San Francisco Youth Commission
Minutes
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
5:15-8:00pm
City Hall, Room 400
1. Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl.
San Francisco, CA 94102

There will be public comment on each item.

Jillian Wu, Lily Marshall-Fricker, Rosa Chen, Emily Guo, Luis Avalos Nuñez, Precious Listana, Joyce Wu, Noah David, Alex Berliner, E’mani Davis, Joshua Cardenas, Michel Li, Anna Bernick, Sophie Edelhart, David Zheng

1. Call to Order and Roll Call for Attendance

The meeting was called to order at 5:16 pm. Commissioners absent: Zheng, Cardenas, Edelhart. All other commissioners were present. Staff present: Allen Lu.

Chair Li informed commissioners that Commissioner Cardenas and Commissioner Zheng were seeking an absence authorization. Commissioner David, seconded by Commissioner Joyce Wu, moved to approve Commissioner Cardenas’ absence. Commissioner Chen, seconded by Commissioner Bernick, moved to approve Commissioner Zheng’s absence.

There was no public comment. Both motions were approved by acclamation.

Commissioner Edelhart and Director Failes-Carpenter noted present at 5:34 pm.

2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)

Commissioner Joyce Wu, seconded by Commissioner Jillian Wu, moved to approve the agenda. There was no public comment. The motion was approved by acclamation.

3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)

A. February 2, 2015
(Document A)

Commissioner Bernick, seconded by Commissioner Berliner, moved to approve the draft minutes. There was no public comment. The motion was approved by acclamation.

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

There was none.

5. Legislation Referred the Board of Supervisors (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

There was none.

7. Youth Commission Business (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

B. [First Reading] Motion 1415-AL-07—Youth Commission supports students standing up for respect and justice and urges the Board of Supervisors and Mayor to condemn newly issued morality clauses and their effects on students and educators
Sponsor: Commissioner Precious Listana
Presenters: Mairead Ahlbach, Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep Student
(Document F)

The chair called item 7B out of order.

Gino Gresh, a student activist, introduced himself and explained the background on the morality clauses: The Archbishop of the San Francisco Archdiocese introduced new proposed morality clauses for the 2015-16 handbooks and teacher contracts. These would affect 500 faculty and 3500 students at four high schools, including Sacred Heart Cathedral and Riordan. The clauses specify that teachers are ‘ministers’ and express strong hate language. The new clauses state that homosexual relations are evil, are unnatural to law and people are not allowed to seek out abortions. The reaction at schools has been of shock. For this to be legally binding, people are shocked. The Archbishop feels secular society is creeping into the Catholic mission. Students and teachers are standing in solidarity against Archbishop.

Gino continued: For teachers, they mainly will not be safe under work life. The archbishop specified that teachers can’t be on board of planned parenthood, can’t choose their partner of choice, can’t teach sexual education, and can’t create a safe space for LGBT students. The schools will be losing their best teachers! While the Archbishop feels it won’t have impact on students, students will feel that schools are not safe havens, and that we can’t seek out adult help.

Gino then shared national statistics on LBTQ suicides. He explained that students feel the Archbishop is doing this against the guidance of Pope Francis and against the regional community.

Commissioner Berliner expressed support for the student organizing and shared her own experience with being bullied and asked a clarifying question.

Gino explained that students have begun a social media movement #teachacceptance and had a prayer vigil and met with the Archbishop. Students stood in silence. Another vigil is planned for tomorrow at 5:30pm at sacred heart cathedral.

Berliner: How many teachers are in support of Archbishop?
There are no teachers in full support of contract of Archbishop. Some might be against aspects of it, but all are standing in solidarity.

Commissioner Avalos explained that he grew up Catholic and that the Archbishop is acting in accordance with existing Catholic doctrines.

Commissioner Davis asked if teachers would be ordained.

Gino explained that it would be a title, not an ordination.

Commissioner Joyce Wu asked if other Catholic schools will be affected.

Commissioner Listana explained that right now it is being implemented in the four high schools and would be expanded the following year.

Commissioner Avalos stated that this is an internal issue for the Church and falls into the argument regarding the separations of Church and State. He recommended asking the Board of Supervisors to reach out to the Pope to inform him of the situation so that it can be dealt with internally.

Commissioner Listana explained that the Youth Commission would not be advising the Catholic Church, but rather can express support for the students who are standing up about the environment at their schools and who are asking for an inclusive and loving community.

Commissioner Avalos expressed objection to the wording in the motion regarding “condemning” the clauses and suggested advising that the City reach out to the Pope.

Commissioner Joyce Wu seconded the motion as written by Commissioner Listana.

Commissioner Bernick expressed support for reaching out to the Pope.

Commissioner Avalos motioned to amend the original motion to recommend that the BOS reach out to the Pope. Commissioner Bernick seconded.

Director Carpenter clarified whether Commissioner Avalos was moving a substitute motion. He clarified it was an amendment, not a substitute.

There was no public comment.

Commissioner Avalos’ motion to amend failed by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Avalos, Li; No’s: Jillian Wu, Marshall-Fricker, Chen, Guo, Listana, Joyce Wu, David, Berliner, Davis, Bernick, Edelhart


Commissioner Listana clarified that she would like to motion to suspend the bylaws and adopt upon first reading to express support for the urgent situation of the students. Commissioner Edelhart seconded. The motion was approved by acclamation.

