April 21, 2008

Monday, April 21, 2008

5:30pm

City Hall, Room 416

2. Call to Order- quorum reached at 5:30pm

   Present: Cabrera, Carvajal, Carvalho, Frierson, Gee, Gong, Gray, James, Macheel, Shamonda, Quesada, Tsibulskaya, Yan

   Absent: Anjum, Do, Franklin

   Staff/Public: Julia Sabory, Peter Lauterborn, Diana Pang, Trisha Prashad, Joanne(Blood Centers of the Pacific), Laura, Belinda Bellinger, Anthony (YMAC, Balboa), Laura M (PODER, Immigrant Legal and Education Network)

3. Approval of the Minutes – April 7, 2008, Macheel motions, Frierson seconds. All approved.
4. Approval of the Agenda – Move Items 8E (Closing the Achievement Gap) and 8D (CA Dream ACT) after Item 5 (Mayor's Report)
5. Staff Report

   Julia Sabory read a statement on behalf of Kevin Liao, who has resigned from his role as the Policy Coordinator to work for Obama for America. She will cover budget advocacy efforts in a later item.

   Peter Lauterborn reported on looking into changing the bylaws at Commissioner Gray's request in regards to attendance review, updated on office revamp, and asked for participation for HEY event on Saturday, May 10^th, 2008.

   Diana Pang requested Commissioners to identify key people/organizations for recruitment, applications due on Monday, May 19^th, 2008, asked for YC participation for Honoring Emancipated Youth (HEY) workshop.

6. Mayor's Office Report

   Trisha informed us that the Mayor's Office just finished their enterprise budgets and will not begin General Fund items, including the Youth Commission's recommendations, until 3-4 weeks later. She invites YCers to Mayor's educational forum for Thursday, April 24^th, 4-6pm.

7. Board of Supervisors/Clerk of the Board Report

   Legislation Referred – File #080528 – Opposition to California State Initiative 07-0094, the Runner Initiative- Resolution expressing opposition to a proposed ballot measure that would shift state resources from education, crime and violence prevention toward increased incarceration of youth and young adults from low income communities of color with limited opportunities for education, employment and education (Daly, Peskin, Ammiano, Mirkarimi)

   Staff provided overview of the Initiative that Supervisor Daly urged the Youth Commission's support on. Commissioner Gray suggested staff to provide actual text of Runner's Initiative. Commissioners Carvalho, James, Gray, Gee spoke and discussed this.

   Action – Motion to support File #080538 – Gong/James- Opposition to Runner's Initiative - – Role Call – AYES - Cabrera, Carvalho, Frierson, Gee, Gong, Gray, James, Macheel, Shamonda, Tsibulskaya (Yan, Quesada, Carvajal absent). -- Unanimously passed

8. Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda – Joanne from Blood Centers of the Pacific seeks youth to co-sponsor blood drives this summer and offered incentives for participation. For more information, contact Jan Holyko, 415.672.7973. Commissioners interested in issues regarding blood donation (gay rights, mythbusters for parents). Commissioner Gray's organization may sponsor one before the summer. No Action Taken.
9. New Business (all items hereinafter are discussion/possible action items)
   1. MUNI Transit Effectiveness Project – Peter presented on the TEP community meetings. Those who plan to attend are: Commissioner Quesada April 26^th, 10:30am, Diane Feinstein Elementary, Commissioners James/Frierson - April 28^th, 6-8pm, Southeast Community Facility, and RACs Committee on Wednesday, April 30^th, 6-8pm, Valencia City College Campus.
   2. Idea for Discounted MUNI fast passes for 18-24 year olds – Peter presented that the MTA plans to raise adult passes from $45 to $55. With the Youth Commission's involvement in 18-24 year old issues and in the next budget advocacy year, the YC should organize to keep 18-24 adult passes at the existing $45 rate, possibly at an even lower rate.
      
   3. YouthVOTE Student Delegate Election – Proposed ballots for June elections and student delegate elections were presented for Commissioner viewing. Student Delegate applications due Friday, April 28^th.
      
   4. Presentation on CA Dream Act (Laura/Immigrant Legal and Education Network) – Laura about presented information on immigrant rights and particularly on educational justice. She spoke about the campaign to reintroduce the federal DREAM Act during the next president's first 100 days in office, and the status of the current CA Dream Act, AB 540 the bill for exemption from nonresident tuition. Commissioners Carvalho and Cabrera expressed interest and will draft a statement for next action steps by Friday, May 2^nd. Individual commissioners will sign an online petition for this campaign.
   5. Coleman Advocates' Board of Education Resolution – Closing the Achievement Gap in SFUSD. Board of Education Rally, Tuesday, April 22^nd, 6pm

      Presenters from Coleman Advocates – Belinda and Anthony (Balboa High School) – informed the Commissioners on the racial achievement gap in SFUSD. The resolution before the Board of Education this April 22^nd, 6pm, will seek commitment to adopt a four year district-wide equity goal of increasing the achievement of groups so that 60% of all students in all racial groups are at proficiency levels in English and math by 2011. Commissioners expressed interest and also raised concerns in addressing student trauma, PTSD, gentrification, and violence to achievement.

      Action – Commissioner Quesada moves to support resolution, Yan seconds. Role Call – AYES Cabrera, Carvajal, Carvalho, Frierson, Gee, Gong, Gray, James, Macheel, Shamonda, Quesada, Tsibulskaya, Yan – Motion carries unanimously.

      Action – Chair Carvalho submits a formal statement of support for this resolution.

      Action --- Commissioners will attend and support the rally before the Board of Education tomorrow, Tuesday, April 22, 6pm.

   6. 35^th Anniversary of Chinese Progressive Association – Gee presented on the CPA dinner, and would like to invite anyone that would like to attend at a reduced fee on Saturday, May 3^rd. Contact Natalie. Commissioners signed a commendation prepared for CPA.
      
10. OLD BUSINESS
    1. Old Business
    2. Budget Updates from Family Budget Coalition – In an effort to be effective with our policy recommendations such as opposing the Runner's Initiative, follow-up on budget asks, and provide additional tactics/strategies for youth, the YC will schedule an ad-hoc budget meeting. This document will be reviewed by the full commission on Monday, May 5^th. The Ycers should utilize this to lobby and meet with their appointing officers to close out the term.

    Action - An ad-hoc budget committee meeting will meet on Monday, 4/28 at 5pm, City Hall.

11. Commissioner Reports
    1. Committee Chair Reports – none.
    2. Projects: Gee reports that YEFAB's Youth Voices for Change was a success. Commissioner James will connect with Julia for more information about JAC.
    3. Individual Commissioner reports - NONE
12. Items for Next Agenda – Sunnydale Safe Community Event (James/Frierson), Ad-hoc budget meeting results for endorsement by Full Commission
13. Announcements ---
    1. Commendation signing for Senior Appreciation Day for Commissioner William Do; Sunday, April 21, 10am-12noon at Union Square
    2. HOMEY will be organizing a gang injunctions forum on Wednesday, April 23^rd, 2008, 10-1pm, 1121 Oakdale Ave at Grace Tabernacle Community Church
14. Adjournment – 7:04pm