City and County of San Francisco Tuesday, October 25, 2011
supervisor chiu: good afternoon.
welcome to the san francisco board of supervisors meeting of
tuesday, October 25, 2011.
Madam Clerk, please call the roll.
>> [Roll call]
mr. President, all members are present.
Supervisor chiu: thank you.
Ladies and gentlemen, could you join me in the pledge of allegiance?
>>
to the republic for which it
stands, one nation under God indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Supervisor chiu:, luke' s -- colleagues, you should have copies of the September 20 meeting minutes. Could I have a motion to approve this?
Those minutes are approved.
Are there any communications?
>> I have no communications at this time. >> could you go through our consent agenda items?
>> items one through five comprise the consent agenda and will be acted upon by a single roll call vote unless and member
of the board or public requests an item discussed separately.
Supervisor cohen: item three.
Supervisor chiu: on the remainder.
Supervisor mar: aye.
Supervisor mirkarimi: aye.
supervisor avalos: aye.
Supervisor campos: aye.
Supervisor chiu: aye.
Supervisor chu: aye.
Supervisor cohen: aye.
Supervisor elsbernd: aye.
Supervisor farrell: aye.
>> there are 11 auye.S
supervisor chiu: the ordinances
are passed, the resolution adopted.
>> item 3, changing the street
name to correct a discrepancy in dole street names and eliminate confusion in delivering public services.
supervisor chu: in 1913, this was part of the roadway considered great highway. Signs were stolen and replaced
with incorrect labels, which is reflected in our labels. We had heard of the problem when
many of our residents were
having their mail not delivered to their homes.
we have since worked with the post office to make sure that
mail was going to the addresses even if they were incorrect.
But also make sure that the department of public safety, that there was no confusion with those agencies. We thought the problem was solved, but we continue to hear that there was continuing
confusion, people not be able to
get credit cards and other things.
So we want to make sure it is proper the great neck --
properly named great highway, so I urge your support.
Supervisor chiu: same house, call?
Without objection, the resolution is adopted.
>> item 6, ordinance amending the administrative code to for him at limited services pregnancy centers from making false or misleading statements to the public about pregnancy
related services the center offices or performs.
On item 6 -- mar aye.
Mirkarimi aye. Wiener aye.
Avalos aye.
campos aye.
Chiu aye.
Chu aye.
Cohen aye.
Elsbernd no.
Farrell aye.
Kim aye.
there are 10 ayes, one no.
Item seven, ordinance amending the administrative code to set a
policy of community policing, and urge the police commission
and chief of police to review and as necessary many police the promise policies and procedures.
On item seven, mar aye. Mirkarimi aye.
Wiener aye. avalos aye.
Campos aye.
Chiu chu
aye .
Chiu chu aye.
Cohen aye.
Elsbernd no.
farrell aye.
Kim aye.
Item eight, ordinance
appropriating $1 million settlement funds to the department of public health for the neighborhood improvement and mitigation in the neighborhood' s
most impacted by the potrero
power plant in fiscal year 2011- 2012. Mar aye. Mirkarimi aye.
Wiener aye.
Avalos aye.
Campos aye.
Chiu aye.
Chu aye.
Cohen aye.
elsbernd aye. Farrell aye.
Kim aye.
There are 11 ayes.
Item nine, a resolution authorizing the director of public works to execute an
amendment to the emergency public work contract at the san francisco general hospital and to increase the not to exceed
amount to approximately $20.5 million.
Supervisor chiu: can we do the same house, call?
Without objection, the resolution is adopted. >> item 10, resolution
responding to the 2010-2011 civil grand jury report entitled
"hunters point shipyard: a shipping landscape" an aging the mayor to cause the implication
of accepted findings and recommendations through
department heads and through the developer of the annual budget.
Supervisor chiu: without objection, the resolution is adopted. I am 11.
>> 11 is a resolution responding
to the 2010- 2011 civil grand jury report and urging the mayor to cause the implementation of accepted findings and recommendations through his department heads and through the development of the annual budget.
Supervisor chiu: this resolution is adopted.
>> item 12, urging sanford' s is the business of the transportation agency to reconsider and abandon the
decision to shift the burden of credit card merchant charges to
the city cabdrivers -- urging
san francisco' s municipal transportation agency.
Supervisor campos: this is a resolution that calls on the mta to reconsider its decision to
pass these fees on to taxi drivers. We heard in committee a number of individuals about the problems that have been created
as a result of this, and
ultimately, from my perspective,
it harms consumers.
From what we understand, the board of directors is in the
process of reducing that issue, and I think it is important for the board of supervisors to take
a position, so I asked respectively for your support.
>> on item 12, mar aye.
Mirkarimi aye.
Wiener no.
Avalos aye.
campos aye.
Chiu aye.
Chu no.
Cohen aye.
Elsbernd no.
Farrell no.
Kim aye.
There are seven ayes, four nos.
supervisor chiu: the resolution is adopted. >> item 13 is from the
government ought to an oversight committee without recommendation. An ordinance amending the administrative code regarding the health care security ordinance.
Supervisor cohen: thank you.
Colleagues, I would like to make a motion to continue this item.
supervisor chiu: seconded by
supervisor campos. Any discussion? >> for how long?
Supervisor chiu: two weeks or one week?
Supervisor cohen: two weeks.
>> november 8, Mr. President. [Laughter]
Supervisor chiu: sure, not much going on that date.
Supervisor cohen: moved it to November 1.
Supervisor chiu: I would also support that.
i look forward to working and
reconvening parties to finding common ground.
That being said, can we do this same house, call?
Without objection, this motion
to continue passes to November 1.
Madam Clerk, 14 and 15.
>> item 14 is an ordinance
except in irrevocable offer of public infrastructure improvements associated with the
assembly -- mission bay south blocks 41 thru 43, phase two.
Item 15 is an ordinance dedicating city property and portions of state trust parcels four and five, known as mission bay park blocked p16.
Supervisor chiu: can we take the same house, call?
Without objection, these ordinances are passed. Why don' t we skip over our special order.
I think we all know we will be
presenting for restaurant month. Let' s go to roll call.
>> supervisor mar , you are first on a roll call for introductions.
Supervisor mar: thank you.
I wanted to applaud the schools
and pta'
s
for their creativity and fund-raising throughout the school year. When big events happen like
fleet week or the reset outside plants or the bluegrass festival, they get even more
creative about fund raising efforts.
I wanted to say also that the fund raising is very hard, and
many of the parent/teacher
organizations -- I know firsthand how we struggle with
our fund-raising efforts in this
difficult financial times.
I wanted to of knowledge that working with the city attorney' s
office and pta leaders to hopefully craft solutions that will make it easier for hard- working parents to help their children' s schools stay afloat, and this has to do with recent
announcements about fund raising of around eight events. I just wanted to acknowledge that.
I know that we will be
acknowledging also restaurant appreciation week a little bit
later, but I did want to get a
shout out to the inner richmond district restaurant that I will be supporting, especially for
their efforts to create
healthier food for the people of the richmond district. I also wanted to make a plug
that one of the good efforts
that the three brothers do for the richmond district, so we do not have a farmer' s market in
richmond.
One important community service they provide is providing produce boxes, healthy and fresh produce boxes for people on
sunday from 10:00 to 3:00 P.M. With tremendous items in it as well.
I apologize for those that did not know about this, but
yesterday was free food day as well. Usually, it is the first monday
of the month with the chefs and others will try different types of food for sampling. I do not know of any other restaurant in the city that has
a free food monday.
the issue -- the other issue I wanted to raise -- supervisor
avalos and I will be raising the
motion we made last week in support of the occupied wall
street --
occupy wall street movement, and I wanted to reiterate that I strongly
believe in the efforts around the country, and we are doing
our best to challenge the
bailout of banks and billionaires' while our
communities face growing hunger.
i wanted to say that one of my
heroes from rage against the
machine and
audioslave was at the rally, and a number of musicians and entertainers have been there and a lot of creativity is coming out of these efforts.
it is showing strong public support, and I think the resolution will help the public understand the importance of people raising their voices in a
peaceful way not just in san francisco but in thousands of places across the country. In chinatown, coming up on
sunday, October 30, the day
before halloween, the association and many community- based groups are calling for an action from 10:00 to 3:00.
I think we are calling it "from
wall street to chinatown" and supporting people' s right to assemble and raised concerns
about the huge bailout for banks
and billionaires and support community efforts to revitalize our neighborhoods. The rest I will submit. Thank you.
Supervisor chiu: today I will be introducing a drafting request to helps avoid companies that provide social benefits to our community.
For over a decade, social entrepreneurs around the country have been pioneering a new way
to create businesses that do well as they do good with companies that have a double or triple bottom line.
In recent years, there has been interest in establishing a new type of corporate structure,
known as benefit corporations,
as compared to the typical c corporations. They go beyond maximizing shareholder value or profits to
include stakeholder values such as environmental, social, or other community benefits. As a used to power business to
help sell -- solve social environment problems.
Two weeks ago, governor brown signed into law assembly bill
361, which creates a new class
of b corporations in california.
arce became the sixth to try these. I am drafting legislation that
would provide city conferences similar to what is being done for local businesses. To receive this, a business would have to be legally
recognized as a b corporation by the state of california. The legislation would be the
first in the state to promote
the foundation and growth of b corporations. I want to make sure they know we are open to business to them and we want to be the headquarters
for such corporations that are employing san franciscans to provide services and goods that have multiple impacts on our community. i think this is very timely
given the recent debate fueled
by public frustrations with significant corporate profits at
a time of growing economic inequalities. I think that promoted the benefit corporations is one way that we can transform all of the frustrations that I think we share into a positive force to
creating jobs in san and cisco, to foster a new way of doing
business and will be on one bottom line. The rest of my items I will submit.
Supervisor mirkarimi: colleagues, I am is submitting
an ordinance for evaluating
alternatives for providing crime lab services, including the possibility of an independent crime lab.
The legislation follows efforts of proposed more than a year ago to shift responsibility for providing services from the police department to the city
administrative just in the same ways that the medical examiner is currently looking at the city
administrator now and to study
the creation of an independent crime lab within the municipality of san francisco. As part of that ordinance, I
requested the controller to investigate further, but at the
time, the those investments had been suspended because of the
wave of scandals caused by one
lab technician, which had
induced the district attorney to dismiss more than 500 cases.
Outside auditors found that other problems having to do with
the crime lab, along with the district attorney, the public defender, and even the police department that we should at least explore the possibility of
an independent crime lab or be
able to examine the pros and cons.
Since then, a decent amount of time has passed.
Meanwhile, several other U.S. Cities and counties and states
decided to follow the national academy of sciences.
The national academy of sciences had recommended a couple of
years ago that city police department and the crime lab' s move into an independent status. Those cities are seriously
considering or have moved to an independent status of crime
labs in washington, D.C., houston, and the state of north carolina.
i continue to believe that crime lab issues require strong consideration in san francisco to make sure the integrity of our crime lab is not further
compromised here this ordinance
asks the controller to pursue this. The rest I will submit.
supervisor campos: thank you, colleagues. I have a couple of items.
The first is a hearing request
that the hearing be held at the government audits and oversight
committee on the controller'
s city services auditors review of
the sfmta
work orders for the year 2010-2011.
As many of you know, the mta
presently spends about $60 million in the work order services provided on behalf of the mta by other city agencies,
and the controller has been
conducting a review of that process, and the review is complete. For this hearing, we will have an opportunity to hear what, if any, progress has been made with respect to work orders. When you think about it, even a
10% reduction in work orders,
that is $6 million and would be more than enough to pay for something.
20% reduction would actually pay for increased services throughout the system.
This presents a new opportunity for us to really get to having a
better understanding in terms
of a nexus between what is being
paid for and the nexus, the connection to public transportation.
the second item is a resolution
that I am introducing supporting
the regulated and safe patient
access to medical candidates. I want to thank the following
colleagues who are cosponsoring this resolution.
supervisors mar, avalos, chiu,
mirkarimi, kim, and wiener . The vast majority of
californians voted and approve proposition 215 in 1996, the compassionate use act, that
recognizes that there is a
medical use for cannabis.
San francisco has in turn
adopted a comprehensive
regulatory system to prevent and
control medical campus collectives and cooperatives.
Supervisor mirkarimi has played a key role in making that happen. What we have is an industry being regulated by the city and county of san francisco in
accordance with state law. We in california are not the only state that has recognized there are medical benefits to canada' s.
There are least 16 states in this country that are doing that.
Doing -- during the campaign for
president, President Obama repeatedly asserted that he recognized and respected the
right of states to allow for medical cannabis. Ultimately, this is an issue that is about patients' rights, the rights of patients to
access the medication that is needed peer the state' s largest association of doctors and california medical association, which represents more than
35,000 positions, has clearly
stated the need for the
recognition of medical cannabis. We have a number of associations that have made the same case, and there are also benefits in terms of job creation, which is
one of the reasons why organized labor has also taken a position to support the rights of patients to access to medication. At different times in the last couple of years, the federal government has made some
positive signs, made some positive comments about the importance of protecting state
law when it comes to the issue of patients' rights and their
access to medical cannabis.
Unfortunately, in the last few
weeks, there has been a
negative, bad turn of events
with the federal government has, unfortunately, decided not to
respect the laws that the state of california has passed.
The legislation I am introducing is legislation that follows the lead of assembly member ammiano,
senator leno, senator
ye I am calling upon the federal government to reconsider its policy and simply do with the President Indicated you would do, which is to protect the rights of states like california
to provide access to medical cannabis to california patients. This is truly about the rights
of patients, so we are asking that the federal government
comply with the principles that until recently were the principles that have been articulated by the President.
I know that sometimes the issues can be sensitive and complicated, but this is simply
about medical cannabis and the right of patients to access medication they need. I believe it is important for
us in this time for the city and county of san francisco for the board of supervisors to be clear that we do support the rights of
patients to have access to medication. With that, I ask for your support. The rest, I submit.
