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MINUTES OF THE
SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY FACILITY COMMISSION
MEETING THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2008 – 6:00 PM
ALEX L. PITCHER, JR. COMMUNITY ROOM,1800 OAKDALE AVENUE
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124
1.0 CALL TO ORDER
Commission President Willie B. Kennedy called the Thursday, October 9, 2008 meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Alex L. Pitcher Community Room at 1800 Oakdale Avenue .
1.1 ROLL CALL
6:01 p.m. Commission Secretary – Carla Vaughn
Commissioners Present: Kennedy, Jones, Brown, Chung and Yang
Commissioners Excused: Sampson and Churchwell
Staff Present: Toye Moses, Executive Director
Joseph Singh, Management Assistant
Carla Vaughn, Commission Secretary
1.2 SUNSHINE ORDINANCE ANNOUNCEMENT
AND CONSENT CALENDAR
Commission President Willie B. Kennedy welcomed all present and announced the Sunshine Ordinance and the Consent Calendar.
Commissioner Jones moved to accept the consent calendar. Commissioner Brown seconded the motion.
2.0 PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
3.0 COMMUNICATIONS
Carla Vaughn, Commission Secretary announced the following:
a) Press Release: “Mayor Gavin Newsom’s Statement On The Ruling By The San Francisco Superior court Allowing The City To Ban The Sale Of Cigarettes In Pharmacies.”
b) Press Release: “Mayor Gavin Newsom Announces Commercial Solar Challenge.”
c) Press Release: “Mayor Gavin Newsom And Superintendent Carlos Garcia Launch Environmental Service Learning Program For San Francisco’s Students”.
d) Press Release: “Mayor Gavin Newsom’s Statement On The Ninth Circuit Court Of Appeals Decision In Favor Of San Francisco’s Universal Healthcare Program, Healthy San Francisco.”
e) Press Release: “Mayor Gavin Newsom Announces First-Of-Its-Kind Sustainable Resource District In San Francisco’s Civic Center.”
f) Press Release: “Mayor Gavin Newsom Announces Events For Fleet Week.”
g) Press Release: “Mayor Gavin Newsom Lauds SB1XX (Perata) California Water Supply Reliability Bill Signed by Governor Schwarzenneger This Week.”
h) SFPUC’s Statement of Incompatible Activities.
i) Notice for the 75th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee Celebration for Coit Tower, on Saturday, October 25th, 2008 from 12 pm to 3 pm
4.0 PRESENTATION
Chair Kennedy acknowledged the arrival of Edward Reskin, Director, Department
Of Public Works and introduced him to the Commission.
Mr. Reskin came to the City and County of San Francisco in June 2007 as the Director of the new 311 Customer Service Center. He worked there for six months and was appointed by Mayor Gavin Newsom as the Director of Public Works in January 2008.
Mr. Reskin worked in local government in Washington D.C. and Oakland before coming to work in San Francisco. He has previously lived in San Francisco and his wife is a life-long resident.
Mayor Gavin Newsom’s main focus for appointing Mr. Reskin as Director of Public Works is on the condition and maintenance and cleanliness of the public rights of way, which is a big part of what Public Works does. DPW also maintains facilities such as SECF, design and engineer buildings, and oversee construction of buildings. The core mission is the design, maintenance, and upkeep of public rights of way in a difficult fiscal climate and makes sure scarce resources are aligned to where needs are.
For example, the creation of the Community Corridors Program and identifying areas such as Third Street, Baysore Avenue, San Bruno Avenue, and Leland Street.
Mr. Reskin states the DPW works closely with PUC, Recreation and Park, and MTA. He has found these agencies sometimes act independently but work on the same streets and serve the same public. He is trying to improve coordination so they are not tearing up the same streets at different times, for example.
Mr. Reskin raised some District 10 issues of interest: Eco-Blitzes done in the corridors, where a team of Public Works employees steam clean sidewalks; paint over graffiti; and fill empty tree basins. This has been in effect for the past couple of months and will continue through winter.
Mr. Reskin spoke of the Sidewalk Improvement Program, currently around Third Street and will be coming to San Bruno Avenue, whereby instead of waiting for complaints about sidewalks, DPW is actively sending out inspectors and fixing sidewalks.
Mr. Reskin also mentioned Community Clean Team Events, which was held in District 10 last month. He states DPW is always available to support community clean-ups on a smaller scale.
