Tigard council sunsets youth‑counselor role, charts civic education path for youth advisory council

The Tigard City Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 26‑16, repealing the city’s youth‑counselor position and affirming the city’s commitment to youth civic engagement through the Tigard Youth Advisory Council (TYAK).

Management analyst Alex Richardson presented TYAK’s annual report and a staff plan to transition the city’s youth support role into a civic education and advocacy model. "I'm Alex Richardson, management analyst in the city management department," Richardson told the council, and he said the proposed model emphasizes skill‑building in policy advocacy, written memos, and budgeting rather than a full replacement staff role. Richardson noted the program operates on modest funds: "We get $300 a year," he said, adding that most of the changes would be implemented without a budget increase.

TYAK President Chelsea Vicente Shiloh and Vice President Kylani Ru outlined the council’s recent activities, from giving feedback on a micro‑transit project and responding to state‑level surveys to attending the National League of Cities conference. Chelsea Shiloh said TYAK ran a clothing drive that yielded roughly 300 pounds of donations and organized community events including a Family Promise movie night and participation in the city Pride parade.

Council deliberations focused on how best to connect TYAK to decision makers after the youth‑counselor role is repealed. Councilors debated a recurring TYAK envoy to quarterly study sessions, a rotating set of council mentors, and a hybrid approach. "Perhaps instead of having one individual, each of us has something different that we can help out with," Councilor Gdusi said, arguing that rotating council engagement could match members’ expertise with TYAK’s learning goals. Several councilors volunteered to engage with TYAK as guest mentors; Councilor Robbins said she would be willing to serve as a liaison.

City attorney Shelby Raala told the council the youth counselor position had been created by a prior resolution and required a council resolution to repeal. Councilor Schlack moved to approve Resolution 26‑16 and Councilor Shaw seconded; the motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

What happens next: staff will work with TYAK members to finalize a civic‑education curriculum that emphasizes advocacy skills, subcommittee work, and continued guest speakers and community events. Richardson said staff would also seek council direction about whether to formalize a recurring envoy visit or to retain a looser liaison model.

The council’s action preserves TYAK’s advisory role while removing the formal youth‑counselor position; staff told the council there is no anticipated budget increase associated with the change. The council adjourned the meeting after concluding the evening’s business.