December 28, 2011 Southeast Community Facility Commission
ADOPTED MINUTES
SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY FACILITY COMMISSION
Wednesday, December 28, 2011, 6:00 PM
1800 Oakdale Avenue, Alex Pitcher Community Room
San Francisco, CA 94124
1.0 CALL TO ORDER AND ANNOUNCEMENT
Commission President Kennedy called the Wednesday, December 28, 2011 meeting to order at 6:09 pm and announced the Sunshine Ordinance.
2.0 ROLL CALL
Carla Vaughn, Commission Secretary announced the audio recording of the meeting and called roll at 6:10 pm.
Commissioners Present: Karen A. Chung/ Theo Ellington/ Brigette R. LeBlanc/ Al Norman/ Willie B. Kennedy
Absent: Bobbrie Brown/ Armina Brown
Staff Present: Francis Starr, Senior Management Assistant/ Carla Vaughn, Commission Secretary/ Brenda Jones, Community Development Specialist, External Affairs
3.0 CONSENT CALENDAR
Commission President Kennedy read the Consent Calendar.
3.1 PROPOSED ACTION
It was moved by Commissioner Norman and seconded by Commissioner Ellington to accept the minutes from the November 22, 2011 Commission meeting with corrections. The minutes of the December 28, 2011 Commission meeting were approved as presented by Commission President Willie B. Kennedy.
4.0 PUBLIC COMMENT & ANNOUNCEMENT OF TIME ALLOTMENT
Espanola Jackson, community activist provided an article from the City College newspaper “The Guardian” dated November 16 – December 7. She requested the Commissioners provide clarity on the issue.
Commissioner Kennedy requested copies of the article.
5.0 COMMUNICATION
Carla Vaughn, Commission Secretary announced the following:
Press Release: Mayor Lee Announces Home For The Holidays Initiative Prioritizing Homeless San Francisco Families In Immediate Need
Press Release: Mayor Lee Welcomes San Francisco Residents & Families To San Francisco Season Of Giving City Hall Open House
Press Release: Mayor Lee Invests In City’s Infrastructure For San Francisco Families
Press Release: Mayor Lee Introduces Jobs Impact Review Legislation To Protect Jobs
Press Release: Mayor Lee & SFMTA Launch New Innovative Pay By Phone Parking Meters
Statement: Mayor Lee’s Statement On Certification Of America’s Cup & James R. Herman Cruise Terminal Environmental Impact Report
Press Release: Mayor Lee & America’s Cup Event Authority Announce Details Of Project Agreement
Statement: Mayor Lee’s Statement On San Francisco’s Unemployment Rate Drop
Statement: Mayor Lee’s Statement On Passing Of Warren Hellman
Press Release: San Francisco Redistricting Task Force Announces Second Round of Community Outreach Meetings
Press Release: Mayor Lee Announces San Francisco Awarded U.S. Department Of Education 2011 Promise Neighborhoods Grant
Statement: Mayor Lee’s Statement On Power Outages At Candlestick Park
Press Release: Mayor Lee Announces $18.9 Million In U.S. Housing And Urban Development (HUD) Grants To Help The Homeless In San Francisco
5.1 CORRESPONDENCE
Letter of Support to Maria Su, Psy.D. Director, Department of Children, Youth And Families in support of The Hunters Point Family
Letter of Support to Ruby Harris, Contract Coordinator, Mayor’s Office of Housing in support of the San Francisco Housing Development Corporation
Letter of Invitation to Steve Falk, President & CEO, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce to attend future Economic Advisory Committee meetings
Letter of Invitation to Mark Quinn, Small Business Administration, to attend future Economic Advisory Committee meetings
Letter of Invitation to Luke O’Brian, President, Small Business Commission, to attend future Economic Advisory Committee meetings
Letter of Invitation to Vince Courtney, Commissioner, SF Public Utilities Commission, to attend future Governance Ad-Hoc Committee meetings
Espanola Jackson, Community Member, asked if a response was received from Vince Courtney, Commissioner, SF Public Utilities Commission.
Carla Vaughn, Commission Secretary advised there was no response.
