San Francisco Youth Commission
Housing, Environment, & City Services
Minutes
Thursday, October 23, 2014
5:00-7:00 PM
City Hall, Room 345
1. Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl.
San Francisco, CA 94102

There will be public comment on each item.

Members: Anna Bernick, Rosa Chen, Noah David, Lily Marshall-Fricker, Precious Listana

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

Acting Chair Marshall-Fricker called the meeting to order at 5:07 pm. Commissioners present: Bernick, Chen, David, Marshall-Fricker, Listana. Staff present: Leah Lacroix (intern) and Allen Lu.

2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)

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

3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)

A. October 9, 2014
(Document A)

Commissioner Chen, seconded by Commissioner David, moved to approve the October 9, 2014 minutes. There was no public comment. The motion was approved by acclamation.

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

There was no public comment.

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

A. Presentation on Pedestrian Safety: Vision Zero
Presenter: Genaro Escarzaga, Family & Schools Program Coordinator from Walk SF

Mr. Escarzaga gave an overview of the mission of WalkSF, the context for the initiative, Vision Zero, and Safe Routes to School. He included statistics of the number of people hit by cars every day in San Francisco and the health impacts of such accidents. There are iniquities across the city; Tenderloin, Chinatown, and SOMA are the most dangerous neighborhoods where there are high concentrations of low income, disabled, immigrant, non-English speaking populations that heavily rely on walking and public transit.

When it comes to youth, 11% of children looked in any direction before reaching curb, only 41% stopped at curb before crossing, and only 7% looked in any direction while stopped at curb. Mr. Escarzaga shared about incidents of pedestrian deaths and accidents. Youth Commissioners brought up the fatality that occurred in front of city hall. This led to a discussion of what Vision Zero is about, where it came from, the 3 E’s (Engineering, Enforcement, and Education) and MTA’s commitment to completing 40 projects. Mr. Escarzaga invited the Youth Commission to be a Vision Zero Partner, which would entail being involved in quarterly meetings and being updated via emails. There is currently a diverse group of partners and coalition in the community.

He then talked about SF’s Safe Routes to School Program where community leadership is being built, kids and families are being educated, the 3 E’s are again being highlighted, and schools are connected as part of Vision Zero. School zones were also discussed: within 1,000 feet of SF schools, a designated school zone where a 15 mph speed limit is to be set in place. However, some schools can’t do this. For example, Bessie Carmichael in the SOMA has freeway entrances and exits nearby where state regulation requires the allowed speed limits to be higher.

Commissioner Bernick questioned how many years it would take for Vision Zero to be implemented. Mr. Escarzaga shared that it depends how effectively we hold certain departments accountable. Mr. Lu shared SFMTA’s plans and map of 40 projects to be improved. WalkFirst prioritizes projects depending on how many accidents have occurred and if there has been recent accidents. Mr. Escarzaga shared a little bit about Complete Streets in Chicago which is sets standards for streets at a high policy level, and his observations that it isn’t until cities make it a priority that polices are enforced.

Commissioner Listana asked about Vision Zero projects in the SOMA and Tenderloin, neighborhoods in her district. Mr. Escarzaga talked about “daylighting” in the Tenderloin: cars are further back when they are parked. He also shared that additional school zone signs are placed around Bessie, and that the school community have held meetings and identified traffic calming proposals. Parents at the school are more engaged now that the school began organizing Walk to School Days.

Commissioner Listana will update the EC about this meeting and ask to see if WalkSF can come present at the next Full YC meeting so that the YC can be a sponsor of Vision Zero.

There was no public comment.

B. Elect Committee Chair

The committee elects Commissioner Chen as Chair, and Commissioner Bernick as Vice Chair.

There was no public comment.

6. Staff Report

A. Programmatic Updates

Mr. Lu provided committee updates on the Free MUNI for Youth Program and the implementation of 18 year olds. He also reminded people of the Larkin Street Voterization Event happening on Wednesday, and the “It Starts with Me” Youth Festival happening November 1st.

B. Executive Committee Report

Ms. LaCroix updated the committee on the Mission Playground Event and the hearing held at the Rec and Park Commission meeting. She shared about those who were present at the hearing and some of the comments people shared. Commissioner David pulled out the Mission Playground video and the commissioners shared their feelings and reactions to the situation.

Commissioner David noted: You shouldn’t have to reserve for a public space. There’s a reason why it’s public for a reason. You can’t reserve it with money so others can’t play. Commissioner Listana added that the root of the problem is the lack of communication. Commissioner Chen pointed out that in the case of large events, Rec and Park should be notified so staff can be informed and can make sure that the public spaces are clean and in order. People shouldn’t have to pay for a reservation, but Rec and Park should know when there are events. A sign should be posted up days beforehand so that others who use the space can be informed. This would help the communication issue.

Commissioner David added that he thinks there should be changes to the rules about the park. People should only be able to reserve the park during school hours or after 8pm on weekdays. The committee suggested having a presentation/discussion with Rec and Park.

Ms. LaCroix also opened the conversation up to gather questions the commissioners have for Rec and Park’s Scholarship program. Staff collected the questions and will be in contact with Rec and Park. Ms. LaCroix also reminded people that they have been emailed and have access to SF’s Consolidation Plan.

There was no public comment.

7. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 7:00pm.