Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Youth Engagement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City staff recommends new Norwalk Youth Advisory Board, replacing the commission model
Summary
Staff proposed replacing the 15-member Youth Commission with a 10-member Youth Advisory Board for ages 13–18, with an application timeline in October 2026 and meetings beginning Jan. 27, 2027; council asked about alternates, meeting timing and background checks for staff supervisors.
Sonia Batres presented details of the proposed Norwalk Youth Advisory Board, saying the advisory-board format aims to improve retention and participation compared with the prior 15-member Youth Commission. The proposed board would have 10 members (ages 13–18), require an online application and parental consent for minors, include two letters of recommendation, and use in-person interviews to select members.
Batres walked the council through a proposed timeline (marketing Sept. 8–30; applications Oct. 1–20; interviews Nov. 2–5; onboarding Dec. 7–11) and noted the first meeting would be Jan. 27, 2027. Councilmembers supported alternates to protect quorum and asked staff to confirm that any staff who supervise minors would be live-scanned and vetted. "15 was the original number for the past criteria, so we are recommending 10," Batres said.
