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COMMISSION OF ANIMAL CONTROL AND WELFARE
Mailing Address: 1390 Market Street, Room 822\
San Francisco, CA 94102
Voice Mail: (415) 252-3817
MINUTES OF MEETING - MAY 9, 2002
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
(a) Chair Elissa Eckman convened the May 9, 2002 meeting of the Commission of Animal Control to order at approximately 5:30 p.m, at City Hall, Room 408, San Francisco California.
Commissioners in Attendance: Chair Elissa Eckman; Vice-Chair Sherri Franklin; Secretary June Wilson; Cheryl Bentley; Kelly Jensen, DVM; Laurie Kennedy; Jamal Modica; Jack Breslin, Dept. of Health; Carl Friedman, Animal Care & Control. City Attorney Rosa Sanchez.
Commissioners absent with cause: Com. Herndon, SFPD.
Commissioners leaving early: Coms. Breslin and Friedman (6:55). City Attorney Sanchez, (due to illness, 6:15).
The meeting was convened at 5:30 p.m. by Commission Chair Eckman, who presided during all aspects of the meeting. Seven Commissioners (or their lawful designates) holding valid appointments being present, the quorum requirement of Section 6 of the Commission’s Rules & Regulations (50 percent of those eligible to vote) was satisfied.
(Note: Many items heard out of order, without objection.)
4. CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT AND OPENING REMARKS [DISCUSSION ITEM].
A. Welcome to new Commissioners Laurie Kennedy, Jamal Modica, and Kelly Jensen, DVM.
The Chair welcomed the new commissioners, then opened the meeting to public comment.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT:
Christine Garcia, stated that her efforts at appointment to this Commission had been sabotaged by a commissioner, and expressed her hope that the Commission would in the future work together more cooperatively.
Former Com. Frederick Hobson requested he continue receiving the agenda/minutes, and advised that he had an immediate disclosure request.
Tia Resleure, noted that the Commission’s website needs updating, and requested that copies of the letters sent to the Board be posted on the website.
The Chair, hearing no further public comment, returned to Item 3.
3. APPROVAL OF DRAFT MINUTES OF APRIL 2002 MEETING [Discussion/Action item.]
The Chair moved, (seconded by Com. Franklin) to approve the minutes, and the minutes were unanimously approved.
8. NEW BUSINESS
B. Whether the Commission should write a letter to the Board urging them to convene oversight hearings regarding UCSF’s continuing violations of the Animal Welfare Act and to institute some sort of City oversight of UCSF animal testing, such as requesting that a member of this Commission be allowed to inspect their animal testing facilities for compliance.
Suzanne Roy, In Defense of Animals, advised the Commission that despite the City’s 1998 resolution, UCSF continues to receive citations for violating the Animal Welfare Act. She then described the controversial monkey experiments, noting repeated violations with these experiments.
She urged the Commission to take action by: Encouraging the Board of Sups to convene hearings to hold UCSF accountable; that a recommendation be made to the Board to pass an ordinance, (such as the Cambridge, MA ordinance), giving local inspection and enforcement authority to the City; and then urged the Commission to take a firm stand against the animal cruelty involved in the monkey experiments.
The Chair opened the meeting to public comment as follows:
Eric Mills, Action for Animals, noted that UCSF’s oversight committee meetings are closed, and they should be open. Tia Resleure, urged the Commission approach this issue as an animal-welfare rather than an animal-rights stance.
Dr. Elliot Katz, In Defense of Animals, noted that the info IDA documented is a finding by the Dept of Agriculture. IDA has not asked to stop the research, but are addressing a specific researcher found in violation. He further noted that this information has been provided to the Board, and urged holding hearings.
Frederick Hobson, stated that a past City Attorney opinion indicated that only the Sec. of Agriculture could grant the right to be on the oversight committee, and urged holding hearings.
The Chair, hearing no further public comment, returned the meeting to the Commission.
The Chair noted that the Cambridge ordinance mandates City oversight by appointing a commissioner to oversee the care and use of lab animals, and suggested one avenue would be to create an ordinance.
She further discussed her present efforts to arrange a process for the Commission to report directly to the Board on items of concern, and further Commission discussion ensued.
The Chair moved, (seconded by Bentley) that the Chair write a short demand letter setting forth what has happened in the past and requesting or stating that the Commission will be addressing them in the near future. The motion was unanimously passed by the Commission.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. What action should the Commission take concerning San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department proposed dog policy? [Com. Franklin] [Discussion/Action Item]
Com. Franklin stated that Rec & Park voted to approve the dog policy at their recent meeting, and that the majority of speakers were opposed to the policy, including herself.
The Chair opened the meeting to public comment:
Steve Cockrell, City Dogs, requested the Commission support the proposal of taking this item to the Board, that supervisors had promised that if Rec & Park did not come up with an equitable compromise, then the Board would assume authority over this matter, and stated that the public has been ignored in this process. He requested the Commission write a letter to the Board requesting hearings.
