San Francisco Youth Commission
Minutes
Monday, December 6, 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 5:15pm.
Commissioners present: Zukerman, Marshall-Fricker, Liang, Sun, Perez, Hirano, Beaulac, Nauer, Yang, Benezra, Herzstein, Kaminsky, Chan, LaCroix, Lin.
Commissioners tardy: Fierro (5:22pm).
Commissioners absent: Hewitt.
Staff present: Yedidia.
2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)
Commissioner Kaminsky, seconded by commissioner Sun, moved to approve the day’s agenda. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)
Commissioner Kaminsky, seconded by commissioner Yang, moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of November 15, 2010. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
4. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda
There was none.
5. Executive Committee & Staff Report
Staff Mario Yedidia reminded commissioners about the upcoming hearings set for the next Wednesday, December 8, 2010, the first (at 4:00pm) on youth and MUNI issues (in particular, the Youth Lifeline fast pass and Clipper) and the second (at 6:30pm) on issues affecting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning youth in San Francisco. Commissioners Kaminsky, Beaulac, Fierro and Benezra announced the kind of outreach they’d done thus far.
Yedidia concluded the staff report by passing out the most recent data (fall 2010) from the Youth Vote Student Survey and underscoring the importance of completing the State of the Youth report—a brief, high-level portrait of San Francisco’s youth population that will draw on both the original survey of several hundred youth that the 2010-2011 Youth Commission had conducted, as well as the many other statistical and demographic reports on youth in the city.
6. Presentations (Discussion and Possible Action)
A. Neighborhood Visions Project presentation about upcoming event United Neighborhoods: A Collaborative Community Conversation
Presenters: Members of Neighborhood Visions Project
Document B
Raymond Leung and Taylor Bradbury, cofounders of the Neighborhood Visions Project (NVP), explained the genesis, purpose and background of their organization. Raymond and Taylor both received their bachelor’s degrees at UC Berkeley, where NVP was born out of Raymond’s vision for social justice, which, in turn, was inspired by the values instilled in him by his mother while Raymond grew up “poor” in Chinatown. NVP works with students at Mission High School and Thurgood Marshall Academic High School to coordinate youth-identified and youth-led community service projects, where students are forced get out of their own neighborhoods and learn about both the diversity of the city, as well as the workings of local government and civic institutions.
Raymond and Taylor then invited youth commissioners to their upcoming United Neighborhoods event, set for Saturday, December 18 from 3pm-5pm at the Chinatown YMCA. This event will bring together students from Mission and Thurgood Marshall with community fixtures, members of local government, nonprofit funders and others. Raymond and Taylor concluded by asking that the Youth Commission support the Neighborhood Visions Projects and, in particular, the United Neighborhoods event.
Commissioners Zukerman, Sun, Nauer, Chan and Fierro asked clarifying questions.
Commissioner Hirano, seconded by commissioner Liang, moved to support the Neighborhood Vision Project’s United Neighborhoods: A Collaborative Community Conversation. This motion was adopted unanimously by acclamation.
7. Legislation Referred from the Board of Supervisors (All Items Below Discussion and Possible Action)
A. File no. 101311: Administrative Code Amendment—San Francisco Local Hiring Policy for Construction (Supervisor Avalos)
Presenters: Youth Commission staff
Documents C, D, E
Youth Commission staff situated this policy, which would require contractors working on public works construction projects to assure that at least half of their staff be San Francisco natives (and that at least half of those San Franciscans be residents of census tracts with low incomes), in the context of the legislative process at the Board of Supervisors. Staff reminded commissioners that they had initially considered (and ultimately continued) this policy at their meeting of November 15, 2010. Staff explained that the sponsoring Supervisor, John Avalos, had amended the proposed ordinance by phasing in the local hiring requirements over a longer period of time.
Public Comment:
Joshua Arce, Executive Director of the Brightline Defense Project, explained that nearly 100 people had spoken in favor of the proposed ordinance when it was heard at the most recent (December 1) meeting of the Board of Supervisors’ Budget and Finance Committee; not a single member of the public spoke against it. Mr. Arce explained that all of the questions and concerns about the proposed ordinance that were raised by Youth Commissioners at their last meeting—questions regarding the cost, the benefit for local youth and more—have been addressed in the amended version of the ordinance. He went on to say that the two biggest labor unions support the amended version of the law—and that the City’s Chief Economist says that the policy will be a net positive;
Speaking of the local hiring policy as a whole, commissioner Herzstein suggested that it was perhaps a bit selfish for the City & County of San Francisco to institute such a policy. Economic hardship—for young people just as much as adults—knows no municipal boundaries.
