2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 MINUTES
Thursday, February 12, 2004
6:00 P.M.
1800 Oakdale Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94124
I. Call to Order
Commission President Millard Larkin called the Thursday, February 12, 2004 meeting to order at 6:22 p.m. in the Alex L. Pitcher Community Room at 1800 Oakdale Avenue.
II. Announcement
Commissioner Larkin read the Sunshine Ordinance aloud and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
III. Roll Call
Present: Commissioner Millard Larkin; Commissioner Bobbrie Brown, Commissioner Juan Fuentes; Commissioner Louise Jones; Commissioner Kenneth Sampson
Excused: Commissioners Willie Kennedy & Ronald Person
Staff Present: Robert Bryan, Deputy City Attorney; Toye Moses, Exec. Dir. SECFC;
Annette Price, SECF Commission Secretary.
IV. Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Jones moved and Commissioner Brown seconded to accept the minutes of Wednesday, January 28, 2004. Motion passed to accept minutes with minor changes (5-0).
V. Public Comment
Francisco Decosta announced that in honor of Black History Month, an event honoring the Buffalo Soldiers will be held at the Officer’s Club at the Presidio from 12:00 noon to 2:30.
VI. Communications
The Executive Director stated the following correspondence is to be sent as directed:
· Letter to Supt. Arlene Ackerman, SFUSD re: “Safety issues” at public schools &
education update”
Commissioner Jones noted several corrections and suggested certain changes to Supt. Ackerman’s letter. Commissioner Larkin explained that in future, he would like questions sent out and responses received prior to presentation to ensure adequate time for review in order that the pertinent questions may be asked.
VII. Presentations: Commissioner Larkin introduced Acting Police Chief Heather Fong, SFPD and Capt. Michael Puccinelli, SFPD Bayview station, who will speak on “Neighborhood violence & new police role.” Acting Chief Fong stated she looks forward to forging close partnerships with the community to address problems that are a concern not only in Bayview but also throughout San Francisco.
a. Chief Fong stated that recent acts of violence in homicide (10 within a 2-week period) are totally unacceptable. SFPD will fuel its resources/energy to work with the community not only to stop the violence but also ensure that responsible parties are prosecuted. Chief Fong explained that the Violent Crime Task Force & Homicide Detail have put certain measures in place to stop this violence: (1) additional investigators assigned to homicide detail; (2) reallocation of financial resources; (3) witness relocation reform; (4) cease-fire operation; (5) increase in uniformed officers.
Chief Fong explained in addition to enforcement efforts by the department, the community must recognize that this issue cannot be stopped by the SFPD alone. The community (clergy, school district, community-based organizations, etc.) together with SFPD must work together to ensure youth have other alternatives, i.e., education, job prep and/or job training. Chief Fong acknowledged the attendance of members of the African American Police Community Relations Board, nonprofit organizations, and different ministries all of whom are committed to be proactive in working with young people.
Ø SFUSD: Chief Fong stated she met with the school district last week for a brainstorming session on student safety; the need to develop a better line of communication with the SRO officers in the schools; and to look at other resources in terms of proactive fun events to build a better relationship between SRO officers and students.
Ø S.F. Housing Authority: Discussion is underway to establish a program modeled after that in L.A. where the Authority will fund officers to be permanently assigned to a “beat area” at a public housing location in addition to officers that normally respond. Security surveys have been performed in public housing to ensure there is adequate lighting in place and equipment is operational.
Ø District Attorney: San Francisco has 150 unsolved cases over the last 4-5 years and 75 cases that are pending trial. District Attorney Harris has stated her commitment to working with the department to ensure the department knows what the standards are for prosecution and that these cases move forward.
Chief Fong concluded by stating the department’s commitment to the enforcement/investigation of
crime and to work with everyone in the community to put a stop to violence.
Capt. Puccinelli explained Operation Cease Fire is a collaborative effort where the SFPD, Sheriff's Dept., FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), California Bureau of Narcotics, San Francisco District Attorney's Office, US Attorney's Office, State Parole Board, Adult Probation and Juvenile Probation Depts. focus on gang and gang members who engage in violence. Gang members are identified and directed to come down to a “call in” which is held in Dept. 22 of superior court. Also present are community/faith-based organizations, service providers (substance abuse treatment programs) who make services available to these gang members. These members are told in no uncertain terms either they stop the violence or the full wrath of law enforcement personnel will bear down on them and their gang.
Capt. Puccinelli stated police department statistics show crime is down in the Bayview by 11.767%, but noted a spike in shootings/homicide in late December, early January. Capt. Puchinelli distributed pictures of weapons & narcotics recovered to the Commission/community and explained the department is doing everything it can to combat violence and welcomed suggestions. We can stop the violence but we need the community to come forward and report the crimes.
