MINUTES

Thursday, April 13, 2006

6:00 P.M.

1800 Oakdale Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94124

1. Commission President Bobbrie Brown called the Thursday, April 13, 2006 meeting to order at 6:17 p.m. in the Alex L. Pitcher Community Room at 1800 Oakdale Avenue.
   
   Commissioner Brown read the Sunshine Ordinance aloud.
    

Commissioners Present: Brown; Fuentes; Kennedy, Parker, and Person

Commissioners excused: Jones and Sampson

Staff Present: Toye Moses, Executive Director; Annette Price, SECF Comm-Sect

Be it resolved that the minutes of the Southeast Community Facility Commission meeting of Wednesday, March 22, 2006 were approved as submitted.

2.0               PUBLIC COMMENT
Mitchell Katz, Director of Public Health thanked the Commission for giving him the opportunity to introduce the new director of the Southeast Health Clinic, Dr. Mark Ghaly and asked that Dr. Ghaly step forward to say a few words.

Dr. Ghaly, pediatrician by training from UCSF, reported his work in Bayview started four years ago with the Adolescent & Youth Program now known as the Healing Arts Center on Third Street. This is his third week as the Medical Director for the Southeast Health Clinic. He stated his goal is to improve health in the Bayview for all residents.

Mitchell Katz, speaking as himself and not as Director of Public Health, stated his opposition to Proposition D, which amends Article 2 of the San Francisco Planning Code by adding Sec 249.27 thereto establishing the Laguna Honda Hospital Special Use District. He remarked that Prop D would have a negative impact on the Bayview community, which sets to exclude certain individuals from Laguna Honda Hospital affected by mental illnesses and/or behavioral issues. Also short-term need patients will not have the same priority as someone with long-term needs.

Mr. Samuel Murray, SFPUC stated that Mr. Ardis Graham, SFPUC would give a brief update at the next commission meeting on the Stationary Engineer 9910 training program. Mr. Murray stated invitations for the upcoming 9910 graduation ceremony will be mailed to the Commission shortly.

3.0               Communications:
Dir. Moses stated the following correspondence has been sent/received: Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Joshua Marie Cameron Academy and Whitney Young Child Development Center re: Co-mingling of school age children; Memo to BVHP Community Supporters from President Brown re: Support of SECF mural project; Memo to Mr. Greg George, Home Depot from Commissioner Kennedy re: Donation request for SECF mural; Letter of support/commitment to
Bobbrie Brown from Kofi Bonner, BVHP Lennar re: SECF mural.

Commissioner Brown asked that Capt. Albert Pardini, SFPD Bayview station step forward to present.
 

4.0               PRESENTATIONS
Captain Albert Pardini, 24-year veteran of the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), thanked the Commission for the opportunity to present. Capt. Pardini reported police surveillance cameras, which document activity, have been placed in two locations, 3^rd & Kirkwood Streets and Middle Point/West Point Roads.

Capt. Pardini continued that the Dept. of Public Works (DPW) in conjunction with SFPD’s effort, has implemented a program to stop illegal dumping in the Bayview by strategically placing cameras throughout the District where rampant dumping has occurred. DPW also has a mobile unit that moves from place to place and captures the license plate of vehicles and photographs the persons involved in the illegal dumping so that individuals can be held accountable.

Commissioner Kennedy asked: Has the placement of cameras in the community made a difference in crime. Capt. Pardini responded that a tremendous difference has not been made since the cameras are fairly new.

Commissioner Kennedy voiced concern regarding the overcharging that takes place by some police officers when dealing with community residents, specifically African American/Hispanic community, and asked that Capt. Pardini encourage his officers when making an arrest to properly charge an individual. Capt. Pardini stated his goal is to operate objectively and properly charge and handle arrestees; however there are times when a felony arrest is dictated.

Commissioner Brown stated the Commission looks forward to seeing that happen, as she is also aware of situations such as that. She also noted that felony convictions do preclude individuals from holding governmental jobs.

Commissioner Parker asked: Have cameras increased the conviction rate, such as charging individuals with crimes and having evidence to prosecute. Capt. Pardini stated since many of the incidences are not in view of the camera, there isn’t a huge success rate. However, he is hopeful the Kirkwood incident will be a turning point.

Commissioner Brown asked that Capt. Pardini update the Commission after six months regarding the success of the cameras. Capt. Pardini also reported that additional crime deterrents have been implemented, such as creating a patrol beat in a 6- to 8-block target area that moves from location to location where many shootings, fights, and loitering has occurred.

