Seaside Safety Commission approves pending funding to send a commissioner to youth conference, sets work‑plan edit deadline

The Seaside Safety Commission voted to approve, pending confirmation from the city clerk or manager, using commission funds to send a commissioner to the My Life Story Conference on June 12 in Salinas.

Commissioner Katz introduced the training request and commissioners moved and seconded a motion to authorize the purchase out of the commission budget pending administrative approval; Chair Jones called the vote and commissioners vocalized "Aye" and the motion was carried. Commissioners asked the staff liaison (Gina) to provide the registration flyer and vendor contact information so the payment can be completed if the city manager’s office confirms the expense is allowable.

Why it matters: Commissioners described the conference as a training opportunity tied to youth outreach and prevention work the commission is developing. Approving the expense signals the commission’s willingness to use its modest annual budget to support training that could inform its youth programming.

The vote followed an extended discussion of the commission’s 2025–26 work plan. Commissioners reviewed a draft circulated in advance and agreed most needed changes are date updates and minor edits. The commission was told the body has a recurring allocation of about $3,000 a year; staff indicated those funds would likely be preserved despite the commission missing an earlier filing window. Commissioners set a firm deadline: submit edits to Gina by noon Friday so she can assemble a final draft and attempt to meet the budget‑presentation timeline next week.

Commissioners also discussed whether student engagement initiatives—such as work tied to the Seal of Civic Engagement—should be part of the work plan. A subcommittee working with MPUSD staff had proposed student research and presentations about Seaside as part of that seal program; commissioners agreed to pursue the idea but requested additional details before placing a student presentation on a future agenda.

Next steps: Gina will collate edits submitted by the noon Friday deadline and, if administrative clearance is obtained, register the selected commissioner for the June 12 conference. The commission did not name which commissioner would attend; one commissioner volunteered interest but scheduling and caregiving constraints were noted.