Commissioner Brown asked if there was a tip line available to report crimes. Capt. Puchinelli responded yes, (415) 671-2310. In addition, another tip line will be coming on-line shortly and both are anonymous.
Commissioner Brown questioned why patrol officers tend to ignore obvious inappropriate activity along 3rd Street. Capt. Puccinelli responded there are bicycle officers who deal with quality of life crime on 3rd Street. However as the Bayview district is extremely busy, when patrol cars are seen they usually are headed to a call. Also officers do have discretion, and do not want to be perceived or accused of harassing people.
Commissioner Jones asked how many “call-ins” have there been to date and how well attended are they? Capt. Puccinelli responded they are well attended because they have no choice. The SFPD also responds to warrants issued by the parole/probation department.
Commissioner Fuentes explained the term “gang member” needs to be redefined, as not all young males who hang out on the corner late at night are gang members. Referring to pictures that were earlier distributed, he asked who sells these guns and how can they be stopped from coming into the community? Why does the BVHP community have so many drugs in comparison to other communities? Why aren’t there more jobs and facilities for young men to participate? Capt. Puccinelli stated gang identification is a legal process conducted by the District Attorney’s office where members must be validated. Guns are stolen in burglaries or other types of criminal activity and sold on the street. Or obtained by what is called “straw purchases.” Regarding employment, that would fall under other city agencies.
Commissioner Sampson asked whether any representatives from the Bayview community present at the ministry meetings Chief Fong referred to? What type of incentive is offered to encourage people witnessing a crime to come forward? And, will the curfew be reinstituted for underage youth? Capt. Puccinelli referenced a poster put out by SFPD of all the young black men who have been murdered and stated every one of those cases has a reward attached. In addition, the witness relocation program is in the process of being revamped and any witness who comes forward would be immediately relocated. Violence is happening between the hours of 2:00 to 3:00 a.m. by 15- and 16-yr olds and that is the time parents must monitor their children.
In response to Sampson’s question regarding ministry meetings taking place, Chief Fong stated she held a meeting with Rev. Amos Brown, NAACP president along with others, to discuss the recent violence. The other meeting was to discuss possible reinstitution of the curfew law, which is not currently enforced. Commissioner Sampson stated he would like a meeting of clergy set up in the Bayview.
Commissioner Brown suggested more officers be assigned to Bayview station window, as it took her 30 minutes to make a report. Capt. Puccinelli stated he would direct staff to help relieve persons standing in line to keep the wait down.
Ms. Sacco stated she would like police officers to be held accountable for police brutality. Mr. DeCosta stated community members need to address their concerns to the police and not look at the police as being a far away entity. Mr. Clayton stated more programs are needed to reach the “guts of the ghetto” and not just scrape the top. Ms. Vincent stated during the influx of violence, Bayview churches held meetings to discuss reinstituting curfew but was fought by parents. Ms. Vincent invited Commissioner Sampson to attend Wednesday night meetings at Providence Baptist Church that work with Young Men Against Violence group. Mr. Bozeman asked if Bayview station was a training station for new officers and if so, is Bayview the only one? Also whether there is a burden that Bayview is holding or having to handle in that area of training? Chief Fong responded Bayview station is one of the several training stations in San Francisco, which are selected by the activity an officer is exposed to. Several community residents voiced concern about the $2500 fee to install speed bumps & stop signs. Commissioner Larkin referred them to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, an organization that pays for speed bump. Mr. Charles suggested that a problem-solver be put on the street to address the issue of violence and suggested that police should only be called when absolutely necessary. Mr. Madison voiced an unpleasant experience, which recently occurred at his rental property.
Commissioner Larkin closed the floor to the public and thanked Chief Fong for the informative presentation. He stated although the collaborative efforts of the various law enforcement agencies was important, crime prevention was not emphasized; for example, a school or recreation centers perhaps staying open a little later. If we are realistic about trying to change the way our community is operated, everybody has to work together. He concluded by requesting that the SFPD appear quarterly before the Commission.
b. Commissioner Larkin introduced Michael Burns, Exec. Director for MUNI 3rd Street Light Rail, who will speak on “Employment opportunity for BVHP residents & Light Rail update.” Mr. Burns provided the following updates:
Ø Construction: Construction is broken out into 9 different segments, 6 of which comprise what is seen at street level running from 4th/King to Visitation Valley. Overall, the project is 44% complete for line segments, segment B is 85% complete, and segment D is 38% complete.
