MINUTES

Thursday, May 10, 2007

6:00 P.M.

1800 Oakdale Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94124

1.0               Call to Order
Commissioner Bobbrie Brown called the Thursday, May 10, 2007 meeting to order at 6:18 p.m. in the Alex L. Pitcher Community Room at 1800 Oakdale Avenue.

Commissioner Brown read the Sunshine Ordinance aloud.
 

             1.2            Roll Call: Commissioners Present:  Brown, Jones, Churchwell, Parker; Sampson

Commissioners Excused: Commissioners Fuentes and Kennedy

Staff Present: Toye Moses, Executive Director; Joseph Singh, Mgmt. Assistant, Annette Price, Commission Secretary.

             1.3                    Consent Calendar

          RESOLUTION (SECFC-2007-80) Be it resolved that the minutes of the Southeast Community Facility Commission meeting of Wednesday, April 25, 2007 were approved as submitted.

2.0                 PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment at this time.

3.0                 COMMUNICATION:
Correspondence included in Commission folders:

a.       Health & Housing, Facility Committee, Community Advisory Group, and Public Safety & Outreach Ad Hoc Committee letters

b.       S.F. Redevelopment Agency Flyer re: Homeownership workshop

c.       S.F. Gateway Neighborhood update

Mr. Edwin Lee’s, San Francisco City Administrator, presentation will be rescheduled to a future date due to a last minute conflict.

4.0               PRESENTATION:
Mr. Al Williams, Board of Director President, San Francisco African American Historical Cultural Society and member of the Committee for Slavery Disclosure Ordinance reported the following:

The Committee for Slavery Disclosure Ordinance was originally formed to pursue legislation around reparations for slavery. The legislation (House Rule HR40) first introduced in 1989 to establish a federal commission to examine the issue of slavery and its effects on society, although never passed, started a movement by several jurisdictions throughout the country to adopt the Slavery Era Disclosure Ordinance. The ordinance implemented by the State of California in 2002 and adopted by the S.F. Board of Supervisors on November 17, 2006, requires only for the collection of information.

The key elements of the “Ordinance” require providers of insurance, insurances services, financial services, and textile companies to attest that due diligence has been performed regarding historical connections to slavery prior to the city entering into any new contract after the effected date of the ordinance.

The second element of the ordinance requires that the city controller set up a fund to which any company can contribute voluntarily toward educational programs and activities to benefit African Americans who are descendants of slaves.

Mr. Williams explained that the Historical Cultural Society’s main charge is to initiate the implementation of informational/educational programs and help society understand the historical and continuing impact slavery had on African Americans.

Mr. Lee, as the city’s designee, has been charged with implementing the ordinance and following up with a report. The report will indicate the extent to which companies have examined themselves to determine whether any historical connections to slavery were found. In addition, Mr. Lee has also proposed to bring student interns on board to further investigate some of the companies

More information on the Slavery Disclosure Act can be obtained at the following website: http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0100-consumers/0300-public-programs/0200-slavery-era-insur/.

Mr. Williams concluded by referencing several books that relate to reparations: My Face Is Black Is True: Callie House and the Struggle for Ex-slave Reparations by Mary Francis Berry; Living Black History by Manning Marable, and the Slavery In California by Delilah Beasley.

Commissioner Sampson was curious as to why tobacco/shipping companies were not included in the disclosure. Mr. Williams explained the focus was on contractors who contract with the City & County of San Francisco.

Commissioner Parker asked whether the overall goal was an educational exercise and awareness for people in general or for black people in particular. Mr. Williams stated the initial motivation was in pursuit of reparations, but responsibility must be determined before reparations can be sought so that all groups can benefit from the effort

Commissioner Jones asked whether the Society has done any research on health issues that may be directly related to slavery and traveling through the middle passage. Mr. Williams stated no specific research has been done around health issues.

Dir. Moses asked whether there would be any check and balance with regard to student interns and their research. Mr. Williams stated the Society plans to work closely with Mr. Lee’s office in this effort and has also referred Mr. Lee to several professors who are authorities on issues around reparations. Mr. Williams reiterated the importance of ensuring that an adequate pool of African Americans is available to be considered for the internships.

5.0                 DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
Dir. Moses introduced new staff, Mr. Joseph Singh, who has been hired as the new Management Assistant. Mr. Singh gave a brief background on his employment/education experience. Dir. Moses reported:
  

a.    Security meeting took place on Monday to discuss security issues (auto thefts). Everyone is cautioned to park in a secure place. Dir. Moses praised Mr. Herb Dang for being instrumental in assisting in the approval of the surveillance camera installation project.

b.    As of July 1^st, The General Fund budget will be transferred to the Dept. of Human Services and Dept. of Mayor Office of Children, Youth & Families, as they have adequate resources to support the childcare centers.

c.    City Attorney John Roddy is currently working on lease issues regarding the jurisdictional transfer.

d.    The Budget is now with the Board of Supervisors and once it is calendared, staff will ask that the Commission come and advocate.

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

7.0                 INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS BY COMMISSIONERS:
There was no new business introduced at this time.

6.0                 PUBLIC COMMENT:
There was no public comment.
 

7.0                 ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Dean Veronica Hunnicutt announced that CCSF is now recruiting students for two programs CCSF will be offering: High School Diploma Program which starts fall of 2007, and pre-GED classes. CCSF currently offers GED classes and will also be developing a mentoring/tutoring component with the high school diploma program.

Commissioner Churchwell announced the passing of Mr. Will Reno, community activist. Quiet hour will be on Monday from 6:00 to 8:00 @ Lewis & Ribbs Funeral Home the funeral will be on Tuesday 9:00 a.m. at Paradise Baptist Church.

8.0                 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

_____________________

Commission Secretary