MINUTES

Monday, November 22, 2004

6:00 P.M.

1800 Oakdale Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94124

1.0               Call to Order

Commission President Millard Larkin called the Monday, November 22, 2004 meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. in the Alex L. Pitcher Community Room at 1800 Oakdale Avenue.

The Commission Secretary read the Sunshine Ordinance aloud.

1.2               Roll Call

Commissioners Larkin; Brown; Fuentes; Jones; Kennedy; Person; Sampson

Staff Present: John Roddy, Deputy City Attorney; Joseph Tham, Dept. of Real Estate; Toye Moses, Executive Director SECFC; Annette Price, Comm.-Sect.

            Commissioner Larkin read the consent calendar aloud.
           

1.3               Consent Calendar

(a)    RESOLUTION (SECFC-2004-22) Be it resolved that the minutes of the Southeast Community Facility Commission meeting of Monday, November 15, 2004 be approved as submitted (passed unanimously).

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

3.0               Communications:
Dir. Moses reported the following correspondence has been sent/received for Commission review: Letter of Invitation to Dr. Sherry Sherman for follow-up presentation in March of 2005.

Comm. Larkin moved the order of agenda to accommodate Supt. Ackerman’s schedule, as she was running late. He asked that Dir. Moses give his report to the Commission.

Dir. Moses referenced his typed report included in Commission folders noting it was his understanding at the last meeting that his report would not be written but verbal. Comm. Larkin stated per Sunshine Ordinance, the report must be available to the public and also given publicly.

5.0               DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Dir. Moses reported: He attended the Donor’s Choice Bay Area event at 21st Century School sponsored by Supt. Ackerman in conjunction with Mayor Newsom this past week. 100 computers were donated. He attended Public Defender Jeff Adachi’s MAGIC, a mentorship event for youth. Met with Laura Spanijian, Asst. General Manager of SFPUC, who toured Southeast facility. Also, final approval of Decorative lease will go to PUC Commission for ratification no later than 12/28/04 and go into effect the end of January 2005.

MOTION: Moved by Jones, seconded by Sampson to accept the Director’s Report. Motion passed unanimously to accept report as presented (7-0).

In referencing a Commission meeting several weeks ago, Comm. Larkin stated the Director had wished to make a further comment and was not engaged in conversation. Comm. Larkin explained he did not intend to demean or belittle the Director in any way by refusing to allow him to clarify. Comm. Larkin thanked the Director as well as staff for doing an outstanding job. He then asked that Mr. Bob Kagan step forward and give his presentation.

4.0               PRESENTATIONS:

Ø      Mr. Al Williams, consultant for Levin Menzies Associates introduced Mr. Kagan, Vice President of Levin Menzies & Associates. In referencing material previously sent, Mr. Williams briefly reviewed the scope of the 5800 3^rd Street project, a mixed-use project consisting of 360 residential condominium units with 13,000 sq. ft. of retail space. Mr. Williams stated since the area is considered a health center “node” of the community, Levin Menzies has been working closely with the PAC and physicians within the community to get input on this project.

Mr. Williams reported that the PAC has given their conditional support for the negative declaration and concept of the project and Levin is requesting that this Commission give a letter of support as well. The planning dept has determined through its initial study that this project will not have any major negative impact on the community from an environmental standpoint. The negative declaration is to be issued in January with the project to be fully certified by May of 2005. Six months after certification Phase I of the project will get underway and be completed by 2007.

Community benefits generated from this project will be employment and contracting opportunities directed toward local businesses in the community. Levin sees this project as a catalyst to encourage the purchasing of units by local residents and will work with the S.F. Housing as well as local real estate agents to assist in the marketing of affordable units.
Levin has also agreed to work closely with Dr. George Davis of the Multi-purpose Senior Center to provide some resources in assisting Dr. Davis to move his project forward in rebuilding his aging campus. Mr. Williams then referred the Commission to rendering of the project and briefly reviewed them.

Comm. Kennedy suggested that Supt. Ackerman be allowed to come forward and give her presentation, as she needs to attend another meeting following this. Comm. Larkin thanked Mr. Williams and Kagan for indulging the Commission and asked that Supt. Ackerman step forward to present.

Ø      Supt. Ackerman thanked and acknowledged Commissioner Louise Jones, who has recently stepped in as interim principal at Dr. Charles Drew Elementary School.

