San Francisco Youth Commission
Minutes
Monday, October 17, 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. Commissioners present: Armstrong, Bonner, Brodwin, Carrion, Chan, Holloway, LaCroix, Liang, Marshall-Fricker, Tu Mutch, Ontiveros, Persky, Shackelford, Sun, Yang, Zukerman. There was quorum. Commissioners tardy: Baer. Staff present: Yedidia, Truong
2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)
There was no public comment on this item.
Commissioner Marshall-Fricker, seconded by Commissioner Armstrong, moved to approve the agenda. The agenda was approved unanimously by acclamation.
3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)
A. Monday, October 3, 2011 (Document A)
There was no public comment on this item.
Commissioner Marshall-Fricker, seconded by Commissioner Persky, moved to approve the minutes to the meeting of October 3, 2011. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
4. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda (Discussion Only)
Ms. Lsylynn Lacoste, Director of the Bayview Hunters Point Mobilization for Adolescent Growth in Our Communities (BMAGIC)—a collaborative, San Francisco neighborhood-based non-profit organization which works with other agencies to coordinate community resources and opportunities to support community members in the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood—introduced herself to all Commissioners and expressed that she looks forward to working with the Youth Commission on various neighborhood issues that affect young people in the future.
5. Legislation Referred from the Board of Supervisors (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)
A. Ordinance Appropriating $1,900,000 of Children’s Fund Contingency in the Department of Children, Youth, and their Families to Fund Subsidized Child Care for Low
Income Families in FY2011-2012 (Mayor)
Presenter: Maria Su, Director, Department of Children, Youth and Their Families
(Documents B, C)
Chair LaCroix welcomed Maria Su, Director of the Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families, to the Youth Commission meeting and gave introductory remarks on why the Youth Commission’s Executive Committee felt this legislation referred was important for Commissioners to hear.
Maria Su, Director of the Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families, introduced herself to Commissioners and gave some contextual background information on this piece of legislation. Director Su shared with commissioners that in the last funding cycle, DCYF set aside some dollars from the Children’s Fund in anticipation of budget cuts from the state. The state budget cuts for the current fiscal year 2011-2012 ultimately resulted in the reduction of subsidized child care contracts for low-income youth amounting to the loss of 750 slots. The legislation before the Commission simply asks the Board of Supervisors to approve the Department’s plan to go ahead and spend $1.9 million dollars it set aside for this express purpose to continue to fund subsidized child care for low income families. This legislation will go to the Board’s Budget and Finance Committee for approval next week. Director Su asked for the support of the Youth Commission on this legislation, as the funds in this legislation will go directly to serve the city’s most vulnerable children, in a time where there will likely be more cuts for child care services in the years to come.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions regarding the legislative process of budget supplemental in general; they also asked about how DCYF is planning for the years to come, when more state cuts are expected.
Director Su clarified that the money in question is part of the Children’s Fund, which means that these funds cannot be used to supplant General Fund reductions. Ms. Su also acknowledged that this was a onetime fix. Su expressed that she would like to collaborate and work with the Youth Commission on how to address these issues in the future.
There was no public comment.
Chair LaCroix opened up the floor for discussion and possible action amongst her peers on the commission.
Commissioner Bonner, seconded by Commissioner Marshall-Fricker, moved to support the legislation referred.
Commissioner Zukerman stated that he would like to abstain from voting on this motion.
Youth Commission Director Mario Yedidia, acting as parliamentarian for the Commission, shared that the City Attorney’s Office advises that all Commissioners and members of advisory bodies not abstain from making a decision unless there is a conflict of interest born out in the Statement of Incompatible Activities. Moreover, as members of an advisory body like the Youth Commission, Commissioners should vote on all matters at hand, unless there is a conflict of interest.
Commissioners Baer and Ontiveros urged Commissioner Zukerman to vote one way or antoher on the legislation referred. Zukerman stated that he would not be voting until staff produced, in writing, the City Attorney documents detailing the need to vote on all motions unless there is a conflict of interest. Director Yedidia acknowledged Commissioner Zukerman’s request and advised Commissioners to continue their vote.
The motion to support the legislation referred passed by the following roll call vote: Ayes (16) – Armstrong, Baer, Bonner, Brodwin, Carrion, Chan, Holloway, LaCroix, Liang, Marshall-Fricker, Tu Mutch, Ontiveros, Persky, Shackelford, Sun, Yang. Abstained (1) – Zukerman.
