2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 MINUTES
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
6:00 P.M.
1800 Oakdale Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94124
1.0 Call to Order
Commission President Millard Larkin called the Wednesday, March 24, 2004 meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. in the Alex L. Pitcher Community Room at 1800 Oakdale Avenue.
1.2 Roll Call
Commissioner Millard Larkin; Commissioner Bobbrie Brown; Commissioner
Juan Fuentes; Commissioner Louise Jones; Commissioner Willie Kennedy;
Commissioner Kenneth Sampson
Late Arrival: Commissioners Ronald Person
Staff Present: Toye Moses, Exec. Dir. SECFC; Annette Price, SECF Commission Secretary.
2.0 Public Comment
There was no public comment at this meeting.
3.0 Consent Calendar
3.1a RESOLUTION (SECFC-2004-1) Be it resolved that the minutes of the Southeast Community Facility Commission meeting of Thursday, March 11, 2004 be approved as submitted (passed unanimously).
Commissioner Larkin moved Item 4.0 Communications down the agenda in order to accommodate Fire Chief Joanne White-Hayes’ schedule. President Larkin welcomed and congratulated Chief White-Hayes on her appointment to the SFFD on January 16, 2004.
5.0 Presentation
Fire Chief White-Hayes thanked the Commission for the opportunity to present stating that she would first like to acknowledge Phil Kelber, SFFD Battalion Chief responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of all fire stations located in District 10, one of the largest battalions in the City.
Fire Chief White-Hayes reported in 1997 the SSFD merged with the paramedic division. The total operating budget for SFFD is $206 million, down $20 million from last fiscal year. The department is being asked to again reduce its budget by 5.5%, which represents approximately $7.3 million. As all city departments face difficult economic times, the biggest challenge will be to look at very creative solutions to the budget situation, i.e., redeploying resources.
Chief Hayes-White stated she plans on having an active role in all parts of the community and that
the department looks forward to working with the community regarding any concerns that may arise related to fire suppression/delivery of medical services.
Chief White-Hayes stated she has a great admiration for the Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT) sponsored by the SFFD, which provides training in disaster and emergency response to San Francisco residents preparing them to be self-sufficient in major disasters. Chief White-Hayes concluded by stating she looks forward to visiting the Commission more frequently or any time there are questions related not just to BVHP but also about the fire department as a whole.
Commissioner Brown asked other than the budget situation, what has been the greatest challenge in taking over the department? Chief White stated the budget situation, which affects a number of other things, is the biggest challenge. However, she stated she plans on enlisting the assistance of other city department heads to work collaboratively to come up with creative solutions to the budget crunch.
Commissioner Kennedy asked what effect has lifting the court ordered dissent decree had on the SFFD? Chief White-Hayes responded currently women account for 12% of the SFFD workforce compared to just 14 years ago where there were only 10. The department has made great strides in maintaining a diverse workforce that’s representative of the city. Commissioner Kennedy also suggested that perhaps more outreach could take place with SFFD prior to SFFD setting up their next training class, especially in the Southeast sector.
Commissioner Sampson was curious as to what effect the fiscal crunch would have on SFFD’s ability to purchase and/or update equipment? Chief White-Hayes stated it’s in her interest to ensure that the department has up-to-date equipment to maintain the health and safety of her staff, which has a direct impact on the services SFFD is able to provide. Fortunately, SFFD has been the recipient of grant funding. Through this grant fund, SFFD has been able to offset some concerns related to purchasing up-to-date equipment.
Commissioner Fuentes asked if there will be any adverse effect on any particular community as far as reduction and/or closure of stations and if so will those reductions and/or closures be equitable throughout the city? Chief White-Hayes responded it is her great hope that SFFD will not have to reduce or close any stations. However, SFFD may need to look at how stations are staffed in terms of apparatuses, i.e., engine trucks, ambulances.
Commissioner Larkin suggested that perhaps classes could be set up prior to employment opportunities taking place in order to prepare cadets for recruitment into the SFFD. He further remarked that BVHP is in a growth mode and suggested perhaps some type of advisory group could be put together regarding employment opportunities with inclusion from BVHP.
Commissioner Person asked that the Commission be provided with an ethnic/gender breakdown of the fire department. The Chief agreed to provide that information by week end.
Commissioner Jones asked whether there were any other programs being conducted in the schools that teach children fire safety other than what is currently going on now, i.e., drills, stations tours, etc.? Chief Hayes responded that school drills are conducted on a regular basis to ensure schools are up to code and that exit signs are in good working order. In addition, the department has a program in its pilot phase working with the school district where a curriculum has been developed for age appropriate level students, which discusses fire safety issues, fire prevention issues, and also touches on careers in the fire service.
