Farmington Hills/Farmington Mayor’s Youth Council (MYC)
(originated 2000)

Serves both Farmington Hills and Farmington
Farmington Hills: 85,000 Farmington: 10,000
Suburban community in Metro-Detroit (~25 miles NW of Detroit)
Size: 32 sq miles Zip: 48336

Organizational Structure

• 13 youth council members are appointed

• 2 are co-chairs; 1 treasurer

• 2 youth alternates

• Also, other youth serve on the MYC (not appointed)

  • Typically have 20-25 youth participate in MYC meetings

  • All youth help to market the MYC and its initiatives

• 1 full-time adult from city clerk’s office serves as reporting secretary for meetings

• 2 full-time adult staff members serve as liaisons with MYC (total of ~15 hours/week)

  • Both from Special Services Dept (one from Recreation Div. and one from Youth and Family Services Div.)

• Represent all high school and high school-aged youth living in F H/F

• Direct contact with Mayors and City Councils

  • Both Mayors attend MYC meeting at least every 2nd month

Policies and Procedures

• Established City ordinance and bylaws within charter

• Meet 2 times/month at community center (first Monday and a rotating day)

• Any youth (not just MYC) can be appointed to boards and commissions in both cities

• MYC members attend local, regional, state and national conferences

• Point system in place to reward participation and volunteer time

Budget:

• General Fund: $8,750/year (joint between Farmington Hills and Farmington)

• Fundraisers: $~$2,000/year

• Grants: N/A

• Fee(s):

  • Most special activities have a fee ($3 to $10/activity)
    (e.g., battle of the bands, recreation outings, band nights, Club 2nd floor)

Examples of Community Service Activities

• Can drives for community (e.g., 9-11 victim fund)

• Successfully advocated for traffic light at a high school to increase safety

• Special projects for seniors (e.g., snow shoveling, leaf raking)

• Worked at election stations

• Design and implementation plan for community recycling program

Contacts
Todd Lipa, Program Director, Youth and Family Services Div.
ph: (248) 473-1891 email: tlipa@ci.farmington-hills.mi.us
Bryan Farmer, Recreation Specialist, Recreation Div.
ph: (248) 473-1805 email: bfarmer@ci.farmington-hills.mi.us