Public Meetings - Rockville, Maryland

The Rockville Youth Commission met on September 15, 2026, to finalize and vote on a community survey, debrief the King Farm Farmstead tour and community visioning open house, and plan outreach and upcoming leadership changes. Chair Becca presided. The council liaison report was tabled for the day. Note: the official meeting date is September 15, 2026, while the transcript states the meeting was called to order at 4:08 p.m. on Thursday, March 6th; this discrepancy is present in the source materials. Consent Calendar - Minutes from the previous meeting were approved, with members given the opportunity to make scratch edits. Chair & Staff Reports - Chair report: Becca had nothing to report this meeting. - Staff liaison Steph Lee reported that spring registration opened at 8:30 a.m. that day, with the spring guide now available. - Steph Lee announced an upcoming lock-in event from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., followed by a sleepover portion from 10:30 p.m. to 8 a.m., and encouraged members to attend, RSVP for the head count, request a table if desired, and distribute the youth commission survey there. Survey Review and Vote - Members reviewed the final draft of the youth commission survey; no glaring issues were raised before the vote. - A motion to vote on the survey was made and seconded, and the survey was approved. - Next steps: create the survey as a Google Form with a QR code for paper and electronic distribution, and have members conduct outreach so youth can say what the community needs. King Farm Farmstead Discussion - Members debriefed the King Farm Farmstead tour and community visioning open house. One member observed that many activities receiving green sticky dots at the open house were targeted at seniors, reflecting that the vast majority of attendees were older residents. - Several members stressed that the survey is essential for learning what youth under 30 want, cautioning that the ideas of the seven or eight commissioners may not represent the larger youth population of Rockville. - Members noted that Rockville currently has no space for youth to simply drop in, while there are two such centers in Gaithersburg. Possible locations discussed included King Farm Farmstead, Town Center, Twinbrook, and repurposed or underutilized city facilities. - Members discussed equity and demographics: a council member's observation of less fortunate youth in Town Center needing somewhere to go, the many youth living in King Farm, and the large youth population in Twinbrook. - Councilmember Valeri said the two youth center concepts do not necessarily compete because they would not be operating at the same time, and noted that not every young person needs a hangout space, but those who do will find it. - Members proposed combining uses such as a dance studio, culinary classes, technology, and greenhouse space, noting these ideas received the most votes at the open house. One member suggested the larger single-floor barn could be a good space, noting there is not enough storage for costumes. - One member said a dedicated space outside schools would have a different energy and a greater sense of community than a disjointed setup, while not duplicating what schools already do. - Staff noted that the city's activities calendar is roughly 90% senior-oriented, and that older residents should not decide what youth want. Staff also said senior center regulars are happy when anyone under age 65 visits. - Staff explained that a capital improvement project could take around 15 years, while a storefront the city rents or purchases could open in less than five years. - Staff noted the commission could send a letter to the Mayor and Council stating its priorities, and that the farmstead is not the only possible site for a youth center. - Staff reported that Becca's term was set to expire April 1st and that she was asked to remain chair until June 1st, when she leaves for school. After June 1st, the commission must elect a new chair and recruit additional youth commission members. Key Outcomes - The youth commission survey was approved; it will be distributed as a Google Form with a QR code. - Minutes were approved. - Outreach priority: members will prioritize distributing the youth commission survey at the lock-in and other events, while staff will use other avenues to promote the separate King Farm Farmstead survey. One member suggested attaching both surveys or placing both QR codes on a single poster. - No formal vote was taken on farmstead recommendations; members agreed that survey data and census information should inform future input, and a letter to the Mayor and Council remains a possible next step. - The commission faces a leadership transition after June 1st, with a new chair election and member recruitment planned.