The basic motion moved by Commissioner Listana was approved by the following roll call vote: No’s: Avalos; Aye’s: Jillian Wu, Marshall-Fricker, Chen, Guo, Listana, Joyce Wu, David, Berliner, Davis, Bernick, Edelhart, Li

6. Presentations (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

A. Presentation on Shape Up SF Open Truth Campaign
Presenter: Marianne Szeto, Shape Up San Francisco Program
(Documents B and C)

The chair then resumed the normal order of the agenda. Ms. Szeto introduced SugarScience.org. The full YC previously supported ChooseHealthyDrinks campaign. The Open Truth campaign received funding from MEDA, and now is in phase two of the campaign. This phase is exploring how the issue affects our environment and surroundings, not just behavior. The campaign has ads up in the Bayview.

The goals of the campaign are three-fold. Tell the truth, expose targeting (marketing, money, and misinformation), and take action. There is state legislation being introduced on the use of warning labels on beverages.

Youth commissioners can help by sharing the website and information, following on facebook and instagram.

Commissioner Berliner asked clarifying questions. Commissioner Listana suggested putting up ads in other neighborhoods. Commissioner Davis recommended using video PSA’s and endorsing healthy beverages. Commissioner Avalos asked clarifying questions. Commissioner Berliner recommended doing a middle school art contest for the campaign. Commissioner Joyce Wu recommended putting posters up at school.

Ms. Szeto closed by asking commissioners to support on social media and consider supporting SB203 warning label legislation.

There was no public comment.

7. Youth Commission Business (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

A. [First Reading] Motion 1415-AL-06—Urging the Board of Supervisors to hold a hearing on the impacts of the anti-abortion messages displayed on City-managed lamp posts and the City’s Efforts to Educate Youth about their reproductive rights and health
Sponsor: Commissioner Emily Guo
(Document E)

The chair called item 7A out of order. Commissioner Guo read the motion into the public record. She explained that several members of the public had written her via email to express support for the motion and outrage about the banners.

The chair called for public comment.

Ellen Schaffer from Trust Women Silver Ribbon expressed support for the motion and explained the harm done by the banners.

Chelsea Nalbert from NARAL expressed support and explained that while it is important to support free speech, there is no merit to spreading medical inaccuracies on public property.

Sheryl Traverse explained the negative impact the banners had on her upon seeing them and expressed support for the motion.

Marsi, a medical student, expressed support for the motion as a future clinician.

Joe Brenner, expressed support for the motion and the importance of a reproductive justice framework that allows women to choose when to have or not have children, and to parent the children they do have in positive circumstances with necessary resources.

Pat McGinnis expressed support for the motion and explained some of the history of the abortion rights movement and the negative effects of illegal abortions before 1973.

Commissioner Berliner expressed support for the motion. Commissioner Avalos asked if there are mental health effects for women who have abortions.

Ellen Schaffer explained the research refuting the idea that there are negative mental health outcomes for women who have abortions.

Commissioner Listana asked a clarifying question about why the banners were not taken down if the Board unanimously passed a resolution. Staff clarified that a resolution is a statement of intent, but it would take an ordinance to change the public works code.

Commissioner Guo clarified that the motion before the commission was not to propose a new ordinance but to have a hearing highlighting the effects of the banners. She asked commissioners to consider allowing an adoption upon first reading so that it might be possible to schedule a hearing in March before budget season.

Commissioner Joyce Wu, seconded by Commissioner Listana, moved to suspend the bylaws to allow adoption upon first reading.

Commissioner Guo, seconded by Commissioner Bernick moved to support the basic motion.

There was no public comment.

The motion to suspend the bylaws was passed by acclamation. The original motion was passed by acclamation.


C. [First Reading] Resolution 1415-AL-08—Promoting family unity for youth with incarcerated parents and urging the lowering of the visiting age in San Francisco county jails to age 16 Sponsors: Youth Justice committee
(Document G)

Commissioner Jillian Wu read the resolution into the public record. Commissioner Edelhart explained that Project WHAT would be giving feedback on the motion before a second reading. Commissioner Li suggested citing Project WHAT’s research in the resolution. There was no public comment.

6. Presentations (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

B. Presentation and request for approval of the 2015-16 YC application (Document D)

The chair returned to item 6B. Commissioner asked clarifying questions. Commissioner Avalos, seconded by Commissioner Bernick, moved to approve the application. There was no public comment. The motion was approved by acclamation.

8. Committee Reports (Discussion Only)

A. Executive Committee

Commissioner Edelhart explained that the EC suggested 14 Black Poppies #WhereDoYouBelong should work with the Immigration and Employment committee

B. Housing, Environment, and City Services Committee

Commissioner Chen explained the committee was preparing for the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights hearing.

C. Immigration and Employment Committee

Commissioner Joyce Wu explained the committee met with tech company liaisons to work on planning the townhall.

D. Youth Justice Committee

Commissioner Berliner gave youth justice committee updates including meeting with SFPD, JPD, and SFUSD

E. Youth Advisory Council

Commissioners Wu and Marshall-Fricker shared updates from the YAC.

9. Staff Report (Discussion Only)

Director Failes-Carpenter clarified that the purpose of having two readings is to allow commissioners time to reach out to their appointing officials before taking votes and asked commissioners to please inform fellow commissioners ahead of time if adoption on first reading is to be requested. She updated commissioners that a new temporary hire was expected to happen soon and invited youth commissioners to the upcoming Vote16 meeting on Friday. She congratulated Commissioner Jillian Wu on being accepted to the National League of Cities Youth, Education, and Families Council.

Mr. Lu gave programmatic updates and congratulated Commissioner Listana on the great turnout to the District 6 Youth Forum.

10. Announcements (This Includes Community Events)

Commissioners Berliner, Guo, and Davis invited other commissioners to community events.

11. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:31 pm.