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North Miami youth council proposes nonvoting 'youth alternate' seats on city boards
Summary
Members of the North Miami Youth Council on May 5 voted to develop a legislative item proposing nonvoting youth alternate members on city boards to give young people more time to ask questions and provide feedback; the group also discussed a small scholarship pilot, shadow days and next steps to present the item to the council on May 28.
The North Miami Youth Council met virtually on May 5 and agreed to develop a draft ordinance that would allow nonvoting "youth alternate" members to sit on city advisory boards such as the planning commission and parks and recreation commission.
S1, a staff member advising the council, described the proposal as a legislative change that would permit a youth alternate to "sit in, participate, learn, and speak" on issues that affect young residents while explicitly barring them from voting. "This member would be on the board, but they cannot vote. However, the member will be able to sit in, participate, learn, and speak on things that they feel would affect the youth," S1 said.
The proposal grew from earlier discussion about youth engagement and a student scholarship pilot. A Youth Council member (S2) had proposed awarding three $500 scholarships to senior youth council members who met attendance and academic requirements, saying the awards would "help fund and support education goal[s]." S1 and other members raised concerns about creating a new municipal funding obligation, noting that budgets alternate and the city already has an existing North Miami Educational Foundation that awards scholarships. "Because of the monetary attachment to it, I would probably sway away from it," S1 said when asked about embedding a recurring scholarship in city budgetary policy.
Council members explored alternatives that would not require a new budget line. Ideas included a one‑day "shadow" program where a youth would accompany the mayor or a council member to learn responsibilities, and pursuing a seat or liaison arrangement with the Miami‑Dade Youth Commission so North Miami would have regular county‑level representation.
On mechanics, S1 said the youth alternates should be appointed by the mayor and council and recommended that alternates be selected from current youth council members to ensure candidates meet agreed criteria. S1 also advised framing the proposal as a change to rules and structure — the kind of permanent policy that qualifies as legislation — and offered to prepare the draft and coach the youth council for a presentation to the city council. "I'm gonna do the legwork," S1 said, adding the group would meet again to finalize the proposal before the council agenda on May 28.
Members discussed which boards would make sense for youth alternates, and S1 shared a list including the planning commission, board of adjustment, parks and recreation commission, housing committee and others. S1 suggested tailoring placement by interest so, for example, members interested in parks would serve as alternates to Parks & Rec.
The meeting also covered event logistics and outreach: S1 said a flyer and draft agenda for a joint event with Miramar were forthcoming and that trip arrangements to a planned Arizona event had largely been booked; attendees would pay individually for optional recreational activities such as karting. The clerk called a motion to adjourn moved by Mayor Koteer and seconded by Presconia; the meeting ended at 6:28 p.m.
Next steps: staff (S1) will prepare the draft legislative language, meet with the youth council again for preparation, and the council plans to present the proposal at the May 28 council meeting for possible formal introduction.