The Rockville Youth Commission met on September 15, 2026, beginning at approximately 4:10 PM, to discuss the youth survey action plan, recruitment for the next commission term, the interim chairperson selection, and planning for the annual report to the Mayor and Council. The meeting opened with a voice vote to start, followed by unanimous approval of the prior meeting minutes. (Note: the chair's opening remarks reference an April 9 date; per official meeting metadata, the meeting date used here is September 15, 2026.) Consent Calendar - A motion to approve the prior meeting minutes was made, seconded, and passed unanimously by voice vote, with no opposition. Announcements - A member noted that the city is still hiring for summer positions for anyone seeking a summer job. Discussion: Youth Survey Action Plan - The youth survey has been open for about a month, but the meeting lead reported that responses so far come mostly from her own outreach network and from Richard Montgomery (RM) seniors, creating limited diversity. She asked each member to send the survey to at least one or two additional people before the next meeting, emphasizing that the commission's diversity is intentional and important. - Members suggested distribution channels, including handing out the survey at an upcoming teacher-versus-student basketball game on Friday and at other school events. One member noted their school had already held its event. - A pool party is planned with survey completion as a requirement to attend. Members said this approach could generate a couple hundred responses and noted the party historically attracts many middle schoolers, helping reach a younger crowd. A raffle will be used as an incentive, and the party date is expected to be confirmed by the beginning of May. - Early responses show trends of high stress, mental-health struggles, and burnout among students. Members connected these findings to Councilmember Billiard's prior comments about a youth center and said the results align with issues the commission can help address. - Private-school members discussed ways to reach students outside RM, such as contacting friends on sports teams or friends who live in Rockville, while acknowledging that not all of them know many Rockville residents. Discussion: Recruitment for the 2025–2026 Term - The meeting lead and Jordan have been working with Veronica, a liaison between the city clerk's office and staff liaisons, on recruitment. - With the exception of Becca's, all members' terms end in October. Members interested in reapplying must submit an expression-of-interest form, and the link will be emailed to them. Applications are due by May 31, after which the mayor will conduct interviews; appointments will be made in September, with terms beginning in October. Discussion: Interim Chairperson - Because the prior year's term structure left Becca in the chair position, the commission discussed electing an interim chair to serve from the end of Becca's tenure, with two months remaining, until October, when a new chair would be elected to serve for the school year. - The responsibilities of the chair were described as running meetings, building agendas with Jordan, handling minutes and online postings, attending events, speaking on behalf of the commission, and representing the commission to the public. Comfort with public speaking is helpful but not required, and members were referred to the establishing resolution for formal duties. - An election for the interim chair will be held at the next meeting. Members who are old enough and eligible were encouraged to consider applying. Jordan and the meeting lead will verify whether the interim chair can serve over the summer and will report back. It was noted that Alice is old enough, while Daniela, a sophomore, is not yet eligible. Discussion: Annual Report to the Mayor and Council - Every commission is required to submit an annual report to the Mayor and Council, typically a few PowerPoint slides highlighting the year's work. Examples from other commissions were shared as templates, though the youth commission's report is expected to be short and sweet and will be developed as a team at a future meeting. - Likely highlights include developing the youth survey, attending the King Farm event, and the pool party. The meeting lead expressed excitement that the survey results will be well received by the Mayor and Council and said the results will inform the commission's work for the next school year. Key Outcomes - Prior meeting minutes approved unanimously. - Each member will collect at least one or two additional survey responses before the next meeting; distribution will be expanded through school events and the pool party, where survey completion will be required for entry and a raffle will be offered. The party date is to be announced by early May. - Applications for the next commission term are due May 31, and expression-of-interest links will be sent to members. - An interim chair election is scheduled for the next meeting; eligibility and summer-service questions are to be confirmed by Jordan and the meeting lead. - The annual report will be drafted as a team, with survey results guiding next school year's priorities. - The meeting adjourned by unanimous voice vote.

