San Francisco Youth Commission
Minutes
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
5:30-8:00pm
City Hall, Room 278
There will be public comment on each item.
1. Call to Order
Acting Chair Liang called the meeting to order at 5:35pm.
Commissioners present: Zukerman, Marshall-Fricker, Liang, Sun, Hewitt, Perez, Fierro, Hirano, Beaulac, Nauer, Yang, Benezra, Herzstein, Kaminsky, Chan, LaCroix.
Commissioners tardy: Lin (arrived at 5:41pm)
Staff present: Yedidia, Jay
2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)
Commissioner LaCroix moved to approve the day’s agenda, seconded by commissioner Hirano. The agenda was approved unanimously by acclamation.
3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)
Documents A, B, C
Commissioner Herzstein moved to approve the minutes to the meeting of August 23, 2010, seconded by commissioner Marshall-Fricker. These minutes were approved unanimously by acclamation.
Commissioner Zukerman moved to approve the minutes to the meeting of August 14, 2010, seconded by commissioner Sun. These minutes were approved unanimously by acclamation.
Commissioner LaCroix moved to approve the minutes to the meeting of June 21, 2010, seconded by commissioner Marshall-Fricker. These minutes were approved unanimously by acclamation.
4. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda
There was none.
5. Staff Report
In view of the presence of presenters for items 6A and 6B, this item was postponed
6. Presentations
A. An Overview of the Juvenile Probation Department (Discussion Only)
Presenters: William P. Siffermann, Chief Probation Officer; Garry Bieringer, Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative Coordinator
Documents D, E, F, G
Chief Siffermann began by noting that despite the significant history of collaboration between the Juvenile Probation Department (JPD) and the Youth Commission, this marked his first official presentation to the Commission. The Chief then provided a broad overview of JPD, making frequent reference to the department’s Purpose, Duties, Mission Statement and Vision—which, at root, describe a department whose most fundamental responsibility is to rehabilitate (as opposed to punish) the young people who come under the charge of its probation officers. Chief Siffermann spoke of the “bountiful” relationship JPD has had with the Commission, which has included the creation of the Juvenile Advisory Council (a monthly workshop that has greatly decreased recidivism, where former probationers brought together by the Youth Commission explain the terms and responsibilities of probation to new probationers) and the publication and distribution of the Guide to the Juvenile Justice System (a jargon-free pamphlet for parents and family members of incarcerated youth that explains the legal processes in simple language).
Mr. Bieringer, underscoring JPD’s central commitment to rehabilitation, spoke of the centrality of the department’s collaborations with community-based organizations. True rehabilitation of young people who have committed crimes involves engaging their families and communities.
Commissioners Zukerman, Chan, Fierro, Yang, Benezra and Kaminsky asked questions. Acting Chair Liang thanked Chief Siffermann and Mr. Bieringer.
B. An Overview of Bank on SF, Office of Financial Empowerment, Treasurer’s Office (Discussion Only)
Presenter: Marco Chavarin, Program Coordinator, Office of Financial Empowerment, Treasurer’s Office
Document H
Mr. Chavarin led the commission through an interactive conversation regarding “the unbanked” in San Francisco—i.e., the approximately 50,000 households (and perhaps 150,000 individuals) in the City & County who do not have bank accounts and are thereby very vulnerable to fringe financial service providers like predatory and payday lenders and check cashing institutions. Mr. Chavarin explained the Treasurer’s Office work in combating this phenomenon, which largely affects low-income communities of color in five distinct neighborhoods (the Mission, Bayview-Hunter’s Point, the Tenderloin, Western Addition and the Excelsior) through City-funded checking accounts, financial education and the Kindergarten to College program—the latter being a novel project whereby the City will establish a checking account for each kindergartener enrolled in an SFUSD school with a modest grant to be used as seed money for that student’s college savings).
Mr. Chavarin then explained that the Treasurer’s Office had recently embarked on a public-private partnership (with partners including the Federal Reserve Bank, Schwab and Juma Ventures) to redouble its efforts in financial education. Mr. Chavarin asked the Youth Commission what role it would like to play in this partnership that is committed towards reaching San Francisco’s unbanked communities. He encouraged Youth Commissioners to feel free to contact the Treasurer’s Office to follow up on this question.
