Palmetto Bay’s recently appointed Youth Advisory Council had its first official meeting on Monday, Oct. 26, with Committee Council liaisons Mayor Eugene Flinn and Councilmember Karyn Cunningham attending.
The purpose of the Youth Advisory Council is to give young people in Palmetto Bay a voice. Members duties are to advise the village council about quality of life and recreational needs of young people in the village, assist in the planning and development of programs and services, participate in special events and foster a greater involvement of youth and teens in municipal government and community service.
Charles Noguera was elected as the chair and Katie Signori was elected as the secretary/recorder.
Councilmember Cunningham said she is encouraged by the advisory council’s start.
“I am proud to serve as the co-liaison alongside the mayor to this dynamic committee,” Cunningham.said “As we move forward, it is important to capture the voices of all stakeholders in our community. Over 29 percent of our community is under the age of 19 years old. The Youth Advisory Council will represent and help make recommendations to the [village] council on how we can better engage our youth in local government.”
Mayor Flinn said he also was pleased by the group’s formation and their initial meeting.
“Not since the development of our first Parks Master Plan more than eight years ago have we asked our youth what they want to see in their village,” Mayor Flinn said. “It was long overdue. Councilmember Cunningham is serving alongside me as council liaison to this committee.
“Our new YAC will greatly assist in getting teenagers active in our village — a priority of both Councilwoman Siegel Lara and me — and our entire village council,” Flinn added. “It’s so important to be responsive to our young people, and to include them in their local government process.”
