San Francisco Youth Commission
Housing, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender, and Transitional Age Youth Issues Committee
Minutes
Monday, September 30, 2013
5:00-7:00pm
City Hall, Room 345A
1. Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl.
San Francisco, CA 94102

There will be public comment on each item.

Members: Eric Wu, Lily Marshall-Fricker, DeAsia Landrum, Monica Flores, Angel Van Stark

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

Commissioner Wu, acting as chair, called the meeting to order at 5:03 pm.

Commissioners present: Wu, Marshall-Fricker, Landrum, Flores, Van Stark

Staff Present: Adele Carpenter

Commissioners did a check-in of highlights and low-lights, favorite snacks, and a goal for the term. Favorite snacks included: gummies, dark chocolate, pretzel chips, pita chips, hummus, and fruit. Goals for the year included: Including financial literacy components in youth housing programs (Van Stark); Keeping families in San Francisco (Marshall-Fricker, all); Addressing human trafficking (Wu); Working on issues affecting families and parents (Flores); Reaching transitional age youth to hear from them directly and maintaining follow through (Landrum).

2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)

Commissioner Van Stark, seconded by Commissioner Marshall-Fricker, moved to approve the agenda for the meeting. This motion was approved by acclamation.

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

A. [BOS File no. 130785] Administrative Code - Family Friendly Workplace Ordinance (Primary Sponsor: President Chiu)
Presenter: Catherine Rauschuber, Legislative Aide of President of the Board, David Chiu
(Document C and Document D)

The chair called this item out of order and welcomed the presenter, Catherine, Rauschuber. Ms. Rauschuber explained that the legislation was a local version of similar laws in effect in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. It allows workers to request changes in work schedules and/or locations. The employer does not have the grant the request, but it does open a conversation that supports parents and caregivers. This would be the first municipal law of its type, and Vermont recently passed similar legislation.

The ordinance was originally slated for a ballot initiative, which would have had the added benefit of educating the public about the ordinance, but it is currently going to the Board of Supervisors for a first vote. The small business commission supported the concept, with requested changes. The Land Use committee passed the legislation 3-0.

Recent amendments to the legislation include removing the provision requiring employers to give two weeks’ notice of schedule changes. This seemed untenable for shift work/service sector, but Supervisor Chiu is looking into creating a task force on scheduling predictability to consider future legislation on this topic. Another recent amendment includes specifying that employees must work eight hours or more per week to request a flexible schedule. The Department on the Status of Women and Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement will outreach to residents and businesses about their rights and obligations under the law, using multiple languages.

Commissioner Wu clarified that the ordinance applies to businesses with over twenty employees.

Ms. Rauschuber explained that while 80% of people do not work for businesses with more than twenty employees, the ordinance still creates a culture of workplace flexibility.

Commissioner Van Stark clarified that workers would be protected from retaliation for making requests of flexible scheduling, including promotion denials. Commissioner Flores clarified that there are no age restrictions for the ordinance. Commissioner Landrum commented that the legislation was important to stem the flow of family flight. Commissioner Wu commented that the legislation could reduce the stress associated with having a new child. Commissioner Van Stark asked whether the ordinance applied to contract workers.

Ms. Rauschuber clarified that the ordinance applies to anyone’s day to day work schedule, but not to the length or terms of a contract.

Commissioner Landrum commented that the ordinance could have positive effects on gender equality. Commissioner Marshall-Fricker commented that this type of legislation is necessary and overdue. Commissioner Van Stark suggested that caretakers be made aware of in-home support services.

There was no public comment.

Commissioner Van Stark motioned to support the ordinance. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Landrum and was passed unanimously by a roll call vote.

Commissioner Landrum motioned to include a recommendation in the referral response that the ordinance include language to ensure that families of color, especially those receiving public assistance or participating in welfare to work programs, benefit from the ordinance, and be made aware of their rights under the ordinance. Commissioner Marshall-Fricker seconded this motion.

Commission Van Stark motioned to include a recommendation that caretakers be made aware of their right to apply for in home support services for their elderly and disabled family members. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Marshall-Fricker.

Commissioner Wu motioned to include a recommendation that the Board request a report documenting changes in the mental health of working caretakers. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Flores.

