San Francisco Youth Commission
Minutes
Monday, November 17, 2014
5:15-8:00pm
City Hall, Room 416
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, 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 present: Jillian Wu, Marshall-Fricker, Chen, Guo, Listana, Joyce Wu, Berliner, Cardenas, Li, Bernick, Zheng. Commissioners absent: David (previously excused), Avalos Nuñez. Staff present: Allen Lu, Adele Failes-Carpenter.

Commissioner Avalos Nuñez noted present at 5:30 pm.

2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)

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

3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)

A. November 3, 2014
(Document A)

Commissioner Edelhart, seconded by Commissioner Chen, moved to approve the minutes. There was no public comment. The motion was approved by acclamation.

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

Daisy Shull, Junior at Independence High School introduced herself as the new YC Youth Works intern.

Anna He, junior at Lowell HS, introduced herself as the new YC YouthWorks intern.

There was no further public comment.

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

A. [BOS File No. 141123] Administrative Code - Establishing the Duties of the Office of Early Care and Education and Creating the Office of Early Care and Education Citizens’ Advisory Committee
Sponsors: Yee, Avalos, Kim
Presenter: Jen Low, Legislative Aide to Supervisor Norman Yee
(Documents B and C)

Jen Low provided context for the legislation. She stated that the legislation is a piece of trailing legislation, which amends the ordinance passed as Prop C. Supervisors wanted to have related legislation in place that would not require a separate charter amendment in order to change.

In 2012 CCSF established office of early care and education, whose director is appointed by the Mayor. The legislation calls for a 9 member Citizens Advisory Committee jointly appointed by the Mayor and Board of Supervisors. The CAC will be comprised of childcare providers, a representative from the SFUSD early education division, experts, and parents. The mission and purpose is to work in collaboration with SFUSD, DCYF, and child care providers to pursue a common goal of providing better early childcare and education services and to set policy priorities. Appointments to the CAC will go through the Board of Supervisors Rules Committee appointment process. The legislation will be heard at the BOS rules committee, and voted at the full board in mid December.

Commissioner Edelhart inquired how the board plans to ensure that the OECE CAC has a diverse needs of parents represented. Ms. Low explained she could forward the suggestion to the Board.

Commissioner Edelhart asked why the legislation requires the Mayoral appointees to be vetted by the Rules committee. Ms. Low explained that there is no template for CAC appointments. Authors believe the persons seeking appointment should be done in a public forum because it is such a unique board with no other formal oversight or coordinating body dedicated to the issue.

Commissioner Li: asked how the legislation’s authors determined the number of seats and composition? Ms. Low explained that they began to brainstorm who should sit at the table, and the consideration of functionality, With larger boards, it takes more staff capacity, which on the OECE is quite limited.

There were no further questions from commissioners.

Chair Li invited commissioners to have a discussion on the legislation. There was no discussion.

Commissioner Avalos asked if the OECE will work with Hilltop HS. Ms. Low explained that the legislation does not call for work with specific schools or organizations, as that would be outside the purview of the legislation, but the OECE will work with SFUSD schools and suggestions can be shared.

Commissioner Joyce Wu, seconded by Commissioner Bernick, moved a general motion of support for the legislation.

Commissioner Edelhart moved to attach a comment that the Board include guidelines for ensuring diverse parental representation. Commissioner Avalos seconded.

Commissioner Avalos Nuñez motioned to include a recommendation to encourage collaboration with SFUSD, Hilltop HS, and City College.

Commissioner Cardenas explained that the legislation already called for collaboration with SFUSD and the recommendation was out of scope for the ordinance itself. Director Failes-Carpenter pointed out the line in the legislation concerning SFUSD collaboration.

Commissioner Berliner motioned to amend Commissioner Edelhart’s motion, to include a provision to include a seat for Formerly incarcerated parents.

