San Francisco Youth Commission
Minutes
Monday, March 5, 2012
5:15-8:00pm
City Hall, Room 416

There will be public comment on each item.

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

Vice Chair Happy (Huimin) Yang called the meeting to order at 5:19 pm.

Commissioners present: Sarah Armstrong, Robin Bonner, Rachel Brodwin, Betty Huey, Antonia Huneeus, Javonte Holloway, Leah LaCroix, Hillary Liang, Lily Marshall-Fricker, Mia Tu Mutch, Rene Ontiveros, Nicholas Persky, Mia Shackelford, and Happy (Huimin) Yang. Commissioners absent: Jonathan Baer, Angel Carrion, and Joyce Sun. There was quorum. Staff present: Mario Yedidia, Phimy Truong.

2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)

There was no public comment or discussion on this item.

Commissioner Shackelford, seconded by Commissioner Holloway, moved to approve the agenda. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.

3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)

A. Tuesday, February 21, 2012
(Document A)

There was no public comment or discussion on this item.

Commissioner Ontiveros, seconded by Commissioner Persky, moved to approve the minutes to the full Youth Commission meeting of February 21, 2012. This motion was approved unanimously.

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

There was none.

5. Legislation Referred from the Board of Supervisors (Discussion and Possible Action)

There was none.

6. Legislative Report on Youth Commission Items Sent to the Mayor and Board of Supervisors (Discussion Only)

Director of the Youth Commission, Mario Yedidia introduced this item as a new standing agenda item brought to the Youth Commission by Vice Chair Yang, who felt it was important for commissioners to get an update on all Youth Commission legislation work. Mr. Yedidia started with resolution 1112-05 Urging the Mayor and the Board to Commend President Obama’s Summer Jobs+ Plan, which was adopted by the Youth Commission on January 9, 2012. This resolution was carried by the Board of Supervisors, by Supervisor Sean Elsbernd. Supervisor Elsbernd introduced the resolution to the Board on January 24, 2012; the Board then adopted it as a full body on January 31, 2012. Mr. Yedidia then updated the commission on resolution 1112-03 Making Transitional Age Youth a Priority Population, which the Youth Commission also adopted on January 9, 2012. The Mayor’s Office has moved forward and created two full time positions within the Department of Children, Youth, and their Families (DCYF) to take on TAY work. There will now be two full time city staff carrying on the work of TAY with the support of the Mayor’s Office and DCYF.

Commissioner Bonner asked if there was any way the commission could be involved in DCYF’s hiring process for the two new TAY staff. Mr. Yedidia stated that hiring decisions stay within city departments and a way for the Commission to stay involve is to welcome and invite the new TAY staff to the Youth Commission when they are hired.

Finally, Mr. Yedidia updated the commission on resolution 1112-01 Free Youth Transportation, which was the first resolution the commission adopted on September 19, 2011. The Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA) Board will have its first public consideration of its budget for next year at their meeting on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. The free MUNI for youth coalition, a group of community based organizations, youth, and their families who are in support of making MUNI free for youth in San Francisco, will be meeting on the Polk st. steps of City Hall on Tuesday at 4:00p.m, and then walk upstairs to the meeting to give public comment at 4:30 pm. There will also be a meeting on Friday, March 9, 2012 at 2 pm with MTA Director Jerry Lee and the coalition. If any youth commissioner is available to attend this meeting, please inform staff.

7. Presentations (Discussion Only)

A. Overview of Recreation and Parks Department and Bonds
Presenter: Phil Ginsburg, General Manager, Recreation and Parks Department
(Documents B, C)

Mr. Phil Ginsburg, General Manager of the Recreation and Parks Department, started his presentation by thanking the Youth Commission for the time and stating that he was very happy to be there. He then gave an overview of the department, an update on the 2008 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond implementation, and how the department is engaging youth and the community in the 2012 bond planning process. The RPD currently oversees 220 parks around the city and needs about $1.5 billion to invest in the parks system to get it where it should be. Input for the 2008 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond was a very community driven process where lots of community based organizations (CBOs), members of the public, youth, work with the San Francisco Parks Alliance (SFPA), and various stakeholders were involved. This 2008 bond was approved by 71.6% of San Francisco voters and has resulted in $185 million in capital improvements city wide. Currently, all projects through the 2008 bond are at the moment, on or under budget. Mr. Ginsburg then went through and gave a brief update on improvements that has been made through the 2008 bond, at parks in each of the supervisorial districts in San Francisco. Mr. Ginsburg also invited the Youth Commission to attend the grand opening of Dolores Park on March 31, 2012. He will be forwarding the information to this event to Director of the Youth Commission, Mario Yedidia.

