San Francisco Youth Commission
Minutes, Full Commission Meeting of Monday, October 5, 2009
5:30-7:00pm
City Hall, Room 416
There was the opportunity for public comment on each item.
1. Call to Order
Chair Quesada called the meeting to order at 5:34pm.
Commissioners present: Deng, Marshall-Fricker, Liang, J. Chan, Jones, Hirano, Escamilla, LaCroix, Davidson, Quesada, Ellington
Commissioners tardy after quorum was called: Carlson (arrived 5:58pm), A. Chan (arrived 5:53pm), Williams (arrived 5:52pm), Guerra (arrived 5:40pm)
Commissioners absent: Hernandez, Quintero
Staff Present: Julia Sabory, Mario Yedidia
2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)
Hirano moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Marshall Fricker. The agenda was approved unanimously by acclamation.
3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)
Jones moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Davidson. The minutes were approved unanimously by acclamation.
4. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda
Chair Quesada’s call for public comment yielded no response.
5. Staff Report
Julia Sabory, Youth Commission Director, explained that the YouthVote Student Survey was in the process of being conducted. YouthVote, she explained, is the data-gathering initiative of the Youth Commission: it polls public high school students in San Francisco and consists of both a mock election of the elected offices and local propositions on the upcoming November ballot, as well as a series of questions designed to gauge students’ opinions on issues related to youth across the city. The survey responses to these questions are used by policymakers and community organizations in their decision making processes.
6. New Business
Guerra moved to hear items 6B and 6G before all other new business items, because of the overwhelming public presence and requests to speak on these two items. Liang seconded this motion, and it was approved unanimously by acclamation.
B. Discussion and possible action: Resolution demanding urgent action be taken to address the concerns of the SoMA community regarding significant changes affecting access to the Gene Friend Recreation Center (See documents B and C)
Quesada and Ellington read aloud Commissioner Carlson’s resolution, which calls for the Mayor’s Office, the Board of Supervisors and the Recreation and Park Department (RPD) to address the SOMA community’s concerns vis-à-vis the changes to the Gene Friend Recreation Center.
Public Comment in support of this resolution was then offered by
Mai Doan, Youth Organizer at the South of Market Community Action Network (SOMCAN), who expressed that Gene Friend is the only covered, public space in SOMA and that, contrary to a recent article by San Francisco Chronicle columnist C.W. Nevius, there is in fact an existing largely low-income and working-class community in SOMA that is facing displacement through gentrification, of which the situation at the Rec Center is an example;
Jack De Jesus, Community Convener at SOMCAN, who explained that the Rec Center has long been a vibrant hub of community activity;
Misha Olivas, a staff member at United Playaz, expressed that she wanted to speak primarily as a parent and resident of SOMCAN, and went on to say that while she was well aware that the current municipal budget deficit meant significant cutbacks for every institution—including the Recreation and Park Department—in the final analysis, budget issues “should not be balanced on the backs of poor children”;
Rudy Corpuz, Director of United Playaz, spoke as to the “public” nature of public space like the Rec Center and expressed that RPD’s changes contravene the spirit of public space—in fact, he went on to charge, these changes represent part of a larger process of gentrifying and “ethnically cleansing” the SOMA of poor people of color;
Bobby Bogan, President of Seniors Organizing Seniors, expressed that the SOMA is perhaps one of the last neighborhoods in San Francisco that “is still a community,” where older and younger neighbors are able to spend time together in public spaces, of which the Rec Center is “the heartbeat”;
Chris Durazo, Acting Director of SOMCAN, spoke passionately and with visible emotion about how much community struggle was invested in establishing the Gene Friend Rec Center in the first place, and added that the community is a poor one where 74% of the students at the neighborhood’s only elementary and middle school, Bessie Carmichael, qualify for free lunch;
Alvin Alilano, a youth leader from SOMCAN, argued for the need to keep Gene Friend open to all and free;
Jayson Madriaga, a youth leader from SOMCAN, urged the Commission to pass the resolution;
Jazzie Collins, Resident Advocate at SOMCAN, gave a brief history of Gene Friend and called RPD’s changes “a sham.”
Public comment explaining the Recreation and Park Department’s announced changes and effectively arguing against the resolution was subsequently given by
Steven Cismowski, Recreation and Park Department Manager for Neighborhood Service Area 4, which includes the SOMA, expressed the need to present all the facts on the issue at hand, and prefaced his comments by saying that he found it ironic to be standing before the Youth Commission defending the creation of a youth space—namely, the Latchkey Program—and went on to say the following: contrary to the proposed resolution’s claims, very little documentation is required to enroll a child in the Latchkey Program and any child who qualifies for any form of public aid (including free or reduced lunch) will be provided with a scholarship to the Latchkey Program; moreover, the two senior programs currently being run out of Gene Friend will not be evicted; above all, the goal of this pilot Latchkey Program is all-inclusive youth safety; and, finally, Recreation and Park had received many letters in support of the announced changes at Gene Friend.
