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City and County of San Francisco

September 19, 2011

San Francisco Youth Commission

Minutes 

Monday, September 19, 2011

5:15-8:00pm

City Hall, Room 416

 

There will be public comment on each item. 

1.    Call to Order and Roll Call

 


Chair LaCroix called the meeting to order at 5:17pm.

The roll was called and there was quorum. Commissioners present: Armstrong, Baer, Bonner, Brodwin, Carrion, Holloway, LaCroix, Liang, Marshall-Fricker, Tu Mutch, Ontiveros, Persky, Shackelford, Sun, Yang.

Commissioners absent: Chan, Zukerman.

Staff present: Yedidia, Truong.

2.    Approval of Agenda (Action Item)

 


Commissioner Yang moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Sun. The agenda was approved unanimously.

3.    Approval of Minutes (Action Item) 

 

A.    Wednesday, August 31, 2011 – Special Inaugural Meeting (Document A)

There was no public comment on this item.

Commissioner Tu Mutch, seconded by Shackelford moved to approve the minutes to the meeting of August 31, 2011. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.

 

4.    Public Comment on Items not on Agenda (Discussion Only)   

 

There was none

5.    Legislation Referred from the Board of Supervisors (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

7. Youth Commission Business (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

A.    2011-2012 Youth Commission 2011-2012 Officer Elections: Legislative Affairs Officer, Community Outreach Officer, Media and Public Relations Officer (Document C)

Chair LaCroix called item 7A out of order because the presenters for the America’s Cup had not yet arrived to the meeting. 

 

Yedidia lays out the context of each officer position, under scoring sections of the bylaws. As quickly and expeditiously as possible, staff lays out the process, reads each officer position and the duties of each, and then each commissioner.

 

Chair LaCroix explained to commissioners the importance of having an Executive Committee. Due to going over time at the last Youth Commission meeting of August 31, 2011, only two officers were elected, that of the Chair and Vice Chair. Chair LaCroix laid out the context of the officer elections, and notified her peers that she will defer to staff to help facilitate the officer elections. 

 

Chair LaCroix then asked Youth Commission Director Mario Yedidia to facilitate the 2011-2012 Officer Elections for the remaining positions: Legislative Affairs Officer, Community Outreach Officer, and Media and Public Relations Officer. Director Yedidia goes through Section V-Executive Committee Officer Positions in the 2011-2012 Commission Bylaws, which outlines the specific duties of each position.  Yedidia laid out the structure for the officer elections: each commissioner would have 60 seconds to speak before the voting process, followed by a time for questions. For the sake of sticking to the time schedule Chair LaCroix and Vice Chair Yang laid out, there will be a limit of three questions total that nominated commissioners can answer. 

Nominations for Legislative Affairs Officer: Commissioner Shackelford nominated commissioner Bonner.

 

Commissioner Bonner was elected Legislative Affairs Officer by the following roll call vote:

 

Commissioner Bonner (15 votes-Yang, Sun, Shackelford, Persky, Ontiveros, Tu Mutch, Marshall-Fricker, Liang, LaCroix, Holloway, Carrion, Brodwin, Bonner, Baer, Armstrong).

 

Nominations for Community Outreach Officer: Commissioner Yang nominated Commissioner Armstrong.  Commissioner Bonner nominated Commissioner Holloway. Commissioner Tu Mutch nominated Commissioner Shackelford. Commissioner Baer nominated Commissioner Brodwin. 


However, all commissioners nominated politely declined the nomination for the Community Outreach position.

At this point, the presenters for item 6A arrived to the meeting and Chair LaCroix decided to table this item until after the presentation. 

6.    Presentations (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

A.    The America’s Cup in San Francisco Bay: An Overview Presentation. Presenters: Adam Van de Water, Assistant Project Director – 34th America’s Cup; Office of Economic and Workforce Development; Ariel Ungerleider, Community Outreach Manager, America’s Cup Event Authority (Document B; also, please see the following 2 You Tube clips: http://youtu.be/qMB6QHQibAI and http://youtu.be/qal2FyriRR8)


Chair LaCroix welcomed the presenters to the Youth Commission meeting and laid out the format for hearing the presentation. 

 

Mr. Van de Water gave a brief introduction and some history on the America’s Cup, its presence in the San Francisco for the event set to take place in 2013, a quick overview of the 11 implementation plans, in particular the Youth Involvement plan and an explanation of the team’s desire to seek feedback, collaboration, and approval from the Youth Commission in order to fulfill their plan to engage youth in this event.  The America’s Cup is one of the oldest and largest event in the world. The guiding principles of planning the America’s Cup includes: resource efficiency, environmental sustainability, strategic adaptability, public safety, and most importantly a positive legacy. Of the 11 different implementation plan, HCA Section 10.13 calls for the America’s Cup Event Authority (ACEA) with the Department of Children, Youth, and their Families (DCYF) to creation of a Youth Involvement Plan.