Jane Fedor, stated that the Commission has an obligation to the public to ensure that the Board takes action against the approved dog policy, because it is unacceptably inhumane and restricts off-leash to a degree that is unnecessary, and noted that the public was not heard. Dr. Elliot Katz stated the Commission should make a stand against the policy. Tia Resleure stated she was in favor of the Gold Bone Program.
The Chair, hearing no further public comment, returned the meeting to the Commission where further discussion ensued.
Com. Franklin moved, (seconded by Com. Jensen) that the Commission write a letter expressing its disapproval of the policy. The motion was unanimously passed by the Commission. Coms. Kennedy and Franklin will draft the letter.
7. OLD BUSINESS
A. Continued discussion regarding appropriate action to be taken following March 14, 2002, presentation by Dr. Gross indicating against live animal market practices [Chair Eckman and Com. Jensen] [Discussion/Action item]
Com. Jensen stated she had spoken to Dr. Gross, that she felt the issue was more with the keeping of the animals and less with how they are killed, the one exception being turtles, and felt this should be an item to speak directly to the Board about.
The Chair opened the meeting to public comment:
Dr. Katz stated that this is not an animal rights issue, but an issue with the way the animals are being kept, and further noted that he has visited the markets, and that as a vet, could attest to some of the extremely poor conditions. Remarks also made by Eric Mills, Tia R. and Frederick Hobson.
The Chair, hearing no further public comment, returned the meeting to the Commission.
Com. Modica inquired if any progress had been made regarding the informational video in Chinese, with Com. Kennedy stating she has a friend willing to do the translations. Com. Jensen indicated she is working on a leaflet with guidelines, etc. Com. Kennedy suggested getting community feedback.
Further discussion ensued, and the item was continued.
B. Continued discussion of possible uses for the Commission’s remaining budget for the fiscal year 2001-2002.
1. Professional composition and distribution of fliers through Graphics Department.
Coms. Franklin and Bentley stated they would work on the wording for the fliers. Com. Kennedy suggested having a contest for art students to come up with a logo, and will attempt to pull it together before the next meeting.
2. Other [Full Commission] [Discussion/Action Item.]
Com. Modica raised the idea of a fund-raiser/party.
The Chair opened the meeting to public comment:
Frederick Hobson stated that the Commission should have a fax number. Dr. Katz suggested hiring someone to prepare press releases for the Commission, which would increase public awareness. Several members of the public suggested putting the logo contest out to the entire art community, including all schools.
The Chair, hearing no further public comment, returned the meeting to the Commission.
8. NEW BUSINESS
C. Whether Commissioner Public Comment should remain on the agenda in extemporaneous form. [Chair Eckman] [Discussion/Action item.]
The Chair gave a brief overview, then opened the meeting to public comment:
Frederick Hobson urged that the item remain on the agenda. Dr. Katz suggested imposing time limits. Dr. Ron Cole was in favor of rescinding it.
The Chair, hearing no further public comment, returned the meeting to the Commission.
Com. Bentley moved, (seconded by Com. Franklin), that this matter be reconsidered in three months, so that the new commissioners will know what’s going on. The motion passed with Coms. Bentley, Franklin, Jensen, Kennedy and Modica voting yes, and Coms. Eckman and Wilson voting no.
6. STATUS AND TRACKING OF LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION APPROVED BY COMMISSION REQUESTING ACTION BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS [DISCUSSION ITEM]
1. Live Animal Market [Kuehl Bill Compliance.]
(Previously covered. No public comment noted.)
2. Letter sent to Board Re UCSF lack of cooperation with City’s Resolution concerning animal testing.
(Previously covered. No public comment noted.)
3. Letter to Board of Supervisors recommending amending Sec. 41.12 of the SF Health Code to provide for duties of "Guardians."
Com. Franklin is working on this item. The Chair opened the meeting to public comment:
Dr. Katz noted that the SF SPCA is in support of this change, and provided a booklet. Tia Resleure stated she was opposed to this change.
The Chair, hearing no further public comment, returned the meeting to the Commission.
6A. COMMITTEE REPORTS/COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS [Discussion Item]
a. Update on placement of Crime Stoppers posters
[anti dog fighting]
Com. Herndon absent, item continued.
4. CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT AND OPENING REMARKS [DISCUSSION ITEM].
B. Commission voicemail needs to be updated
The Chair discussed updating the voicemail to advise the public where to send letters, etc. which it presently does not do.
The Chair opened the meeting to public comment, with Frederick Hobson suggesting the purchase of a fax machine and the Commission’s own voicemail.
7A. PUBLIC COMMENT:
(No public comment noted.)
8A. CALENDAR ITEMS
Frederick Hobson requested a possible action item be calendared re: a proposed recommendation to the Board to boycott those cosmetic companies which use testing in animals.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned, motion by Com. Bentley, seconded by Com. Franklin at approximately 8:05 p.m.
Dated: 17th May,2002
Amended:
Wilson, Secretary
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