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Southeast Community Facility Commission
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, October 23, 2002
6:00 P.M.
1800 Oakdale Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94124
I. Call to Order
Commission President Millard Larkin called the Wednesday, October 23, 2002 meeting to order at 6:13 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 Enola Maxwell
Commissioner Kim Nguyen
Commissioner Heidi Hardin
Not Present: Commissioner Malik Looper (excused)
Commissioner Tofaeono (excused)
Staff Present: Toye Moses, Executive Director; Annette Price, SECF Commission Secretary
IV. Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Maxwell moved and Commissioner Brown seconded to accept the minutes of Thursday, October 10, 2002. Motion passed to accept minutes as presented.
Commissioner Larkin stated we are blessed to have two of the original Commissioners present, the Honorable Shirley Jones and Honorable Espanola Jackson, both of whom played major roles in not only ensuring that the facility (1800 Oakdale) be built, but also demanding that there be put in place a commission to oversee and make certain that the community be involved in decision-making processes involving BVHP.
V. Public Comment
Commissioner Larkin opened the floor for public comment and noted that requests may also be heard after Commission discussion of an agenda item by completing an information card and submitting it to the Commission Secretary. Requests will be given on a first-come-first-serve priority and speakers may be limited to three (3) minutes. (Speaker cards were made available).
Commissioner Larkin asked the Honorable Shirley Jones to please step forward and give a brief history on the Southeast Commission and how it came to be.
· The Honorable Shirley Jones stated that it was a pleasure to be here and thanked the Commission for the invitation to present. Commissioner Jones remarked that the SEC Facility came about with the mitigation for the sewage treatment plant expansion, to which the community objected. Many meetings were held to discuss what the City was willing to offer the community as mitigation to build the sewage treatment plant. The decision was finally made to allow the City to build the plant in exchange for the Southeast Community Facility being built.
Ms. Jones then introduced the Honorable Espanola Jackson to present to the Commission and discuss her knowledge of how the SECF came to be.
Commissioner Larkin took item VII next in order to accommodate the presenter’s schedule.
VI. Communications
Dr. Moses reminded that at the previous meeting, staff was directed to send invitational letters to the following to meet with the Commission: George Smith, Jesse Williams, Damone Hale and Barbara Brown. We will follow-up with George Smith, Jesse Williams and Damone Hale since they will be speaking on the same topic and let the Commission know the outcome. Other communications for the perusal of the Commission included a letter and attached form from the SFPD seeking those Commissioners who are interested in serving on a recruitment panel to recruit police candidates. Anyone interested, please complete request form and submit to Chief of Police’s office.
VII. Presentation
The Honorable Espanola Jackson stated it is indeed a pleasure. Ms. Jackson said there were several people actually involved at all times during the negotiation process. They were Ms. Garlington, Ms. Shirley Jones, Mr. Jim Jefferson, and herself. These individuals were chosen by the community to oversee and make sure that the City complied with what the community asked for. Ms. Jackson stated that the CAO wanted the SECF Advisory Board to remain an advisory board. However, the community spearheaded by these original board members demanded that they be made a commission. The community did not have the financial means to maintain the building. This was one of the main reasons why we wanted to be made a commission -- to place the burden of maintaining the facility on the City and County of San Francisco, not the community. That is how the Southeast Community Facility Commission came about.
Ms. Jackson stated that BVHP gets 80% of the City sewage, not just from San Francisco but also from Colma, Brisbane and Daly City. Ms. Jackson concurred with Ms. Jones that with this expansion, many things were supposed to have taken place, e.g., a crosstown tunnel where all sewage would come to the Bayview but then be diverted underground to Ocean Beach. Now they built the outfall 10 miles out but the crosstown tunnel was never built. Also, the City did not take into consideration the growth and development that would take place in the City over the years -- e.g., Mission Bay, Third Street Light Rail, Pac Bell Park, new home development on Old Bayshore. None of these developments were mentioned when discussing putting in this sewage treatment plant.
Ms. Jackson stated she is also on the Board of Directors of Executive Park. She remarked that in one of Executive Park’s buildings underneath a hallway there is an easement that carries sewage from San Mateo to Bayview Hunters Point. Ms. Jackson said she was unaware of this easement up until being informed by staff that it existed and stated that it was not common knowledge to Bayview Hunters Point residents. Ms. Jackson also remembered a most recent incident that occurred in the Bayview where a water main was accidentally broken by construction crew, causing raw sewage to run all through the Muwekma Ohlone Park. She stated these types of incidents are environmentally damaging to our community.