Commissioner Hirano, seconded by commissioner Yang, moved to support the local hiring ordinance. Commissioner Hirano argued that, on balance, the discussion the Youth Commission heard and participated in regarding this policy has been far too focused on the economic and fiscal aspects of the proposal. By contrast, commissioner Hirano argued that it was a moral imperative to support the law.
Commissioner Herzstein countered that, should neighboring Bay Area counties adopt such a law, in the long term young San Franciscans would in turn be frozen out of construction jobs elsewhere in the Bay Area.
Chair LaCroix interjected that, in her opinion, the most salient long-term effect of the local hiring ordinance would likely be to bring more low-income San Franciscans into the construction industry.
After a bit more back-and-forth regarding the potential detrimental effects of the ordinance should neighboring municipalities adopt similar local hiring policies versus the potential positive effects of increasing the number of working low-income San Franciscans in the construction industry—a back-and-forth in which commissioners Herzstein, Yang and Kaminsky participated—commissioner Herzstein, seconded by commissioner Chan, moved to limit debate. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
The motion to support the local hiring ordinance was approved by the following roll call vote: Ayes (14)—Zukerman, Marshall-Fricker, Liang, Sun, Perez, Fierro, Hirano, Beaulac, Yang, Benezra, Kaminsky, Chan, LaCroix, Lin; No’s (2)—Nauer, Herzstein.
B. File no. 101093 Zoning – South of Market Youth and Family Special Use District (Supervisor Daly)
Presenters: Youth Commission staff
Documents F, G
Youth Commission staff Mario Yedidia provided the legislative background for this proposed ordinance. He briefly summarized what the ordinance, if adopted would do—namely, increase the inclusionary housing fees in a certain part of the South of Market neighborhood. Yedidia also reminded Youth Commissioners that they had previously considered the ordinance on October 4, 2010, but had decided to postpone taking a position on the law until after the Planning Commission made their recommendation; the Planning Commission, in turn, had adopted a motion “to approve the intent” of the ordinance, but not the ordinance itself. Staff concluded his presentation by mentioning that the ordinance would not move through the legislative process before the end of the current legislative session. The sponsor, Supervisor Daly, will be terming out of office on January 8, 2011, and his successor Supervisor-elect Jane Kim may well take up the issue in the months to come.
After an exceedingly brief discussion, commissioner Kaminsky, seconded by commissioner Hirano, moved to take no position on the legislation. Chair LaCroix argued that the Youth Commission should at least support the intent of the ordinance.
Commissioner Herzstein, seconded by commissioner Liang, moved to make a substitute motion to support the intent of the proposed ordinance but recommend disapproval of the ordinance itself. This motion was approved by the following roll call vote: Ayes—(14) Zukerman, Liang, Sun, Perez, Fierro, Hirano, Beaulac, Nauer, Yang, Benezra, Herzstein, Kaminsky, Chan, Lin; No’s (2)—Marshall-Fricker, LaCroix.
The motion to support the intent of the proposed ordinance but recommend the disapproval of the ordinance itself was approved by the following roll call vote: Ayes (15)—Zukerman, Liang, Sun, Perez, Fierro, Hirano, Beaulac, Nauer, Yang, Benezra, Herzstein, Kaminsky, Chan, LaCroix, Lin; No’s (1)—Marshall-Fricker.
8. Commission Business (All Items Below Discussion and Possible Action)
A. Resolution 1011—AL02: Supporting the First Annual Know Your Rights Event at Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco (Commissioner Kaminsky)
Second Reading
Presenter: Commissioner Kaminsky
Document H
Commissioner Kaminsky reminded commissioners that this was a second reading of this resolution, which formally articulates the Youth Commission’s support of an educational event at Lick-Wilmerding High School on constitutional rights. He then read this resolution into the public record.
