2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 MINUTES
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
6:00 P.M.
1800 Oakdale Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94124
1.0 Call to Order
Commission President Bobbrie Brown called the Wednesday, May 25, 2005 meeting to order at 6:13 p.m. in the Alex L. Pitcher Community Room at 1800 Oakdale Avenue.
Commissioner Brown read the Sunshine Ordinance aloud.
1.2 Roll Call
Commissioners Present: Brown; Fuentes; Jones; Person, Sampson.
Excused Commissioners: Kennedy
Staff Present: John Roddy, Deputy City Attorney; Toye Moses, Executive Director SECFC; Ernestine Braxton, Jr. Mgmt Asst.
1.3 Consent Calendar
The minutes of Thursday, May 12 were tabled until the next Commission meeting. Request to be excused on behalf of Commissioner Kennedy was approved as submitted (passed unanimously).
2.0 Public Comment
Mr. Russell Stepp, SFPUC requested on behalf of the SFPUC to locate a temporary PM10 monitor on the roof of Southeast for eight weeks, which will be used to validate other air monitors that are in the community. Mr. Samuel Murray, SFPUC requested that a “Community Night” be scheduled to explain the operation of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and what the infrastructure of the PUC entails.
3.0 Communications:
Dir. Moses reported that all correspondence have been included in Commission folders.
Comm. Brown welcomed Dr. Mitchell Katz and asked that he step forward to present.
4.0 Presentations:
- Dr. Mitchell Katz, Director of Public Health Department, thanked the Commission for the opportunity to present and discuss the on-going collaboration to improve the health of BVHP residents. Dr. Katz reminded that the Public Health Department has lost 220 positions, which has dropped the general fund budget from $310 million to $240 million. Dr. Katz reported the leading zip code of patients who utilize San Francisco General Hospital is from the BVHP area.
Dr. Katz distributed a YES WE CAN Children’s Asthma Program handout to the audience noting that asthma rates in the BVHP neighborhood are highest in California, which stem
from institutionalized racism and economic disparity.
The program called YES WE CAN, named by the Centers for Disease Control as one of the top 5 model programs in the nation, is a multi-pronged intervention program for asthma developed for use in public health and community clinics in partnership with several other organizations where nurses provide outreach education on everything from the use of inhalers to providing information on acquiring mattress.
Dr. Katz concluded by stating that asthma rates in 94124 zip code continue to be high; however, the rates are down from a high of over 49% in the 1994-1996 study.
Comm. Person asked: Is the incidence of diabetes/cancer higher in the BVHP area as compared to the rest of the city? Dr. Katz responded that the incidence of cancers, such as breast, cervical and prostate as well as diabetes is higher in the BVHP community than anywhere else in the city.
Comm. Jones noted that since there is more education available on asthma, many of the children are better able to identify asthma triggers and better able to manage the disease.
Comm. Fuentes asked whether there would be a collaboration of programs set up to address the high incidence of diabetes and cancer? Dr. Katz responded health fairs are being used in collaboration with the Health Education Resource Center to screen for cancer in its early stages.
Comm. Brown asked whether the Health Department is looking into staffing health care providers at schools on a full-time or rotating basis. Dr. Katz stated that is the model the department is striving for. He commented that the Balboa Teen Clinic as well as the new Wellness Center is a huge success.
Comm. Brown asked whether the issue of healthcare as it relates to the homeless problem in BVHP is being addressed with regard to the overflow on S. F. General Hospital? Dr. Katz stated the department has made major improvements regarding homelessness and the primary goal is to get homeless people housed and address their needs as to substance treatment or mental health treatment. He continued that the department now has 570 units of housing to properly care for those discharged from General Hospital. That program houses people for $1,000 a month, which drops the costs at S.F. General Hospital considerably.
Dir. Moses asked what improvements have been made to the Southeast Health Center, as it is understaffed and underserved especially as related to counseling. Dr. Katz reported that the Child Crisis Unit is the agency that addresses counseling. Additionally, the Department would like to hire more staff for that specific purpose. The Southeast Health Center has had certain equipment replaced (automatic defibrillator) and it is hoped that a second floor will be added to Southeast Health Center in the future.
Cedric Jackson commented on the availability of health resources in the BVHP community. Ms. Gina Love stated homeless programs in the BVHP are not given as much financial support as programs in other parts of the city. JaVonne Muhammad announced that a new women’s health clinic has recently opened in the BVHP community that provides full OBGYN services. Gail Orr-Smith voiced support for the Jelani House, a program that provides beds for women who are substance abusers and whose goal is to restore the families to health. Dr. Harrison Parker suggested that a collaboration effort be made to sponsor a primary health care prevention events in the BVHP community on a monthly basis, such as infant health, children’s health, senior’s health, etc. Dr. Katz concurred and suggested they do their first event on exercise and asked that the Commission take part as well. Ms. Emma Stewart asked what could individuals/ community do to help people suffering from asthma and cancer? Dr. Katz suggested that rates be lowered when it comes to toxins in the environment.
Comm. Brown thanked Dr. Katz stating the Commission will be supportive of Dr. Parker’s events.