Commissioners Zheng and Listana asked clarifying questions about Commissioner Edelhart’s motion. Commissioner Listana suggested specifying parents from different neighborhoods.

Commissioner Edelhart clarified that there are limited parental seats on the CAC, but that the spirit of the motion was to encourage consideration of diverse appointments representing diverse perspectives. Commissioner Edelhart suggested a substitute motion could read: “diverse parental representation, including single, young, low-income, and formerly-incarcerated parents, as well as parents from different neighborhoods.”

Commissioner Berliner retracted her motion.

Chair Li called for public comment. There was no public comment on this item.

Staff restated Commissioner Edelhart’s motion. The motion passed unanimously by vote of acclamation.

The motion of general support passed unanimously by vote of acclamation.


B. [BOS File No. 141098] Health, Business and Tax Regulations Codes – Tobacco Sales Permits and Associated Fees
Sponsors: Mar, Kim, Wiener
Presenter: Victor Lim, Legislative Aide to Supervisor Eric Mar
(Documents D and E)

Victor Lim introduced himself. He stated that this is the second version of the legislative digest, and that he will review amendments made since then.

Mr. Lim presented a map that indicates districts 3 and 6 are disproportionately affected by a high concentration of tobacco retailers. Mr. Lim identified community partners who assisted with the crafting of the legislation, included Youth Leadership Institute, Vietnamese Youth Development Center, youth leaders in the San Francisco Unified School District, City College of San Francisco, and other partners.

Mr. Lim reviewed the amendments to the legislations. Paraphernalia shops will be capped at 4 per supervisorial district. Tobacco sales licenses will be capped at 45 per district. Mr. Lim explained that among supervisorial districts, some districts are well over the 45 retail license cap, while others are not. Existing licenses will be grandfathered in under the ordinance and can be transferred once to a new owner, but in order to keep the license, it has to be maintained for over 10 years, otherwise the license is no longer valid. The new owners would still have to go through the planning process.

Commissioner Bernick asked how the process for getting a application approved will be changed. Mr. Lim explained that the process for getting the application will likely remain the same, however the health and planning depts. will look at the supervisorial district to see if cap per districts have been reached before issuing new permits.

Commissioner Edelhart asked how companies will deal with loss in tobacco sales revenue and whether other public campaigns and programs might encourage new revenue streams.

Commissioner Avalos asked why locations that sell alcohol are cut off in the legislation. Mr. Lim explained that it is to aid in the reducing the allure of tobacco usage.

Commissioner Avalos asked how this legislation affects small business that serve and sell hooka. Mr. Lim stated that he will take the question back to his office and return with a response at a later date.

Commissioner Avalos asked if there was a mechanism to keep this from bankrupting small businesses that depend on tobacco sales revenue.

Commissioner Cardenas requested through the chair to engage in discussion with Commissioner Avalos. Commissioner Cardenas stated that commissioners should make questions and comments pertaining to the experiences of youth and young people.

Chair Li affirmed the need to make youth-specific recommendations.

Commissioner Listana asked, considering the 45 license cap per district, how will the license cap be enforced particularly in districts that are well over the 45 licenses? She asked if there will be a report on the impacts of the legislation, and overall license decline. Mr. Lim explained that the successor BOS may call for report or hearing in the future.

Commissioner Guo asked whether there was any proposal to expand the ban area to non-SFUSD schools, Libraries, and youth nonprofits. Mr. Lim explained that it will likely be applied to all schools public or private.

Chair Li called for public comment.

Jesus Sicairos, coordinator for TURF, explained that he has been involved in the discussion of the legislation from the beginning. He shared that the legislation is a public health and social justice issue. He expressed gratitude for the Youth Commissions previous support in 2012, and he is grateful for the commissioner support of Supervisor Mar’s legislation.

There was no further public comment on this item. Chair Li invited commissioner to have discussion on the item.

