Youth Commission ordinance amendment

At a glance

What: Amendment to youth commission ordinance (Chapter 16, Article V) to restructure the commission and its governance.
Status: Motion to committee approved June 1, 2026. Referred for further deliberation due to concerns about process and representation.
Key concern: City Council voting on matter affecting School Committee's youth commission authority without having formal say in the ordinance.

Solicitor Buoniconti and HHS Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris presented the amendment. Key questions and concerns raised:

Representation concern: Councilor Click-Bruce asked if a City Council member could be appointed. Councilor Govan asked about adult oversight and whether the Council representative to School Committee should be included.
Structural concerns: Councilor Walsh and Councilor Hurst opposed the amendment, noting that City Council is being voted on an ordinance but will not have a say over that ordinance.
Details questions: Councilor Davila asked about number of youth, age, compensation, and appointment mechanism. Councilor Perez questioned why City Council votes on a School Committee matter.
Process question: Councilor Brown asked about amending ordinance to add City Council member.

Staff noted Shannel Ford would be the HHS-appointed staff member for oversight.

Motion to committee by Councilor Santaniello, seconded by Councilor Edwards. Council President Whitfield and Councilor Walsh supported the motion.