San Francisco Youth Commission
Minutes
Monday, November 18th, 2013
5:15pm-8:00pm
City Hall, Room 416
1. Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl.
San Francisco, CA 94102

There will be public comment on each item.

Nicholas Persky, Michelle Kong, Joshua Cardenas, DeAsia Landrum, Angel Van Stark,
Jina Bae, Anna Bernick, Sophie Edelhart, Monica Flores, Ramon Gomez, Michel Li, Lily Marshall-Fricker, Luisa Sicairos, Eric Wu, Joyce Wu, Ariel Yu

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 5:18 p.m.

Commissioners absent: Sophie Edelhart (pre authorized), Ramon Gomez.

Commissioners present: Bae, Bernick, Cardenas, Flores, Kong, Landrum, Li, Marshall-Fricker, Persky, Sicairos, VanStark, Eric Wu, Joyce Wu, and Yu.

There was quorum.

Staff present: Phimy Truong, Adele Carpenter, Allen Lu.

2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)

There was no public comment. Commissioner Yu, seconded by Commissioner Li, moved to approve the agenda. The motion was approved by acclamation.

3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item) A. November 4, 2013

(Document A)
There was no public comment. Commissioner Bae, seconded by Commissioner Bernick, moved to approve the minutes of November 4th, 2013. The motion was approved by acclamation.

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

Mr. Andrew Yip stated his support for youth and spoke about the need for youth to be engaged in religion.

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

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

A. Presentation on San Francisco Public Library Resources and Teen Services
Presenter: Catherine Cormier, Teen Center Manager, Main Library and SFPL Teen Librarians
(Document B)

Ms. Cormier, the Teen Center Manager of the San Francisco Public Library, provided an overview of the library’s resources and teen services.

Commissioner Wu asked about data on use of library resources.
The presenter clarified that information about library usage is on the library website. The presenter clarified that she would share further information with Youth Commission staff.
Chair Persky complimented the online programs of SFPL.

Public Comment

Mr. Andrew Yip spoke in support of the public library.

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

A. [First Reading] Resolution 1314—01 Urging Support of the California Homeless Bill of Rights
Sponsor: Commissioner Eric Wu; Presenter: Nicholas Kimura, San Francisco Coalition on Homelessness
(Documents C and D)

Commissioner Wu gave opening comments on the need for more attention on homelessness issues due to the affordability crisis in San Francisco. Even as the economy improves, there is still a large homeless population in San Francisco and many of them are youth and families. Even though the City provides services, there are laws that criminalize homelessness. This Bill of Rights aims to address these forms of criminalization.

Nicholas Kimura explained that he works with the Coalition on Homelessness, and works with a statewide organization, RAPP. Mr. Kimura explained that the importance for a homeless bill of rights in this state is linked to the idea that housing is a human right, however in this country is treated as a commodity rather than a human right. The root causes of homelessness are not being addressed. There is a lack of affordability and while people are on the streets, they are also experiencing civil rights abuses. There are several laws that target poor people, homeless people, and people of color. People are arrested and cited for “life sustaining” activities, such as sleeping. Since we know a house is a commodity that not everyone can afford, it is not fair that people should be arrested for sleeping when they have no where to go.

In order to understand anti-homeless criminalization, we have to understand this history of criminalizing people not for what they are doing, but for who they are. This has culminated in the “broken window” theory that says all signs of poverty must be eradicated, rather than relying on illegal behaviors, signs of poverty are targeted. When we look at Sit/Lie, we know it is not evenly applied. It is used to target homeless people. The numbers around youth homelessness in San Francisco are disturbing. Over two thousand homeless youth were counted in the last count and most were unsheltered. Young people are affected by anti-sleeping laws. Youth are 26% of the homeless people in the city, but there are only 40 shelter beds dedicated to youth.
This Bill addresses the civil rights issues more than the lack of services, decriminalizing sleeping and lying down. The presenter then invited questions.

Commissioner Cardenas asked where hygiene facilities would be located if the Bill passed.
Mr. Kimura explained that this was introduced by Tom Ammiano last year and died in suspense due to the amount of money involved with hygiene centers. The costs were the primary concern of state law makers. The campaign now is attempting to use existing hygiene centers and keep them open twenty four hours a day, which San Francisco already has.

Commissioner Cardenas asked whether the public places include libraries and mentioned that Supervisor Wiener brought this up when similar measures were introduced in the past.
Mr. Kimura explained that the idea with the bill is “equal rights, not special rights.” If people are being distracted, that behavior should be addressed, rather than the people.

Commissioner Cardenas asked whether the Homeless Bill of Rights would challenge local ordinances, such as the park closure hours or Sit/Lie.

