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Riviera Beach swears in inaugural 15-member youth council after council temporarily expands cohort
Summary
Riviera Beach council voted unanimously to expand the inaugural youth council to 15 members and officially appointed and swore in the first cohort. Students outlined priorities including mental-health workshops, college prep and youth engagement; staff set orientation and recurring monthly meetings.
The Riviera Beach City Council on Oct. 1 unanimously adopted a resolution temporarily expanding the Riviera Beach Youth Council to 15 members for its inaugural year and then appointed the full class, which was sworn in and led through a council pledge.
Council voted to amend Resolution 73-25 to allow a one-time increase from the usual 13 members to 15 after staff reported a strong community response to youth-council recruitment. City manager Jonathan Evans told the board the city had received a large number of completed applications and staff recommended allowing 15 appointments so fewer qualified applicants would be excluded.
Appointees — who introduced themselves to the council — included Reina Caballero (age 16, Dreyfus School of the Arts, District 2), Reese Caballero (11th grade, Dreyfus, District 2), Sienna Clark (17, Palm Beach Gardens High School, District 1), Elijah Duverson (16, Palm Beach Lakes High School, District 2), Liana Garcia (15, Palm Beach Gardens High School, District 2) and other students representing multiple neighborhoods. Speakers said they hoped to focus on issues such as chemistry- and college-prep workshops, mental-health support, youth engagement and safer spaces for local students.
After the roll call and appointment motion passed, the council conducted an induction: the new members recited a pledge committing to leadership, service, respect, collaboration and accountability. Staff said the youth council coordinator, Securia Wester, will hold an orientation retreat the coming Saturday and that the council will meet monthly on second Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. Members will receive orientation materials including Robert's Rules of Order and a city-council primer.
Council members praised the inaugural class and said the council will provide young people with training and opportunities to weigh in on local policy. The mayor and city manager said the youth council will be invited to present policy suggestions to the full council as they grow into their roles.
The formal action recorded in the meeting minutes shows the amendment of Resolution 73-25 (temporary expansion to 15 for the inaugural cohort), followed by a unanimous appointment roll call: Councilperson Davis Penier — yes; Councilperson Guyton — yes; Chairperson Miller Anderson — yes; Councilperson Spiritus — yes; Chairperson Lanier — yes. Staff said the expanded membership will revert to the original cap of 13 in subsequent years.
The youth council will begin orientation and return to council for reports and possible policy suggestions in future meetings.
