The first work session of the new school year between the Rio Rancho City Council and the Youth Governing Body was a success.

After summer break, Youth Mayor Chanel Wiese and the youth council are back to work advising Mayor Tom Swisstack and the City Council about issues of concern as well as promoting ideas from the city’s youth.

The meeting took place last Wednesday, just before the city council’s 6 p.m. meeting.

Rio Rancho Observer '�” Jimmy Currier Photo The Rio Rancho Youth Governing Body is back to work with Mayor Tom Swisstack and the City Council. The groups met last Wednesday to discuss community projects and issues important to the city'��s youth. Pictured, from left to right, are District 1 Youth City Councilor Sierra Cianchetti, District 4 Youth City Councilor Tiana Lynch, Mayor Tom Swisstack, Youth Mayor Chanel Wiese, District 5 Youth City Councilor Amanda Riboni, District 6 Youth City Councilor Colleen O'��Neil-Dreher and District 2 Youth City Councilor Amber Porter.

“We had a nice recess, but we’re glad to be back,” Wiese said “We’re going to have some big projects involving the youth.”

Wiese said the Youth Governing Body will coordinate and complete a community project later this year.

Some preliminary ideas include a dance or a teen night. Wiese said it’s important for the event to be in a fun and safe environment.

District 6 Councilor Kathy Colley recommended the youth volunteer at the Haunted Trail in the bosque.

Wiese agreed with the recommendation.

“It’s a great little program and something to do on Halloween that is safe and legal and still fun at the same time,” she said.

Joining Wiese on the youth governing body are Sierra Cianchetti (District 1), Amber Porter (District 2), Alyssa Cuccio (District 3), Tiana Lynch (District 4), Amanda Riboni (District 5) and Colleen O’Neil-Dreher (District 6).

Cianchetti, Lynch and Riboni were recently elected to replace youth councilors that graduated from high school in May.

“I commend every student who sought election to serve on the Youth Governing Body,” Swisstack said. “I look forward to working with these students, hearing their ideas and establishing a direct line of communication to city government for the youth in our community.”

District 5 Councilor Larry Naranjo commended the youth for their involvement.

“Getting involved in moving your community forward is really important,” he said. “As you can, see most of us (governing body) are at least 50 or older and we don’t have a good grasp on what kids need but the reason we have communities is to raise children. I’m very thankful the mayor took this program on.”

The creation of a Youth Governing Body stems from an agreement between Rio Rancho Public Schools and the City of Rio Rancho. Swisstack proposed the creation of a youth governing body as a way to engage and educate the city’s next generation of leaders.

Future meetings of the Youth Governing Body and Rio Rancho City Council will take place on the fourth Wednesday of every other month at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall through May 2010.

All meetings are streamed live via the city’s Web site at ci.rio-rancho.nm.us, and broadcast live on the city’s public education and government cable channel 15, RioVision, which is available to Cable One subscribers.

For more information about the Youth Governing Body, visit the city’s Web site and click on the city council link, which is located on the left side of the main home page.