2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 August 14, 2008
5:37 PM
1. Call to order and Roll Call
Present, Commissioners: Sally Stephens, Philip Gerrie, Pam Hemphill, Vicky Guldbech – ACC, Angela Padilla, David Gordon DVM.
Absent, Commissioners: Laurie Kennedy-Routhier, Andrea Brooks, out of town. Commissioners William Herndon – SF Police, Bob Palacio SF Rec & Park not present.
7. New Business (taken out of order)
A) Update on status of coyotes in SF, including what ACC is doing to minimize coyote-human interactions.
(Break for cameraman to return.)
4. Chairperson’s report and opening remarks. (taken out of order)
Comr. Stephens – Partial Chairperson’s opening remarks. Welcomes new Commissioners. Thanks outgoing Comr. Christine Garcia for her work and service.
Comr. Garcia – Thanks Commission and welcomes new Commissioners. Commission is as strong and influential as it makes it. Urges Commission to listen to voice of the people and then act. ACWC is only Commission to be voice of the animals.
Carl Friedman – Thanks Commission. Has been a Commissioner since the late 1970’s. Detailed by Mayor to Rec & Park Commssion to oversee zoo affairs. No longer head of ACC. Position as interim director of ACC filled by former Deputy City Attorney Rebecca Katz. Started ACC as new city department over 20 years ago. Feels blessed and fortunate to have founded and headed it.
Rebecca Katz – Thanks Commission. Looks forward to opportunities and challenges at ACC.
7. A) continued
Comr. Guldbech – Introduces Lieutenant Le-Ellis Brown who keeps track of coyotes in SF. Is liaison for coyote task force. Presents short video on coyotes by Doug McConnell.
Lt. Brown – ACC- Numerous coyote sightings around SF. Study in Chicago for six years showed coyote population of apx. 300. Few incidences of human contact. Mostly with dogs. All 300 coyotes were collared for tracking. Coyotes important part of food chain eating rats, mice, gophers. Keep all dogs on leash to prevent dog-coyote contact. Keep cats indoors. Don’t leave food out. Secure garbage can lids with bungee cords. Adhere to coyote signage where posted. Cover compost so coyotes cannot dig for grubs. Limit water sources in your yard including fountains because coyotes will look for sources of water. Pick up fallen fruit from trees because coyotes will eat them. If you see a coyote, put yourself between the coyote and your pet. Normal coyote behavior; predation of smaller animals, attacking large dogs, coyotes come out during the day, coyotes are curious and will watch human and dog activity. They will also follow people either with or without dogs. Acceptable coyote behavior; if coyote jumps out from a bush and then retreats, coyote stands still while you stand still, coyote comes no closer than 8-10 feet. Unacceptable behavior; unprovoked aggression, exhibits predatory behavior towards humans, coyote does not retreat when aggressive action is taken to drive it away, repeatedly frequents high use areas, attacking or killing a household pet. How to vex or scare coyotes; throw pebbles or rocks towards coyotes to scare away, not to injure. Use air horn, whistle, shout loudly, or clap make a lot of noise in general. Appear bigger than coyote, wave arms, wave a walking stick or cane. Encourage neighbors to vex. Do not feed. Coyotes are not pets. Do not befriend them. A fed coyote is a dead coyote.
Report sightings to ACC or 311.
Comr. Guldbech – Total population estimates have fluctuated. Current estimate is down towards two dozen throughout SF. There are state laws prohibiting coyote relocation so our focus is to co-exist with them.
Questions were asked by the public but were not audible. Lt Brown and Comr. Guldbech’s replies are compiled below.
Lt. Brown – No, coyotes are very difficult to trap. They are wild animals. If we trapped coyotes we would also have to trap other wild animals such as skunks & raccoons. Historically coyotes have live in SF. We need to educate everyone how to co-exist with them.
Comr. Guldbech – This is new to ACC. ACC is consulting with experts in coyote-human relations. We are working hard to educate and avoid the situation that led to the shooting of two coyotes in GG Park last year. We are having coyote education talks though out the City in community organizations.
7 A Public Comment
L’Danyielle Yacabucci – Concerned about definition of unacceptable behavior for coyotes, jumping fences after small dogs or cats as prey. Worried possible coyote-human interactions will lead to more coyote killing. Would like ACC to consider oral contraception instead of spay-neuter. Would like to see in ACC’s lobby, a poster “Fed wildlife is dead wildlife”. Congratulates ACC for its good work.
2. Public Comment
Richard Fong – Welcomes new Commissioners.
3. Approval of Draft Minutes from July 10, 2008 Meeting.
Minutes approved unanimously.
