Nearly 50 students from Hamilton and Badin high schools took over city hall on Thursday for the annual Civic Day.

The students spent the past month preparing for the day, each one paired with a mentor from the city government or school board, including elected officials. Their preparations included spending a day job-shadowing and going on tours of city facilities.

Those paired with City Council and school board members also drafted legislation that was discussed and voted on during morning meetings.

Mayor Pat Moeller, who was a Civic Day participant when he was in high school, said that he is always surprised by the scope of their interests, from social issues to the city’s income tax code. They have unique insights into the city and its problems, and Civic Day is not only just an exercise to prepare them for future leadership, but have at times had an impact.

“Council does get copies of the reports they prepare,” he said. “Last year, they were talking about a dog park. Now, we’re getting that done.”

His counterpart this year was Elizabeth McKinley, a senior at Badin, a member of the City Youth Commission who said she is involved in many civic and social activities at school.

“I wanted to see the inner working of how laws are made and how citizens can make a difference,” she said. “Many students never get the opportunity to see how they can be involved in government.”

In its legislation, the Civic Day Board of Education took on a number of issues regarding technology, passing a resolution to open the Hamilton High School Media Center after school and tabling resolutions on the use of personal electronic devices in classrooms and establishing a long-distance learning relationship between Hamilton High and Badin.

Bryan Maue, of Badin, took the role of superintendent of schools and Tiffany Ridenour was treasurer, answering many difficult questions about the costs of constructing a multi-purpose outdoor athletic facility at Badin and the possible revenues the district could generate from the sale of vacant school properties.

School board members included Logan Kirsch, Alicia Bradbury and Austin Wischert from Badin and Carl Hooker and Haley Caudill from Hamilton High.

Legislation considered by the Civic Day City Council included:

• Establishing public transportation in the city of Hamilton to “create jobs… unite the city and provide a reliable source of transportation to Hamilton’s citizens.” It passed, 4-3.
• Establishing an Events Awareness Committee “to brainstorm new methods beyond the conventional ways of promotion to reach more citizens.” It passed, 7-0.
• Organizing a home repair initiative to be funded by donations and operated by volunteers. It passed, 7-0.
• Creating a committee to organize the establishment of community gardens at Hamilton’s elementary schools. It failed, 4-3.
• Proposing a Spring Festival to attract people to the downtown area. It passed, 4-3.
• Banning the termination of city employees based on sexual orientation. It passed, 4-3.
• Creating a Domestic Partner Registry for same sex and differing sex couples who are in a committed relationship so they may “receive equal treatment in the City of Hamilton boosting the local economy.” It passed, 7-0.

The legislation that produced the most discussion and controversy proposed to eliminate the customary public prayer prior to City Council meetings. It passed, 4-3.

Badin’s Nick Stone served as vice mayor, and Civic Day City Council consisted of Badin students Michael Lakomy and Nathan Peter and Hamilton students Alexis Glowka, Corey Vernot and Rebecca Gadd. Chad McClain and Jessica Williams, both of Hamilton High, served as city clerk and city manager.