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 - February 14th, 2002
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Elissa Eckman convened the February 14th,
2002 meeting of the Commission
of Animal Control and Welfare to order at approximately 5.32p.m. at City Hall,
Room 408, San Francisco California.
Commissioners in Attendance: Chair Elissa Eckman,
Vice-Chair Sherri Franklin, Secretary June Wilson, Catherine Tchen, Frederick
Hobson, Cheryl Bentley, Carl Friedman, Animal Care & Control, Sgt. Bill
Herndon, SFPD. Kelly Jensen, Veterinarian. City Attorney Rosa Sanchez was
in attendance.
Commissioner Jack Breslin, Dept. of Health,
absent.
Com. Herndon left at approximately 6.30p.m.
The meeting was convened at 5.32p.m. and Commissioner
Chair Eckman 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.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
The Chair hearing none, returned the meeting
to the Commission.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 10,2002
MEETING
The minutes were approved with 2 minor changes.
The Chair opened the meeting to public comment. Hearing none, the meeting
was returned to the Commission.
4. CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT AND OPENING REMARKS
(discussion item)
a. Official welcome to new Commissioner
Kelly Jensen, D.V.M
The Chair extended a welcome to Kelly Jensen.
ITEM TAKEN OUT OF ORDER
7. OLD BUSINESS 1
(a) An election of a Chairperson to begin
the term of January 2002 will be conducted pursuant to Article III, section
3.1 of the Commission’s Rules and Regulations. This item had to be carried
forward from last month’s meeting.
The Chair stated that she had been advised by
the City Attorney to hold the election first. However, Com. Hobson insisted
that she wait until Ms Sanchez arrived. The Chair decided to proceed and Com.
Hobson asked her if she had the City Attorney’s advice in writing. Shortly
thereafter, Ms. Sanchez arrived and advised the chair to proceed as previously
instructed. Com. Hobson then stated that there was a "conflict of interest"
concerning Com. Franklin. Ms. Sanchez stated that she was investigating this
matter. The election of President proceeded as follows:
Two votes were taken: The first being those
Commissioners in favor of Elissa Eckman for Chair, with Coms. Franklin, Eckman,
Wilson and Jensen in favor. The second being those Commissioners in favor
of Cheryl Bentley for Chair, with Coms. Tchen, Hobson and Bentley in favor.
(b) A brief overview of some recent court
cases and legal issues of relevancy to the Commission.
The Chair had various clippings from different
newspapers of some recent court cases involving animals.
4. Commissioner Public Comment
Com. Hobson disagreed with the Secretary’s comments
that accompanied the June amendment to the minutes.
ITEM OUT OF ORDER
8. NEW BUSINESS
(a) Steve Cockrell, President of CITYDOGS,
a San Francisco based organization of almost 100 members, advocating for the
needs of urban dogs and their owners, requests approximately ten minutes for
the opportunity to publicly introduce his organization to the Commission.
Steve Cockrell spoke about his organization,
CityDogs with almost 100 members and said that their focus is on gathering
information to provide a basis for informed decision-making by the public
and policymakers. He wants to develop solutions and guidelines that will be
good for everyone including Rec & Park, dog owners, children and adults
alike.
5. Status and tracking of letters of recommendations
approved by Commission
requesting action by Board of Supervisors
(Discussion Item)
1). Live Animal Market (Kuehl Bill compliance)
There was considerable discussion regarding
the enforcement and limitations of this bill. Supervisor Peskin needs more
information on this bill and wants to meet with Com. Friedman on this matter.
2). Letter sent to Board re UCSF lack of cooperation
with city’s resolution concerning animal testing.
There appears to be considerable concern over
this matter.
3). Letter to Board of Supervisors recommending
amending 41.12 of the SF Health Code to provide for duties of "Guardians".
No answer as yet.
6. COMMITTEE REPORTS/ COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS
(Discussion Item)
a. Update on placement of Crime Stoppers posters
(anti dog fighting)
Com. Franklin had nothing to report and Com
Herndon had already left.
b. Update on API draft pamphlet regarding
declawing fact sheet.
8.NEW BUSINESS
(b) The Commission will examine and make
recommendations re its 2001-2002 budgetary expenditures.
(Commissioner Bentley (Discussion Item)
There was considerable discussion as to the
various projects for which the funds should be allocated. There were a number
of items considered for funding, suggested public notification of Commissions
activities, an invitation to attend commission hearings, to procure additional
dog fighting posters and pay for their installation. This item will be continued
at a later date.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
The Chair opened the meeting to public comment.
Hearing none, the meeting was returned to the Commission.
8. CALENDAR ITEMS
The Chair stated that Thelma Lee Gross, DVM
a veterinary pathologist from Davis, CA will be speaking before the Commission
at next months meeting.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned, motion by Chair Eckman,
seconded by Vice-Chair Franklin, at approximately 7.40p.m.
Dated:17th February, 2002
Amended:
Wilson, Secretary ____________________