Mr. Kimura explained that laws would stay on the books, but at the state level, those laws could not be enforced unless the public housing and family waiting list for shelter are below certain numbers. Right now the Housing Authority list in San Francisco is over 30,000 people. The idea is to stop the enactment of such laws while there are no housing options, for instance if there are no shelter beds, you cannot criminalize them for sleeping outside. The bill would not change laws, but it would make them unenforceable.

Commissioner Cardenas asked why the bill died last year. Mr. Kimura explained that every bill placed in suspense last year was killed due to budget concerns.

Commissioner Sicairos asked how many youth are represented in the citation statistics.
Mr. Kimura explained there were not demographics collected on the citation survey, but there are numbers on the number of homeless youth. Commissioner Cardenas asked whether other states had passed similar laws.Mr. Kimura explained that three other states had passed similar bills of rights, but that since California has such a large prison population, the version for California is really focused on decriminalization.

Commissioner Eric Wu asked how state legislators would become concerned about the issue. Would legislators from outside San Francisco also see this problem? This is an issue for attempts to address the Ellis Act at the State level.Mr. Kimura explained that California has a quarter of the country’s homeless people. Many lawmakers will see this as an issue, but in the State congress, people usually vote on political lines.

Commissioner Eric Wu read the draft of resolution 1314-01 into the public record.

Commissioner Yu clarified the number of students enrolled in homeless student services with SFUSD.Commissioner Bernick asked a clarifying question about the goal of the resolution.
Commissioner Eric Wu explained that the resolution is meant to encourage a similar resolution at the board, and those commissioners, if they support the resolution, could lobby their appointing officers.

The chair called for public comment.
Mr. Andrew Yip expressed - of the public said that through uses of jails, hospitals, hotels, and the mental health system people could overcome homeless. Family reunification and religion are important factors for homeless people.

Commissioner Kong suggested that the “quality of life” be addressed in the resolution. It is very difficult for low income people to live in the City.Commissioner Van Stark suggested that the resolution should clarify how many homeless people are trying to receive services to address the misperception that people are not reaching out to access services.Commissioner Wu asked for co-sponsors. Commissioner Wu also asked Mr.Kimura how else commissioners can support the campaign. Commissioner Eric Wu thanked staff for support with research for the resolution.
Commissioners interested in co-sponsoring: Flores, Sicairos, Van Stark, Yu, Li, Cardenas, Bae, Persky, Bernick, Landrum, Joyce Wu, Kong

Mr. Kimura explained that lobbying Supervisors would be a large help. The campaign has meetings and work groups to craft the legislation and create a media campaign. There are lobbying days at the State capitol. He welcomes commissioners to contact him directly by asking staff, or to contact Western Regional Advocacy Project.


B. Community Outreach and Media & Public Relations Officers’ Outreach Plan
Presenters: Allen Lu, Coordinator of Community Outreach and Civic Engagement; Commissioner Landrum, Community Outreach Officer; and Commissioner VanStark, Media & Public Relations Officer (Second Reading)
(Document E)

Commissioners Landrum and Van Stark shared a short video about their outreach plan. Commissioner Van Stark explained the outreach plan for the term would have three phases: 1) Template: Plan and workshop development Creation 2) Implementation: Begin more visits and workshops 3) Reflection: Statistics, analytics. Commissioner Landrum explained that classroom visits will be 40-45 minutes long. Classroom visits will include: Icebreakers, Youth Commission Intro, Identifying the Issue, Small group breakouts, Promising Solutions, and Closing.

Commissioner Bae asked what school the outreach team visited. Commissioner Landrum gave a report on the team’s visit to Paul Revere MS. Commissioner Eric Wu asked whether the agenda fit into the time allotted. Commissioner Landrum explained that the visit had a slightly different structure and was an hour long. Commissioner Sicairos asked how engaged the students were. Commissioner Landrum explained the students were very engaged.
Commissioner Kong suggested having the teacher do an intro the day before the visit.
Ms. Carpenter asked whether this template was also for community based organizations.
Commissioner Van Stark explained that this was the base template for visits to classrooms and organizations, but could be tailored further. Commissioner Yu asked whether some of these visits could be after school hours. Commissioner Landrum explained that it would be a mix of events at different times. Commissioner Van Stark explained that high school age commissioners could visit college classes’ afterschool.

Allen Lu clarified that there is no plan in a document that can be approved by the commission.
Chair Persky said it would be helpful to see what commissioners are being asked to approve.
Commissioner Kong suggested scheduling classroom visits at their own school. Commissioner Sicairos suggested reaching out to afterschool programs. Allen Lu explained that last year, commissioners tabled, attended community meetings, attended youth events and conferences, issue-specific working groups, city hall tours.
There was no public comment.

