San Francisco Youth Commission
Youth Justice Committee
Minutes
Tuesday, July 15th, 2014
5:00-7:00pm
City Hall, Room 345
1. Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl.
San Francisco, CA 94102

There will be public comment on each item.

Members: Sophie Edelhart-Chair, Ramon Gomez, Joshua Cardenas, Denesia Webb; Part-time member: Monica Flores

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 5:11 p.m. Commissioners present: Gomez, Cardenas, and Webb. Commissioners absent: Edelhart, Flores. There was quorum.

 

2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)

Commissioner Webb, seconded by Commissioner Cardenas, made a motion to approve the agenda. The motion was approved by acclamation.

 

 

3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)

A. April 15th, 2014
(Document A)

Commissioner Webb, seconded by Commissioner Cardenas made a motion to approve the minutes of April 15th, 2014. The motion was approved by acclamation.

 

 

4. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda (Discussion Only)

There were none.

 

 

 

5. Business (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

A. Debrief CIP hearing of June 19th, 2014 and review next steps with Project WHAT youth working group

Commissioner Gomez led his peers in a debrief session of the CIP hearing held on June 19th. Overall, commissioners felt happy with the turnout of youth, community members, and supporters. The rally and press conference before the hearing garnered a lot of attention and support, and commissioners felt good about the morning events. Commissioners appreciated that most all of the city departments invited confirmed attendance and prepared presentations for the board members. However, commissioners were disappointed that the hearing was scheduled as the last item, and that it had to be cut short. Commissioners didn’t like that the youth that they worked hard to turn out were not all able to speak in public comment. In the end, only a few groups went up to share their public comment as there was no time for each to individually share their public comment. However, during the debrief session after the hearing was over, all youth who were present expressed that they were happy they are raising awareness and making their presence as children with incarcerated parents known. Overall, commissioners were happy and will work to continue working on concrete recommendations to support children with incarcerated parents in San Francisco.

Commissioners Webb and Gomez will be able to attend the debrief meeting with Project WHAT youth and staff on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014.

There was no public comment.

B. Review next steps for follow up with additional SFPD priorities

Commissioner Gomez led his peers in a discussion of the SFPD priorities. Commissioner Gomez recommended that next year’s committee focus on hosting regular check in meetings with SFPD and Chief Suhr. Commissioners could bring back regular youth monthly meetings with the Chief, and invite other youth groups to join. Commissioner Cardenas had clarifying questions. Commissioners agreed to recommend that next year’s committee work on an open youth forum for youth to be engaged with SFPD, participate in regular meetings with the Chief, and make their issues known so that all can work to improve relations with police and youth.

C. Work on issue briefing document

Commissioners worked on an issue briefing document for future committee members.

 

 

 

6. Staff Report

Ms. Truong spoke at length of the committee’s successes and wins this year. She thanked committee members for their hard work and their commitment to advocating for youth in the criminal justice system, and improving relations between youth and police. She thanked them for their advocacy efforts and for working countless weekends and evenings to prepare for meetings, community forums, hearings, and work sessions. Ms. Truong also shared that her last day at the Youth Commission office will be July 25th, 2014. She encouraged each to keep in touch with her via email. Commissioners had clarifying questions. There was no public comment.

 

 

7. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:11 p.m.