Mr. Ginsburg then gave a detailed explanation of the criteria and planning process for the 2012 bond planning. The 2012 bond planning is currently under way, with discussions on what type of work will be included in this next bond and how to spend the bond dollars should it be approved by the voters in November 2012. Potential citywide programs include work around playground safety, clean and open restrooms, water conservation, soil and habitat restoration, athletic fields, improvements to trails and landscape, urban forestry, community gardens and continue smaller community nominated projects and leveraging matching funds for larger projects through the Community Opportunity Fund. Mr. Ginsburg invited the Youth Commission to be a part of the planning process and provide youth input, feedback, and ask important questions related to the parks in their respective neighborhoods.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the presentation.

Mr. Ginsburg explained that other ways commissioners can help would be to think about passing a resolution that supports putting the 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks bond on the November 2012 ballot. Commissioners can also speak in public comment at upcoming budget meetings and reiterate the importance of investing in the Recreation and Parks department. In response to Commissioner Tu Mutch’s question regarding gender neutral bathrooms, Mr. Ginsburg explained that there are gender neutral bathrooms, however not available at all parks. In total, there are about forty clubhouses, twenty seven parks, and nine pools in the city. Commissioner Ontiveros spoke about his personal experiences with some of his neighborhood parks, in particular, the lack of access to athletic equipment at certain hours. Mr. Ginsburg explained that a majority of funds are put into capital and operations, and while the city has been doing pretty well in capital improvements of the parks system, but he is still frustrated by the lack of invest on the operations side of parks. As the department is responsible for the majority of parks land in the city, the goal during this bond planning process is to continue to get the city and the community to understand the importance of investing in our parks. All of the recreation centers have community recreation councils which has a lot of youth input; the Youth Commission is encouraged to take a direct interest in their neighborhood community recreation council to continue to provide their input. Mr. Ginsburg also asked commissioners to follow the department at its various social media handlers, including SF Rec and Park on Facebook, twitter, and SF Rec and Park TV. The department has been working hard on marketing and outreach, but would really appreciate if the commission can help find youth conveners to help push out Rec and Park program information out to everyone in the community. Mr. Ginsburg thanked the commission for their time and to email any additional comment to rpd.bondfeedback@sfgov.org.

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

A. [Second Reading] Resolution 1112—06—Urging Access to the Juvenile Justice Center’s Outdoor Recreation Areas (Discussion and Possible Action) (Document D)
Sponsors and Presenters: Commissioners Ontiveros, Carrion, Holloway

Commissioner Ontiveros, Chair of the Youth Justice Committee, introduced this item by acknowledging the work of his committee members on this resolution. The committee’s work on this resolution has been recognized in the New York Times in an article on Sunday, February 26, 2012. Commissioner Ontiveros stated that the media attention on their resolution has helped increased the awareness of how important their work on this issue really is.

Commissioner Holloway, a member of the Youth Justice Committee, then read the resolution into the public record.

Public Comment

Nakia – Ms. Nakia asked how the commissioners would make sure that the Juvenile Probation Department will actually allow youth detainees access to the basketball courts and outdoor recreation areas.

Commissioner Ontiveros responded that the committee has been working hard with this resolution to ensure that there will be follow up meetings to make sure that incarcerated youth have access to the large outdoor recreation areas. The committee is also going to try to partner with the Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) –a body which oversees and monitors the activities of the Juvenile Probation Department (JPD), and work on planning for both the committee and the commission to be a part of regular inspection of the JPD.

Commissioners asked general and clarifying questions.

Commissioner Ontiveros explained that the resolution is urging the Board and the Mayor to urge the JPD to assure that all youth detainees have access to the large outdoor recreation area and provide resources so that the committee can understand how the department has been complying with Title 15. He also pointed out to his peers that Chief William J. Siffermann has provided a few edits to the resolution, including a change on page 4, line 1, from “to develop a set of best practices” to “to research”. Staff Yedidia explained to commissioners that this resolution is different from others that this body has seen, in that the committee’s work on this issue included communication and work with other departments. Commissioners then had a serious discussion on the importance of urging JPD to develop a set of best practices in juvenile detention based exercise curriculum.

