San Francisco Youth Commission
Monday, February 2, 2009
Minutes
5:30-8:00pm
City Hall, Room 416
There will be public comment on each item.
1. Call to Order
Meeting was called to order at 6:02pm.
Commissioners present: Tsibulskaya, Marshall-Fricker, Lau, Jones, Erlikh, Lobo, Recinos, Frierson, Balcazar, Castaing, Davidson, Lunsford, Martinez, Quesada
Absent: Gee
Staff Present: Julia Sabory, Peter Lauterborn, Gillian Bogart
2. Approval of Agenda
Sabory requested that items B and D be placed at the top of the discussion agenda. Marshall-Fricker made a motion to do so and Quesada seconded, with unanimous commission approval.
3. Approval of Minutes
Quesada motioned to approve the minutes, Tsibulskaya seconded, with unanimous commission approval.
4. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda
None made.
5. Staff Report
Julia Sabory spoke about how the budget crisis has led to city officials and department heads considering department mergers, not unlike the merging of MOCI and MOEWD just months ago. She also said that there would be a discussion about these kinds of mergers and other budget issues on Thursday, February 5th at the main library.
6. Policy Report
Referral from Bos, file no.090090, Hearing on SFUSD 10-Year Capital Plan.
The commission is in support of this hearing.
Bos 081597 Proposal to amend the Charter of the City and County of San Francisco at an election to be held on June 2, 2009, by amending section 9.113.5, to allow for additional uses of the Rainy Day Fund.
Chris Armentrout of SFUSD spoke about how use of 100% of the Rainy Day Fund this year might impact the schools in the next fiscal year.
Castaing motioned to oppose the charter amendment, seconded by Erlikh, unanimous commission approval of the motion. Tsibulskaya will draft a formal response to send to the Rules Committee Clerk.
7. New Business
A. Discussion and possible action re: Youth Commission statement of Budget Priorities for fiscal year 2009-2010. Commissioner Quesada.
Tsibulskaya made a motion for the ad-hoc executive/budget committee to be able to revise budget document with out returning the item, seconded by Marshall-Fricker with unanimous commission support.
B. Discussion and possible action re: Resolution urging the SFUSD School Board to make it a priority to address discrimination in the schools in order to create a healthy learning environment for LGBTQ students. Commissioner Castaing.
Commissioner Castaing introduced the resolution drafted and the commissioners read through the entire document together.
Public Comment
Kevin Sniecinski from Connect to protect spoke in support of the resolution. He said that Connect to Protecthas the infrastructure to help make things listed in the resolution happen with fiscal support. The Connect to Protect program has funds set aside to move forward with some of the recommendations outlined in the resolution, and he is looking forward to future collaboration.
Maxwell Wallace, student delegate of for the SFUSD spoke in support of the resolution. He said that the SFUSD is up to doing the job of making schools safe. He is committed to work with the SAC and school board to move this resolution forward.
Commissioner Castaing spoke about his reasons for writing the resolution and the impact of California State Proposition 8 (November 2008) passing and the effect it had on him. He cited his dedication to protecting the constitution as a reason for authoring the resolution.
A motion was made to suspend the rules and adopt the resolution by Castaing , seconded by Davidson. The commission voted unanimously to pass the resolution.
C. Discussion and possible action re: Letters to Human Rights Commission and Student Advisory councils for joint adoption of the Resolution urging the SFUSD School Board to make it a priority to address discrimination in the schools in order to create a healthy learning environment for LGBTQ students. Chairman Jones.
A motion was made by Marshall-Fricker to sign letters, seconded by Tsibulskaya. Commissioners were all in favor.
D. Discussion and possible action re: Resolution requesting San Francisco's Congressional and State Legislative Delegations Reform Laws governing use of Public, Education and Government Cable Access System Funds. Commissioner Quesada.
Zane Blaney, Director of San Francisco Community Television Corporation explained that their programming is being threated by the budget cuts, and that they are seeking sustainable funding for San Francisco's public access television. He said that Access SF is important for the community to have, so that they have a voice that is not muted by mainstream media. He asked commissioners to join SOS coalition and endorse the resolution drafted by Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi. Quesada said that he would support the resolution whether the full commission decided to or not.
Public Comment
Patrick Warren of CHALK and Access SF spoke about a television program, which he started 3 years ago, after acting as coordinator of youthline. He has done 90 episodes and does pieces about organizations and focuses some of his energy on getting the word out. He has seen numbers as high as 10,000 viewers an episode. The station has made great progress. He spoke about how major companies run the television networks, and this is an opportunity to for communities to actually be involved in media.
Commission Martinez asked where funds would come from, and Blaney responded, saying that federal law says cities can acquire capital grants but that they can not be use for operations. Part of the resolution is asking for that to be changed to capital needs. Federal level state law language can be changed so that capital funds can be used to support access television. Blaney said that he met with Pelosi earlier last year to try to move forward with this change to the line item.
Commissioner Quesada listed three options for support. The first to attend the hearing on Monday, February 23rd at 10am city operations and neighborhood services committee, rm 263, join the coalition, and support the resolution. Martinez said that we should be aware of the fact that many organizations will be coming to us asking for support in this budget year.
Quesada motioned to support the resolution and join the coalition and Lau seconded with unanimous support. Quesada will take the lead on writing a statement of support.
E. Discussion and possible action re: Resolution urging the Board of Supervisors to support and co-sponsor "SF Youth Unity: A Youth Environmental Summit and Green Block Party." Commissioner Erlikh.
The commissioners read through the resolution. Lau motioned to suspend the rules and pass the resolution on first reading, seconded by Marshall-Fricker, with unanimous support.
F. Discussion and possible action re: Scheduling of Commission meeting to hear the issue of African American Out-migration. Chairman Jones.
In response to request by Daniel Landry of Brother for Change, the issue of African American Out-migration will be discussed at an upcoming meeting- February 17th or March 3rd.
8. Old Business
A. Discussion and possible action re: HOMEY letter of support. Chairman Jones.
Chairman Jones said that he is in the process of rewriting the letter and that it will be addressing HOMEY, rather than the staff at Mission High.
9. Committee Report
10. Announcements (This includes Community Events)
Various community events were announced, including the "Know Justice Conference" on February 18th at the Main Library.
11. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55pm.
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