Supervisor avalos: just a couple
of items for introduction.
One, at long last, the advisory committee for the balboa park
station.
The plan was approved in January 2009.
I think it was my first piece of legislation because I had
inherited from my former supervisor from district 11, and
since that time, there have been a lot of discussions about how
to proceed with land-use issues
surrounding the station, and there has been a lot of need for the community to have greater oversight along with greater entities involved around the
station including bart,
caltrans, muni, dpw.
This body will be meeting quarterly to provide input.
It will be staffed by the mta if we do approve this, and it will
be a great benefit to district 11 and people who have a stake
in bell ballpark to ensure that
we have transit that meets the
needs of riders and neighborhood residents appear willing to make sure we' re moving forward with transit that
can move the ball park out of the industrial zone.
i hope to have your support of
that if it comes to committee, colleagues.
My next piece of legislation,
the resolution, it is actually
supporting the occupy wall street protest movement and urging mayor lead to hold the people' s right to peaceful
assembly -- urging mayor lee . The timing of this could not be more important. We heard what happened in oakland and earlier today.
Police and law enforcement from
several jurisdictions have come
down around 4:30 this morning to
remove the people of the occupy
oakland set up.
They used tear gas and force.
We had two locations in san francisco where there had been
the use of force to remove
people from the plaza and separate them from their belongings.
My concern is that these confrontations travel that
happen between the -- confrontations that happened between the police and protesters only increase the
amount of uncertainty and distrust between the police and
the people who are protesting, a distressed that I think will
only get worse as we see the movement escalating, as I believe it is. We have seen a proliferation of
the demonstrations, starting
from one in wall street, now it is across the country and even across the world.
This is not something that is going to end any time soon, and
a thing that we will use force
to make it more difficult to -- difficult for the to mistresses to occur is only going to backfire.
We need to have a more supportive city and not use
force to prevent the demonstration from continuing. This resolution I am sending to
the city operations and neighborhood services committee,
which I am the chair of .
Hopefully, we can have a special meeting on monday and have it come back to the full board.
I think time is of the essence.
I am concerned that the police could be moving against the demonstrations this evening.
There needs to be concerned from the people who are demonstrating right now that that is going to happen. What it comes down to, we are
talking about people' s peaceful assembly and the right to free speech. In this case, the right to free speech and assembly seem to be one in the same period that is what the movement is about.
A demonstration to call for a
better world, one that takes
into account people over corporations and flipping the
current paradigm that we live under now.
That will be my last item for introduction.
>> thank you. Seeing no other names on the
roster, that concludes roll-call for introduction.
Supervisor chiu: thank you. Why don' t we go to general public comment? >> the next item is an opportunity for the public to address the board of items within the subject jurisdiction of the board, including items on
the adoption without reference
-- include in -- including items on the reference agenda, excluding items which have already been discussed.
Supervisor
chiu: why don' t we
hear from our first speaker? Up to two minutes per speaker unless you are translating in another language.
>>
[Speaking foreign language]
ladies and gentlemen, I spoke before by my language.
I am very happy and I would like to give congratulations to the
people from libya who have been
encouraged to kill the dictator,
muammar gaddafi.
when muammar gaddafi died, the others died friends with him. '
s mubarak -- hosni
mubarak comes closer to death. I wish he is dead soon. I urge all of you to help my
country, to return $183 billion.
He took it with his children.
$183 billion has been taken from
us because he is becoming like
mickey mouse and using you.
i am egyptian.
I left my country for 40 years, but I never forgot.
28 years, I see a young man who
played guitar, and thank God.
I would like to thank him, and I thank everyone of you.
He never forgot us.
he grew up on mission street,
and he went yesterday to mission high school to help them.
That is a man who loves his country and loves us. We love him, too.
I would like to
get 11 turkeys from you to feed the homeless people as soon as I can.
Before I die, I want to make something else.
But how I wish to give you some tickets.
Supervisor, let me see you
tomorrow, and I want to see support for each one of us to them.
I am going to be there, and I watch every one of you. Thank you.
Supervisor chiu: thank you. Next speaker.
>> good afternoon, supervisors.
stop the corporate rape of the public library. Do not give money to oregon accept money from the friends and family foundation. It is a private fund raising
entity that presents itself as a public-private partnership.
What does a few over time show?
When citizens of san francisco
approved a bond issue in 2003,
they were told it would cost $105.9 million and be finished in January 2010. At that time, the friends of the library originally claimed it
would be raising $16 million.
In other words, 15.1% to the project.
Required filings with the
california state attorney
general revealed that between 2000 and 2010, they raise a total of $31.7 million. Not only does the branch program' s actual budget show
they have only expanded $870,000 for furniture fixtures and equipment, but the required filings by the library under the sunshine or events show that during that time, they have only given or expended for any
library benefit $3.1 million.
This means that as a percentage,
instead of raising 15.1% of the branch library improvement
program, so far, they have only
raised 4500 of 1%.
Yet, they are allowed to operate without any agreement from the city because they would not
answer questions about the finance committee.
Whether it is bankers, mortgage lenders, or corporate
philanthropists, because I did not receive broken, freedom from accountability is with the corporate grifter' s get for their money.
Some public/private partnership.
What they do is line their own
pockets, and that is why the lies cost more than the money. Thank you.
Supervisor chiu: thank you. Next speaker.
>> hello.
I am here on my own behalf.
How appropriate that we follow the gentleman that just spoke.
i am part of occupy sf, though I do not represent them in anyway. The mayor said we had support in spirit from the mayor' s office,
but we have no contact, and with
the word that the protesters are being told to clear out because the police have a lot of work to do, we feel we' re going the way
of chicago, baltimore, san jose, who are being shut down systematically. We' re just asking for help.
Please give us a contact so we can communicate properly and show a respectable front to the city and work with the city. Thank you.
>> how is it going today, guys?
thank you for this hearing. I presented this to all the supervisors earlier when I came
in, but I just wanted to
reiterate, we are very excited
that we received a letter of solidarity from the san francisco building and construction trades council earlier today, so this just goes
to show that occupy sf is not just a bunch of do-nothing college kids or what not.
We have trades council' s that understand the importance of why we are down there. Kind of bouncing off of that, I
wanted to present another letter that I was woken up to this morning. We get these on a regular basis,
and it shows how the san francisco police deal with us.
this right here is an unsigned
and undated latter from the police chief.
You all have a copy of this.
Appropriately named "you are subject to arrest."
it goes through and how is of numerous complaints that we have
been dealing with with the
problem of recreation, the fire department, department of health. The one that is most pressing is the department of health.
They have come on us erroneously, claiming that there is human waste issues in our camp.
In assessing our camp, they assess all of justin herman plaza and the surrounding areas.
As you guys well know, that area has had an indigenous homeless population for a while.
I just wanted to repeat that we have been in communications with
the mayor to try to get port-a- potty' s in there.
we really do
need your support to put pressure on the mayor.
It is obvious that alone, he is not listening to us or the trade unions that are on our side as well, so thank you.
Supervisor chiu: thank you.
Next singer, please.
>> good afternoon, supervisors.
Here is a great book, the mayor '
s book.
Hear you all are. I was here on that date.
that day, yeah.
Great book. Get it.
I wonder, wonder
who wrote the book of city love
I wonder wonder who I wonder who
it says so in this book of city love
that this is the city that is true
I wonder, wonder who
who wrote the book of city love
I wonder, wonder who
who wrote the book of love I wonder, wonder who
is going to be the next mayor
is it david chiu
is it you who who wrote the book of city love had the city days are here again
the skies are clear and green in
and it is going to get better,
the budget, again happy city days
better days great days
are here again
have the city days are right in here
and it is going to take away all
the federal budget fear
happy days are coming
wait and see the line and it will be free
and nearly will bring -- mayor lee will bring
happy days are here again
supervisor chiu: thank you. Next speaker.
>> good afternoon, supervisors. I wanted to take a second to
acknowledge my gratitude for the support for people'
s assembly
that was put forward as well as
the support for occupy sf as
well as the support for people of california choice for medical cannabis.
However, I am not here to speak about this today.
i am here to speak about this
man, an outspoken community youth leader from the bayview hunters point neighborhood of san francisco, and a week ago
today, he was arrested.
He was a victim of a political arrest. He was approached under serious
pretext -- spurious
pretext,
where a couple of officers physically engage him.
He is facing serious felony
charges on an altercation that never needed to happen that was
instigated by officers that is a direct result -- and we can show
a history of this -- a direct
result of harassment and police antagonism towards him based on
his speaking out with a critical
position on the true nature of the officer-involved shooting of kenneth harding. He has been traumatized,
harassed, and arrested multiple times prior to this. No charges stop. No records.
they targeted this man and this man' s family, and we can provide
a direct chain of evidence of this. This is political repression, so
weak demand that he be released
immediately -- we demand that he be released immediately. And if that is not possible, that his bail be reduced and the
pressure be put on the va to reduce his bail to something
reasonable so that this straight a city college student that you see here can --
[Bell rings]
Supervisor chiu: thank you very much. Next speaker.
>> greetings. Thank you for your time.
I am here in support because I
wanted to put a face or to humanize this individual who has been criminalize.
he is a lifelong resident of the bayview community, and he is someone that has spoken out. He has not always spoken out
about the death of kenneth harding, but he has also spoken
out about the criminalization of
the youth in the bayview hunters point area and throughout san francisco. There' s a coalition of us that have come together. We have been together since the
killing of kenneth harding.
We have noticed that, like
jeremy has said before, there have been two different incidents in the last three months where he has been detained by the police.
this last incident, he was
brutally abused by the police and was hospitalized with his brother.
We are just here -- I am here
because I am pleading with you
guys to probably just -- not even probably, to get information about this case and
get information about who this young man is. The fear we have as a community is that I will be doing this, wearing a t-shirt like I am wearing one of oscar grant because he was beautifully killed. That is an issue we have in our community.
One of the most vocal people in
the san francisco bay view --
the only person that is coming out and speaking as much as he
is is now in jail.
It is really a reminder of the sentiment and the environment right now, and this is not a way
to lead the use theyouth -- lead the youth.
>> good afternoon.
I wanted to give each of the supervisors a copy of the
recommendations I got from his school.
As was stated before, he is a straight a student at city college, and he has been trying to do the right thing.
He is only speaking the truth, and he is speaking up for people
who could not -- even myself. I do not speak up. I was letting go.
But he has the nerve to speak up
for things bigger than himself,
and I am proud of him, but I am offered for him.
anything you can do to help
protect my son and he
just want to tell the truth, and I am afraid for him, and I do
not want to have his name added to the list of people killed by
the police, so if you can do anything to get the police to
look into it or maybe examine
themselves, because his story stays the same, like the truth always does.
I am not a public speaker, but I just need help because I am afraid for my son.
So any recommendations or anything you can do from your
perspective to help him I would really appreciate.
President Chiu:
thank you. Next speaker.
>> my name is eugene gordon Jr..
the human animal brain is a
material base.
It manages scientific manner
functions, construction words
and actions, to resolve as
housing is a ride, clothing,
food, human rights, but where there is a national, agreed upon
intervention, which without
coincidence divides humanity into class ranks, again without
coincidence, market speculation is factor.
to stay the course, ignorance continues to debate right to live.
Product exchange without capital currency.
Class ranked is a market collapse.
Birthright is known as a state
function of capitalism, and
imperialism, materialism,
racism, chauvinism, defamation, fraud.
So much effort to convince
itself distracts.
Fascism is in the united states of america.
president chiu: thank you. Next speaker. Please step up. >> thank you.
My name is brian mcewan, and I have spoken once before in front
of this committee, last tuesday,
and I just want to express my
gratitude for Ms. Kim and some of the others who have been supportive of the movement in
general, and I would just like to say we have received a number
of conflicting messages from the different departments as regards to what is lawful and what is
not lawful in regards to our
assembly, and I appreciate your leadership, because we' re not
getting much from the mayor, and there are a lot of issues involved, and that is why there
is such a divergence group out
there that is standing up for our civil liberties and our rights to assemble, and we appreciate the fact that you
guys respect that, but we are
asking that from the police department, as well.
Do not come down and forcibly removed us.
It is only going to incite more problems. And as individuals, I would love
to be able to see some of you down there if there is a way for
you to be able to do that in a non official capacity, because you guys represent us well.
I know a few of you and have
worked under you, fighting for issues when you were not part of this body here.
So that is all I have to say,
and we appreciate your support and when is the neighborhood committee? On monday? We would like to know about that. thank you.
President Chiu: thank you. Next speaker.
>> good afternoon, and john from san francisco.
These are just some things that I have observed in the city.
Clothing helps us to be multi
dimensional human beings instead of just identify yourselves as a herd of making animals.
Clothing is better for you, physically and psychologically.
Too much sun, and the bugs like mosquitoes can be damaging to our skin.
Privacy is an important part of our dignity and self-respect.
Kids give away their privacy and
dignity on facebook to strangers on the nai ve assumption that they have their best interests at heart.
Boys on the verge of manhood walk around shooting one another while still hanging on
to their other pistol and
showing us their potential dirty underwear.
we allow ourselves to be groped at airports because we' re in a hurry to get somewhere.
Torn and used looking clothing
have been upgraded to plame quality.
There are those out there that will self-destruct and take us with them.
Years ago, we knew them as insane and possibly dangerous.
today, we bend over backwards to accept them as part of our human
family to be cherished as humans are. Democracy and freedom are as
worthwhile as the character and
culture of its people and society.
The dignity, self-respect, and privacy.
you can have a meaningful society.
-- you cannot have a meaningful society without them. Thank you for listening.
President Chiu: thank you.
Next speaker.
>> everybody comes up here thinks that something is going to result from their speech.
they have to, or they would not come up here, right?
I am glad that they are
protesting wall street.
I feel like getting a megaphone that says that david rockefeller said in his memoirs that he
hates the united states and that he is using chase manhattan
bank and others to destroy the united states. go to several website.