Commissioner Flores motioned to amend Commissioner Landrum’s motion to include the caveat that immigrant and young workers be made aware of the ordinance, through an outreach campaign in multiple languages. This motion to amend was seconded by Commissioner Landrum.

Commissioner Wu, acting as chair, called for a vote to approve the three recommendations, as amended all at once. Staff member, Adele Carpenter, repeated the motions as amended.

There was no public comment.

The motion to approve the three recommendations was approved by acclamation.

3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)

A. June 24, 2013 (Document A)

The chair then resumed the normal course of the agenda. Commissioner Marshall-Fricker, seconded by Commissioner Van Stark, moved to approve the minutes from June 24, 2013. This motion was approved by acclamation. There was no public comment.

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

There was no public comment.

5. Staff Report

A. Review 13-14 Committee Meeting Calendar (Document B)

Adele Carpenter gave updates on enrolling in the Health Service System and requested commissioners’ bios for the website. She shared press releases from the Mayor’s office related to increasing funds for eviction prevention and breaking ground on an affordable housing site on Ocean Ave. that would include 1/3 of its 71 as dedicated TAY housing. She invited Commissioner Flores to share updates from the City College accreditation teach in, held the same day. Ms. Carpenter invited commissioners to the Citizen’s Committee on Community Development meetings to give feedback on the dispersion of federal HUD grants. Ms. Carpenter reviewed the regular committee meeting dates with the committee members. The committee was unable to find another date to meet during the upcoming month, and Ms. Carpenter suggested that commissioners schedule office time to keep up and receive support on their committee priorities.

7. Presentations (Discussion Only)

A. Introduction and Overview of Transitional Age Youth SF’s Policy Priorities
Presenters: Jose-Luis Mejia, TAYSF Young Adult Engagement Coordiantor; Glenn Eagleson, Senior Planner & Policy Analyst; Jesus Sicairos, TAY Advocate Fellow

This item was tabled until the next meeting at the presenter’s request.

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

A. Children’s Fund Updates (Document E)

Commissioner Wu gave updates on the efforts to address the reauthorization of the Children’s fund, as led by the Mayor’s office and Coleman Advocates for Youth and Families. He invited committee members to a youth focus group with Learning for Action the same Thursday evening. Commissioner Flores gave updates on TAY concerns regarding the Children’s Fund, including how and whether TAY would be included in the reauthorization. Currently, TAY services are excluded from the fund.

B. Review 12-13 Committee Work (Document F)

Commissioners reviewed the 12-13 Budget and Policy priorities, including TAY Housing, 12N and City College of San Francisco issues. Commissioner Wu gave context for the original TAY housing resolution and suggested evaluation. Committee members discussed including support services, staff turnover, and grievance procedures in the evaluation. Committee members were interested in speaking with MOH, HSA, and DPH about this issue. Commissioners Wu, Marshall-Fricker, Van Stark, and Landrum were interested in working on this issue further.

Commissioner Marshall-Fricker and staff member, Adele Carpenter, gave updates on the June 2013 12N hearing and the 12N working group. Commissioners Wu, Marshall-Fricker, Van Stark, and Flores were interested in working on this issue further.

Commissioners discussed updates on the City College accreditation crisis. Commissioners Flores, Wu, Van Stark, and Landrum were interested in working on this issue further.

C. Elect Committee Chair

Commissioner Marshall-Fricker nominated Commissioner Wu, seconded by Commissioner Flores. Commissioner Wu accepted the nomination. Commissioner Landrum nominated Commissioner Flores, who declined the nomination. Staff member, Adele Carpenter, stepped in to chair the vote on Commissioner Wu’s nomination. There were no further nominations, questions, or concerns. There was no public comment. Commissioner Wu was elected as chair, by acclamation. The committee declined to elect a vice chair.

 

 

9. Items to Report to Executive Committee (Discussion Only)

The committee discussed reporting their position on the Family Friendly Workplace Ordinance to the Executive Committee and suggesting it be agendized as a discussion, rather than consent item.

 

 

10. Executive Committee Report (Discussion Only)

The Executive committee will have its first meeting the following Wednesday.

 

 

11. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 6:57 pm.