San Francisco Youth Commission
Minutes, Monday, June 7, 2010
5:30-8:00pm
City Hall, Room 416

There will be public comment on each item.

1. Call to Order
Chair Quesada called the meeting to order at 5:38pm.

Commissioners present: Deng, Marshall-Fricker, Liang, J. Chan, A. Chan, Hirano, LaCroix, Quesada, Ellington
Commissioners tardy: Jones (arrived 5:41pm)
Commissioners absent (unexcused): Vasquez, Sanders
Commissioners absent (excused) Quintero, Davidson

2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)
Commissioner Marshall-Fricker moved to approve the agenda, seconded by commissioner Hirano. Approved unanimously by acclamation.

3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)
Commissioner Liang moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of May 17, 2010, seconded by commissioner Marshall-Fricker. Approved unanimously by acclamation.

4. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda
There was none.

5. Staff Report
Youth Commission Coordinator Mario Yedidia invited commissioners to the following events: the Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth Block Party, to be held the very next Saturday, June 12 at 3:00pm at 459 Vienna Street, between Persia and Brazil; the Honoring Emancipated Youth Bayview Homeless Connect Resource Fair, to be held next Friday, June 11 from 9:00am to 2:00pm at the Bayview Playground, 451 Keith Street; and the upcoming General Fund Department budget hearings for the 2010-2011 fiscal year (a schedule of these meetings was provided for commissioners and the interested public).

Youth Commission Director Julia Sabory reminded commissioners interested in serving on the Youth Commission for the 2010-2011 year to provide her with a written response to the question she had emailed them some days before.

6. New Business

A. Discussion and Possible Action: Possible Wildlife Hospital & Education Center in MacLaren Park
Presenter: Jamie Ray, Director, SF ROMP Wildlife Rehabilitation

In Jamie Ray’s absence, Chair Quesada and Coordinator Yedidia explained the nature center Ms. Ray wanted to establish in MacLaren Park. The proposed center would be a hospital for wild animals that live in San Francisco, and it would provide educational opportunities for young people.

There was no public comment and the commission took no action on this matter.

B. Discussion and Possible Action: Presentation Concerning Sharp Park and Request for Endorsement of Two Letters Concerning Parks and Community Services in San Francisco
Presenter: Barbara Beth, Wild Equity Institute
Documents 2a, 2b, 2c

Barbara Beth of the Wild Equity Institute presented her case for the Youth Commission to endorse her organization’s two letters, which encourage Board of Supervisors Budget and Finance committee Chair John Avalos to scrutinize the budget of the Sharp Park Golf Course. She argued that Sharp Park is a financial drain for the City’s Park and Recreation Department, and that the cost savings associated with closing the Golf Course could be used to fund essential programs for young people in San Francisco that are slated to be cut next fiscal year.

There were questions from commissioners Liang and Hirano. There was no public comment.

Commissioner Jones moved to endorse both letters, seconded by Commissioner Hirano. Approved unanimously by acclamation.

C. Discussion and Possible Action: Legislation Referred from the Board of Supervisors: Proposed charter amendment file no. 100637 [San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency—Appointments Policy and Other Procedures] (Supervisor Campos; Mirkarimi, Chiu and Mar)
Presenters: Office of Supervisor Campos
Documents 3a, 3b

Chair Quesada and commissioner Hirano read the legislative digest of this charter amendment, which among other Muni-related things would split appointments to the MTA Board between the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors, into the public record.

Youth Commission Coordinator Mario Yedidia reminded commissioners that proposed charter amendments have a real world effect—for example, the pension reform measure proposed in January by Supervisor Elsbernd and heard by the Youth Commission in February will be on the ballot and voted on by San Francisco voters tomorrow (Tuesday, June 8, 2010.) Also, before a charter amendment can be put on the ballot, it must go through the Rules Committee of the Board of Supervisors, where amendments can be made.

There was no public comment.