The Superintendent began by viewing a film of the three BVHP “Dream Schools” Carver, Drew, and 21^st Century. Supt. Ackerman reported that the Dream Schools is the district’s way of addressing underperforming schools; however, she stated she cannot provide any statistics on students’ academic achievement levels until the end of the school year.

Supt. Ackerman stated the schools specifically focus on rigor, relationships, expectations, and relevance. The criterion for choosing the three BVHP Dream Schools was based on low enrollment (fewer than 200 children). The dream schools are modeled after Frederick Douglas Academy, a school that sends 98% of its students to college. School days are from 8:00 to 5:00 three days a week with voluntary Saturday classes (4-hours). Saturday classes focus on academics as well as enrichment programs (dance, fencing, tennis, swimming, succor, symphony, etc). Tutoring is also provided three days a week.

Supt. Ackerman stated that two of the dream schools are ranked 1.1 in their API’s (Academic Performance Index), which is at the bottom scale; however, these schools are evolving and she is pleased with what has been seen thus far. Supt. Ackerman concluded by reporting by next year, there would be seven additional dream schools across the district.

In the interest of time Comm. Larkin requested that Supt. Ackerman answer the following written questions posed by the Commission:

                                      (1).               Q. What are your long-range plans for the District as it relates to BVHP Dream Schools?
A. They will be the best schools the District can make them. People will clamor to get in as they clamor to get into schools on the other side of town. Supt. Ackerman also reported the District has gotten a lot of community members involved in donating money to the schools toward enrichment programs.

                                      (2).               Q. Are there any plans for the other schools in BVHP?
A. The District will focus on student schools that are in critical condition then focus will shift to other schools.

                                      (3).               Q. How can the BVHP community support you and your efforts to improve the schools?
A. It is important for the District to listen to the things that the community wants to see placed in the schools, explaining that schools should be the hub of the community.

                                      (4).               Q. How do the achievement levels of the schools in BVHP compare with the other schools in the District?
A. Two schools ranked at the bottom; however expectations are that with longer school days, the District intends to see that score increase.

                                      (5).               Q. What kind of parent education is being provided for parents in the Dream Schools?
A. The District has a parent-training program and every six weeks a new training begins. Additionally, 100 refurbished computers have been donated to the Dream Schools, which will be given to families that spend 25 hours volunteering in their child’s school and another 10 hours learning how to use a computer.

                                      (6).               Q. How can the parents in BVHP become more active in their children’s education?
A. By expecting them to be involved. Parents sign a contract acknowledging that they will be supportive of what the school is doing. Additionally, ensure that children are in school everyday and on time and active. The goal of the district is to have 100% parent-teacher conference and the District will reach out to the parents if the parents do not come to the school initially.

                                      (7).               Q. Are you able to hire teachers in the Dream Schools that are representative of the student population they serve?
A. Not enough, which is why we must find incentives for enticing them such as housing, increased salaries, etc.

Comm. Larkin inquired about the mentoring program that Supt. Ackerman is sponsoring. Supt. Ackerman was hopeful that the program would be expanded and she is now in the process of working with other professional organizations. She stated that anyone could sign up to become a mentor and extended an invitation to the Commission to take a tour of Dr. Charles Drew.

Comm. Brown voiced concern regarding safety at George Washington Carver School and questioned whether a guard could be posted there to monitor traffic? Supt. Ackerman stated she would bring the subject up with the Mayor’s liaison at their next meeting.

Funds allocated for security were sent to the high and middle schools; however she will look into which elementary schools need additional support. She suggested the City might be able to place a guard at Carver on a part-time basis.

Comm. Kennedy commented on the improvement she has seen in the schools since the Superintendent has taken over and commended her on a job well done. 

Comm. Jones commented that if a guard could be placed at Carver on a part-time basis, it would lessen the challenge. Supt. Ackerman stated she would definitely speak with the Mayor’s liaison, as the City provides the funding for placing guards at all schools.

Comm. Fuentes suggested that the District expand the mentorship program to include community and cultural organizations so that the people involved are representative of the community they address. Supt. Ackerman said the District would love to have those organizations involved and suggested that Fuentes contact Maureen Monroe, coordinator for all Dream Schools.

