Item 4C Memo
M E M O R A N D U M
April 23, 2018
TO: Shana K. Yelverton, City Manager
FROM: Chris Tribble, Director of Community Services
SUBJECT: Approve Revisions to the Southlake Youth Action Commission
(SYAC) Bylaws
Action Requested: City Council approval of the revisions to the Southlake Youth
Action Commission (SYAC) Bylaws
Background
Information:
The purpose of this item is for City Council to consider
proposed revisions to the SYAC Bylaws. The existing bylaws
were adopted by City Council on March 2, 2010. SYAC
recently reviewed the current bylaws and recommended
revisions to enhance the youth experience and to
compliment the Southlake Kids in Leadership (SKIL)
program.
The proposed revisions establish SYAC as a program for 9th
& 10th graders. In doing so, the program will complement
the SKIL program, which is designed for 11th graders.
The revisions also increase participation by allowing an
option for up to 13 alternates. Historically over the past three
(3) program years, SYAC has had 7 board members, plus 1-
5 additional students who attend the meetings. Establishing
alternates formally incorporates the additional students into
the program. It allows for an increase in student
participation, but does not limit the ability of the board to
meet due to quorum requirements. By maintaining a board of
seven (7) with a quorum of four (4), it helps ensure meetings
can be conducted on a regular basis. The number thirteen
was chosen in order to mirror SKIL participation numbers
(SKIL selects 20 students). It allows for program growth
while maintaining a good balance to ensure effectiveness.
The proposed revisions also make changes to the
application and meeting schedule in order to better align with
the academic calendar. Revisions establish the meeting
schedule as October through May and moves the application
period from the end of the school year to the beginning of
Shana Yelverton, City Manager
Meeting Date – May 1, 2018
Page 2 of 3
Item 4I - 2
the school year. This mirrors the SKIL application period and
has proven to be most effective in reaching students and
signing them up for the program. Revisions also move the
election of officers to the second regular meeting, once the
board membership has been established. The proposed
revisions move the meeting date from Wednesday to
Tuesday. CISD offers extracurricular programming on
Wednesday and students were unable to participate in
SYAC and school-sponsored extracurricular activities.
Moving the program to Tuesday will reduce extracurricular
conflicts.
Additional revisions include updating the officers to remove
the need for Senior High, High School, and Middle School
Representatives. Instead, officers will be elected from the
standing board members, regardless of school affiliation.
SYAC allows for all CISD or City of Southlake 9 th and 10th
grader participation, which encompasses students in private
schools. The original structure for school representatives
omitted representation from private schools. The new
structure eliminates the school specific representatives all
together, allowing for any standing board member to hold an
office.
Financial
Considerations: Revisions to SYAC bylaws will have no impact to the City
budget.
Strategic Link: This item is linked to the City’s Strategy Map related to the
Focus Areas of Performance Management & Service
Delivery and Partnerships and Volunteerism and meets the
Corporate Objectives to Promote opportunities for
partnerships and volunteer involvement and Collaborate with
Select Partners to Implement Service Solutions
Citizen Input/
Board Review: SYAC recommended approval of the revisions to the
Southlake Youth Action Commission Bylaws at their January
10th, 2018 meeting. All students who attended the meeting
voted in favor (9-0); however, the official board vote was 7-0.
Legal Review: N/A
Alternatives: Alternatives include:
City Council approval as presented
City Council approval with input as desired
City Council decision not to approve
Shana Yelverton, City Manager
Meeting Date – May 1, 2018
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Item 4I - 3
Supporting
Documents: Copy of revised SYAC Bylaws – redlined
Copy of revised SYAC Bylaws
Staff
Recommendation: City Council approval of the revisions to the Southlake Youth
Action Commission (SYAC) Bylaws