Present. >> farrell. Present. Kim. Present. Mar. >> here.
>> mar present.
Tang present. Supervisor wiener. Wiener present. Supervisor yee. Yee not present. You have app quorum. >> thank you ladies and gentlemen.
Will you please join me for the ledge of allegiance.
>> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of
america and to the republic
for which it stand, one nation, under God, indivisible
with liberty and justice for
all. >> are there any communications.
>> one from the office of supervisor yee stating he will not be present and a communication from the clerk's office which is items which
May be continued to the next
meeting or finally passed through the will appear on the
regular board meeting of January 13, 2015.
>> do we have a motion to excuse supervisor yee from the meeting? Supervisor yee is excused from our meeting today.
Can we go to the approval of
our minutes?
>> we have the November 18,
2014 and November 25, 2014 minutes. >> I'd like to see if there are any corrections to the fin minutes.
Seeing none, we stand for public comment.
>> the first item of business is the policy discussion
between the mayor edwin lee. Each will present their own questions to the mayor and follow up questions are in
order as long as the entire
discussion does not exceed five minutes per supervisor.
>> welcome to our board chamber mayor lee.
I'd like to ask if you'd like to share any opening remarks to us. >> thank you. Happy holidays to you and all
the members of the board day. I'm looking forward to working
with all of you through 2015 to advance our goals of making our city a place where families thrive and we can share the prosperity of our great city.
Let'a moment to acknowledge what we've accomplished in 2014 by working together. Thanks to the voters for making san francisco by making
it more affordable to our families with an increased
minimum wage.
We'r investments in our public schools and thanks to sound economic and fiscal constraint, economic policies.
I've asked for no cuts in my annual budget for the first
time in years. That does not mean it's time
to sit back and I've charged
my departments to do more for our residents and to prepare for a growing city.
I'd like to send out a reminder that during the holidays and all year round our social service providers
need your support and during
this time of the year they are
distributing food and toys and
lending a hand to those who need it the most.Let's goo to the questions.. Thank you. For your first question we have supervisor mar. >> thank you Madam President and mayor lee for being here with us and happy holidays as well.
A recent story written by tim
redman is with us by the
chambers found that 39% of the
condos built since 2000 have absentee owners in in san francisco and for newer owners
that number is 50% or above.
Luxury developments like the
four seasons residents have
more than 60% properties housing prices skyrocket beyond the reach of residents
making the cost of living unaffordable for even middle income people.
Not only are these wealthy
absentee buyers buying up all
the residents also constrict the spliez of housing available, to meet the high demand of our city's growing
work force.
And as we know, one new supply available for residents. The san francisco business times reported last year,
quotes with a medium home price of $706,300 in san
francisco, someone meeting the
median income of $72,000 makes
48% less money than they need to afford a median priced home.
This sort of homeowner absenteeism is bad for neighborhoods and leads to the
fe no, ma'am fe phenomena of
what some people call zombie neighborhoods. New york state senator who
represents part of manhattan has announced his intention to introduce a bill that would place a property tax
surcharge on luxury home on new york city residents. This would address a problem
that arises when a significant
number of homes are bought by with wealthy out of towners
for place to stay on occasion
or as an investment or hedge
on mar coat swings.
I'm beginning to research this
critical problem of newly built housing that is unoccupied.
Can I could count on your support this?
>> I agree with you that preserving neighborhoods is a
very high priority.
We helped advance this
priority with the passage of
the housing trust fund when we
included funding for low and
income residents remain in their homes.
And last we worked hard at the state level.
As you pointed out in your question, neighborhoods are
about more than just housing. Vibrant neighborhoods have
active streets, busy local shops, parks, schools,
libraries, filled with families.
The the city as a whole and neighborhoods in particular
are served if we're building homes that will be left vacant.
As far as a tax we need to do some legal research into what
we can and cannot do. As you know, supervisor, california's team makes this a tricky legal question.
In principal I can tell you I believe in minimizing absenteeism for new construction.
We want residents of our city
to be connected to the neighborhoods in which they live.
If people are buying housing and not living in them then we have a problem. Supervisor, we also have a problem with what I understand
to be thousands of units that
are deliberately left vacant throughout many neighborhoods
in the city.
We need to study that as well. Specifically, the problem is a lack of engagement with small businesses and community institutions. The problem is also housing price inflation.
As you know, I've made a very
public commitment to
construct
and new units without providing the benefits associated with being a
resident and helping to activate our neighborhood commercial be corridors and
making san francisco a more vibrant place to live, that
rings true if property owners
are keeping units throughout any part of our city.