I am seriously thinking about
doing that, but I do not want to get sidetracked on the main
issue, and the main issue is being saved.
Jesus did not come back.
He is still coming soon.
He is coming soon. I will tell you something. I mentioned this before.
9/11 is exactly 2000 days from
the true jubilee, 1996, not 1994.
66.666 months later.
I believe that God is quite
possibly saying that after
these six and 66 days cycles, christ will return after the
jubilee, or to precise -- to be
precise, 4440 days.
Now, that brings us to May 16, 2008.
there is legitimacy to add the dates mentioned in the book of
daniel about a blessing, it
brings us to January 10, 2012.
Some say I have a prediction
addiction, I cannot help myself in setting dates, and perhaps I do.
I was right on 9/11.
i mentioned this before.
I mentioned 30 days before 9/11 that the trumpet would sound. This is frustrating.
[Bell]
President Chiu: thank you. Next speaker. >> hi. Thank you for listening to me.
i am here talking about the
resolution urging the city and
county of san francisco giving preference to certify organic food vendors.
There has been a lot of research
done by independent scientists
to show that genetically modified organisms increase
allergies and cancer in people
who are consuming them, and they
are in a 90% of all processed foods in america, and nobody knows they are there.
For example, corn syrup and soil lecithin.
Food additives and preservatives are listed.
however, the fda deregulated the
need to test genetically
engineered crops, and said the
only test that are done are by
monsanto and others, the biotech companies.
So these foods are in there, and
there are a lot of pesticides used that are creating super
weeds and super pests, which are actually causing the need for
more and more chemicals, some of which have already been banned in a lot of countries due to
their toxicity, and there' ve been found in the groundwater.
there is a lot of spraying that goes here.
They have discovered that agro ecology is a much more
sustainable method of farming, so -- was that time for me to stop? Ok.
So I am just very concerned
about this for children and the pollution that it causes and the
studies that have been done on
rats and animals that have showed aberrations in their
stomachs and lesions, and I just
think, for example, like cuba, they have --
president chiu:
thank you very much. Next speaker. >> good afternoon.
I am with the library organization.
To get rid of, to snuff out all
of the murals that exist on the vermont heights branch library is moving ahead with the
cooperation of the unseeing, and
knowing, apparently, arts commission.
At a library commission meeting
of July 21, the presenter of the so-called project manager for
this project of replacements said we are not going to the art commission with this until
September, when I called the art commission late in August.
It turned out the visual arts committee had already heard the
whole thing, and this person also said it would not be on the
consent calendar, but they approved the plans for the
demolition of that historic
mural, which includes victor,
holly, and others, and it did so without having a single presentation from the library,
from the artists, or any
documentation whatever of the new or old mural.
Most recently, on August 12, in response to an information
request from us, the library commission secretary sent what
was sent to the art commission,
and it says a member of the
community in one of these memos wanted to make sure the members
of the visual arts committee had the comments the library commission received on the
brunell are aware, and then she included only the comments that
this task force off-site somewhere assembled in some fashion had included.
She did not include any of the comments that had been made at the library commission at that
meeting or previous meetings, including from the legislative
aide to supervisor campos, which included saying that many constituents have come forward to seeing the murals be preserved. There is a lot more.
President Chiu: thank you. Next speaker.
>> I would like to give some support to peter, the director
of the library users association. He has shared with me a lot of ways where this has been
handled, and it is basically a joke.
If you look at the minutes, I would guarantee any of you would be unable to tell us how they came to the decision to
eradicate the historical nature
of those murals and to simply pays them over with something eradicate the history of the latino community in the brunell heights area.
The fact that you have a process does not mean that the process
results are going to be good, and I think it is an abomination.
The second thing is, all of you
and the california constitution take the amendment for the legislative bodies, where you
swear or affirm to defend the constitution of the united
states, and those are easy words to say, and most of us would like to be judged not by our actions but by our intentions.
It is all good to say to occupy wall street or occupy san francisco or anyone else who is
really trying to speak for what they believe in.
The right to petition government, to address grievances, and the right to
free speech, but if none of you ever actually picks up the phone and talks with the department of health and says, hey, if you
have a problem with the sanitation' s commission, can any of you arrange to get some
porta-pottis down there.
If you have a problem with this, we can do this?
It is easy to say we support free speech, but if you do
absolutely nothing to carry that out, it is meaningless.
Free speech is the basis of our
society, and I have seen it too many people go before city
bodies and have to fight for the right to speak and have to fight
them for the right for the access to public record, which they need.
President Chiu: thank you. Next speaker.
>> in regard to occupy san francisco, from what I have seen, the issues that affect the city also affect that assembly. Because it is a microcosm of the city.
Those issues really cannot be ignored or hide.
It is important that the city
try to help and protect the
assembly right to be there, and hopefully resolution to the issues that affect the city can
come out from occupied san francisco. Thank you.
President Chiu: thank you. Next speaker.
>> the overhead, please. Thank you. Tom. South beach apartment. I presume I can speak now.
We are going to revisit.
I invited you all to come over
to 18th and mission to check out the garage with the electric fan
and the noise, and, of course,
anybody at home and would like to come over and visit, come
over to 18th and mission and see what we have about the noise
factor, what is happening with the inadequate policy with the noise.
in this little garage, we get a
tremendous amount of discharge.
Noise goes across the strait -- street. The scary thing is that it was built.
The next scary thing is that it
is three years built, and the city has not gotten one complaint against it.
The thing about this , in the life of a city, we talk about noise. It is a cliche.
You do not move to a city
because it is traffic coming and going.
But what we have here on 18th
street is that the traffic is actually a softening the rauch
of noise that is tunneling out
of that garage, and this is a perfect example of what needs to
be addressed in the future,
because, again, it is inadequate.
Stand across the street from it
for 20 minutes, and you will be relieved when you walk away. Now, how would you like to
listen to that for an hour, for 12 hours, or for 24 hours?
The thing about it, it is progress noise, and I do not think it should be. I do not think anybody should
have the right to make somebody else or listen to a noise, garbage being dumped in our
city, and I hope to talk to you about it again. Thank you.
President Chiu: thank you. Next speaker.
>> hi, my name is brad.
i am a medical marijuana patient and have been for quite a few years here in san francisco.
I just wanted to thank you guys
to continue to care to the
concerns of san francisco patients and providers,
especially in times such as
this, with the federal government overreaching and trying to stop local communities from tending to our own patients needs.
I just left over third and
mission of while ago, and over
150 patients were there, waiting
for obama to drive by so that he could read the signs.
I appreciate that here in san
francisco you guys at least not only do take words and say
things but also take actions, and I just want to say I appreciate that.
As well as giving a voice and a
place for patients to speak in the medical cannabis task force,
patients having a place to assemble and having their voices heard while hopefully being
aggregated into something that our board of supervisors can
attend to, knowing that the community does have a lot of concerns, and we appreciate them
being attended to, even today. Thank you.
president chiu: thank you. Next speaker.
>> hello, my name is larry. I am here to speak.
I am sorry I am late. I had a statement to read.
With the protest that happened
on saturday, and I wanted to read a statement, please.
This is a statement in support
from October 24, 2011, the san francisco board of supervisors.
A 21-year- old a student at san
francisco city college, and a hip hop artist'
s, outspoken on
many issues, including free bus
basset -- bus passes for youth and opposing brutality.
There was the san francisco killing.
There was a press conference held in the bayview announcing
the October 22 national day of
protest to stop police brutality and repression.
The next day, tuesday, October
18, he was arrested, beaten up,
and locked up while trying to exercise his rights to videotape
in a public space, along with his brother tommy.
He is still in jail.
His unlawful arrest
incarceration effectively silenced him from taking part in the peaceful rally on October
22, and there have been others who have spoken out over the murder and other injustices.
These are clear violations to
the freedom of speech, as a was
violations of the fourth amendment regarding unlawful search and seizure.
We ask that people pay attention
to his situation.
He is also taking a courageous
stand with the hunger strikers throughout california, so we say
to drop all charges against him
and others and stop the brutalization of all of those facing torture. Guanta namo.
Support occupied
-- occupy san francisco.
President Chiu: thank you.
>> hi, my name is robin, a san francisco resident, and today I' m going to read my testimony.
I have come before you today to testify about something that has been concerning the four weeks.
ab 499, which allows schools to treat kids for std'
s without contacting parents.
There is the hpv vaccine' s, for the papilloma virus, which can
cause warts and cervical cancer.
The report is a dire one.
Over 22,000 side effects have been reported, ranging from flu-
like symptoms do much worse, including coma and death.
106 deaths have been reported but probably a lot more.
we are talking about kids coming
home from school and dropping dead in the next days, weeks, and months.
Take a look at the
website sanevax.
What is in the vaccine? We know that there is a recombinant vaccine.
there is a known carcinogen.
Merck pharmaceuticals, the
vaccine manufacturer, has no legal liability.
I repeat, no legal liability at this point.
The taxpayers pay for the vaccine, and the families shall
the burden with disabled and dead children, so what I would
like to ask you is what can the city and county of san francisco do? Should there be an injunction to stop any administering of this
vaccine to any kids here until there has been further investigation? Can the board researched this,
work to repeal ab?
these are my questions today, and think you for your attention.
President Chiu: thank you. Next speaker.
>> Mr. President, members of
this assembly, $1.20 million is
a lot of money to be spent on a piece of furniture for this legislative place.
at the same time, nobody is paying attention to those poor
people who are sleeping on the sidewalk day in and day out.
it is about time you wake up.
I, as a senior, I am here to
protest on behalf of those people.
They need to have some place
where they can come out of the cold and out of the rain.
it is going to get colder , so I
am asking all of you today to come up with a resolution to help these poor people.
President Chiu: next speaker.
>> good afternoon, supervisors. My name is dave schneider.
I have arrived a little late, but I heard good news that the
agenda item number 12 passed,
and hopefully sfmta --
president chiu: sir, I am sorry,
but according to our board rules, you cannot speak on an item that has been heard.
>> thank you for your vote.
Let me turn to a couple of other things.
When I was a kid, I learned
about civic pride, and I thought
these two items I am going to
mention to you, this very board
of supervisors before.
It has to do with civic pride.
one relates to this very
building that you are sitting in right now.
If I have got my information
correct , part of the city
bureaucracy, and then in the
real-estate office, did you know
that there is no plaque or memorial in this building
whatsoever to the very laborers who built this building?
None. 0.
Perhaps you can pass a correcting resolution and spend
a few bucks to honor the very
laborers who built this building.
also, the U.N. Flag is not flown over the veterans building.
Perhaps he might consider that
in occupy reality, occupy civic pride.
President Chiu: next speaker.
>> do not let the facts for you. That is an expression.
-- do not let the facts fool
you.
there is an awareness we have of
individuals, which, in my case,
which I have proof of, assaulted and battered so badly.
These are wonderful, wonderful creative help for our emotionally in balance.
In one week'
s time, -- there are
so many, many positive people out here.
We need to get our input about
how badly or well every dollar
is spent, who is employed, and who should not be.
If we use electronics, we can do this.
I mean, why are we not being led.
we have no leadership that is going to pull us out of this abomination that keeps going
down and down, more aggression,
more lack of rights, more lack
of respect, more lack of safety.
I want to run for mayor.
I am not allowed to run for mayor with all of you people protecting me or sabotage.
broken arms, drive around, left,
right, in center. My papers thrown in the dumpster.
I have the proof.
I have said, "will you call the
fbi for these hate crimes?" no one knows.
i really believe that the way to wisdom is pleasant to this, and we deserve peace.
We deserve pleasanton this. We deserve fairness, and we deserve to be able to restore
the city to constitutional
rights, to fairness and fun and effectiveness, and people will
give us that input if we give them the opportunity to involve
themselves in this government. They want involvement, and we can do that.
We can creatively get the tools --
President Chiu: thank you. Next speaker.
>> my name is -- and I drive a
cab, and, yes, I still drive a cab because cabdrivers do not have retirement. We do not have health care.
Of course, we do not have dental
or optical, so we think you from the bottoms of our hearts and
our wallets for your vote on item number 12 today.
Because we do not need to be
paying for credit card fees --
President Chiu: excuse me.
As I said earlier, we have a world. >> I understand. This is part of a big picture.
We need you to help us get
retirement and health care, and we thank you for your vote.
President Chiu: thank you. Next speaker.
>> board of supervisors, first let me say a little bit about public comment.
For a long time, we had three minutes public comment, which was brought down for two
minutes, and when you come to
the end of the two minutes, then
they turn down the volume, and
you all May think that is ok
over here, but for people who listen to it, that is not good, ok?
I do not know if you need an orientation in a good advocate.
Let me speak about what the navy has in mind at hunters point.
they want to create something like a field.
I worked at the presidio, and I
know what the field is.
But we cannot have another field on this.
Also took money from the big
developers -- all who took money
from the big developers or continue to take money from the big developers, I am asking you
to think about our children, think about our elders.
Most of you all are for that 1%.
I know that, with all of the deal' s going behind the closed
doors, but what I am saying is
we need to be aware of what the navy is trying to do.
Fast-tracked and so that big
developers can build thousands of units.
This is not going to happen, not
in the present economy, not in the present economy.
And give us back our three minutes. Even though I have 20 seconds left.
President Chiu: thank you. Next speaker.
>> good evening, board of supervisors and listening audience.
My name is Mr. Washington, and i
am going to sing a rendition of something copyrighted by myself.
Who is in control right here in san francisco?
I asked the mayor -- that was
mayor newsom -- but he did not care
he went out the door , and he went up to sacramento
the board of supervisors just a bunch of liars.
i am going to have to sue and make a settlement and tell the
government all of the money they
spend, we do not know where it
went, and there was no evidence --
yes, look around, and now they
are gone
-- they left the black
people all alone -- where?
the human rights commission, you
had better listen to me -- what
I see
is no mystery blacks are leaving town, blacks
are leaving town, blacks are
leaving town
where is jerry brown?
