LEWISTON – The Youth Advisory Council garnered more national honors Thursday, putting the city in the running for an award from the National League of Cities.

Lewiston is a finalist for the Howland Award for Municipal Excellence, recognizing outstanding programs that have significantly contributed to their city’s quality of life.

The youth council, which began in 2002, was enough to get the judges’ attention.

“The Lewiston Youth Advisory Council is illustrative of the type of projects that are improving the lives of residents in cities and towns across the country,” said Don Borut, executive director of the league.

The youth council was created by the city council in 2001. Since then, the group has worked on a noise pollution campaign, helped raise money to place a historic clock in Lewiston City Hall and started another campaign to get visible street numbers on city residences. The group also wrote an application for a similar award, the National Civic League’s All-American City award. Lewiston was a runner-up for that award earlier this year.

Programs nominated for the Municipal Excellence Award are judged for combining public and private efforts and using municipal resources effectively.

The contest also looks for innovative programs, judges the results and considers if the project can be replicated in other cities.

Top awards are given in four population categories, under 50,000, 50,000 to 150,000, 150,000 to 500,000 and 500,000 and more. Lewiston qualified for the under 50,000 category.

Winners will be announced at the league’s Congress of Cities and Exposition in Reno, Nev., in December.

Two awards will be given for each size category.

gold award. In addition to honors, silver winners get a $1,000 check for a local charity. Gold winners receive a $2,000 for a local charity.

Winners will also be profiled in the league’s publication, “Nation’s Cities Weekly.”