Ø Local Contracting: There are eighteen (18) local subcontracts from zip codes 94124 & 94134. The value of the contracts to those subcontractors is approximately $32 million, which represents about 73% of the total project funding. As of the end of December, MUNI had 185 new hires from the local community with 164 African Americans, 11 Hispanics, 6 Asians, and 4 non-minority.
Ø Hiring statistics: of the 185 local hires on the job, 75% are from 94124; 27 are from 94134; and the rest are primarily from San Francisco with 1 living outside San Francisco.
Ø Job program: MUNI has agreements with community-based organizations (CBOs) where the CBO provides the training and MUNI pays them an administrative/placement fee. There are six primary CBOs by segment.
Ø Retention: Roughly two-thirds of new hires are still employed on the job. Some have gone on to other jobs; some are released while construction is non-active. Overall 40% of workers are from San Francisco. MUNI attempts to maximize local employment but can’t put conditions in as part of the contract because of federal funding requirements. 40% of these contracts are also low bid contracts where contractors can bring in their own workforce for the local work.
Ø East Metro Facility: This facility, located at 25th & Illinois, is a $100-million project due to be completed by 2007. Notice to proceed will be issued in the next month. The primary contractor is McCarthy Construction. The primary CBO is the Mission Hiring Hall. At the request of the community, MUNI has set up a structure where contractors will work with MUNI to divide that project into 60 smaller contracts for individual bid between June and November, with construction beginning by yearend.
Commissioner Larkin commended Mr. Burns on his presentation and requested regular updates on the project. He asked what the dollar amount is for contractors from the 94124 area? Also of the new hires, how many of those individuals are hired in apprenticeship jobs such as electrician, underground plumbing, etc? Mr. Burns stated MUNI would provide the Commission with the stats on subcontractors and the dollar amount for those contracts, as well as provide regular report updates. Regarding class of trade people are hired into, over 50% of the current workers are laborers, and that same percentage has held for new hires. In addition, MUNI has proposed an apprenticeship program that would bring pedestrian monitors into an apprenticeship program that would target the types of skills that provide for future employment, i.e., drywall, painting, rough carpentry, etc. That is a program Mr. Mitchell is working on with the CBO to define and work with the Transportation Authority, which is the funding agency for this project.
Commissioner Brown referred to a recent mailer by MUNI, which listed a breakdown of its employees. She voiced concern that every time there is a major project in the community, the community gets up-front promises of jobs and then an out-of-town company comes along bringing their own people. Commissioner Brown explained having worked with labor and contracts, she’s aware that amendments and sidebars can be done. Why aren’t they being done in this instance where an agreement is made with a company to provide some type of training other than holding signs? Does MUNI receive an ethnicity breakdown providing affirmative action goals? Mr. Burns responded that MUNI must go through a bid process to award the contracts, which go to the lowest qualified responsible bidder. Mr. Burns explained that federal guidelines preclude MUNI from requiring that contracts go to a particular geographic area. MUNI does require a hiring plan, which does include affirmative action goals.
Commissioner Sampson voiced concern of seeing no minority staff along 3rd Street operating heavy equipment. He also questioned why there is such a delay in response time when complaints are reported of car damage. In response to the first question, Mr. Burns said the lack of minority staff operating heavy equipment is due to training, which MUNI is trying to resolve through the apprenticeship program. Secondly, the delay in response time for property damage complaints should not occur. The contact number to report damage is (415) 641-2000. Commission Sampson asked if the apprenticeship program was established before contracts were awarded? Mr. Burns said no, the apprenticeship program was established after the fact.
Commissioner Fuentes asked after employment is completed and employees become non-active, are those non-active employees placed back on a list for employment? Mr. Burns responded they could be called back.
Mr.Potts voiced concern that the local truckers are not being utilized. Mr. Bozeman suggested that MUNI facilitate some type of training to local contractors on getting certification as a DBA (disadvantaged business enterprise), which they will need when dealing with federal contractors. Ms. Mohammad, outreach coordinator 3rd St. Light Rail, explained the pedestrian monitoring program was created as a helping force for people who were non-skilled, high risk with questionable backgrounds or had no work experience. The goal of the program is not to see them stop at that position, but to gain experience for better careers. She explained Mr. Burns is fighting to get more funding to keep the program alive and she is asking for support of this program. Rev. Amos Brown, NAACP President voiced concern of the inequity and disparity in terms of contracts/jobs not being awarded to 94124 residents on this project. He asked that Mr. Burns put in writing what is being done and what more can be done to dispel the appearance of inequity. Ms. Larkin thanked Mr. Burns for creating and fighting to keep the apprenticeship program alive.
