San Francisco Youth Commission
Minutes
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
5:15pm-8:00pm
City Hall, Room 278
1. Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl.
San Francisco, CA 94102

There will be public comment on each item.

Mia Shackelford, Chair
Nicholas Persky, Vice Chair, Paul Monge-Rodriguez, Co-Legislative Affairs Officer, Rachel Brodwin, Co-Legislative Affairs Officer, Christine Huynh, Communications & Outreach Officer Sarah Armstrong, Angel Carrion, Brian Chu, Kyron Covington, Ramon Gomez, Alex Guzman-Ramos, Lily Marshall-Fricker, Mia Tu Mutch, Vee Taumoepeau, Vanessa Warri, Eric Wu, Ariel Yu

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

Chairwoman Mia Shackelford called the meeting to order at 5:20 p.m. The roll was called. Commissioners present: Rachel Brodwin, Angel Carrion, Brian Chu, Ramon Gomez, Christine Huynh, Lily Marshall-Fricker, Paul Monge-Rodriguez, Nicholas Persky, Mia Shackelford, Eric Wu, and Ariel Yu. Commissioners absent: Sarah Armstrong, Kyron Covington, Alex Guzman-Ramos, Mia Tu Mutch, Vee Taumoepeau, Vanessa Warri. Staff present: Adele Carpenter, Phimy Truong, Mario Yedidia.
There was quorum.

2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)

There was no public comment.
Commissioner Brodwin, seconded by Commissioner Carrion, moved to approve the agenda. The agenda was approved by acclamation.

3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)

A. Monday, February 4, 2013
(Document A)

There was no public comment.

Commissioner Huynh, seconded by Commissioner Yu, moved to approve the minutes to the meeting of Monday, February 4, 2013. This motion was approved by acclamation.

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

There were none.

6. Legislative Affairs Officers Report (Discussion Only)

Commissioners Monge-Rodriguez and Brodwin gave a brief update on their work in following Youth Commission related legislation.

There was no public comment.

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

A. [File No. 120669] Ordinance amending the Subdivision Code, by adding Section 1396.4, to adopt a condominium conversion impact fee applicable to buildings participating but not being selected in the 2012 or 2013 condominium conversion lotteries only, subject to specified requirements, including lifetime leases for non-purchasing tenants; and adopting environmental findings.
Presenter: Office of Supervisor Mark Farrell
(Document B)

Chairwoman Shackelford provided brief introductory remarks. Commissioner Wu also provided additional remarks on why he was specifically interested in having this legislation be heard at the Youth Commission. Commissioner Wu spoke about the high cost of living in San Francisco, his concern for youth living in tenancy in commons (TICs) and concern about family flight. Commissioner Shackelford then welcomed Jess Montejano, Legislative Aide for the Office of Supervisor Mark Farrell to the meeting.

Mr. Montejano provided a detailed overview of the legislation referred including some common facts of tenancy in commons (TICs), the current timeline of the legislation, the current negotiations that are in place between tenants community and property owners, benefits to youth and families in the City, and some misconceptions that some might have about the legislation. The legislation seeks to adopt a condominium conversion impact fee and is more commonly known in the media as the tenancy in commons condo lottery bypass legislation. Mr. Montejano explained that a lot of TICs represent former renters and middle class families seeking to become first time homeowners in the city, with an estimated 85% of TICs are owner occupied units and 15% tenants occupying the buildings. He explained that the current lottery system for condo conversions is broken and the legislation would help alleviate the backlog of TIC owners on the waitlist for the lottery. The condo conversion impact fee would go towards affordable housing through the Mayor’s Office of Housing. Mr. Montejano explained that the legislation also seeks to help people who are at risk of facing foreclosures and losing their homes, as interest rates for their units have grown. Mr. Montejano also expressed that the legislation does not repeal rent control or evict any current tenants as tenants would be assured with lifetime leases, and it will not allow new TIC units to be eligible to take advantage of the opportunity. The benefits include helping vulnerable homeowners keep their homes and fees collected would go towards affordable housing. Mr. Montejano also explained that the legislation will be going through negotiations with housing advocates and other stakeholders; due to these negotiations the legislation has been continued to the next Land Use committee meeting.

