TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Heather Faust, MMC, FCPC, City Clerk
TITLE: An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Amending the Code of the City of North Port, Florida, Chapter 4, Boards and Committees, to Create Article VIII - North Port Youth Council; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; Providing for Codification; and Providing an Effective Date.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Continue Ordinance No. 2026-12 to second reading on April 21, 2026, as presented.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Continue Ordinance No. 2026-12 to second reading on April 21, 2026, as presented.
• Pros: Ordinance No. 2026-12 was coordinated with the Boys and Girls Club Student Taking Active Roles (STAR) Leadership Training Program to ensure there were no conflicts.
• Cons: No disadvantages have been identified.
Option 2: Continue Ordinance No. 2026-12 to second reading on April 21, 2026 as amended to (insert amendments).
• Pros: Allows the City Commission to provide modifications to the Youth Board requirements and procedures.
• Cons: Could conflict with requirements and procedures of the Boys and Girls Club STAR Leadership Training Program.
Background Information
In October 2025, the City was contacted by Liz Mena, Boys and Girls Club Teen Program Director and STAR Leadership Training Graduate Omy Patel regarding collaborating with the Boys and Girls Club to create a Youth Board.
The North Port Youth Council (NPYC) will consist of seven to eleven student members who have graduated from the STAR Leadership Training Program. Member terms will be for one year and may be reappointed by the Commission.
The NPYC duties are to:
Provide a voice for the youth of the City, bridge the gap between City officials and the City’s youth, and promote the following objectives:
1. To assist in planning and promoting programs and services for youth;
2. To educate and raise awareness of youth issues;
3. To inspire positive action in the community;
4. To provide a voice for youth in the community;
5. To promote youth participation in community affairs;
6. To act as an advocate for youth and teens;
7. To review those municipal matters referred to by the City Commission and, as appropriate, make recommendations on those matters;
8. To make recommendations to the City Commission pertaining to the composition, function and obligations of the NPYC; and
9. To develop annual goals and objectives.
10. To identify a community issue affecting youth within the City and undertake a project or initiative during the term of service designed to address such issue and report the results and recommendations to the City Commission.
Ordinance No. 2026-12 has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
The business impact estimate has been posted to the City website on March 27, 2026.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Good Governance
Financial Impact
Not applicable.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Ordinance - First Reading
Prepared by: Heather Faust, MMC, FCPC, City Clerk
Department Director: Heather Faust, MMC, FCPC, City Clerk