The Rockville Youth Commission met on September 15, 2026, to review youth survey results, plan its annual report to the Mayor and Council, discuss recruitment for the next term, and elect a new internal chair. Members approved the prior meeting minutes and voted 5–2 to elect Layla as chair. Note: the raw transcript's opening references "May 21st" as the current date, which conflicts with the recorded meeting date of September 15, 2026; this summary uses the official date. Consent Calendar - The prior meeting minutes were reviewed, and a motion to approve them was made and seconded; the minutes were approved. Discussion Items - Chair Report: The chair discussed community input meetings for the King Farmstead area (phase two of a CIP project), including one session on May 29, 6:30–8:30 PM, at Glenview Mansion, with other dates available from staff. The chair strongly recommended attending so the youth voice is represented in deciding the space's future. The chair also reported that the new pool's opening date is not yet set, and that the city-approved men's shelter moving into the commission's current office delayed that project by a couple of years. Members were encouraged to attend next year's spring festival for outreach. - Council Liaison Report: The Mayor and Council approved the FY26 budget on May 5th; the liaison explained that the city operates on a fiscal-year budget cycle. - Youth Survey Results Review: Responses so far skew heavily toward high school, and staff hope for more middle school participation. Members examined the top three challenges (page 7) and the new programs and services residents requested, which can inform commission advocacy. Discussion highlighted a youth-oriented space as a community need, the stigma around teen drug addiction, and the potential value of youth-led summits and peer networks. The survey was distributed directly to youth rather than through the parent registration system to ensure youth representation. - Annual Report Update to Mayor and Council: Reports are due by September 30th, with certain other reports having separate dates. The report must include the commission's name, year, administrative information, survey results, King Farmstead work, and outreach efforts. Members were advised to set a drafting deadline and schedule working meetings, allowing 2–3 weeks for staff review before submission to the Mayor and Council. - Recruitment Efforts: As of that morning, there were 15 new applicants, plus additional applicants who applied after current members were appointed. The commission needs 11 members to be fully staffed; applications will be reviewed by the Mayor and Council over the summer. - New Chair Election: The internal chair serves from one school year to the next, and eligibility requires being a current 11th grader or a 10th grader entering 11th grade. Layla and Danielle were nominated; after brief remarks, an anonymous vote was held. Key Outcomes - Prior meeting minutes were approved. - Layla was elected internal chair by a vote of 5–2 over Danielle. Her stated priorities include harnessing the power of the youth voice, expanding outreach, coming together as a more connected commission, and proposing more policies to the Mayor and Council. - The commission agreed to plan the annual report with deadlines well before the September 30th submission date. - Recruitment will continue with a push at upcoming city events, including a weekend event and July 4th.

The Rockville Youth Commission met on September 15, 2026, to recap outreach to student government associations (SGAs), solidify plans for a community engagement event (town hall/spring bash), develop a youth survey, and receive updates on grant reviews and farmstead community meetings. The meeting started at 9:45 AM and included discussion on event logistics, survey design, and next steps for outreach. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval: The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the previous meeting. Discussion Items - SGA Outreach Recap: Members reported varied responses from SGAs at Richard Montgomery (RM), Woodin, and Julius West. Some SGAs expressed interest in collaboration but requested more details. Leila spoke with an SGA teacher who suggested offering SSL hours to volunteers. Sam reached out to the minority scholars program and black student union at RM. Danielle contacted the SGA president at Woodin, who was interested. Some members noted that one SGA contact said he was not interested. - Town Hall/Spring Bash Planning: The commission decided to hold the event on March 22, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Thomas Farm Community Center (indoor space with game room, multi-purpose room, and potential outdoor areas). The event will include basketball/soccer activities, booths for clubs, food (pizza/snacks/food truck), and a survey raffle with prizes (to be determined). SSL hours will be available for volunteer helpers. Members discussed balancing fun activities (sports) with civic engagement (surveys, introductions). It was noted that the gym may have limited availability due to a basketball league playoffs ending around 4:00 PM, so alternative activities (VR, trivia, video games) were considered. - Survey Development: The commission drafted survey questions