I want to make sure san francisco neighborhoods remain vibrant and unique.
Thank youm.
>> our next question is from supervisor avalos. >> Mr. Mayor, first off, happy holidays do you and your family.
I was pleased to read about your expressing outrage about
the use of torture by the cia last week and I have no doubt that's your position on torture.
What is your extent of outrage
at the affordability crisis that's harming working families in san francisco.
What else can you do to make a measurable impact on the
affordable housing krief sis. What are some proposals we can collaborate on with you in
your office of housing?
>> thank you for that question, supervisor avalos.
And of course we must address the housing affordability
crisis. I'm committed to use every
tool to make san francisco
more affordable, not only increasing affordable housing, but stabilizing our neighborhoods, bidding on our commitment to rebuild public
housing and be creative and strategic in finding new funding. Low income families are priced
out of the market rate rentals
and middle class families are also struggling.
Of the area median income, that's about 116 annually for a family of four.
Wech need to protect our
existing naturally affordable
housing stock and prevent real estate speculators from dispensing our friends and neighbors. We need to build more
affordable housing and retain or city's economic diversety
with providing work force
housing and we need to
rehabilitate public housing for our residents.
We need no look beyond our
traditional tools that have
served us in the past. The working group included
more than 100 stakeholders
from housing advocates to non profits, market redevelopers, financial experts and city staff.
This group has recommended
ways to preserve affordable for renters susceptible to
market pressures.
We must have more funding for affordable housing enabling a
winder band to benefit that housing, encourage market rate developers to provide below market rate units in that projects. How do we do this?
We take all the creative thinking that went into the recommendations of the working
group and we act on them.First we pursue together legislative solutions immediately and just
last week I announced the
public lands for housing
program to make public land available for low income and moderate income san francisco citizens.
We can carry this out by
implementing proposition k which was overwhelmingly supported by san francisco citizens in the November election.
Iz want to emphasize that
there is no single solution to the affordability crisis.
In order to execute these solution e we'll need to show
the world we can work together legislatively and work together. We'll take that action and can't do this alone. We need our regional
colleagues to increase their efforts to produce affordable housing as well and will
continue to advocate to our state and federal partners to
direct funding to our key priorities. I have want to thank you for
this I look forward to working directly with you and specificly on sites in your district that we can build more affordable housing and rehab as well. Thank you supervisor. >> thank you mayor lee. That concludes or policy
discussions with the mayor.
Madam Clerk, we now go to our consent agenda.
>> items 2 through 4 are considered routine.
If a member objects an item
could be removed and
considered z separately. >> on items 2 through 4. Wiener. >> I.
>> yee is excused. Avalos. >> I. >> supervisor breed. >> I. >> supervisor campos. >> I. >> supervisor cohen. >> I. >> supervisor farrell. >> I. >> supervisor kim. Kim I. Supervisor mar. >> I. Supervisor tang. >> I. >> there are nine Is. It
>> these resolutions are adopted an ordinance passed finally.
Item 5 please.
>> item 5 is an ordinance to
under charter next 9.120 regarding a general reserve
and required funding levels
and the rainy day reserve fund. >> supervisor farrell. >> we passed this on first reading last week and I want to thank everyone involved in
this, in particular our controllers office and
supervisor avalos and mar at our budget and finance committee meeting.
I have one technical amendment
we need to get done today, page 4, line 18, to change the
number 5 to 6.
I'd like to make a motion to make that amendment -- >> motion by supervisor farrell, seconded by supervisor campos. Without objection that
amendment is adopted and on
the underlying item can we day
same house same call?
This is passes unanimously.
>> item 6 is to [Inaudible]
For parking ticket increased
small [Inaudible].
>> same house, same call.
this ordinance is finally passed unanimously. Item 7.
>> an ordinance to authorize the municipal transportation agency to include any
contracts it executes for next
year after soliciting a competitive solicitation [Inaudible] Individual providing security services under the contract. >> all right, same house same
call? Without objection this ordinance is passed unanimously.
>> item 8 is an amendment to
sales permit and amending the business and tax code by increasing the annual license and application fees making the environmental finding.
>> same house same call. Twout objection this ordinance is passed unanimously.
>> item 9 is to amend the government conduct code by
adding the names of employees
[Inaudible] Designated and officials and employees for.
>> same house, same call, without objection this ordinance is passed yuf than mousely.
>> item 10 is to duties of the office of early care and education and creating the
office of early care and education citizens advisory committee. >> same house same call. Without objection this ordinance is finally passed unanimously. Next item.