 

Ms. Ungerleider added that they are specifically looking for the Youth Commission to educate this team on the needs of youth in San Francisco, and to give feedback while they draft the youth involvement plan and looks forward to working with the Youth Commission. 

Commissioners Bonner, Ontiveros, and Tu Mutch asked questions on the specifics of the America’s Cup Event Authority’s (ACEA) efforts in linking youth internships to this event.

 

Ms. Ungerleider replied that the ACEA have been working with the Department of Children, Youth, and their Families (DCYF), other youth employment programs such as the Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program (MYEEP), as well as the Youth Commission’s Youth Employment Committee, and the Mayor’ Office to get further feedback and information on how to shape their employment programs in a way that is beneficial, inclusive, and accessible to all young people, including not just high school, but TAY, youth with disabilities and immigrant youth. Ms.
Ms. Ungerleider stressed that currently they are in the initial phases of drafting a plan and at the next follow up meeting, they will be able to present a more detailed outline and timeline to the Youth Commission, to receive feedback on where they can improve. 

 

Commissioner Tu Mutch suggested to the ACEA to look into providing livable wages, whether it be through a stipend or hourly wage as it is important for young people to learn the importance of earning a livable wage. 

 

Commissioner Holloway asked clarifying questions on outreach.

 

Mr. Van de Water acknowledged that a major goal is also to look into leveraging existing resources in SF. The ACEA have been talking to DCYF, different programs and organizations, as well as the school district and city departments to ensure that there will be enough outreach to reach all young people in SF.  Mr. Van de Water added that they have been working hard on making this event transit friendly, the ACEA have been meeting with the Mayor’s Office and other city departments on how to make this event as successful for everyone, without adding extra costs and have been working on different ways to get people to the event multi-modally. 

Chair LaCroix thanked the presenters for their time and asked for public comment.

 

There was no public comment.

 

Mr. Van de Water reiterated that this is just an introductory overview of the America’s Cup and they will be back to continue to present and work with the Youth Commission on the following dates: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at the Youth Commission Youth Employment Committee, the full Youth Commission meeting on October 17, and on November 7, and November 21, 2011. 

7.    Youth Commission Business (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

            B.[Second Reading] Resolution 1112—AL 01—Free Youth Transportation (Document D)

Sponsors and Presenters: Commissioners LaCroix, Yang, Liang

Chair LaCroix informed her colleagues that commissioner Shackelford will be chairing this item as Chair LaCroix, and Vice Chair Yang were the main sponsors of this resolution. 

 

Commissioner Ontiveros requested that the co sponsors read the resolution out into the public record again, as there were members of the public at the meeting. 

 

Vice Chair Yang and Chair LaCroix then read the resolution into the public record.

 

Vice Chair Yang and Chair LaCroix then provided more background and context of the resolution to their fellow commissioners on the Youth’s Commission’s involvement in the issue of the cost of MUNI for youth. They described the Youth Lifeline Fast Pass – a discounted monthly MUNI fast pass for low income public school students that the Youth Commission initially proposed as a policy option in February 2010. Vice Chair Yang noted the collaborative efforts of a working group that includes members of the Board of Supervisors, community based organizations, school district representatives, and Muni staff; in particular the discussion on how to continue with the goals behind the Youth Lifeline and make MUNI free for all young people. Yang shared with commissioners that the San Francisco Unified School District plans on cutting school buses for public schools by more than 50% in the next three years. Yang stressed that under this situation more and more young people will rely on public transportation to get to and from school; and this proposal will help young people in San Francisco. Chair LaCroix reminded her colleagues that the role of the Youth Commission is to represent and voice the unmet needs of young people in SF; and the responsibility of each commissioner is to think about how free MUNI would affect the young people in their communities. LaCroix also shared that members of the Board of Supervisors will also be drafting their own resolution on free MUNI for youth, and that the Youth Commission will have more opportunities to critique and give feedback on the specifics of what free MUNI would look like.

Acting Chair Shackelford thanked LaCroix and Yang for their presentation of the resolution.  Shackelford stated that this is the time for her commissioners to ask clarifying, technical questions and stressed that there will be time for more specific, policy based questions later.

 

There were no questions from commissioners.

