San Francisco Youth Commission
Minutes
Monday, October 4, 2010
5:30-8:00pm
City Hall, Room 416
There will be public comment on each item.
1. Call to Order
Chair LaCroix called the meeting to order at 5:35pm.
Commissioners present: Zukerman, Marshall-Fricker, Sun, Hewitt, Perez, Hirano, Beaulac, Nauer, Yang, Benezra, Herzstein, Kaminsky, Chan, LaCroix, Lin.
Commissioners tardy: Liang (arrived 5:52pm).
Staff present: Yedidia
2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)
Commissioner Hirano moved to approve the evening’s agenda, seconded by commissioner Marshall-Fricker. The agenda was approved unanimously by acclamation.
3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)
Commissioner Zukerman, seconded by commissioner Sun, moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of Monday, September 2, 2010. The Minutes were approved unanimously by acclamation.
Document A
4. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda
There was none.
5. Executive Committee & Staff Report
Staff Mario Yedidia invited commissioners to pick up their newly-arrived business cards, and he reminded commissioners to regularly check their mailboxes.
Chair LaCroix informed commissioners of a meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, September 5, 2010 at 9:30am with San Francisco Unified School District Student Support Services staff and youth service providers regarding MUNI fast passes for homeless and marginally housed youth that are provided for through the Municipal Transportation Agency and the school district. The meeting was to be held at the offices of the South of Market Community Action Network in the South of Market Area.
6. Legislation Referred from the Board of Supervisors (Action Item)
A. File no. 101093 Zoning – South of Market Youth and Family Special Use District (Supervisor Daly)
Presenters: April Veneracion, Legislative Aide to Supervisor Daly; Steve Wertheim, Planner, Planning Department
Documents B, C, D
Ms. Veneracion provided commissioners with a broad historical and contextual overview of the South of Market (SOMA) Youth and Family Special Use District. The Special Use District was added to the planning code by ordinance in 2008, at the end of a huge, 10-year rezoning process of San Francisco’s so-called Eastern Neighborhoods. She noted that at the Youth Commission’s meeting of June 2, 2008, the commission voted to support the creation of the SOMA Youth and Family Zone Special Use District, after requests by the community organization South of Market Community Action Network (SOMCAN) and Youth Commissioner Jeremiah Español. The goal of the SOMA Youth and Family Zone is to expand the provision of affordable housing and “to protect and enhance the health and environment of youth and families.” This area of the South of Market, between Natoma to the North and Harrison to the South and 7th St. to the West and 4th St. to the East has many “community assets,” including the Filipino Education Center, the Eugene Friend Recreation Center, Bessie Carmichael Elementary School—resources that the Special Use District seeks to preserve, by assuring new development includes housing that is affordable to the families that currently live there.
The proposed amendments to the SOMA would subject any future developments in the entirety of the SOMA Youth and Family Zone to the affordable housing requirements that apply to the rest of the Zone (currently, any potential development occurring on the main streets in the zone—Howard, Folsom, Mission, 4th, 5th, 6th & 7th—are exempted from the affordable housing requirements).
Commissioners Zukerman and Benezra asked clarifying questions.
Mr. Wertheim of the Planning Department provided a modest overview of the Eastern Neighborhoods Plan rezoning process, making mention of two of the Plan’s goals—providing more affordable housing and protecting blue collar jobs in the Southeast, formerly industrially-zoned neighborhoods of the City. He explained the two main ways the City creates affordable housing: charging developers either impact fees or increasing the affordable housing fees.
Mr. Wertheim explained that the proposed amendment to the SOMA Youth and Family Zone sponsored by Supervisor Daly would make future development within the Youth and Family Zone subject to both the highest impact fees and the highest affordability fees. Mr. Wertheim stated the Planning Department and Planning Commission had yet to take an official position on the proposed legislation. However, he expressed that the Planning Department was initially concerned that the high fees proposed by Supervisor Daly would make it too expensive and stop any development from happening at all.
Commissioner Herzstein suggested that perhaps the Youth Commission could take a more substantive position on the proposed ordinance after the Planning Commission had weighed in. Mr. Wertheim concurred, making mention of the fact that the Charter provides Planning with 90 days to respond to referred legislation, whereas the Youth Commission is given a mere 12 days.
Commissioner Yang asked if for any and all socioeconomic information about the people living in the SOMA Youth and Family Zone. Ms. Veneracion replied that she had no specific statistics in front of her, but from her recollection, based on the 2000 Census—and, to be sure, the 2010 Census will most certainly reveal significant changes in the demographics—about 30% of SOMA Youth and Family Zone residents make $25,000 or less a year. The neighborhood has a fair amount of Single Room Occupancy hotels and affordable housing developments (for example, the Minna Apartments).