6. Presentations (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)
A. Presentation on the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families
Presenters: Maria Su, Director, Department of Children, Youth and Their Families; Bryant Tan, Youth Empowerment Fund Manager, Department of Children, Youth and Their Families
(Documents D, E)
Chair LaCroix welcomed Maria Su and Bryant Tan, from the Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families (DCYF), and the Chair also gave introductory remarks on why it is important for the Youth Commission to get an informational presentation on DCYF—most simply, because it is the main City department that funds programs and services for children ages 0-17 in San Francisco.
Bryant Tan, Youth Empowerment Fund Manager at DCYF, started the presentation by introducing himself and thanking Commissioners for supporting item 5A. Mr. Tan then gave a brief background on DCYF and the different service areas (and corresponding staff teams) at the department that are working on addressing youth needs—among them, Out of School Time, Youth Employment, Violence Prevention and Intervention, Nutrition and Health and Wellness, and Early Childcare and Child Education. Mr. Tan also discussed the work he manages, including Youth Empowerment Fund, a pot of money totaling about $1 million each year that the department sets aside for youth-led projects; the Youth Advisory Council, a group made up of members of various youth advisory bodies, including the Youth Commission; Youth Vote, a civic engagement initiative engaging young people to the inner workings of governance and elections; and Youth Advocacy Day, which brings young people to City Hall every Spring to speak directly to elected officials.
Director Maria Su then stepped in to give a broader overview of the Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families through a PowerPoint presentation. Director Su started by giving some information on the Children’s Fund—a special fund made up of 0.03% of the City’s annual property tax revenue that is managed by DCYF and was approved by the voters such that the City could spend it exclusively on children’s programs and services. Ms. Su mentioned that the Children’s Fund is coming up for voter reauthorization in 2015.
As per the Charter, DCYF has a three year planning process for the Children’s Fund; in Year One, key stakeholders in the community are approached for feedback on what is needed to support children’s programs and services; in Year Two DCYF takes information gathered and works on budget projections and funding strategies to fund appropriate services; and in Year Three DCYF creates a Request for Proposals.
Director Su concluded her presentation by inviting Youth Commissioners to reach out and collaborate with staff at DCYF on future projects and to share with DCYF their experiences as young people living in San Francisco.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions on DCYF’s service areas, how youth are prioritized for programs, and the department’s budget.
Director Su shared that DCYF works very closely with the school district and community organizations to ensure that there are many after school activities for young people; she mentioned a truancy prevention initiative that the school district is developing, and noted that out of DCYF’s budget, 56% comes from the Children’s Fund, 30% is the general fund, and 13% is state and federal dollars. Currently, DCYF is working on developing an allocation plan, and this would be a great opportunity for the Youth Commission to participate in discussion around children’s programs, services, and strategies.
Chair LaCroix thanked Director Su and Mr. Tan for their time and presentation, and invited both of them to attend the Youth Commission’s upcoming Youth City Services committee meeting to take place on Wednesday, October 19, 2011.
7. Youth Commission Business (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)
A. 2011-2012 Youth Commission Community Outreach Plan
Recommendation by Community Outreach Officer and Staff: Approval
Presenter: Commissioner Brodwin, Community Outreach Officer
(Documents F, G, H)
Commissioner Brodwin gave a brief overview of the Community Outreach Plan she developed for the Youth Commission. Commissioner Brodwin said will be checking in with all of her colleagues by November 4th to get everyone’s feedback and input on the plan, as well as note each commissioner’s personal outreach goals. The outreach plan includes a check list, a tracking sheet, and the basic expectation that all Commissioners will outreach to youth organizations and members of the community at least once a month.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions and thanked her for her time and hard work in creating the Community Outreach Plan for the Youth Commission.
Commissioner Ontiveros asked if it would be possible for the full Youth Commission meetings to be televised like the Board of Supervisors meeting and if media can be included in the outreach plan.
Youth Commission Director Yedidia stated that broadcasting all Commission meetings is a matter of the Youth Commission’s budget.
Commissioner Tu Mutch also shared that she will be going over her Media and Public Relations plan for commissioners to review at the next full meeting.
Chair LaCroix expressed that she is hopeful in making the Youth Commission a household name in this 2011-2012 term.
There was no public comment.