We will talk to jerry brown
this is his second time around
President Chiu: thank you. Any other members wish to speak in general public comment? Please step up.
>> yes, I want to support one man.
we want to try to get more of the homeless people into shelters. Pretty much every single night
about 98.3% of the population finds some kind of weird to sleep under.
I do not say why we cannot get
that closer to 99% or 99.5%, closer to 100%.
We have put a lot of effort into it over the years, and I think we should try to get a little bit closer.
President Chiu: thank you. And the other members of the
public wish to speak in general public comment?
seeing none, public comment is closed.
Colleagues, why do we not go to
our 3:30 special accommodation?
We are blessed to have the highest number of restaurants
per capita.
This was started by our colleague supervisor alley and
appear -- supervisor
alioto- pier.
What I would like to do is to
not confuse things, start with number one and go to 11.
with that, supervisor mar.
Supervisor mar: thank you to all of the restaurants.
There is one that serves some of the healthiest foods.
They serve the richmond district. They are an award winning restauranteur.
They give tremendously to the neighborhood and the community
and give back, and it is a pan-
asian restaurant, as well.
It is my pleasure to celebrate namu.
They use hand- picked and locally
grown and sustainable items.
Every sunday from 10:00 until
3:00, it allows about -- families like my own to enjoy
it, promoting healthy and accessible food produced in a humane way.
It has eclectic and humane
offerings, expertly prepared, and it reflects the best of our city and culinary diversity.
At the same time, there are the
words of the caribbean-american
-- korean-american chef, dennis.
because of their award winning food. Against the theme of the restaurant is wood.
The major bar area that makes up most of the restaurant is a piece of wood from the richmond district, as well.
namu has been praised for its
sophisticated interior and friendly atmosphere and servers you are always happy to help.
The three brothers who own and manage the restaurant do their part, giving back to the community.
Although the only open their
doors a few years ago, it has
already established itself as a small business that really gives back to the community.
The healthy fresh produce boxes they offer on sunday are
affordable, $15 or $25, for a tremendous amount of fresh food.
There also act the ferry
building, and there are tremendous lines of people
looking for the korean tacos or the other great items that they
have, and I had some korean
tacos at the last festival.
The line was almost impossible to get through.
Lastly, my hope is that the three brothers continued to
flourish for years to come, and please, on the first monday of the month, not this month in
the, for the monday night, and there are other community-based efforts.
Let me see and daniel r. David
is here, and the beat of the
music, kind of a a little bit later in the evening -- and I know you were one of the reasons for that.
It is an honor to recognize namu.
>> it is wonderful that you are recognizing us. My other two brothers could not come. One has a day job, and the other
is the cehf --
chef and is getting ready for a busy night tonight. Thank you. It is very much an honor.
[Applause]
Supervisor:
it is really good to have them.
There are always some surprise guests at this restaurant.
President Chiu: all right.
Supervisor farrell.
supervisor farrell: shelly, come on up.
She is a graduate of
usf and
earn her somalia a --
somalier certificate, and she has been teaching mine.
816 is on chestnut street down at the marina.
They gather their inspiration
from southern italy, particularly in one region.
chef david taylor oversees the menu.
It is the best italian food in the city.
She is the one director, and her
reputation for seeking out wines has earned her a true
recognition as a wine pioneer in san francisco.
She was named best new somalier
from "wine & spirits" and has one other awards.
816 opened in 2004, and they have had the owner of welcoming
and number of italian wine makers and have events.
they have been partnering with organizations such as root of change and slow food.
I just want to say on a very
personal level, 816 has been a
great staple mauer of chestnut street and the marina.
You can never get a seat there,
and I think it is a testament to the great service and food they have.
every single person in my family, it is their favorite restaurant in the city.
Thank you for your continued
service in the community, and continued success. We' re honored to recognize you today, and congratulations.
[Applause]
>> I know you are incredibly
busy today, but it is such an honor for us to be here. I have worked in restaurants
locally for about 24 years, and my husband has a few bars in
town and helped us design and understand how to open a
restaurant, and so many people
ask to sit and meet with me with
coffee, and we sponsor one education.
We have two people taking their exam next week.
It
is the same for learning
trades in hospitality, and we
really feel the more that we can
do for our own staff, the better the whole community will be and will continue to be, and it is
just great to feel a part of this community through all of the charity event.
We have about 75 -- we actually
get asked for more, restaurants really do try to give back because we feel so grateful for all of the support. Thank you.
[Applause]
president chiu:
it is my honor
to make the next presentation, and I can say that I am very hungry listening to all of this.
we know that there are many folks working around the city to make sure we can all enjoy a
healthy, sustainable, and a
locally grown foods, so today, I want to recognize and restaurant in my district that recognizes the mobile food movement.
I would like to bring of sylvia. Sylvia, are you here?
maybe we should wait.
Ok, I think we will definitely wait.
Why do we not move to our colleague from district 4,
supervisor chu?
supervisor chu: it is always fun to listen to this presentation because I get notes on where to go next.
I have to say that namu is a favorite of mine. I went there when they did not
have a liquor license.
I have to say that you are very
lucky to have them in your district.
i would like to bring up david
and lana, and they have got their three-year-old daughter with them.
Today, it is my honor to recognize a restaurant that has
truly revitalized district four and has brought people to the district.
oftentimes, people think about
the sunset, and they think of a
sleepy time -- sleepy town or an
area, but that is changing, and a lot of that has to do with the terrific energy of the people we have out in the district.
After opening their doors in
2009, it is now a bustling and
cozy gathering place for organic food and drink.
Anytime you go past on a weekend
or and evening, chances are, you
are going to see tens of people waiting in line just to get in.
If you get there, make sure you
try the breakfast sausage, the
eggs in jail, and they have everything that is baked fresh daily.
They actually live only a few
blocks away from our lands, so they truly are neighborhood people. When they opened up, their goal
was to open up a local sandwich shop, but little did they recognize that shortly after
they were opened, they would be featured in "the new york times" and have such a following.
One was really kind of summing up the impact.
One person wrote, "I work about 1.5 blocks away.
Until recently, I was convinced
I worked on an island far away from civilization, but then there is our lands, out of nowhere.
They thought it was important to
bring something to preserve the characteristic of the neighborhood, and in their own
words, is a gathering place for those who seek warmth, shelter,
food, and fellowship, so I could
not be more proud of all of the accomplishments, and I urge all of the colleagues, if you' re
ever out in the outer sunset in join the beach, please stop by
our lands, and this is truly a unique and special place -- stop
by outerlands.
>> banks.
it is more than we anticipated, as you mentioned, and we are really grateful for all of the support, all of the local support, and the people who come
from afar to check us out, and,
yes, we are just trying everyday to make it better and come up with ways to make it more sustainable.
we are getting almost all of our produce directly from the
farmers now, and that is really good. That was our goal from the beginning, and it is nice to
have the support to make our dreams possible. Thank you so much. >> thank you so much.
[Applause]
president chiu:
thank you, at this time, I will now ask up so
we -- sylvia.
as I was saying, battalion for the red duck, it is an incredible italian restaurant located in the historic ferry
building, and I wanted to
provide this award because our city is the birthplace of the organic movement.
this restaurant uses only the
very best local ingredients and has been committed to sharing
fresh, delicious, an innovative dishes with its patrons.
It has also contributed
significantly to our community, regularly participating in
events, like the food festival,
the urban education for agriculture, the sunday supper, and other venues.
While they continue to expand, they have never wavered on their
core philosophy with creating these foods. With a market driven
sensibility, she is able to grow
the business from a casual
rotisserie and sandwich shop into a full restaurant serving
three meals a day, including my dinner last night.
I want to thank you for offering locally sourced organic
food to san franciscans and your staff for providing a welcoming
atmosphere that is made this a
favorite among san francisco patrons. I think you.
[Applause]
-- thank you.
>> we appreciate the honor.
I have been working there, and
it is amazing to C.B. Shep -- to
see the chefs go out.
We appreciate the honor. Thank you very much.
president chiu: our next restroom will be recognized from
our supervisor from district 5, supervisor mirkarimi.
Supervisor mirkarimi: thank you. They should stop by the inner sunset.
We are recognizing an italian restaurant.
a true family owned and operated
business for 56 years, and counting with the third generation of are waiting and
its wings, tony ii, a busboy, --
tony iii, a busboy, when he is not in school, of course.
With many dishes having only four to eight ingredients.
The recipes are often the creation of the grandmother' s
rather than the chefs.
It is an authentic italian
restaurant in the interests and
sentiments restaurants -- in the
sunset with recipes passed down.
Italian cooks rely chiefly on
the quality of the ingredients rather than a labyrinth preparation.
Tony I and tony ii use
traditional cooking methods to provide nutritional food.
Officially recognized for their
perfect inspections course from the department of health for many years in a row now.
It makes the supervisor happy.
They give food and money to local schools and churches in the district and surrounding areas, providing space for local
residential meetings, the district merchants.
They are a wonderful part of our
district, and for that, we
recognize them also for being a fabulous restaurant.
[Applause]
>> well, we do not have much to say. We just wanted to thank you for
the honor, and tony iii was going to say something, but I think he is too shy. There you go. Thank you very much.
We really appreciate the honor. Thank you.
president chiu: our next
accommodation will be from our supervisor from district 6,
supervisor kim.
supervisor kim: I appreciate all of the restaurants that nourish me pretty much every night.
An immigrant women -- women small business, and it represents a cross-section of our community. i have a special connection
because early on, when they were
doing painting and renovations,
they actually open up for volunteers on my campaign to do
more, and I really appreciate that.
I have spent numerous nights
there either by myself or with friends.
Roughly translated, it means dependable in vietnamese.
It is also the name of the owners nephew, and you can often find the entire family working there to feed the neighborhood with affordably priced meals.
This is located in the heart of
south of market on howard street between fifth and sixth, and I think it really is a testament
to the quality of the food that despite the fact it is off the
beaten path, it is often packed with customers.
Within one month of their launch, they were getting
glowing reviews from "the san francisco chronicle, and others.
He spent the many -- the
majority of its childhood south of market, largely when it was a little more than a large parking lot in front of the moscow center. It had been a dream to start a
restaurant .
He continues to hold down a job while running this restaurant.
in 2010, he brought his sister and her family over from vietnam.
His niece and nephew attend south of market, and you often find them in the restaurant in
the afternoon.
as someone who also grew up in
the back of my mother' s very
small business, I really relate
to that, and it is good to see
them part of the small business community here, creating jobs.
Further, the restaurant has been actively involved in many of our
community meetings, including on a safety on sixth street.
they really want to be a member
of our community, and further,
they have gone out of their way to really develop partnerships
with other restaurants in the south of market. For example, they sell local
wine .
he walks to work from his home
from the intermission, and you' ll also find him at the farmers' market at the crack of dawn.
It is an awesome restaurant.
My favorite meal is one of order all of the time.
One was not able to join us in chambers, but his sister and
another, who are tenderloin
residents, are here today to be
recognized and accepted commendation, said thank you so much for being here.
Why do we not have everybody come up and say a few words?
>> well, I just wanted to say
thank you to jane kim for recognizing the restaurant.
With all of the restaurant she could be recognizing in the district, it is always a pleasure to have her here.
We have been open for almost two years now, and business has
taken off, and we have that a lot of support from her in a lot
of people in the neighborhood, and we really appreciate it, and
we hope to see all of you and
see exactly what supervisor jane
kim is talking about. Thank you very much.
[Applause]
president chiu: congratulations.
Our next call lead to prison accommodations will be our colleague from supervisor 8 --
from district 8, supervisor wiener.
supervisor wiener: cafe xo.
It is at 30th at church.
I know the owner.
xo has been around since the closing for.
It makes homemade pastries and desserts.
All you have to do is go on a
yelp to see how popular it is and how positive people are about it.
In district 8, people are aware
of the commercial district in
the castro, 24 st., and diamond heights.
We also have a commercial
district along church street,
near 30th and 29th, in the upper
know we valley -- noe valley area.
there are a number of excellent
restaurants and porters and other small businesses.
It is a really interesting place.
I am often at cafe xo, because
it is at the intersection of church and to visit their row.
spot -- divisa dero. Sometimes you have to wait a while for the bus or train to come.
It is a nice break to go in and have some delicious coffee and
cake while you are waiting for
the bus, or any other time of day.
Adam, I just want to say thank you on behalf of district 84
running an excellent business and really contributing to the neighborhood.
We are all really appreciative. Thank you. [Applause]
>> thank you very much, scott
weiner, supervisor of san francisco, President Chiu.
We have been in business and love our neighbors.
We try to support as many
schools as we can, because it is a neighborhood place.
We see people growing up every day.
thank you for having me here. God bless you all. Thank you very much.
supervisor campos: if I May ask
karen heisler and chris rubin,
if they are here? Great.
It is truly my honor to
recognize mission pie.
for those of you who have not
been to mission pie, at the corner of 25th and mission, you have to check it out.
The butter crust is definitely
something to die for.
You May have to go to the gym afterward, but it would be worth it.
mission pie, besides having amazing food, is an example of how you do not have to choose between being a successful
business and how you treat your employees.
In fact, the two go hand in hand.
This is what mission pie has to say about this issue and what the website says.
"we believe a healthy
relationship to work is key to a satisfying life.
We feel successful when a
colleague finishes his work they inspired and satisfied, when a vendor says their business is
healthier for working with us,
or when a customer who comments on the generosity of their experience."
it is therefore not a surprise
that younger workers united, an organization, a labor organization that looks at the business practices of different
restaurants in san francisco,
have honored mission pie for being a high road employer.
They truly have demonstrated how
being good to your workers means being successful in business.
It is truly an honor for me , and a great deal of pride, to have
mission pie in my district.
On behalf of the board of
supervisors to karen and
kristen, we applaud you for
highlighting the benefits of the fair and equal treatment of
workers, and a great impact it has on the community.
Thank you so much for the amazing food and the great
service the you provide to the
community, and for being a role
model for what it means to be a successful business.
>> thank you very much.
