In an effort to update and modernize policy for the Student Representative position on the Kenai City Council, the City Council repealed the previous policies and enacted City of Kenai Student Representative Policy No. 20.100.
Adopting one Student Representative Policy applicable to all City of Kenai governmental bodies will provide standard practices and procedure for all Student Representative applicants and appointees.
Brief background on student representative policy…
The unnumbered City Council Student Representative Policy was adopted by Kenai City Council action on March 16, 2005, then amended on September 1, 2010.
The Parks and Recreation Commission Student Representative Policy No. 2018-01 was adopted through Resolution 2018-03 on January 17, 2018, then amended by Resolution 2020-61 on July 15, 2020.
Kenai City Clerk Shellie Saner explained the process of distributing the final changes.
“This is the last one. So with tonight’s action I’ll be able to finally finalize and compile that document that has all the policies in one place and get those distributed.”
Becoming a Student Representative helps students develop and strengthen their leadership skills, and assists fellow students with having their voices heard by sharing experiences and participating in issues effecting the city.
The following identifies the more substantive changes in the new policy regarding City Council Student Representatives:
- The purpose and scope of the policy is expanded to provide clarity regarding the purpose of the Student Representative.
- Previously the policy required students attend Kenai Central High School. The new policy would remove that limitation and allow Junior and Senior applicants from all schools within the Kenai City Limits.
- Preference is given for students who are members of Leadership Groups or the Student Council. This ensures the ability for a student to report back to the school the actions or issues that are affecting students.
- The term of the student representative is reduced to 1-Year Terms, to ensure an opportunity for more students to participate as well as consider their academic and athletic schedule when committing to service.
- The student representative will no longer be in rotation of the roll call and will now be called last, to take into consideration that sometimes the issues before the Council are very controversial and the students vote is advisory only.
The following identifies the more substantive changes in the new policy regarding the Parks and Recreation Student Representatives:
- The purpose and scope of the policy were expanded to provide clarity regarding the purpose of the Student Representative.
- Previously the Parks and Recreation Commission Student Representative was required to reside within the Kenai City Limits, the new policy will allow non- residents attending a school within the city limits to participate as student representative to boards, commissions, committees and the Council on Aging.
There are provisions within Kenai Municipal Code that allow a certain number of non-residents as members of various boards and commissions.
Kenai Municipal Code 1.90.030 (a) in part establishes, a member of a board, commission or committee must be a resident of the City of Kenai, unless specifically exempted by Council from this requirement.
Kenai Municipal Code 1.90.030 (b) in part establishes, the Beautification Committee, Harbor Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission may at the discretion of the Council have up to two (2) non-resident members.
Kenai Municipal Code 1.90.030 (c) in part establishes, the Planning Commission may have up to on member that is not a resident of the City if they have a controlling ownership interest in a business located in the City.
Note: Student Representatives to City Council will still be required to be residents of the City, which is the same requirement that applies to the Mayor and City Council Members.