After months of joining Keizer City Council meetings as a youth councilor, Felicia Guptill’s term is ending this month.
Guptill said she didn’t know what to expect as she began the volunteer role last fall. She said she enjoyed learning the inner workings of local government and the “unique” experience of joining conversations at the front of council chambers.
“It’s pretty incredible to see these people, how committed they are to our community,” Guptill said, noting she believes awareness of local events and issues is important.
The nonvoting position, available to teens age 15 to 18, requires attending Monday night council meetings and one additional meeting each month with a city councilor.
Guptill applied for the post at the encouragement of others, including Councilor Dan Kohler, and after she attended a youth government camp in Virginia last summer.
The council appointed her last September for a term lasting through May 30.
Councilor Lore Christopher said in a social media post that Guptill left each councilor a gift and handwritten note during a May council meeting, thanking them for allowing her to participate.
“I’ve been involved with local government for many years, and I’ve never had a student so engaged, thoughtful and relevant,” Christopher wrote in the post.
Guptill said the experience taught her about the roles of councilors and city staff, and the commitment required of councilors as they attend regular council sessions along with committee meetings.
“It’s pretty crazy to see them have practically a full-time job here,” Guptill said.
She recalled witnessing tense discussions, sometimes late into the evening, as councilors covered key issues. These included increasing police fees, changing management at the Keizer Little League Park and possible plans for a pavilion in Keizer Rapids Park.
One memorable moment involved a recent discussion on police fees that lasted late into the evening. Guptill recalled seeing councilors leaving the chambers on good terms after the intense discussion.
“It looked very, very contentious until the end, and then it was like everybody was friends again,” she said.
At the time she started her term, Guptill told Keizertimes she hoped to use her voice for good as a youth councilor.
She believes she achieved that.
“There were several times where I would say something that maybe the people were thinking, but they hadn’t said yet,” Guptill said.
Guptill, who is homeschooled, graduates high school this spring. She plans to begin a communications degree from Grand Canyon University in the fall, and hopes to one day work in ministry.
She said a job in local government would not be her first choice at this time, but would consider it if she wanted to in the future.
Guptill recommends that others interested in the youth council position not hesitate to ask questions of councilors and city staff members, even if the person asks outside of a public meeting.
“If you’re interested in civics or local government, this is definitely an amazing opportunity to get to know the people who are in your community,” Guptill said. “You get firsthand experience.”
Teens interested in the role can apply through the city’s website. The deadline to apply for next year is Monday, June 22, and interviews will be conducted by the volunteer Coordinating Committee on Thursday, July 9.
NEWS TIP? Contact reporter Krista Kroiss at [email protected].
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