Commissioner Larkin applauded Mr. Burns’ effort, but suggested that MUNI find a way to turn the pedestrian monitor positions into some type of equitable trades. Commissioner Larkin welcomed Mr. Curt Mitchell of Mitchell Engineering, who will speak on the “hiring practices & breakdown of subcontractors”.
c. Mr. Curt Mitchelldiscussed his responsibility as a contractor and what he and subcontractors have done to meet those obligations. The contract calls for 50% local participation, which is his goal for the focused zip codes 94124, 94134, and 94107. There are 3 ways to get dispatched to a job site: union dispatch, CBO dispatch, or walk-ins. Mr. Mitchell explained that different organizations his company is working with have set up the 1 for 1 rule which has been a hindrance for local hiring; however with the help of the community, he’s managed to get around that rule. 125 employees have been placed, with 90% African American from the focused area zip codes.
Project One Love is the pedestrian monitoring program, which enables high-risk people to sign up with the union. The apprenticeship program is trying to take that monitoring program to the next step so that those people have a transition/pipeline. Currently of the114 employees on 3rd St, 25 are African American from the focused area zip codes, and 12 are contractors from the focused area zip codes. The contract requires a 25% minority participation and 15% of its 25% requirement are African American and are local hires. Mr. Mitchell has also solicited minority subcontractors who were bondable, helped them to get some construction opportunity as business owners.
Commissioner Larkin stated a $100 million contract cut into smaller pieces to enable other contractors a piece of the pie is innovative. However, red flags are raised when the numbers from MUNI and numbers from Mitchell do not match. And although the pedestrian monitor position is very innovative, if two years after this project is complete that person is in a trade and halfway through his apprenticeship program, that is progress. Progress is being made but with respect to contracts/gainful employment opportunity, it’s not happening as well as it could.
Commissioner Brownexplained that while the pedestrian monitor program is fine at entry level, people need a skill base. In addition, we have people in the community that have experience in other jobs.
Commission Sampson asked what effect has there been on businesses in the 3rd Street area and what has been done to help them during construction? Mr. Mitchell responded outreach was done prior to the construction and there is also a system which allows parking on one side of the street at all times. He also assists business owners by leaving open space in front of their businesses for deliveries. In addition, he holds Monday morning safety meetings to address community concerns.
Dir. Mosesquestioned whether Mitchell Engineering had a relationship with YCD? Mr. Mitchell said yes, YCD is a CBO for segment B. Commission Larkin explained that YCD is not the only employment training entity that BVHP has and that proper outreach should be done to reach more than one CBO.
Commissioner Larkin, in referring to the 1 for 1 rule, commented that it is actually a step backward adding that when innovative ideas are created and more interaction with community members occur, more community support will be given. He then opened the floor to the community.
Mr. Bozeman remarked that a working partnership is needed with MUNI and the contractors so that contractors are treated fairly. Rev Brown voiced concern as to why definitive employment data from MUNI/Mitchell Engineering is not public record. Mr. Decosta voiced concern why this $36 million project is not overseen by a Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). Also environmentally, the public has been exposed to hazardous material (class A) that has been removed in certain segments without safety precautions put in place (exposed dirt).
Mr. Burns responded to the discrepancy of statistics by MUNI/Mitchell explaining the numbers he listed were for the entire project, whereas Mitchell’s number were for his individual contract. With regard to hiring, MUNI doesn’t control that information; it comes from the Private Industry Council (PIC), which MUNI will provide. Commissioner Larkin asked why there is no CAC working with MUNI? Mr. Burns answered MUNI has a CAC, but doesn’t have an individual CAC for its projects. There is a CAC and a planning process in place.
VIII. Directors Report
a) Patricia Martel, GM PUC has approved Clean Water/General Fund budgets. We are awaiting approval from the Board of Supervisors and Mayor. Also, installation of the gate at Southeast is still in process.
Commissioner Brown movedand Commissioners Jones/Sampson secondedto accept the Director’s
Report. Motion passed unanimously to accept report as presented (5-0).
Commissioner Jones asked that the letter to Dr. Ackerman be revisited and asked Commissioner Larkin whether he had specific questions he wanted addressed? Commissioner Larkin stated he had no questions. However, in reference to an article, which reported that SFUSD teachers would have to reapply for their jobs, Commissioner Brown asked whether there was a process in place (guarantee) in the event jobs were lost?
IX. Old & Ongoing Business:
Commissioner Larkin stated he’d like every commissioner to participate on at least one committee and stated committee assignments would take place at the next meeting.
X. Introduction of New Business by Commissioners
There was none presented at this meeting.
XI. Announcement: There were no announcements at this meeting.
XII. Adjournment
Commissioner Sampson moved and Commissioner Brown seconded to adjourn the SECF Commission meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________
Commission Secretary
