To: YOUTH COMMISSION
From: KELLY ORTA, DEPUTY COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
TITLE
title
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PRIORITIZED LIST OF PROJECTS AND CRITICAL FOCUS AREAS FOR THE YOUTH COMMISSION’S 2024-25 TERM
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE CREATION OF A TEEN CENTER SUBCOMMITTEE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONERS TO REPRESENT THE COMMISSION DURING STAKEHOLDER SESSIONS REGARDING SAFETY AND ACCESS AT REDONDO UNION HIGH SCHOOL
end
BACKGROUND
2024-25 Projects and Focus Areas
The Redondo Beach Municipal Code (RBMC) outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Youth Commission (Commission). Specifically, RBMC § 2-9.602 includes the following roles and purposes:
a) Identify and report to the City Council annually on the youth needs and priorities of Redondo Beach
b) Remain informed on the programs providing youth services to Redondo Beach (annual review)
c) Research, formulate, suggest proposed policies, programs and services designed to meet the needs of Redondo Beach youth
d) Review and evaluate requests received by the City pertaining to its youth-related policies/services
e) Maintain liaison with the Youth Commissions in other cities, and/or youth-related agencies
f) Represent the City of Redondo beach when requested to do so
At the Commission’s October 3 meeting, it received a report that outlined previous agenda topics discussed by the commission in 2020 and 2021 including COVID policies, mental health awareness, drug use, and the AES Power Plant. Additionally, staff provided critical topics received from the commissioners during the interview process that were identified as current issues or projects that would support the City’s teens, including:
• Barriers to socialization
• E-bikes
• Mental health
• Drug use
• General safety
• Nutrition and obesity
• Creation of a social media presence that caters to the City’s teens
• Development of a teen survey to gather data on issues, areas of improvement, event ideas, potential collaborations, etc.
• Creation of teen and family event nights
• Creation of a comprehensive activities calendar
• Development of a one-stop shop for teen resources
• Creation of a streamlined way to communicate with teens via text or social media
Teen Center Subcommittee
The City plans to reopen its Teen Center at Perry Park in early 2025. As part of this reopening, staff will rely heavily on the Commission to assist in the development of programs, activities, events, and resources that would take place at the facility. Therefore, staff recommends the Commission develop a Teen Center Subcommittee to work closely with staff and to provide regular updates to the Commission on the progress of the facility.
Safety and Access at Redondo Union High School (RUHS)
Staff are beginning to work with consultants and the community to redesign areas adjacent to RUHS that aim to improve safety and access to campus. The specific focus area will include Diamond Street with consideration for improvements along El Redondo/Vincent Park area. The final product will include design plans for the restriping of these critical roads to enhance safety and access. A component of this project will include virtual stakeholder engagement sessions and are limited to key demographics related to the project. These meetings are anticipated to take place in December and January.
Staff requests the Commission appoint two commissioners that could participate in these discussions and confidently speak on their experiences and those of other teens accessing campus. It is desired that one representative be someone who primarily drives to school and the second one bikes or walks to campus. This will help ensure that the session includes a wide variety of experiences and viewpoints.
Staff recommends that the Commission:
1. Determine a prioritized list of projects and critical focus areas for the 2024-25 term and, where possible, determine any subcommittees needed to accomplish the goals of the Commission
2. Create a Teen Center Subcommittee to assist staff in the reopening of the facility and to provide regular updates to the Commission on any reopening or programmatic information
3. Appoint two commissioners to represent the Commission during stakeholder sessions regarding safety and access at Redondo Union High School.
ATTACHMENTS
None