ADOPTED MINUTES

SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY FACILITY COMMISSION

 

This was held by Teleconference Pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20 and the Twelfth Supplement to Mayoral Proclamation Declaring the Existence of a Local Emergency Dated February 25, 2020.

 

During the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) emergency, the Southeast Community Facility Commission’s (SECFC) Facility and Design Advisory Committee regular meeting room, 1800 Oakdale Avenue, is closed.  Commissioners and SECFC staff will convene Committee meetings remotely by teleconference.

 

1. Call to Order:  The meeting was called to order at 4:04 p.m.

 

Present: Satele, Sanchez, LeBlanc, Richardson, Tiell

Excused: Chung

             

3. Public Comment: None

 

Moved: Richardson/ Second: Satele

Public Comment: None

Ayes:  Sanchez, Satele, Richardson, Tiell

 

Public Comment:  None

  

(a)  ACTION:  By Motion, recommend the SECF Commission adopt names and signage content for auxiliary spaces and informational signage to be installed at the Southeast Community Center at 1550 Evans (Berry)

Larry Berry, Deputy Director, SECF/EA/SFPUC

Mr. Berry provided a presentation containing suggested names for the amphitheater, green spaces for sitting and eating, 2nd floor rooms, rules and regulations, and informational signage.  The suggested areas to name are as follows using landmarks and historical names:

 

Community Room - Formerly Alex Pitcher Room

Amphitheater - Founders Amphitheater

 

Dedication Plaque - Picture of 1800 Oakdale & Founders names with tag line “A Legacy Realized” .

 

Greenspaces

3 Picnic Table Areas - Shoreline, Candlestick, Sundial

1 Sports Lawn w/Picnic Table – Ohlone

 

2nd floor primarily used as activation space for programming and events. 3 large multi-purpose rooms used for rental (partitioned) - The Point, The Yard, The Port

1 traditional classroom – Potrero Hill

1 Makers classroom – Butchertown

 

Community member Ms. LeBlanc discussed  the use of the word picnic which is culturally insensitive to some people.  She also suggested using the complete names for the large multi-purpose rooms and not abbreviations.

 

Staff advised the word picnic was only used for reference and would not be used in the actual signage.

 

3rd floor space will be leased space dedicated to tenants.  Tenants will share several office elements.

1 large shared office space – Advocate Offices/ 4 conference rooms-shared – Bayview Room/

2 classrooms – Sunnydale & Double Rock

 

A discussion ensued regarding the choice of naming more areas after landmarks instead of individuals.  It was previously determined that rooms would not be named after individuals since the rooms were different sizes.  The Founders will be memorialized at the entrance of the building which was determined to be more suitable and memorable.

 

Committee member Steven Tiell suggested using the area as gallery space and rotating the names along with biographies to familiarize community members of the history of the District.

Committee member Linda Richardson noted for equity there should be justification for historical records, and she wanted to know if the current names were finalized or would there be room for changes?

 

Committee member Brigette LeBlanc asked if there would be space to recognize past and current Commissioners, along with the possibility of naming spaces after well-known community sites such as Tick-Tock and other well-known community landmarks? 

 

• Staff reminded the committee the entry-way art piece is a tribute to all six of the Founders and is visible and prominent.  The Alex Pitcher Pavilion is a stand-alone building that is different from the room at the current site.  We have a history of having one space named after one well-known individual and now we have an opportunity to create more equity in the naming process.  She also noted the June 1 deadline.

• Staff asked if the committee members preferred names after landmarks, or if names of individuals are used should we be looking beyond the names of founders?

• Staff advised pictures of the current Commissioners will be displayed prominently and we will ask the design team to designate a space to honor the former Commissioners.

• Staff advised other names being considered are Heron’s Head, 

 

The community members said it was more interesting to use a combination of names, not just landmarks and not just individuals.

 

Heron’s Head, Islais Creek, Copra Crane,  Cow Palace, Brewery, and Bayview Hill were other names being considered.  The committee was invited to provide ideas they may have.  Sam Jordan was suggested as a choice and it was noted that it had been considered.

 

The committee members suggested extending the timeline and staff advised they would review names again within the next two weeks and provide a fresh set of recommendations.  Many creative ideas were shared, and staff advised the current concentration would be on areas that would have signage.