Mr. Reskin talked about tree planting on Evans Street, Jennings Street, Oakdale and Palou Streets.
Mr. Reskin said DPW is managing capital projects such as San Francisco General Hospital, which is on the ballot, and have been doing pre-development, design, and environmental work to get a solid number on the ballot. If the voters approve the General Obligation Bond, they will be able to deliver the hospital, which is sorely needed. If the voters do not approve, by state law, due to current seismic conditions, SFGH will close by 2015.
Mr. Reskin stated that DPW is also the Project Manager for the Branck Library Improvement Program. Portola Library opens in February 2009; Visitacion Valley Library opens in the Fall of 2010; and the BayView Library opens in the Fall of 2011.
Mr. Reskin spoke of Leland Street Scape Project which will extend street scape improvements such as those on Third Street and will enhance the way Leland Street looks.
Mr. Reskin brought up undergrounding updates in the neighborhood. Physical work will begin in November 2008. Wires and poles should come down January/February 2009. This is the last funded underground district anywhere in San Francisco. A Task Force will meet to see how to finance more undergrounding.
Mr. Reskin mentioned that DPW has between 100-150 residents of the BayView zip code who work in the department. DPW has a very active labor apprenticeship program and try to recruit people locally to get into the work force, the union, and city civil service or private sector work.
Commissioner Kennedy thanked Mr. Reskin for coming and for making the presentation.
Commissioner Jones had questions regarding the underground work that is being done.
Mr. Reskin said the city undertook process of undergrounding many years ago and established districts throughout the city. One district area was on Oakdale and Palou Streets. The properties change their utilities connections and the utilities place their facilities underground. Once this occurs, the wires and poles come down and there is a more aesthetic difference and it is more reliable to not have wires knocked down by trees and winds. He advised there is a long process to engage property owners to provide information on how the program works and what their obligations are. The Mayor’s Office of Housing has funding available for low-income residents to make the conversion of their electric service. He said PG&E work will begin in November 2008 and will connet the underground service to the residences.
Commissioner Jones also inquired about the number of potholes in the city and those that are repaired do not last long. She stated she doesn’t know what type of materials are used and is aware fo funding issues, but would like to know where DPW is at in the process.
Mr. Reskin stated Mayor Newsom has allocated $2 million in budget for pothole repairs. This enables DPW to run two to three crews a day, Monday through Friday, to fill potholes. Generally they are able to keep up with the demand from 311 calls within two to three days. In terms of where the material comes from, it is obtained from the San Francisco asphalt plant. It is a standard asphalt-cncrete mix, where liquid asphalt is mixed with concrete aggregate and is the same material used to surface streets. If done correctly, it should stay. One reason for repetitive potholes in one place is due to utility problems below the pothole. If there is a sewer that is failing, there is a dent or sinkhole.
DPW comes and fills it with asphalt, but until the sewer is repaired, it will keep sinking. He acknowledged the PUC has funding constraints and a backlog of repairs that make it difficult to do so.
Commissioner Jones mentioned that she sees the work being done underground tied closely together with the work being done above ground.
Mr. Reskin agreed and said for the last 20 years, the city wasn’t keeping up with the capital investment needed to keep the streets in good condition. The PUC is now developing a Wastewater Master Plan to catch up in infrastructure repairs below ground, just as DPW is catching up with repairs above ground.
Commissioner Brown had a question regarding if some of the undergrounding had been done already.
Mr. Reskin said he didn’t believe any of the wires have gone underground yet. Some of the conversions have occurred, but the actual wires coming down won’t happen until January or February 2008.
Commissioner Kennedy expressed concern about some of the trees that have been planted in the BayView District. She mentioned the area of Octavia Street has beautiful tall trees and thoses planted here are scraggly and not aesthetically pleasing. She wondered why there are differences in the trees planted there versus the ones planted here.
Mr. Reskin stated the city has different climates and soil conditions and certain trees do better in certain places. He said the Urban Forester tries to match the species of trees based on the microclimates and soil conditions of the city. The Mayor instructed mature trees be planted so they will be quicker to establish. Their plan is to plant trees that will look good and perform well.
Commissioner Kennedy noted the BayView District has good weather when there is fog elsewhere.
Mr. Reskin said some species do better in sun and some need different soil types. He advised when the trees mature they will look as good as those on Octavia Street.