Commissioner Chan asked if there were any more recent youth perspectives on the neighborhood and affordable housing, other than the United Youth for a Better SOMA: A Youth Led Needs Assessment, a 2007 DCYF-funded report included in the meeting agenda packet. Ms. Veneracion stated that she was not aware of any more recent publication of that kind (i.e., one that captures youth perspectives on housing and other neighborhood issues in the SOMA), but that the report-in question helped contribute to
Commissioner Benezra asked about what constitutes a “conditional use authorization” in the Planning Code and in the SOMA Youth and Family Zone, and Mr. Wertheim replied.
Commissioner Yang asked about the perspectives and opinions of SOMA community members themselves about this amendment. Ms. Veneracion explained that the proposed amendment was brought to Supervisor Daly’s office by SOMA community members, in particular, residents and advocates from the community organization the South of Market Community Action Network (SCOMCAN). Ms. Veneracion went on to explain that the proposed amendment would require future developments to include 22%--as opposed to 15%—inclusionary housing.
After further discussion amongst Youth Commissioners—and a discussion about the fact that the City Charter requires the Youth Commission to respond to legislation referred within 12 days, whereas the Planning Commission has up to 90 days—commissioner Chan, seconded by commissioner Kaminsky, moved to continue this item until after the Planning Commission takes a position on the matter. This motion passed by the following roll call vote: Ayes—Liang, Sun, Hewitt, Perez, Beaulac, Nauer, Yang, Benezra, Herzstein, Kaminsky, Chang, LaCroix, Lin. No’s—Zukerman, Marshall-Fricker, Hirano.
7. Presentations (All Items to follow Discussion and Possible Action)
A. Presentation and Request for Collaboration: MUNI Operators and Riders Expanding (MORE) Public Transportation Coalition’s Campaign for Free Youth Fast Passes
Presenter: Donaji Luna, Organizer, People Organized to Win Employment Rights, MORE Public Transportation Coalition; others
Members of the MUNI Operators and Riders Expanding Public Transportation Coalition— including Donaji Lona, People Organized to Win Employment Right (POWER); Juana Teresa Tello, POWER; Lauren Dangerfield, a student a June Jordan School for Equity; Howard Nelson, a MUNI operator; Dorian Maxwell, a MUNI Operator; Ernestina, POWER; and Frank Lara, ANSWER Coalition—spoke at length to the Youth Commission.
MORE members explained that their organization was formed recently in the wake of “the saturation raids.” They explained that MORE wants to secure free fast passes for young people, arguing that many poor and working class young San Franciscans—especially those who live in the Bayview, the majority of whom must commute at least an hour to their high schools—do not have the means to consistently pay for MUNI access. MORE members pointed out that the Youth Commission has a history of working on the issue of free fast passes for all young—in 2008, Ms. Lona explained, the Youth Commission pushed on just such a campaign.
Commissioners Zukerman, Kaminsky, Zukerman, Chan, Benezra, Yang and LaCroix asked questions. MORE members argued that the MTA could provide young people with free fast passes with some of $60 million dollars. MORE members explained that they had yet to present their request for free fast passes to the MTA. MORE members claimed that the City is using municipal tax dollars to lobby the federal government for certain transit-related funds.
Chair LaCroix thanked the members of MORE Public Transportation for their presentation. She explained that the Youth Commission would probably convene a working group in the coming two weeks to discuss various MUNI-related issues, and would provide MORE with a response regarding their “request for collaboration” in the coming weeks.
B. Presentation and Request for Participation: Youth Advisory Council
Presenter: Nayad Abrahamian, Youth Advocacy Coordinator, Department of Children, Youth and Their Families
Document E
Nayad Abrahamian, Youth Advocacy Coordinator of the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families (DCYF), presented Youth Commissioners with an overview of the Youth Advisory Council (YAC), an institution comprised of Youth Commissioners, young people on DCYF’s Youth Empowerment Fund Advisory Board and other City government groups involving young people. Last year, commissioners LaCroix and Liang served on the YAC. The YAC, Ms. Abrahamian explained, is a place to receive trainings (for example, on writing resolutions), to share ideas with other like-minded young people and to organize youth summits.
Commissioners Sun, Lin, Chan and Beaulac expressed interest in joining the YAC.
Chair LaCroix thanked Ms. Abrahamian for her presentation.
