The council opened with a debate on the installation of street lights in poorly lit areas to increase public safety. This topic generated extensive discussion about the feasibility and implications of such a change. The council considered alternatives, including additional signage, to address safety concerns. The matter was not resolved and will be revisited in future meetings.

Youth engagement was another focal point. The council discussed finalizing a date for the Youth Council Summit, considering May 17th, but raised concerns about conflicts with AP testing and school schedules. The need for orientation and training for new Youth Council members was acknowledged, as well as the potential for more frequent meetings to ensure the council’s effectiveness. However, the review of bylaws, including changing meeting dates and extending term limits for the Youth Council, was tabled for a later date.

The timing of the Youth Council’s own meetings was also on the agenda, with June proposed to coincide with the end of the school year and to allow for promotional activities. A potential clash with Asian Flag Day was noted in the debate over whether to schedule this meeting on a Saturday.

In a move to encourage political participation, the council discussed initiatives to promote voting among high school seniors. Plans were proposed for a summit or review on voting procedures, ballot use, and voter registration.

Communication strategies were another key topic, with the council proposing the creation of a monthly newsletter to raise awareness for the city’s initiatives and provide updates on the Youth Council. The proposal included rotating responsibility for the newsletter among council members and considering a video recap of meetings. The council also proposed the management of the city’s Instagram account, suggesting a public account linked to the city’s email, enabling all council members to post updates. This motion carried, initiating a vote to implement the newsletter and social media strategies.

The council further discussed the possibility of increasing the frequency of their meetings but decided to table this decision. They also debated providing SAT tutoring for juniors in lieu of scholarships and discussed exploring partnerships for funding this initiative.

An innovative fundraising idea came in the form of a car wash. The council mulled over the use of Eventbrite or Cash App for payments and registration and discussed promoting the event through social media. The car wash was seen as an opportunity to offer community service hours to volunteers, provide food, and create a comfortable setting for attendees. While the tentative date for the car wash was proposed, the discussion was to be continued, particularly around payment methods and the effectiveness of promotion.

Continuing with the theme of civic engagement, the council voted to relaunch a youth-focused survey to gauge their involvement in city affairs. The survey’s questions and strategies to boost participation, such as QR codes and community service hours for participating students, were debated.

The discussion also touched on the importance of inclusivity in city hall and promoting job programs for exceptional students. The council acknowledged Women’s History Month and looked forward to an upcoming empowerment luncheon. Additionally, council members expressed solidarity with the Haitian community given the situation in Haiti.