San Francisco Youth Commission
Minutes
DATE: Monday, February 7, 2000
TIME: 5:00 PM
PLACE: City Hall, Room 416
1. Call to Order and Roll Call: The meeting was called to order at 5:10 p.m. Commissioners Present: Arreguin, Barker, Bolden-Kramer, Bonilla, Castillo, Devine, Ervin, Geodzhayev, Lau, Pang, Strohlin, Talton-Alunan, Yee (13). Tardy: Matranga (1). Absent: Barnes, Baxter, Cottonham (3). Staff present: Susan Kim, Jessica Smith and Mario Balcita.
2. Motion to approve agenda: The agenda was approved.
3. Motion to approve minutes of January 3 and 13, 2000: Minutes were approved.
4. Public Comment: Binta Leighton from Infusion One thanked Commissioners who participated in their recent conference.
5. Staff Report: Staff requested that Commissioners who have not yet filled out mid-term evaluations please do so as soon as possible. Staff introduced a number of flyers now kept in the office which are available for Commissioners: Facilitation, Meeting with Your Appointing Officer, Writing a Resolution, Community Meeting Checklist, Parliamentary Procedure, Public Speaking, Talking to the Media, Writing a Press Release, Creating a Work Plan, Time Management, and Tips for Listening to Speakers. Commissioner Baxter has requested either a leave of absence or resignation from the Commission because of school responsibilities. Staff will follow up with him on his decision. Staff reminded Commissioners that office equipment, including computers, is only for Commission business. Youth Initiated Projects applications are in the office and are due March 21st.
6. Executive Committee Report: Francisco explained that the Census 2000 intern is contacting potential invitees for the Census Kickoff, which will take place the 2nd week of March at Horace Mann Middle School. They are also working on donations and writing a press release, and he will have flyers for outreach available as soon as possible.
Jewnbug introduced her outreach plan and asked for feedback. Rolando suggested contacting the Boston Youth Commission regarding the resource guide, and Commissioners approved the outreach plan. Next Jewnbug will figure out which Commissioners are interested in which strategies and steps of the plan, so she will put a list in Commissioners’ mailboxes to check off areas of interest.
7. Committee Report Backs:
A. Juvenile Justice and Public Safety: Jasmin reported that the Committee is planning Hear Us, Don’t Fear Us, a Rap Session on Juvenile Crime Prevention, Intervention, and Rehabilitation. The event will include speakers, discussion groups, and a resource fair. She passed out flyers, and also explained that the committee has been working with other Youth Commissions in the Bay Area who are also planning juvenile justice events in February, and they are planning a joint press conference on March 1st.
B. Housing, Transportation & Land Use: Michael explained that the committee is working on an Affordable Housing Lobby Day on May 24th to give youth the opportunity to talk to state legislators about housing in California. Commissioners have chosen three bills so far to lobby for, SB 1106, which puts restrictions on landlords converting affordable rental housing to market rate rental housing, SB 510, a $980,000,000 bond act for new affordable housing, and AB 398, a $750,000,000 bond act for affordable housing. The Committee is now contacting legislators for appointments and beginning outreach to youth.
C. Culture and Urban Environment: Cathy reported that the committee members are working on creating more after school arts and music programs, and they are looking into the legal/liability issues in starting programs. She also reported that Youth Space organizers hope to have the space open by this summer, and their next step is to get the money allocated for renovations released from the Board of Supervisors. At the next Youth Space meeting, Wednesday 2/16, youth will be meeting with the architect to develop a proposal for the Board of Supervisors.
D. Diversity and Cultural Competency: Because of a lack of membership and interest, Commissioners decided to disband this committee for the rest of this term, and reintroduce it next year.
8. New Business:
A. Discussion and possible action re: Forwarding youth-related legislation from the Board of Supervisors to the Youth Commission. (Gloria Young, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors) Jasmin wrote a letter to the Supervisors expressing dissatisfaction with the current lack of forwarding of youth-related legislation. Commissioners approved the letter, so Jasmin will add specific examples and send out. Jewnbug also suggested that Jessica pass along copies of Board of Supervisors Committee minutes to the appropriate Youth Commission Convenors.
B. Discussion and possible action re: Establishing a Youth Hall of Fame to recognize the accomplishments of Bay Area youth. Jesse reported that Supervisor Becerril is asking for the support of the Youth Commission in creating a Youth Hall of Fame. The tentative plan is to create a committee, including appointees from the Board of Supervisors, the Youth Commission, and the community, to select 15 youth each year. Commissioners approved the general idea of creating a Youth Hall of Fame, and created a working group to help plan the structure. Working group members will include Kareem, Jessica, Ben, Michel, Francisco, Eric, and Jesse.
C. Discussion and possible action re: Convenor check in with committee members for an update on research and tasks accomplished. No check in was needed.
9. Setting next meeting’s agenda: Jewnbug requested that Elaine Shen from the TV Race Initiative make a brief presentation.
10. Announcements: Valerie Lappin from Bay TV is looking for new voters to interview; contact Michel for more information. There will be a free Education Fair this Saturday at 1400 Palou in Bayview. Tomorrow at 3 p.m. at 101 Grove in Room 300 the Health Commission will be considering the Health Department budget. The Youth Commission is holding its next Community Meeting Tuesday, 2/22 at Ben Franklin Middle School and Commissioners need to pass out flyers and do outreach. Contact Coleman Advocates for information on phone banking re: Proposition 28. This Saturday from 9-5 at Everett Middle School the Overcoming Homophobia Meeting for Youth will happen. Tuesday 2/8 from 8:30-10 a.m. at Coleman Advocates there will be Prop. 21 information. Monday 2/21 there will be a free hip-hop concert at the Oakland Civic Center from 11:30-3 p.m.