Commissioner Holloway, seconded by Commissioner Marshall-Fricker, moved to adopt the Community Outreach Plan. The motion to adopt the Community Outreach plan passed by the following roll call vote: Ayes (16) – Armstrong, Baer, Bonner, Brodwin, Carrion, Chan, Holloway, LaCroix, Liang, Marshall-Fricker, Tu Mutch, Ontiveros, Persky, Shackelford, Sun, Yang. Abstained (1) – Zukerman.
8. Staff Report (Discussion Only)
Youth Commission Director Yedidia asked Commissioners to read the Weekly Internal Updates Youth Commission staff have been sending out every Friday, as it includes important information, dates, and deadlines that commissioners should be aware of. Yedidia also stated that the agenda packets of every full commission meeting can always be found on the Youth Commission website, and that commissioners can look up the agenda packet themselves online if it is not included in an email to them from staff. Then Yedidia shared that he and Coordinator Truong would be contacting all Commissioners to set up 1-on-1 check in meetings, in an effort to solicit feedback from individual Commissioners, get input on their experiences on the Commission thus far, provide support for Commissioners’ policy and personal goals. Yedidia announced exciting news that the office will be scheduling a tour of the Public Utilities Commission’s main water treatment facility
Staff also invited the whole commission to exercise their privileged positions as Youth Commissioners in the Free MUNI for Youth debates, specifically at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors meeting to be held at Tuesday, October 18 at 4pm in City Hall, room 400.
Yedidia concluded staff report by sharing that the office now has two new SF Youth Works interns—Maria Garcia and Kyron Covington—both of whom will be helping staff with not only clerical duties, but also with the Commission’s policy work in committees. Staff Truong also passed out media release and health opt out forms for commissioners to fill out and return.
9. Committee Reports (Discussion Only)
A. Executive Committee; next meeting: Wednesday, November 3, 2011, 4:00pm-6:00pm, City Hall, room 345 (Document I)
Vice Chair Yang shared that the Executive Committee will be checking in with specific commissioners to get input on future agendas.
Commissioner Bonner reviewed Document I, the recent memo that was sent to the Board of Supervisors, and encouraged commissioners to give her feedback on the memo.
Commissioner Tu Mutch and Brodwin shared that they will be following up with all commissioners on their respective plans.
Chair LaCroix reminded everyone to fill out the activity logs in the Youth Commission’s office, encouraged her peers to join her at the SFMTA meeting on October 18th to speak on Free MUNI for youth, and shared information on the Neighborhood Empowerment Network award, a city funded program that recognizes individuals who has done amazing work in the community. This year, NEN would like to invite the YC to select an amazing young person to win this award. Staff Yedidia stated that the nominations for this award are due this Friday, October 21.
B. Youth Justice Issues Committee; next meeting: Wednesday, October 19, 2011 4:30-6:15pm, City Hall, room 345
Commissioner Ontiveros gave a quick report back on the committee’s meetings with the Deputy Director of Juvenile probation Allison Magee and work on exploring case management, curriculum for youth in the hall, and the Log Cabin ranch. The committee will have a study group meeting this Wednesday at 4:30pm.
C. Youth Immigration Committee; next meeting: Wednesday, October 19, 2011, 3:30-4:30pm, City Hall, room 345
Commissioner Yang gave a quick report back on the status of the Immigrant Youth Summit, set for Friday, October 28, 2011 and will follow up with commissioners who will be volunteering their time to help at the summit.
D. Youth City Services Committee (Housing, Transportation and Recreation); next meeting, Wednesday, October 19, 2011, 4:30-6:30pm, City Hall, room 345
Commissioner Baer shared that he will be at the SFMTA Board meeting this Tuesday, October 18th and encouraged everyone who will be speaking at this meeting, to come and share their input to the Youth City Services committee meeting this Wednesday.
E. Youth Employment Committee; next meeting, Tuesday, October 25, 2011, 4:45pm, City Hall, room 345.
Commissioner Armstrong shared some information from her meeting with Ariel Ungerleider, staff from the America’s Cup Event Authority; and announced that the committee has been diligently working on setting policy priorities for the term.
F. Student Support, Health and Facilities Committee; next meeting: Friday, October 28, 2011, 4:30-6:30, 555 Franklin St., 3rd Floor
Commissioner Bonner stated that there have been no changes since her update at the last full commission meeting and will report back after the next meeting.