I am struck, being here, and
being in such great company of
the restaurants that are here -- it is a incredible group to be part of.
There is so much happening in san francisco.
Just because we are here, I want to thank you all for the
consciousness you have all been bringing to the realm of food.
Not just the restaurant peace,
but the urban agriculture stuff and the concern about labor.
It is meaningful to all of us
who worked in this realm that you all are paying so much attention to these issues.
Thank you and thank you for the huge honor.
president chiu: our next commendation will be provided by our district 10 colleague.
Supervisor cohen: I am very excited to present to you a
restaurant that I am certain many of you have not heard of.
By the end of the day in my
short presentation, you will be
clamoring to check out p
oquitos, a latin american restaurant.
Everything you can imagine, from
spain to ecuador, is brilliantly created in the kitchen. It is a small restaurant in the dog patch neighborhood.
i would like to formally introduce you to richard vida.
He and his business partner,
michael -- excuse me.
Jason yeoh.
They opened poquito in November 2010. I stumbled upon the restaurant
while I was on the campaign
trail, wherry, famished, and in need of a cocktail.
They were there tuners me back to health. It is an honor to present you with a special commendation on
behalf of myself and members of the board of supervisors. Do you have any words?
>> first, I would like to say thank you for thinking us.
Being in the dog patch and
district 10, there are some of the choices it is special for us to be honored today.
We look forward to being part of
what is becoming a little bit of
a restaurant renaissance, not
only the dog patch, but petro
er
o, extending into bayview. >> keep an eye on this restaurant and the neighborhood. Thank you. [Applause]
supervisor avalos: I do not
believe my restaurant is here.
I am honoring yama sushi,
jeffrey lee. I do not think there will be arriving today.
We are honoring them for their
great work in the community, not
just in providing an affordable sushi restaurant that has great
sushi and is a great hope for the community, but they have done a lot of great work.
They are the only restaurant
that has participated in our
excelsior festival and our "oh
my" festival.
we have monthly family nights in our district, where people can
dine with the supervisor and his family and my staff.
One of the first restaurants we
were at was yama sushi.
It was chosen because of its affordability and great people.
If you are around the corner of
holloway and ashton, it is a
great sushi restaurant, and I recommend it highly. [Applause]
President Chiu: we have one more presentation, by the representative for mayor lee.
>> thank you for allowing us to honor a restaurant today.
Are martin or antonio here from
the rotisseried? Come on up.
The mayor is proud to honor
limon rotisserie, a
peruvian restaurant.
It borrows culinary traditions
-- clinton, chinese, japanese,
italian, chinese, basque, and african cultures.
The ship was created an
innovative peruvian restaurant experience.
Limon has locations in the mission and will open a third location in the bayview very soon. [Applause]
It is bringing important food
access to that corridor and hoping that the economic revitalization. Before a present this
proclamation, a supervisor camos
pos, who represents the district.
Supervisor campos: thank you to
the mayor, and [Speaking spanish].
for those of you who have not
been to both locations, it is incredible food and a great ambience.
It is incredible to have a
restaurant of this quality in my district. Thank you.
>> gentleman?
>> I would like to thank my
brothers, eduardo and antonio, for working with me very hard all these years.
Thank you also for this honor.
This is wonderful for us.
It will only make us work harder.
Thank you very much. [Applause]
president chiu: that concludes our presentations for today.
Before we close the ceremony, I would like to acknowledge the folks who have help from the city.
Paula jones from our department of public health has been our director of food assistance.
She has worked to make sure we have restaurants that are
working as well to promote our public health as possible.
I also want to see if we have luke o' brien, President Of the small business commission. Would you like to say a few words on behalf of the commission?
Commissioner
o"brien: >> good afternoon, supervisors.
Far be it for me to be biased in
any way to all of the businesses
today, but I would have to
follow up supervisor campos'
s recognition.
i happened to totally by
accident take my wife, who is of
thai origin and has discerning
taste buds, as difficult to
please as anybody I know, to
there, because we happened to be in the neighborhood.
When she walked out of there,
she had a grin from ear to ear, and commented how good the food was.
She reminded me of the famous cheshire cat that ran off with
all the milk as I watched her.
I have to concur with the recognition that supervisor campos gave.
I also want to say they are no more or less deserving than every other business that has been recognized today.
The commission and the office of small business wanted to put a
few words together to make a comment on these recommendations.
I would like to address those to you right now.
On behalf of the small business
commission, I am honored to take
a brief moment to recognize
these outstanding small-business restaurants. San francisco' s economy depends
on our culinary talent, and the businesses recognized today certainly have wonderful cuisines.
But they are much more than just a place to eat.
It is important to note our restaurants contribute culturally and socially. they are truly part of the
fabric of our wonderful city.
The small business assistance
center, on a nearly daily basis, sees new entrepreneurs hoping to start their own restaurant in the city.
It is a difficult undertaking,
but today, as demonstrated by the success of those being recognized before us, we see that hard work does not go unrecognized.
To both potential entrepreneurs
and existing restaurant tours,
-- existing restauranteurs, we are here to help you.
i think the supervisors for these recognitions.
I join our fellow small business
commissioners in thinking these business persons for their contributions to the vitality of san francisco. Thank you for allowing us to speak today. Thank you. [Applause]
president chiu: thank you all for participating.
Given that this is the day after national food day, I hope everyone goes to all the restaurants and eats as much as you can. With that, why don' t we go to
our 4:00 P.M. Special order?
Madam Clerk, could you call items 16 through 19?
>> a hearing of persons interested in the decision of the planning commission
conditional use authorization to
install a nine panel in cannot
wireless tel commission facility and related equipment on the
roof of a five-story publicly used structure known as kaiser
hospital.
Item 17 is the motion approving
the decision of the planning commission, approving the conditional use authorization.
Item 18 disapproves the planning commission approval.
Item 19 directs the preparation of findings.
President Chiu: we have in front
of us the appeal of the cu authorization.
For this hearing, we will consider whether or not to
approve the decision of the planning commission' s
conditional use authorization to install a wireless telecommunications facility,
consisting of nine panel antennas on an existing mechanical penthouse on the roof
of a five-story structure at kaiser hospital as part of
verizon telecommunications.
For today' s hearing, we will proceed as follows.
There will be a presentation of up to 10 minutes by the appellant.
Speakers who wish to support the appeal can speak for up to two minutes.
We will then hear from the planning department for a presentation of up to 10
minutes, then up to 10 minutes
from the project sponsor, up to
2 minutes per speaker in a position of the appeal, and up to four minutes rebuttal by the appellant.
The objections?
Supervisor mar: I want to thank
the appellant, jacqueline ku, and others from angela' s infant
and how care center, for raising the issue.
i also want to think representatives from verizon for sitting down to think about working together. There are a number of people from my neighborhood.
It is right around the corner where I live.
That is where I go for my health care.
Many residents are here to
testify, in addition to many other folks.
i
think that for the 11 of us, we should listen to the testimony to determine whether
verizon has shown weather -- let me see.
It is nine panel antennas and
two gps antennas and associated
equipment panels to be placed on
the five-story kaiser building, the north side building, facing
gary -- geary.
Is it necessary?
The testimony will raise different questions.
i know there are worries about
cumulative impact of public
utility poles to the other buildings and other efforts that
have a cumulative impacts .
I also want to thank the residents of the richmond district, who will speak about
whether these are necessary, desirable, and compatible for the neighborhood.
I know we have a board of
supervisors 1996 document .
I think the supporters for being thorough in their efforts.
I know the guidelines give us
some guidance to place antennas in preferred spots, and also
examples of limited preference
sites, and even other areas that are not favored. But I want to acknowledge this is a hospital. There are three other large
antennas, panel antennas, in the
near vicinity, on st. Mary' s
hospital, close to
presidio, and
another on the beacon storage
building on geary.
i still have a hope that the appellant and the parties will
sit down and try to come to some agreement as well.
with that, I am open to hearing the testimony now.
President Chiu: appellant, you have up to 10 minutes to make your case.
>> good afternoon.
I have lived in the richmond
district for over 30 years and worked at angeles children' s center.
I have also been a long-time
horizon customer, and received excellent voice and data reception in the neighborhood.
I am
here to represent those who live near the proposed facility.
can people who are opposed to the placement of the antennas please stand?
We are here today because the nine panel antennas proposed for
this location are not necessary,
not desirable, and not compatible with the predominantly residential character of our neighborhood.
under
section 303, the burden of proof is on verizon to demonstrate these antennas are necessary at this location.
However, verizon has not provided any meaningful data to support the need for these antennas, and will claim it is proprietary.
Instead, they have submitted
color charts and maps, using
vaguely defined terms, to show
whether it is good, marginal, or
poor coverage, and where in the report dropped calls in the neighborhood.
Verizon has provided no details
or methodology of the collection techniques on which those maps are based.
Since verizon was unable to use
this -- to provide this data, we
conducted our own tests using a
droid phone and different applications to determine the
available signal strength for voice and data plans.
with a fully charged phone with
updated software, the data
collected offered an objective
picture of voice and data
service in the vicinity of the avenue.
A summary of our testing
methodology and details from the data results are included in exhibit a of your material packets.
The term fast was based on verizon standards, stated on there website.
additionally, the application to plan and does not include meaningful statistical evidence
to back up the claim for dropped and blocked customer calls in the neighborhood.
For example, of verizon claims
as many as 50 failures per hour, but there is no explanation of how many calls when through during the same time. The application also does not explain the cost of dropped calls.
How many problems are there that
adding new antennas will not resolve, like customers using cell phones with a gun charge batteries?
-- with uncharged batteries?
Exhibit b in your packets details all the information verizon must provide to prove it has a problem with capacity
among adjoining cell phone sites. Unless verizon is willing to
present this information, the cannot prove a problem with capacity in the richmond district. Verizon also claims these antennas are needed to provide emergency services.
However, the emergency response
plan explicitly advises against reliance on self phones during
emergencies, and lists eight non-cellular, emergency communications systems that will
be in place during and natural disaster. Federal mandates require that
every cell phone site in san
francisco must prioritize 911 calls. Even a cell phone without a service provider must be allowed
to connect to any site if 911 is dialed.
there are more than enough antennas to handle 911 calls.
It is not necessary to add more antennas to sixth avenue.
The wireless facility is also
not desirable at this location.
The signatures obtained by a rise and lobbyists were conducted by paid signature
gatherers, but people who lived
outside the proposed area.
The signatures we have submitted are the residents most directly
impacted by the verizon project.
we have gathered over 260 signatures for residents and
parents in the area.
Most are within a 500 square foot radius.
Exhibit I shows that verizon residents in the area noted the have good reception.
verizon cannot reasonably claim this project is desirable from the perspective of residents that live in the neighborhood surrounding kaiser hospital.
The industrial commercial wireless facility is also not
compatible with our residential neighborhood.
the planning department identifies the zoning adjacent to kaiser as a residential neighborhood.
Under city guidelines, residential districts are
disfavored locations, which is the lowest of the seven levels of preference listed.
For good reason, the city favors limiting this type of facility
in a residential never heard.
Verizon cannot prove it is compatible with our residential community.
The only reason hospitals are identified as most preferred is
because of a loophole in the
1996 guidelines, included by the
wireless carriers at that time. Please reference exhibit e in your pocket.
The pictures detailed here are
evidence that wireless facilities present a variety of
fire and electrical hazards, even during routine maintenance.
The recent fire at the corner
of haight and fillmore took place at a building hosting multiple antennas.
The fire apparently started in or near the apartment located
closest to the antennas on the roof. Even if the fire was caused by
the wireless facility, we would not know.
as exhibit at shows, the san francisco fire department does not have a category for fires caused by wireless facilities.
Additional safety hazards are
also provided by the lead batteries that will work in
conjunction with any backup generators. These lead-acid batteries
provide explosive hazards and
chemical hazards, documented by
the battery manufacturers,
included as exhibit be in your pocket.
The potential hazards further
prove this type of industrial commercial equipment is not compatible on a hospital in a residential lead-down area.
-- a residential lea
ly-zoned area.
Verizon has not shown that it
has explored alternatives to the location.
It uses a variety of poll-
mounted antennas and has not mentioned why it cannot do the
same for the richmond district.
For example, exhibit g in your
packet is a map many of
british by companies that can accommodate more than one wireless carrier.
the technology is a prevalent part of our daily lives.
This should be a need for the kennedys using these services.
San francisco is a leader in technology.
-- this should be a need for community is using the services.
Installing a new wireless facility without providing data to the city and the public is
not responsible or respectful to san francisco residents and their elected officials.
On behalf of the richmond district, I ask that you please
vote to deny verizon a permit at this location. >> thank you.
[Applause]
>> at this time, why don' t we hear from members from the public.
could we hear from the first speaker?
>> dear
supervisor, I have been
living in the richmond for over 40 years.
this is in the concert -- kaiser hospital.
The sixth avenue is more people.
Let me tell you.
people from far away bring their kids to hear.
sometimes to get a lot of
people .
i am surprised .
What are they needed? What are they wishing?
You can follow my direction to everything. This is not fair.
You have to listen to people' s noises from inside of them.
A lot of immigration people,
they moved to richmond because it is a residential area.
We don' t want this changed to a commercial area.
We want to keep this peaceful place.
>> thank you very much. Thank you.
>> individuals May not express supporter opposition said that we can hear from everyone.
I would ask you to respect that. Thank-you.
>> good afternoon, supervisors.
I currently live and work in the
richmond district and I am also a student.
I have personally volunteered my
own free time going and asking
my fellow neighbors about this issue.
The findings by the planning commission provided the following statement --
recent tests provided conclusive
evidence that the subject property is the most viable
location based on quality of
coverage, population, land use, compatibility, zoning, and aesthetics.
Where are the supporting materials for this evidence?
Verizon fails to provide any
specifics regarding the tests. many questions remain unanswered
such as who is included in the studies, how was the study
conducted, what kind of software liz used to measure signal
strength -- what kind of
software was used to measure signal strength?
our own survey showed that
users had more than adequate
cellphone coverage in that area.
