San Francisco Youth Commission
Minutes
Monday, October 5, 2015
5:15 pm-8:00 pm
City Hall, Room 400
1. Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl.
San Francisco, CA 94102

There will be public comment on each item.

Jillian Wu, Lily Marshall-Fricker, Erica Kong, Stephanie Li, Cris Plunkett, Anna He, Jessica Calderon, Noah David, Giovanna Soto, William Juarez, Cecilia Nicole Galeano, Madeleine Matz, Luis Avalos-Nunez, Anna Bernick, Jarrett Mao, Grace Pating, Hatim Mansori

1. Call to Order and Roll Call for Attendance

Chair Luis Avalos-Nunez called the meeting to order at 5:15 PM. Commissioners present: Jillian Wu, Lily Marshall-Fricker, Stephanie Li, Cris Plunkett, Anna He, Jessica Calderon, Noah David, Giovanna Soto, William Juarez, Cecilia Nicole Galeano, Madeleine Matz, Luis Avalos-Nunez, Anna Bernick, Jarrett Mao, Grace Pating, and Hatim Mansori. Commissioner Kong was absent. There was quorum.
Staff present: Allen Lu, Monica Guzman

2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)

Commissioner Plunkett, seconded by Commissioner Marshall-Fricker, motioned to approve the agenda. The motion was approved by acclamation.

There was no public comment.

3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)

A. September 21, 2015
(Document A)

Commissioner Bernick, seconded by Commissioner Wu, motioned to approve the minutes. The motion was approved by acclamation.

There was no public comment.

4. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda (Discussion Only)

There was no public comment.

6. Presentations (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

A. Overview of Our Children Our Families Council and Recent Research (OCOF)
Presenter: Dr. Laurie Scolari, Director/Special Assistant to the Superintendent, Our Children Our Families, San Francisco Unified School District

This item, 6A, was called out of order.

Commissioner Jillian Wu and Dr. Laurie Scolari began by giving a brief overview of the Our Children Our Families Council. The council is charged with promoting coordination, increasing accessibility, and enhancing the effectiveness of programs and services of children, youth and families. The OCOF council is an advisory board charged with the following four major goals: 1) develop an outcomes framework that articulates the milestones we want all children, youth and families to reach, 2) develop a five-year plan with recommendations on how to reach the outcomes outlined in the framework, 3) ensure data sharing and 4) a services inventory. The OCOF Council meet 3 times in a year. They have four working groups that will focus on each of these main goals. Dr. Scolari also went over 5 elements of a successful city-wide strategy. They were: 1) agreeing on a common agenda, 2) measurement systems, 3) mutually reinforcing activities, 4) continuous community engagement and 5) backbone staff.

She then asked if the Youth Commission could consider the following questions: what is most important for youth/families in SF to thrive? What can our city, district and community to do the better support youth/families? If the Youth Commission could give their opinion and experiences on that she could use these two indicators to help inform the OCOF outcomes/indicators framework and 5-year plan. Next council meeting will be on January 28, 2015 or talk to Commissioner Jillian Wu for ongoing updates.

Dr. Laurie Scolari then opened the floor up for questions.

Commissioner Galeano asked if the OCOF is prioritizing certain issues in a child’s life. (such as homelessness or abuse) Dr. Scolari mentioned that the indicators being used are the 17 points listed in the outcome framework draft.

Commissioner Juarez asked how would the OCOF survey students. Dr. Scolari said that they’re going to do it in a number of ways. One way is asking the Youth Commission to have a focus group and invite people but they’re also thinking of having a survey to reach out to the youth. She said that they want to work with other groups to see what they think. Commissioner Juarez mentioned that working with Coleman Advocates might be beneficial. Dr. Scolari mentioned that they’ve been working closely with Coleman Advocates already but appreciated the suggestion.

Commissioner Galeano mentioned that she read a statistic that a quarter of the young men living in her district end up caught up with the juvenile justice system. She mentioned that a survey could be good but to ensure that it’s simple and relatable for each community they are targeting. She also stated that she likes the work that they’re doing. Dr. Scolari mentioned that Coleman Advocates also gave them advice on how to approach certain communities.

Commissioner He asked where all the data came from. Dr. Scolari stated that they have an outside research agency that pulls this data from different sources around the city. This is one of the initiatives they want to work on, which is having all the different city agency data consolidated.

Dr. Scolari also wanted to emphasis that the initiative is framed on reaching equity.