Commissioner Ontiveros, seconded by Commissioner Tu Mutch, moved to amend the resolution by adding the following “RESOLVED clause between lines 4 and 4 on Page 5: “That the Youth Commission urges the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors to compel JPD to develop and implement a set of best practices in juvenile detention-based exercise curriculum;” and the following “RESOLVED clause between lines 9 and 10 on page 5: “That the Youth Commission urges the Mayor and BOS to ensure that JPD follows through on its aforementioned commitments.” This motion was approved by the following roll call vote: Ayes (14) – Armstrong, Bonner, Brodwin, Huey, Huneeus, Holloway, LaCroix, Liang, Marshall-Fricker, Tu Mutch, Ontiveros, Persky, Shackelford, Yang.

Commissioner Holloway, seconded by Commissioner Ontiveros, moved to approve the resolution as amended. This motion was approved by the following roll call vote:
Ayes (14) - Armstrong, Bonner, Brodwin, Huey, Huneeus, Holloway, LaCroix, Liang, Marshall-Fricker, Tu Mutch, Ontiveros, Persky, Shackelford, Yang.

B. [Second Reading] Resolution 1112—07—Urging the Mayor and the Board to Prioritize Youth Employment During Business Negotiations (Discussion and Possible Action) (Document E)
Sponsors and Presenters: Commissioners Armstrong, Persky, Shackelford

After this item was read by the clerk, Chairwoman LaCroix invited the Commissioners on the Youth Employment Committee to direct this item. After a brief introduction by Commissioner Armstrong, she, followed by Commissioners Persky and Shackelford read the resolution into the public record.

Commissioner Armstrong noted that she will remove the unneeded quotation mark on page 3, line 14.

Commissioner Holloway suggested that the resolution might be more powerful by revising the final resolved clause to include a particular number/amount of employment opportunities that the Youth Commission wants Youth Involvement Plans to include.
Shackelford, Armstrong and Persky responded by acknowledging the logic behind Commissioner Holloway’s suggestion, but pushing back that it was not particularly useful to specify a dollar amount or number of jobs that should be created.

Commissioner Bonner suggested that it might be useful for the resolution to include making mention of teaching youth basic financial literacy skills, because, in her experience, knowing how to manage one’s money is often the most important thing for young people to learn (as opposed to just working). Commissioners Shackelford and Armstrong pushed back on this by underscoring that the point of this resolution is to increase the number of job opportunities in the private sector. Financial literacy is important they acknowledged, but increasing financial literacy among young people is not the purpose of this resolution. Commissioner Ontiveros commented on the high quality of life that many private sector companies provide for their employees (he mentioned that his brother had worked at You Tube, etc.). Commissioner Ontiveros underscored the importance of having high quality jobs—and he said he wanted to include quality standards in an amendment.

Commissioner Armstrong acknowledged Commissioner Ontiveros’ point, and said that it was likely best saved for another resolution or project—perhaps the local implementation of Summer Jobs +.

Commissioner Bonner pointed out that financial literacy is an important, foundational skill—and that the benefits of youth employment mentioned in lines on lines 1-3 of page 2 only result from financial literacy.

Chairwoman LaCroix stepped in and told Commissioner Ontiveros and Bonner to fall back; the full Commission is not the place to make these amendments, unless there was a motion. LaCroix pointed out that this was the second reading of this resolution, and these detailed suggestions should have been made at the committee meetings. She informed her peers that she would like to move forward and have the commission vote on this resolution.

Commissioner Ontiveros, seconded by Commission Bonner motioned to amend the resolution by adding the following “RESOLVE clause : The Youth Commission urges the Board of Supervisors to also encourage employers to embrace quality service standards in youth employment, included but not limited to teaching financial literacy skills to employees. This motion failed by the following roll call vote: Ayes (7) – Bonner, Brodwin, Huneeus, Holloway, Liang, Ontiveros, Yang. No’s (7) – Armstrong, Huey, LaCroix, Marshall-Fricker, Tu Mutch, Persky, Shackelford.

Commissioner Tu Mutch, seconded by Commissioner Marshall-Fricker, moved to adopt the resolution as currently written. This motion was approved unanimously by the following roll call vote: Ayes (14) – Armstrong, Bonner, Brodwin, Huey, Huneeus, Holloway, LaCroix, Liang, Marshall-Fricker, Tu Mutch, Ontiveros, Persky, Shackelford, Yang.

C. [Second Reading] Resolution 1112—08—Urging the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the Mayor to Oppose California Governor Jerry Brown’s Proposed 2012-2013 Budget Proposal Which Would Raise the Bar for Cal Grant Financial Aid (Discussion and Possible Action) (Document F)
Sponsor and Presenter: Commissioner Sun

Chair LaCroix announced that this item would be tabled as the author of the resolution, Commissioner Sun, was not present at the meeting.

