San Francisco Youth Commission
-Minutes-
Monday, November 3, 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 5:36PM.
Commissioners present: Tsibulskaya, Marshall-Fricker, Gee, Lau, Jones, Erlikh, Lobo, Recinos, Oliva, Lunsford, Martinez, Quesada, Lobo
Staff present: Peter Lauterborn, Gillian Bogart, Marna Anning
2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)
Commissioner Jones moved to discuss item 7A after staff report, seeing members of the public present for that specific item only. Commissioner Quesada seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
Commissioner Marshall-Fricker motioned to approve the amended agenda and Commissioner Martinez seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)
Commissioner Quesada motioned to approve the minutes and was seconded by Commissioner Marshall-Fricker. The motion carried with unanimous support.
4. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda
No Public comment was made at this time.
5. Staff Report
6. New Business
A. Discussion about the results of the YouthVote for ballot measures, Board of Supervisors, and Board of Education by Peter Lauterborn, staff.
Peter Lauterborn, staff explained that YouthVote occurred at 27 different schools. He reviewed the results and explained that in viewing the results, commissioners should keep in mind that there are varied populations at different schools, hence there are different sample sizes. He reviewed results regarding specific ballot measures, which had been discussed at prior commission meetings, including proposition B, proposition 4, and proposition 6.
B. Discussion and possible action re: Statement of Opposition to congestion pricing of Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), introduced by Vice Chair, Nick Quesada.
First reading of the statement prepared by commissioner Quesada. Commissioner Quesada explained what congestion pricing is, and how questions have risen about BART's capacity to serve the Bay Area's growing number of riders.
Commissioner Martinez asked about why the capacity of the system can not change. Peter, staff, explained that Bart runs on an old computer system which would not manage the closer timing of trains.
Commissioner Lobo will find statistics about how many youth would be impacted by BART congestion pricing or failed capacity and add in a youth specific measure to be sure that it is addressed, even if it is not a priority of the board. She will draft an amendment to include upon second reading at the next full commission meeting.
Peter, staff, said that one idea might be tell BART to seek more aggressively outside funding from the state or federal government. Commissioner Jones suggested that there be a sunset clause setting a deadline for BART capacity building.
7. Unfinished Business
A. Discussion and possible action re: Resolution in support of the San Francisco City ID Card Program.
Laura Melgarejo, PODER, provided translation for a young woman H" who spoke about being a youth immigrant in the Mission district. She explained that the City ID card would provide support to people like her and her friends who are undocumented and can therefore not access certain services. The city ID card will help them to feel safe and provide a sense of belonging, and allow folks to communicate with the police if they feel like they need to. She asked the Youth Commission to support the City ID card.
Jimena, and 18 year old Youth organizer from PODER is a student at city college. She believes the City ID card will make it easier for youth to access city services, and will help people to prove their age, which high school ID cards do not do. She requested that the commission support the City ID card to help youth that can not access California ID cards. She believes the card will help to bring the city together all as one.
A representative from the Queer Youth Organizing Project expressed support for the ID program because many transgender and lgbt immigrant youth they work with flee their homes because of economic hardship and/or family problems. The card is gender neutral, which will allow people to avoid gender markers, which may be a mismatch to youth as they express their gender identity. The ID card will minimize harassment or denial of services that youth in this population face on a daily basis.
Rael Silva of Young Workers United works with students and young folks in the service industry. He does work organizing workers to protect their rights. He said that people want to feel like they are a part of the city, and to be a united people. Many folks see identification as an issue of safety. The City ID card will help to protect those who are carrying cash because they can not open bank accounts, and are not able to report attacks to the police because they are afraid.
Sheila Chung-Hagen, from the City Administrators Office apprised commissioners that the card will include medical and allergy condition information, which will be helpful in emergency health situations. Also, City ID card is partnering with places like the Academy of Sciences where San Franciscans will have special benefits. It will also help to streamline city processes, by using one card that grants access to services like transportation, park and recreation, and the public library. Additionally, working with banks will open up the possibilities for more people to open bank accounts.
Commissioner Martinez wondered who was opposed to the ID Card.
Sheila Chung-Hagen spoke about a lawsuit brought alleging that it wasn't in compliance with state and federal laws regarding illegal immigrants. She also clarified that all city government agencies must accept the card, including the police. She made clear, however, that businesses have their own perspectives, and that many are excited about the use of the card. The card will only be valid in San Francisco, but many cities, especially in the Bay Area are looking toward implementing similar systems. She stated that the card has been extremely successful in New Haven, Connecticut where it is widely used by youth and seniors. New Haven is currently the only city where it functions as an ID and Discount card. There are similar cards in other cities, but they do not have the same benefits as this one.
The resolution passed unanimously, with the following votes:
Ayes: Tsibulskaya, Marshall-Fricker, Gee, Lau, Jones, Erlikh, Lobo, Recinos, Oliva, Lunsford, Martinez, Quesada
Nays: none
8. Committee Reports
Health and Wellness Committee's next meeting will be November 12th at 4:30pm. The committee is preparing for an upcoming "Know Your Health Rights" event, where a survey will be given. Committee Chair Lau said that the committee is open to suggestions for survey questions, and requested people email her if they'd like to follow up.
Juvenile Justice Committee member Tanea is working to prepare a statement with regards to the police redistricting project. De'anthony is working on a 5 year violence prevention program, and asked if commissioners know of CBOs that deal with violence prevention to refer them to him.
Planning, Land Use, and City Services will be present at the Green Festival, which will take place on November 15th and 16th. The next committee meeting will be November 10th at 5:00pm. Planning, Land Use, and Development Committee will work with issues of Rights of Child Action plan, and Soma Youth and Family Zone.
9. Policy Report
Marna, staff updated commissioners on legislation referrals to the Youth Commission from the Board of Supervisors for the months of September and October.
Commissioner Jones wants to have a commissioner who connects directly to the BoS, and would potentially sit at board meetings. Peter suggests meeting before next full commission meeting for those who are interested: Quesada, Lunsford, Jones, Martinez, and Lobo.
10. Announcements (This includes Community Events)
11. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6:42pm.
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