Auburn promotes youth engagement in city government

Young residents are encouraged to apply for Junior City Council and to attend Youth Town Hall.

By Cameron Sheppard • April 9, 2021 1:30 am
Pictured above: (L-R) Waylon Menzia, Brandon Berend and Jonathan Mulenga at the National League of Cities Youth Conference in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy of the City of Auburn)
Pictured above: (L-R) Waylon Menzia, Brandon Berend and Jonathan Mulenga at the National League of Cities Youth Conference in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy of the City of Auburn)

The City of Auburn is looking for youth leaders in high school and middle school to be a part of the Junior City Council.

Administrative Assistant to Auburn City Council, Antoinette Manthey, said the Junior City Council was established in 2014 as a way to provide “youth perspective” to city government.

She said the Junior City Council reports to and advises the Auburn City Council on particular issues and policies including parks, recreation, entertainment, traffic, police, festivals, trails, environmental stewardship and other social issues.

Dana Hinman, the city’s director of administration, said in the past the Junior City Council helped design Auburn’s teen center, The REC. They also have members in the city’s Transportation Advisory Board and Police Advisory Committee.

The council also hosts Youth Town Hall events like the one from 6 to 8 p.m. April 8. Young Auburn residents were encouraged to tune in virtually at www.auburnwa.gov/townhalls as panelists and youth leaders facilitated a conversation about police reform, racial equity and mental health during COVID-19.

This week’s Youth Town Hall panelists include Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus; Auburn Deputy Mayor Claude DaCorsi; Diversity Equity and Inclusion Program Manager for the city, Brenda Goodson-Moore; Police Cmdr. Cristian Adams; Superintendent of the Auburn School District Dr. Alan Spicciati; Isaiah Johnson, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director, Auburn School District; and Ashley Boyd, Prevention and Intervention Services Coordinator, Auburn School District.

The Junior City Council typically has nine members and nine alternate members, but currently, they only have seven spots filled.

Students who are interested can apply at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/auburn/jobs/2255801/junior-city-council.

Applications will be open until the positions are filled.