 

Public Comment:

 

Juana Teresa Tello, organizer of P.O.W.E.R. (People Organized to Win Employment Rights),  resident of Bayview, lifelong MUNI rider, and speaks on behalf of the families and community members she has worked with through P.O.W.E.R. Ms. Tello shared her experiences with dealing with MUNI transit. She expressed that MUNI should be a public service, to aid in the transportation of low income working families. Ms. Tello asked for the support and collaboration of the Youth Commission and thanked Vice Chair Yang and Chair LaCroix for their participation in this resolution.


Ryan Watt, member of P.O.W.E.R., 19 year old, City College of San Francisco student. Mr. Watt shared his experiences as a 19 year old student riding MUNI. It has been difficult for him to commute to school on a regular basis while also trying to find a way to provide and feed himself. Mr. Watt expressed that this should not be a choice for young people. He stated that it is stressful for young people and young people of color to interact with transit police asking for proof-of-payment (POP) and that the access to MUNI will open doors to connect young people in communities to resources in the SF.


Kate Faria, organizer of P.O.W.E.R., spoke on behalf of her work with students and working class families. She shared with commissioners that there has been a lot of support from members of the Board of Supervisors, Coleman Advocates for Youth, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, as well as other CBOs. She urged the Youth Commission to support the resolution.

Blanca Estela Rosales (with Juana Teresa Tello translating) is a member of P.O.W.E.R and a single mother. She has experienced the negativity from transit officers towards her 12 year old son, and the fear of her son struggling to ride the bus due to financial hardships. She sees the fare increases as an unjust cost. She is a resident of a low income neighborhood, a single mother of two children, and can barely afford to pay rent, the day to day, and sees the injustice of children not having the means to pay the high fines of not money to ride the bus. She is worried for all young people as she sees them as the future and wants the support of the Youth Commission and will continue to work towards this new policy so that all children can go to school. 

 

Yeashan Banks is a member of P.O.W.E.R. Ms. Banks urged the Youth Commissioners to remember their role as representing all youth whose day to day routines will be impacted by this resolution. She asked the commissioners to not focus too much on how much this is going to cost the city, but to think about the youth, how they can access San Francisco and what this investment by the city can do for youth.


Jaron Browne is an organizer at P.O.W.E.R. Browne talked about the collaboration with the working group and passed out fact sheets and more information on making MUNI free for youth. Browne urged commissioners to not just vote to pass this resolution, but also to continue to work on this issue after the meeting. Browne shared that there are funds for this program, it is a question of political will and there is a sense of urgency to this issue now. Browne stated that if youth commissioners think that the voices of young people and families are a priority, then passing this resolution is the first step in the right direction. 


Then, commissioners asked clarifying questions and expressed concerns with making MUNI free for all young people—overall, commissioners support the idea of free MUNI for youth, but debated on the specifics of funding for this program, defining the age range of youth to include transitional age youth in the resolution, and discussed the importance for commissioners to recognize their role as policy advisors, representing the unmet needs of all youth in San Francisco.  Vice Chair Yang shared again to the her colleagues that this discussion and debate will continue, as members of the Board of the Supervisors will draft their own resolution on this issue, and from there the legislation will be referred to the Youth Commission for comment. 

At this point, Acting Chair Shackelford pointed out that the aides of Supervisor Campos and Supervisor Avalos had arrived and that she would like to give them the opportunity to speak to commissioners.

 

Sheila Chung-Hagen, legislative aide to Supervisor Campos addressed that the collaboration of all the different organizations, staff, community members, the school district, and different government agencies, has given the working group a chance to look at different funding streams and that the plan for this pilot program will give the working group more time to find long term funding sources. Ms. Chung-Hagen emphasized the importance of having the Youth Commission’s support on this resolution, as it represent a great unmet need of the very young people commissioners are supposed to represent. 

 

 Erica Maybaum, legislative aide to Supervisor Avalos urged the Youth Commission to join the working group to continue their discussion. Ms. Maybaum strongly urged the Youth Commission to support the resolution. 

 

Commissioners Tu Mutch, Sun, Bonner, Armstrong, and Baer expressed their strong support of this resolution and urged their colleagues to consider the positive impact of free MUNI for youth, and think about how this will bridge the gap between all young people of San Francisco by providing free public transit to all. They acknowledge that this discussion will continue and they will make sure that their participation in this issue will keep going. 

 

Commissioner Ontiveros expressed his support for the resolution and feels that the Youth Commission should support this regardless of personal concerns on budget; as this could be the first stepping stone to include transitional age youth.  Ontiveros asked if a motion to amend could be added. Staff Yedidia clarified that the motion to amend could be added.

 

At this point, Sheila Chung-Hagen acknowledged that the Youth Commission could add an amendment to the resolution to support transitional age youth and bring the discussion to the Board of Supervisors.