6.0 ANNOUNCEMENTS
Commissioner Kennedy announced the following:
The next meeting of the Economic Development Advisory Committee will be Monday, January 9, 2012 at 1 pm in the Southeast Community Facility conference room, Suite B.
The next meeting of the Southeast Community Facility Commission will be Thursday, January 12, 2012.
The San Francisco Redistricting Task Force will hold a second round of community outreach meetings. A special meeting for District 10 is scheduled for Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 6 pm in the Alex Pitcher, Jr. Community Room.
A joint meeting between the Southeast Community Facility Commission and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, February 28, 2012.
7.0 PRESENTERS
Commissioner Kennedy introduced Gina Meacham, Manager, Lowe’s of San Francisco and welcomed her.
Ms. Meacham provided information regarding the hiring of employees from the 94124 community, and projections on community involvement for the next 10 years. She provided copies of a summary of the First Source Hiring Agreement between Lowe’s and the City and County of San Francisco that is updated quarterly for the Mayor’s Office. (For a copy of the summary please contact the Commission Secretary).
The summary shows the following:
A goal of 50 employees in entry level positions from the 94124 area.
Actual number = 77 employees
Goal exceeded.
A goal of 25 employees in entry level positions from surrounding areas.
Actual number = 37 employees
Goal exceeded.
Ms. Meacham provided a list of schools receiving grants from Lowe’s. (For a copy of the list please contact the Commission Secretary). She noted the schools received the grants because they completed the application process. She encouraged the schools to take advantage of the grants and offered to provide the necessary help in the application process if needed.
Dr. George Washington Carver Elementary School and 100% College Prep Institute were the recipients of product and labor to beautify their schools.
Ms. Meacham provided a summary of the application process and invited anyone interested in applying for grants to contact her directly. She introduced “Toolbox for Education”, a grant process that ranges from $1,000 to $100,000 for schools and the “Lowe’s Charitable Foundation”, grants not related to schools, but to a community. She advised she was working with Young Community Developers and attending PAC meetings to get the word out to the community.
Every Lowe’s store has a group of 10 employees known as “The Voice Team” that meet on a quarterly basis and pick a community project to support.
Commissioner Kennedy commended Ms. Meacham and Lowe’s for their community participation. There was discussion regarding the funding of after school programs.
Ms. Meacham said schools could apply through the Lowe’s Charitable Foundation. Grants are available on a yearly basis.
Commissioner Kennedy opened the floor for questions.
Commissioner Chung asked if Lowe’s received city or government funding for providing educational grants.
Ms. Meacham said the grant funding comes directly from the Lowe’s Corporation. Lowe’s also has a relief fund for Lowe’s employees.
Commissioner Ellington had questions regarding the schools that were not applying for grants.
Ms. Meacham said some schools expressed an inability to apply because they had a limited amount of time available to do so. In those instances Ms. Meacham offered to help with the application process.
Commissioner Ellington asked if there was a set amount available from the “Toolbox For Education” grant program.
Ms. Meacham said there was no limit however each school could only apply once a year.
Commissioner LeBlanc had a question regarding RT San Francisco and its grant receipt status.
Ms. Meacham advised RT San Francisco was not a school but a community organization that refurbishes homes for elderly to be ADA compliant.
Commissioner LeBlanc expressed appreciation for the work Lowe’s was doing in the community.
Commissioner Kennedy had questions regarding the retention of employees hired.
Ms. Meacham responded there was 98% retention at her store.
Commissioner Kennedy had a question regarding when the grant application process would start.
Ms. Meacham said there will be a fall and spring 2012 grant cycle. The company website provides updates on the grant cycle.
Commissioner LeBlanc praised Young Community Developers for the assistance they provided during the Lowe’s hiring process.
Commissioner Chung asked if the educational grant is available at all Lowe’s stores and Ms. Meacham responded it is.
There was discussion regarding the availability of grants to schools outside of the area because Bayview residents attend schools outside of the area. Clarification was provided noting the grants are available to any community with a Lowe’s store in the community.
Espanola Jackson and Dr. Harrison Parker, Community Members, took part in the discussion.
Commissioner Kennedy thanked Ms. Meacham for her presentation and introduced Mr. Edward Reiskin, Director of Transportation, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA).
