Welcome to City Council and, Oh, You're Getting Married, Too

A special city council meeting in Rochester Hills was well-attended on Saturday afternoon. The topics, after all, were talkers: the widening of Tienken Road, the 2013 budget and the purchase of a new city ambulance.

But this wasn't Rochester Hills City Council as we know it.

Everyone involved — from the city attorney to the clerk to the councilmembers themselves — were youth from area high schools. They were there for the second annual Rochester Hills Youth Leadership and Involvement in Local Government Summit sponsored by the city and the Rochester Hills Government Youth Council.

"I know that in the schools and in the government classes they learn a lot about state government and national government but they don't really learn a lot about city government, so hopefully they get a better understanding of what goes on at City Hall and the inner workings of government," said Susanna Jang, a student at and youth council president.

About 160 youth, all residents of Rochester Hills, signed up for the free summit, which included sessions with city staff, presentations by local business leaders and a question-and-answer session with Mayor Bryan Barnett.

The highlight of the afternoon was a mock wedding, which Barnett performed for two unsuspecting volunteers. The wedding ceremony came after a presentation by Barnett on the various duties of mayor.

City councilmember Mark Tisdel helped lead the summit.

"I think this helps make city government seem more real and perhaps relevant," said Tisdel.