San Francisco Youth Commission
Minutes
Monday, March 7, 2011
5:15-8:00pm
City Hall, Room 416
There will be public comment on each item.
1. Call to Order
Chair LaCroix called the meeting to order at 5:17pm.
Commissioners present: Zukerman, Marshall-Fricker, Liang, Sun, Perez, Fierro, Hirano, Beaulac, Nauer, Yang, Benezra, Herzstein, Chan, LaCroix.
Commissioners tardy: Hewitt, Lin.
Commissioners absent: Kaminsky.
Staff present: Yedidia.
2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)
Commissioner Herzstein, seconded by commissioner Zukerman, moved to approve the agenda. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
3. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda
Nayad Abrahamian, Youth Advocacy Coordinator at the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families invited Youth Commissioners to the upcoming Youth Employment Forum at City College (details to be announced) and Project WHAT!, a paid job program for young people whose parents have been (or are currently) incarcerated.
4. Legislation Referred from the Board of Supervisors (Action Item)
5. Presentations (All Items to follow Discussion and Possible Action)
A. Larkin Street Youth Services: an overview of the services provided by & the budget of the organization
Presenter: Toby Eastman, Chief of Programs, Larkin Street Youth Services
Documents A, B
Ms. Eastman presented the Youth Commission with an overview of the 27-year-old not-for-profit organization Larkin Street Youth Services, which serves 14-24 year-old young people at in or at-risk of homelessness at 13 different locations in the City of San Francisco. Ms. Eastman made frequent reference to a document she distributed to commissioners and other assembled members of the public, the 2010 Incidence and Needs report, which, among other things, details how Larkin served 3,400 young people in 2010.
Ms. Eastman described Larkin’s continuum of services—from “point-of-entry” services at the organization’s two drop-in centers in the Tenderloin and the Haight that offer food, showers and lockers and case management; two shelters; nine transitional housing programs, some of which are population-specific (in particular, for foster care youth; HIV positive youth; youth with severe behavioral health needs; LGBTQ-youth) and some of which are not; and a range of support services, including an education and employment program, behavioral health programs, and a primary health medical clinic. She said that of the young people who move through the entirety of Larkin’s continuum services, 75%-80% of those young people make a successful transition into independent, non-street life.
Commissioners Chan, Herzstein, Zukerman, Benezra and Yang asked questions. Ms. Eastman underscored the importance of distinguishing between shelter and housing—that is, between a temporary place to stay and more permanent, stable housing.
There was no official action taken.
B. Youth Uniting to Reclaim Recreation Space: a presentation and request for Youth Commission collaboration
Presenters: Youth and community organizers from YURRS (a collaboration between SOMCAN, the SOMA Youth Leadership Project and Connect to Protect)
Document C
Commissioner Benezra provided the Youth Commission with some context for this item, reminding Youth Commissioners that had heard from Youth Uniting to Reclaim Recreation Space (YURRS). YURRS grew out of experiences had by young people, youth service providers and youth organizers with in the South of Market and Castro Commissioner with the Recreation and Parks Department’s over use of neighborhood recreation centers. On the whole, these experiences were full of miscommunication, mistrust and, it would appear, bad feelings on all parts—leaving the young people of YURRS that they were not being included in decisions over their neighborhood recreation centers. Seven young people working with YURRS met with Commissioner Benezra and Commissioner Marshall-Fricker a few weeks ago.
Commissioner Benezra then invited Youth Commissioners to attend an upcoming meeting with Recreation and Parks Department staff (set for Thursday, March 10 at 4:15pm) to address these issues. Xander Baltabat of YURRS thanked the Youth Commission for its interest in helping facilitate productive conversations between YURRS youth and Recreation and Parks Department staff.
There was no official action taken.
C. Department of Children, Youth and Their Families’ Youth Empowerment Fund Youth Advocacy Day: a presentation and request for collaboration
Presenter: Nayad Abrahamian, Youth Advocacy Coordinator, Department of Children, Youth and Their Families
Ms. Abrahamian began by making mention of last year’s Youth Lobby Day, which took place on May 20, 2010, and was an opportunity for young people from around San Francisco to come to City Hall, learn about the political and legislative process, and meet elected and appointed officials.
Along those lines, Ms. Abrahamian invited the Youth Commission to the next iteration of that event—namely, Youth Advocacy Day, set for Wednesday, April 6, 2011, an all-day event replete with workshops, meeting with elected and appointed officials, and a press conference, set for Wednesday, April 6, 2011.
Commissioner Liang, seconded by commissioner Nauer, moved to endorse Youth Advocacy Day. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
7. Youth Commission Business (All Items to follow Discussion and Possible Action)
A. Resolution supporting Planned Parenthood and calling on the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor to urge the U.S. Congress not to cut the organization’s funding
Presenter and sponsor: Commissioner Kaminsky
Document F
In the absence of commissioner Kaminsky (this resolution’s sponsor), Chair LaCroix read this resolution into the public record.