Commissioner Mansori asked what are some ideas that you have for actually reaching these target communities (Latinos and African Americans.) Dr. Scolari referred back to the story regarding Alicia which is a young woman who grew up in SF. She received pockets of services but not a full spectrum. Dr. Scolari believes that if city had a connected system that had a holistic approach it would be easier to reach out to individuals and to communities.

Commissioner Mansori mentioned that there is a teacher named Linda Jordan at Mission High School and her position is a liaison for the African American community. He stated how beneficial Ms. Jordan has been for him and the African American community at his school. He suggested that other high schools or schools should have someone like that. He also asked why all schools don’t have one. Commissioner Marshall Fricker mentioned that it might be a budget issues. Dr. Scolari mentioned it would be interesting to see how many people are at SFUSD that have her position. She also talked about My Brother’s Keeper initiative.

Commissioner Avalos-Nunez, mentioned that there is often a fear of accessing services among certain immigrants because of their documented status.

Commissioner Galeano mentioned that in terms of education, she thinks it’s important that there is an emphasis on education for parents as well. She also mentioned that she thinks it’s important that there is a solid teacher/ student relationship.

Commissioner Avalos-Nunez, mentioned that affordability of public education is also important. It’s expensive to live in SF so that is an important aspect of it.

Commissioner Avalos-Nunez asked the commissioners what it takes to ‘make it’. Commissioner Juarez said that he had a mentor/ inspiration that made him apply to school and if I wasn’t

Commissioner Li mentioned that in private schools there are specific college counselors and in public school there are academic counselors who have to look at schedules and talk about emotional things.

Commissioner Soto mentioned that people with more money can afford private SAT tutoring and people without those funds can’t do that.

Every Youth Commissioner stated their interested on working on the focus group. They would like to hear more of the holistic perspective of healthy students and children.

There was no public comment.

5. Legislation Referred from the Board of Supervisors (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

B. BOS File No. 150646 [Administrative Code – Amendments to Residential Rent Stabilization and Arbitration Ordinance]
Sponsor: Supervisor Kim, Campos, Mar, Avalos
Presenter: Charles Sanchez, Policy Intern, Supervisor Kim’s Office
(Document C)

This item, 5B, was heard out of order.

Mr. Charles Sanchez, a policy intern for Supervisor Kim’s office gave a presentation on this legislation. No fault evictions have been increasing in the past few years. It has increased 67% in the past 5 years. This amendments will stop sham evictions, require landlords to provide additional notice, prevent evictions based on arbitrary restrictions to add roommates and provide basic translated information for tenants. On September 29, 2015 the Board passed this legislation unanimously. It still needs to be signed by the Mayor.

Commissioner He mentioned that this protection will be extremely beneficial. She mentioned that some apartments in Chinatown are having a lot of evictions because tenants sign a consent form in English and don’t know what the restrictions are. One example is tenants hanging clothes outside their windows and being evicted for that.

Commissioner Soto asked if this legislation would help situations where the landlord says no overnight guests are allowed. Mr. Charles Sanchez stated that this legislation would help tenants not face immediate eviction for adding a roommate. They would have to request permission from the landlord and the landlord has to give a reason as to why a roommate can’t be added over the safety code limits.

Commissioner Mansori asked if this legislation limits the percentage that the increase can be per year. Mr. Charles Sanchez stated that rent control limits are already in the current protection.

Commissioner Galeano mentioned that doing outreach is important. She thinks this is a good legislation but it is most beneficial if the people who need it the most know their rights.

Commissioner Galeano, seconded by Commissioner Plunkett, motioned to recommend having an outreach plan so that the communities who are most affected by this know about their rights if this goes into effect.

Commissioner Mansori, seconded by Commissioner Bernick, motioned for general support of the legislation.

Commissioner Mansori motioned to recommend adding Arabic as an additional translated language.

Commissioner Mao asked if tenants speak a certain language other than English does the landlord have to provide information in that language. Charles Sanchez stated that landlords are required to offer notices in the top languages spoken in San Francisco.

Commissioner Avalos-Nunez, seconded by Commissioner Soto, motioned to amend Commissioner Mansori’s motion requiring landlords to provide notices of evictions in the language that the tenant speaks.

Motion to amend Commissioner Mansori’s motion passed by the following roll call vote:

Ayes: Wu, Soto, Plunkett, Pating, Matz, Marshall-Fricker, Mansori, Mao, Li, Juarez, Galeano, He, David, Calderon, Bernick, Avalos-Nunez.

Motion to recommend requiring landlords to provide notices of evictions in the language of the tenant passed by acclamation.