4. Chairpersons Report and opening Remarks cont.
Comr. Stephens – Welcomes new Commissioners. Welcomes Rebecca to ACC. Thanks Carl Friedman and Christine Garcia for their service. A Sunshine complaint was filed against the Commission from the June Meeting. The hearing will be on August 26th at 4 PM. at the monthly meeting of the SOTF, Sunshine Ordinance Task Force.
5. Status and tracking of letters of recommendation, requesting action by the Board of Supervisors.
A) Update of status of letter concerning animal welfare issues at the SF Zoo.
Comr. Stephens – Hearings in March & April about animal welfare at the SF Zoo. Commission sent a resolution with emphasis on animal welfare, oversight, and turning the zoo into a rescue zoo. Supervisor Daly wrote an ordinance based on Commission’s recommendations but the Commission was not consulted on the wording of his ordinance. Three weeks ago, on July 17th, the Rules Committee had public hearings on the proposed ordinance. At the end of the meeting Supervisor Dufty asked Carl Friedman if he would sit down with those on both sides of the issue to find some compromise. Four meetings were held with representatives from the zoo, IDA, and Comrs. Stephens and Brooks from ACWC. Personal take was there was not much compromise nor listening to the other side. A second hearing before the Rules Committee took place last week on August 7th. The zoo ordinance was forwarded to the full Board without recommendation. They should take it up in September. Personally concerned that nothing will come out of all this but still hopeful that compromise will be reached.
Comr. Padilla – Who is the ultimate decision maker on the zoo’s future?
Comr. Stephens – There is a lease agreement between Rec & Park and the Zoological Society recently renewed for 5 more years. Possible changes being discussed would not necessarily take effect until lease is up for renewal. Supporters of changes wanted it sooner. Zoological Society is worried about continued accreditation with AZA and costs of changing zoo to comply with ordinance. Discussions of who will do the oversight went from existing Joint Zoo Committee to a completely independent commission ,which we had suggested, composed of various zoo experts. Daly’s ordinance suggested 5 SF citizens. Another suggestion was to have the oversight be a sub-committee of our Commission.
5 A Public comment
Lurilla Harris – Emphasize to Supervisors & Mayor that zoo not lose its accreditation because it is part of international breeding program for endangered species. Zoo needs to be back in the hands of the City.
Dr. Elliot Katz – IDA – Thanks Commission for speaking for ordinance during hearings.
Zoological resists anyone outside of their community telling them what to do. AZA threat of a loss of accreditation is a scare tactic
L”Danyielle Yacabucci – Not concerned with AZA’s threats. AZA didn’t help the elephants. Supports conversion to a sanctuary. Doesn’t think endangered breeding is important.
Lisa Vittori – Talked with zoo visitors. Many express how sad it is to see animals in cages. Keeping animals in small cages is cruel.
Richard Fong - Putting zoo animals together in common areas is not wise.
6. Old Business
Update on changing guidelines at Arts Commission to ensure City money is not used to create, produce or display media in which animal cruelty is committed.
Comr. Gerrie – Talked with Arts Commission secretary, Sharon Page Ritchie. Impressed by process of funding art and artists. Commission has detailed guidelines and criteria to avoid illegal activity. Funding criteria guidelines include many levels of oversight. Two percent of SFAI funding comes from the Arts General fund. It goes to general funding on the Institute, not specific exhibits. An ordinance or a policy recommendation would not be necessary. Many people are involved in all funding approval. Last meeting had talked about sending a letter of concern. That would be more appropriate versus a policy recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. The general operating fund specifically prohibits funding film or video projects,
Comr. Hemphill – Supports letter and would participate in writing it.
Comr. Gerrie – Had wanted to carry the item since former Comr. Garcia had originally introduced it and to not let it drop due to her leaving.
6. Public Comment
Richard Fong – Questions writing a letter of reprimand as the way to respond. Government seems to lack authority to prevent animal abuse.
Dr. Elliot Katz – IDA – Incidence was the killing of a cow,pig, and horse with a sledge hammer in order to video tape it. Professor at SFAI spoke out against it and was suspended. Supports letter suggesting to not give money to SFAI until this is cleared up. Professor’s union about to speak up.
Comr. Gerrie – Since this is a discussion item do we need it to be an action in order to draft a letter?
Comr. Stephens – You could prepare a letter and it can be posted to the public before the next meeting.
Comr. Gerrie – Is the Commission in support of drafting a letter versus looking at a policy or resolution?
Comr. Padilla – Supports drafting a letter. Willing to help.
7. New Business
B) Update on request by Commissioner, no longer on the Commission, to calendar as an agenda item on no-kill policy in SF. Discussion if another Commissioner wishes to take on the subject.
Comr. Gerrie – Would like to continue with discussion. Book “Redemption” brings up many issues worth looking into.