D. [Second Reading] Resolution 1112-09—Urging the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor to Support the Middle Class Scholarship Act Proposed by Speaker John A. Perez of the California State Assembly (Discussion and Possible Action) (Document G)
Sponsor and Presenter: Commissioner Sun

Chair LaCroix announced that this item would be tabled as the author of the resolution, Commissioner Sun, was not present at the meeting.

E. 1112—M3—Sponsoring the Youth of the Year Award (Discussion and Possible Action) (Document H)
Sponsors and Presenters: Commissioners LaCroix, Yang, Brodwin, Tu Mutch, Bonner

This item was tabled.

9. Staff Report (Discussion Only)

Yedidia welcomed Antonia Huneeus to the commission as the newest Youth Commissioner. Huneeus was recently appointed by Mayor Edwin Lee. Commissioners welcomed her to the Youth Commission. Yedidia then reminded everyone that the Youth Commission and Police Commission would be having a joint hearing on Wednesday night, March 7, 2012 at 6:00pm. The following commissioners committed to attend the hearing: Armstrong, Bonner, Brodwin (who can be there for an hour from 6-7pm), Shackelford, Marshall-Fricker (can go for a part of the hearing), Persky, Yang, LaCroix, and Huneeus. Yedidia informed these commissioners that he would be providing a prep packet to each commissioner, and that there would be a meeting before the hearing at 5:00 p.m. at the YC office. He also informed commissioners that the MTA Board will have their first public discussion of their budget on March 6, 2012 and the free MUNI for youth coalition will be rallying at 4pm on the steps of City Hall. He invited commissioners to participate and speak during public comment. The following commissioners committed to attending the rally: Armstrong, Persky, LaCroix, Liang, Holloway (maybe), and Tu Mutch (maybe). He also reminded commissioners of the following important events and dates: Youth Advocacy Day will take place on March 15, 2012; Commissioner Ontiveros added that there will be a Youth Advocacy Day training meeting on March 12, 2012; Yedidia continued to remind commissioners of the following dates: the Youth Commission budget priorities deadline is on March 23, 2012; and the 2012-2013 Youth Commission application deadline is on Friday, April 13, 2012.

10. Committee Reports (Discussion Only)

A. Executive Committee; next meeting: Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 4:00pm-6:00pm, City Hall, room 345A

Vice Chairwoman Yang reminded commissioners of the budget priorities deadline and spoke about how important it was for the commission to present their priorities at the upcoming youth budget town hall. Yang also mentioned the committee’s preparation for the upcoming budget town hall and invited commissioners interested in helping out with the planning to attend the next meeting on Wednesday, March 14, as the budget town hall is now a standing item on the committee agenda. Commissioner Brodwin asked commissioners to look over the Youth of the Year Award motion t hat was tabled today, and come back to the next full meeting with feedback. Commissioner Bonner asked her peers to reach out to the Executive Committee with any questions or concerns. Commissioner Tu Mutch reminded everyone to turn in the Media and Public Relations Contribution Plan.

B. Youth Justice Committee; next meeting: Joint Hearing with Police Commission, Wednesday, March 7, 2012 6:00-8:00pm, City Hall, room 250

Commissioner Ontiveros invited his peers to attend the joint hearing on March 7, 2012. He also shared that on March 16, 2012 a group of students from USC will be visiting the Youth Commission office to meet with him to discuss youth justice issues. He encouraged his commissioners to get in touch with him if they were interested in attending.

C. Youth Immigration Committee; next meeting: Friday, March 9, 2012, 4:30-7:00pm, City Hall, room 345

Commissioner Yang updated her peers by sharing that her committee is working on how to continue the immigrant youth summit annual, increase legal clinic access to immigrant youth and families, employment and internship opportunities for undocumented youth, and researching immigrant youth task forces.

D. Youth City Services Committee (Housing, Transportation and Recreation); next meeting: Monday, March 12, 4:30-6:30pm, City Hall, room 345

Commissioner LaCroix and staff Yedidia shared with commissioners that there will no longer be a hearing on housing and homelessness on March 12, 2012. The committee will be working in committee first. The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 21, 2012. Commissioner Tu Mutch shared that there has been movement on her work with the 12N video project group. She recently led a successful youth focus group and hopes to have the finished product of a training video on LGBTQ sensitivity released this summer.

