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Meeting Information



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MINUTES

Thursday, April 14, 2005

6:00 P.M.

1800 Oakdale Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94124

 

1.0               Call to Order
Commission President Bobbrie Brown called the Thursday, April 14, 2005 meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. in the Alex L. Pitcher Community Room at 1800 Oakdale Avenue.

 

The Commission Secretary read the Sunshine Ordinance aloud.

 

1.2               Roll Call

Commissioners Present: Brown; Fuentes; Jones; Kennedy (6:25); Sampson; Person.

Staff Present: John Roddy, Deputy City Attorney; Toye Moses, Executive Director SECFC; Annette Price, Comm.-Sect

 

1.3               Consent Calendar

(a)    RESOLUTION (SECFC-2005-31) Be it resolved that the minutes of the Southeast Community Facility Commission meeting of Wednesday, March 23, 2005 be approved as submitted (passed unanimously).

2.0               Public Comment
There was no public comment at this time.

3.0               Communications:
Dr. Moses reported that the following correspondence has been sent: Letter of invitation to Mr. Dave Pearson, SF State University, Head Start program; thank you letters to Karen Roye (DCSS); Yomi Agunbiade (Rec & Park); Tony Winnicker/Eric Sandler (SFPUC).

Comm. Brown welcomed Mr. Larry Ng, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and colleagues, Ms.
Valerie Lawton (PG&E), Ms. Lynn Fong, Dept. of Public Work (DPW), and Ms. Sonya Delgado, Mayor’s Office Neighborhood Services (MONS).

4.0               Presentation:
Mr. Larry Ng, Senior Project Manager for PG&E thanked the Commission for the invitation to present. Mr. Ng distributed handouts and explained that he is charged with the task of overseeing the underground wiring, a project that takes overhead lines and places them underground along with utility lines. Also included in the project is streetlight and gas pipe replacement from low- to high-pressure systems.

The current underground project covers 42 sq. miles within the City & County of San Francisco with the 3rd Street light rail project being a part of a 42-mile span. The timeline for completion of the 3rd Street/Oakdale portion will be in January 2007. Mr. Ng then introduced his colleague, Ms. Valerie Lawson, PG&E construction coordinator who is charged with responding to complaints from the community regarding electrical contractors, construction, and service location points. Ms. Lawson encouraged the community to contact her if they need issues addressed under the scope of her authority.

Comm. Fuentes was curious as to why this underground project is taking place now and wanted clarification on the low/high pressure gas system upgrade? Comm. Fuentes also inquired whether any financial assistance would be given to the homeowners for this conversion upgrade?

In response to the question of why certain areas were chosen, Ms. Lynn Fong, City Underground Coordinator for DPW, referring to a map, stated specific areas were chosen that were scheduled to undergo gas main replacement. When questioned as to street boundaries for the 42-mile span, Ms. Fong stated that the miles are not continuous. Mr. Ng added that the gas pipe system is being upgraded to a high-pressure gas system that will be more easily maintained and safer.

Regarding requirements of the homeowner to convert their electric service to an underground system, the homeowner would be responsible for hiring a licensed electrician to convert from an overhead to underground feed and to bring the underground piping out one foot past the dwelling line.

Comm. Jones asked that a list be provided of all the licensed contractors from the 94124 area as well as African-American contractors. In response to questions regarding cost of conversion, Mr. Ng stated it would range from $1,500 to as high as $5,000 depending on the severity of the work needed. When asked why PG&E will not shoulder the financial burden for this conversion, Ms. Fong explained the state requires that the property owner be financially responsible to convert the underground service while the state will pay for the substructure. Comm. Brown asked that that question be relayed back to PG&E’s board of directors and have the Board address the Commission on that topic, given the high cost of utilities paid by residents and the fact that the PG&E power plant in BVHP has caused numerous health issues to the residents here.

Comm. Sampson asked whether there were programs available through the Mayor’s Office to compensate businesses and churches for this conversion? Ms. Sonya Delgado, Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services stated there are no programs currently available to defray costs assigned to businesses or churches. The program available assists single-family homeowners who reside on the property. Comm. Sampson asked whether there is any consequence when there is noncompliance? Ms. Fong stated in a case such as that, a lien would be applied to the property but only as a last result. Comm. Sampson stated that the neighbors on his block have only received one letter of notification regarding the conversion. Comm. Brown asked that Comm. Sampson provide a list of names to staff so that that list can be forwarded to DPW.