Commissioners Fierro and Beaulac asked questions. Acting Chair Liang thanked Mr. Chavarin; he reiterated his hope that the Youth Commission contact his office with proposals, suggestions and ideas on how this financial education project can reach as many young people as possible.
7. Legislation Referred from the Board of Supervisors
There was none calendared for this meeting. However, Acting Chair Liang noted there would be at least three referrals at the Commission’s next meeting.
8. Youth Commission Business
- Adoption of 2010-2011 Youth Commission Bylaws (Action Item)
Presenter: Youth Commission staff
Document I
Staff Mario Yedidia provided an overview of the proposed bylaws.
There was much commissioner conversation—especially with regard to
In the midst of a conversation about increasing the number of commissioners fulfilling the role of Community Outreach Officer, Commissioner Nauer asked if the commission could change the number of commissioners that constitute a quorum of the commission. Staff said this question would have to be posed to the City Attorney.
Commissioner Zukerman, seconded by commissioner Lin, moved to add section IV.2(d)vi to the bylaws, which would require the Community Outreach Officer to meet with or otherwise check in (on the phone or over email) with all other commissioners at least once a month. After much discussion, this motion was rescinded.
Commissioner Fierro moved to approve the proposed bylaws in their proposed form (that is, without any amendments), seconded by commissioner Herzstein. This motion was approved by the following roll call vote: Ayes—Zukerman, Marshall-Fricker, Liang, Sun, Hewitt, Perez, Fierro, Hirano, Beaulac, Nauer, Yang, Benezra, Herzstein, Kaminsky, Chan, Lin. No’s—LaCroix.
- Officer Nominations, Speeches, and Elections (Action Item)
Presenter: Youth Commission staff
Document I
Staff Mario Yedidia, taking the lead from 2010-2011 Youth Commission Bylaws, laid out the format for the officer elections: each commissioner could nominate oneself and or a colleague; each nominee would have the same allotment of time to make a brief speech explaining his or her candidacy; then there would be voting and the first candidate to gain 9 affirmative votes would be elected to each position.
Nominations for Chair: commissioner Marshall-Fricker nominated commissioner Liang and commissioner Hirano nominated commissioner LaCroix.
There was a roll call vote on whether or not to elect commissioner Liang chair of the commission, with only five ayes: Ayes—Marshall-Fricker, Liang, Hewitt, Perez, Fierro. No’s—Zukerman, Sun, Hirano, Beaulac, Nauer, Yang, Benezra, Herzstein, Kaminsky, Chan, LaCroix, Lin.
There was a roll call vote on whether or not to elect commissioner LaCroix chair of the commission, with 17 ayes: Ayes-- Zukerman, Sun, Hirano, Beaulac, Nauer, Yang, Benezra, Herzstein, Kaminsky, Chan, LaCroix, Lin, Marshall-Fricker, Liang, Hewitt, Perez, Fierro. Commissioner LaCroix was thusly elected Chair.
There was a roll call vote on whether to elect commissioner Liang or commissioner Benezra Vice-Chair of the commission. Commissioner Benezra received five affirmative votes—Hewitt, Fierro, Nauer, Benezra, Herzstein. Commissioner Liang received twelve affirmative votes—Zukerman, Marshall-Fricker, Liang, Sun, Perez, Hirano, Beaulac, Yang, Kaminsky, Chan, LaCroix, Lin. Commissioner Liang was thusly elected Vice-Chair.
Nominations for Legislative Affairs Officer: commissioner Fierro nominated commissioner Benezra; commissioner Zukerman nominated commissioner Herzstein; commissioner LaCroix nominated commissioner Hirano.
There was a roll call vote on whether to elect commissioner Benezra, Herzstein or Hirano Legislative Affairs Officer. Commissioner Benezra received five affirmative votes—Perez, Fierro, Hirano, Nauer, Benezra, Kaminsky. Commissioner Hirano received six affirmative votes—Marshall-Fricker, Liang, Sun, Beaulac, LaCroix, Lin. Commissioner Herzstein received five affirmative votes—Zukerman, Hewitt, Yang, Herzstein, Chan. Commissioners Benezra and Hirano thus advanced to a run-off vote.