E. Youth Employment Committee; next meeting: Tuesday, March 20, 2012, 4:30pm City Hall, room 345

Commissioner Armstrong updated her peers on the committee’s work including conversations and meetings with different CBOs and youth employment service providers and hearing some buzz around a local Summer Jobs+ plan. She invited all commissioners to attend future youth employment committees and share thoughts and feedback during committee meetings when the bulk of the work is done.

F. Student Support, Health and Facilities Committee; next meeting: Monday, March 12, 2012 4:00-5:30pm, 555 Franklin St., 3rd Floor

Commissioner Bonner updated everyone that this committee has been working on their budget priorities and have been working on a research project to be finished by May.

G. Youth Advisory Council

Commissioners Shackelford and Persky shared that the Youth Advisory Council will be meeting this Thursday, March 8, 2012. The council’s main work has been planning for the Youth Advocacy Day event.

11. Attendance Review (Action Item)

A. Commissioner Bonner, Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Commissioner Bonner explained that she has work with the Bay Area Urban Debate League (BAUDL) on Tuesday nights and was unable to attend the meeting, as there was a field trip planned for her BAUDL group that night.

Commissioner Holloway, seconded by Commissioner Ontiveros, moved to authorize this absence. This motion was adopted unanimously by acclamation.

B. Commissioner Brodwin, Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Commissioner Brodwin explained that she was out of town with her family on vacation for the entire week and apologized for missing the meeting.

Commissioner Bonner, seconded by Commissioner Armstrong, moved to authorize this absence. This motion was adopted unanimously by acclamation.

C. Commissioner Carrion, Tuesday, February 21, 2012

this item was tabled as Commissioner Carrion was absent from this meeting.

D. Commissioner Huey, Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Commissioner Huey explained that she had class on that night and was unable to attend the meeting.
Commissioner Bonner, seconded by Commissioner Shackelford, moved to authorize this absence. This motion was adopted unanimously by acclamation.

E. Commissioner Ontiveros, Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Commissioner Ontiveros explained that Tuesdays are his days to look after his daughter and that he had an obligation to his family.

Commissioner Holloway, seconded by Commissioner Tu Mutch, moved to authorize this absence. This motion was adopted unanimously by acclamation.

F. Commissioner Tu Mutch, Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Commissioner Tu Mutch explained that she had class and was unable to attend this meeting.

Commissioner Shackelford, seconded by Commissioner Bonner moved to authorize this absence. Commissioner Bonner rescinded her Nay vote. This motion was adopted unanimously by acclamation.

12. Announcements (This Includes Community Events)

Commissioner Huey announced that the Youth Empowerment Fund Advisory Board (YEFAB) is currently researching the topic of “bullying and racism”. She brought surveys and asked her peers to fill them out.

Commissioner Bonner shared with her peers that there will be a BAUDLT public debate on the topic of juvenile justice and violence on either March 23 or March 29, 2012. She also invited commissioners interested in starting a public debate team at their schools to get in contact with her.

13. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 pm.

Any materials distributed to the members of the Youth Commission within 72 hours of the meeting or after the agenda packet has been delivered to the members are available for inspection—along with minutes of previous Youth Commission meetings and all supplementary information—at the Youth Commission office during regular office hours (9am to 6pm, Monday—Friday). The Youth Commission office is located at:
City Hall, Room 345
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 554-6446, Fax: (415) 554-6140
Email: youthcom@sfgov.org
www.sfgov.org/yc

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 decisions in full view of the public. Commissions, boards, councils and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people’s business. This 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 THE SUNSHINE ORDINANCE TASK FORCE, please contact:
Sunshine Ordinance Task Force
City Hall, Room 244
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102‐4689
Phone: (415) 554‐7724, Fax: (415) 554‐5784
E‐mail: sotf@sfgov.org
Copies of the Sunshine Ordinance can be obtained from the Clerk of the Sunshine Ordinance
Task Force, at the San Francisco Public Library, and on the City’s website at
http://www.sfgov.org.

The ringing and use of cell phones, pagers, and similar sound‐producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. The Chair may order the removal from the meeting room of any person responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager, or other similar sound‐producing electronic device.

In order to assist the City’s efforts to accommodate persons with severe allergies, environmental illnesses, multiple chemical sensitivity, or related disabilities, attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical‐based products. Please help the City accommodate these individuals.

To obtain a disability‐related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, to participate in the meeting, please contact Mario Yedidia, Youth Commission Director [phone: 415-554 6254; email: mario.yedidia@sfgov.org] at least 48 hours before the meeting, except for Monday meetings, for which the deadline is 4:00 p.m. the previous Friday.