Dir. Moses asked whether PG&E would be financially responsible if food were to spoil during electrical interruptions. Ms. Valerie Lawson stated the interruption would be minimal, from 1 to 2 hours. Ms. Delgado briefly reviewed the eligibility criteria for available grant funds and emphasized that the homeowners must reside in the home and not have liquid assets more than $25,000.

Ms. Julie Brown, People Organized Power commended the Commission for asking relevant questions and voiced concern that there are many BVHP residents who were qualified for available funding but were unaware that funding existed. These same people are now in debt having hired the contractors for this upgrade. She asked that they be reimbursed. Comm. Brown asked that outreach efforts be expanded to include the Mayor’s Office when notifications of available funds are sent out and also requested a breakdown of all families who have been approved to receive funding.

Ms. Toni Battle, Underwood Block Association voiced concern that there is not enough outreach to BVHP residents regarding available grant monies for panel conversion and expressed her disappointed and frustration with the Mayors Office of Neighborhood Services refusal to attend a neighborhood block meeting to explain the type of funding that is out there. Dir. Dwayne Jones, Mayor’s Office of Community Development in addressing the question of funding for churches and other non-profits stated there are a variety of grants and loans available and that the RFP process begins in December. Dr. Harrison Parker voiced concern that the community is being excluded in the planning stages of the project.

-           Mr. Al Williams, consultant for Levin Menzies & Associates, apologized on behalf of Mr. Robert Kagan who could not attend the meeting tonight. Referring to a handout previously distributed, Mr. Williams briefly gave update of the 5800 Third Street project, a mixed-use facility consisting of 355 residential units (312 market rate and 43 affordable), which include 119 3-bedroom units; 127 2-bedroom units; and 109 1-bedroom units. Mr. Williams explained that the negative declaration will be issued shortly and once issued, the construction will get underway by November. Mr. Williams went on to discuss community benefits and activity aspects of the project listing the following programs: Homebuyer’s Assistance Program, Youth Mentorship Program, Small Business Program etc.

Comm. Brown asked that Levin Menzies consider increasing the number of affordable units. Comm. Person expressed frustration about the cost of the units explaining that most of the “affordable units” will be beyond the average person’s means. Comm. Jones suggested that the youth mentorship program be expanded to include elementary school level children. Mr. Williams stated he would be more than happy to work with Commissioner Jones in creating a program specifically for middle school children. Comm. Samson suggested that perhaps Levin Menzies could partner with Albertson Food in constructing a store on the ground level of the project. Comm. Fuentes asked whether any African American artists from the BVHP community will participate in the project? Mr. Williams stated there was a group of African American artist, although not from BVHP, who expressed an interest in the project.

5.0               Director’s Report
  Dr. Moses gave update about both the General Fund and Clean Water budgets. He also reported that all childcare centers were doing well with the exception of Captain Shorey Childcare, which has been vacated. He continued that there are several prospective tenants who are interested in leasing the facility. A repast will take place at 4:00 p.m. tomorrow at Southeast for the 15-year-old boy who was gunned down at the bus stop in the BVHP district. Comm. Brown directed staff to schedule a Facilities Committee meeting to address leasing of the CAHEED facility.

MOTION: Acceptance of Director’s Report. Motion passed unanimously to accept report as presented (6-0).

7.0               Old & Ongoing Business:
There was no old & ongoing business at this time.

8.0               Introduction of New Business by Commissioners
  There was no new business at this time.

9.0               Public Comment
Dir. Dwayne Jones, Mayors Office of Community Development (MOCD) briefly discussed four (4) main priorities MOCD is working toward: Homelessness, Community of Opportunity, Public safety, Community Greening. Mr. Jones further reported that a $3.8 million grant block fund has been allocated to the Southeast sector to develop many initiatives. Dir. Jones concluded by reminding that Mr. Fred Blackwell, Deputy Directory of MOCD will present in two weeks and give update on the various initiatives.

10.0               Announcements:
Comm.
Kennedy announced that there will be a first time homebuyer assistance workshop on April 23, 2005 at Southeast sponsored Lennar BVHP.

11.0               Adjournment
Comm. Brown adjourned the SECF Commission meeting at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

         _____________________

Commission Secretary