Commissioner Wu then inquired about the number of TICs foreclosed in previous years, the number of units that would be able to take advantage, how the fee would be set up to benefit affordable housing in San Francisco, and how lifetime leases worked. Mr. Montejano replied that in the last year about 10-15 TIC units have gone into foreclosure and this legislation would seek to prevent foreclosures from happening. He also explained that roughly 1800 units would be able to take advantage of the lottery system, however negotiations were still taking place and some language in the legislation would change. Commissioners Monge-Rodriguez, Persky, Chu, and Carrion asked additional clarifying questions.

Public Comment

Kimberly Liang, Senior at Galileo High School, expressed that her family has been lifelong renters and though the fee in this legislation would go towards affordable housing, it would not replace the rent controlled units that would be taken away from other low income families such as hers.

Minlee Chen, Senior at Galileo High School, expressed that rent controlled units have benefited her family.

Christina, student at Galileo High School, spoke against the legislation and expressed that condominiums are not affordable for low income San Franciscans.

Jeremy Miller, Program Director of Idriss Stelley Foundation, expressed that there is a need to sustain affordable housing in San Francisco.

Mesha Monge-Irizarry, Idriss Stelley Foundation, spoke about the gentrification of the Fillmore neighborhood and family flight.

Chairwoman Shackelford then laid out the format for how the commission can take a position on legislation referred. She reminded her colleagues of their chartered duty to identify the unmet needs of San Francisco’s young people, and provide comment and recommendation based on their youth experiences in San Francisco.

Commissioners Wu, Persky, and Carrion had a discussion on whether or not to continue their position on the legislation until the next meeting. Commissioner Wu explained that a lot of their colleagues were not at the meeting and he would like to wait to get their thoughts on the legislation. Commissioner Shackelford explained that the commission still had quorum with 11 of the 17 members; and the commission should still be able to vote and make a decision. Commissioners Brodwin and Marshall-Fricker explained that they have just received a presentation on the legislation referred and should take a position on the legislation at this meeting. Commissioner Brodwin expressed that commissioners comments on the legislation tonight would at least be important in narrowing down the specifics of the negotiations. She urged her commissioners to reconsider and be ready to take a position at this meeting. Commissioners then shared a lengthy discussion about the legislation referred and the negotiations pending that would affect some of the language of the legislation.

Mr. Yedidia then provided some staff suggestions to commissioners’ discussion, namely that it isn’t appropriate to vote on a motion a second time, especially after it has failed, as it is not what the Rules of Order is intended for; it is important to have substantive discussions before a vote happens, and that quorum is quorum for a reason.

Commissioner Wu, seconded by Commission Carrion, made a motion to table the Youth Commission’s vote on the legislation referred. The motion failed by the following roll call vote: Ayes (8) – Carrion, Chu, Gomez, Huynh, Monge-Rodriguez, Persky, Wu, Yu; No’s (3) – Brodwin, Marshall-Fricker, Shackelford.

Commissioner Persky, seconded by Commissioner Wu, made a motion to suspend the bylaws and consider 8 votes to count as a majority vote on this specific item. The motion failed by the following roll call vote: Ayes (7) – Carrion, Chu, Gomez, Huynh, Monge-Rodriguez, Persky, Wu; No’s (4) – Brodwin, Marshall-Fricker, Shackelford, Yu.

Commissioner Huynh, seconded by Commissioner Chu, made a motion to provide comments without a specific position on the legislation referred. The comments include: the Youth Commission would like to look at the average household income of TIC owners; have an equity impact analysis, specifically looking at how different demographics would be affected; and looking into the long term impacts of this legislation. The motion passed by the following roll call vote: Ayes (10) – Brodwin, Carrion, Chu, Gomez, Huynh, Monge-Rodriguez, Persky, Shackelford, Wu, Yu; No’s (1) – Marshall-Fricker.

Chairwoman Shackelford made some closing statements and thanked Mr. Montejano for his time.

8. Presentations (Discussion Only)

There were none.

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

A. [Second Reading] Resolution 1213—10—Urging the SFUSD and City & County to Assist
Undocumented Students File for Deferred Action
Sponsors and presenters: Commissioners Covington, Monge-Rodriguez, Persky, Wu
(Document C)

Commissioners Persky provided an overview of commissioners collaborative work with Student Advisory Council (SAC) representatives and the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs on the resolution. Commissioner Wu had presented to OCEIA’s Immigrant Rights Commission with a request to adopt a similar version of the resolution. Commissioner Monge-Rodriguez shared that they have also been working with Christina Wong, the Special Assistant to the Superintendent, on a deferred action resource page on the SFUSD website. Ms. Truong then cued up the preliminary resource page on SFUSD’s website to share with commissioners.