Mr. Reiskin has been Director at SFMTA for 4½ months. The SFMTA was created by the voters in 1999 with Prop E. Muni and Parking & Traffic were combined to realize the “Transit First” policy which was adopted by the Board of Supervisors in the early 70’s. The voters added to the MTA in 2008 enabling the Board to include the Taxi Commission. San Francisco is unique having a city transportation department that is responsible for all modes of transportation in the city.
Moving forward a strategic plan is being created. There is an important internal and external process to develop the plan. A draft is available for viewing on the SFMTA website. The key elements include a vision recognizing San Francisco as a great city striving for excellent transportation sources. Following are four main goals SFMTA will pursue over the next six years.
a) Safety
b) Transit First Policy
c) The role of SFMTA in improving the quality of life in the City and the environment
d) Make SFMTA a well-run, high-performing organization
SFMTA is developing specific objectives and action steps for each goal. Improving taxi service is a focus area that is being worked on now. The taxi industry is complex and has only recently folded into the SFMTA.
Mr. Reiskin introduced Mr. Amit Kothari, Director of Off-Street Parking and Acting Director of Sustainable Streets Division which oversees all of Parking and Traffic, and Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety.
There is a new pay by phone system rolling out throughout the City. Cell phones can be used to feed the meter.
Muni reliability is another area the department is working on. Muni is hiring. There is a focus on vehicle reliability. Doors and steps that are not properly maintained lead to delays. On the T-Third there has been a focus on some of the signal systems. Some of the maintenance was not kept up over the years. 90 % are working as of a couple of months ago and the other 10% is now working. At 4th and King the signal times are being reviewed.
The department is working on Phase 2 of the T-Line which is the Central Subway Project, an extension down past the Convention Center, Union Square, and into Chinatown. In a couple of months a Federal Government grant award of $942 million dollars will allow the department to provide a lot of jobs, and better transportation connections.
Commissioner Kennedy thanked Mr. Reiskin and there was discussion regarding the relationship between Muni and the SFMTA. Regarding the Hunters Point Shipyard there was discussion of the significance of the Bayview Transportation Plan.
Commissioner Ellington raised questions regarding the relationship with the San Francisco Police Department, specifically in reference to the Proof of Payment system.
Mr. Reiskin said Muni does not have a police department such as BART so police services are bought from the City. The motorcycle cops and a team of police officers dedicated to Muni as a security team are under the command of Commander Lea Militello.
Commissioner Ellington had a question regarding the Lifeline Pass and asked if it could be free or reduce priced for low-income youth.
Mr. Reiskin advised the Board of Supervisors and others have adopted resolutions urging the MTA to make the Muni pass free for youth which would cost Muni about $8 million a year in lost revenue not counting any increase in service, which would be a good thing. It sounds like a good idea as long as it can be done without hurting the overall system.
Commissioner Ellington asked if there was a plan to increase the number of taxicabs on San Francisco streets and if the lack of taxi service to the Southeast Sector is being addressed.
Mr. Reiskin said a Public Convenience and Necessity study will be done to determine if more taxis are needed and the results will be taken to the MTA Board.
Commissioner Ellington asked if the money from the parking meters came back to the neighborhood for community improvements. He noted there was not much enforcement.
Mr. Reiskin responded the monies go into the general fund.
Commissioner LeBlanc commented on safety issues and dogs on the bus without muzzles. She also noted many passengers with Clipper cards are not paying. Commissioner LeBlanc said only certain districts have the SFPark pay station system and there should be more throughout the City. In closing Commissioner LeBlanc requested the name of the Federal Government grant.
Mr. Reiskin said the grant is from the U.S. Department of Transportation and called the New Starts Program. The $942 million dollar grant will be awarded in May and construction work will start May 2012. The project will take approximately 5 years to complete.
There was more discussion with Commissioner LeBlanc regarding checking for fare evasion during the holidays and how it should be implemented throughout the year.
Commissioner Chung had a question regarding how to start a taxi service.
Mr. Reiskin referred Commissioner Chung to the Taxi Services Division of the MTA.
Commissioner LeBlanc suggested using undercover riders to see if the taxis were servicing all communities.