In turn, more public comment was given in support of Commissioner Carlson’s proposed resolution by the following speakers:
Christina Olague, who spoke in her capacity as a member of the Senior Action Network, expressed that she doubted that those who wrote letters in support of the changes had lived in the neighborhood for long, and that the low-income, working-class community of the SOMA—which was effectively invisible in C.W. Nevius’s recent column on the neighborhood’s recent gentrification—has long been ignored by city policymakers;
Mookie and Marjorie, youth members of United Playaz, expressed their desire that Gene Friend remain free;
Roli, another youth member of United Playaz, said that his family could not afford the cost of the Latchkey program;
Amelia, a youth member of United Playaz, explained that she is a middle school student at Bessie Carmichael, that she goes to the Rec Center every day after school, and that, given that she cannot afford the $300 cost of the Latchkey Program, she will have no place to go after school;
Ed Español and Leon, a volunteer and young attendee of programming at United Playaz, respectively, then spoke against the changes at the Rec Center;
Mariah Caramat, a youth member of United Playaz, expressed that she has used the Rec Center as a constructive space of social activity since she was a little girl;
Rebecca Hom, a SOMCAN youth leader, argued that if 74% of the neighborhood qualifies for free or reduced lunch, there will not be enough scholarships to the Latchkey Program to meet demand;
Jasmine Anicete and Rona de Vera, youth members of United Playaz, then spoke against any changes that would require payment to use the Rec Center facilities;
There followed a question-and-answer session between various commissioners and Mr. Cismowski at the Recreation and Park Department.
Commissioner LaCroix inquired as to how many scholarships are available for the Gene Friend Latchkey Program. Mr. Cismowski explained that the number of scholarships is not at issue—for example, the Tenderloin Latchkey Program has 100% full scholarship participation. Commissioner Deng asked if Mr. Cismowski could explain how the budgeting process works at the Department. Mr. Cismowski respectfully declined to weigh in on this complicated matter, and suggested that if the Commission wishes to inquire into this thorny issue, they should perhaps invite the Director of the Recreation and Park Department.
The final word of public comment in support of the resolution was then offered by
Jennifer, a youth leader at SOMCAN, who said her sister plays at Gene Friend every day and that both of them are against the Recreation and Park Department’s changes in access.
Commissioner Carlson moved to suspend the Youth Commission’s general procedure of not voting on a resolution at the meeting it is initially introduced. The Youth Commission’s general procedure is to wait until the “second reading” of a resolution and then vote on it. Guerra seconded this motion.
Commissioner Ellington objected, arguing that the Commission’s deliberation on the matter had thus far been exceedingly one sided. Ellington went on to say that he thought the Commission should wait to learn more about the Latchkey Program before voting on the resolution. LaCroix and Deng agreed that waiting would be best.
Commissioner Carlson then emphasized that the content of the resolution—in particular, its call for the Mayor, the Board of Supervisors and the Recreation and Park Department to meet with and address the community’s concerns regarding the changes to Gene Friend—does not hamper the Commission’s ability to learn more about the Latchkey Program.
Commissioner Carlson’s motion to vote on the resolution (and Guerra’s second) still being on the table, then, there was a roll call vote, which passed by the following 12 to 3 vote: Ayes: Marshall-Fricker, Liang, Jones, Carlson, A. Chan, Hirano, Escamilla, Williams, Guerra, LaCroix, Davidson, Quesada; Nays: Deng; J. Chan, Ellington.
The Commission thereby being ready to vote on the proposed resolution, Commissioner Ellington then called for the resolution to be amended by adding a “whereas” clause that acknowledge the fact that 74% of the students at Bessie Carmichael qualify for free or reduced lunch. Jones then suggested that the resolution be further amended by adding a “resolved” clause that calls for the Recreation and Park Department to hold a public meeting in the SOMA on the announced access changes to Gene Friend.
Carlson moved to amend the resolution as per Ellington and Jones’ suggestions, seconded by Davidson. The amendments were approved unanimously by acclamation.
Carlson then moved to support amended resolution, seconded by Guerra. This motion to approve the resolution passed unanimously by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Deng, Marshall-Fricker, Liang, J. Chan, Jones, Carlson, A. Chan, Hirano, Escamilla, Williams, Guerra, LaCroix, Davidson, Quesada, Ellington.
G. Discussion and possible action: Disaster relief for Samoa after the Earthquake and Tsunamis (See document I)
Kimo Faataui, a student member of the Samoan community of Thurgood Marshall Academic High School (TMAHS), read the entirety of the letter included in the meeting’s agenda packets, which calls for the people of San Francisco to help the Samoan community of TMAHS send relief items in the form of clothes, food and money to Samoa in the wake of the tsunamis and earthquakes that shook the archipelago two weeks ago.
