The City of Columbia Heights has opened the application window for Youth Commission candidates. The deadline to apply is Jan 5. The commission would opportunities for local youth to make a direct impact on the community, advise the City Council, gain valuable experience in local government, spotlight issues important to younger residents, help shape Columbia Heights laws and policies, learn from experts from a variety of fields and put the experience on a resume and college application.
Members must be between the ages of 14-18 years old at the start of their term. Because this will be an official government body, like any other board or commission, members must also be residents of the City of Columbia Heights. Youth Commission members serve two-year, staggered terms (terms may end earlier if a commission member moves out of town, chooses to step down due to personal reasons, or is removed from the commission due to three or more unexcused absences in a year). Normal terms will run from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, without meetings during summer. Monthly meetings will be held the second Wednesday of the month, Oct. through May, 6-7:30 p.m., though youth commission members will have the chance to work with staff and council members to amend the schedule and revise by-laws once the first term gets started.
Find more information at www.columbiaheightsmn.gov/youth