San Francisco Youth Commission
-Minutes-
Monday, September 15, 2008
5:30-8:00pm
City Hall, Room 416
There will be public comment on each item.
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
Commissioner Jones called the meeting to order at 5:45 pm.
Commissioners Present: Tsibulskaya, Marshall-Fricker, Lau, Jones, Espanol, Erlikh, Lobo, Frierson, Oliva, Balcazar, Castaing, Davidson, Lunsford, Martinez, Quesada
2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)
Commissioner Jones noted that item 6G was a resolution of commendation specifically for the graduates of the Back on Track Program.
Commissioner Marshall-Fricker motioned to approve the agenda, and Commissioner Lobo seconded.
3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)
Commissioner Quesada motioned to table the approval of the minutes until later in the meeting, because they were not found in the agenda packet at the time. Commissioner Erlikh seconded.
4. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda
Roberto Vargas of the Community Partnership Resource Center made a brief presentation about what the organization does in the community, primarily in Bayview Hunters Point, Visitacion Valley, and the Mission District. CPRC does work to address health inequalities, and is seeking youth input in their work. He informed commissioners that there are opportunities to become members of the CPRC Community Council, which provides stipends to young folks who participate.5. Staff Report
6. New Business
A. Presentation about File#081008, Residential Mental Health Treatment of Foster Youth by Emily Rogers, aide to Supervisor Maxwell. Emily Rogers came to present about the Residential Mental Health Treatment of Foster Youth Task Force. She informed the commission that the Board's Rules Committee will be discussing the item on October 2nd, and that it will be adopted as early as mid-October.
Commissioner Lobo asked if funding restrictions would prevent the Task Force from creating improved housing opportunities for the aforementioned group of young people, and Emily Rogers stated that housing was not the primary focus of the Task Force, rather development of a coordinated system.
Commissioner Frierson asked about direct youth involvement in the Task Force, and Emily Rogers explained that there are positions on the Task Force for young people but the genesis of the Task Force was generated largely out of the minds of departments and organizations who serve the aforementioned youth group.
B. Discussion and possible action re: Resolution urging Board of Supervisors to adopt the UN "Convention on the Rights of a Child" by Commissioner Lau.
Commissioner Lau introduced the Resolution urging Board of Supervisors to adopt the UN "Convention on the Rights of a Child" for a first reading by the commission. Commissioners who have suggestions can send them to Commissioner Lau.
Commissioner Martinez, who has been working on the resolution with Commissioners Lau and Lunsford inserted that the principles outlined in the aforementioned convention will serve as a guide to the Youth Commission in the upcoming year(s). He spoke of the possibilities to forward the resolution on the Congress as well.
C. Discussion and possible Action re: Asian Alliance Against Domestic Violence Teen Dating Violence Public Service Announcement and Press Conference by Commissioner Castaing.
Commissioner Castaing informed the commission about the press conference being held by the Asian Alliance Against Domestic Violence on October 13th from 11:00am-12:00pm for their Teen Dating Violence PSA. Commissioners Castaing and Martinez said that they will attend, and Commissioner Lau said she would try to make it.
D. Presentation on Prop B, the SF Housing Fund by Chelsea Boilard of Coleman Advocates.
Chelsea Boilard gave a brief explanation of the work of Coleman Advocates, and explained that there was an advocacy branch, a parent organizing branch, and a youth organizing branch. She explained that Coleman's work is primarily focused on Equity and Education, including the Affordable Housing Fund. Commissioner Martinez asked questions regarding where the affordable housing would be built, and Chelsea spoke about the Eastern Neighborhoods rezoning project. Commissioner Martinez asked about the use of landfill, but the Earthquake in North Beach a couple of years ago indicated why that would be problematic. Commissioner Quesada asked about budget allocation, and Commissioner Jones suggested implementing a paralleled workforce development plan, should Prop B pass and ensure the Housing Fund exists.
E. Discussion and possible action re: Youth Commission sponsorship of Prop 6 Teach-in by Commissioner Balcazar.
Commissioner Balcazar spoke briefly about what potential impacts of Prop 6 would be, if passed, and proposed that the Youth Commission be the primary sponsor of an educational forum about the initiative. Commissioner Frierson motioned to sponsor the event, and Commissioner Martinez seconded.
F. Discussion and possible action re: Resolution of Commendation recognizing the life and work of Matt Garcia by Commissioner Jones.
Commissioner Jones spoke briefly about the life and work of Matt Garcia. Commission Quesada motioned to adopt the resolution, Commissioner Tsibulskaya seconded, and the commission voted unanimously to adopt.
G. Discussion and possible action re: Resolution of Commendation recognizing the Back on Track program graduates by Commissioner Frierson. Commissioner Frierson read the resolution to the commission. Commissioner Marshall-Fricker motioned to adopt the resolution and Commissioner Espanol seconded. The commission voted unanimously to adopt the resolution.
H. Discussion and possible action re: Transit Effectiveness Project Update by Commissioner Quesada.
Commissioner Quesada introduced the letter drafted to Britt Tanner of the MTA. Commissioner Frierson interjected that service of the 48 Quintara should be made more efficient, and that buses should come as frequently as every ten minutes. Staff will make minor adjustments to the document. Commission Tsibulskaya motioned to approve the letter and Commissioner Espanol seconded. The commission voted unanimously.
7. Unfinished Business
A. Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Marshall-Fricker motioned to approve the minutes, Commissioner Martinez seconded, and the commission approved unanimously.
B. Discussion and possible action re: Approval of By-Laws
Peter Lauterborn, staff, explained amendments to the by-laws made by staff, in regards to legislative tracking. Commissioner Erlikh motioned to approve the amendments and Commissioner Frierson seconded, the commission voted unanimously.
Commissioner Frierson moved to amend that the By-Laws permit Commissioners to arrive 20minutes after meetings are called to order, with out it being considered an absence, Commissioner Espanol seconded.
Ayes: Tsibulskaya, Marshall-Fricker, Lau, Jones, Espanol, Erlikh, Lobo, Frierson, Oliva, Balcazar, Davidson, Lunsford, Quesada Nos: Castaing, Martinez
Commissioner Erlikh motioned to approve the By-Laws, and Commission Frierson seconded, the commission voted unanimously to adopt.
8. Announcements (This includes Community Events)
Commissioners and staff shared information about various community events.
9. Public Comment
Julian Morris-Willer and Dajhaye Spers of the Berkeley Youth Commission asked to be forwarded information about the Bay Local Hip Hop event, and spoke briefly about the work of the Berkeley Youth Commission.
John Yap of the San Mateo Youth Commission Spoke Briefly about the parallels between the work the San Mateo Youth Commission and the San Francisco Youth Commission. They will forward information about a youth mixer in the upcoming month.
10. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:41 pm.
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 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 Gillian Bogart 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 decision in full public. Commissions, boards, councils and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people's business. The 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 Frank Darby by mail to: 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) 554-5163; or by e-mail at frank.darby@sf.gov.org
Citizens interested in obtaining a free copy of the Sunshine Ordinance can request a copy from Mr. Darby or by printing Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code on the internet, at http://www.sfgov.org/bdsupvrs/sunshine.htm