C. Presentation and Request for Collaboration: SFUSD Register to Vote Campaign
Presenter: Robin Bonner, Senior, Downtown High School
Document F
Robin Bonner, a senior at San Francisco’s Downtown High School, presented the Youth Commissioner with an overview of her campaign to register her fellow classmates to vote. Ms. Bonner argued that it is important for young people to be involved in their government, such that they can participate in the democratic process of governance. With the support her teachers and school staff, she is attempting to register to vote as many 16-18 year old Downtown students as possible.
Commissioners Zukerman, Herzstein, Chan and Benezra asked questions.
Commissioner Benezra, seconded by Chair LaCroix, moved to support this request for collaboration—with the provision that the Executive Committee or Youth Justice committee work more closely on this issue. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
8. Youth Commission Business (All Items to follow Action Items)
A. Finalizing the 2010 Survey of San Francisco Youth and Establishing: (1) Number of Surveys to be conducted; (2) Deadline for completing Surveys; (3) Outreach Plan
Presenters: Executive Committee & Youth Commission staff
Document G, H
Commissioner Hirano read the entire survey aloud.
Commissioners engaged in an extended discussion and debate about particular questions and the purpose and meaning of the survey in general. The survey was amended in the following fashion:
Commissioner Kaminsky, seconded by commissioner Hewitt, moved to delete the “name” question. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
Commissioner Herzstein, seconded by commissioner Kaminsky, moved to replace the “zip” question to “neighborhood you live in.” This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
Commissioner Liang, seconded by commissioner Herzstein, moved to split question #4 into three questions, one question inquiring about information about sex and drugs together, the other asking about information about sex and the third regarding information about drugs. After discussion, Commissioner Liang rescinded her motion.
Commissioner Herzstein, seconded by commissioner Benezra moved to change question #4 to the following:
(3) Do you feel you’ve gotten enough advice about sex and drugs?
a) Yes, from my parents
b) Yes, from my friends
c) Yes, from teachers, school staff
d) Yes, from the internet
e) No
This motion was approved by the following roll call vote: Ayes—Zukerman, Liang, Sun, Hewitt, Perez, Hirano, Beaulac, Nauer, Yang, Benezra, Herzstein, Kaminsky, Chan, LaCroix, Lin. Absent—Marshall-Fricker.
Commissioner Liang, seconded by commissioner Nauer, moved to amend question #5 to include “Other_________.” This motion was approved by the following roll call vote: Ayes—Zukerman, Liang, Sun, Hewitt, Perez, Hirano, Beaulac, Nauer, Yang, Benezra, Herzstein, Kaminsky, Chan, LaCroix, Lin.
Commissioner Herzstein, seconded by commissioner Nauer, moved to have make each department—English and History and Math and Science—a possible answer on question #5. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
Commissioner Hewitt, seconded by commissioner Nauer, moved amend question #6 by allowing respondents to select more than one option. After some discussion, commissioner Hewitt rescinded her motion.
Commissioner Herzstein, seconded by commissioner Benezra, moved to amend question #6 by directing respondents to rate each choice on a scale of 1-5, where 1 signifies least safe and 5 represents most safe. This motion was adopted unanimously by acclamation.
Commissioner Kaminsky, seconded by commissioner Benezra, moved to amend question #8 by making uniform the phrase “buses and trains” in options a, b, and c. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
Commissioner Kaminsky, seconded by commissioner LaCroix, moved to add a question:
“Are you aware of the programs that the Recreation and Parks Department offers at little or no cost?
Commissioner Kaminsky, seconded by commissioner LaCroix, moved to change the Recreation and Parks-related question to:
“Have you been affected by the recent layoffs at the Rec and Parks Department?
a) Yes, in a positive way
b) Yes, in a negative way
c) No, it has not affected me”
Commissioner Kaminsky, seconded by commissioner Hewitt, moved to approve the Youth Commission Fall 2010 Youth Survey, as amended, with questions 2a and 2b to be finalized by commissioner Hirano and approved by the Executive Committee. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
Given the late hour, commissioner Herzstein, seconded by commissioner Kaminsky, moved to postpone items 8B and 8C until the next meeting. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
B. Amending Youth Commission By-Laws: Adding Additional Community Outreach Officer Position
Presenters: Executive Committee & Youth Commission staff
Document I
C. Election of Community Outreach Officer
Presenter: Youth Commission staff
9. Attendance Review (Action Item)
A. Commissioner Nauer, September 20, 2010
Commissioner Nauer explained the personal reasons behind her absence at the meeting of September 20, 2010. Commissioner Benezra, seconded by commissioner Zukerman, moved to excuse commissioner Nauer’s absence. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
10. Announcements (This includes Community Events)
It was revealed that it was Commissioner Perez’s birthday. The Youth Commission sang her “Happy Birthday.”
11. Adjournment
Chair LaCroix adjourned the meeting at 8:53pm.
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.