to gather youth feedback: "What programs do you participate in?", "What programs would you like to see?", "List the top three issues facing Rockville youth today", and "Do you feel your voice is heard by the city government? (Yes/No/Why?)". Demographic questions (grade, school) will also be included. The survey will be created using the city’s platform and distributed via SGAs, city events, and advisory slides. A promotional video (created by a member) may be edited to include the survey link. - Grant Review Update: Members who attended the grant review panel shared that they learned about the process and found the debate interesting but noted the meeting was long and could be better organized. The panel was a new format, so it was a learning experience for everyone. - Farmstead Community Meetings: The commission will schedule a visit to the King Farm farmstead and may attend upcoming community meetings about the site. Key Outcomes - Town Hall Date Set: March 22, 2026, 4:00–7:00 PM at Thomas Farm Community Center. Rain date or alternative location (e.g., VizArts rooftop) considered if needed. - Survey Finalization: The survey will be created and distributed by next meeting. Members will share the QR code on social media and with SGAs. - SGA Follow-Up: Members will reconnect with SGAs to present the survey and finalize collaboration, including offering SSL hours for event volunteers. - Grant Review: Members will apply lessons from the panel to future grant review participation. - Next Steps: Create a shared calendar of city events; add members to the youth commission folder for resources; finalize raffle prizes (possibly prom tickets or program registration discounts, pending city approval). - Meeting Adjourned: The meeting was adjourned after all business was covered.

Note: The transcript records this meeting as occurring on September 10, 2025, but per instruction, the meeting date is listed as September 15, 2026. The Rockville Youth Commission held its ninth meeting of the term, covering approval of minutes, reports from the chair and staff liaison, review of survey results, approval of the annual report, and discussion of old and new business. Consent Calendar - The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously by voice vote. Discussion Items Chair Report - The chair reported on summer work: an informal meeting and a Google Doc drafted, later turned into a Google Slide presentation, reviewed by Jordan and Linda. The chair also attended the opening of a Maryland Health Clinic and met two Montgomery County delegates. Staff Liaison Report - The Recreation Department reported a successful summer: camp season ran from June 24 to August 22, serving approximately 5,000 youth ages 5–16, with sports, cooking, nature, travel, leadership, dance camps, and more. - After-school clubs are starting at Lincoln Park, Twinbrook, and Thomas Farm Community Centers, and Twinbrook Elementary, plus a teen club and fishing program. - Upcoming events: Fall Festival at Julius West Middle School on September 25 (6–8 p.m.) – opportunity to distribute youth surveys; Halloween bash at Thomas Farm Community Center on October 24 (7:30–10:30 p.m., free for residents). - 34 applicants for the 2025–2026 Youth Commission; interviews to be conducted in coming weeks, with appointments by end of September and first meeting with new members in October. - The new recreation pool extended its season past Labor Day, with activity pool, wellness pool, and water slides open weekends through mid-September; Olympic pool remains open until cold weather. Youth Survey Results - The commission’s survey still has 38 responses; staff plan to collect more at the Fall Festival. - The Recreation Department conducted a separate team program survey targeting grades 6–12, receiving 39 responses. Most respondents were ages 11–14 from Julius West, Rockville High, Wood Middle, and Richard Montgomery. - Preferred programs: sports (basketball, soccer, tennis, pickleball), gaming/esports (Minecraft, VR, robotics, coding), and life skills/career prep. - Preferred timing: weekends, afternoons; locations: community centers, outdoor parks, and some virtual. - Communication sources: primarily parents and friends; less from school, social media, flyers. - Barriers to participation: friends not joining, cost, lack of knowledge, transportation, scheduling conflicts. Annual Report Review - The commission reviewed the draft annual report for the 2024–2025 term, covering overview, four keywords, projects, community outreach, collaborations, advocacy, school engagement, future initiatives, and commissioner names. - Corrections identified: italicize the "August" callout on slide 5; uppercase "Youth Commission" on slide 8; add Danielle's name and term expiration to the last slide. - The commission voted to approve the report with those corrections. Key Outcomes - Minutes approved unanimously. - Annual report approved with corrections (motion passed unanimously). The report will be sent to the Mayor and Council. - Raffle giveaway: The commission decided to conduct the first round of social media raffle before the Fall Festival; staff will provide the list of entrants, and commissioners will draw names, then staff will coordinate prize distribution. - Meeting adjourned at 10:42 a.m.

