Meeting Information

MINUTES

Wednesday, July 23, 2003
6:00 P.M.

1800 Oakdale Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94124

I. Call to Order

Commission President Millard Larkin called the Wednesday, July 23, 2003 meeting to order at 6:04 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 Kim Nguyen, Commissioner Ronald Person,
Commissioner Willie Kennedy; Commissioner Louise Jones

Not Present: Commissioners Enola Maxwell (deceased)

Staff Present: Robert Bryan, Deputy City Attorney; Joseph Tham, PUC Real Property Officer;
Toye Moses, Exec. Dir. SECFC, Annette Price, SECF Commission Secretary

IV. Approval of Minutes

Commissioner Kennedy moved and Commissioner Brown seconded to accept the minutes of

Wednesday, June 25, 2003. Motion passed to accept minutes as presented.

No public comment was offered at this meeting.

VI. Communications:

- Letter of Invitation to Mayor Brown re: remainder of tenure (in progress);

- Letter of invitation to SF Public Defender Jeff Adachi re: Educating BVHP community on services provided by public defender’s office

VII. President’s Report:

President Larkin stated at the SECFC/CAG meeting of July 10, 2003, he appointed former Commissioner Shirley Jones as Chairperson of the Community Advisory Group. This initial meeting was for members to meet and become familiar with one another. President Larkin stated his initial charge to the advisory group was to take home and study the legislation that created the SECFC to get a better understanding of why the legislation was written and what it means as related to the BVHP community.

Commissioner Larkin stated he also advised the CAG group they were not at liberty to act alone but must present any finding to the full Commission or a Commission representative for approval and/or action. President Larkin stated he would like to appoint at least one SECF Commissioner to be in attendance on a regular basis at any future CAG meetings to oversee CAG actions, as the President re-emphasized that everything must come to the full Commission for final approval before any actions can take place.

The CAG also requested at their next meeting of August 13, 2003, that Attorney Robert Bryan and Mr. Jim Jefferson be in attendance to assist the group in interpreting the legislation. Commissioner Nguyen inquired as to whether there was a set schedule of CAG meetings. President Larkin responded the CAG meetings will be held once a month and once a schedule of dates has been established, it will be distributed to the Commission. He also stated that Chairperson Shirley Jones will give monthly updates to the Commission on CAG matters.

VIII. Directors Report Director Moses reported:

a) Due to budget cuts, layoffs, and displacements the City is undergoing, Ms. Sadako Ekusa, 1424 clerical assistant, has filled Southeast’s permanent 1424 slot. Her primary responsibility will be handling community room reservations. We will keep you posted as to her progress.

b) There are no problems with E.P. Mills facility. Everything is going well.

c) As mentioned earlier, Supervisor Sophie Maxwell along with SF Public Defender Jeff Adachi will present to the Commission on Thursday, August 14. Staff has also sent letters of invitations to the group of individuals requested by the Commission and will update the Commission once presentation dates have been confirmed.

d) The Annual Statement of Purpose and Report, which is in your package, is a recap of what has transpired throughout the year. This is a revised version of which corrections were made by Attorney Bryan and Commissioner Jones. Director Moses stressed the importance of getting final approval today because as required by the Sunshine Ordinance, this report must be sent to the Board of Supervisors by the end of this month.

Commissioner Jones moved and Commissioner Brown seconded to accept the Director’s Report.

Motion unanimously passed to accept report as presented.

Commissioner Jones reminded the President that in the past, new SECF Commissioners were given the opportunity to tour the satellite facilities and Greenhouse and wondered if that would be made available to them in future. Director Moses responded there is no set schedule to tour the facilities, but that staff would be happy to schedule that for new as well as current Commissioners.

IX. New Business

Update for FY02/03 of Decorative Plant Services Hiring report: Commissioner Larkin asked whether anyone had questions regarding the report after review. Commissioner Jones inquired as to the total number of individuals employed at Decorative and whether there was a breakdown of total number of 94124 employees vs. total number of non-94124 employees.

Ms. Lisa Gelardi, HR manager of Decorative Plants stated there were approximately 30 people employed at their Southeast location but that she did not have the breakdown of employees from 94124 vs. non-94124 zip codes; however, she stated she would forward that information to staff for the Commission’s review.

X. Interpretation of Decorative Plant Services

Hiring report by Joseph Tham, PUC Land Management: Mr. Tham stated under Decorative Plants’ contract, they are required to have 50% or more hires in the 94124 area. Pursuant to the hiring report, they have more than met their “50%” hiring goals. In 2002 3^rd quarter, hires were up 100%; 4^th quarter up 60%; and partial 1^st quarter of 2003 up 100%.

XI. Introduction of New Business

Commissioner Kennedy informed the Commission that the SF League of Urban Gardeners (SLUG) has lost their funding and that Friday, July 25, 2003, will be the last day of the program. She asked that the Commission look into why their funding was not renewed for FY03/04 and requested that a representative from SLUG be invited to present before the Commission to give an update on issues surrounding the loss of funding. She also requested that letters be generated to the Board of Supervisors as well as the Mayor’s office to try and bring this funding back.

Director Moses suggested once a SLUG representative has presented to the Commission and given an update, that letters can be generated to the Mayor and Board of Supervisors re: funding issues.

Commissioner Larkin directed staff to contact SLUG Acting Director Gomwalk for a brief presentation to update the Commission on funding problems so that the Commission can determine what actions if any can be taken to re-establish SLUG funding.

Commissioner Nguyen briefly updated the commission with regard to her sponsorship of the science education project she has been working on and requested that the Commission invite the College Track executive director to present before the Commission about their program and how they could help the children in this community

Commissioner Larkin stated that is something that needs to be calendared and requested that Commissioner Nguyen give the pertinent background information to staff with copies also to the Commission so that a letter of invitation can be generated and sent to the appropriate individuals.

Director Moses suggested that letters of invitation be sent to SECF tenants/subtenants to present before the Commission to give brief updates of their plans for the fiscal year and how things are progressing. Commissioner Larkin agreed and directed staff to draft letters of invitation.

XII. Announcement

No announcements were made at this meeting.

XIII. Adjournment

Commissioner Kennedy moved and Commissioner Nguyen seconded to adjourn the SECF Commission Meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

_____________________
Commission Secretary