City Council Meeting Date: October 11, 2016
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Michelle Mahowald, Communications & Human Resources Manager
Title
Discuss Youth Leadership Academy
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council will learn about Youth Future from Sandy Malecha, Youth Future Coordinator.
Summary Report:
Over the last three years, City Leadership have established a working relationship with Youth Future and Sandy Malecha with a goal to involve interested youth in City government work. See attached “Northfield Youth Investment” Deliverables.
• A week long job shadow experience was conducted in June 2014.
• City leadership created 5 internship opportunities in the Spring of 2016. Internships were not filled due to lack of funding.
A 2017 budget request was made for 3-5 summer interns to be placed in City departments for a 7 week paid internship and career exploration program. The program is geared for local youth ages 16-22 interested in gaining exposure to municipal careers, including local government and public service. Students will gain training and professional development experience throughout the summer internship.
Youth First works together with Northfield employers to attract youth with paid internship opportunities. If approved, each City department will determine its capacity in taking on an internship each year. The idea is to have a sustainable, budgeted line item for this work beyond a seasonal basis.
Follow this link to learn more about Northfield Youth Future <http://northfieldyouthfuture.org/>
Financial Impacts:
$12.00 per hour ($2,520 per student for the 7 week program)
**5 students at 30 hours per week=$12,600
3 students at 30 hours per week = $7,560
There is currently funding in the preliminary general fund budget at $10,080 that would fund 4 students. Elimination of this request would reduce the current deficit in the preliminary budget by $10,080. Alternate options would impact either with an increase or decrease by adding students or removing the number of student interns. Additionally, staff could plan on identifying utility funds to include students dependent on interests and placement.