Meeting Information

COMMISSION OF ANIMAL CONTROL AND WELFARE

Mailing Address: 1390 Market Street, Room 822

San Francisco, CA 94102

Voice Mail: (415) 252-3817

DRAFT MINUTES OF MEETING - APRIL 11, 2002

1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

(a) Vice-Chair Sherri Franklin convened the April 11, 2002 meeting of the Commission of Animal Control to order at approximately 5:35 p.m., at City Hall, Room 408, San Francisco California.

Commissioners in Attendance: Chair Elissa Eckman (arriving at 5:40), Vice-Chair Sherri Franklin, Secretary June Wilson, Cheryl Bentley, Frederick Hobson (arriving at 5:40), Kelly Jensen, DVM, Catherine Tchen (arriving at 5:45), Carl Friedman, Animal Care & Control, Sgt. Bill Herndon, SFPD. City Attorney Rosa Sanchez.

Commissioners Absent: Com. Breslin, Dept. of Health.

Commissioners leaving early: Coms. Herndon (6:30), Com. Jensen (7:15), Com. Hobson (7:15). City Attorney Sanchez (7:15).

The meeting was convened at 5:35 p.m. by Vice-Chair Franklin, after which Commission Chair Eckman arrived and then presided during the remaining 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.

2. PUBLIC COMMENT:

The Vice-Chair opened the meeting to public comment as follows:

Eric Mills, Action for Animals, provided a flier re rodeo cruelty.

Steve Cockrell, City Dogs, provided an update re Park & Rec’s new dog policy, which he thinks is unacceptable, and stated that City Dogs and SF Dog are working on an alternative policy. He further noted that Park & Rec had received over 2,600 public comments, and that they had not looked at or analyzed over half of the comments.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 14, 2002 MEETING

[Discussion/Action Item]

Com. Bentley requested a sentence be added to Item No. 9: That Com. Franklin had asked that the Chair insure that vacancies be legally noticed. Com. Franklin stated she didn’t recall it, and it was decided to consult the tape.

It was noted that the minutes should reflect that Coms. Hobson and Tchen were "absent with cause."

The Chair moved, (seconded by Com. Franklin) to approve the minutes, and the minutes were approved, (with Coms. Eckman, Franklin, Wilson, Bentley, Jensen, voting yes, (and Com. Hobson and Tchen not voting).

4. CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT AND OPENING REMARKS [Discussion item]

a. Farewell to outgoing Coms. Hobson and Tchen.

The Chair opened the meeting to commissioner and public comment, with several members of the public and commissioners giving their thanks and farewells to Coms. Hobson and Tchen for their hard work and service to the Commission and for animals.

b. City Council of Fremont disapproves private slaughterhouse for chickens.

The Chair opened the meeting to public comment, with Eric Mills, Action for Animals, stating that he had attended the Fremont Council meeting, that it had been a major victory, the Council voted 5 to 0 not to allow the slaughterhouse.

4-1. COMMISSIONER PUBLIC COMMENT

Com. Bentley provided leaflets regarding an upcoming event, then noted that she has learned that since the Whipple verdict, tenants have been having problems with landlords disallowing dogs where they previously had been allowed, and noted that she has asked the City Attorney to look into this matter.

She then stated that a friend had contacted the Board of Sups. Clerk’s Office in an attempt to obtain info on the Commission, and that the Clerk’s office had no information regarding the Commission, not even a phone number, and hoped this could be checked out. The Chair suggested this item be agendized.

Com. Wilson indicated she had been contacted by a citizen who reports that skunks and raccoons are taking over the Presidio, and there is a concern about rabies. Com. Friedman indicated that SF is pretty much rabies free, that SF hasn’t had a case of rabies in a dog or cat in over 50 years, and then noted that the Presidio is not on City property, and that this is an issue for the Presidio Trust. Com. Wilson will look into it.

Com. Hobson stated he had been informed that Sup. Peskin has dropped his plans to carry legislation to the Board to enforce the Kuehl Bill, due to unwillingness by city departments to enforce it. Com. Bentley stated that Sup. Peskin had asked the Dept. of Health and Animal Care & Control if they would enforce, but they had refused to enforce it. Com. Friedman responded that he had not refused to enforce, that it was Sup. Peskin’s decision to drop the legislation.

Tia Redland, stated that for the live food markets, she would like to see the problem addressed to allow for more humane treatment, but allowances made for cultural food.

Hearing no further commissioner or public comment, the Chair returned the meeting to the Commission with Com. Herndon requesting Item 6-A be taken out of order.