Motion to attach an outreach plan if legislation passes passed by acclamation.

General motion of support for the legislation passed by the following roll call vote:

Ayes: Wu, Soto, Plunkett, Pating, Matz, Marshall-Fricker, Mansori, Mao, Li, Juarez, Galeano, He, David, Calderon, Bernick, Avalos-Nunez.

There was no public comment.

A. BOS File No. 150902 [Administrative Code - Considering Criminal History in Appointments to Boards and Commissions]
Sponsor: Supervisor Kim
Presenter: Charles Sanchez, Policy Intern, Supervisor Kim’s Office
(Document B)

Charles Sanchez explained background on the Fair Chance Ordinance.

Commissioner Li asked if there is any distinction between what types of felonies will be considered in this ordinance. Charles Sanchez stated that he believes it is for all convictions.

Commissioner Juarez asked for clarification in regard to when a background check will be made for employment. Charles Sanchez explained that an employer or housing provider could do a background check after the initial interviews but they cannot ask for it at first.

Commissioner He, seconded by Commissioner Plunkett, motioned for general support.

General motion of support for the legislation passed by the following roll call vote:

Ayes: Wu, Soto, Plunkett, Pating, Matz, Marshall-Fricker, Mansori, Mao, Li, Juarez, Galeano, He, David, Calderon, Bernick, Avalos-Nunez.

There was no public comment.

6. Youth Commission Business (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

A. Discussion of DCYF YAC participation 15-16

DCYF YAC will be on a hiatus this upcoming school year so there will be no YC representative on the YAC. They are however requesting input and dialogue with Youth Commissioners regarding their upcoming work with OAC. Commissioners Li, Mao, He and Matz are all interested in working the YAC.

There was no public comment.

7. Committee Reports (Discussion Only)

A. Executive Committee

Vice-chair Wu reminded everyone to make sure they’ve checked in with their Executive Committee and with their appointing officer. The media and outreach team will be presenting their outreach plan at the next meeting.

B. Housing, Environment, and City Services Committee

Commissioner Soto gave an overview of what was discussed at the last meeting, including multiple housing legislation.

C. Economic Justice and Immigration Committee

Commissioner Juarez gave an overview of what was discussed at the last meeting. He also stated the meeting time for EJI has changed to 5:15 PM.

D. Youth Justice Committee

Commissioner Galeano and Commissioner, co-chairs, discussed the previous priorities they discussed at their meetings.

E. Civic Engagement Committee

The Civic Engagement Committee met last week and went over their goals for the year. The CEC went to a meeting with Senator Leno who confirmed his support for Vote16. There is also a Youth Empowerment Academy that is accepting applications.

F. Youth Advisory Council

There will not be a YAC this upcoming school year.

G. Our Children Our Family Council

Commissioner Wu stated that hopefully there will be a focus group and survey for the Youth Commission to look over soon. She will be attending the OCOF frameworks working group on Wednesday and will update the Youth Commission on that work.

There was no public comment.

8. Staff Report (Discussion Only)

Staff Allen Lu reiterated that YCers should meet with their appointing official and if they need help scheduling that to contact staff.

DCYF Oversight and Advisory Committees’ first meeting is October 15th, 2015 at 6 pm at DCYF (1390 Market St.) This info will be in the WIU.

The OCOF frameworks working group on Wednesday and will update the Youth Commission on that work.
Please invite your friends to the Youth Empowerment Academy info sessions.

There will be a training at the MIX happening on Tuesday from 5-7 pm.

Staff Monica Guzman reminded the YCers to fill out the online city application.

She also mentioned that next week there will be new YouthWorks intern.

9. Announcements (This Includes Community Events)

Commissioner Juarez stated that there is going to be a Power Summit at Stanford University on October 16-17. It is a professional development opportunity whose goal is “to empower young Latino leaders and give them the tools to grow.” It is open to everyone and he encourages everyone to attend.

Commissioner Plunkett stated that the SF Brady campaign to prevent gun violence is meeting at 5pm this Thursday. Supervisor Farrell is having a movie night at the Presidio YMCA this Friday. They will be playing Big Hero 6. There is also a movie night in the Sunset every Friday in October at McCoppin Park.

Commissioner Mansori will be attending the National Town Hall Meeting in Long Beach this weekend and wanted YCers to give him any feedback he could share at the meeting.

Commissioner Plunkett congratulated Commissioner Mansori for the honor of being a representative at the national conference.

10. Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 7:32 PM.