Commissioner Kennedy said she was still concerned, but would accept his answer.
Mr. Reskin said he would convey her concerns to the Urban Forester.
Mr. Chung, a general contractor who owns property on Third Street by Evans expressed concern regarding DPW opening up the sidewalk and not properly replacing disturbed sewer lines. Also, he noted when utility boxes are installed, they are not level. As a property owner, he has to maintain liability. He reported that if an inspector comes out and tags the box he has to replace it at his own expense. Mr. Chung suggested property owners work with city inspectors to improve work that he feels is substandard.
Mr. Reskin responded they resurface streets only when cleared with the PUC. He said work is done in conjunction with PUC and they are trying to establish a program to look at sewer connections before paving the streets. He also stated that property owners usually request work and a review and inspection of the work is provided.
Mr. Chung advised he made a complaint and was told a subcontractor would provide a replacement. This was a few years ago and the replacement never happened. He suggested the inspection process be stricter.
Commissioner Kennedy introduced Mr. Dwayne Jones, Director of Community of Opportunity.
Mr. Jones stated his focus is to eradicate poverty in the Southeast sector. The initial plan of flooding the community with resources and programs did not seem to work. He said his new focus is Community Transformation. Some of the issues of importance are: (1) Decayed public housing, which he hopes to transform into mixed income developments. (2) Credit Restoration. (3) Truancy, which along with credit restoration would be conditions set to return for some residents. (4) Affordable home ownership and rentals.
Commissioner Kennedy asked how this information would be shared with the public.
Mr. Jones responded the information would be provided through direct mail, presentations to homeowner’s associations, Board of Supervisor’s hearings, etc.
5.0 REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT
Commissioner Kennedy reminded Commissioners that attendance is required for each meeting. If three meetings are missed, staff will notify the Mayor’s office.
6.0 STAFF REPORT
Director Moses briefed the Commissioners on the budget, which is still being prepared. Once done, it will be presented to the Commission and then to the PUC. It is still in process and he will keep the Commission abreast of the progress.
Joseph Singh, Management Assistant, provided an update on the SECFC ADA Project and said work is complete, except for minor touch up work. He advised the HVAC work will begin in November 2008 and hopes for completion by December 2008.
7.0 OLD ON-GOING BUSINESS
Carla Vaughn, Commission Secretary reported there are two individuals left on the presenters list:
Dr. Griffin, Interim Chancellor of City College of San Francisco was provided another invitation giving him four dates to present: October 22, November 13, December 11, or January 28.
A second letter of invitation was also provided to Chris Iglesias, Director of the Human Rights Commission, but as of yet there has been no response.
Ms. Vaughn asked if anyone had suggestions for presenters to please let her know.
Commissioner Kennedy stated the SECFC meeting for Wednesday, November 26th needed to be rescheduled due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. The Commissioners chose to reschedule it for Monday, November 24th.
Director Moses noted the SECFC meeting for Wednesday, December 24th needed to be rescheduled due to the Christmas Holiday. The Commissioners chose to reschedule it for Monday, December 22nd.
9.0 PUBLIC COMMENT
Greg Mayer, Operations Manager of Southeast Plant, announced the Blue Bucket event for Saturday, October 13th from 10 am to 2 pm. Services offered include cooking oil collection, disposing of pharmaceuticals, demonstrations to harvest rain in barrels, and free compost giveaway.
Sam Murray of the SFPUC also addressed the raffling of barrels to collect rainwater. He stated for those who don’t get a chance to win one, there are discounts that people can sign up for. However, they must attend a class to qualify. Also, Mr. Murray said tours will be given of the SEP to let people know the process of cleaning and treating water.
Tony Caruso of Decorative Plants, announced a plant sale would be held in conjunction with the BayView YMCA on October 25th from 9 am to 2 pm.
James Ross, a student ambassador from City College of San Francisco, spoke about increasing the number of students who attend the college.
10 ANNOUNCEMENTS
Joseph Singh announced there are two upcoming Ad-Hoc committee meetings.
The Health and Housing Ad-Hoc committee will meet at noon on October 14th
in the SECFC conference room. The Community Outreach committee will
Meet at noon on October 15th in the SECFC conference room.
Mr. Singh advised he had received a confirmation of attendance from Cheryl West, principal of Malcolm X Academy.
11 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Carla Vaughn, Commission Secretary