Ms. Jackson went on to explain that part of the mitigation that was agreed to by the City was that the Dept. of Real Estate would receive monies generated by the facility. After receiving these funds for five (5) years, the Dept. of Real Estate would divert all new funds back to the community. Bank accounts were to have been set up specifically for instances where if programs in the community needed financial assistance to stay afloat, they were to have been given those funds. She stated that when the Greenhouse was built, it was promised that CCSF students would be able to take horticulture classes. She said the building next door was supposed to be a culinary school. None of that ever materialized. There were a lot of empty promises made by the City. Ms. Jackson remarked that they fought for the rights of whatever the need was in the community. They demanded to be recognized as a legal entity – a commission. Ms. Jackson urged not only the Commission to get involved and be diligent in the needs of the community but the public as well.
Commissioner Larkin opened the floor to the Commissioners for questions of Ms. Jones and Ms. Jackson.
· Commissioner Nguyen thanked both Ms. Jones and Ms. Jackson for the background and stated she’s always been curious as to how the Commission came to be. Commissioner Nguyen asked who was accountable for keeping track of all the programs promised to the community that were reneged upon. Was there someone appointed to follow this. Ms. Jackson responded that Will Pitcher was the person that came to the Commission and said, Just wait awhile. Something is happening. I will make sure that the bank accounts are set up so the funds will start coming back to the community. Ms. Jones said another person perhaps with some history of the SECF would be Mr. Jefferson and possibly the City.
· Commissioner Maxwell wanted to know what can be done and where are we now in terms of locating the funds that should have been flowing into the community and asked if those funds can be retroactive. She stated that the City Attorney should have documentation in his archives corroborating what was said tonight. Commissioner Maxwell was curious to know whether the City Attorney could answer questions related to what other documentation/legislation exists of how the Commission came to be and whether there is documentation in his archives stating what the community would be entitled to once the sewage plant was built.
Commissioner Larkin stated the Commission first needs to get paperwork to document everything that was talked about by Ms. Jones and Ms. Jackson. Therefore, he directed staff to contact Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Boas and to set up a meeting with Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Boas and the committee that will be formed to review any paperwork that might still be in these gentlemen’s possession. That way we will have legal backing to move forward. He also directed staff to try and locate any minutes from those prior meeting. Commissioner Larkin also directed Robert Bryan to try and locate any legal documentation that might be in the City archives. Commissioner Larkin stated that a committee will be appointed to follow-up with the process a little later.
Commissioner Hardin thanked both Ms. Jones and Ms. Jackson for presenting and for sharing not only for tonight but over the years. Commissioner Hardin was curious whether Robert Bryan had anything to say about the documents that were forwarded to the Commission. She asked, Is this the beginning of what has been requested.
Mr. Bryan responded, This is what has been requested, the legislation that existed on the facility. Commissioner Hardin asked whether there was anything that existed in that documentation that corroborated what Ms. Jackson described -- the short end of the stick the community is getting. Mr. Bryan responded that is not in the legislation. Ms. Jackson spoke of meetings and discussions, but there is no legislation to embody what she is saying the meetings and discussions were about. Those are two separate things.
Commissioner Larkin stated one of the things he is trying to do is find out if there are other documents available. By there being an advisory board, there must have been minutes kept. He will also as previously stated invite Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Boas to find out whether they have kept any of their documentation. Commissioner Larkin stated this is something that bears following up on. One of the things this Commission is charged with doing, as Ms. Jackson pointed out so well, is to represent the community. If it’s a concern to the community, then we need to use every power that we have, every resource that we have. Therefore, I’d like to if possible have you, Ms. Jackson, work with our committee to follow-up on this and I will personally sit on that committee and assist in any way that I can. Ms. Jackson nodded affirmatively.
Commissioner Larkin stated the Commission was formulated to represent this community as part of a City entity yet this Commission dose not have the power that other commissions have because it is not part of the City Charter. I brought that up because our community is consistently growing. And when we talk about having the power to represent our community, we must have the ability to stop things right here in this community when it comes to this community. And what I’m simply saying to you is that this Commission doesn’t have the power.
Ms. Jackson responded that she was invited here to give history on this Body and how the Commission came into being. Ms. Jackson strongly disagreed with Commissioner Larkin regarding the Commission not having the power. She stated the SECF Commission is a City commission. It was sanctioned by the Board of Supervisors as such.
