San Francisco Youth Commission
Minutes
Monday, December 15, 2008
5:30-8:00pm
City Hall, Room 416
There will be public comment on each item.
1. Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 5:38pm. Commissioners Present: Tsibulskaya, Marshall- Fricker, Lau, Jones, Erlikh, Lobo, Recinos, Balcazar, Castaing, Davidson, Martinez, Quesada Commissioners not present: Gee, Espanol, Frierson, Oliva, Lunsford
Staff Present: Julia Sabory, Peter Lauterborn, Gillian Bogart
2. Approval of Agenda
Motion to approve agenda made by Commissioner Marshall-Fricker and seconded by Commissioner Erlikh Unanimous approval.
3. Approval of Minutes
Motion to approve minutes made by Commissioner Marshall-Fricker and seconded by Tsibulskaya with unanimous approval.
4. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda
Sylvie Johnson made public comment.
5. Staff Report
Nancy Hernandez, part-time staff, spoke about the first of a series youth summits hosted by the Youth Commission and community organizations. This Excelsior based event is called "Aftershock." She requested images of commissioners to include in a slide show to demostrate the work that the commission does. Josselyn, Drew, Nick, and Christian committed to attending.
6. New Business
A. Presentation re: DCYF 2008-2009 Budget by September Jarrett, Director of Policy and Planning Unit for DCYF.
Jarrett gave the commissioners a brief explanation of children's fund. She advised commissioners that they had the opportunity to ask about what has been done by DCYF so far. One such thing is a survey monkey, available in English only so far, to see what the community in put is. Lobo suspects TAY will be disproportionately impacted because much of their funds come from the general fund, since the children's fund caters to youth up to 18 only. Jarrett explained that the TAY initiative lost 50,000 and funds were also de-appropriated from LYRIC, which serves many transitional aged youth. The vast majority of other money comes from state grants.
B. Discussion and possible action re: Negative Supplemental Ordinance by Chelsea Boilard of Coleman Advocates.
Boilard explained that departments are experiencing cuts that will impact youth. Mayor introduced cuts to services, for DCYF 1.8 million. Mayor is able to make budget decisions unilaterally, and Peskin has made this negative supplement and is an assertion from the BoS. There may be citywide wage freezes in an amendment to the negative supplemental. If it passes with 8 votes, then the mayor can not veto. The negative supplemental helps to make sure that the pain is distributed equally and it forces new supervisors to make an assertion. Boilard was not sure, as to whether it would gain seiu support, because iti s a freeze, but may help to avoid lay offs. It was articulated that if unions do not agree and city breaks contracts, unions could sue. Supervisors being lobbied: are Mirkarimi, Maxwell, Sandoval, Dufty, Campos, and Daly. Commissioner Marshall-Fricker asked what the stance of Coleman advocates is and Boilard responded that they support it, and protecting critical services
Public Comment: Sylvie Johnson said that society could learn a lot from children and youth about today's climate and world.
7. Old Business
A. Discussion and possible action re: request for youth leaders to participate in a planning committee to convene a Youth Summit to Take Action Against Global Warming, presented by Commissioner Erlikh.
Commissioner Erlikh reported that Tomas Lee presented to the Planning, Land Use, and City Services Committee regarding the Youth Summit on Global Climate Change and that she and Commissioner Tsibulskaya will go to the first planning meeting to further assess potential for Youth Commission involvement. Commissioner Marshall-Fricker stated that she was skeptical about the event, and feels like there are still many unanswered questions about the role of the Youth Commission.
B. Discussion and possible action re: Resolution urging SFMTA to issue youth rate passes for all high school students, presented by Commissioner Tsibulskaya.
Commissioner Tsibulskaya stated that a possible amendment would be to not raise prices, but to maintain current pricing in light of the idea that the fares will raise this coming fiscal year. Lobo doesn't see how it would be feasible in this budget year and stated her belief that asking for TAY passes and to reject the budget is not reasonable, but said that asks regarding passes for all high school youth were more reasonable. She would like to know how many youth are effected by each provision.
Lobo moved to table the item for discussion in the future and was seconded by Davidson. The motion was unanimously approved.
C. Discussion and possible action re: Letter to principle of Mission High School encouraging partnership with Mission Community Based Organization, HOMEY, presented by Chairman Jones.
Cosignage of the Homey letter was tabled so that Jones can meet with SAC cabinet. Motion to table the item was made by Commissioner Marshall-Fricker, with a second by Commissioner Tsibulskaya, and unanimous approval.
8. Policy Report
Julia Sabory, staff informed commissioners that the Soma youth and family zone was passed, and was an item reviewed by the Board that the commission had supported last term. Also discussed were BoS items 081448 and 081510 are state grants that are being applied for. The programs being cut by JPD budget are the ones that will likely be receiving funds from the state.
9. Committee Report
Health and Wellness report by Commissioner Lau included highlights from the Peer Health Educator Gathering in November, the new "Fostering Connections" bill which promiotes continutity in the education of foster youth, and a draft resolution seen in committee regarding GLBT harassment in SFUSD schools.
Education report by Commissioner Martinez informed commissioners that A-G policy was passed by the Board of Education and will be implemented in 2 years. All AP and honors classes will be open enrollment.
Planning, Land Use, and City Services report by Commissioner Erlikh highlighted a presentation made by Tomas Lee of the City Administrator, and discussions about the Hope SF projects in Huntersview, Sunnydale, Potrero, and Westside Courts.
10. Announcements (This includes Community Events)
11. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 7:15pm.
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