ITEM HEARD OUT OF ORDER:

6. COMMITTEE REPORTS/COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS [Discussion Item]

A. Update on placement of Crime Stoppers posters

[anti dog fighting]

Com. Herndon advised, he had received the commitment for funding from Crime Stoppers and Animal Control, and that as soon as he receives the disk, he will get pricing.

Com. Wilson suggested the Commission fund more posters. Com. Herndon indicated that the City of Oakland wants to put them up in Oakland as well.

ITEM HEARD OUT OF ORDER:

7. OLD BUSINESS

Discussion regarding next step to be taken following March 14, 2002 presentation by Dr. Gross indicating against live animal market practices, the moral obligation to render the suffering of animals used for human consumption null, and misconceptions concerning several previously presumed humane methods of slaughter. [Chairperson Eckman] [Discussion/Action Item.]

The Chair opened the meeting to public comment:

Eric Mills, Action for Animals, indicated Dr. Gross’ study has been submitted to the Journal of American Veterinary Association.

Dr. Ron Cole, suggested the Commission prevail upon Dr. Gross and U.C. Davis to make some educational videos, which could be used by employees of the live animal markets, with translations.

Hearing no further public comment, the Chair returned the meeting to the Commission, where further lengthy discussion ensued with Com. Hobson making an amended motion, (seconded by Com. Tchen), as follows:

"That the sale of live animals sold for human consumption on city property be heretofore prohibited; that that recommendation go to the Board of Supervisors in a letter signed by the officers of the Commission."

The Chair opened the meeting to public comment, with Eric Mills giving his support for the motion. Hearing no further public comment, further Commission discussion ensued.

The Chair stated that Com. Hobson’s motion was not dealing with the agenda item re Dr. Gross’s presentation, and that she felt further study and time is needed before any recommendation is sent to the Board, with Com. Jensen noting that she was going to try to provide further information to the Commission and perhaps videos. Several commissioners felt that further study was not needed for the Commission to make their recommendation, and parts of Dr. Gross’s presentation could be incorporated in the letter.

A vote was taken on Com. Hobson’s motion with Coms. Hobson, Tchen and Bentley voting yes, and Coms. Eckman, Franklin, Jensen and Wilson voting no. The motion did not pass.

The Chair requested putting the item over to next month’s agenda.

5. 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]

Com. Bentley stated there is a possibility of a lawsuit since the City has refused to enforce the law.

The Chair opened the meeting to public comment. Hearing none, continued on with Item 2.

2) Letter sent to Board re UCSF lack of cooperation with City’s resolution concerning animal testing.

The Chair stated she had heard that In Defense of Animals is again trying to take some action on this item, and they wanted to inform the Commission that they are writing a letter re a primate experiment.

The Chair opened the meeting to public comment. Hearing none, continued with Item 3.

3) Letter to Board of Supervisors recommending amending Section 41.12 of the SF Health Code to provide for duties of "Guardians."

Com. Franklin stated that she has received positive feedback re this item, but that it is very difficult to get appointments with the supervisors, but hopes it will get pushed through.

The Chair opened the meeting to public comment. Hearing none, continued on with Item 8.

(Items 6 and 7 heard out of order.)

8. NEW BUSINESS

Discussion of possible uses for the Commission’s remaining budget for the fiscal year 2001-2002.

The Chair opened the meeting to public comment. Hearing none, the Commission discussed uses of the remaining budget as follows:

Com. Franklin suggested producing a leaflet to educate the public about the Commission, which could be placed in vet clinics, etc to encourage more public participation. Com. Friedman suggested the Commission have a logo made.

The Chair suggested that the Commission consider whether it’s a necessary expense to continue having such detailed minutes prepared, because it is expensive.

Com. Friedman stated he would talk to the budget people and determine whether the existing budget could be carried forward, or whether the Commission should spend what they have now on the leaflets and Crime Stopper posters.

9. PUBLIC COMMENT

The Chair opened the meeting to public comment:

Eric Mills suggested having a contest for school kids to come up with a logo. Gina Eichler suggested the Commission produce some educational information in light of the dog mauling trial.

10. CALENDAR ITEMS

Com. Franklin stated she had received calls from citizens about different responses to animal emergencies from 911 or ACC, and that they are being bounced back and forth. She indicated she had spoken to the public safety coordinator for the Emergency Communications Department to discuss the possibility of a set of questions that the 911 operators could use, so that animal emergency calls would go to the right place, and requests Commission discussion.

Com. Wilson advised that Cable Station 29, which has a large audience in the Bay Area, has some free air time available and a studio in which to make videos, which may be of use to the Commission.

11. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned, motion by Com. Franklin seconded by Com. Wilson at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Dated: 19^th April,2002

Amended:

Wilson, Secretary

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