Council hears youth‑engagement co‑design update; Nov. 6 co‑design session planned

City staff and consultants presented an update Oct. 7 on a planned youth governing body and the city’s co‑design process. Maurice Baker, Community Services Manager, said the city engaged a team of consultants and local partners to solicit youth feedback; Wendy Pacheco of the Youth Leadership Institute described design days and what young people identified as priorities.

"Overwhelmingly so far, young people have identified the youth commission as the governing body," Pacheco said, summarizing the design‑day findings. Staff told council the top five issues raised in design sessions were affordable housing, downtown development, youth leadership investment, workforce development and education, with recreation and transit also noted.

Staff described outreach partners (Creative Hustle, local community‑based organizations, schools) and said the project will include a community survey and mini pop‑up design days at local schools. The team plans a third public co‑design session for Nov. 6 and a full report and recommended structure for council consideration on Dec. 6. Council members pressed for clarity on inclusion of school districts, ways to reach higher‑need youth populations, and whether youth representatives could sit on other commissions as nonvoting members.

No formal action was required; the item was presented for information and next steps. Staff said a potential budget and implementation plan will be included in the December return packet.