Commissioners Persky, Monge-Rodriguez, and Wu then read the resolution into the public record.

There was no public comment.

Commissioner Persky, seconded by Commissioner Wu, moved to amend the resolution by adding the following clause to line 6, page 5: Whereas, the San Francisco Youth Commission urges the SFUSD to uphold the confidentiality of DACA applicants information to protect their private information. The motion passed by the following roll call vote: Ayes (11) – Brodwin, Carrion, Chu, Gomez, Huynh, Marshall-Fricker, Monge-Rodriguez, Persky, Shackelford, Wu, Yu.

Commissioner Chu, seconded by Commissioner Monge-Rodriguez, moved to adopt the resolution as amended. The motion passed by the following roll call vote: Ayes (11) – Brodwin, Carrion, Chu, Gomez, Huynh, Marshall-Fricker, Monge-Rodriguez, Persky, Shackelford, Wu, Yu.

C. [Second Reading] Resolution 1213—12—Recommending Against the Issuance of Taser Devices to San Francisco Police Department Officers
Sponsors and presenters: Commissioners Carrion, Gomez, Monge-Rodriguez
(Document E)

Chairwoman Shackelford then called item 9C out of order.

Commissioner Carrion provided a brief overview of the youth justice committee’s work on the resolution. He spoke about the committee’s goal to advocate against the issuance of taser devices to SFPD officers. The committee had reached out for comments from SFPD Police Chief and had not received any.

Commissioners Carrion, Gomez, and Monge-Rodriguez then read the resolution into the public record.

Public Comment

Mesha Monge-Irizarry, Founder of the Idriss Stelley Foundation, expressed her concerns with taser devices. She urged commissioners to respectfully oppose the issuance of taser devices to SFPD officers.

Jeremy Miller, from the Idriss Stelley Foundation, expressed his concerns with taser devices.

Commissioners Carrion passed out copies of an article on tasers that was published on SFGATE. He asked his peers to keep in mind that the city’s Police Commission had rejected a proposal to issue tasers twice.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions. Commissioners Chu, Monge-Rodriguez, Carrion, and Marshall-Fricker engaged in a brief discussion. Commissioner Marshall-Fricker expressed that she respects the committee’s work, but would like to hear from the SFPD before making a decision. Commissioner Carrion explained that the committee had already shared the resolution with the police chief and invited the department to the commission meeting. Mr. Yedidia shared that staff had reached out by phone and email to the chief and had been notified that there will not be SFPD staff at the meeting.

Public Comment

Mesha Monge-Irizarry spoke about the Idriss Stelley Foundation and explained that her organization is not anti-cops, but advocating for full transparency. She explained that this has been the third time the foundation has advocated against the issuance of tasers.

Commissioner Chu, seconded by Commissioner Brodwin, moved to approve the resolution. The motion passed by the following roll call vote: Ayes (10) – Brodwin, Carrion, Chu, Gomez, Huynh, Monge-Rodriguez, Persky, Shackelford, Wu, Yu. No’s (1) – Marshall-Fricker.

B. [Second Reading] Resolution 1213—11—Urging the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors to Urge the San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department Not to Equip SOP Unit Probation Officers with Firearms
Sponsors and presenters: Commissioners Carrion, Gomez, Monge-Rodriguez
(Document D)

Chairwoman Shackelford called item 9B at 7:17 p.m.

Commissioners Carrion, Monge-Rodriguez, and Gomez read the resolution into the public record.

Commissioner Carrion then passed out copies of a letter received by Juvenile Probation Chief William Siffermann. Commissioner Carrion then read Chief Siffermann’s response to the committee’s resolution into the public record.

Chairwoman Shackelford called a recess at 7:25 p.m. The meeting was called back to order at 7:28 p.m.

Commissioner Chu asked for clarity on what the nature of people and crimes committed in the serious offender unit. Commissioner Carrion explained that he was classified as a member of the serious offender unit. He then explained that they are usually people who have been consistent with assault battery and other charges that fall under the violence category.

