TO: YOUTH COMMISSION
FROM: KELLY ORTA, DEPUTY COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PRIORITIZED LIST OF PROJECTS AND DESIRED FOCUS AREAS FOR THE YOUTH COMMISSION THROUGHOUT THE NEXT YEAR
REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF EXISTING SUBCOMMITTEES AND DETERMINATION OF WHETHER ANY SHOULD REMAIN ACTIVE
REVIEW AND APPOINT SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR THOSE SUBCOMMITTEES SELECTED TO REMAIN ACTIVE
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BACKGROUND
The purpose and structure of the Youth Commission (Commission) is outlined in the Redondo Beach Municipal Code. Specifically, RBMC § 2-9.602 includes the following roles and purposes:
The purpose of the Youth Commission is to expose Redondo students to city government processes and proceedings and to represent youth perspectives in city policies and projects. Duties are as follows:
(a) Report to the City Council semi-annually on youth needs and priorities related to city policies and projects;
(b) Remain informed on the programs providing youth services to Redondo Beach youth (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 from the staff liaison, City Manager, or City Council pertaining to youth-related policies/services;
(e) Maintain liaison with the youth organizations in other cities, and/or youth-related agencies, and
(f) Represent the Youth Commission when requested to do so.
With this in mind, staff recommends the Commission consider developing a prioritized list of projects and desired focus areas for the next year or so, which will help identify and inform future discussions and policy recommendations.
2025-26 Projects and Desired Focus Areas
As introduced at the Commission’s October meeting, the previous Commission, which served from October 2024 to June 2025, outlined a number of projects and goals that it wanted to accomplish throughout its one-year term. These goals were split between various subcommittees, which are smaller group-led work that is focused on a specific task, including:
Substance Abuse Subcommittee
Purpose: review current resources and local policies related to substance abuse, and make recommendations regarding education and programs to provide information and current resources available to teens and their families.
Communications Subcommittee
Purpose: create a general “Teens in Redondo Beach” social media account utilizing Instagram. Determine the focus of future posts including strategies and frequency. Consider alternate means of communication, when necessary, while keeping in mind the creation of a one-stop shop resource for teen-related information that ensures accessibility.
Teen Center & Events Subcommittee
Purpose: provide guidance to staff on the re-opening of the Perry Park Teen Center, and provide ongoing support for teen programs, services, and events held throughout the city.
At the former commission’s final meeting held in June 2025, it conducted a wrap-up discussion regarding the work of its subcommittees and whether it would recommend any of the initiatives to continue. Overall, the commission was in support of recommending the continuance of all three subcommittees, seeing value in each for the continued growth of teen programs, events, outreach, and support in Redondo Beach. Included below are the final recommendations approved by the former commission to be shared with the present, incoming Commission:
Substance Abuse Subcommittee
• Consider renaming the “Substance Control Subcommittee”
• Work closely with adults in the industry including Beach Cities Health District and allcove
Communications Subcommittee
• Coordinate at least monthly posts
• Designate someone to ensure posting is happening regularly
• Consider doing small highlights on local businesses
• Repost local school events and activities
Teen Center & Events Subcommittee
• Program holiday events
Additional Projects and Focus Areas for Consideration
In addition to the work of the subcommittees, the following topics have been expressed that could be meaningful to the Youth Commission to tackle throughout the next few years, including:
• E-bike use and safety for all road users
• Branding of Redondo Beach for the upcoming 2028 Olympic games
• How the city website, Redondo.org, and the city’s social media accounts, could better serve youth engagement
• Desires for future stores/attractions at the Pier
Staff recommends the Commission consider work initiatives of the former commission and their recommendations regarding their possible continuance; other important topics that should be addressed in the coming year; and any other ideas that are of value to teens. Additionally, staff recommends the Commission review and consider whether to continue the work of active subcommittees, or if they should be retired to allow for a different approach, or to provide resources for alternate projects. If any subcommittee is created or selected to continue, staff recommends the Commission appoint no more than seven members to serve on each.
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