From policy advocacy to national conferences, it’s been a busy year for members of Loveland’s Youth Advisory Commission. On Tuesday, several members will appear before Loveland City Council to give an update on their activities over the past school year and discuss local issues impacting teens.
Also on Tuesday, the council will again take up a discussion about amending the city charter, which will mark its 30th anniversary later this month. After a similar discussion last year, the council came out in favor of a flexible approach through an ad hoc committee, as opposed to a more formal process mandated by the state. Tuesday’s discussion will give the members elected since that conversation an opportunity to weigh in.
The agenda also includes a second vote on a budget appropriation involving a state grant to fund a homelessness outreach program and a first vote on a series of building code updates.
Youth Advisory Commission
The Loveland Youth Advisory Commission (YAC) consists of 12 members and four alternates from the local high schools. To tackle issues facing teens in Loveland, the group formed three subcommittees — substance abuse, civic engagement and involvement of youth in local government.
The YAC’s substance abuse work focused mainly on reducing underage consumption of flavored tobacco. Working with Jodi Radke, Colorado director of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the group studied previous attempts to ban the product in Loveland as well as successful bans in other municipalities, incorporating that research into recommendations for amendments to the city’s tobacco licensing code and future policy proposals.
The subcommittee on civic engagement centered on increasing awareness of local government among teens, with members expanding outreach through community events, more intentional use of social media to connect with their peers and participating in City Council meetings, including a memorable public comment from YAC members in January ahead of the City Council’s vote on amendments to the city’s camping ban.
Meanwhile, efforts to increase youth involvement in local government included exploring expanded youth liaison roles on city boards and commissions and working with the City Clerk’s Office on ways to make those opportunities more accessible.
In addition to their local work, several members attended the National League of Cities youth conference in March, where they participated in workshops on leadership, communication and community engagement and will share how they plan to apply those lessons in Loveland.
Charter amendment discussion
Adopted by voters in May 1996, Loveland’s home rule charter is the city’s foundational legal document, outlining the structure of government, the powers of elected officials and the rules governing elections, budgeting and finance. Though select provisions have been updated by voter approval a dozen times since, a growing contingent of residents and city officials want to give the entire document another look.
In a nearly identical presentation last June, the City Attorney’s office outlined two potential pathways for doing so. The first is mandated by the Colorado constitution and requires two elections: one to form the commission and another to approve any proposed charter.
If initiated, the process could begin either through a citizen petition or a council-approved ordinance. Voters would first decide whether to establish a commission and elect its members, who would then have 180 days to draft a proposed charter before sending it back to voters for final approval.
Alternatively, council could opt for a less formal route by creating a committee to review specific provisions and recommend targeted amendments, which could then be referred to voters individually.
Though no vote was taken, a majority of council members favored the latter after last year’s presentation.
How to participate
The Loveland City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council chambers at the Municipal Building, 500 E. Third St.
Comments from members of the public will be accepted in person as well as over Zoom at both meetings.
Those wishing to join by Zoom can use the ID 975 3779 6504 with a passcode of 829866, according to the meeting agenda.
The meeting will be broadcast on Comcast Channel 16/880, Pulse TV channel 16 and streamed through the city’s website at lovgov.org/tv.
Tuesday’s agenda packet can be found through the Loveland City Council’s website at lovgov.org/CityCouncil or at cilovelandco.civicweb.net.