>> item 11 is an ordinance to
authorize the settlement of of
the lawsuit of paul hanes. >> same house, same call.
This is passed unanimously.
>> item 12 is the ordinance to community facilities district
number 2014-1 for the transbay transit center. >> same house same call.
This ordinance is passed on first reeding unanimously.
>> item 13 is the ordinance to amends the business and [Inaudible] From less than $30
to less than 40 $40 a day and require future review. >> same house same call. This is passed.
>> item 14 is an a ordinance
to amend the annual salary ordinance to reflect the
edition of five grant funded editions for the
implementation of the state county assessors partnership agreement grant. >> same house same call. Without objection this ordinance is passed on first reading unanimously.
>> item 15 is an ordinance to deappropriate rate [Inaudible] Funds and reappropriate the
funds to the water system
improvement program bond commercial paper expense.
>> supervisor avalos.
>> thank you. Just want to acknowledge there
are a few items come before us related to the public utility commission and when it comes
to moving the work of the public utility commission forward that the board of supervisors has been a very willing partner to make sure that our water system improvement program can
proceed to make sure that we are actually approving legislation that's going to be
before us later about how we put wireless facilities on public ewe 'til 'til poles.
We don't face the same cooperation from the public utility commission when it comes to our clean power sf program. I want to acknowledge that it's a two way street to look how we move or city forward on policy that's important to san francisco. I believe that our clean power policies are are important for
doing our part around clooi mate change. We've been trying to schedule
a meeting with the public
utility commission, a joint
meeting with the commission
for now and it hasn't happened. I'm noting changing my vote moving forward on these items that I have already helped to approve in budget and finance committee, but I actually just think it's important to note that we need to be met halfway
on policy goals that are
important to jointly to the public utility commission and
boarand our
lafco and so far we haven't seen that cooperation. I'm hoping that can change.
I don't know if I want to be
able to continue to just do the the regular work I'm doing without asking for more of them so I wanted to
ackn voting
in favor of this measure and hopefully I'll continue that conversation with the puc
staff as well about my
concerns about our ability to move our joint climate change goals forward. >> thank you. >> supervisor campos.
>> if I May ask the puc specifically if they can
comment on the point that supervisor avalos made, what's the level of commitment in
many terms of the implementation of community choice application. >> I have don't know that we
have someone here from the puc, do we? Our representative here is actually formerly free the puc. >> formerly. Okay.So maybe we can hear from
the mayor's off then? >> thank you.
I am happy to ask somebody
from the puc to come speak to
that if that's something you'd
pref >> let me ask you, since we
don't have anyone from the puc right now, what's the mayor's
office position in terms of
the commitment to implement community choice communication?
>> I think the mayor is very
supportive of a local program as long as it's tied to loi cal jobs.
>> is the mayor interested in
many the puc setting rates as quickly as possible?
>> that is a good question and
I'm happy to call in our
seni talk about that if you want to talk about timeframes. >> sure, thank you.
>> if I May ask, >> same house same call? Without objection this resolution is adopted. Item 18.
>> item 18 is a resolution to authorize the general manager
of the san francisco public utilities commission to
execute master license agreements for outdoor
distributed system and antenna pole and gte mobile net of california doik business as verizon wireless each for a
term of 12 years to commence following board approval. >> colleagues, any discussion
on item 18? Seeing none, same house same
call.
This resolution is adopted.
>> item 19 is the peninsula corridor joint powers board in related actions as defined herein. >> same house same call. Without objection this resolution is adopted. item 20.
>> item 20 is a resolution to
authorize the office of assessor recorder to act septd a state county program grant from the california state
department of finance in the approximate amount of 1.28 million. >> same house same call. Without objection this resolution is adopted. Item 21.
>> item 21 is a resolution to
authorize the public utilities
commission to accept a grant
from the department of water resources storage and recovery project. >> same house same call. Without objection this resolution is adopted.
>> item 22 is a resolution to authorize the be inrefunding
bonds in amount not to exceed 430 million. >> same house same call. Without objection this
resolution is adopted.
>> item 23 is the special tax
bonds for the community
facilities district for the transway transit center and determining other matters in connection therewith.
>> same house same call.
>> item 24 is a resolution to [Inaudible] Work force
development to accept $24 is a resolution to [Inaudible] Work force development to accept and expand ab890,000 grant for the h 1b ready to work projects.
>> same house same call. Wout objection this resolution is adopted.
>> item 25, resolution to retroactively authorize expend
a $60,000 grant from humboldt
state university from the go business capital improvement program.