Commissioner Bernick expressed support for the ordinance. Commissioner Listana expressed support for the gradual approach that does not anger current license holders. expressed that the legislation is a positive approach to limit the exposure youth have with tobacco. Commissioner Berliner expressed that the legislation serves as a great model, and can be replicated across the nation. She also shared her personal experience with tobacco as a high school student.


Commissioner Bernick motioned to generally support the legislation, seconded by Commissioner Joyce Wu.

Commissioner Listana motioned to recommend a report to review if the legislation has its intended effect of declining tobacco licenses due to attrition, seconded by commissioner Avalos. This motion passed by acclamation.

The motion of support was passed unanimously by roll call vote.

7. Committee Reports (Discussion Only)

A. Executive Committee

Chair Li called item 7 out of order. Vice Chair Edelhart called attention to the need to read legislation referred ahead of the meeting. Outreach officers announced the video interviews.

B. Housing, Environment, and City Services Committee

Committee chair Chen reported on the committee’s research on the Runway and Homeless Youth Act reauthorization with Larkin Street.

C. Immigration and Employment Committee

Committee Chair Joyce Wu reported on the committee’s work and research done since last full YC meeting

D. Youth Justice Committee

Committee Chair Berliner announced the committee had met with Project WHAT advocates and would be meeting with the JPD Juvenile Advisory Council.

E. YAC

Commissioner Jillian Wu reported on the YAC meeting.

8. Staff Report (Discussion Only)

Item 8 was called out of order. Director Failes-Carpenter reported that a district 10 youth commissioner, Emani has been selected and will be sworn in by Supervisor Cohen. She invited commissioners to be open in helping Emani get acclimated to her role as YC’er. She invited commissioners to the Dignity in Schools Campaign national call Wednesday at 4pm. Commissioners interested in joining the call should contact staff. Commissioner Berliner will be on the call. The Neighborhood Empowerment Network is accepting nominations for the Youth Leader of the Year. Information will be on the weekly internal update.

Intern LaCroix asked commissioners if they were available to attend a mid-year retreat planning meeting on Monday, November 24, 2014 at 4pm. Commissioners Chen, Listana, Jillian Wu, Joyce Wu, Avalos, and Li expressed interest in attending. Commissioner Edelhart expressed interest in assisting in mid-year retreat planning.

Chair Li called a recess at 6:39 pm. The meeting was called back to order at 6:44 pm.

9. Announcements (This Includes Community Events)

Item 9 was called out of order. Commissioner Berliner shared information for a community giveback that aides with holiday gifts for children of incarcerated parents.

Julia Arroyo from Center on Young Women’s Development spoke in public comment on announcements introducing herself and the work of CYWD.

There was no further public comment on this item.

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

A. Motion 1415-M-01 Support for Vision Zero
Sponsors: Youth Commission Housing, Environment & City Services Committee
Presenters: Natalie Burdick, Membership and Volunteer Director, Walk SF; and Genaro Escarzaga, Family & Schools Program Coordinator at Walk SF
(Documents F and G)

Chair Li then resumed the normal order of the agenda and called item 6A.

Commissioner Marshall-Fricker provided context to the presentation, and introduced the presenters. Mr. Escarzaga, Family and Schools Program Coordinator at WalkSF, expressed gratitude to the Housing, Environment, and City Services committee for the invitation to present to the full youth commission. He then introduced Ms. Burdick, membership director for WalkSF.

In reviewing the pedestrian safety, there is a high concentration of pedestrian fatalities. Three people hit by cars every day in San Francisco. Five times as many people are victims of traffic collisions as shootings. 1 in 4 emergency/trauma cases as SF general Hospital are pedestrians hit by cars.

Current WalkSF Efforts include Vision Zero, Safe Routes to School, and Green Connections, a city wide network that connects walking paths to open space. Ms. Burdick presented a map of Market and 6th street, and 6th and Howard, that illustrates the need for traffic calming interventions. Vision Zero was introduced in Sweden in 1950, and has witnessed a statistically significant decrease in pedestrian fatalities since implementation. Vision Zeron Solutions are focused around engineering, enforcement, and education by targeting those 6% of streets where 60% of pedestrian injuries occur.