D. Discussion and Possible Action: Legislation Referred from the Board of Supervisors: Proposed charter amendment file no. 100635 [Non-Citizen Voting in School Board Elections] (Supervisor Chiu; Campos, Mar, Avalos, Mirkarimi, Maxwell, Daly and Dufty)
Presenters: Victor Lim, Legislative Aide to Supervisor Chiu
Documents 4a, 4b

Victor Lim of President David Chiu’s office explained the reasoning behind this charter amendment: one-third of San Francisco’s public students have at least one immigrant parent, and electing competent, representative leaders benefits all members of the SFUSD community.

Commissioner Jones asked clarifying questions. There was no public comment.

Commissioner Liang moved to support this item, seconded by LaCroix. This motion passed by the following roll call vote:
Ayes—Deng, Liang, J. Chan, Jones, A. Chan, Hirano, LaCroix, Quesada, Ellington; No’s—Marshall-Fricker.

E. Discussion and Possible Action: Legislation Referred from the Board of Supervisors: Proposed charter amendment file no. 100633 [Split Appointments to the Recreation and Parks Commission and Special Events Permit and License Process] (Supervisor Mirkarimi; Campos, Daly, Avalos and Maxwell)
Presenters: Office of Supervisor Mirkarimi
Documents 5a, 5b

Jeremy Pollock, aide to Supervisor Mirkarimi, briefed Youth Commissioners on this proposed charter amendment: similar to the Muni-related legislation discussed earlier in the meeting sponsored by Supervisor Campos, this law would split the appointments to the Recreation and Park Department. Mr. Pollock reasoned that citizens and community members tend to reach out to their district Supervisors more than the Mayor’s Office about local issues—including those having do with parks and recreation—and thus it makes sense to give the Board of Supervisors some say in what happens at the Recreation and Parks Commission.

Commissioners Jones and Ellington asked questions. There was no public comment.
Commissioner LaCroix moved to support this charter amendment with an attached comment suggesting changes to the definition of the seat appointments, second by Commissioner Jones. Roll call vote:

Ayes—Deng, Liang, J. Chan, Jones, A. Chan, Hirano, LaCroix, Quesada, Ellington; No’s—Marshall-Fricker.


F. Discussion and Possible Action: Legislation Referred from the Board of Supervisors: Proposed ordinance file no. 100104 [Retailers’ Duty to Disclose Radiation Levels for Cell Phones]
Presenters: Starr Terrell, Mayor Newsom’s Liaison to the Board of Supervisors; Staff of the Department of the Environment
Document 6

Quesada read the legislative digest into the public record.

Marjene Zartarvar led the YC through a Power point presentation that provided the public policy rationale of this proposed ordinance. Issues covered: use in US versus other countries; use of cell phones by young, young children; absurd, 200pound6footmale cell phone standard of watts/kilogram;

Commissioner Liang asked if clothes or purse provide a barrier for radiation. Marjane replied that clothes do not, however, if your phone is in your purse or at least a few inches from your body it helps a great deal.

There was no public comment.

Jones moved to support this ordinance, seconded by Marshall-Fricker. Approved unanimously.

G. Discussion and Possible Action: Resolution of Commendation 09-10 RC 04: In Recognition of Bayview Hunter’s Point for Arts and Technology’s (BAYCAT) Selfless Dedication to the Development of the Youth of the Bayview Hunter’s Point Neighborhood and the Greater San Francisco Bay Area Through Education, Empowerment, and Employment in the Digital Media Arts (Commissioner Quesada)
Presenter: Commissioner Quesada
Document 7

Quesada gave some background on his work with BAYCAT. Then, he read it into the public record. Jones shared the fact that BAYCAT was an important part of his time at Mission High. Quesada shared that this is just the first reading so there will be more opportunities to provide feedback.

There was no public comment.

7. Announcements (This includes Community Events)
Commissioner Jones took this opportunity to present letters of recognition to Mission High School students.

8. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15pm.

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.