Though, like any other locale, it’s prone to the occasional unexpected guest, City Hall is generally a predictable place.

Most Wednesdays, one can find city councilors, community members and, usually, conflict commingling inside the building.

One is less likely to find a group of high school students taking part in the proceedings, which is why some are calling for a youth movement.

“If we’re going to make the opportunity available it can’t be something where we sit around and pat them on the head,” said Joe Honick, who’s been spearheading an effort to get island youths involved in city government. “We need to put it in the hands of young people.”

To that end, the City Council’s Community Relations Committee has been discussing ways to include kids, a portion of the population that is often absent from the fold at City Hall. Though nothing has been decided, the CRC is considering several different methods of involving young people, including student representatives in advisory committees and even on the City Council.

Honick raised the issue in June, shortly after Bainbridge High School students were linked to the vandalism of several Bainbridge Police vehicles. He believes there aren’t enough ways for young people to engage themselves in the community.

Councilman and CRC member Barry Peters said the recent vandalism and other incidents on the island are signs that an emphasis should be placed on improved communication between police and island youths.

Beyond that, he said, students have already made their presence known at City Hall.

“I have seen young people talk on issues and turn up by the dozen at our meetings,” he said. “They have made huge impacts.”

Several members of BHS Earth Service Corps have recently shown up at council meetings to plead for the city’s help in treating stormwater. Young people have also come out in force to ask for funding for island sports fields.

Still, leaders recognize the need for a broader range of voices in city politics, especially since the podium at City Hall is often occupied by familiar faces.

Bainbridge High School Principal Brent Peterson said the idea of student involvement in city government is worth exploring.

“I’m very supportive of the conversation,” he said. “I’m anxious to see what kinds of models surface and what opportunities the city makes available to students.”

Leaders hope to further develop plans after the school year starts next month. Eventually the city may host a public meeting on the topic. CRC Chair Hilary Franz said she would like to see a system in place by the start of 2009. Franz has been researching the topic over the summer, trying to find successful models elsewhere in the state.

The City of Sequim for several years had two student liaisons to its city council, before the program came to an unceremonious end.

“It kind of dwindled,” said Mayor Laura Dubois. “(Students) used to give a brief report at the beginning of the meeting, but I’m not sure they were really involved.”

The program ended before Dubois was elected mayor last year, and a new effort is underway to revive it in a way that will encourage greater interest on the part of students.

“I’m more interested in asking them how they want to participate,” Dubois said.

Across Puget Sound, in Sultan, city leaders have had mixed results in their efforts to involve young people, according to Economic Development and Volunteer Coordinator Donna Murphy.

Sultan’s program kicked off in 2003, with a new ordinance and recruitment effort in local schools. Each year since the mayor has chosen a student representative from a pool of high school-aged applicants. Murphy said the size of the pool and the extent of the chosen student’s contribution has varied.

“The first student we had made a big splash,” Murphy said. “He was really active. But some have been really shy. You can get a broad range of students and levels of interest.”

Sultan’s student representative participates in council discussions regarding activities and events at the high school, in addition to giving regular reports on student issues. The representative isn’t allowed to vote, and doesn’t have a seat at the dais, but “they learn a lot about what’s going on within the city,” Murphy said. “When it works it’s really successful.”

Peterson said that if Bainbridge implements its own system, students will be smart enough to know whether their efforts are worthwhile. He thinks they’re more likely to buy in if they feel a sense of ownership in the endeavor.

“The kids will pick up very quickly on the degree of legitimacy in the process,” Peterson said. “Their lives are busy just like everyone else’s. If they perceive it as a token young person on a committee, or whatever role it might be, that won’t fly for very long.”

Franz found other options that don’t include direct student participation in the city council.

The City of Kirkland offers high school seats on several advisory committees, including the library and park boards, and the transportation commission; similar programs exist in the cities of Lacey and Redmond.

Several Washington cities – including Seattle, Bellevue and Everett – have entire youth councils that advise politicians.

Franz said she’s flexible when it comes to which specific model the city might adopt, as long as it leads to a youth infusion at City Hall.

“It doesn’t have to be this or that,” Franz said. “It does have to be fully developed.”