The Rockville Youth Commission met on September 15, 2026, to establish a new vice chair position, elect officers for the 2025-2026 term, and review results from a citywide youth survey. The commission approved the vice chair role, elected Layla McCarthy as chair, elected Daniella as vice chair, and discussed survey findings to guide the year’s goals. Discussion Items - Creation of Vice Chair Role: Jordan proposed a new vice chair position to provide additional leadership opportunities beyond the chair. The role requires the vice chair to be a junior or senior in high school, be voted in by fellow commissioners, support the chair, represent the commission when needed, help plan events, propose ideas, and lead the end-of-year report. After a motion and second, the commission voted unanimously to approve the creation of the vice chair role. - Chair Election: Layla McCarthy was nominated and elected unanimously as chair for the 2025-2026 term. Jordan, the interim chair, outlined the chair's responsibilities including building relationships with mayor and council, leading meetings, and overseeing the work plan. - Vice Chair Election: Three candidates—Daniella, Anusia, and Alan—each gave a two-minute speech. Daniella emphasized her prior commitment to the commission and leadership roles; Anusia highlighted interest in policy, representation, and event planning; Alan noted his experience in career advisory. A written vote was held, and Daniella received 6 votes to become vice chair. The other candidates were encouraged to remain active. - Youth Survey Results and Recommendations: Melinda and Jordan presented findings from the youth survey (over 175 responses collected at fall festivals and online). The survey aimed to understand youth needs and city program gaps. Key findings: - Age distribution skewed toward middle school (ages 11-13); high school responses were low. - Top school response: Julius West Middle School (95 responses), followed by Richard Montgomery, Robert Frost, and Wootton High School. Rockville High School had only 7 responses. - Current involvement: sports (most common), academics/leadership, creative arts, STEM, community service; 7% not involved. - Program interests: sports, tech events, life skills, career prep. - Barriers to participation: peer influence, awareness, transportation, cost, scheduling. - Top challenges facing youth: mental health/emotional well-being (significantly highest), bullying/discrimination, substance use, academic pressure, technology. - Preferred engagement with government: online surveys, social media, school-based discussions, public meetings. - Recommendations were presented in six areas: strengthening youth outreach, expanding social/peer programming, improving program accessibility, keeping programs affordable/inclusive, addressing mental health, and fostering career readiness/leadership. - Grant Review Panel Opportunity: Jordan announced that the city is seeking 1-2 youth commissioners to serve on a grant review panel to evaluate nonprofit funding requests. Daniella shared her experience from the previous year, noting the time commitment (approximately 6 hours total, including training, independent review, and a virtual meeting) and that SSL hours are provided. Interested members must respond by the end of the week. - Old/New Business: Members were reminded to continue promoting the survey, especially to high school students, to increase older youth responses. Key Outcomes - Motion approved: Creation of the vice chair role (unanimous). - Elected: Layla McCarthy as chair for the 2025-2026 term (unanimous). - Elected: Daniella as vice chair (6 votes; other candidates not specified). - Survey results will be shared with the commission for review; members will use the findings to propose goals at the next meeting. - Next steps: Commissioners to review full survey data and prepare goal ideas; promote survey further; interested volunteers for grant review panel to notify Jordan by end of week. - Meeting adjourned by motion.

