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Summer program pivots to condensed 'Semester at City Hall' amid possible budget cuts
Summary
Staff told the Youth Commission the longtime Summer at City Hall program will run this year as a condensed "Semester at City Hall — summer edition" because proposed FY26–27 budget options may reduce staffing; the summer edition will run with registration through ActiveNet and without internship placements this year.
Dominique Kerndon, program coordinator in the civic engagement unit, and staff member Chris told commissioners May 4 that the city will operate a condensed "Semester at City Hall — summer edition" for 2026 after reviewing budget proposals that could reduce staff capacity.
Kerndon described Summer at City Hall as a six-week civic learning program that in 2025 received 236 applications, invited 85 students and graduated 81. For 2026 staff said they will pivot to a summer edition with field trips, workforce-development workshops and a culminating presentation to city council. Staff announced registration opened April 17 through the ActiveNet system and said many cohorts are already full.
Chris said the pivot was made because proposed budget options for fiscal 2026–27 could eliminate positions that support the program. "We didn't wanna go cold turkey and just say, no. We're not gonna do anything," he said, explaining the goal was to preserve an opportunity for youth engagement even if staffing is reduced. For 2026 staff said they are not able to provide internship placements (a core summer component in prior years) and instead will focus on workshops, field trips and guest speakers; their goal is two cohorts of 32 participants (64 total) that meet on separate schedules and convene together on Fridays.
Commissioners pressed staff about outreach and equity after staff shared demographic data showing underrepresentation of Native American and Pacific Islander participants; staff said they rely on three school-district liaisons to target outreach and acknowledged limitations in demographic reporting when participants select multiple categories.
Staff encouraged commissioners and the public to weigh in during upcoming city council budget hearings, reminding the commission that council budget presentations and public comment begin the following day.
What happens next: The summer edition will proceed as staff described, with registration and cohort assignments managed through ActiveNet. Staff said the longer-term future of the classic Summer at City Hall program depends on council budget decisions.