Commissioner Van Stark explained they are working on introductory emails and videos.
Director Truong asked how the reflection phase relates to being able to advise the Board of Supervisors on the needs of youth. Commissioner Van Stark suggested that the outreach team will conduct surveys during outreach visits.


C. Policy Research Tutorial
Presenters: Adele Carpenter, Youth Commission Coordinator of Youth Development and Administration, Sharon Chung, Youth Commission Intern
(Document F)

Ms. Carpenter and Ms. Shung provided a detailed tutorial on how to conduct policy research. Commissioners asked clarifying questions.
There was no public comment.

8. Staff Report (Discussion Only)

Director Truong provided a detailed update on programming within the YC office, upcoming community events, and administrative-related issues. The YC office will be closed during Thanksgiving break of Thursday, November 28th and 29th. Ms. Truong also reviewed the first quarter commission report which was distributed to the Mayor’s office, the Board of Supervisors, and the Department on Children, Youth, and Families. Ms. Truong reminded commissioners that they need to reach out to their appointing offices to set up meetings to review committee, commissioner work, as well as get an update on what youth related events are happening within their officials’ office. Commissioners Cardenas, Bernick, and Wu requested help from staff in reaching out to their appointing officers. Ms. Truong updated the commission on community efforts to address an incident that happened between a twenty one year old City College student and police. Commissioners Flores, Sicairos, VanStark, Cardenas, Landrum, and Kong were interested. She also reminded commissioners of their mandatory midyear retreat which will take place on January 11th and 12th, 2014.

Mr. Allen Lu updated commissioners on an opportunity to present on the free MUNI campaign at Wallenberg High School. Commissioner Landrum and Kong were interested.

There was no public comment.

9. Committee Reports (Discussion Only)

A. Executive Committee, Vice Chair Michelle Kong, Legislative Affairs Officer Joshua Cardenas, Outreach Officer DeAsia Landrum, Media & Public Relations Officer Angel VanStark
Commissioner Kong gave updates on the Children’s Fund Community forums and a visit to Hospitality House. The Executive Committee is planning on a Bay Area Youth Commission gathering and is seeking feedback from youth commissioners. Executive committee members will be contacting fellow commissioners for one on one meeting. Commissioner Persky updated commissioners that he had been meeting with members of the student advisory council.
Commissioner Cardenas updated commissioners that no legislation was introduced at the Board of Supervisors last week.
Commissioner Van Stark gave an update on the outreach visit to Paul Revere MS. Commissioner Landrum requested feedback on the outreach workshop agenda she developed..
B. Youth Justice Committee, Chair Sophie Edelhart

Commissioner Cardenas provided a committee update for Youth Justice in the absence of Commissioners Edelhart and Gomez. Another priority of the committee is supporting youth with incarcerated parents. Adele Carpenter gave updates on juvenile probation department and youth-police relations priorities, and updated commissioners that Commissioner Flores was joining the committee as a part time member

C. Immigration & Employment Committee, Chair Michel Li
Commissioner Li updated the commission on the Employment committee’s efforts to refine its goals. The committee will have a presentation from DCYF staff, Glenn Eagleson this week.

D. Education, Health & Wellness Committee, Chair Ariel Yu
Commissioner Yu updated the commission that the Education and Wellness committee met with City staff working on an outreach program for the Affordable Care Act.

E. TAY, Housing, and LGBT issues Committee, Chair Eric Wu
Commissioner Eric Wu gave an update for the TAY/Housing committee, which had not had a meeting since the last full meeting. Commissioner Wu explained that the MOHCD staff are updating the committee on the TAY housing goals at the next meeting.

F. Youth Advisory Council, Representative Joyce Wu

Commissioner Joyce Wu gave updates on the mini-grant review process. Decisions on youth summit grants will be made on Thursday.

G. Our Children, Our City Stakeholder Council, Commissioner Eric Wu

Commissioner Eric Wu gave updates on the five community input sessions that are resulting in a report. A youth community input session has been established for December 5th and will be facilitated by Eric Wu and Mia Tu Mutch. He invited youth commissioners to get involved in the youth session on the fifth. Commissioners Flores, Bae, Bernick, Persky, Wu, Landrum, Joyce, Wu, Kong, and Li were interested.

There was no public comment.

10. Attendance Authorizations (Action Item)

A. Request(s) for Approval of Upcoming Absences

B. Explanation(s) of Past Absences

There were none.

11. Announcements (This Includes Community Events)

Commissioner Kong invited commissioners to a movie screening for Girls Rising. Commissioner Landrum invited commissioners to spread the word about the Youth Empowerment Fund Scholarship art contest.

12. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m.