2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 MINUTES
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
6:00 P.M.
1800 Oakdale Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94124
1.0 Call to Order
Commission President Millard Larkin called the Thursday, April 28, 2004 meeting to order at 6:12 p.m. in the Alex L. Pitcher Community Room at 1800 Oakdale Avenue.
Commissioner Larkin read the Sunshine Ordinance aloud and welcomed everyone.
1.2 Roll Call
Commissioner Millard Larkin; Commissioner Bobbrie Brown; Commissioner Louise Jones; Commissioner Ronald Person; Commissioner Willie Kennedy; Commissioner Kenneth Sampson
Excused: Commissioners Juan Fuentes
Staff Present: Robert Bryan, Deputy City Attorney; Toye Moses, Exec. Dir. SECFC;
Annette Price, SECF Commission Secretary.
1.3 Consent Calendar
1.3 (a) RESOLUTION (SECFC-2004-4) Be it resolved that the minutes of the Southeast Community Facility Commission meeting of Thursday, April 8, 2004 be approved as submitted (passed unanimously).
Comm. Larkin announced that public comment would be heard on each agenda item up to three (3) minutes in length. He then moved item 6.0 (a) Commendation for Cornelius (Con) Johnson out of order to accommodate Lt. Johnson’s schedule and asked that he step forward.
6.0 Old/Ongoing Business By Commissioners
On behalf of the Southeast Community Facility Commission, President Millard Larkin and Vice President Bobbrie Brown presented a Certificate of Commendation to former Bayview Police station Lt. Cornelius (Con) Johnson upon his re-assignment as Lt. of Field Operations and stated he would be thoroughly missed. Lt. Johnson expressed his gratitude and thanked the Commission for the honor.
6.0 (a) RESOLUTION (SECFC-2004-05) Be it resolved that the Southeast Community Facility Commission presented a Certificate of Commendation to Lt. Cornelius (Con) Johnson.
2.0 Public Comment
No public comment was offered at this time.
Comm. Larkin took agenda item 3.0 Communications out of order and asked that Mr. Eddy Chin, Outreach Coordinator for the Dept. of Child Support Services (DCSS) come forward to give background history of DCSS and the services it provides.
4.0 Presentation
4.0 (a) Mr. Eddy Chin distributed information packets regarding services provided by DCSS and gave a brief background of the department. The primary responsibility of DCSS is to establish and enforce court-ordered child support.
DCSS has five (5) core programs that are free to the public: 1) Location of non-custodial parents; 2) Establishment of child support orders; 3) Establishment of paternity; 4) Enforcement of orders (reciprocity treaties); and 5) Collection of orders. Mr. Chin reported DCSS collaborates with city, state, federal, and private agencies in and outside the country, which helps DCSS to more easily locate non-custodial parents by use of data base systems of various agencies which aids in court ordered enforcement. Mr. Chin reported that as of May 1st, 2004, the DCSS Bayview Hunters Point branch office would be moving to its new location, 1315 Evans Street.
In conclusion, Mr. Chin stated that DCSS has changed its way of operating since separating from the District Attorney’s office and stressed that DCSS is an agency that provides many services to the custodial parents and will also assist non-custodial parents in certain situations, i.e, arrearage, vocational training, referrals, etc.
Comm. Larkin asked what percentage of DCSS’s caseload is from the BVHP Community and voiced concern with regard to the emphasis DCSS places on collection of court orders rather than on counseling of the non-custodial parent? Mr. Chin responded out of 90,000 cases, 22,000 are from BVHP. Mr. Chin stated that DCSS takes a human approach to cases when trying to assist individuals and explained about the new program provided by DCSS called Compromised of Arrears Program (ICOAP), which in certain instances will assist non-custodial parents with reduction of arrearage, referrals to family court facilitator/legal counselors, etc. He also added that DCSS does early intervention with many agencies.
Comm. Sampson spoke of the difficulty when trying to contact DCSS by phone and voiced concern that a person is presumed guilty until proven innocent. Mr. Chin agreed that some of the employees at DCSS are still working under the old “district attorney mentality”. However, DCSS is now in the process of retraining/redirecting these employees under the new policy.
Comm. Kennedy voiced concern about how non-custodial parents are denied visitation rights even though they pay child support. Mr. Chin responded federal and state law does not allow DCSS to intervene in domestic cases, i.e., custody, visitation, domestic violence, etc. However, there is a program called RALLY located at 400 McAllister St., Rm 317, which offers services free of charge to individuals involved in domestic issues.
Comm. Larkin thanked Mr. Chin for the presentation and stated he looks forward to having him back at a later date. Comm. Larkin welcomed Pastor Walker, True Hope Church of God and Christ and Milik Looper, Goodwill Industries of San Francisco and asked that they step forward and give an overview of the Bayview Hope Truck Driving Academy (BHTA).
4.0 (b) Malik Looper, Director Gov’t & Community Relations - Goodwill Industries of San
Francisco thanked the Commission for the opportunity to present. Mr. Looper gave background that Goodwill Industries of San Francisco covers three bay area counties, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Marin. Rather than expand services into different communities in which Goodwill is not physically located, Goodwill has joined forces with True Hope by offering their services and expertise to address community needs. In collaboration with True Hope, Goodwill is sponsoring the BayView Hope Trucking Academy, an 8-week job-training program that will train individuals, regardless of background, to drive trucks. Funding has been secured for the first year, which will train 30 individuals. Upon completion of training/required steps, designated companies will hire graduates. Classes will be from Monday-Friday, four hours per day for eight weeks. Training will take place at 950 Gilman Ave., (415) 575-2142.