 

Peter Lauterborn, Youth Vote Coordinator, acknowledged that commissioners could amend their resolution and suggested that a different project could be created to include transitional age youth in the work for free MUNI for youth, as it would require different funding, questions, and mechanisms to address TAY needs. 

 

Acting Chair Shackelford laid out the context on how to move on and vote on this resolution.

 

Commissioner Ontiveros asked clarifying questions on how to add an amendment to the resolution. Ontiveros said he was supportive of the motion to support this resolution, but he would like to also urge other city agencies and supervisors to consider transitional age youth and how they can qualify for free MUNI. 

 

After discussion, Commissioner Ontiveros moved to amend the basic motion with the specific asked that the Youth Commission urge the Board of Supervisors to consider transitional age youth, seconded by Commissioner Bonner. This motion carried with 15 ayes. 

 

Chair LaCroix moved to support the basic motion to support this resolution, seconded by Marshall-Fricker. This motion carried with 15 ayes.

11. Announcements (This Includes Community Events) 

Commissioner Ontiveros asked Chair LaCroix to move item 11 up, as there was a member of the public here to speak about an important community event.

 

Chair LaCroix called commissioners attention to Community Events.

 

Public Comment

Carlos Martinez, a student at City College of San Francisco, urged commissioners to attend a City College Board meeting on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 6:30PM at 33 Gough st. Mr. Martinez shared that there will be a discussion on whether or not to support internship programs for immigrant students. Martinez expressed that this is an important service to immigrant youth, and asked for the support of youth commissioners. 


Commissioner Ontiveros added more context to the issue that is being debated at the September 22, 2011 meeting. This would be a discussion on a stipend internship program that would benefit not only any young people who would qualify, but also immigrant young people who do not have a lot of opportunities elsewhere.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Youth Commission Business (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)


A.    2011-2012 Youth Commission 2011-2012 Officer Elections: Legislative Affairs Officer, Community Outreach Officer, Media and Public Relations Officer (Document C)

 


Chair LaCroix brought the meeting back to Item 7A. 

 

Staff Yedidia stressed the importance of having a complete Executive Committee and lead commissioners back through the duties of the remaining officer positions: Community Outreach Officer and Media and Public Relations Officer.

 

Nominations for Media and Public Relations Officer: Chair LaCroix nominated commissioner Tu Mutch.

 

Commissioner Tu Mutch was elected Media and Public Relations Officer by the following roll call vote:

 

Commission Tu Mutch (15 votes – Armstrong, Baer, Bonner, Brodwin, Carrion, Holloway, LaCroix, Liang, Marshall-Fricker, Tu Mutch, Ontiveros, Persky, Shackelford, Sun, Yang). 

 

Nominations for Community Outreach Officer: Commissioner Shackelford nominated commissioner Brodwin.

 

Commissioner Brodwin was elected Community Outreach Officer by the following roll call vote: (15 votes- Yang, Sun, Shackelford, Persky, Ontiveros, Tu Mutch, Marshall-Fricker, Liang, LaCroix, Holloway, Carrion, Brodwin, Bonner, Baer, Armstrong). 

 

The Youth Commission finally has a full Executive Committee. 

 

8.    Staff Report (Discussion Only)

 


Youth Commission Director Yedidia updated commissioners on the external and internal communication between Youth Commission staff and all commissioners. Staff will be sending out weekly emails every Friday to update all commissioners on committees, events, and other Youth Commission business.  Staff will also send out an external update to all Youth Commission contacts and commissioners every two weeks.

 

Staff passed out the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Clerk of the Board, Youth Commission and Sunshine Ordinance Task Force Statement of Incompatible Activities to all commissioners. Yedidia led commissioners through pages 7 and 8 of the packet, indicated that strict use of city property for Youth Commission purposes only and clarified the importance of disclosure. 

9.    Committee Reports (Discussion Only)

            A.   Executive Committee (next meeting: Wednesday, September 28, 4:30-6:30pm, City Hall, room 345)

 

Vice Chair Yang gave a quick report back to her peers on how the Executive Committee set the agenda for September 19, 2011.

 

B.    Youth Justice Issues Committee (next meeting: Wednesday, October 5, 4:30-6:15pm, City Hall, room 345)

 

Commissioner Ontiveros updated commissioners on the activities of the Youth Justice Issues Committee.  Ontiveros is now the Chair of the committee, with commissioner Carrion as the Vice Chair of the committee.  The committee is preparing for a presentation to the Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI) Joint Funders meeting that is taking place on Wednesday, September 21, 2011.  Commissioners Ontiveros and Carrion then read their mission statement to the public record. Carrion clarified their roles in the JJCC and asked for the support of colleagues on future Youth Justice Committee work. 

