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Youth city council members urge keeping service and government together; parents seek transparency
Summary
Members of Mapleton's Youth City Council urged the council not to split NYCC into separate 'service' and 'government' tracks, saying the combined model builds unity and civic interest; parents asked for a clear timeline and draft bylaws, and councilors agreed to bring a draft to the youth and host follow‑up work sessions.
Several youth leaders from the Mapleton Youth City Council told the Mapleton City Council they oppose a proposed split of the youth program into separate 'service' and 'government' tracks and urged a co‑design approach with youth and councilors.
Brooklyn, who introduced herself as mayor of the youth council, and Scott Lewis, who said he is assistant mayor, said the group values both service activities and government experience and that separating the two would force members to choose and reduce unity. "We do think that splitting it isn't the correct the right solution for us because we think that our youth city council... helps us be united," Brooklyn said. Executive‑council members of the youth council described projects that married government learning and service — notably a library design process they said will be used by the city — as evidence that the combined model works.
Several youth speakers, including Hannah Gabler and others, described how participation gave them civic skills and direct involvement in the library design. "We have now made a process and a design concept for the library that will actually be used instead of just, like, a mock debate or an idea," Hannah said. Youth suggested alternative fixes rather than a split, including reducing membership from 75 to about 50, reinstating stronger attendance/hours requirements and alternating months between government‑focused and service‑focused activities.
Parents in the audience asked for clearer communication and more transparency about a timeline and draft bylaws. One parent asked, "Why would anyone want to sign up if there's a lack of transparency?" Council members responded that the draft principles will be brought to the council and that staff and councilors plan to meet with youth leadership; several council members agreed to arrange a design‑process work session that would include youth and council representatives.
The council did not adopt any changes; the mayor and staff said they expect to present a draft charter and bylaws to the council and to meet with youth leadership in the coming weeks for feedback before finalizing changes.