Commissioner Larkin asked Attorney Robert Bryan to respond on this topic. Attorney Bryan stated he wanted to clarify that the Commission was created by an ordinance and for the most part its powers are advisory. He also said as far as the discussions that Ms. Jackson described regarding funds coming back into the community, Mr. Bryan explained that revenue generated by leases from the facility that exceed the operating costs can be used for additional purposes inside the building, but none of those funds go out to the community for community funding in the manner described by Ms. Jackson and Ms. Jones. Ms. Jackson responded by stating every commission is advisory until it goes before the Board of Supervisors then to the Mayor. Nobody makes a decision except the legislative arms of the City and County of San Francisco, which is the Board of Supervisors. To ensure that everyone was discussing the same funds and the authorized use of those funds, Mr. Bryan read Section 54.4 of the Administrative Code regarding the use of Surplus funds from lease revenues.
Commissioner Larkin invited Mr. Bill Keaney, Water Pollution Control manager to step forward and shed some light on the issue of the budget for Southeast. Mr. Keaney briefly explained how the City budget process works. He said from what he’s heard tonight and read, there has never been enough surplus available for use because the expenses of running this facility are greater than the money generated. He then said he’d be happy to respond to questions. No questions were asked of Mr. Keaney.
Commissioner Larkin directed staff to send a letter to PUC Dept. of Real Estate requesting documentation of revenue generated over the years.
Commissioner Larkin opened the floor for public comments and questions. There were several people with concerns about the environmental hazards that exist in the Bayview and the Commission was urged to meet with and present these issues and concerns to the Board of Supervisors.
Commissioner Larkin thanked Ms. Jackson and Ms. Jones for presenting and for the history lesson. He also thanked Mr. Bill Keaney for coming and shedding light on how the budget process works.
Commissioner Larkin introduced Mr. Leamon Abrams, Dir. of Mayors Offices of Economic Development, who will be presenting on the Bayview Hunters Point Shipyard and economic concerns in the Bayview/Hunters Point Community.
Mr. Leamon Abrams stated it was a pleasure to present this evening, particularly after hearing the discussion that preceded him. He stated the role of his office is about trying to expand the City’s tax and employment base and trying to create projects that are going to bring projects and economic vitality and diversity to San Francisco. There are five projects my department is currently working on and I want to briefly describe them to you: Octavia Boulevard, the Old Mint, Transbay Terminal, Mission Bay, and Hunters Point Shipyard.
Octavia Blvd - Demolition of the Central Freeway. This demolition will begin in January of 2003. Mr. Abrams stated once this freeway is demolished, it will free up about 7.5 acres of land. A boulevard will be created between Market and Fell Streets once the freeway is demolished. Along that boulevard there will be 700 to 900 housing units as well as commercial opportunities for small businesses.
The Old Mint – Located at 5th and Market. Mr. Abrams stated his office issued an RFP to have someone develop and modify that building and to put a productive use in it. RFPs were due on Friday.
Transbay Terminal – There is potential to create a world-class transportation facility on this site. The City is working to have the terminal demolished and to build a new Transbay Terminal. A Draft EIR (Environmental Impact Report) has been developed. We need public comment on how that proposed facility will happen.
Mission Bay – My job is to work with the City and Redevelopment Agency on the Infrastructure, the roles of sanitary sewers, the water system that’s going to connect that facility to the rest of San Francisco. It has 6000 housing units and several hundred thousand square feet of commercial development. Genentech Hall just opened there a few days ago.
Mr. Abrams commended Dean Hunnicutt and City College for the leadership role they have played in getting this program developed to help prepare people for biotechnology and life sciences industry. He also stated he has an obligation from his office to help her find funding, which would create opportunities for young people from this community to get into the life sciences field. He stated he feels personally passionate about preparing young people in this community for emerging industries and jobs.
Hunters Point Shipyard – There is the potential to be a manufacturing facility for clean life sciences. An MOU was signed with the Navy in January. The most recent update is that the conveyance agreement describes how the Navy will transmit that land to the City and under what conditions. Mr. Abrams said his office has a draft of that document which he wants to circulate to the public in the second week of November to get public comment on. The second half of that is the agreement between the City and Lennar and the term sheet, which identifies the conditions that the City will enter into an agreement with Lennar. There is a draft of that, which will be circulated.