The Rockville Youth Commission met on September 15, 2026 at 4:15 PM (called to order at that time, not the 09:30 indicated in source metadata). The meeting focused on planning a community town hall at the Twinbrook Community Center, reviewing the FY27 city budget, and finalizing a letter to advocate for youth programs. No members of the public were present for comment. Twin Brook Town Hall Discussion - The commission reviewed plans for a town hall on April 10, 2026 from 7:00–9:00 PM at the Twinbrook Community Center. The event will feature game stations, a computer lab, arts and crafts, survey boards (like a scavenger hunt), free pizza, and ice cream from Carmen’s (with a coupon from the survey). - Staff liaison Jordan reported that the postcard design is ready and will be mailed to households the week of March 30. E‑blasts will be sent initially and again the week of the event. Flyers will be distributed during school lunch periods at Julius West Middle School and, pending approval, at Wood Middle School. - Commission members will be assigned roles: two people in arts and crafts, one in the computer lab, three in the gym, one at the final survey board, two scooping ice cream, two at the pizza station, and one floater. Center staff can handle many tasks so commission members can focus on engaging with youth and collecting feedback. - The survey boards will ask about preferred activities (sports, creative arts, hands‑on learning, STEM, etc.). After discussion, the commission agreed to add an open board where youth can write what they wish the community center offered. They also decided to replace “SAT prep” with “mental health support” and to rename “hands‑on learning” to “STEM programs” to better match middle‑school interests. A suggestion to offer Spanish translations on boards was raised but not decided. - Council liaison Alisha (name inferred) highlighted the unique challenges of the Twinbrook community, noting that many residents are non‑English speakers and low‑income, and encouraged the commission to think about mental health and life‑skills needs beyond sports. She shared that her son had experienced a stressful conversation in elementary school about immigration, underscoring the importance of safe spaces for youth to share concerns. - The commission agreed that this first town hall will be a pilot; lessons learned will inform future events. FY27 Budget Review - The commission discussed the city’s proposed FY27 budget for youth programs. They noted that many enhancements submitted by recreation staff (such as expanded teen programming, a fishing program at Redgate Pond, and skate camp expansion) were not included in the city manager’s draft budget. - Commissioners observed gaps in current offerings: a lack of arts programs for middle/high school students, no cooking classes (though the senior center has a kitchen used for “Tiny Chef”), and limited life‑skills workshops (career prep, financial literacy, cooking). They referenced the 200 survey responses already collected from school fairs, which showed demand for these activities. - Council liaison Alisha advised that the commission can advocate directly to mayor and council using personal stories and survey data, and that pilot programs are a viable path. She noted that the city funds a “Linkages to Learning” program at Maryvale Elementary (East Rockville) and that the commission could advocate for its expansion to other Title I schools like Twinbrook. - Commissioners expressed interest in seeing the full list of staff‑requested enhancements and obtaining the recreation guide to compare current programs with survey feedback. Letter Advocacy and Next Steps - The commission finalized a letter to mayor and council (previously drafted) by approving minor edits: capitalizing “Census,” adding a comma, and fixing a missing sentence. The letter was approved by a motion (unanimous voice vote). - Staff announced that the application process for new commission members (grades 7–12) is open; all current members must reapply. Five seniors are graduating and will not be returning. New appointments will be made by the mayor in September 2027. - No additional new business was raised, and the meeting was adjourned by unanimous voice vote. Key Outcomes - Approved minutes from the previous meeting (order changed to later in agenda). - Approved the town hall event plan, survey board content, and marketing timeline. - Approved the letter to mayor and council with minor edits. - Directed staff to send role sign‑up sheets and draft email blurb for school outreach. - Set the next commission meeting for two days before the town hall (April 8). - Decided to wait for town hall feedback before making further budget recommendations.

