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DRAFT
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 10th, 2001
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
1(a). Chair Elissa Eckman convened
May 10th , 2001 meeting of the Commission of Animal
Control and Welfare to order at approximately
5:35 p.m. at City Hall, Room 408, San Francisco, California.
Commissioners in attendance: Chair
Elissa Eckman, Sgt. Bill Herndon S.F.P.D., Jack Breslin, S.F.D.P.H.; Carl Friedman,
Animal Care & Control, June Wilson, Katherine Tchen, Cheryl Bentley, Frederick
Hobson, Sherri Franklin.
The meeting was convened at approximately
5:35 p.m. Commission Chair Eckman presided during all aspects of the meeting.
All 9 Commissioners (or their lawful designates) holding valid appointments
being present, the quorum requirement of Section 6 of the Commission’s "Rules
and Regulations" (50% of those eligible to vote) was satisfied.
2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
The April 12th meeting
minutes were unanimously approved at this meeting and in order to save time
in future all commissioners would receive the minutes through the web site,
and/or fax and mail.
3. CHAIR’S STATEMENT
(a.) The Chair welcomed the new
commissioners, Sherri Franklin and June Wilson and thanked outgoing commissioners,
Richard Schulke and Chin Chi for all their good work.
(b.) Chin Chi thanked everyone
on the commission and also the general public for helping and teaching her
so much for the past 3 years. She hoped that they will always be good friends
and will be able to work together in the future.
(c.) Status of letters send to
the Board of Supervisors:
(1) Comm. Bentley informed us that
Supervisor Paskin has written legislation about the live animal markets and
it is now at the city attorney’s office.
(2) Comm. Friedman said that he
is still working with the Mayor’s office to get extra funding for his Dept.
He has managed to get 4 more people on staff. Comm Bentley did mention that
the Finance committee is meeting in different districts and that it would
be a good idea to attend these meetings.
(3) Nothing has happened yet on
the removal of trees
(4) Comm. Eckman has sent a letter
asking for funds for the Commission of Animal Control and Welfare and will
give a report at the next meeting. Comm Bentley feels that through talking
to Supervisor Paskin, this commission will get some money but how much is
the question. Comm. Eckman thanked Comm Friedman for providing the commission
with stationary and stamps.
(5) A letter was sent to District
Attorney Terrance Hallanan regarding a special prosecutor for crimes against
animals. Comm Hobson said Terrance Hallahan is in support of it and he will
have the city attorney draw up some legislation which in turn will turn it
over to the Board of Supervisors. They do have a special prosecutor but not
a unit.
(6) Comm Eckman plans to write
a letter yet to the Board of Supervisors regarding UCSF apparent disregard
of prior Board resolution concerning care and use of laboratory animals at
their SF facilities. She now has much more information on this matter and
Comm Tchen will help her with more information. The letter will be sent before
the next meeting.
(7) Comm Hobson spoke with the
Municipal Transport Agency about eliminating the fares for animals travelling
on Muni. It will be introduced at their board meeting next week and they will
take action on this either June 5th or June 19th. It
also has the support of the Director.
(8) Former commissioner Chin Chi
informed us that there is a letter regarding Owner/Guardian terminology and
it will be discussed at the next meeting.
Comm Eckman stated that this meeting
was devoted to the change of the Rules and Regulations of this Commission and
also 3 commissioners, Friedman, Beslin and Herndon had to leave at 7p.m.
4. COMMITTEE REPORTS/COMMISSIONERS’S
REPORTS
(a) Comm Herndon has been in touch
with crime stoppers about the posters (dog fighting) and there is a problem
with funding and he will give a report next month. Comm Wilson asked about
crime stoppers and was told that it is a non-profit organization and is a
joint effort between the police and the public to offer anonymous rewards
up to $1000 for the arrest of a felony crime and it is nation wide. Chin Chi
stated that putting up 10 posters would be $2000 to $2500. Crime stoppers
support the posters and they will help but Animal Care and Control is in charge.
ACC had already said that they couldn’t help because of budget problems. Comm
Herndon said that he will be in touch with crime stoppers and understood that
it was $50 per location and said that any number of posters is better than
none. There is a lot of support for posters all over the US. Comm Friedman
said that he would work with Comm Herndon to get some posters out.