Mr. Abrams also described a couple of activities that his office is trying to initiate. One is a Geographic Information System (GIS), which will be launched November 7. Part of what we’re trying to do is have one site in the City where if you have an interest in identifying property, you’ll be able to go to our website – we’ve identified a portal on our website called SF Prospector. In that website, you’ll be able to punch in I’m looking for 500 feet of industrial space. And all of the available property in San Francisco will come up along with key economic information, marketing information, transportation routes, retail sales in the area, cost per square foot, contact for the brokerage community, etc. Another program is called the façade loan program, which was introduced on San Bruno Avenue. We’d like to mirror that program on Third Street. It helps local property owners get grants to improve their façade – lighting, security, gates, decorative banners, etc. We’re working on proposals to expand the façade program to other commercial corridors in the city.
Lastly, Mr. Abrams said he really does want to get more involved in workforce development and people development. He pledged to figure out a way that his office can develop a youth entrepreneurship program so that his office can develop young people and get them involved in commercial activity. Mr. Abrams pledged his office’s support to do a better job in working on workforce development issues.
Commissioner Hardin was curious about what Mr. Abrams meant when he said “Hunters Point Shipyard being a focal point for bringing clean life sciences.” She asked what is a clean life science. Mr. Abrams responded clean life science is anything that does not have a negative environmental impacts, e.g., a company that manufacture proteins. A clean type of industry, sun panels for energy, etc. Mr. Abrams also stated that he feels it is important for Bayview residents to take advantage of the opportunities that are going to be created when these programs take
off – demolition of the central freeway.
Commissioner Nguyen asked what the Commission could do to mobilize that. Mr. Abrams responded he would be willing to appointment a liaison from his office directly to the Commission to periodically update the Commission about contracts that are going to be let, information about job opportunities, etc.,
The audience asked several questions about the upcoming projects Mr. Abrams mentioned. Commissioner Larkin then thanked Mr. Abrams for his time, stated it is well documented that Mr. Abrams will work with the Commission and that the Commission will definitely be getting in touch with him again.
VII. Directors Report (Discussion) Dr. Moses reported that:
a) The community floors will be waxed/striped next month. Also, CAC is having a big community meeting scheduled on our next commission meeting. Dr. Moses requested
to move the commission meeting to Conference Room B to accommodate CAC. Commissioner Hardin moved and Commissioner Maxwell seconded to move the next commission meeting to Conference Room B upstairs. [This CAC meeting was subsequently cancelled. Therefore, the next SECF Commission meeting will be held in the Alex Pitcher Community Room scheduled for November 14, 2002 at 6:00 p.m.
b) EP Mills Childcare Centers - All are doing well. Dr. Moses stated he will be having a meeting with Patricia Martel, the Director of Public Works, and Deputy Directory to discuss the four (4) facilities and what can be done to get more money for infrastructure and retrofitting. That meeting is scheduled for next week. Lastly, Dr. Moses informed the Commission that he will be attending a conference out of town from Friday, November 8th and returning on Tuesday, November 18th.
Commission Hardin moved and Commissioner Brown seconded to accept the Executive Director’s report. Motion passed unanimously to accept report as presented.
IX. Old and Ongoing Business
Dr. Moses informed the Commission that Seth Steward will be attending the next commission meeting. Also, PUC Real Estate has completed the CCSF Sublease and the City attorney has reviewed it. Some amendments have been made. Now that the sublease is complete, it will come before the SEC Facility Committee and the Committee will then make a final presentation to the Commission.
X. Introduction of New Business
Commissioner Larkin stated he’s heard Lennar come up several time and suggested that perhaps the Commission should invite Mr. Roy Willis from Lennar to give the Commission an update in the near future.
XI. Announcement
Dean Hunnicutt of CCSF announced that the Strategic Planning Listening Session has been rescheduled for November 13 as a result of the World Series. Secondly, Dean Hunnicutt stated that she is trying to recruit people from the neighborhood to enroll in her new Bridge to Biotechnology Program. The classes start November 4 with an orientation session. She is trying to find people at least 18 years of age who can test out at a 7th and 8th grade level in English and Math and who do not have any felony drug convictions.
Another program that is happening is the On-ramp Program, a 6-week course starting Nov 12 thru January 10, which deals with helping folks to have the kind of self-esteem they will need to enable them to move forward in life. San Francisco Works will provide internships for the On-ramp Program; and Dean Hunnicutt stated they’ll probably do the same thing for the Bridge Biotech Program. The other program she is promoting will be starting in 2003, which will help the people to get right into the English/Math review lab classes.
XII. Adjournment
Commissioner Maxwell moved and Commissioner Brown seconded to adjourn the SECF Commission Meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________
Commission Secretary