The Rockville Youth Commission convened on September 15, 2026, at 4:08 PM to review goals for the 2025-2026 term and develop an action plan based on survey results. The meeting included reports from the chair and staff liaison, approval of previous minutes, and a substantial discussion on youth priorities and outreach strategies. Consent Calendar - Approval of minutes from the previous meeting was moved, seconded, and passed unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public appeared for community forum. Reports - Chair Report: The chair encouraged commissioners to continue building relationships with schools and SGAs and promoting the youth survey. - Staff Liaison Report: The staff liaison announced the launch of a new city website, changes in program registration (residents can register before non-residents starting winter), and volunteer opportunities for the city's holiday drive. - Council Liaison Report: Council Member Bile was not present; the report was tabled. Discussion Items - Youth Commission Goals for 2025-2026 Term: Commissioners reviewed survey results indicating top youth challenges: sports as top program interest, barriers related to social connections, and mental health/emotional well-being as the top youth challenge. The commission discussed several initiative ideas: - Partner with local mental health nonprofits for youth-led forums. - Organize a youth street festival with local businesses, school clubs, and internship opportunities. - Host smaller events like movie nights targeting high school students. - Advocate for a youth-specific social media account or presence (e.g., Instagram highlights, TikTok) to improve outreach; a formal letter to the communications director will be drafted. - Create a digital youth newsletter and text alert system. - Conduct town halls at community centers (Twinbrook, Lincoln Park, Thomas Farm) with themes and incentives to gather youth input. - Address racism and bias in schools, expand recycling bins, support the Rockville Ballet's space needs, and enhance career readiness (internships, resume workshops). - Action Plan Creation: The commission agreed to form subcommittees for each community center to plan town halls. They also decided to draft a letter requesting social media approval and to liaise with school SGAs. The staff will provide information on community center availability and the Twinbrook master plan. Key Outcomes - Minutes approved from the previous meeting. - Social Media Advocacy: The commission will draft a formal letter to the communications director requesting youth-specific social media and online newsletter, citing survey data on communication preferences. - Town Hall Subcommittees: Commissioners will sign up for one of three community center committees (Twinbrook, Lincoln Park, Thomas Farm) to plan themed town halls with incentives (SSL hours, food, activities). - School Engagement: Commissioners are to attend SGA meetings and establish school liaisons to amplify outreach. - Next Steps: Staff will provide community center availability and master plan info at the next meeting; the letter draft will be reviewed before submission. - Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 5:12 PM.

The Rockville Youth Commission (a mayor-and-council-appointed body) held its monthly business meeting, convened at 9:30 AM by the commission chair. Commissioners approved the prior meeting's minutes, tabled reports where liaisons were absent, and devoted most of the agenda to two initiatives: a draft letter to the city's Communications and Community Engagement (CCE) department requesting social media authorization, and early planning for youth town halls at Rockville community centers. The meeting closed with a preview of the city's budget timeline and the commission's role in it. Note: The meeting record lists this date (September 15, 2026); the raw transcript references "Wednesday, December 10th," a discrepancy that could not be reconciled from available materials. Consent Calendar - Community form (open public comment): No members of the public were present, so the item was tabled. - Approval of minutes from the previous meeting: Approved by unanimous voice vote ("all in favor, say aye"). Reports - Chair's Report: Noted that the city's Teen Lock-In event, originally scheduled for the previous Friday, was postponed to the 19th due to weather. - Staff Liaison's Report: The city has moved to resident and general registration dates; the first general registration date was December 2nd, with staggered anniversary registrations (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 years, and so on). - Council Liaison's Report: Tabled because Councilmember Valeri was not present. Discussion: Youth Commission Letter to CCE Department - Commissioners reviewed the draft letter section by section. The letter introduces the commission as the "City of Rockville, Mayor and Council, Youth Commission," whose goals are "to be leaders within the city, advocate for Rockville's youth," and work alongside the staff liaison and the mayor and council. It states their commission experiences have been "incredibly rewarding" and that they are speaking out "as a testament of our moral values and standards for our city's engagement with the youth." - The letter requests a social media presence, proposing to post ads before events and results afterward, and to promote not only commission opportunities but also those of city schools and nonprofits. Safety measures