Rev. Walker explained the two serious issues affecting the BVHP community now are employment and affordable housing. Rev. Walker also reported that of the 28 individuals that came to the orientation on Monday, none were from BVHP and stated he will continue his outreach efforts encouraging BVHP residents to take advantage of this opportunity.
Comm. Jones asked if there was a cap on the number of trainees to be involved in the program at any given time? Mr. Looper responded yes, the cap is basically dollars & cents. However, if Goodwill is able to locate other funding, the program would be expanded. Comm. Jones followed up by asking with reference to the pre-admission drug test screening requirement, will that be the only time during training that that will occur? Mr. Looper responded there would be other screening during the course of an employee’s career with his employer.
Comm. Brown asked whether there were job commitments from employers? Mr. Looper responded there are commitments from a number of employers in the industry who actually helped design the training program and who are willing to hire people who complete the program; however, he emphasized they are not guaranteed the job unless they complete all of the requirements of the program.
Comm. Person asked what takes place if an individual fails to pass the drug test? Is the Academy prepared to assist that individual? Rev. Walker interjected that spiritual-based counseling would take place through the Care and Restoration program to assist that individual. Comm. Person asked if there was assurance from the various companies that the individuals would be hired? Mr. Looper responded that BHTA has hard commitments from these companies that if all requirements are met, the likelihood of being employed is very great.
Comm. Kennedy suggested that some type of corporation be formed, possibly a truck brokering business where the young people could form their own business and go after some of the contracts that will be coming up with the development of the shipyard
Comm. Larkin asked whether there was a transportation stipend provided to students attending the classes? Mr. Looper responded no, there is no stipend. However, the program provides a full uniform, 2 pairs of boots, and gloves. Comm. Larked requested that an overview of the program be sent for Commission review. Mr. Looper stated he would send a program overview and would be more than happy to return at a later date to do follow-up at the Commission’s request.
Comm. Person asked for clarification regarding “background check by Goodwill (not law enforcement)”. Mr. Looper responded that some employers might consider someone having a criminal history as negative; however, for Goodwill that is not problematic with the exception of a DUI.
Comm. Sampson asked if an individual does not pass the test for upgrading his license, does that person have the option of going back into the program until he passes the test? Mr. Looper responded yes.
Comm. Larkin closed questions by the Commission and opened the floor to the community.
Mr. Caruso asked what the going rate would be for graduates of the program and if the program was free? Mr. Looper stated they would be entitled to entry-level pay. And yes, the training program is free. Mr. Jackson explained that there are many other programs that could act as a subsidized program for some of the BHTA students and encouraged Rev. Walker to look for avenues where he could subsidize his program to enable his students to generate some income while in training.
Comm. Larkin thanked Rev. Walker and former Commissioner Looper for their informative presentation and stated he looks forward to having both back in the near future.
5.0 DirectorsReport
Dir. Moses reported that the public address system and installation of the electric gate is in progress and will possibly be complete in three weeks. Tenants have been inconvenienced, but we are doing our best to accommodate everyone.
The 1840 Junior Management position, which was approved by the GM of PUC and PUC Commission is now on hold because of the cutbacks requested by the Mayor’s office. We will keep you updated.
Comm. Person asked what would the 1840 position be doing and how would it impact the operation of the office if not received? Dir. Moses responded the position would coordinate all the activities of scheduling at Earl P. Mills and the other satellite childcare sites.
Comm. Brown moved and Comm. Jones seconded to accept the Director’s Report. Motion passed unanimously to accept report as presented (passed unanimously).
3.0 Communications:Dir. Moses reported that the following correspondence has been sent/received:
Letters of invitation to Mr. Roy Willis, Mr. Don Capobreas, and Mr. Jesse Blout all of whom will present on 5/26/04; DCSS information packet; and Decorative Plant Human Resources Quarterly Report, which will be calendared for recommendation/action after review by the Commission.
6.0 Old/Ongoing Business by Commissioners
6.0 (b) Comm. Larkin stated as former Commissioner Kim Nguyen had a previously scheduled engagement, her presentation will be held over to the May 26, 2004 Commission meeting.
7.0 New Business
RESOLUTION (SECFC-2004-05) Be it resolved that an additional public comment be added to read: “PUBLIC COMMENT on matters appearing or not appearing on the agenda that are within the jurisdiction of the Southeast Community Facility Commission” be approved.
8.0 Introductionof New Business by Commissioners
Comm. Larkin requested that staff calendar the Chair or appropriate person from the SECFC/CAG to give update on CAG activities. Comm. Brown requested that an invitation requesting Muni representative present before the Commission to give update on proposed service adjustments/cut-backs in bus lines 15 and 12. Dr. Moses suggested that a letter of invitation be sent to Capt. Rick Bruce of BVHP police station to update the community on the crime problems in BVHP community.
9.0 Announcement
Comm. Kennedy announced that on Tuesday, May 4th at 12:00 noon in the conference room, the Community Facilities meeting would take place. Commissioners expected to attend will be Commissioners Bobbrie Brown and President Larkin and anyone else who would like to attend.
10.0 Adjournment
Comm. Kennedy moved and Comm. Brown seconded to adjourn the SECF Commission meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________
Commission Secretary