(b) Comm Hobson stated that there
has been no action by the Board on the proposed name change of the commission.
This item died in committee under the 30 day rule. Comm. Hobson suggested
that the commissioners phone Supervisor Leno’s office to have this item re-calendared.
6. NEW BUSINESS
(a) The City Attorney Rosa Sanchez,
stated that this is a discussion only item as the posting for changes is 10
days. It’s a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors, that they approve
proposed changes of Rules and Regulations to the Commission of Animal Control
and Welfare. The Chair stated that the Rules and Regulations needed to be
updated to make the commission more effective and clearer and in the best
interests for future chairs and commissioners. Dr. Cole suggested that the
first sentence of Rules and Regulations add City and County of San Francisco.
Comm Friedman said that in the 1970’s when they made the Rules and Regulations
and again when they amended it in 1983, it took a 2/3 vote and the old rules
are still in effect, he noticed in the agenda a recommendation to the Board
of Supervisors that they adopt proposed Rules and Regulations, he says that
we can adopt it here and don’t have to send anything to the Board of Supervisors.
Ms. Sanchez told us that these are your Rules and Regulations, has nothing
to do with the Board of Supervisors, and that this is your way of conducting
business. A name change would have to go to the Board of Supervisors. Ms.
Sanchez advised that whether we change or not, we can still go ahead with
the Rules and Regulations. Under the new rules, the vote will be by simple
majority which is 50%. Comm Friedman suggested to change the name right now.
Ms. Sanchez said the commission’s name right now is legal. The Chair suggested
either/or with the name change depending the Board of Supervisor’s decision
and Ms. Sanchez agreed if that’s what we all want. Ms Sanchez advised to keep
the name as it is right now. At the next meeting Ms. Sanchez will have all
the options so that we can vote on whatever we want.
(b) 3.5 Comm Friedman stated that
if a commissioner misses 3 meeting in one year, can we request the Board of
Supervisors to remove the individual from the Commission. Ms Sanchez said
yes, we can do that. 3.4 The secretary will take the roll call at the start
of the meeting not the Chair. 3.5 Comm Bentley stated that she thought all
commissioners should be on time for the 5.30p.m. meeting and occasionally
through traffic or an accident that would be understandable but when it becomes
a regular occurrence, the chair should take appropriate action. Comm Tchen
argued that the commission used to start at 6p.m. and some people work and
others do not. Ms Sanchez said that what is important, is that we have a quorum.
If there is no quorum, we can only have a discussion without voting. Lateness,
will be recorded by the secretary. Three unexcused absences during a 2 year
term will mean that that person is no longer on the commission. Next meeting
we will vote on 41.1, 3.5, item B. The maker of a motion requiring correspondence
is responsible for providing the chair with a completed letter for signature.
Every commissioner has the allotted time of 5 minutes to speak on any item
on the agenda. The Chair is responsible for running an orderly meeting. A
vote at next meeting. The secretary will record the way each member of the
commission voted. Ms Sanchez said to move meetings along, 5 minutes for commissioners
and 5 minutes for public comment. In general, the commission should endeavor
to conduct meetings within a 2 1/2 to 3 hour time period. A commissioner has
to sponsor an item from the public for it to be placed on the agenda. Any
calendar items for the next meeting need to be in writing. 4.7 It was suggested
that instead of 3 days prior to the meeting, it be 72 hours. Next meeting,
a vote for 5.30p.m. or 6p.m. meeting will be decided. As individuals we are
free to contact any members of the public and identify ourselves as commissioners
but not to speak on behalf of the commission without authorization. The total
agenda will be posted 10 days in advance on amendments of the Rules and Regulations.
The general public can view these changes. It will be posted on the web site,
public library and the Board of Supervisors.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chin Chi stated that the Humane Society
of US, Animal Protection Institute and herself wrote letters to all supervisors
asking them to support the ban on fur. Supervisors Daly and McGoldrick have
officially supported this ban. They need 4 supervisors by the end of June to
get this on the ballot so that the voters can decide. She is urging everyone
to send cards to their district supervisors.
8. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8.05p.m.
A motion was made by the Chair Elissa Eckman, seconded by Comm Wilson
Dated: May, 23rd, 2001