Fresno council funds organization to manage youth group

The Fresno City Council on Thursday agreed to spend $100,000 to pay an organization to staff and manage an advisory group focused on issues of interest to young people.

Youth Leadership Institute, which Councilwoman Esmeralda Soria said is “a well-known organization, not only locally but statewide,” was awarded the two-year contract after the city put out a bid request. There were two organizations that submitted bids. The organization will be paid $50,000 annually for two years.

The vote was 6-0, with Councilman Steve Brandau absent.

Known as the Fresno Youth Commission, the body will have eight voting members and eight alternates, with the mayor and each of the seven council members appointing representatives to the commission.

Both members and alternates must be between 15 and 21 years of age when appointed and may serve until 23. The term is two years, and members can serve no more than two consecutive terms. Members must live in Fresno.

The commission will provide input to the mayor and council on issues important to Fresno’s youths. Soria and fellow Councilman Oliver Baines, who together pushed for the commission’s creation, also wrote in a memo to their fellow members that the commission would “foster leadership development and participation in the civic process among youth.”

Youth commissioners will receive training on governance, policy, leadership and professional development.

Council members initially approved the commission last summer. After that, a request for proposals went out and a selection committee was formed to vet the bidders.

This story was originally published February 4, 2016 at 6:38 PM with the headline "Fresno council funds organization to manage youth group."