EVERETT — Mayor Ray Stephanson is organizing four advisory committees that he hopes will give him a grass-roots view of how well city government is serving residents.
They include a youth council; a minorities council; a council of representatives from business, labor and nonprofit groups; and a visionary council to brainstorm the future of the city.
"I’m looking for ways to get input on things important to the city and my administration," said Stephanson, who took office in November.
The idea for a youth advisory council composed of high school students came out of Stephanson’s mayoral campaign.
"As I talked to young people during the campaign, it was evident to me that to a degree they felt disconnected from the city and didn’t have a positive avenue to provide input on things that are important to them," he said.
The mayor said he also wants to build upon the dinners that his predecessor, Frank Anderson, held each month with immigrants who live in Everett.
Stephanson wants to expand the groups to include African-American and other U.S.-born minority residents, and he wants to "take it to a new level in which we’re able to deal with harder issues important to our diversity community."
Possible subjects of discussion include advice on getting government and private-sector jobs and preparing for civil service exams.
Another advisory council would be composed of representatives from businesses, labor unions and nonprofit organizations.
"It’s a very good way to keep me from being isolated and get candid input," Stephanson said.
The fourth group of advisers will brainstorm a vision for the city for the next 20 years, including how and where Everett should grow, how to attract more businesses and how to best provide city services, he said.
All of the committees are expected to begin meeting by the end of March, and will gather monthly, Stephanson said.
Kate Reardon, the city’s public information officer, is researching how such advisory groups work in other cities "so we can take the good stuff and avoid things that don’t work so well," she said. "We are putting these groups together slowly so they will continue to exist."
Reporter David Olson:
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