Mr. Escarzaga presented on the Safe Routes to School Initiative of WalkSF. Safe Routes to School aims to engage families, youth, and school sites to build community leadership. He explained that Safe Routes to School connects schools to Vision Zero. Another aim of Safe Routes to school is Walking School Bus, and Walk/Bike to school days.

Ms. Burdick explained that some asks of being a community partner of Vision Zero is to attend hearings and/or press conferences; Participate in quarterly Vision Zero meetings; Send emails and/or letters or make calls of support. Additionally, Ms. Burdick explained that support also extends to supporting SRTS in the School Budget process. Lastly, as community partners are invited to become a WalkSF members or volunteer as an individuals.

Commissioner Avalos asked a clarifying question on what is a” walking school buses”. Mr. Escarzaga explained that “walking school buses” are simply a group of people walking to a school site.

Commissioner Listana asked if coalition members cannot make meetings if the coalition sends out meeting minutes. She asked what accounted for the disparities in collisions. Ms. Burdick shared that meeting minutes are sent out following a meeting. Ms. Burdick explained that in neighborhoods with high collision rates drivers treat streets in certain neighborhoods as freeways, due to street width and proximity to freeways, which oftentimes lead to collisions. Ms. Burdick explained that speed is a major issue as pedestrians hit at 40 MPH have a 1 in 10 chance of living. At 15-20 MPH, the odds are 9 in 10.

Commissioner Avalos asked: Does the 15MPH school zone apply to all streets near schools? Ms. Burdick explained that the 15mph does not apply to all streets because not all streets are owned by the City and County of San Francisco, but rather some are owned by CalTrans.

Commissioner Chen read the HECS committee motion into the public record.

There was no public comment.

Commissioner Cardenas, seconded by commissioner Bernick, motioned to support the motion authored by the Housing, Environment, and City Services Committee.

Commissioner Cardenas motioned to suspend the bylaws to vote on the motion on its first reading, seconded by commissioner Avalos. This motion passed unanimously by acclamation.

Commissioner Cardenas’s motion of support passed unanimously by vote of acclamation.

There was no public comment on this item.

B. Motion 1415-M-02 Support and Co-Sponsorship of Youth Advocacy Day 2015
Sponsors: Commissioners Zheng and Listana
Presenter: DeAsia Landrum, Youth Leadership & Advocacy Coordinator at the Youth Empowerment Fund
(Document H)

Ms. Landrum introduced herself. She introduced a video recording of the highlights from the 2014 Youth Advocacy Day. She explained that Youth Advocacy Day is an annual, youth led event that invites young people to develop policy questions for city departments, members of the Board of Supervisors, and to present their questions to the departments and members of the Board. She invited youth commissioners to join the event as youth leaders and co-sponsors.

Commissioner Listana asked when the youth leader form is due. Youth Leaders are volunteers who help coordinate groups on the on Youth Advocacy Day. Ms. Landrum explained that commissioners interested in being a youth leader should complete the form and hand it into commission staff.

Chair Li asked how many youth commissioners and youth commission interns are welcomed to apply to be a youth leader. Ms. Landrum explained that there is no cap in on the number of youth leader volunteers from specific organizations. All youth are welcome to apply, but 6-8 commissioners would be ideal.

Commissioners Listana and Zheng read the motion of support and co-sponsorship for Youth Advocacy Day into the public record.

Commissioner Avalos motioned to suspend the bylaws and allow adoption upon first reading, seconded by commissioner Marshall-Fricker. The motion passed unanimously by acclamation.

Commissioner Bernick motioned to support the written motion, seconded by Commissioner Joyce Wu. This motion was passed unanimously by acclamation.

10. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 7:43pm.