There was discussion by commissioners Herzstein, Chan, Benezra, Nauer and Zukerman. The commission decided to postpone voting on this resolution until their next meeting, pending commissioner Kaminsky’s presence.
B. Approving the Questions for the Youth Commission Application for the 2011-2012 Term and authorizing staff and commissioners to release application ASAP
Presenter: Commissioners Kaminsky, Liang, and Youth Commission staff
Document G
Commissioner Liang provided some background to this item, reminding commissioners that tonight they were set to vote on a final rough draft of the application for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.
There was robust and increasingly passionate discussion regarding as to whether or not to include a letter of recommendation. Commissioners Hirano, Marshall-Fricker, Nauer, Zukerman, LaCroix, Chan and Benezra made comments.
Upon the arrival of the Youth Commission’s guests for its Recognition of Commendations, the commission postponed this item and went into its 6:30pm Recognition of Commendations.
6. Special Order 6:30pm ** Recognition of Commendations **
A. Resolution celebrating 2011 Black History Month and commending various community-based organizations that serve the city’s African American youth and are committed to honoring the cultural traditions of the African Diaspora
Recognizing Bayview Mobilization for Adolescent Growth In our Communities (BMAGIC) and Youth Speaks
Presenters and sponsors: Commissioners LaCroix, Liang, Benezra, Beaulac
Document D
Josh Healey of Youth Speaks and Yvette Mari Robles accepted their commendations.
Commissioner Nauer, seconded by commissioner Zukerman, moved to formally adopt this resolution of commendation, which commends Youth Speaks and B’MAGIC for their work serving African-American young people. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
B. Resolution/In Memoriam commending the life and work of Jack Mayeda, a lifelong public school educator, both in San Francisco and San Mateo County
Sponsor and Presenter: Commissioner Sun
Document E
Commissioner Sun read into the public record this resolution, which commends the life and work of Mr. Jack Mayeda, who was a longtime Bay Area educator. Mrs. Nancy Mayeda, widow to Mr. Mayeda, graciously accepted the resolution of commendation. Commissioner Sun, seconded by commissioner Marshall-Fricker, moved to adopt this resolution. 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, Chan, LaCroix, Lin.
7. Youth Commission Business (All Items to follow Discussion and Possible Action)
B. Approving the Questions for the Youth Commission Application for the 2011-2012 Term and authorizing staff and commissioners to release application ASAP
Presenter: Commissioners Kaminsky, Liang, and Youth Commission staff
Document G
Chair LaCroix then re-opened up item 7B—namely, the discussion and approval of the Youth Commission application for the upcoming 2011-2012 term.
Commissioners Nauer, Herzstein, Hirano, Benezra, Liang and Perez offered comments.
Commissioner Herzstein, seconded by commissioner Benezra, moved to strike question 5 (“What are some of the issues the Youth Commission has worked on during the 2010-2011 year that you would like to work on during your term? Has that issue impacted you directly?”).
This motion was approved on the following 12-3 roll call vote: Ayes (12)—Zukerman, Marshall-Fricker, Sun, Perez, Hirano, Beaulac, Nauer, Benezra, Herzstein, Chan, LaCroix, Lin. No’s (3)—Liang, Fierro, Yang.
Commissioner Hirano, seconded by commissioner Herzstein, moved to approve question 7 as it is written (“Please provide a letter of recommendation—a few paragraphs are sufficient—from someone not in your family regarding your work”).
Commissioners Nauer and Sun argued against keeping this question.
This motion failed by the following 7-8 roll call vote: Ayes (7)—Liang, Perez, Fierro, Hirano, Yang, Benezra, Herzstein. No’s (8)—Zukerman, Marshall-Fricker, Sun, Beaulac, Nauer, Chan, LaCroix, Lin.
Commissioner Fierro, seconded by commissioner Liang, moved to amend question 7, by offering an optional opportunity for those applicants who don’t submit a letter of recommendation to explain why.
This motion failed by the following 8-7 roll call vote: Ayes (8)—Liang, Perez, Fierro, Hirano, Beaulac, Yang, Benezra, Herzstein. No’s (7)—Zukerman, Marshall-Fricker, Sun, Nauer, Chan, LaCroix, Lin.
Commissioner Zukerman, seconded by commissioner Herzstein, moved to approve the entire document with commissioner Fierro’s previously failed amendment (that is, by adding an optional opportunity for applicants who do not submit a letter of recommendation to explain why).
This motion was approved on the following 11-4 roll call vote: Ayes (11)—Zukerman, Marshall-Fricker, Liang, Sun, Perez, Fierro, Hirano, Beaulac, Yang, Benezra, Herzstein. No’s (4)—Nauer, Chan, LaCroix, Lin.
8. Staff Report (Informational Item)
There was none.
9. Committee Reports: City & School; Arts, Culture, Recreation and Entertainment; Youth Justice (Informational Item)
10. Attendance Review (Action Item)
11. Announcements (This includes Community Events)
12. Adjournment
Chair LaCroix adjourned the meeting at 8:05pm.
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.