The question remains, are of
these antennas necessary?
Where for all of the disgruntled customers complain about service?
There should be at least a consensus on the neighborhood.
Currently, the data is conflicting. More important, the evidence is lacking.
Based on these premises, verizon should not be granted a permit at this time.
Please vote to deny them the permit. Thank you.
>> thank you, next speaker.
>> good afternoon supervisors.
I am with the russian hill
community association.
I am here to lend my support.
i would like to speak about one
reason that the proposed for this facility is neither
desirable or compatible and compatible with a hospital
setting and this is largely a residential community.
Warless facility' s present a lecture for fire hazards that should require extreme caution in deciding where they should be located.
This includes photos of wireless
facilities that were set on fire during routine maintenance visits.
They were taken by media
outlets, many because of the spectacular nature of these
images presented by these cellphone tower is literally going up in flames.
They still point to find the essential fact of any commercial
wireless facilities.
This is industrial for in nature and utilize is of much of
the components that can resolve in fires. If this is in residential areas.
the recent fire , this is huge.
This took place in the building that hosted a number of teen
mobile antennas in the basement and the roof.
For the resulting investigation
is not yet in.
They were determined to play a role in the fire and we would not even know it.
The fire department does not
reflect the fact this is the san
francisco fire department and
the situation list from
January, 2009 to December 31st.
As you can see -- >> thank you very much. Next speaker.
>> good afternoon, supervisors.
Under federal law, verizon is required to prove that the
location is the least intrusive means for addressing a
significant staff have to of the application before the planning
commission contained no
discussion of alternative locations that verizon had
located and why for these locations one-off viable.
In its submission to the board, verizon presents six alternative
locations with exclamations, why these buildings are not had a lot defeasible.
however, they do not mention the alternative of using the already
existing network of utility pole
mounted antenna is in the richmond district.
In fact, there are already 14
located in the coverage area that verizon is trying to surf, some of which are available to
be shared by multiple carriers including verizon.
This is a map of existing polls
and antennas using to be the richmond district which are created using the inventory of the existing wireless facilities.
Many of these facilities are
operated by companies that can accommodate more than one wireless carrier.
Verizon uses a network of
utility poles in the sunset district.
Without a full discussion of why they cannot utilize this already
existing network in the inner
richmond, verizon cannot meet
its burden of proof that this is the only alternative that will work for the neighborhood.
Please vote to deny a permit for this location. Think you.
>> thank you. Next speaker.
>> good afternoon, supervisors.
The proposed antennas are not
necessary in the richmond necessary to provide service in
the event of a natural disaster.
The emergency response plan to medication and next which was
established in 2008 and a copy
which is included in your packet
makes clear that cellular communications are disfavored in case of emergencies.
The services are prone to system
failures, times of disasters, are emergencies, and large special events and might not be
reliable or dependable.
the city report goes on to cite several more reliable
communications systems for March
is currently in place including the telecommunications system, the mayor emergency telephone
system, the oasis dedicated
satellite radio system and the telephone system.
the antennas are not needed to provide communications during
emergencies or any other natural disasters.
We ask that you vote to deny verizon a permit for this
location with this information.
Thank you very much.
>> thank you, next speaker.
>> good afternoon, supervisors.
Wireless facilities like bryson
typically include the use of backup batteries to provide
power to the facility in the event of power failure.
These types of batteries present safety hazards that make the
facilities undesirable and in controllable with a hospital setting.
Including in your packet is the data sheet for the kind of
batteries used at these sites in san francisco.
Fire and explosion hazard data.
Unusual fire hazards.
Hydrogen and oxygen gases are
produced during normal battery operation.
This supports combustion.
These gases into the air through the vent.
To avoid a chance of fire or
explosion, keep sources of ignition away from the batteries.
Also are operating instructions
, from another manufacturer of backup batteries.
These contain similar safety
warnings that continued does continue safety warnings.
This is not the type of
equipment that we desire in our neighborhood.
Please vote to deny the permit for this location this week. Thank you.
>> good afternoon, supervisors.
i would like to talk briefly about one fundamental fact about
all telephone networks during
times of natural disasters and others emergencies.
Let me give a simple example.
If everyone in san francisco with a traditional landline phone picked up the receiver at
the same time to make a call,
the network would be overloaded
and there would not be enough dialtone to get around. That is the simple fact about any type of network.
Tele-communications engineers are well aware of this fact and have an number of tools at their disposal to deal with situations
like this.
for example, with this type of
behavior to play takes place, the telephone networks have
built in a system of prioritized dial tone for critical emergency service personnel.
That means certain people have a
crucial role to play during such
emergencies will get a dial tone when other people May not.
It should be pointed out that
this is also a system that is
heavily abused by others who can pay for the privilege.
For example, they feel entitled
to travel by private jets instead of commercial airlines and they believe they should
have access to apartheid style
town when the rest of us are
not . Please keep this in mind when
companies come to save these
facilities are needed.
please vote to deny for rise in the equipment for this location.
>> thank you. Next speaker. >> hello. Good afternoon.
I am living on fifth avenue for almost 36 years.
These areas are all residential.
My family, kids.
The only hospital has these buildings. The others are all residential.
[Speaking foreign language.
>> I would just reiterate that she is against this.
She has a family that lives in the neighborhood.
The kaiser hospital is the only in the neighborhood. The rest are residential.
When you use the land line and
the verizon cell phone, 911 has
been very responsive in the past. >> thank you. Next speaker.
>> good afternoon, supervisors.
for 32 years now, I have lived
in the richmond district these and 10 that are not necessary for this neighborhood to provide service during a natural
disaster or other emergency.
Federal law would like to give
priority to 911 calls.
Federal law requires that even a
phone without a service provider must be allowed to connect to
any side if 911 is called.
This also over rights and emergency.
According to the facility plan
from the planning department,
there are over 750 and 10 at in the city.
Over 86 are in the richmond
district and that is from the large cell companies.
in the city of only 46 by 7
square miles, that averages 60 installations every square miles.
I can dial 911 any time
regardless of the installation.
This extensive network is more than sufficient to handle 911
calls and what they proposed are not needed to provide emergency communication.
Please vote to deny verizon a permit for this location. Thank you.
>> thank you, next speaker.
>> good afternoon, supervisors.
the main issue is whether
verizon can prove the necessity of these antennas for this location.
They have refused to provide any details magic of their testing.
for example, they have not given the average call failures.
-- they have refused to provide
any detailed net tricks of their testing.
-- metrics of
their testing.
verizon will not disclose the basic statistical context in which I can understand the information.
What caused these calls to fail,
how many were because it was not
adequately charged, how many
were dropped to make way for 911 calls?
How many failed because of poor network management that had
nothing to do with availability?
bryson has provided none of disinformation.
-- verizon has provided none of this information.
>> I am the President Of san
francisco tomorrow. we support the neighbors in their appeal.
We fully support this argument and it is highly appropriate
that you provide more specific
direction to the planning
department as to when additional service is or is not required.
>> good afternoon, supervisors.
built this is completely lacking any meaningful data or a simple
definition of terms.
The design engineer report
includes graphs purporting to show the pending capacity
problems at the three closest sites. Let' s take a look at the st. Mary' s hospital.
This is an implication that this is of greater importance.
There are the words st. Mary' s
hospital site and there is no
clarity as to what units are being provided.
Presumably, the arguments the
time because the words 100% capacity appear at the top.
Along the access, the words
mb
usage with no accompanying key.
What does this mean?
The engineering report might as
well be signed by the reverend
of oakland because they provide
no actual hard numbers to back
up this .
They cannot prove that they have a capacity problem in any of their sites.
They use cdma technology.
In many cases, there are many more sites.
Verizon has not told you that. Please vote to deny.
>> good afternoon, supervisors.
i am a 15-year resident of the richmond district.
I am a nine-year customer of
verizon and I have never had a dropped call in san francisco.
The only time was way out on 280 and the other time deep in the presidio.
the main issue is whether verizon can meet the burden of proof that they need to install
antennas.
When the carriers come seeking
the desire to install come the wireless facilities, it is
typical for them to assert that they must continue.
The future demands are usually
attributed to the demand of an iphone or the anticipated
arrival other devices.
The information is that it is relevant to making the case.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
verizon must prove that the
current network is accommodating future needs in such a way that
only a new phase of a education and only at this location can those needs be met.
They have not provide any data that they could analyze to make this case.
there is no way to independently test or verify the claims.
Even during large public of fans like the america' s cup, party must be given to any calls that
are dialed .
a truly well managed network can
anticipate one off of chance
like this -- one off
events like this. Please vote to deny them a permit for this location. Thank you.
>> good afternoon, supervisors.
I am with the russian hill community association.
The planning department identifies the zoning adjacent
as an rm1, makes the low density neighborhood.
Under the wireless telecommunications services
facilities guidelines, these are
preference seven or at favorite locations which is the lowest of the seven level preferences
listed, for good reason.
the city disfavors the facility in a residential neighborhood.
Simply put, this is an industrial commercial use that
is incompatible with these uses.
The only reason they are in residential neighborhoods are
identified as a preference one because of loopholes.
They succeeded in converting the
preference one category from public, structures like water
towers, bridges, smokestacks,
five polls, to a category of publicly used structures which
includes libraries, hospitals, and health centers.
This bit of subterfuge cannot
hide the fact that verizon' s wireless facility is an
industrial commercial use and
therefore is incompatible with the surrounding residential community.
Please vote to deny verizon a permit for this location. Thank you.
>> thank you, next speaker.
>> I would like to thank the supervisors for this opportunity to make clear the committee' s opposition to this proposal and
to make clear our reasons why. I have a retail space two blocks from here.
I lived in this neighborhood for many years. They are fundamentally less
reliable than wire networks.
That will be the case no matter
how many a particular carrier installs around san francisco.
Wireless networks use radio frequency radiation to transmit and receive their signals.
They can be blocked by buildings, for example,
depending upon the materials of which these buildings are constructed.
You can use one inside your
apartment, someone else in a different building might not be able to.
Radius signals can be bought by
trees and other objects and this
is subject to atmosphere conditions.
the coverage map of the area provides the following disclaimer.
Even within a coverage area, there are many factors including
customer equipment, terrain, proximity to where inside
buildings, foliage, or whether
that might affect coverage.
marketing campaigns designed to persuade customers to abandon
landlines and a fantasy in a world in which there is a perfect seamless service.
Please vote to deny this application.
>> can we get a projection? If you start speaking -- >> ok.
I would like you to see that
this is an example of what can
happen.
there are volatile under certain conditions and can release
hydrogen acid and acid mist.
These are from the battery manuals.
Thank you very much.
>> good afternoon.
My name is jacqueline lurch.
I am a life-long sand francisco resident.
I
do not think the cell towers would be a good idea, and I wanted my voice to be heard. Thank you.
>> good afternoon.
My name is family -- emily lee.
We do not have the time and resources to keep putting this off.
large companies like verizon have more expertise with this and should have been more responsible when they applied for this permit.
Please vote for verizon based on the merits of what we have argued today. Thank you.
President Chiu: thank you. Next speaker.
>> my name is matthew yang.
I oppose the installation.
This is not the case of "not in
my backyard" the health effect
caused by rf emission. It is about verizon' s failure to prove this is compatible with the neighborhood.
On the surface, it appears to have met the requirements of the planning code.
On closer inspection, the information is speculative.
They use terms such as good,
marginal, and bad, rather than
actual data to prove a problem with coverage exists.
as our field test has been
shown a, the area has good coverage, so where is the need?
Exhibit a shows most of the
blocked calls occur around the existing beacon site.
This is contradictory to verizon' s own engineering report, which says that customers attempting to make
calls to a site beyond its capacity are unable to access the network.
Why is it the majority of dropped calls occur around the
beacon site, while there are few dropped calls near the st. Mary' s site, which will
supposedly be at capacity in December of this year?
This reinforces the fact that verizon' s claims are speculative, and new antennas
May not solve the so-called capacity problems.
Ultimately, the burden of proof lies with horizon. Although they have provided
colorful maps and materials, they do not approve the proposed income as are necessary.
for these reasons, I ask you
please vote to deny verizon the conditional use permit for the
installation of antennas at this site. Thank you.
President Chiu: let me ask if there are any other members of the public who wish to speak on
behalf of the appellant. Please step up.
>> my name is mark leech.
I am a resident of san francisco.
I also used to work for aaa.
Using an iphone, we would often
lose calls and data, but basically because the area could not handle the volume.
We live in san francisco.
Our economy is dependent on
tourism and tourism growth.
2013, we are going to have america' s cup in the middle of san francisco.
people are going to be using
geary boulevard to transfers the
street to see the america' s cup. If a tourist wants to --
President Chiu: you are speaking
against cu, right?
>> right.
President Chiu: there will be
time for you to speak later, but this is for members of the public who are speaking against the verizon decision.
Are there other members of the public who wish to speak?
>> my name is gene.
I would like to point to one
thing, a reason why verizon would seek permission to build a
cell site which is not needed in a given location.
Wireless carriers like verizon typically look for potential
cell locations .
There are firms that specialize in doing this work for them.
In this case, for example, a
consulting firm called "on air"
is working for horizon.
Countries like this have a
vested interest in locating as
many cell sites as possible for
their clients, since each represents a new source of revenue for their business.
That is regardless of the actual
current needs and customer base.
because wireless carriers like
verizon have enormous financial
resources at their disposal, they are more than able to
afford the relatively modest
cost involved with building out
a typical cell site, even if the
cell site is not needed.
The board does not need the
support to approve a permit when
a current need is not demonstrated by the wireless carrier.
The ninth circuit court of
appeals decision
in 2005
affirmed the authority of this
board to say no to permits for a similar antenna.
president chiu: thank you very much.
Are there any other members of the public who wish to speak on behalf of the appellants?
Do you wish to speak on behalf of the appellants? Please step up.
