San Francisco Youth Commission
Minutes
Monday, August 23, 2010
5:30-8:00pm
City Hall, Room 400

There will be public comment on each item.

1. Call to Order
Acting Chair Liang called the meeting to order at 5:37pm.

Commissioners present: Zukerman, Marshall-Fricker, Liang, Sun, Hewitt, Perez, Fierro, Hirano, Beaulac, Nauer, Benezra, LaCroix, Herzstein, Chan, Kaminsky, Lin.

Staff Present: Yedidia, Jay.

2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)
Commissioner LaCroix moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Marshall-Fricker. The agenda was approved unanimously by acclamation.

3. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda
Robin Bonner, an 18 year old senior at Downtown High School, explained that she will be leading a voter registration drive at her school. She invited the Youth Commission to consider doing the same at other high schools.

Commissioners Hirano and Fierro expressed their interest in possibly taking up this work.

4. Staff Report
Youth Commission staff welcomed commissioners to their first meeting of the 2010-2011 term. Commissioners were reminded that they have an office (City Hall, room 345) to use between 9am-6pm with computers and mail boxes.

5. Presentations
A. An Overview of the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families, The Youth Empowerment Fund and the Youth Vote Student Survey (Discussion Only)
Presenters: Maria Su, Director, Department of Children, Youth and Their Families
Bryant Tan, Coordinator, Youth Empowerment Fund
Peter Lauterborn, Coordinator, Youth Vote Student Survey
Documents: A, B, C

Maria Su, Director of the Department of Children Youth and Their Families (DCYF), explained that DCYF, which is a department of San Francisco’s City government, funds hundreds of community programs for children and youth—from early childhood education, to transitional aged youth programs (which target 16-24 year olds) and violence prevention programs, to family support and recreational activities. She gave a short history of the “Children’s Amendment,” was passed by San Francisco voters in 1991, which sets aside money for children and youth programming that the City collects through property taxes—and which requires the money to be spent on specific things (the full text of the amendment was in the agenda packet). The “Children’s Amendment” requires DCYF to work in a three year cycle, such that the needs of San Francisco’s children and youth are constantly re-assessed and re-evaluated and, in turn, City funding goes to programs that address those needs. Commissioners Herzstein and Chan asked clarifying questions about the degree to which funding decisions are mandated by the law of the Children’s amendment and DCYF’s collaboration with the School District, respectively.

Bryant Tan, DCYF’s manager of the Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF), explained that the YEF is a special pool of Children’s Fund money (it usually amounts to about $1 million a year) that (according to the law of the “Children’s Amendment”) must go to youth-led projects. For the most part, YEF money goes to two different kinds of community-based programs: youth organizing and youth philanthropy. Commissioners Beaulac and Nauer helped illustrate what youth organizing and philanthropy look like by talking about their respective employers—both of which receive YEF money—Mission SF and Communities in Harmony Advocating for Learning and Kids. Finally, Mr. Tan invited commissioners to consider applying to YEFAB—the Youth Empowerment Fund Advisory Board—a group of young people that help decide what kinds of programs the YEF should fund. Commissioner Benezra asked about YEF’s outreach activities.

Peter Lauterborn then provided a presentation on the Youth Vote Student Survey, which is a project of the YEF. Youth Vote touches about 9,000 San Francisco public high school students each semester. For the last ten years or so, Youth Vote has provided students with a (1) a chance to weigh in on the candidates and ballot measures that San Francisco voters will consider in upcoming elections and (2) an outlet to express their thoughts about social issues and policy decisions that affect their lives, by completing a survey that aims to help City policymakers and community organizations assess the needs of San Francisco youth. Mr. Lauterborn invited commissioners to participate in helping devise these questions. Commissioner Kaminsky asked after the lack the of private school participation in the Youth Vote Student Survey, while commissioner Sun wondered about the accomplishments that have resulted from the survey questions.

B. An Overview of the Children’s Fund and the Children’s Baseline (Discussion Only)
Presenter: Monique Zmuda, Deputy Controller
Documents: D, E

Deputy Controller Monique Zmuda explained the purpose and duties of the Controller’s Office: it is invested with the authority to keep the City’s budget balanced. The City Charter prevents San Francisco from running a deficit. Ms. Zmuda then led commissioners through an overview of San Francisco’s current budget situation, focusing on the Children’s Fund (the property tax set aside for children and youth services that was created by the Children’s Amendment) and the Children’s Baseline (which, using a formula, mandates that the City spend a certain amount of General Fund money on children and youth services—of late, it’s been around $100 million a year). Ms. Zmuda pointed out that unlike other baselines and set-asides (for example, the money the City is required to budget for the Library or public transportation), when it comes to the Children’s Fund and the Children’s Baseline, the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors consistently spend more than what is legally required. Ms. Zmuda finished up by explaining that, because of the recession, the City is facing about $500 million in cuts for the next two fiscal years. These numbers will only increase if certain taxes on the ballot in November 2010 are not approved.

6. Youth Commission Business
A. Youth Commission Bylaws for 2010-2011: Officer Positions, Committees, Workplans (Discussion Only)
Presenter: Youth Commission staff
Document: F

Youth Commission staff Mario Yedidia led the commissioners through an overview of the Youth Commission’s proposed bylaws for 2010-2011. He underscored, in particular: officer positions; the commission’s attendance policy and commission committees. Commissioners asked questions and made comments: Benezra was curious about committees; Zukerman asked about tension; Herzstein noted a lack of consistency in the section describing officer positions; Hirano encouraged typographical errors to be duly noted by commissioners and staff and moved on quickly; Chan, echoed by Zukerman, suggested that it might be worthwhile to have more than one person serve as a community outreach officer.

Public Comment:
Robin Bonner encouraged each commissioner to reach out to as many young people as possible.

7. Attendance Review
Staff explained that at the next meeting, after adopting its bylaws, the commission will discuss

8. Announcements (This includes Community Events)
Commissioner Fierro invited everyone to Step up to the Plate Night at the San Francisco Giants game, Tuesday, August 24, 2010: proceeds of certain ticket sales will go to Project Homeless Connect.

Commissioner Chan and Liang reminded commissioners that the District 3 Youth Summit was happening this Saturday, August 28, 2010 from 9am—4pm at the YWCA, 940 Powell St.

Commissioners Zukerman, Liang, Sun, Benezra, Lin, Chan, Fierro expressed an interest in working the Youth Vote, Student Advisory Council and Youth Commission Board of Education candidate forum.

Theo Ellington introduced himself to the commission. A 2009-2010 commissioner, he will work as an intern this year, helping commissioners fulfill their duties and assisting in the staffing of the commission’s Youth Justice Committee.

9. Adjournment
Acting Chair Liang adjourned the meeting at 7:18pm.

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 decisions in full view of the public. Commissions, boards, councils and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people’s business. This 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.sfbos.org/index.aspx?page=4459.

The ringing of and use of cell phones, pagers, and similar sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. Please be advised that the Chair may order the removal from the meeting room of any person(s) responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager, or other similar sound-producing electronic device. (Admin. Code § 67A.1).

In order to assist the City’s efforts to accommodate persons with severe allergies, environmental illnesses, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities, attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical- based products. Please help the City accommodate these individuals.