Dir. Moses commented that there are many senior citizens in the BVHP community that need to be educated regarding public safety and suggested perhaps that could be part of the SFFD’s outreach effort, to educate people from the community, particularly senior citizens. He further explained that many seniors have bars on their windows for safety that are not breakaway. And when a fire happens, it’s a problem for the seniors as well as the department to gain entry or exit. Chief Hayes-White welcomed any event that might target the senior population relating to public safety. Dir. Moses concluded by offering to make the Southeast facility available to the Department in future if the department sponsored such an event.
Commissioner Kennedy complimented the Chief on how she has handled the recent problems involving the use of illicit drugs by fire fighters and asked that she comment on that. Chief Hayes stated the fire department is not without its problems. She stated her department has an enlightened approach as it relates to inappropriate behavior, potential drug or alcohol problems.
There is a zero tolerance approach to drug usage while on duty. If the party is willing to basically meet halfway by successfully completing rehabilitation, they are welcomed back by the administration. They then enter into an agreement whereby the person returns to the workforce but is subject to random blood testing for a 3- to 4-year period.
Commissioner Larkin thanked the Chief for taking the time out of her busy schedule to appear tonight and stated he looks forward to seeing her in the future.
Cedric Jackson, Dir. of Southeast Career Center, offered his services in the recruitment effort for cadets. He also stated interest in seeing any proactive programs on the part of the Department to ensure community groups, faith-based institutions, etc., know of the opportunity to come down and bring classes to the fire dept and to integrate BVHP into what’s going on in city services.
4.0 Communications:Dir. Moses announced that Wells Fargo Bank will have their groundbreaking ceremony on Monday at 11:30 a.m. at the Bayview Plaza on Third Street.
6.0 Directors Report
Dir. Moses reported that: He met with the Mayor’s Chief of Staff who confirmed that the Mayor will present before the SECFC on Thursday, April 8, 2004. The format will be similar to a town hall meeting and the Director invited everyone to come out and participate.
Some of the problems at our E.P. Mills facility have been resolved. Staff is working closely with tenants to have the doors replaced and it is our hope that no other brake-ins will occur.
Dir. Moses stated a very productive meeting took place yesterday with Dean Hunnicutt to discuss the vandalism that has taken place by the high school students in which city property was damaged. The college as well as the school district has agreed to repair all damage caused by the students.
Commissioner Jones moved and Commissioner Kennedy seconded to accept the Director’s Report. Motion passed unanimously to accept report as presented (7-0).
7. Old/Ongoing Business by Commissioners
There was no old/ongoing business presented at this meeting.
Commissioner Larkin suspended the meeting at this point in order to accommodate District Attorney Kamala Harris’ schedule, as she was running a little late (1-minute break).
After a brief discussion off the record with Commissioners, President Larkin reconvened the meeting and re-opened public comment.
Public Comment (continued):
Mrs. Gwen Sattostated two years ago officers on the San Francisco Police Department brutalized her. She stated she will continue to speak about this incident to prevent it from happening to anyone else. Mr. Joseph Flood, Mayors Office of Neighborhood Services announced the District 10 Town Hall meeting will take place on Saturday, April 24 at Visitation Valley Elementary School Auditorium, 55 Schwerin St., from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Mayor Newsom will be in attendance.
Commissioner Larkin suspended the meeting at this point in order to accommodate District Attorney Kamala Harris’ schedule (10-minute recess). Commissioner Larkin called the SECFC meeting back to order at 7:10 p.m.
Commissioner Larkin welcomed District Attorney Harris and asked that she step forward to discuss crime, law and fair justice.
Presentation (continued)
Kamala Harris, S.F. District Attorney, stated the DA’s Office is responsible for law enforcement. As the chief law enforcement office in the city, the DA’s Office needs to function at a professional level in order for justice to occur. Ms. Harris stated when she took office 2.5 months ago, she found that some of her staff attorneys did not have the necessary equipment to function in a professional manner, i.e., e-mail, computers, phones. To remedy that, training has taken place and necessary resources have been brought to the office to create a professional working environment.
Ms. Harris stated the DA’s Office has worked well with the San Francisco Police Department and have provided training to the police department in the collection of evidence. The DA’s Office is also in the process of starting a training program for all its investigators, which will enable both departments to work together and through the D.A.’s office educate the police department regarding what judges and courts deem as legally appropriate and admissible evidence.