C.   Youth Immigration Committee (next meeting: Wednesday, September 21, 2011, 3:30-4:30pm, City Hall, room 018)

Vice Chair Yang gave a brief update on the Youth Immigration Committee. The committee has met to discuss goals and policy priorities for the 2011-2012. The committee is currently working hard on planning the Immigrant Youth Summit set for October 28, 2011 at the West Bay Conference Center. 

 

D.   Committees that have not met yet: Youth City Services Committee (Housing, Transportation and Recreation)—next meeting, Wednesday, September 21, 2011, 4:30-6:30pm, City Hall, room 345; Youth Employment Committee—next meeting, Tuesday, September 27, 2011, 4:30-6:30pm, City Hall, room 345;

 

10.  Attendance Review (Action Item)

 

(Document E)

Chair LaCroix laid out the format for how to review the attendance and authorize an absence of a commissioner.  Each commissioner had 60 seconds to explain why they were absent with time for questions from other commissioners after the statement.

 

A.    Commissioner Marshall-Fricker, Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Commissioner Marshall-Fricker explained that she had to leave the last meeting early because she had an early flight the next morning. She apologized for having to leave early. There were no follow up questions.

Commissioner Tu Mutch, seconded by commissioner Shackelford moved to authorize the absence of commissioner Marshall-Fricker. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.

 

 

B.    Commissioner Sun, Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Commissioner Sun explained that due to the late time the meeting of August 31, 2011 was going towards, she had concerned family members urging her to leave the meeting.
There were no follow up questions.

Commissioner Ontiveros, seconded by commissioner Marshall-Fricker moved to authorize the absence of commissioner Sun. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.

 

C.   Commissioner Holloway, Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Commissioner Holloway explained that he had to leave the meeting of August 31, 2011 early because his grandmother was picking him up and had to still drive herself back home afterwards. It was getting too late and he still had a lot of homework to do. He expressed his apologies to staff and the full commission. There were no follow up questions.

Commissioner Baer, seconded by commissioner Armstrong moved to authorize the absence of Commissioner Holloway. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation. 

 

11.   Announcements (This Includes Community Events)

 


Chair LaCroix asked if there were any other announcements.

Commission Liang shared that the Adopt an Alleyway organization will be having a music festival in Chinatown and asked fellow commissioners to forward the information to young people interested in either attending or volunteering.  The event will be on Sunday, September 25, 2011 from 1:00-7:00PM. 

Commissioner Ontiveros added that the music festival will be very diverse.

Commissioner Bonner shared with her peers that the Bay Area Urban Debate League (BAUDL) has locked down a location for a public debate event. This will take place on either October 26th or 28th and will take place at the school district board’s office.  Bonner said that she would forward more information out to peers. 

Chair LaCroix announced that there will be a press conference and rally on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 12PM at the front steps of City Hall to discuss free MUNI for youth. LaCroix shared that she will be speaking about her experiences at this rally and invited fellow commissioners to attend if possible. 

12.   Adjournment

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:02pm. 

Any materials distributed to the members of the Youth Commission within 72 hours of the meeting or after the agenda packet has been delivered to the members are available for inspection—along with minutes of previous Youth Commission meetings and all supplementary information—at the Youth Commission office during regular office hours (9am to 6pm, Monday—Friday). The Youth Commission office is located at:

City Hall, Room 345

1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place

San Francisco, CA 94102

Phone: (415) 554-6446, Fax: (415) 554-6140

Email: youthcom@sfgov.org

www.sfgov.org/yc

 

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 THE SUNSHINE ORDINANCE TASK FORCE, please contact:

Sunshine Ordinance Task Force

City Hall, Room 244

1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place

San Francisco, CA 94102-4689

Phone: (415) 554-7724, Fax: (415) 554-5784

E-mail: sotf@sfgov.org

Copies of the Sunshine Ordinance can be obtained from the Clerk of the Sunshine Ordinance

Task Force, at the San Francisco Public Library, and on the City’s website at

http://www.sfgov.org.

 

The ringing and use of cell phones, pagers, and similar sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. The Chair may order the removal from the meeting room of any person responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager, or other similar sound-producing electronic device.

 

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.

 

To obtain a disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, to participate in the meeting, please contact Mario Yedidia, Youth Commission Director [phone: 415-554 6254; email: mario.yedidia@sfgov.org] at least 48 hours before the meeting, except for Monday meetings, for which the deadline is 4:00 p.m. the previous Friday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last updated: 12/1/2011 3:49:42 PM