Mr. Reiskin agreed it is a good idea however, it would be very expensive.
Francis Starr, Sr. Management Assistant, noted enforcement can be a sensitive issue for the officers and the community. He asked how the MTA planned to address working with other agencies for special events like the upcoming Americas Cup.
Mr. Reiskin said a comprehensive plan called “The People Plan” was being developed in the hopes of encouraging people to not drive their vehicles to the events. The same approach is taken for other special events.
Commissioner Kennedy asked about the contracting process for building the Muni stations.
Mr. Reiskin said the Central Subway project was divided into several pieces that would total 5 contracts.
Commissioner Kennedy opened the floor to public comment.
Espanola Jackson, Community Member commented regarding the cost of public transportation for youth.
Commissioner Kennedy suggested the department work with Human Services to provide low cost transportation.
David Pilpell, community member Sunset district, confirmed the hours that fare inspectors work. He also commented regarding MTA and Muni. Mr. Pilpell noted today’s date as the 99th anniversary of the first day of service of the Municipal Railway in San Francisco, the first large significant publicly owned transit system in the country. He said the contributions of African-Americans and others from the Southeast Sector should be told. Mr. Pilpell said he was recently aware of the Title 6 Program and the requirements that MTA is subject to as a federal grant claimant and recipient. Whenever there is a fare or significant service change Muni staff has to analyze whether there is a disproportionate impact of that change on any minority community within the city. Hopefully the Muni staff will involve this community. In closing Mr. Pilpell mentioned the Muni Operation Scorecard.
Commissioner Kennedy thanked Mr. Reiskin for his presentation.
8.0 PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Commissioner Kennedy announced Commissioner Brown would provide a report on the Mayors Budget at the next meeting.
8.1 SPECIAL REPORT ON THE 9910 STATIONARY ENGINEER INTERN PROGRAM
Commissioner LeBlanc advised she would provide a report in January.
9.0 ADVISORY COMMITTEES REPORTS & UPDATES
Governance Ad-Hoc Committee (Chair, Willie B. Kennedy, Co-Chair, Brigette R. LeBlanc, Community Members: Alma Robinson, Kitty Morgan, Alternates: Dr. Harrison Parker, Greg Doxey)
No report.
Joint PUC/SECFC Ad-Hoc Committee, (Chair Theo Ellington, Co-Chair Bobbrie Brown, PUC Representative, and Alternate: Commissioner Willie B. Kennedy)
No report.
Health, Housing and Public Safety Advisory Committee, (Chair Bobbrie Brown, Co-Chair Theo Ellington, Community Members <see Commission Secretary for List> Alternate: Commissioner Willie B. Kennedy)
No report.
Economic Development Advisory Committee (Chair Karen Chung, Co-Chair Al Norman, and Alternate: Commissioner Willie B. Kennedy)
No Report.
Facility Advisory Committee, (Chair Willie B. Kennedy, Co-Chair Brigette R. LeBlanc, and Member: Commissioner Al Norman, Alternate: Commissioner Armina Brown)
No report.
10.0 STAFF/DIRECTOR REPORT
Francis Starr, Senior Management Assistant reported on the cosmetic improvements to the facility this includes a new stage. There are new chairs on order and a review of the security cameras is ongoing. New drapes have been ordered and should arrive soon.
Commissioner LeBlanc inquired about damage to one of the windows at a recent event and requested to see the incident report.
Francis Starr said the report would be available.
Carla Vaughn, Commission Secretary provided an update of future presenters.
There was discussion regarding the need to have presenters provide their hand-outs or power-point presentations prior to the meeting.
11.0 SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION STAFF REPORT & UPDATES
No report.
12.0 ONGOING BUSINESS
Ms. Espanola Jackson had an inquiry regarding the safety of Director Moses who was visiting family in Nigeria.
Commission staff advised they were in contact with Dr. Moses and he is well.
13.0 NEW BUSINESS REQUESTS
None.
14.0 PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
15.0 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:14 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________
Carla Vaughn,
Southeast Community Facility
Commission Secretary
(Full audio recording available through sfgov.org/southeast community facility commission/agenda & minutes/)