G. School District Curriculum and Class Time Issues; next meeting: Tuesday, October 18, 5:30-7:30, 555 Franklin St., 3rd Floor
Staff Yedidia asked commissioners who were selected to participate in the Youth Advisory Council to provide an update on their orientation retreat that took place on Saturday, October 15th.
Commissioners Shackelford, Persky, and Carrion shared that they made new friends, met many members from other advisory bodies, created posters, and were able to update these other youth leaders on the vigorous, productive work the Youth Commission has taken on to date.
10. Attendance Review (Action Item)
Chair LaCroix started the attendance review by reminding Commissioners of the format, as it is laid out in the Bylaws, of reviewing and authorizing Commissioners’ absences from full Youth Commission meetings. Each Commissioner has 60 seconds to explain their absence, followed by time for questions from his or her colleagues and, should the Commission wish to extend the courtesy, a motion to excuse an absence.
A. Commissioner Yang, Monday, October 3, 2011
Vice Chair Yang shared that she was really sick at the last meeting and was not physically able to attend the meeting.
Commissioner Bonner and Ontiveros emphasized the importance of planning in advance and finding a way to address items that Yang had previously set on the agenda, even if she finds out she is unable to attend a meeting on the day of.
Commissioner Baer, seconded by Commissioner Marshall-Fricker, moved to authorize the absence of Commissioner Yang on October 3, 2011. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
B. Commissioner Zukerman, Monday, September 19, 2011
Commissioner Zukerman stated that he did not want to speak on this item and did not want to have his absences authorized.
Commissioners Tu Mutch, Bonner, LaCroix, and Ontiveros asked regarding Commissioner Zukerman’s reasoning behind not wanting to authorize his absences or explain them.
Commissioner Zukerman asked staff—as he had earlier in the meeting—to see documents clarifying the need to vote on every motion. Chair LaCroix and Commissioner Ontiveros asked staff clarifying questions on procedures for authorizing and not authorizing an absence. Director Yedidia stated that if there is no motion to authorize an absence, then there is no authorization. Yedidia then read ‘(B3) Meeting Procedures and Rules of Order” of Section III of the San Francisco Youth Commission 2011-2012 Bylaws into the public record, which states, “Abstentions are only permitted if there is a clear conflict of interest or if this particular motion refers to a matter a Commissioner would not be in position to be knowledgeable of.”
There was no motion to authorize Commissioner Zukerman.
C. Commissioner Zukerman, Monday, October 3, 2011
There was no motion to authorize this absence.
11. Announcements (This Includes Community Events)
Chair LaCroix opened the meeting to announcements.
Commissioner Carrion reminded commissioners of the upcoming Street Crime and Public Safety summit to take place on October 31st, 2011 at St. Paul’s 1122 Jamestown Avenue. Carrion stated that when he gets more information about the summit, he will relay it to all. After the announcement, Carrion also stated that as commissioners, everyone should speak to one another in a respectful and mature manner.
Commissioner Brodwin invited everyone to contact her for more information on a conference about the state’s budget on Saturday at UC Berkeley.
Commissioner Chan shared the following upcoming weekly community groups at LYRIC: Transmagic, a 12-24 year old trans youth and allies group will be meeting every Tuesday; HONEY, a queer girls and allies group will be meeting every Wednesday; and M.E.E.T. a queer boys and allies group will be meeting every Friday. All groups are from 4-6pm at LYRIC.
Chair LaCroix shared that the Mayor’s Office will be starting a quarterly attendance review process for all mayoral appointees. LaCroix stated that review is mandatory for all Mayoral appointees..
Commissioner Holloway shared that Lick Wilmerding high school is starting to plan for their Know Your Rights summit and interested commissioners should contact him and Commissioner Brodwin for more information.
Director Yedidia closed out announcements by stating that Youth Commission staff holds the Commission and each Commissioner with high regard and that in turn, staff expects Commissioners treat each other in a respectful manner; he reminded everyone of the shared group agreements that were arrived at during the August Orientation retreat, jointly held with the Student Advisory Council, and he reiterated that the Youth Commission is a safe space and an environment for all Commissioners to discuss and debate the work that they do—not discussing and debating each other’s individual character. Yedidia acknowledged the negativity and bickering that had occurred earlier in the meeting during item 10B; finally, he encouraged Commissioners to come and speak with staff should they feel it necessary to express their feelings and thoughts in a more private setting.
Chair LaCroix encouraged everyone to step forward and get to know their colleagues on the Commission and to hold each other accountable in a respectful manner.
12. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:54pm.
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.