Bainbridge council directs staff to host April youth engagement event

The Bainbridge Island City Council voted unanimously to direct staff to organize an after‑school youth engagement event in April, a step councilmembers said will help shape longer‑term youth programming.

Equity and Inclusion Manager Anshu Wahi presented the proposal, saying staff recommends “consult[ing] youth at the beginning of that process” and holding an after‑school event on a Tuesday business meeting night (options included April 14 or April 28) where high‑school students would attend presentations, break into facilitated focus groups and observe a council meeting. “We wanna gather information and input from young people, so then staff could then make an informed decision about what kind of programming is the most relevant,” Wahi said.

Councilmembers pressed on timing and logistics but broadly praised the proposal. Councilmember Franklin Johnson moved to direct the acting city manager to move forward with the proposed April event “for the purpose of developing youth engagement activities targeted towards 2026 and beyond”; Mike Nelson seconded the motion. After brief discussion about start times and keeping the day manageable for students, the motion carried 7–0.

The action authorizes staff to proceed with planning the event and to return with program details; council did not adopt a policy change tonight. Staff indicated applications and further planning would follow the event to inform potential models such as a student advisory group, student seats on advisory committees or periodic engagement programs.