There was a run-off roll call vote on whether to elect commissioner Benezra or commissioner Hirano Legislative Affairs Officer. Commissioner Benezra received nine affirmative votes—Zukerman, Hewitt, Perez, Fierro, Nauer, Yang, Benezra, Herzstein, Kaminsky. Commissioner Hirano received eight affirmative votes—Marshall-Fricker, Liang, Sun, Hirano, Beaulac, Chan, LaCroix, Lin. Commissioner Benezra was thusly elected Legislative Affairs Officer.
Nominations for community outreach officer: commissioner Benezra nominated commissioner Fierro; commissioner LaCroix nominated commissioner Zukerman; commissioner Perez nominated commissioner Beaulac; commissioner Yang nominated herself; commissioner Hirano nominated commissioner Chan.
There was a roll vote on whether to elect commissioners Fierro, Zukerman, Beaulac, Yang or Chan as Community Outreach Officer. Commissioner Fierro received three affirmative votes—Fierro, Benezra, Kaminsky. Commissioner Zukerman received six affirmative votes—Zukerman, Liang, Sun, Hewitt, Nauer, Herzstein. Commissioner Beaulac received three affirmative votes—Marshall-Fricker, Perez, Beaulac. Commissioner Yang received three affirmative votes—Hirano, Yang, LaCroix. Commissioner Chan received two affirmative votes—Chan, Lin. Commissioners Zukerman, Beaulac, Fierro and Yang thus advanced to a second-round vote.
There was a roll vote on whether to elect commissioners Fierro, Zukerman, Beaulac, Yang as Community Outreach Officer. Commissioner Zukerman received six affirmative votes—Zukerman, Liang, Sun, Hewitt, Nauer, Herzstein. Commissioner Beaulac received three affirmative votes—Marshall-Fricker, Perez, Beaulac. Commissioner Fierro received five affirmative votes—Fierro, Benezra, Kaminsky, Chan, Lin. Commissioner Yang received three affirmative votes—Hirano, Yang, LaCroix. Commissioners Zukerman and Fierro thus advanced to a final round of voting.
There was a roll call vote on whether to elect commissioners Zukerman or Fierro as Community Outreach Officer. Commissioner Zukerman received seven affirmative votes—Zukerman, Liang, Sun, Hewitt, Nauer, Herzstein, Chan. Commissioner Fierro received ten affirmative votes—Marshall-Fricker, Perez, Fierro, Hirano, Beaulac, Yang, Benezra, Kaminsky, Chan, Lin. Commissioner Fierro was thusly elected Community Outreach Officer.
9. Attendance Review
Commissioner Nauer explained her absence from the second day of the retreat (illness). The commission voted to excuse this absence by the following roll call vote. Ayes—Zukerman, Marshall-Fricker, Liang, Sun, Hewitt, Perez, Fierro, Hirano, Beaulac, Nauer, Yang, Benezra, LaCroix, Herzstein, Kaminsky, Chan, Lin.
Commissioner Liang explained her absence from the second day of the retreat (goodbye to her sister). The commission voted to excuse this absence by the following roll call vote. Ayes—Zukerman, Marshall-Fricker, Liang, Sun, Hewitt, Perez, Fierro, Hirano, Beaulac, Nauer, Yang, Benezra, LaCroix, Herzstein, Kaminsky, Chan, Lin.
Commissioner Hirano explained his absence from both days of the retreat (a longstanding trip he had committed to before he was reappointed to the commission). The commission voted to excuse this absence by the following roll call vote. Ayes—Zukerman, Marshall-Fricker, Liang, Sun, Hewitt, Perez, Fierro, Hirano, Beaulac, Nauer, Yang, Benezra, LaCroix, Herzstein, Kaminsky, Chan, Lin.
10. Announcements (This includes Community Events)
Staff announced commissioner Hewitt’s participation a press conference to be held tomorrow, Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 10am at the Community Assessment Referral Center (44 Gough Street, San Francisco), announcing the publication of a pamphlet explaining the Police Department’s protocol regarding juvenile arrestees—a protocol the Youth Commission was central in developing, from 2003 through the last term.
11. Adjournment
Chair LaCroix adjourned the meeting at 8:16pm.
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.