>> same house same call. >> item 26, resolution to
improve agreement with new
flyer of america with low floor diesel l hybrid buses in
an amount not to exceed 6.
>> if you can call items 27
and 28 together.
>> items 27 and 28 are [Inaudible] Apartment projects
in the combined not to exceed
amount of 65 million total for both projects. >> supervisor cohen. >> thank you very much.
Colleagues, you should have
received copies of some non substantive amendments for
items 27 and 28. These amendments update the session on page 5 on the resolution to clarify proper
offices of the city are authorized to execute and deliver required documents
associated with this bond inducement including indemnities or other security required by lenders.
These two items are key
components to rebuild alice griffith housing sites.
With these bonds more than 30 million in grants we will be
breaking ground on this revitalization next year. we will rebuild the existing public housing units and build new affordable housing on this particular site without moving or displacing any existing residents so I ask for you
support on these technical
amendments and the underlying items. Thank you. >> is there a second to that? Seconded by supervisor farrell.
Without objection those amendments are adopted for
item 27 and 2 8 and on the underlying items, same house, same call. Without objection those resolutions are adopted as amendsed. Item 29.
>> item 29 is a resolution to approve the issuance and sale
of revenue bonds by the [Inaudible] School in the
amount not to exceed 13.5 million.
>> same house same call. Without objection this resolution is adopted.
>> item 30 is a resolution to
authorize expenditures for the soma community stable aigs
fund in the amount of 500,000 and for college preparatory
services. >> supervisor kim. >> I want to acknowledge
united players, who is one of
the beneficiaries of the grant
from the soma fund for buy
back this past weekend.
We were successful in purchasing 101 guns this weekend that were taken off the streets of san francisco. I think this was an incredible work on behalf of this organization.
I want to recognize sfpd and our resident volunteers that came out and the folks that
came to sell their guns and
our local medical marijuana
dispensaries including green door and [Inaudible] Who contributed all the funds so we could purchase these guns off the streets. The resolution before us today, I'm excited about.
It is the first time we'll be using the soma stabilization
fund to make a capital purchase.
The fund for some of you that
remember in 2007 was set up to mitigate the displacement of the affects of development in the south of market and for
the first time the cac has recommended allocating funds
for the capital projects. $400,000 will be used along
with the help of private
sector partners so united
partners can enter into escrow so thaz can purchase this bidding.
It's exciting because this
vital program that's doing violence prevention in the
south of market will not be
subject to the widely swinging speculation in our market, but
will be property owners and
will stay firmly in their site
and neighborhood and serve our
young people. The last portion will continue to work with our young people
as they apply to college. I'm excited to sponsor this resolution and way tonight thank my colleagues and budget
and finance for their recommendation and colleagues, I ask for your support as well. >> thank you. Item 30, same house same call. Without -- actually, I think we need a roll call vote on this one. P >> on item 30, supervisor wiener.
>> I. >> wiener, I. Avalos. >> I.
>> avalos I. Breed. Breed absent. Supervisor campos. >> I. >> campos I. Supervisor cohen. >> I. >> supervisor farrell. >> I. >> supervisor kim.
>> I. >> supervisor mar.
>> I. >> supervisor tang. >> I. >> supervisor breed. >> breed I. There are nine Is.
>> this resolution is adopted unanimously.
Now if we can go back to item
15. >> and one of the challenge es
we have seen is trying to gauge the commitment of that agency and city to the implementation of community choice aggregation and clean power sf.
So I'm wondering if the mayor's office can address that issue.
>> we have here Mr. Roger kim from the mayor's office. Welcome. >> thank you. Good afternoon. Senior advisor to the mayor.
I think we're waiting from
staff from the puc to come
over, but we were pleased to see the study and draft version we've been able to
take a look at and glad it pointed out the contract is not necessary and that was a big issue that the mayor was very concerned about.
I know that the puc has some additional questions about the study with respect to jobs and
how the numbers are calculated in the study and we're looking forward to seeing the final report.
I know there was a joint meeting where that report will
be discussing and I think it's more appropriate to wait and see the results of than meeting before we comment about the future of what the cca is.
>> the focus here sb how the
puc is spending some of the
budget items we're talking
about, but in the context of cca, one of the challenges we have is the time to do the joint meeting. I'm wondering if if it's
possible for the mayor's office to help expedite
finding a time that actually works. I'm happy to take that to the puc commission. It's in their purview to schedule their immediating but happy to talk with them. >> thank you. >> welcome.
>> and with that, then do we need a roll call vote on item 15? No.
Why don't we take item 15,
same house, same call? Without objection, this
ordinance is passed on first reading unanimously.
