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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — JUNE 10, 2024 7 Councilmember Rousseau stated she would not be voting for this item. She indicated she did not believe this ordinance amendment was necessary. She explained the ordinance change may set a precedent regarding the youth commissioners/committee members. She stated she would like to see terms that were cycled to ensure members were not moving in and out all at the same time. She recognized there needed to be a balance, but she did not believe representatives had to be appointed by their age, but rather continuity should be considered. She indicated the Council has not surveyed any of the high schoolers that have applied for a youth commission position and the Council may find the process needs to be improved or additional support may have to be offered. Councilmember Monson asked if there were more than two members on the EDC and PTRC that met the youth criteria. Councilmember Rousseau stated there were two members total, one in a youth role and one in a non -youth, regular member role for both the EDC and PTRC. Councilmember Monson reported the proposed ordinance amendment would not impact these members. Councilmember Rousseau understood the amendment would not impact the members today, but she did not see the purpose of having a youth position with a one-year commitment. Councilmember Holden indicated the EDC has nine members, two of which were now 15 or 16 years old. She stated this meant 25% of the vote on the EDC was coming from youth members. She supported the EDC having proper representation from business owners in the community. She explained she would be supporting the proposed ordinance amendment. Councilmember Rousseau commented that the EDC does still have one open seat and one of the youth members serving on the EDC does have their own business. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Monson seconded a motion to Approve Ordinance 2024-004 Amending Chapter 2, Section 220, Subsections 220.04 and 220.05 of the Arden Hills City Code (Youth Commissioners and Committee Members). Councilmember Fabel stated he believed the Council wanted to have young people involved in some of its commissions and committees. He indicated this was why he supported the ordinance originally. Councilmember Monson reported this was the intent, but then there were concerns about having too many youths on the commissions and committees. This led the Council to direct staff to draft an Ordinance to allow for no more than two youth members on each commission or committee. She indicated she would continue to support youth on the City's commission or committees but supported there being balance. Mayor Grant agreed the proposed ordinance would offer balance. The motion carried 4-1 (Councilmember Rousseau opposed).