2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 MINUTES
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
6:00 P.M.
1800 Oakdale Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94124
I. Call to Order
Commission President Millard Larkin called the
Wednesday, August 27, 2003 meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. in the Alex L. Pitcher
Community Room at 1800 Oakdale Avenue.
II. Announcement
Commissioner Larkin read the Sunshine Ordinance
aloud and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
III. Roll Call
Present: Commissioner Millard Larkin, Commissioner
Bobbrie Brown,
Commissioner Louise Jones, Commissioner Kim Nguyen,
Commissioner Ronald Person
Excused: Commissioner Willie Kennedy
Staff Present: Robert Bryan, Deputy City Attorney;
Toye Moses, Exec. Dir. SECFC;
Annette Price, SECF Commission Secretary
IX. Old & Ongoing Business
_ Commissioner Larkin took IX Approval
of Director's Report of 8/14/03 out of order in order that it be the first
item heard, as it was tabled at the last meeting due to the lateness in the
hour. Director Moses reported that:
The budget has been approved by the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors and
is now being implemented. Both Clean Water and the General Fund are experiencing
some budget cuts, but adjustments are gradually being made.
The resurfacing of the parking lot at the Earl P. Mills Auditorium has been
completed. The cost to the City was $46,000. Kris Kilgore of Water Pollution
Control was the project manager for this job. She and staff did excellent
work and we would like to personally thank Kris for all her hard work and
commitment.
Commissioner Larkin called for the vote. The Commission unanimously approved
the Director's Report. Motion passed to accept Director's Report as presented.
IV. Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Jones moved and Commissioner
Person seconded to accept the minutes of Thursday, August 14, 2003.
Motion passed to accept minutes as presented with minor corrections.
V. Communications
_ Letter of Invitation to Marshall Lot, Director of College Track re: Overview of College Track programs.
VI. Presentations
Commissioner Larkin asked that the presentation
of Ms. Lea Loizos and Mr. Sy Allen-Browning be rescheduled at their request
due to a malfunction of their computer equipment.
Commissioner Larkin introduced and welcomed Mr. Edward Rathbun, President
of Decorative Plants Services to give an update on Greenhouse Operations.
Mr. Rathbun, President of Decorative Plants
distributed handouts of Decorative's second quarter 2003 "New Hire"
report to the Commission and gave a brief overview of the history of Decorative
Plants Services. He informed the Commission that the operation of the Greenhouse
is twofold: The hiring program and the actual operations. Mr. Rathbun stated
there has been confusion concerning the hiring process and clarified that
the Greenhouse under their lease agreement is obligated to hire 50% of all
new hires from the 94124 community, which shall occur by nutrition or expansion
of the business. These would be nursery jobs in the greenhouse portion only.
Mr. Rathbun stated over the past four quarters, 36% of all new hires have
been from the 94124 community. Mr. Rathbun reminded the Commission that the
turnover rate of employment is very slow, but assured the Commission they
are working diligently to meet that 50% quota.
Mr. Rathbun stated the second portion involves the actual operation of the
facility. Decorative is on a month-to-month tenancy, as the new lease has
not been signed. The old lease required the City to be responsible for the
basic structure of the facility. The new lease now puts that burden on Decorative
for maintenance and upkeep of the premises. Decorative Plants agreed to the
conditions with one requirement, that the City bring the facility up to date.
Mr. Rathbun reported the cost to bring the facility up to date totaled $711,000.
Negotiations have been underway with PUC and Decorative and that cost has
been reduced to $460,000 through concessions by Decorative. In conclusion,
Mr. Rathbun stated the lease has not been finalized. Decorative is waiting
on the City to find the money to bring the facility up to date. Once that
happens, hopefully the lease will be signed.
Commissioner Person asked the following questions:
Has Decorative ever met the 50% quota; what recruitment efforts for employment
have been made by Decorative; and what other employment opportunities are
there in your operation besides basic entry level positions? Mr. Rathbun stated
Decorative has never attained the 50% hiring quota because when Decorative
took over, the company had zero vacancies. As time passed, few vacancies occurred.
However when those vacancies arose, they were filled with residents from the
94124 area. As far as advancement, Decorative has several programs run by
the human resources department that allow employees to take several courses
that are offered twice a week. The employees are excused from their shift
and are fully paid for their time off. The courses are in plant identification,
computers, and customer relations.
Commissioner Larkin stated Southeast has had
a very good working relationship with Mr. Caruso and staff over the past few
years. We believe Decorative is serious about reaching the goals set for the
community and also reminded Decorative that this building as well as the greenhouse
is part of mitigation for this community. In these rough economic times, it
is only fair that economic opportunities that come about should go to the
citizens and residents in the southeast sector. We look forward to a continued
working relationship with Decorative and we thank you for coming.
VII. Public Comment: There was no public comment at this meeting.
VIII. Director's Report
a. Director Moses reported: Staff was directed
to follow-up with the following future guest speakers: Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Arlene Ackerman who is unable to present on October 9th but
will instead send Eloise Brooks, CAO to present on some of the academic programs
that will be available in SFUSD. Mr. Rick Tovatt, District Manager of Foods
Co will present on October 22, 2003 speaking on customer service. Mr. Robert
Harris, Vice President of PG&E will present on November 13, 2003 speaking
on the closure of the BVHP plant. We are still hoping to hear from Mayor Brown
before he leaves office.
b. Dr. Moses continued that the budget has been
approved and is now being implemented. He also reported on a slight accident
that occurred at Southeast this week, a slip-and-fall. It was reported to
the City Attorney who referred staff to the appropriate claims adjuster who
will follow-up with an onsite investigation.
c. As directed, staff attempt to follow-up with
Mr. Gomwalk regarding SF League of Urban Gardeners' closure and to obtain
certain information but was unsuccessful. Mr. Gomwalk did not return any calls
and staff could not get in contact with SLUG staff. Staff will keep you updated.
Commissioner Larkin called for the vote. The
Commission unanimously approved the Director's Report. Motion passed to
accept Director's Report as presented.
X. Introduction of New Business:
Commissioner Brown reminded that the holiday
calendar should be set soon. Commissioner Larkin requested that it be calendared
for the next Commission meeting.
XI. Announcements:
Commissioner Larkin announced that Mayor Willie
Brown will appoint Commissioner Brown to the PUC Water Rate Regulation Task
Force on 8/28/03 at the Public Utilities Commission. All Commissioners are
encouraged to attend if their schedules permit. Congratulations on your appointment.
XII. Adjournment
Commissioner Brown moved and Commissioner
Person seconded to adjourn the SECF Commission meeting. Meeting
adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________
Commission Secretary