Res 0115-2014

By Council Members Kallos, Torres, Levine, Arroyo, Cohen, Constantinides, King, Lander, Reynoso, Rose, Van Bramer, Mendez, Menchaca, Richards, Vacca, Dromm and Cumbo (at the request of the Manhattan Borough President) Whereas, Current regulations prohibit anyone under the age of eighteen from becoming a member of a New York City Community Board; and Whereas, Many sixteen and seventeen year olds are active members of their communities and pay New York City income and sales tax, yet have no civic voice on how these revenues are spent; and Whereas, Sixteen and seventeen year olds are legally accountable for breaking the law and can be arrested, tried and imprisoned as adults, but have no legal venue for advisement on community needs, programs, services, or development project and land use issues; and Whereas, Sixteen and seventeen year olds contribute to community based agencies, not for profit agencies and municipal bodies, including advisory bodies in the various Borough Presidents' offices; and Whereas, New Yorkers in this age group further contribute to the well-being of communities as counselors in day camps, jurists on Peer and Youth courts, and peacemakers in conflict resolution and mediation programs; and Whereas, Research has shown that greater social engagement among youth provides numerous benefits to their local communities and improves their professional development, as well as many other human welfare indicators; and Whereas, The benefits of youth engagement in civic processes has been demonstrated in consistent and powerful ways, including through youth commissions in San Francisco and Philadelphia, and Whereas, New York City Community Boards are composed of dedicated and able volunteers who could serve as role models and mentors to emerging young civic actors, and should be opened to include members who are 16 and 17 years old; and Whereas, Bills A.2448, introduced by Assemblymember Rozic, and S.4142, introduced by Senator Lanza, would lower the minimum age for New York City Community Board members from eighteen to sixteen; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign into law A.2448 and S.4142, which would allow sixteen and seventeen year olds to be appointed to New York City Community Boards. AM Res 1866/2013 LS644/2014 2/12/14