Dir. Moses informed of the attempted car jacking that took place in the Facility parking lot last week and asked whether more officers could patrol the facility. Capt. Pardini stated the violent crime suppression unit has been directed to place extra attention on the Southeast campus. Also the highway patrol in conjunction with SFPD has placed decoy cars in the Bayview to cut down on car thefts.

Dir. Moses explained that a meeting has been scheduled with PUC security office, campus police, etc., to address the security issues in the neighborhood and extended an invite to Capt. Pardini. Capt. Pardini stated he would be happy to attend.

Dir. Moses concluded by requesting that Capt. Pardini reconsider continuing the Residents of the Southeast Sector (ROSES) meeting here at the Facility. Capt. Pardini clarified that the ROSES meetings were discontinued due to a lack of leadership, meaning the former leadership of ROSES did not wish to take the rein. He also noted that there actually had not been anyone in a leadership role for several months leading up to November and that the police department was in fact coordinating the meetings.

Capt. Pardini explained long before he came to Bayview, he planned on having community meetings down at the station simply because he wanted people to feel less apprehensive when coming down to the police station while at the same time have the opportunity to introduce folks to the officers who work out of Bayview.

Regarding police reaction when an incident takes place, Commissioner Fuentes asked how does SFPD plan on bridging that gap/misperception the community has about the police. What kind of training is taking place in that regard. Capt. Pardini responded that many different efforts are in place, such as a 40-hour mandatory course in diversity training; field training in which officers with discipline and performance problems are screened out thereby leaving the cream of the crop to become training officers. Also officers are moved around town and put in a variety of different areas in their first 2 years.

Commissioner Brown voiced concern over police officer behavior in which a recent murder had taken place in Bayview and how some of the officers were extremely well mannered and others were extremely rude and disrespectful, specifically to the family. Capt. Pardini explained it is a work in progress, which goes both ways. He agreed that police need to always maintain their professionalism and asked that he or the officer’s lieutenant be notified of any abnormal behavior from a police officer.
 
Commissioner Brown thanked Capt. Pardini for coming and opened the floor to the audience.

Mr. Millard Larkin asked what type of outreach efforts by SFPD would take place to bridge the gap between the community and the department. Regarding outreach to the community, Capt. Pardini stated he attends at least two community meetings a week, as do his officers. His goal is to involve his officers more in less traditional roles.

Ms. Espanola Jackson asked whether it was true that Capt. Pardini stated he would not meet with ROSES. Capt. Pardini explained he would have no problem attending ROSES meetings. However, he reiterated none of the former leaders of ROSES wanted to resume their leadership role.

Commissioner Brown thanked Capt. Pardini for coming, stating the Commission looks forward to hearing from him in the future.
 

5.0               Director’s Report:
Dir. Mosesstated a copy of the Director’s report has been included in packets. He also reported that several new commission appointments by the Mayor have taken place. He publicly thanked both Brown and Kennedy for helping to secure the donations for the SECF mural project from BVHP Lennar and Home Depot.

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

 6.0            Introduction of New Business By Commissioners:
Commissioner Brown asked that the District Attorney’s office be contacted to garner more information regarding the $500,000 in new federal funding to prevent violent crime in the Bayview. This funding will establish the Community Response Network.

Due to the recent attempted car jacking in the Facility parking lot, Commissioner Kennedy asked that Capt. Pardini dispatch a patrol car to the Facility between the hours of 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. specifically on the second Monday of every month when the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) meetings take place.

Commissioner Parker suggested that the Department of Public Health be sent a letter requesting they make an annual presentation before the Commission to address disparity in the Bayview and available resources.

Commissioner Brown suggested that the new Director of the Southeast Health Clinic, Dr. Mark Ghaly be invited to present at a future meeting.

Commissioner Kennedy reminded staff to send thank you letters to all who wrote letters of support and gave donations toward the SECF mural project.

Commissioner Fuentes suggested that the San Francisco Dental Mercury Reduction program coordinator be invited to present before the Commission to discuss mercury disposal. Mr. Murray interjected that SFPUC BERM and Ms. Catania Galvan would be more than happy to come and discuss that program. 

Dir. Moses suggested that Supervisors Aaron Peskin and Sophie Maxwell be invited to present on the Economic Development of the BVHP district and their plans for the Bayview. Also, that an invitation to Mark Leno, Chair of Public Safety be sent to discuss public safety in the Bayview.

Commissioner Brown stated that SFPUC has requested to hold their annual meeting here at the Facility.

7.0               Public Comment:
Ms. Espanola Jackson voiced concern regarding the new hires at the Southeast Health Clinic, and Executive Park being removed from the South Bayshore plan. She also commented about incremental taxes.

8.0               Announcements:
There were no announcements at this time.

9.0               Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
         _____________________

Commission Secretary