Ms. Harris explained when she got into office, one of her highest priorities was the homicide cases. She stated she has personally reviewed all of the homicide cases (74) -- some four years old -- and is committed to giving them top priority. In addition, Ms. Harris reported some of the judges she has met with have agreed to help the DA’s Office reduce some of that backlog, understating that if cases are not processed the community sees no consequence when a life is taken.
Ms. Harris stated one of the challenges faced and an area that the DA’s Office needs help with is convincing the community to start testifying in cases where they have witnessed a crime. The murders are happening on a daily basis and the only way the DA’s Office can do its job of prosecuting those cases is when there is evidence, which comes through people testifying and participating.
Commissioner Brown asked District Attorney Harris whether she was surprised with what she found taking place in the BVHP community? Ms. Harris responded she was not surprised but she definitely felt challenged, frustrated, and concerned. She stated, “When people are killing each other, they’ve got to be held accountable.”
Commissioner Jones asked if Ms. Harris thought the reason many people do not come forth to testify is more out of fear of retaliation than being perceived as “a snitch”? Ms. Harris agreed; however, she stated if the community encouraged people to come forward, the community will figure out a way as a community to protect people who stand up, as will the D.A.’s Office.
CommissionerSampson asked what is being done to partner with the police department to ensure that a person can in fact testify and get some of these murderers off the street? Ms. Harris responded the campaign poster of African American men that have been murdered, sponsored by the police department, was a way of highlighting the need to act and giving them the information of how they can act. The other ways of communicating are going everywhere to talk about it. Ms. Harris stated it’s about the leadership of the community. We’ve got to hold folks accountable.
Commissioner Person noted that a lot of the crime and killings relate to the drug trade and gangs explaining that he has not seen much police involvement to end it. He further commented that people are not confident that they will be protected from retaliation if they come forward and asked what kind of guarantee does a person have who reports a crime? Ms. Harris responded that she cannot stand before the community and say that witnesses have not been killed. However, given the number of homicides that have occurred and failure to come forward does not bear out. She further emphasized the community has to prevent fear from keeping people silent. The DA’s Office can take measures to protect people.
Ms. Harris reported the DA’s Office has started a system of homicide duty and whenever a homicide occurs and there is a suspect, the homicide inspectors call a senior more experienced prosecutors to come out to the scene to help with whatever advice is necessary to ensure when evidence is collected, it will be good evidence which can be used in court resulting in a conviction.
Commissioner Fuentes explained a lot of the activity that goes on in the BVHP community is related to drugs that are being sold, which is more of an issue in terms of trying to curtail some of the murders that are going on. Why are these drugs in this community? Also, how is the District Attorney’s office going to work with the Office of Citizen’s Complaint in terms of for instance police brutality? Ms. Harris responded there are ways to help with crime investigation other than testifying against someone, i.e., providing information to the police so they can find the evidence. Ms. Harris stated she takes very seriously any misconduct by anyone who is charged with the responsibility of keeping people. The district attorney’s office and OCC have a very good working relationship, although the cases they investigate don’t necessarily rise to a level where the D.A. is responsible for prosecuting because they look at different things.
Commissioner Larkin opened the floor to the public.
Ms. Stencil stated her husband was injured by a hit and run driver and that the SFPD has not arrested anyone. Ms. Harris referred her to Captain Bruce, SFPD Bayview station who took down her information for follow-up. Mr. Cedric Jackson, Director of One-Stop asked if there is any effort on the part of the District Attorney’s Office for collaboration with some of the community-based organizations (PIC, YCD, Bay View Initiative, etc) who are starting a program to end youth violence? Ms. Harris responded there are collaborations on the part of the DA’s Office with various agencies, one of which is the school district dealing with truancy issues as well as some of the other agencies mentioned. One of the areas that we need to work more on is bringing more mental health service providers to the table because we need to deal with healing the community. A lot of the youth have lost sisters and brothers to murder. We also need to start involving youth in crafting of solutions.
Commissioner Larkin commended District Attorney Harris on what she has done thus far while in office for such a short time and thanked her for taking the time to come before the Commission.
8. Introductionof New Business by Commissioners
Dir. Moses suggested that the Commission honor Commander Michael Puccinelli, former Captain of the Bayview station. Commissioner Kennedy suggested that Lt. Cornelius (Con) Johnson also be honored.
Commissioner Jones asked to be excused on April 8th and May 13, 2004, as she will be out of state.
Commissioner Person asked for clarification regarding “excused absences”. Dir. Moses explained that Commissioners should inform the Commission prior to their absence so that staff may place that item on the consent calendar for approval.
9. Adjournment
Commissioner Jones moved and Commissioner Kennedy seconded to adjourn the SECF Commission meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________
Commission Secretary
