San Francisco Youth Commission Special Meeting
Minutes
Monday, September 22, 2008
6:00-7:00pm
City Hall, Room 278
There will be public comment on each item.
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
Commissioner Jones called the meeting to order at 6:19pm
Commissioners Present: Tsibulskaya, Marshall-Fricker, Lau, Jones, Erlikh, Lobo, Frierson, Oliva, Balcazar, Castaing, Davidson, Lunsford, Martinez, Quesada
2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)
Commissioner Marshall-Fricker motioned to approve the agenda, Commissioner Quesada seconded.
3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)
Commissioner Tsibulskaya motioned to approve the minutes, Commissioner Erlikh seconded.
4. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda
5. Staff Report
6. New Business
A.Presentation about the work of the Youth Empowerment Fund and upcoming collaboration with the Youth Commission by Bryant Tan of DCYF.
Bryant Tan was not present at the meeting. Julia Sabory, staff, spoke briefly about collaboration opportunities with the Youth Empowerment Fund this term and stated that YEFAB applications are available and are being accepted until September 30th.
B. Discussion and possible action re: Resolution stating the Youth Commission's position on undocumented youth in San Francisco.
Commissioner Lobo briefed the commission on the policies in San Francisco affecting undocumented youth. She spoke on the Sanctuary Ordinance and its purpose, and reviewed the current policies as they relate to the happenings this past summer.The commission reviewed the drafted resolution and went through a first reading as a group. They will have a second reading in October.
Public Comment on this item:
Angela Chan from the Asian Law Caucus distributed a briefing kit to the commission to provide background on the undocumented youth issue and illustrated the difference between the old policy and new policy implemented by the Juvenile system. Commissioner Jones responded by stressing the importance of coordinating and utilizing the many youth serving programs that exist in the city. Commissioner Martinez asked about the fiscal implications of the change in policy, which requires further research.
Jose Luis Pavon from HOMEY echoed some of what Angela Chan said, and spoke on the breakdown of bi-lingual education, stating that it has created greater challenges for school-aged immigrants. Pavon stressed the importance of breaking down racist structures and sending a clear message to conservatives that "this is our city."
Florencia from HOMEY informed the commission about a young person she knows who is feeling the impacts of the new policy and has been arrested. She highlighted that real people are being negatively impacted by the changing policy.
Ron Stickle from Sunset Youth Services and the Juvenile Justice Providers Association noted that there are numerous organizations and agencies in the city that want to work to improve the situation and support the work of the commission on this issue.
Chelsea Boilard of Youth Making a Change and Coleman Advocates stressed that the commission has community support and thanked the commission for stepping up to the plate and tackling the complex issue surrounding policies around undocumented youth.
Gustavo Lopez of HOMEY reminded commissioners that San Francisco is an innovative city, one that other cities look to as a model. In this way the discussions at the table are more far reaching than the bounds of San Francisco.
7. Unfinished Business
A. 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 briefly reintroduced the resolution for a second reading. Commissioner Marshall-Fricker motioned to adopt the resolution, and was seconded by Commissioner Davidson. The commission voted unanimously to adopt the resolution.
8. Announcements (This includes Community Events)
Commissioners and staff shared information about upcoming events, which are listed on the Youth Commission's web calendar.
9. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:43pm.
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