Century Faatui, a staff member at TMAHS very involved in the Samoan community there, explained that any relief whatsoever would be much appreciated.
Chinky Pha, also a student at TMAHS, also asked for the Commission to help the disaster relief effort, and he rapped a bit too;
Ramona Asuega and Kapono also spoke in support of the relief effort.
The Commissioners and Commission Director Julia Sabory then offered $135 to the TMAHS relief effort.
Subsequently, Commissioner Carlson moved to support the relief effort, seconded by Guerra. The Commission approved this resolution unanimously by acclamation.
A. Discussion and possible action: BOS referral 090931 [Ordinance on the Rental Subsidy Program for Low-Income Families] (See document A)
Commission staff member Mario Yedidia explained the broad outlines of this proposed ordinance: it seeks to continue (up to 5 years) a rental subsidy program that the City currently runs through the Human Services Agency, whereby about 190 low-income families get up to $500 month of their rent paid (by General Fund dollars), in exchange for working very closely with a caseworker to develop a plan to increase their income within a year (at present, the program lasts, at most, two years).
Public comment in support of the proposed ordinance was then offered by the following individuals:
Matthias Mormino, an organizer at the SRO Families Collaborative, argued that while the proposed ordinance is technical, it is, seen in a certain light, rather simple: the program is wonderful, it helps people not become homeless; fundamentally, what the proposed ordinance would do is (1) extend the program up to 5 years for each participating family and (2) ensure that families receiving the subsidy are part of the oversight system at the Human Services Agency;
Jesus Perez spoke in support of the proposed ordinance;
Chris Durazo, acting director of SOMCAN, spoke of the importance of keeping families out of shelters and off the streets—which is precisely what this proposed ordinance seeks to ensure.
Commissioner Carlson moved to send the proposed ordinance to the Commission’s Land Use committee, seconded by Ellington. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
C. Discussion and possible action: Resolution in Support of School-Based Programming (See document D)
Julia Sabory explained that the Commission staff had recently drafted a memo concerning DCYF’s funding priorities and the results of the fall 2008 YouthVote Student Survey, which demonstrated that most students in SFUSD high schools want after-school programming at their school sites (as opposed to in their neighborhoods). This memo had served as the basis of the memo drafted by Commissioner Hirano.
The Commissioners then read the memo out loud into the public record, clause by clause.
D. Letter to Governor of the State of Michigan Re: Release of Efren Paredes, Jr. (See document s E and F)
Commissioner Carlson read the letter he drafted calling for the release on bail of Efren Paredes, Jr., a former high school honors student who was convicted as a minor of murder and armed robbery and sentenced life in prison without the possibility of parole and has already served 20 years.
Marshall-Fricker called for more background on the matter and asked what the genesis of Commissioner Carlson’s letter was—indeed, how this issue relates at all to the work of the Commission.
Julia Sabory then explained that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child—which the Commission supported by way of a resolution last year—seemed particularly contravened by the harsh sentencing of Mr. Paredes as an adult; this, then, is the relationship between Mr. Paredes’ case and the work of the Commission, Ms. Sabory explained.
Commissioner Carlson then moved to support the letter he drafted, seconded by Escamilla. The motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
E. Discussion and possible action: Letter to Los Angeles Court Re: Granting of Bail to Alex Sanchez (See document G and H)
Commissioner Carlson explained the case of Alex Sanchez: a street intervention worker and former gang member who has been indicted for conspiracy—prosecutors allege he remains a gang member—and is being held without bail.
Ms. Sabory then explained that Sanchez’s indictment makes things perilous for other street intervention workers—like Rudy Corpuz and Sean Richards, in San Francisco—and that the letter Commissioner Carlson drafted is significant and important because standing up for Alex Sanchez is, in effect, an act that also shows support for other street intervention workers.
Commissioner Ellington then moved to support the letter, seconded by Carlson. The motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
7. Old Business
A. Discussion and possible action: 2nd reading: Resolution of Commendation of Hidden Villa Summer Camp (See document J)
Without any discussion at all, Commissioner Jones moved to support this resolution, seconded by Ellington. This resolution of commendation was finally passed unanimously by acclamation.
8. Policy Update
Mario Yedidia mentioned that Supervisor Campos’ proposed ordinance 091032 [Confidentiality of juveniles’ immigration status] successfully moved out of the Board of Supervisors Public Safety Committee earlier that day. It will probably go on to a full vote at the end of the month of October.
9. Announcements
There were none.
10. Adjournment
Chair Quesada adjourned the meeting at 8:22pm.
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