Dr. Walker asked if there was a concentration on moving students into jobs after high school? Supt. Ackerman stated many students fall through the cracks since many of the vocational programs have been taken out of schools. Schools must look at programs that will give students other options. Ms. Ollie Burgess reported there is a school under the SFUSD that should be closed located 1950 Mission, as it is drug infested. Supt. Ackerman stated she is aware of the school and has found another location for the students/teachers but they have rebelled and refused to go. She now she needs help from the community to encourage that relocation. 

Comm. Larkin called for a motion to provide support for all Dream Schools in the BVHP community.

Motion: Moved by Kennedy, seconded by Jones to give Commission support to all Dream Schools in the BVHP community. Motion unanimously passed (7-0).

Comm. Larkin thanked the Superintendent for coming and stated the Commission will be inviting her back in the near future to discuss community contracting and employment concerns.

Comm. Kennedy thanked the Superintendent for taking care of the security concerns involving the high school students at Southeast. Supt. Ackerman thanked Dean Hunnicutt for being so supportive of the dream schools as well as helping to coordinate classes for the parents.

(Comm. Larkin called for a 10-minute recess to allow Mr. Williams to set up his renderings).

Comm. Larkin asked that Mr. Williams and Kagan step forward to conclude their presentation. Mr. Williams continued that the average price for the units would be between $450,000 to $500,000. Additionally, part of the community benefits package will be an allowance where community residents can subsidize their interest rate payments.

Comm. Person asked for clarification regarding affordable units and questioned the average size per sq. ft. of the units? Mr. Kagan explained the affordable rate would be probably $80,000 less and stated the average size would be between 1200 and 1500 sq. ft.

Comm. Brown asked if all properties are to be sold and wanted clarification on what a “health center node” is? Mr. Kagan stated all properties would be sold. The health center node is a way of identifying different parts of the overall redevelopment area. Comm. Brown explained that Mission Bay is looking for housing and though they would be able to afford purchasing the units, BVHP residents would not. Mr. Williams stated there was a suggestion from the Mayor’s Office that Levin work with S.F. Housing Development with the idea of not only looking at below market rate housing, but also at families who might have an interest in some of the market rate units.

Comm. Kennedy suggested subsidized housing as well as low or no down payments. Mr. Kagan expressed the same sentiment stating that subsidy not only relates to interest rate but also can be used for a down payment. Comm. Kennedy offered to work with Levin in an effort to move the Multi-purpose Senior project forward.

Ms. Wanda Whitaker commended both Mr. Williams and Kagan for their dedication and commitment to the community.

Comm. Larkin called for a motion to endorse the concept for the 5800 Third St. Project.
Motion: Moved by Kennedy, seconded by Brown. Motion unanimously passed (7-0).

Comm. Larkin stated the Commission would await follow-up presentation as they are looking forward to hearing a concrete plan for labor force as well as contracting.

6.0               Old & Ongoing Business
Dir. Moses suggested that the Community Advisory Group Recommendation be calendared for implementation. Comm. Larkin stated the Commission should discuss the pros/cons to get a better understanding of what becoming autonomous means. He suggested that Commissioners review the recommendation and be prepared to discuss the pro/cons at the 12/9/04 meeting.
 

7.0               New Business by Commissioners
Comm. Brown suggested that the developer of the Indian Basin project be invited to discuss his proposed project of three residential towers. Comm. Larkin instructed staff to invite the developer, the Director of planning, and also President of Spur who would be asked to discuss the environmental aspect of the project.

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

9.0               Announcements:
Comm. Kennedy announced that Dr. George Davis of the Multi-purpose Senior Center has been hospitalized. Also, on January 18^th the first phase of Parcel A will be turned over to the Redevelopment Agency.

Comm. Jones announced that Dr. Margaret Pen, former Director of Jump Academy passed away. Quiet hour will be on 12/1/04 and the Funeral will be on 12/2/04 both at Jones Methodist Church.

Comm. Larkin announced that the Martin Luther King, Jr., 20^th Anniversary breakfast will be held at the Hilton Hotel, 333 O’Farrell St. from 8:00 to 10:30 a.m.
 

10.0               Adjournment

Comm. Larkin adjourned the SECF Commission meeting at 8:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,


         _____________________

Commission Secretary