San Francisco Youth Commission
Minutes
Monday, December 1, 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, Emani Davis, 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 5:20 pm. Commissioners present: Jillian Wu, Marshall-Fricker, Guo, Avalos Nuñez, Listana, Joyce Wu, David, Berliner, Davis, Cardenas, Li, Bernick, Edelhart, Zheng. Commissioners absent: Chen. Staff present: Adele Failes-Carpenter, Allen Lu.

There was quorum.

Commissioner Marshall-Fricker motioned to excuse the absence of Commissioner Chen, seconded by Commissioner Bernick. There was no public comment. The motion was approved by acclamation.

Commissioner Guo requested to be excused from the January 5th meeting. Commissioner Edelhart motioned to excuse the absence, seconded by Commissioner Avalos Nuñez. There was no public comment. The motion was approved by acclamation.

2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)

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

3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)

A. November 17, 2014
(Document A)

Commissioner David, seconded by Commissioner Zheng, moved to approve the minutes from November 17th. There was no public comment. The motion was approved by acclamation.

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

There was none.

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

A. [BOS File No. 141215] Administrative Code - Children, Youth and Families Oversight and Advisory Committee and Service Provider Working Group
Sponsor: Supervisor Avalos
Presenter: Beth Rubenstein, Legislative Aide to Supervisor John Avalos
(Document B and C)

Ms. Rubenstein opened by offering some background on Prop C and past Children’s fund legislation. The fund is a landmark among cities and began as a ten year, then fifteen year fund, now approved for the next twenty five years and increased by one cent per $100 of assessed property taxes. The legislation also reauthorizes PEEF and creates a cross-agency youth council for the city, as well as providing for more transparency and oversight, the details of which are being worked out in these subsequent pieces of trailing legislation. Since they are not in the charter, they can be reviewed by supervisors before the twenty five year sunset date of the chartered legislation.

She explained that this trailing legislation specifies the details of the Oversight and Advisory Committee as well as the Service providers working group, which would advise the OAC. She commended that commissioners work on voicing the need for 25% of the advisory committee be made up of youth. As such, 3 seats are specified in the legislation solely for youth and TAY. Other seats are designated for parents of school aged children and youth, as well as those who represent underserved communities. She explained the language regarding underrepresentation was recommended by the city attorney’s office, but that there is a need for the public to hold the departments accountable, and ensure that the appointments are reflective of the seat descriptions.

The legislation provides for term limits and attendance policies. In developing the legislation, they weighed the idea of compensating the members of the oversight and advisory committee, namely the youth appointees. They considered the idea of having the YAC compensate the youth appointees as well. The question of how the YAC should be included in the oversight functions of the department is complex because the YAC is not codified in policy right now. The board would like the OAC to get started and develop its workplan, including how it will make use of the functions of the DCYF youth advisory body. Then, the legislation and these questions may be revisited after the OAC has begun to function. The OAC will begin functioning by July 1st and the SPWG by September 1st.

Commissioner Cardenas ask whether TAYSF was considered to play a supporting role to the TAY appointee. Commissioner Cardenas asked whether the YC should also make recommendations for seat 7.

Commissioner Avalos expressed support for commissioner Cardenas’ comment, stating that TAYSF may be better equipped to prepare the appointee on TAY specific legislation.

Commissioner Edelhart also expressed her support for Commissioner Cardenas’ comment, and asked what was the original intent of not having the YC recommend the seventh seat.

Director Failes-Carpenter shared commission staff has began working on what the youth commissions support means for the youth appointed on the OAC. She also explained that the commission is written in to the city charter, with a specific purpose and duties. She suggested that there will be a need to support youth representatives to the OAC both with skill development and content expertise, and that the YC office would look forward to working with TAY SF to make sure youth reps are well prepared to meaningfully participate.

Commissioner Edelhart asked what were the efforts made to ensure diversity on the OAC? Ms. Rubenstein explained that their priority is to make the process as transparent as possible, providing community members the forum to share their thoughts on the possible appointee. She explained that the main concern is a possible lack of transparency regarding appointees. The rules committee would not have the ability to approve or reject a mayoral appointee, but they would be able to have a public hearing.

Commissioner Listana asked who is considered a service provided, and how are they selected. Ms. Rubenstein explained that the service provider working group is an inclusive process, with no cap but requiring at minimum 10 members. Commissioner Listana asked whether the legislation specified a diversity requirement for the working group. Ms. Rubenstein explained that there is no such specification in the legislation.

Chair Li provided commissioners with an institutional overview of the Youth Commissions work on the Children’s Fund Amendment, specifically their recommendations for oversight.

Commisioner Cardenas motioned to recommend that seat 7 be jointly supported by the YC office and TAYSF.

Commissioner Marshall-Fricker expressed her concern with the motion, saying it may be burdensome.

Commissioner Listana asked for clarification regarding the motion. Commissioner Cardenas explained that TAYSF can provide the necessary skills and policy background to the youth appointee.

Commissioner Cardenas asked a question of staff through the chair, regarding whether a jointly appointed and staffed seat is a possibility. Director Carpenter explained that it is decision the commission can make, and should consider, provided TAY SF has staff capacity.

Commissioner Cardenas restated his motion, “That the YC and TAYSF jointly support the Youth Appointee in seat seven”. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bernick.

Commissioner Avalos asked a question of staff regarding the capacity of YC staff and who will staff be in communication with TAY SF. Director Failes-Carpenter explained that it is challenging to speculate what the relationship might be considering that TAY SF has not been contacted to discuss the role.