Comr. Padilla – Has been working first hand on no-kill issues for five years. Recommends movie “Shelter Dogs” by Sue Sternberg. Movie provides balanced view on the issue. Wants to work on the issue. Is aware of issues and is passionate about wanting to help.
Comr. Hemphill – Complicated issue as defined. Supports future discussion
7 B Public Comment
Julianne Johnson – Supports discussing no-kill in SF. In 2007 1411 animals were killed in City shelter system not just ACC. Represents 20% of animals that came in. 20% is unacceptable for SF. Corrects definition of no-kill on agenda from “no healthy dog or cat” to “no healthy and treatable dog or cat”. 1411 animals killed in SF is unacceptable.
Comr. Stephens – Apologizes for not including the word “treatable”. Just an oversight.
Laura Fairbanks – In 1994 SF became a leader in no-kill movement with ACWC’s help. Currently slipping behind. SF is only tenth safest city for dogs & cats. Much work needs to be done to make City safer for companion animals.
Kin Tso – Brought “Redemption” books for Commissioners last month. Animals need socialization so they can be adopted out. Returning SF to a “no-kill” city is a final progressive step.
Cynthia Cox – SF is city of Saint Francis. No-kill movement began in SF. City has fallen behind as a no-kill leader. Quote from St Francis, “Start by doing what is necessary. Then do what is possible. Then suddenly you are doing the impossible.” Necessary for SF to be no-kill city. It has been done. It is possible. It is not impossible.
Lisa Vittori – Please open for discussion on no-kill. SPCA skims the most adoptable animals from ACC. Rescue groups take animals not wanted by SPCA. Rescue groups have to pay ACC a fee to get animals out. Most work is done by volunteers. Not SPCA. Not ACC. Volunteers keep the kill rate low. Definition of what animals are treatable varies widely.
Susan Wheeler – SPCA feral cat team volunteer – System is in place. Works fairly well. Could work better. Bring SF to no-kill standard is doable. Involved with feral cats in Italy which has been no-kill country since 1991. Inspired by Italy which has fewer resources than U.S.
Dr. Elliot Katz – IDA – Wants to see SPCA & ACC no-kill. Needs to involve community and volunteers to make it happen. Needs help from individuals to foster and take care of animals needing socialization. ACWC recommendations should be policy to government, communities, and individuals. Not enough funding to do it without community support.
Carl Friedman – Director of ACC – Started ACC. Wrote Adoption Pact. Strongly supports no-kill movement. Recognizes needed support from rescue groups. ACC does not charge a fee to adopt animals. We have never been a no-kill city. Definition of what is adoptable, treatable, is not possible. Any animal is adoptable if a home can be found.
Only statistics ACC uses is how many come in alive and leave alive. Thinks SF has higher no-kill rate. 84% left shelter alive last year. Compared to 1989 rate of 34% who left shelter alive. Killing and euthanasia are two different things. Euthanized animals include those near death, include those deemed vicious and dangerous. Proud of ACC’s efforts over the years.
Hope Johnson – Encourages Commissioners to take up no-kill issue. Find solutions to problems resulting from no-kill versus reasons against no-kill.
Nadine May – Would like to see no-kill addressed as City-wide issue. Believes City can go above 84%. Encourages reading “Redemption”. Hopes Commission will work on issue.
L’Danielle Yacabucci – City needs legislation to restore SF to no-kill city. SPCA playing games with definitions of no-kill. Its about saving all the animals possible and getting agencies to work together. Would like City stop using CO2 to kill small animals.
Richard Fong – ACC controls number of animals in SF. Recommends various forms of birth control for cats. Emphasizes gaining control.
Comr. Padilla – Will take up no-kill issue
8. Public Comment
Lisa Vittori – Does not mean to dispute Carl’s statistics. Apologized to Carl for saying, incorrectly, that ACC charged rescue groups. ACC goes above and beyond. Glad Commissioners reading “Redemption”. Need to work with Rec & Park, Dep. of the Environment for places for animals to be social. We shouldn’t be arguing with groups like Audubon about it.
Dr. Elliot Katz – IDA – Praises Carl Friedman’s efforts to save animals at ACC. He can be temperamental but overall he is a fantastic person.
L’Danielle Yacabucci - Requests bio of Commissioners on ACWC website. Background info would be helpful in knowing which Commissioner has experience in what issues.
Cynthia Cox – Wonders if there is more info about coyotes.
9.Calendar Items & 10. Closing Review
Comr. Stephens - Comr. Gerrie will look into arts funding recommendation. No-kill will be looked into further.
11. Adjournment 7:20 PM
Respectfully submitted by
Philip Gerrie
Commission Secretary