San Francisco Youth Commission
DRAFT Minutes
*Special Meeting*
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
4:00-5:30pm
City Hall, Room 421
There will be public comment on each item.
1. Call to Order
Acting Chair Fierro called the meeting to order at 4:08pm.
2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)
Commissioner Herzstein, seconded by commissioner Sun, moved to approve the agenda. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
3. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda
There was none.
4. Executive Committee & Staff Report
Staff Mario Yedidia thanked commissioners for their participation and presence at this critical special meeting.
Yedidia then called the roll.
Commissioners present: Zukerman, Marshall-Fricker, Sun, Hewitt, Perez, Fierro, Hirano, Beaulac, Nauer, Yang, Benezra, Herzstein, Kaminsky.
Commissioners absent: Chan, Lin.
Commissioners tardy: Liang (4:12pm), LaCroix (5:10pm).
Staff present: Yedidia, Jay.
5. Youth Commission Business
A. Discussion of Rosenberg’s Rules of Order and Youth Commission Bylaws (Discussion and Possible Action)
Staff Yedidia introduced this item by remarking on the lengthy, somewhat chaotic character of the last meeting of the full Youth Commission (i.e., November 15, 2010), as well as the general lengthiness of the great majority of the commission’s meetings thus far during the 2010-2011 term. Yedidia then encouraged commissioners to share their comments, questions and concerns about the supplementary document for this agenda item, the Rosenberg’s Rules of Order handout, which outlines a simple set of parliamentary procedures. Yedidia concluded his introductory staff presentation by reminding commissioners that rules of order—as well as transparency, public meeting and open records laws—did not exist for themselves; rather, parliamentary procedure and the Sunshine Ordinance and Brown Act exist to ensure the public’s right to democratic, participatory input into the workings of government.
Acting Chair Liang then led Youth Commissioners through a discussion about Rosenberg’s Rules of Order and their relative utility with respect to the way Youth Commission meetings are conducted. Commissioner Nauer suggested that commissioners put forward observations they have gleaned from the conduct of previous Youth Commission meetings during the 201-2011 term—and, then, read aloud and otherwise discuss portions of the Rosenberg’s Rules of Order text that bear on those observations.
Fierro suggested that, given the difficulty she and her colleagues have had with understanding basic motions, the commission read aloud section entitled “The Three Basic Motions.” Subsequently, commissioners Benezra, Herzstein and Fierro read through that section. Commissioner Hirano underscored the importance of these motions; in turn, commissioner Herzstein urged commissioners to take heed of the substitute motion.
Then, Commissioner Herzstein emphasized the power of the chair. He observed that many of the Youth Commission’s most confused and unproductive moments—moments in which commissioner conduct was most egregiously out-of-order—in previous meetings during the 2010-2011 term could reasonably be traced back to a lack of respect for the power of the chair. Commissioner Nauer concurred with commissioner Herzstein, and pointed her colleagues to the document’s description of “privilege,” especially the fact that the chair is the sole member of a body who can grant her colleagues privilege of the floor.
After some additional discussion of the Rosenberg’s Rules of Order document, especially “The Basic Format for an Agenda Item Discussion,” commissioner Herzstein, seconded by Benezra, moved that the Youth Commission generally follow Rosenberg’s Rules of Order. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
B. Finalizing the Youth Commission’s two public hearings (one on bullying of LGBTQ youth and the other addressing MUNI’s distribution of Clipper cards to youth riders, as well as the school district and MUNI’s implementation of the Youth Lifeline fast pass) set for December 8, 2010
Staff Yedidia briefly introduced this item by reminding commissioners of the general twofold purpose of a public hearing: first, to raise public awareness about a particular issue, and, secondly, to shine the light on the workings of government with respect to a particular issue.
For the sake of officiousness, commissioner Marshall-Fricker, seconded by commissioner Zukerman, moved that the Youth Commission conduct two hearings on December 8, 2010 on the aforementioned respective subjects. This motion was adopted unanimously by acclamation.
The Youth Commission then discussed and delegated strategies and tactics—from contacting community organizations and other community stakeholders, to using Facebook and Twitter—to attract San Francisco youth (and those who provide them with services) to these hearings. Commissioners Kaminsky, Zukerman, Hirano and LaCroix committed to taking responsibility for particular outreach tasks.
6. Announcements (This includes Community Events)
There were none.
7. Adjournment
Chair LaCroix adjourned the meeting at 5:28pm.
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.