San Francisco Youth Commission
Monday, December 21, 2009
5:30-6:00pm
City Hall, Room 416
There will be public comment on each item.
1. Call to Order
Chair Quesada called the meeting to order at 5:33pm.
Commissioners present: Deng, J. Chan, Carlson, A. Chan, Guerra, Quintero, Davidson, LaCroix, Quesada, Ellington
Commissioners Absent: Marshall–Fricker, Liang, Jones, Hirano, Escamilla, Williams
2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)
Commissioner Ellington moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Davidson. The agenda was approved unanimously by acclamation.
3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)
Commissioner Davidson moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of December 7, 2009, seconded by Commissioner Carlson. The minutes were approved unanimously by acclamation.
4. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda
There was none.
5. Staff Report
Youth Commission staff Mario Yedidia made two announcements:
(1) The Commission will be having its overnight mid-year retreat the weekend of January 16-17, probably at Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth, 435 Vienna Street, San Francisco, CA;
(2) The 2008-2009 Youth Commission resolution calling for the school district to do something about homophobia in public schools has been introduced into the Board of Education and is expected to pass in late January. This resolution has also resulted in a new interdisciplinary class about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer and Questioning history that public school students can take for A-G credit. Email hammerp@sfusd.eduif you’re interested!
6. New Business
A. Discussion and Possible Action: Reading of Board of Education Resolution Regarding AP Classes (See document A)
Commissioners read this resolution by Education Commissioner Sandra Lee Fewer into the public record. The resolution calls for the SFUSD to address the issue of inequality in the number of Advanced Placement (AP) classes that are offered at different high schools by offering alternative AP classes at select school sites after regular school hours and open to enrollment by all students, regardless of their school.
A discussion followed. Commissioner LaCroix asked if the proposed charter school students.
Guerra asked if the alternative AP classes could be held on limited nights and/or the weekends, to accommodate students who have other commitments (like work, taking care of family or sports) after school. Carlson suggested that a “zero period”—that is, an early morning class before the regular school day—could be another option that could help accommodate these students.
Davidson reminded everyone that any student can take AP tests without taking the preparatory AP classes.
Commissioner Carlson moved to support the Board of Education resolution with the suggestions and questions laid out by commissioners in the foregoing discussion, and commissioner Guerra seconded this motion. The motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
B. Discussion and Possible Action: Endorsement of “Know Justice” Conference
Commissioner Carlson and staff Mario Yedidia explained that the Center for Young Women’s Development (CYWD), an organizing and advocacy organization led by young women who have been involved street economies and the juvenile justice system (and a longtime ally of the Youth Commission!), will be hosting a conference on February 4, 2010 concerning youth in the criminal justice system called “Know Justice.” Last year, the commission endorsed this event, and Carlson requested that the commission do so again this year.
Commissioner Ellington moved to endorse the CYWD “Know Justice” conference, seconded by commissioner Guerra. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
7. Old Business
Discussion and Possible Action: 2nd Reading of Resolution Urging Every City Department to Support YouthWorks Interns (Commissioner Guerra) (See document B)
Commissioner Guerra reintroduced the resolution she wrote, which calls on all departments in San Francisco city government to provide internships to San Francisco youth through the YouthWorks program.
Commissioner Carlson moved to support this resolution, seconded by commissioner LaCroix. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
Discussion and Possible Action: 2nd Reading of Resolution Urging the Board of Supervisors to Support HR 1064 Prison Reduction through Opportunities, Mentoring, Intervention, Support, and Education Act (Youth PROMISE Act). (Commissioner Carlson) (See document C)
Commissioner Carlson reintroduced his resolution, pointing out minor typographical errors and commenting that they should be removed. Commissioner Quesada suggested deleting a phrase in the final “Whereas” clause.
Commissioner A. Chan moved to amend the resolution along the lines of what commissioners Carlson and Quesada had suggested. Guerra seconded this motion. The motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
Commissioner Guerra moved to support this resolution, seconded by A. Chan. The resolution was approved unanimously by acclamation.
8. Announcements (This includes Community Events)
There were none.
9. Adjournment
Chair Quesada adjourned the meeting at 6:10pm.
Supplemental documents for agenda items are available for review at City Hall Room 345. Minutes are also available on the Youth Commission Website at www.sfgov.org/youth_commission
ACCESSIBLE MEETING POLICY
The Youth Commission meeting will be held in City Hall Room 416. The formal address of City Hall is 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA. The closest accessible BART station is the Civic Center Station at the United Nations Plaza and Market Street. Accessible MUNI lines serving this location are: MUNI Metro Lines J-Church, K-Ingleside, L-Taraval, M-Oceanview, N-Judah, and T-Third Street at Van Ness and Civic Center Stations; 9-San Bruno, 19-Polk, 47-VanNess, and 71-Haight Noriega. For information about MUNI accessible services call 923-6142.
The Commission meeting room is wheelchair accessible. Accessible curbside parking spaces have been designated on the corners of McAllister and Polk, and Grove and Polk. There is accessible parking available within the Civic Center Underground Parking Garage at the corner of McAllister and Polk Streets, and within the Performing Arts Parking Garage at Grove and Franklin Streets.
If you require the use of an American sign language interpreter, a sound enhancement system, or a reader during the meeting, calendars and minutes of the meeting in alternative formats; such arrangements can be made by calling Mario Yedidia at (415) 554-6446, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. Late requests will be honored if possible.
Individuals with severe allergies, environmental illness, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities should call our accessibility hotline at (415) 554-8925 to discuss meeting accessibility. In order to assist the City’s efforts to accommodate such people, attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical based products. Please help the City to accommodate these individuals.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE SUNSHINE ORDINANCE
(Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code)
Government’s duty is to serve the public, reaching its decision in full public. Commissions, boards, councils and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people’s business. The Ordinance assures that deliberations are conducted before the people and that City Operations are open to the people’s review.
For more information on your rights under the Sunshine Ordinance, or to report a violation of the ordinance, contact by mail: Administrator, Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, City Hall Room 224, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102; by phone at (415) 554-7724; by fax at (415) 554-7854; or by e-mail at sotf@sfgov.org.
Citizens interested in obtaining a free copy of the Sunshine Ordinance can request a copy from the Administrator, Sunshine Ordinance Task Force or by printing Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code on the internet, at http://www.sfgov.org/bdsupvrs/sunshine.htm