Public Comment

Mesha Monge-Irizarry expressed her concerns with the possibility of more youth casualties if some juvenile probation officers were allowed to carry firearms.

Jeremy Miller highlighted the difference and distinction between the Juvenile Probation Department and the Adult Probation Department. He urged the commission to take a position and support the resolution.

Commissioner Yu, seconded by Commissioner Brodwin, moved to approve the resolution. The motion passed by the following roll call vote: The motion passed by the following roll call vote: Ayes (10) – Brodwin, Carrion, Chu, Gomez, Huynh, Monge-Rodriguez, Persky, Shackelford, Wu, Yu. No’s (1) – Marshall-Fricker.

D. [First Reading] Resolution 1213—13—Resolution Celebrating the City of Baltimore and Commending the 2013 Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens
Sponsors and presenters: Commissioners Persky, Shackelford, Brodwin, Huynh, Monge-Rodriguez
(Document F)

Commissioner Persky explained that the Executive Committee had committed to a friendly wager with the City of Baltimore’s Youth Commission. The wager namely states that the youth commission of the losing city had to write a resolution commending the winning city. Commissioner Shackelford shared that she would like the resolution to be adopted upon first reading.

Commissioner Persky read the resolution into the public record.

Commissioner Persky, seconded by Commissioner Brodwin, moved to suspend the bylaws and adopt the resolution on its first reading. The motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.

Commissioner Yu, seconded by Commissioner Chu made a motion to approve the resolution. The motion failed by the following roll call vote: Ayes (6) – Chu, Gomez, Monge-Rodriguez, Persky, Shackelford, Wu. No’s (5) – Brodwin, Carrion, Huynh, Marshall-Fricker, Yu.

E. Community Outreach and Civic Engagement Outreach Plan
Presenters: Adele Carpenter, Youth Commission Coordinator of Community Outreach and Civic Engagement; and Commissioner Huynh, Communications and Outreach Affairs officer
(Document G)

Ms. Carpenter and Commissioner Huynh went over a power point presentation on the community outreach and civic engagement plan for the Youth Commission.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions. Commissioner Brodwin thanked Ms. Carpenter and Commissioner Huynh for their detailed work and presentation.

Public Comment

Jeremy Miller expressed his support for the outreach plan. He felt the plan was comprehensive and expressed his support of the Youth Commission. He also commended Commissioner Marshall-Fricker for expressing her own opinions on the resolutions he had supported.

There was no official action taken on this item.

10. Committee Reports (Discussion Only)

A. Executive Committee; next meeting: Wednesday, February 27, 2013, 5:00pm

Commissioner Persky gave a brief update on the status of the Youth of the Year award, and the Bay Area wide YC summit planning. Ms. Carpenter has been working with commissioners to develop an application and providing information about the award to community organizations. The YC summit planning meeting has been postponed. Staff will be working with Oakland YC staff to schedule a follow up meeting. Commissioner Persky also shared that the free MUNI for youth launch event has been tentatively set for Wednesday, February 27th, from 2:00-2:30 p.m. at Everett Middle School. Commissioner Persky will be speaking at the event and encouraged commissioners to join him. Staff will make sure to follow up with the confirmed date. Commissioner Persky also shared that Commissioner Armstrong was not able to attend the meeting due to a mandatory school retreat, but had requested that commissioners interested in exploring food deserts and human trafficking in San Francisco should get in touch with her.

B. Youth Justice Committee; next meeting: Thursday, February 21, 2013, 5:00pm

Commissioner Carrion provided a quick update on the committee’s various priorities. The justice committee would continue to follow up on their priorities and the resolutions just adopted by the commission.

C. Youth Employment Committee; next meeting: Tuesday, February 26, 2013, 5:00pm

Commissioner Huynh gave a quick update on the employment committee’s work, specifically that the committee was exploring youth employment programs offering school credits, TAY veterans employment, undocumented youth employment opportunities, and learning more about local hiring.
D. Education Committee; next meeting: Wednesday, February 20, 2013, 5:00pm

Commissioner Chu gave a brief update on the committee’s work around following up on credit recovery evaluation

Chu – last committee meeting was a working one, productive; working to see how the YC can be more supportive of City College,

E. Housing, LGBTQ, and TAY Issues Committee; next meeting: Monday, February 25, 2013, 5:00 p.m.

Wu gave a brief update: committee has called for a hearing on 12N, still to set a date for hearing, committee will then work to get youth and service providers to come out and speak on importance of LGBTQ sensitivity training; committee has created a tumblr page to further outreach on 12N, in addition, committee hopes that the TAY housing resolution will be forwarded to the BOS, also researching on creating an evaluation on TAY housing.