include checking with staff liaisons before posting, ensuring content is appropriate for all ages, and proofreading to avoid offensive or biased material; the group noted that all physical posters already require admin sign-off. - A member cited reach statistics: the commission could promote itself "on platforms that nearly 40% of children 8 to 12 use and 95% of youth 13 to 17 use." The letter also commits to representing all backgrounds, "not just a small segment," and to measuring success through engagement metrics such as comments, shares, and follower growth. - Members discussed fallback options if the request is denied (mail, email, or a school messaging service such as Remind). One member pushed back on proposing a newsletter as a compromise, arguing "how is that solving anything because we're just going back into that?" The chair cautioned against getting stuck in "what ifs" and outlined a process: compile the draft in a shared Google Doc, have the chair and co-chair (Danielle) construct the formal letter, send it to staff (Jordan and Melinda) for review and edits, vote at the next meeting (agree / disagree / agree with changes), and then send the letter as a PDF attachment to the CCE director. - Members expressed appreciation for the CCE department, stating they "really agree with the support of the government in allowing us to reach our goals." The chair also noted the commission may seek mayor and council permission to post on their platforms and may speak with other city departments (environmental, police, housing). A member summarized the core rationale: "as the youth commission, we're trying to spread independence and... empower youth" by sending information directly rather than filtering it through schools. Discussion: Youth Town Hall Series - Over the previous month, members were placed into three groups (with the chair and co-chair embedded in each), each representing Rockville's community centers, to draft a foundation for the town halls. - Ideas included a college-and-career-readiness town hall with speakers from schools and nonprofits and a Q&A, and a "program showcase" where the city's programs would be presented and youth could try each program in miniature at the community center. - Staff asked whether the town halls are meant to complement the earlier community survey, explaining that a town hall lets people "verbally" describe what they are struggling with and what the city is lacking across recreation, housing, and public works, whereas the survey captured digital responses. - Staff proposed showing the commission an inventory of existing city programs so members "can identify gaps," and offered to gather information from housing, the police department, and public works. Staff envisioned meeting with a community center supervisor the first month and hosting the town hall the following month, with support from the staff liaison, center supervisors, and the teams division. - The format discussion included a guest speaker or panel in one room and board games or activities in another, with one member noting the challenge of "what can you say that's fun to a 16-year-old." - The commission tabled detailed town hall planning until speaking with a community center supervisor, since the setup "will be different for each community center." Staff said the department would package the commission's ideas and present them to their supervisor as a recommended structure for a career fair. Old & New Business: Budget Process and Priorities - Jordan briefed the commission on the budget calendar: in January, the finance department meets with the city manager and presents the city staff's budget submission; the city manager reviews it and prepares a proposal for mayor and council. Community input is being collected now. - Next month's meeting at a community center (rendered "Trimbrook"/"Turnbrook" in the transcript; likely Twinbrook) will include a discussion of the city's current youth programs, correlated with the commission's survey results. The youth department will share highlights of its own budget submission to see whether the commission supports them. - Key dates: April 13th — another budget work session and the close of community surveys and public budget records; May 4th — budget adoption. - Members discussed a Fall Festival idea: the city funding small projects that schools cannot fund, with the note that a project cannot necessarily be paid for in one fiscal year, but the mayor and council could step in with support. - Members were reminded that "you guys are the voice of the youth to mayor council" as the commission formulates budget and town hall recommendations. Key Outcomes - Minutes approved unanimously by voice vote; public comment tabled for lack of attendees. - CCE letter: The compiled draft will be finalized by the chair and co-chair, reviewed by staff (Jordan and Melinda), voted on at the next meeting (agree / disagree / agree with changes), and then sent to the CCE director with the letter attached as a PDF. - Town hall planning tabled pending a meeting with a community center supervisor (expected next month at the community center referenced as "Trimbrook"); staff will prepare an inventory of existing city programs to support a gap analysis. - Budget engagement: The commission will review the youth department's budget submission and align survey data next month; relevant dates are the April 13th budget work session and May 4th budget adoption. - Adjourned by unanimous voice vote.