Commissioner Hirano, seconded by commissioner Herzstein, moved to adopt this resolution. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
B. Resolution 1011—AL03: Resolution expressing the San Francisco Youth Commission’s Support of the DREAM Act and San Francisco City College student Steve Li (Commissioner Zukerman)
First Reading
Presenter: Commissioner Zukerman
Document I
Commissioner Zukerman provided some brief background on Steve Li, a current student at City College of San Francisco and Washington High School alumnus, who is an undocumented immigrant and currently in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Commissioner Zukerman also summarized the DREAM Act, a federal immigration reform law currently being debated in Congress that would provide legal status to many young undocumented students who have graduated from high school in the U.S. and are currently either serving in the military or attending a postsecondary educational institution.
Commissioner Zukerman then read this resolution into the public record.
Commissioner Herzstein interjected that it is worth considering the fact that the DREAM Act is complicated, lengthy and still being debated—thus, it is, properly speaking, a living, changing document.
Given the urgency engendered by Steve Li’s precarious immigration status and Congress’s impending action on the DREAM Act, Chair LaCroix, seconded by commissioner Benezra, moved to vote on this on first reading. This motion was not yet voted on.
Then, commissioner Liang, seconded by commissioner LaCroix, moved to amend the resolution by adding a resolved clause that explicitly articulates support for Steve Li. The motion was approved by the following unanimous roll call vote: (16): Zukerman, Marshall-Fricker, Liang, Sun, Perez, Fierro, Hirano, Beaulac, Nauer, Yang, Benezra, Herzstein, Kaminsky, Chan, LaCroix, Lin.
The earlier motion (made by LaCroix and seconded by Benezra) to vote on the resolution on its first reading was approved by the following unanimous roll call vote: (16): Zukerman, Marshall-Fricker, Liang, Sun, Perez, Fierro, Hirano, Beaulac, Nauer, Yang, Benezra, Herzstein, Kaminsky, Chan, LaCroix, Lin.
Commissioner Benezra, seconded by commissioner Liang, moved to make a technical edit to the resolution, by striking the excess word “members” from page 4 of the resolution. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
Commissioner Sun, seconded by commissioner Liang, moved to amend the resolution by adding a resolved clause that explicitly demonstrates the Youth Commission’s support of Steve Li. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
Commissioner Kaminsky, seconded by commissioner Zukerman, moved for the Youth Commission to adopt this resolution as amended. This motion was adopted unanimously by acclamation.
9. Attendance Review (Action Item)
A. December 1, 2010
Lin, Chan
Commissioner Chan explained that she and commissioner Lin have a long-running internship at UCSF that meets Wednesday evenings; that Wednesday, December 1, there was an important meeting involving fund development.
Commissioner Zukerman, seconded by commissioner Marshall-Fricker, moved to authorize these absences. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
B. November 15, 2010
Commissioners Liang, Hewitt, Fierro Benezra, Lin
Commissioner Fierro explained that November 15, 2010 was the second night of the fall play at St. Ignatius High School, in which she had a principal roll.
Commissioner Benezra declined to speak and accepted the absence.
Commissioner Liang explained that she was at City Hall that evening, but was at the gala for the Chinatown Community Development Center, an important community organization in the district in which she laws. She thought that, given that she was invited, it was important for her to go to the gala.
Commissioner Lin explained that on November 15, she was sick and had a fever.
Commissioner Herzstein, seconded by commissioner Zukerman, moved to authorize the absences of Liang, Fierro and Lin. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
C. Absence by 2 significant tardies (Bylaws, Section VI.1(c)):
Commissioner Liang.
Commissioner Liang explained she was taking care of school duties with a tutor at those two meetings where she was tardy.
Commissioner Nauer, seconded by commissioner Herzstein, moved to authorize commissioner Liang’s absence. This motion was adopted unanimously by acclamation.
10. Announcements (This includes Community Events)
Commissioner Hirano explained that he and commissioners Chan and Benezra would be conducting a focus group with youth at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Community Center at the meal night the very next evening—Tuesday, December 7, 2010. All other Youth Commissioners were invited.
Commissioner Kaminsky encouraged his colleagues to chip in on helping buy pizza for youth attendees of the upcoming hearings.
11. Adjournment
Chair LaCroix 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.