F. Youth Advisory Council

Yu gave an update on YACers review of the YEFAB grants.

11. Attendance Review (Action Item)

A. Monday, December 17, 2012
i. Commissioner Armstrong

ii. Commissioner Warri

Chair Shackelford tabled this item as the commissioners mentioned were not at meeting.

B. Saturday, January 12, 2013
i. Commissioner Monge-Rodriguez

Commissioner Monge-Rodriguez explained that he had a family emergency the weekend of the midyear retreat and was not able to attend. Commissioner Marshall-Fricker, seconded by Commissioner Carrion, moved to authorize this absence. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.

ii. Commissioner Tu Mutch

Chair Shackelford tabled this item.

C. Sunday, January 13, 2013
i. Commissioner Brodwin

Commissioner Brodwin explained that she was sick on this day and was unable to attend the second day of the midyear retreat. Commissioner Chu, seconded by Commissioner Gomez, moved to authorize the absence. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.

ii. Commissioner Guzman-Ramos

Chair Shackelford tabled this item.

iii. Commissioner Monge-Rodriguez

Chair Shackelford explained that Commissioner Monge-Rodriguez had already provided his reason for his absence during the midyear retreat. Chair Shackelford, seconded by Commissioner Huynh moved to authorize this absence. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.

iv. Commissioner Taumoepeau

Chair Shackelford tabled this item.

D. Monday, February 4, 2013
i. Commissioner Carrion

Commissioner Carrion explained that he was sick on February 4th and was unable to make this meeting. Commissioner Marshall-Fricker, seconded by Commissioner Brodwin, moved to authorize this absence. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.

ii. Commissioner Guzman-Ramos

This item was tabled.

5. Staff Report (Discussion Only)

Chairwoman Shackelford then called on item 5 at 8:20 p.m.

Mr. Yedidia then provided the commission with some important updates, starting first with an update on the commission’s legislative work to date: there was still follow up work to be done on the TAY housing resolution and commissioners interested should get in touch with a member of the Housing, LGBTQ, and TAY issues committee; staff was still working to get the SB 8 resolution to be sponsored by a member of the Board; and staff had also provided the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor’s Office with a memo on the commission’s recently adopted resolutions and comments to the legislation referred at the last meeting of February 4, 2013. Finally, Mr. Yedidia expressed that after 3.5 years of working at the Youth Commission, he would be leaving on March 1st, 2013. Mr. Yedidia expressed his gratitude for working with such an extraordinary youth leaders and highlighted the various important youth policy issues he had worked on with commissioners. Staff’s plan is to move Ms. Truong into Mr. Yedidia’s role of Director, and Ms. Carpenter would then move into the role of the Coordinator of Youth Development and Administration. Staff would then work swiftly to fill the role of the Community Outreach and Civic Engagement position. Mr. Yedidia expressed that staff would continue to carry the work of the commissioners forward to ensure firm programmatic continuity, institutional knowledge, and support at the YC office.

Chairwoman Shackelford then expressed her gratitude and commended Mr. Yedidia’s work on the Youth Commission. Commissioners then applauded Mr. Yedidia’s work.

There was no public comment.

12. Announcements (This Includes Community Events)

Commissioner Carrion reminded colleagues that the Know Justice Conference, an event the Youth Commission endorsed in the fall, was taking place on Wednesday, February 20th at the San Francisco Public Library’s main branch. He urged his peers who had availability to attend the conference with him.

Commissioner Gomez invited his peers to join him at the next Youth in Government program workshop at the YMCA Buchanan. He would be running for President of the program and would like the support of his peers at that meeting. He stated that he would provide more information to his peers in a follow up email.

Ms. Carpenter shared that there is an opportunity for commissioners to be interviewed in a student video to be shared at Mission High School. Ms. Carpenter would be working on this video with one of the Youth Commission’s Youth Works intern, Bryan Tran. She encouraged interested commissioners to get in touch with her for more information.

13. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m.

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.