

Staff said the youth council concept originated in a 2024 city youth internship and that the interns recommended a "youth council" model rather than a stand-alone youth commission. Under the pilot extension approved by council, the city will recruit: a chair and vice chair (at-large seats), up to two youth council members per Salinas high school (with alternating two-year terms), and support roles such as a youth clerk, communications officer and a youth DEI officer. Staff said there is no direct fiscal impact from the extension; the program will rely on staff time and existing partnerships with schools and community organizations.

City staff described a schedule to begin application outreach immediately, hold a youth council retreat in July, and seat members for fall council meetings so youth can begin providing monthly liaison reports to the Salinas Union High School District board and comment at city council meetings. Councilmembers urged staff to ensure accessibility, including transportation and snacks for after-school sessions, and to track measurable outcomes of youth civic learning. Councilmember Aurelio Barrera asked that the program avoid deficit-focused approaches and adopt youth-development measures; staff agreed to incorporate outcome measures and return with a midpoint evaluation in 2026.

The council vote was unanimous; the pilot extension passed with direction to start recruitment and return with a mid-term evaluation and recommendations for longer-term structure.