MINUTES

Thursday, September 8, 2005

6:00 P.M.

1800 Oakdale Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94124

1.0               Call to Order
Commission President Bobbrie Brown called the Thursday, September 8, 2005 meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. in the Alex L. Pitcher Community Room at 1800 Oakdale Avenue.

Commissioner Brown read the Sunshine Ordinance aloud.
 

             1.2            Roll Call

Commissioners Present: Brown; Fuentes; Kennedy; Parker; Jones (6:50 p.m.)

Commissioners excused: Person and Sampson

Staff Present: John Roddy, Deputy City Attorney; Annette Price, SECF Comm.-Sect

             1.3                    Consent Calendar

(a)           RESOLUTION (SECFC-2005-39) Be it resolved that the minutes of the Southeast Community Facility Commission meeting of Wednesday, August 24, 2005, be approved as submitted with minor corrections (passed unanimously).

2.0               Public Comment
There was no public comment at this time.
 

3.0               Communications:
The Commission Secretary listed the following correspondence: Letters from Commissioners Sampson and Person requesting to be excused; Invitation from the Mayor’s Office to all Department heads and City Commissioners of Hispanic descent for a photo with Mayor Newsom in celebration of Hispanic Heritage month.

Commissioner Brown introduced Ms. Juanita Santana, Executive Director of S.F. State University Headstart Program at the Southeast Community Facility.

4.0               Presentations:
Ms. Juanita Santana thanked the Commission for having the opportunity to meet them. She reported the City’s Headstart programs serve 1400 children and families in the San Francisco area. She continued that the Headstart program at Southeast is a full-day wraparound program operating from 8:00 to 4:00, 10 months a year. There are 40 slots for children from ages 3 to 5. The program is funded both by federal and state funds. The current ethnic breakout for enrollment is 22 African Americans; 9 Hispanics; 2 Asians; 1 Pacific Islander; and 3 multicultural children with twenty-eight from the 94124, three from 94134, one from 94142, three from 94112, one from 94013, and four from 94110.

Comm. Brown asked whether there was an educational component to the program. Ms. Santana replied “yes”, the program implements an educational component as well as a creative curriculum based on family observation. Teachers develop individualized educational plans for each child in the classroom which includes literacy, math, and language. Progress is shared with the parents

and specific goals are established for each child. The services provided to each child is a complete physical/health screening that include vision, hearing, nutritional assessment, and assessment to determine any learning disability.

Ms. Santana reported that Headstart also offers disability services and support as well as provide training on parenting skills in the area of child development, health, and preventive practice. Headstart also provides transitioning for children and their families who are moving to kindergarten.

Comm. Brown asked the student to teacher ratio and whether parent involvement was encouraged. Ms. Santana stated parent involvement is encouraged and the ratio is 15-to-1.

Comm. Fuentes asked what the maximum enrollment is at Southeast, the criterion used for the selection process, and whether fees are charged to attend the program. Ms. Santana replied that the program is totally free and acceptance is strictly based on income eligibility. She explained also that the Parent Policy Counsel participates in developing a selection criterion based on need, such as children with disability, homelessness, special health needs. And those with the greatest need are selected first. Ms. Santana stated they would love to have additional space to serve more children; however the major challenge is the lack of space.

Comm. Parker asked whether there was a continuation of another program that picks up after Headstart. Ms. Santana responded unfortunately not and agreed that stronger collaboration needs to take place to facilitate the transition of families and support the school district through 3^rd grade.

Comm. Kennedy thanked Ms. Santana for her presentation and commended her on her work.

Mr. Kofi Bonner, Executive Vice President for BVHP Lennar gave a brief overview of his work history. He reported that he had been recruited by Lennar to lead Phase II of the Hunters Point Shipyard and BVHP/Lennar Treasure Island. He informed that Phase I is moving along smoothly and after giving a brief outline of what his responsibilities will be for the project, Mr. Kofi opened the floor up for questions by the Commission.

Comm. Parker asked how the master plan for BVHP area falls into place in terms of the whole city. Mr. Bonner stated although the market has changed somewhat from what was anticipated, the master plan for the shipyard is what is in place and Lennar will try to adhere to as much as that plan as possible to create the vision the community wants.

Comm. Kennedy welcomed Mr. Bonner back and expressed confidence that Mr. Bonner will ensure that the community gets what they want.

Comm. Brown stated the Commission will look forward within the next 90 days to inviting Mr. Bonner back for update.

5.0               Director’s Report
Comm. Brown announced that Director Moses will be on vacation until September 23^rd;
however of his written report has been submitted for Commission review and approval.

MOTION: Moved by Kennedy, seconded by Fuentes to accept the Director’s Report. Motion passed unanimously to accept report as presented (5-0).

6.0                 SECFC FACILITIES COMMITTEE REPORT: COMMISSIONER KENNEDY (Discussion/Action):

-        Comm. Kennedy reported that as there was no quorum, the Facility Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 6 to address issues involving the high school students at Southeast was rescheduled to Tuesday, September 27, 2005.

7.0               Introduction of New Business By Commissioners:
Comm. Fuentes referring to a flyer about the Fast Track program voiced concern that this program (distance-learning GED/diploma high school program for youth) seems to be recruitment for the U.S. military and suggested that an invitation be extended to them to present.

Comm. Brown directed the staff to explore the organization to determine whether an invitation is warranted.

8.0               Public Comment:
Mr. Charlie Walker reported that he along with the Bayview Hunters Point African American community is collecting food/clothing for the victims of the Katrina hurricane. He will be traveling to New Orleans and Mississippi next week to deliver donations to the victims and has requested Commission support. Mr. Walker also asked when would the physical construction begin at the BVHP shipyard.

Mr. Bonner replied that construction is already underway as there are abatement activities ongoing as well as demolition. He continued that within the next month there will be grading/paving taking place.

Comm. Brown gave Mr. Walker the full support of the Commission and requested that he come back to the Commission for update upon his return.

9.0               Announcements:
Comm. Kennedy announced that on Saturday, 9/10/05 at the Ruth Williams Memorial Theater, a Charette community-planning workshop will be held from 10 to 3. And on Wednesday, 9/14/05 a Dust Control workshop will be held at Dago Mary’s from 6 to 8 p.m. to discuss safeguards that will be implemented in the removal of toxic material.

Comm. Jones suggested that perhaps a letter of appreciation be sent to Superintendent Ackerman thanking her for the job she has done in BVHP district to improve the education of all children, especially African American children. Comm. Brown concurred and directed staff to draft a letter.

10.0               Adjournment
Comm. Brown adjourned the SECF Commission meeting at 7:13 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

         _____________________

Commission Secretary