>> I support the
construction of
additional small antennas on geary street.
President Chiu: I think you are on the other side.
I think you are supporting verizon. If you could just wait for a little bit, and I will again ask if there are members of the public who wish to support the appellant.
Please step up.
>> I live in visitation
valley for almost 30 years.
I highly support the neighborhood in richmond.
That is not inappropriate
relationship for verizon to put an antenna there.
I would really appreciate it if
you could vote no to putting the antenna of there. That is not an appropriate location.
Even though there is high
technology and spending, that is not appropriate. Thank you.
President Chiu: thank you. And the other members of the public wish to speak in support of the appellants?
Do you need translation?
If you would like to translate for her, you are free to do that.
if she would like to speak in
chinese, you can translate after she speaks.
>>
[Speaking chinese]
president chiu: please speak into the microphone.
>> her name is yang, and she is against the antennas installation.
She lives in the neighborhood.
President Chiu: thank you very much. Next speaker.
>> I am against antennas on kaiser hospital. Please vote no.
President Chiu: thank you. In the other members of the public who wish to speak on
behalf of the appellant? Seeing none, why don' t we go to the presentation by the planning department?
>> my name is amory rogers.
With me is the project planner on a conditional use authorization.
This appeal is for the planning
commission decision for wireless telecommunications on carry boulevard.
A presentation will cover four topics.
first, project description.
Second, this site as a preference one location.
Third, a little bit about the
city process that established our preference siting criteria.
Fourth, the commission findings
as to why they approved this cu
and found this necessary, desirable, and compatible with the neighborhood.
The conditional use authorization required under
planning code section 303 and
209.6 require a conditional use permits for this project.
The project includes nine panel antennas located on the northeast and south side of the existing mechanical penthouse.
The antennas will be flush
mounted, extending no higher than the existing penthouse.
They will be screened from view and painted to match.
the equipment will be set back
30 feet from the roof edge, so as to be minimally visible from the street.
Supervisor mar: it is the
building that is along sixth avenue, closer to the
residential area, not the
building closer to the geary commercial district?
It is across the street from the police station? >> that is correct.
We can put a -- put an image of
the building on the overhead.
As a reference, the city has five preferred location types as
well as limited and disfavored pipes.
this type is called a publicly used structure. It is the most highly preferred site for the city of san francisco.
Public facilities are most
favored, in that they occur in every neighborhood and the appearance is typically institutional or infrastructure in nature, which is most compatible with these installations.
Under the adopted city policy, this site is exactly where we
have told providers they should be locating.
Third, let us discuss the process.
The planning commission and the department had a lot of guidance
on revoking -- reviewing wireless facilities.
In 1996, the board of supervisors passed a resolution on where we should locate these facilities.
It emphasized that these should be the city' s top preference for these facilities.
The board said specifically these are most compatible and is likely to be visually destructive.
The board resolution did seek clarification on some of the lower preference sites.
In response, the planning commission revised the
guidelines in August 1996, and updated them again in 2003.
The guidelines contained not
only preferences and locations, but mandate community outreach meetings be held for
installations that need review an alternative analysis studies
should be done one preferred sites cannot be used.
That is not the case here.
It also requires a plan which
must be updated annually.
that is the process that led to this being declared the most preferred site.
Other procedural reviews include
aesthetic review by planning department and health review by the city department of public health.
When it comes to aesthetics, this is an anomaly visible from the right of way.
it should be painted, landscape, or screen architecturally. That is what happened here.
The antennas are screened and painted.
When it comes to health, the federal telecommunications act of 1996 established limits on review of wireless facilities.
specifically, the law prohibited local jurisdictions from
prohibiting on health concerns
if they follow fcc guidelines.
We go to great lengths to monitor installations, with an emphasis on exploring radiofrequency radiation. The department of health produces and the mission' s
report for every facility,
evaluating existing emissions and proposed emissions with the proposed antennas.
The same evaluation is conducted after the installation is
installed to get a real reading
and to monitor every two years thereafter.
The guidelines cannot be exceeded and the facility would be shut down if they were.
Despite appellant arguments that there are conflicting arguments
about health effects and impact, scientific studies have been clear.
Over 25,000 studies on the
biological effects of r f -- rf
have been published over 30 years.
The largest cut 30,000 participants.
After all the studies, our department of public health summarized a study as followed.
Scientific study does not
support adverse health effects from radiation at levels below the fcc standard.
Between existing federal laws and regulations, the guidelines put in place by the board and
commission, planning review is
generally limited to is that the concerns. The main question we ask is whether the installation will have aesthetic impact.
we regulate the visual impact
with the see you -- the cu.
We look at whether the proposed
installation will be desirable and compatible with the neighborhood.
That is the general process.
Now let us review the last topic of my presentation.
It is a specific finding as to
why we approved this cu.
We found all the criteria were met.
When it comes to desirability
and compatibility, san francisco is a technological leader.
It is important to maintain
adequate telecommunication,
including to keep up with
changing increases in usage.
This is a number one preferential site, the most desirable.
The was misinformation irrelevant to the district.
The antennas will be on the
roof, painted to match the penthouse. They will be minimally visible
from the public right of way, virtually indistinguishable from the existing penthouse.
The commission found the project aesthetically compatible with the neighborhood.
Only two people spoke in opposition at the commission hearing.
There was not the same outcry at that time.
the planning commission, when
they are reviewing wireless
installations, consider to -- two issues.
Coverage -- san francisco does have adequate coverage.
In this case, verizon has reported marginal coverage in this area.
while they feel there is
adequate coverage on the street, the report poor coverage inside of walls and buildings.
-- instead of cars and buildings.
Supervisor mar: can I ask about necessity?
You rely solely on verizon data, which is very vague?
clearly, what was given to us -- I think this is the major point of the appellants.
It seemed you were relying
solely on what verizon has given you.
Is there independent analysis by
the planning department, or a third-party independent of being paid by verizon for the data?
>> I will let the project sponsor speak to the viability of their own data.
We do have the department of public health take readings in the neighborhood.
The planning commission, like
this body, have discretionary powers. Like you are going to do tonight, they listen to the evidence, both written and verbal.
They found the project to be desirable. That does not mean you will not come to a different conclusion.
They are an appointed body, put in place to resolve these sorts of issues.
They found the evidence compelling.
Supervisor mar: I am not questioning the hard work and
specialism of our staff.
I just wanted to ask a question
that came up in the commons.
The 1996 sighting guidelines -- I think a couple of people
referred to lobbying efforts by the industry to make a change to
section 8.1, location
preferences, to include the line
"where the installation complies
with fcc regulations, hospitals
should also be considered." can you give us some context for why that was added?
if it is industry-promoted, designed to create more spaces that might have vulnerable
people around it, that is
problematic for me, if it is an
industry effort as opposed to a public health policy we should be supporting as a city.
>> in 1996, in spring, the planning commission adopted wireless setting guidelines.
The board did review that document and requested certain changes to be made.
The past irresolution in 1996
-- they passed a resolution in 1996.
the board took exception with
some of the lower disfavored sides and asked the commission
to revise the guidelines for some of the lesser preferred sites.
The commission adopted revised guidelines in the summer of 1996.
i will continue, if there are no other questions to the chair.
I think we are on capacity for the wireless network.
In this case, the call failure maps demonstrate there are areas
with more than 50 dropped calls per hour.
the project sponsor will address their prediction for exceeding capacity more.
This demand on capacity does not
just affect data capacity.
It also affects call capacity and dropped calls. the commission found it is necessary for san francisco to
have adequate capacity at the site.
The commission found the proposed facility would fill in gaps in coverage in the inner richmond district and provide
necessary facilities for emergency transmissions in this area.
As for whether the project is
detrimental to health, safety,
or convenience, antennas will
commit frequency well within fcc regulations.
Specifically, the exposure level
is less than 1%, below the fcc
exposure limit, 400 times less than what would be allowed.
this location May help improve public safety.
Horizon provides backup service for city emergency responders.
The alert program, which notifies the public of
emergencies based on text
messaging, and a great deal of
911 calls are made of via cell phone.
The commission found it was appropriate to approve the conditional use authorization.
The department respectfully requests the bold up -- the board upholds the cu.
Supervisor cohen: >> thank you very much.
i am curious to know if there are any suggestions you May
have as to whether there are legislative remedies we as a
body can think about. >> yes.
The board in the past has made amendments to what sort of notice should be required for wireless antennas.
the board has passed resolutions
asking the planning commission
to consider changing the sighting guidelines.
It is completely within board
authority to amend the planning code to establish further
regulations.
You could buy ordinance
legislate where the preferred citing would be.
This is a contentious issue, as
you know, with appeals coming before you. If somebody wanted to tackle the
issue and legislate it differently than how the commission has handled it, I am sure that would be appreciated.
supervisor cohen: thank you.
Supervisor mar: I was going to
ask Ms. Rogers if you could
respond to the appellant' s
effort to get data at
themselves -- that they
themselves, documented in
attachment a, which seem to
show good coverage for horizon.
I will say my coverage is spotty. It seems their data contradicts
what the design engineer of verizon provided that you relied on. I wonder if you could respond to
the other data that seems to neutralize the main data you used to say that was necessary.
>> you are correct.
This is new information that was
not presented at the planning commission hearing.
It was provided just last week.
It is more your purview to
evaluate the credibility of that, versus horizon.
It was not at the commission hearing.
president chiu: why don' t we now
hear from a representative from the project sponsor?
You will have up to 10 minutes for your presentation.
>>
I will be using the light board.
I am outside counsel for verizon wireless. It is a pleasure to appear before you.
I have been representing horizon for 20 years.
I was part of the preparation of
the guidelines in 1996.
there was no adverse industry
input or attempt to skew the
document, which was primarily
driven by important and historic figures in san francisco.
I appreciate the fact that the neighborhood has brought up most of our exhibits already.
we respect their opinions and concerns about wireless service.
Wireless service has become ubiquitous. There are more cellular subscriptions in the united states than there are people.
It has become important to our daily lives.
I want to enlighten you about two issues.
One is coverage versus capacity.
the one you May not have focused
on is the necessary, desirable,
incompatible standard, versus a significant gap.
Let us get started.
i do not think anybody has shown the actual site.
This is the large industrial complex we want to put on top of the kaiser building on sixth avenue.
You can barely see the antennas. They are on top of the mechanical penthouse.
This is a preferable site on purpose. it is the tallest building in the area.
The antennas to not face sixth avenue.
They face north, west, and
south, and provide coverage in those areas. There is a reason this is a preference one location.
In terms of need, of horizon
wireless coverage -- verizon wireless coverage is currently provided by three sites.
Verizon wireless readily admits
it has marginal coverage in this area now. You can make a phone call on the
sidewalk while standing still.
We need this facility for two reasons.
The community needs it for two reasons.
We need infill and coverage in
this area, because most calls are initiative from inside a
building or a vehicle, and we need capacity.
as I mentioned, there are three sites serving the area presently.
This is the clayton site, st. Mary' s hospital.
It is mb.
That is the amount of data and
voice going to the network.
over time, the usage has doubled over the last year in the united
states, in terms of megabytes and data.
Verizon is not alone in experience in this growth. By the end of the year, the site will reach a maximum capacity.
It cannot handle any more traffic at busy hours.
That is what this graphic shows.
The adjacent sites at beacon and
presidio will run out of
capacity in August of next year and December of next year. It is like cars on a freeway.
At 2 in the morning, you can drive a beautifully.
A commuter our, you cannot get through.
That is what the horizon is finding. That is demonstrated in the
graphic we provided.
It shows dropped calls in the vicinity.
this slide shows dropped calls for one hour during the busy hour. This is the average of calls
made during the last week of August.
In those to block by six black
areas, 50 calls per hour are being dropped.
-- in those two-block by six-
block areas, 50 calls per area -- per hour are being dropped.
This will get worse as time goes on.
If you have a smart phone, you know what I am talking about.
You will have five cars and cannot make a call.
Or you go from one tower to the next and drop your call.
i want to submit a rebuttals
statement to the data provided .
This is to respond to the data provided by the neighbors.
I have to say that judge
hamilton of san francisco in 2006 in a metro pc yes case we
site in our brief said that
anecdotal found a that is not scientific for showing a significant gap in coverage, as
compared to the real-time data provided by cellular networks. It is not just me.
it is judge hamilton in a san francisco case.
This is data provided by appellants. It is stuck. Everybody is standing still.
It is with a free app you can get of the internet. It is not accurate.
They do not measure capacity, which is our biggest problem.
The measure data, not a voice.
-- they measyre data -- measure
data, not voice, and it is all outdoors.
That covers need.
verizon wireless truly needs this. We think the people of san francisco needed.
We have submitted to you at
package that has nearly 700 text
messages, e-mails, letters , and petition signatures supporting
this facility from people in the
neighborhood who use their
phones, need their phones, need
their phones to work, neither funds to be reliable not today, but tomorrow.
I have been going to these hearings for years.
We get neighbors that show up and have concerns.
You must understand there are hundreds of thousands of cell phone users in san francisco.
700 of them in the last week
have signed up to say they need this facility.
There is quite a bit of desire.
It is necessary and desirable.
In this packet, there is a
letter from one of your former fire marshals, who used to one
-- to run the 911 dispatch.
He emphasized the need of cell
phones 4911 service.
We have a number of caribbean restaurants who say they need
this for customers in buildings
-- we have a number of delivery
restaurants who say they need is for customers in buildings. We have been trying to put this in for three years.
This is a preference one location.
It is on an existing commercial medical building.
If the doctors have a concern, you would think it would not want this on a building.
This is a cluster of buildings that have wireless facilities.
this is a perfect place to serve the inner richmond.
The inner richmond has been a
difficult place for companies to serve for quite some time.
Lastly, I wanted to enlighten
you, if I could, about the difference between necessary,
desirable, and compatible, and a significant gap.
In terms of necessary to the community, we think we have
provided you lots of letters to show the community wants this.