 

Staff provided a list of Park Rules and Regulations that will be enforced by SECC security.  It will be the same rules set forth by Park and Rec with the following changes or additions:

• No animals allowed, service dogs okay.

• No amplified sound without permit.

• No proselytizing or solicitation.

• Minors under 14 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

• No smoking, vaping, or drug use.

 

The committee felt the recommendations were in line with standard procedures and they suggested the signs protect the facility from liability.  It was noted the word Garden could replace the word picnic.

 

It was determined the item would move to the full Commission meeting for review.  

 

Vice-Chair Sanchez recused herself for the next item.

(b) ACTION:  By motion, recommend the SECF Commission adopt Tenant Solicitation Resolution #20210526 – urging the SFPUC to pursue a competitive public bid process to solicit tenants for the new Southeast Community Center at 1550 Evans Avenue. (Rogers-Pharr)

 

Committee members felt the Resolution did not reflect the power of the Commission and gave too much of the decision making to the SFPUC.  The discussion centered around the history of the original mitigation where the Commission was created to serve the community and therefore should bear the decision-making process of who will become tenants in the new Center, in collaboration with the SFPUC, but the Commission should make the final decision.

 

Director Rogers-Pharr provided background on the current tenants who are sub-tenants and the Resolution is seeking to ensure we partner with the right mix of organizations to provide the best services available to the community.

 

The Community members agreed the SECFC should spear-head the decisions that will be made regarding the new Center and they felt the current draft Resolution does not show the SECFC is in charge.

 

Deputy Director Larry Berry provided clarification in response to the language of the Resolution and noted the programming framework would be determined by the SECFC staff and that would better define the decisions made for the new Center.

 

Commissioner Satele said the Commission needs to make sure they are making decisions that will benefit the community.

 

Community member Steven Tiell said the community has felt the center is a rent seeking function of the SFPUC in a facility that is supposed to belong to the community.  He expressed interest in transparency in the bidding process.

 

The Executive Director noted there is a rent seeking function that makes the space affordable to the community and ensures it is occupied with tenants with long-term leases and some with smaller models of operations that will come in to do short-term occupancy.

 

The community members and staff agreed the Resolution could be reworded.  Community members had more questions regarding office space and core programs which were provided in the first part of the presentation.  Questions regarding the marketing plan were answered by staff who advised flyers were being developed along with a full marketing contingency working in conjunction with our communications team including radio ads.

 

Executive Director Rogers-Pharr reported a Facilities Manager position would be opened and the vetting would be through the usual HR process.

 

It was determined the Resolution wording would be revisited before initiating the voting process.

 

Committee member Linda Richardson left the meeting at 5:54 pm.

 

Public Comment: None.

 

Vice-Chair Sanchez returned to the meeting at 5:58 pm.

 

( c ) Air Quality Monitoring Program Update (Barraza)

Edgar Barraza, Environmental Justice Associate, SFPUC

Mr. Barraza’s update provided an environmental justice analysis for the Bayview Biosolids Digester Facility Project.  The Air Quality recommendations that came out of that analysis along with collaboration with our community partners Green Action, the AQ Project, and a student participant from UC Berkeley provided feedback into the planning and programming of this work.  However due to the pandemic and leadership changes at the SFPUC the work of this initiative has slowed down.  However, it is still a high priority for the Environmental Justice and Land Use Program.  We are finalizing the MOU and when we have finalized it, we would like to comeback and present the project goals and initiative.     

 

Committee Members Questions and Comments: 

Committee member Steven Tiell had a question regarding the next milestone?

• Mr. Barraza responded the next milestone would be bringing the MOU to this group to review the incorporated feedback, the goals of the Pilot Program, and potential goals at 1550 Evans for a future comprehensive air quality monitoring program

• Staff added getting an air quality monitoring system at 1800 Oakdale would also be a part of the next milestone.

 

Public Comment:   None

 

Executive Director Rogers-Pharr reported tours of 1550 Evans were being planned for the Commissioners and 1800 Oakdale was being used as a vaccination site and a HUB for the community.  COVID testing is being provided in the parking lot every other Wednesday.

 

Public Comment: None.

 

7.  New Committee Business: None.

  

8.  Announcements: None

  

9.  Adjournment:  The meeting adjourned at 6:04 p.m.