Ms. Gail Armstrong, Assistant Project Manager of San Francisco Redevelopment Agency (SFRA) announced that SFRA is in the process of creating a Model Block Program. Ms Armstrong introduced staff, Ms. Vanessa Dandridge, Development Specialist and Mr. David Sobol, Senior Development Specialist, and asked that Mr. Sobol start the presentation off.
Mr. Sobol began with power point presentation of the Model Block Program, whose mission is to preserve, maintain and enhance the housing stock of the BVHP community for the benefit of current and future residents. SFRA will do that by combining public/private resources, working closely with the residents re: designation of Model Block, and doing it in a comprehensive manner vs. piecemeal. Mr. Sobol reported that many meetings have been held with residents and the BVHP PAC. The focus of the meetings deals with choosing pilot blocks for the program.
Mr. Sobol reported that SFRA is embarking on expanding the original Hunter’s Point Hill area out to include portions of the BV in the planning process. Additionally, SFRA wants to look at resources that residents/homeowners have, not only what they need. Residents have brought up issues of safety and crime as well as energy efficiency issues.
Mr. Sobol announced SFRA will go before the Redevelopment Commission on June 7th to designate their block choice (1700 Newcomb street). SFRA identified six candidate blocks. Mr. Sobol went on to list the criterion for choosing pilot blocks: Blocks that were proposed redevelopment project areas; blocks in close proximity to the town center; and degree of participation among residents. Of those six blocks, Newcomb had by far consistent attendance and completed the homework assignment. Mr. Sobol is hopeful that SFRA Commission adopts their recommendation.
Comm. Brown asked how will senior and low-income people be impacted when securing loans for the program and what will happen if the seniors cannot repay the loans?
Mr. Sobol stated once a block has been designated, SFRA will sit down with residents and find out what their particular needs will be and then will be able gather all the information on how the loans or grants. Comm. Brown asked will all residents on designated blocks be required to participate? Mr. Sobol stated no one will be required to participate; however the goal is 50% participation of homeowners on designated blocks.
Comm. Brown voiced concern about the word “physical blight” and reminded that many residents who lived in the Fillmore were relocated because of that community being listed in a state of blight. Mr. Sobol assured that the word “blight” is just a technical word to designate a redevelopment project area under state law by showing a degree of repairs needed. The Agency has stated there will be no “eminent domain” for residential property in the Bayview, no relocation, no demolition.
Comm. Sampson asked what letters went out to residents whose block was not selected as the designated one and how much input will residents of the designated block have in determining where trees go? Also, how funding will be available for the second designated block?
In response, Ms. Armstrong stated two letters were sent out. Regarding funding, there is currently $1 million in the budget for this year and SFRA is hopefully that next year will be just as much. Residents will have a say as to where trees will be planted and what type of trees.
Comm. Person voiced concern about seniors on fixed incomes taking out loans for the beautification of streets. Ms. Armstrong stated based on community need, determinations will be made on financial arrangements.
Comm. Jones asked whether the loans would be interest-free? Mr. Sobol stated loans could be structured as principle only or loans with a low interest rate.
Comm. Fuentes asked since the Agency has funding for $1 million, why will loans be necessary? Ms. Armstrong stated although SFRA has funding, without a redevelopment plan the funding cannot be used for housing.
Ms. Vincent was in favor of the Model Block Program. Dr. Parker commented on the exodus of African Americans from the Community. Ms. Griffin questioned how many people responded favorably to the model block program. Ms. Higgins was in opposition to the model block program.
Comm. Brown thanked Ms. Armstrong and staff for the presentation and asked that Mr. Gary McIntyre be rescheduled for a future date due to failure of the power point presentation.
5.0 SECFC FACILITIES COMMITTEE REPORT & RECOMMENDATION:
Comm. Brown reported that the Facilities Committee met on the 17th of May
regarding the Request for Qualification & Proposal to Rehabilitate Lease and Operate Captain Shorey Childcare Center at 1030 Oakdale Avenue. The committee was unanimous in recommending this be approved.
MOTION: Moved by Jones seconded by Sampson that the Request for Qualification & Proposal to Rehabilitate Lease 1030 Oakdale be accepted. Motion passed unanimously (5-0).
6.0 Director’s Report:
Dir. Moses reported that he is seeking approval to install a temporary air monitor on the rooftop of the Southeast Facility for six months. Department of Telecommunication (DTIS) will begin providing security monitoring for the facility by the end of May, which is more cost effective. Dir. Moses announced he will be on vacation from 5/26/05 thru 6/6/05.
MOTION: Acceptance of Director’s Report. Motion passed unanimously to accept report as presented (5-0).
7.0 Old & Ongoing Business
There was no old & ongoing business at this time.
8.0 Introduction of New Business by Commissioners
Comm. Brown requested that Mr. Fred Williamson, Vice President/Manager of Wells Fargo Bank be sent a letter of invitation to present. Dir. Moses reported that staff has received no response to the letter previously sent. Comm. Brown stated she would follow up. She also directed staff to investigate why residents are being charged a $10.00 fee to view the Al Bion Castle, a historical property located in the BVHP area.
9.0 Public Comment:
There was no public Comment at this time.
10.0 Announcements:
There were no announcements at this time.
11.0 Adjournment
Comm. Brown adjourned the SECF Commission meeting at 8:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________
Commission Secretary
