File #: Res 0115-2014    Version: * Name: Allow 16 and 17 year olds to be appointed to NYC Community Boards. (A.2448/S.4142)
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Committee: Committee on Governmental Operations
On agenda: 3/12/2014
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling 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.
Sponsors: Ben Kallos, Ritchie J. Torres, Mark Levine, Maria Del Carmen Arroyo, Andrew Cohen, Costa G. Constantinides, Andy L. King, Brad S. Lander, Antonio Reynoso, Deborah L. Rose, James G. Van Bramer, Rosie Mendez, Carlos Menchaca, Donovan J. Richards, James Vacca, Daniel Dromm , Laurie A. Cumbo, (by request of the Manhattan Borough President)
Council Member Sponsors: 18
Attachments: 1. Committee Report 6/9/14, 2. Hearing Testimony 6/9/14, 3. Hearing Testimony 6/9/14 - Gabriela Rosa, 4. Hearing Testimony 6/9/14 - Sarah Andes, 5. Hearing Transcript 6/9/14, 6. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 6-11-14, 7. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - June 11, 2014
Res. No. 115
 
 
Resolution calling 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.
 
 
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