Commissioner Zheng asked whether the motion was made on the contingency that TAYSF has the capacity to support a youth appointee. Commissioner Cardenas explained that the recommendation is non-binding and if the board finds that TAY SF does not have capacity, they would not include it in the legislation. Rather, the recommendation is cause to explore the issue.

Chair Li reviewed 2013-14 commissioner concerns with DCYF oversight, including recommendations that youth town halls be held as part of the oversight and advisory process.

Commissioner Avalos made a motion of general support for the legislation, seconded by Commissioner Bernick.

There was no public comment.

The motion passed unanimously by vote of acclamation.

Considering Commissioner Cardenas’s motion, Chair Li requested a roll call vote. The motion passed 13-1, with commissioner Marshall-Fricker dissenting.

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

A. Overview of Transitional Age Youth San Francisco 2014-16 Policy Priorities Document
Presenter: Jose-Luis Mejia, Associate Director, TAY SF
(Document D)

Chair Li tabled item 6A due to presenter illness.

B. Overview and request for co-sponsorship of the 2014 Victory Over Violence events
Presenters: Mattie Scott, Director, Healing 4 Our Families & Our Nation; Elizabeth Porres, Administrative Advisor, Health 4 Our Families & Our Nation; Carletta Jackson, Director, Sojourner Truth Foster Family Service Agency
(Document E)

Ms. Mattie Scott introduced herself, and her colleague, Emma White. She shared startling statistics of gun violence, and how it is predominantly affecting communities of color.

She invited commissioners to an event series: Victory over Violence. The goal the event is to embraced all the victims of violence and provide a solution to violence. She explained that the event will have food and drinks, and is open to the public. She urged commissioners to share the event information with friends and family.

Emma Ehite introduced herself. She shared that she has been with the Brady campaign for a over two years. She expressed her support for the event series and the work done by the organization to remove guns from the street.

Commissioner Marshall-Fricker asked whether or not there is a partnership with the San Francisco Police Department. Ms. White and Ms Scott explained that they are indeed working SFPD.

Commissioner Listana asked why the gun buyback was happening in winter time. Commissioner Bernick asked whether they know why depression and gun violence increases in the winter. Ms. Scott explained that the holiday season generated excess stress which oftentimes manifests itself into depression and that gun violence goes up in December.

Commissioner Avalos asked if they know what the SFPDs intention was after collecting the guns. Ms. Scott explained that officers often donate the molten metal to an artist, in addition to other alternatives.

Commissioner Li asked the presenters what they envision the Youth Commissioners support in the event looking like. Ms. Scott explained that she would like commissioners to attend and speak during both days of the event.

Chair Li asked commissioners to indicate their interest in participating in the event on Saturday. Commissioners Cardenas, Edelhart, Davis, Jillian Wu, Avalos, and Listana expressed their interest. No commissioners were available on Friday due to school.

A motion to sponsor and support the Victory over Violence event was made by Commissioner Bernick, seconded by commissioner Avalos.

There was no public comment.

The motion passed unanimously by vote of acclamation.

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

A. [First Reading] Resolution 1415-AL-03—Providing Fee Waivers for Eligible San Francisco DACA Applicants
Sponsors: Immigration & Employment Committee
(Document F)

The Immigration and Employment committee collectively presented the first draft of their resolution. They proceeded to read the resolution in to the public record.

Commissioner Listana asked whether the resolution would include an ask to increase the budget of the City department dedicating funds to DACA. Commissioner Joyce Wu explained that the resolution is solely urging the collaboration of the three departments to better serve undocumented residents.

Commissioner Guo reported that Supervisor Tang is willing to co-support the resolution with Supervisor Yee.

Commissioner Davis asked whether young people who are DACA eligible are also eligible for the fee waiver. Commissioner Li explained that is a question which would be better posed to the Board of Supervisors who can further decide on the eligibility guidelines, but the waivers would likely be aimed at low income immigrant youth.

There was no public comment.

8. Committee Reports (Discussion Only)

A. Executive Committee

Vice-chair Edelhart reminded commissioners of a presentation the YC will be making to the SAC on Monday, December 8th 6pm.

B. Housing, Environment, and City Services Committee

Committee Vice-Chair Bernick reported on the committees November 20th meeting where they discussed the Recreation and Parks department scholarship application and they will be attending a Vision Zero Meeting meeting at the SFPL Main library.

C. Immigration and Employment Committee

Committee Chair Joyce Wu shared her experience visiting ZenDesk. She reported that ZenDesk is interested in conducting a tech townhall, similar to the interest of the committee.

D. Youth Justice Committee

Committee Chair Berliner reported that the committee will be meeting with project What in January.

E. Youth Advisory Council

Commissioners Marshall-Fricker and Commissioner Jillian Wu confirmed there had not been a recent meeting.

9. Staff Report (Discussion Only)

Director Carpenter welcomed newly sworn-in commissioner E’mani Davis to her first full youth commission meeting. She invited commissioner to introduced

Ms. Failes-Carpenter invited commissioners to welcome new District 10 commissioner Emani Davis. She reminded commissioners to complete their sexual harassment trainings online. Ms. LaCroix gave an update on mid-year retreat planning.

10. Announcements (This Includes Community Events)

Commissioner Berliner announced the All of Us or None Community Giveback.

Commissioner Bernick announced the Youth Warrior Art Contest taking place on January 2015.

Commissioner Listana reminded commissioner of the Jose-Antonio Vargas event at her school.

Commissioner Cardenas invited his colleagues to attend a holiday gathering in district 11.

11. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:19 pm