In terms of significant gap, which for rise and wireless has
to show, it is that they have
the capacity or coverage gap which have shown you today.
it is the equivalent of coverage
gaps we have cited in our brief in federal cases.
What I put down here is the
agreement you all signed a few months ago.
You agreed with the community it was not necessary.
But the federal court realized there was a significant gap for
t-mobile.
Because they had chosen a means
to put that facility, your
advisers encourage you to sign a settlement agreement to allow that to go forward.
You can make your decision, but ultimately, federal law says that where we have a significant
gap and have shown the
preference one location -- in
our materials, we also showed the other preference one
locations -- you are compelled to avoid a ban of service.
I leave you with those ideas.
the capacity constraints are happening now.
There will happen in the future.
Finally, a significant gap.
We do provide robust information, more data than most.
I know I do not get a rebuttal.
I want to savor verizon wireless and other jurisdictions will
agree to go to a third-party engineer to look at our data.
President Chiu: colleagues, any questions to the project sponsor? Thank you.
What we hear from members of the public that wish to speak on behalf of the project sponsor?
>> my name is mark leech.
I worked for aaa, which is located one block away.
We had calls cut out using verizon. We also had a to drop. i have also experienced data
drops down the street at the library on ninth avenue. These are places where our children go to school.
We are san francisco, the no. 1 tourist destination in the world.
If these tourists come and look at us and cannot find where they
are going, cannot find where the
boat races are, how are we going to look at america' s cup in 2013? The time is now to put our infrastructure together.
We want to be the top in education.
Our citizens, even in the
richmond, want their children to
be at the top of the education pile.
The only way they can do this is with information, technology.
Over 700 people wrote e-mails
supporting these towers and the infrastructure.
Just over the last few days, we have collected several dozen
more, which I would like to submit.
back to where we were.
We depend on tourists for business. If a tourist calls home and
says, "I did not get your pictures because the data
dropped," we are in a sorry state of affairs. thank you.
>> my name is ron lee.
I am here in favor of the cell
phone antenna going up on the hospital.
i want to stress that verizon ,
our disaster system is connected to this. It is important we have the system up in a more efficient manner.
They by day, month by month, we have more demands than ever before because of the data packets.
they are going to come up with 5g.
It will demand more and more transmission. We have to be able to supply the transmission.
I worked in telecommunications for 30 years.
I am very familiar with antennas.
I worked around and, as for many, many years.
i am living proof that working
on all of these cell sites, putting on these lines -- I never got sick. Nothing ever happened to me.
Today, the new antennas are not ionizing. there are very low amounts of radiation.
It is so nominal, sometimes even
a microwave will limit -- emit
more radiation than 8 cell phone antenna.
Let me tell you about batteries.
all telecommunications systems have a backup battery.
They have been around for many, many years.
They are proven to be safe.
They are necessary, especially in an emergency. Thank you so much.
President Chiu: thank you. Next speaker. >> good afternoon.
as a resident of the richmond district and a wireless
customer, I support construction of additional antennas.
In addition to using my cell phone for telephone calls, I
also use it for web browsing and access to e-mail. I know that more antennas are
needed to support increasing
demand, more than just for verizon customers affected by call quality.
Verizon is among the largest phone companies in san
francisco, so many people are affected when they call other users.
even if it is not your cellphone
company, could sell phone
service is essential to our city and safety to people like me.
Most 911 calls now come from cell phones.
Many families do not have a landline phone anymore.
i hope you will support the project. Thank you for your time.
>> good afternoon.
I am a consultant to the project and helped with some of the outreach aspects.
Sitting here today, I recalled a
book I read about elfin -- alvin
tofler, called "third wave."
the first was agriculture in the country, and there was resistance to the change.
We moved into the industrial revolution. There was resistance to the change.
we moved into information technology. There will be resistance to the change.
Further today, there is environmental technology. It is natural, because we are
faced with uncertainty, that there will be resistance. You have people that come out.
We have to be compassionate and lend our ears to them.
but at the end of the day, what we do is sit down.
This is a lot bigger than 4141
geary, san francisco, the state of california, and the united states. It is global.
We have requirements we have to meet.
does the project have any aesthetic negative impact? It does not.
Does the health department have
new information we did not have before today? They do not.
Therefore, the companies come in and meet the guidelines.
They meet the requirements. We come here. we have an interesting conversation.
At the end of the day, we are governed by our laws and should uphold the permit.
President Chiu: thank you. Next speaker.
>> good afternoon, commissioners. I want to make mine short.
I live in san francisco.
i have a cell phone.
I also
constructed the small antennas.
that was not a sulfone power. They are 4 feet high.
The tallest building in the area is the kaiser building.
Thank you.
>> hello.
i support the intent of because
currently I run a news websites
-- the antenna, because currently a run a news websites.
in order to get a story out as
quickly as possible , in as
informed a way as possible, I need to make sure that whatever connection I have in the community, whether on the west
side or the east side , I can get
a good signal on my cell phone reception.
I have a letter from
paul chin,
which serves the senior citizens of japan town.
this letter is in support of the
verizon antennas to be located on geary.
I write both as a former fire
marshal for the city and county of san francisco, and in my
capacity for kimochi.
as a former fire marshal, I know
these applications are reviewed
not only by the planning department, but also by the
health department and the fire department, and to protect the
public these agencies ensure the safety of all antennas.
the rf report must be included
on all plan submitted -- plans
submitted, signed by a professional engineer with expertise in the technology.
As an officer of kimochi, it is important to me that we have connectivity.
President Chiu: thank you. Next speaker.
>> good evening, supervisors.
I support construction of more
antennas on geary boulevard.
It is absolutely silly to be
concerned about a location that
is so far away.
this is over 1,000 feet away from the street.
It is important for us to have capacity right now.
Families need to stay in contact with children and grandchildren.
we are unable to get a good
signal. Service is going to be terrible.
We need to add more antennas.
The city health department has reviewed them. Please approve this project. Thank you.
>> good afternoon, supervisors.
everybody has a cell phone.
The younger generation -- everyone has one.
Everyone carries one for the internet.
i would say it is really
important.
The radiation is very, very low.
[ Unintelligible] thank you.
President Chiu: next speaker.
>> my name is nathan williams. I am a local resident.
I support the antennas.
I use my cell phone a lot in business and school.
Not only are they safe by
federal standards, but that are
vital for medical personnel to use to communicate in emergencies. The police station across the street will tell you the good
connections are important for public safety. I experienced crop calls a lot.
It causes problems when I am talking to prospective clients.
Anytime we call someone from
verizon, service in the richmond district gets worse.
It will be awful and less so coverage is approved. Thank you.
-- unless some phone coverage is approved.
President Chiu: next speaker. >> good evening.
i have authored several of the
attachments to this presentation.
I am here to answer any technical questions you May have. I would like to speak on a couple of things.
You were shown a picture of a smoking power.
This happened in texas about six years ago.
the tower is not owned by verizon.
It is owned by american tower.
Verizon had nothing to do with
the cause of that fire, nor did our equipment.
Someone else talked about a fire in san francisco at 15th and
valencia.
The fire department had not come up with an answer for this, they said.
But the chronicle put it out the fire marshal reported it was due
to someone falling asleep in a chair while smoking.
That was started in an
apartment two floors above our
equipment, not started by our equipment.
The rise and wireless in my 17
years with them -- verizon
wireless in my 17 years with them has never had a fire.
our equipment is made in the united states.
Some of it comes from sweden as well.
Other things I wanted to stress is the capacity need.
Ourself on site at st. Mary' s
hospital, the other day when we
had a small earthquake, it went into overcapacity mode.
we turned away 4% of the calls. This will get worse as we get
closer to the first of the year. With that, I am here to answer any questions you May have.
Supervisor mar: let me try to be really brief.
Thank you, Mr. Bentsen, for your work on behalf of verizon.
there were questions from the public.
They claim you have not met your
burden of showing that there is a lack of capacity or necessity.
I think they raised some questions about the calls to
monitor in the last week of August. We have a number of graphs.
the number of successful calls,
the number of dropped or blocked calls -- what were the reasons
for the drops, and how do you know this?
Could it have been faulty
batteries, other interference, or software on phones? There were questions raised
about the burden of proof you
have to show a lack of capacity.
Is there a necessity?
I wanted you to respond to what people said.
>> the data we provided came directly from our switches.
We used to have a switch at granite street in san francisco.
we moved that 2 fairfield. This data was taken in the last couple of weeks of August.
Supervisor
mar: when was the data taken? I think somebody said it was the last week of August. When was it taken?
>> during the last two weeks of
august, during the busy hour,
which for us is between 5:00 and 6:00 in the evening.
Dropped calls are mainly due to people either driving out of
coverage areas, or in this case
we are looking at ineffective attempts. That is people' s attempts to get
on to the system, not dropped calls.
These numbers are based on ineffective attempts, people
trying to get a line and unable to get into the system.
These numbers are taken right off our switches. They are right there.
You might want to repeat your second part.
you cannot know if there is interference without a sticking test equipment and determining
that, but we normally test drive
these areas and interference shows up in our test drives.
We have not had a recent test drives in this part of san francisco.
Anything else?
President Chiu: colleagues, any additional questions? Thank you very much.
>> if I May add, we are willing
to provide much of the type of information you are talking
about, but it is proprietary.
we are willing to do that to
third party engineers on a case by case basis.
President Chiu: unless there are
other comments from the project sponsor, why don' t we hear the
rebuttal from the appellants?
>> in the past 10 years, this
board has voted in favor of 14
conditional use appeals in cases
like the one of verizon is proposing.
One resulted in the landmark ninth court of appeals decision in 2005.
It affirmed your authority to
deny a permit on the same grounds appellant has provided you today.
He has neglected to inform you that when the ninth circuit remanded the few remaining
issues to the district course --
court to judge hamilton, metro
pcs lost the case.
Judge hamilton decided there was
a significant gap in service, but metro had not proved it was
the least intrusive means for filling the gap.
Verizon has not discussed the alternative of using the already-existing utility pole
mounted
network operated by
third parties, which can handle
multiple providers.
Unless verizon has approached those companies and been turned
down, the have not explored those alternatives. They would lose in court for the
same reason metro pcs lost before judge hamilton.
Verizon has not met its burden of proof that these are necessary and compatible with the community.
Unless verizon opens all the
books on all its adjoining cell
sites, it cannot prove it has a capacity problem.
He also reported on a recent t-
mobile supplement, where the
city won the first half of the case.
There was not even a trial on the significant gap issue.
There was a proposed settlement
reached before it went to trial.
that is a complete mischaracterization of what happened at about lawsuit.
-- at that lawsuit.
T-mobile did provide data. It showed that in a given to
week -- two weeks
, only 1198
calls were dropped, 0.25% of the total. That was the judge ruling in favor of you for denying the
permit to t-mobile last year. How many calls went through in the two hours when 50 were dropped?
500? 5000?
50,000? Verizon has not told you. Unless you have that
information, they cannot prove their case. Listen to the neighbors. People who live in the neighborhood want you to deny this permit.
There is plenty of precedent, 14 cases like this. The city prevailed at all of them in federal court.
President Chiu: final questions
to either side of this appeal?
Seeing none, at this hearing is closed. These matters are in the hands of the board. i understand the house has changed.
Supervisor mar: I count nine of us in the room.
Actually, there are 10 of us.
I would like us to continue this for one week, until next
tuesday, hoping both sides can
get together and discuss some of
the offers from verizon for an independent third-party
analysis of the gap and the
necessity, and also to allow our
colleague, ross mirkarimi, to vote on this issue as well.
President Chiu: that motion is
seconded by supervisor avalos.
Can we do that without objection?
This is continued to November 1. Is that right?
>> at 4:00 P.M.
President Chiu: thank you, ladies and gentlemen.
at this time, why don' t we go to our adoption without committee reference calendar?
>> these items will be acted
upon by a single roll call vote unless a member requests discussion of a matter.
president chiu: 24.
I will also sever item 26.
Roll-call vote on the balance?
>>
items 21, 22, and 23?
Supervisor mar: aye.
Supervisor weiner: aye.
supervisor avalos: aye.
Supervisor campos: aye.
President Chiu: aye.
Supervisor chu: aye.
Supervisor cohen: aye.
Supervisor elsbernd: aye.
Supervisor farrell: aye.
Supervisor kim: aye.
>> there are 10 ayes.
president chiu: those resolutions are adopted.
>> item 24 urges the city to give preference to certified
organic food vendors, and to urge the federal government to label and test genetically
engineered foods, as well as to assign liability to the commercial developers of genetically engineered technology.
Supervisor mar: I want to thank the california biosafety
alliance and food access advocates. I know it is already a policy of
the city throughout former mayor
newsom'
s administration, and supported by our food systems with in the city. I urge support from my colleagues.
President
Chiu: supervisor
elsbernd requests this be referred to committee.
>> item 26 cancels the board
meetings of January 3, January
17, February 21, May 29, October
9, November 13, and November 27, and cancelling all board and committee meetings through summer and winter breaks from
August 1 through August 31 and December 12 through December 31.
supervisor avalos: colleagues, I
would like to motion to cancel
the July 3 board meeting, which
is the day before July 4, which they have in england as well.
I might be away somewhere on
vacation with my family that week.
It could be in england.
I would like to cancel that meeting.
President Chiu: supervisor
avalos has proposed we add July 3 to the list of tuesday' s we do
not meet, seconded by supervisor
cohen.
Generally, we do not meet in the first week in July, in part
because of budget negotiations and in part because July 4 falls in a week. the initial draft did not
include July 3 as a date we
canceled the meeting, but given
that we already have four
meeting scheduled in July 2012,
that is appropriate.
Without objection, but shall be the case. With the underlying emotion, to
be approved as amended, can we do that without objection?
That shall be the case.
Madam Clerk, can you please read
the in memoriam?
>> on behalf of supervisor
elsbernd, for ina gavin.
president chiu: is there more business in front of this body? >> no further business for today.
President Chiu: without objection, we are adjourned.