If we can go over to item 31, please.
>> item 31 is a resolution to
declare the intent of the
multihousing revenue bonds for 588 mission boulevard north in
an amount not to exceed 62.5 million.
>> all right, same house same call?
Without objection this
resolution is adopted.
>> item 32 is an ordinance to eliminate the requirement that fwas stations provide separate toilet facilities for men and women.
>> this is legislation I
offered a scholarship opportunity for undergraduate that our office announced back in in April.
They asked that they cared
about and admit suggestions
for new laws or suggestions to updated laws.
The new website that our office and a national non
profit helped create what was called san francisco code.Org,
along with the mayor's office last year. The website allows users to
comment directly on the specific different section b
sections of our city's laws
and students participating stems directly from a comment
on the health code from cooper, a student at ss state who foelt that the current
requirement that gas stations require separate toilet facilities for the people who own these gas stations.
M I agreed and in turned agreed to propose cooper's suggestion into law.
The ordinance itself, which
was unanimously supported by small business commission strikes men and women and updates what I felt was an outdated section of the code
to allow gas stations to
provide one unisex bath ream.
Supervisor kim introduced an amendment saying dph will have the responsibility for the enforcement of the section and
she cease been working on
other amendments as well.
The proposal scholar sipship was less about the if he can any cal ordinance we have in
front of us, but more about encouraging and underrepresented voice to participate in the legislative process.
It was about showcasing our
technology tools that can empower our residents listen and remain accountable to those they were elected to represent.
I continue to be a firm believer that technology and the tools that are coming out
can be a power mechanism to increase civic engagement and believe this is an example of that.
>> thank you supervisor farm. Supervisor kim.
>> and I'd like to add my name
to the legislation and I think it's great supervisor farrell
has launch a project to get young people engaged. It was great to pass restricting how we permit tobacco licenses in our city
as well, something that came
from young youth leaders here in san francisco.
I have want to add again my support.
On a separate note, I think
this is a step in the right direction. Working in the board of
edgeuation weave been working towards unisex bathrooms because when we have an increasing number of individuals that are questioning their gender and
sexual identity I think that unisex bathrooms in general is the direction we should be moving forward as a city, but
as a neighborhood issue, at
the gas stations, we have their toilet that silties open oeven to their patrons at
night so I was happy to seize this laegs slags move forward.
I was not aware this was even in our staytive code or health
code and so I'm looking forward to follow up with trailing legislation so we can enforce this part of our health code in our city. Thank you to the individual who brought this forward and supervisor farrell. >> thank you supervisor kim. Can we take this ordinance?
Same house same call. Without objection this ordinance is passed. On first reading. >> item 33.
Is an urgency ordinance to [Inaudible] In the proposed central south of market plan area. >> same house same call. Without objection this
ordinance is finally passed unanimously.
We do not have any special 2:30 accommodations today.
We are not at the hour for our 3 pm special order.
>> we have a special 2:30 commendation? Officer cohen. >> is officer mike here? >> oh, we do.
May I? >> supervisor cohen.
>> thank you.
So today colleagues, I'm
honoring officer michael rivera for his work.
He have's busy out in the field, but doesn't come to the chamber very often. The wilderness program is administered by the san
francisco police department's community relations unit and funded by grants and donations. This has been a ten year
endeavor to break down areas and build better youth relations with police officers, teachers, parents
and community at large. The wilderness program takes
students who live in challenged communities right
here on day hikes, river, rafting, kayaking as well as
backpacking trips.
If you ask people what this means to them, you'll get all
different answers.
I think it's important for us to recognize and highlight there are many good police
officers out there in other
forces across cities, but in our hometown here in san francisco. Officer mike here has been with the wilderness program since the beginning of this program, which has been for
ten years and embodies the
definition of what true community policing means.
It is a privilege to present
him to you today and present this certificate of honor. Take a few words if you'd like. >> I'd just like to thank everybody for the opportunity
to be able to serve our children because they are our future and we need to teach them correctly while they're young. Thank you.
>> thank you very much.
[Applause]
>> thank you supervisor cohen.
And now I believe we have a request from supervisor wiener..
>> yes, if I could move to rescind the vote on item 18, I wanted to offer a small amendment to that and neglected to do so.
>> ta motion to rescinds. Without objection that vote has been rescinded and
supervisor if you want to discuss your amendment.
>> I support in item, but the
item allows the puc to lease poll space to private entities for different kind of installations and as you'll
recall, we have been really
struggling with our street light system in san francisco
and in fact we recently
passm which is key to public safety and quality of life in san francisco. So supervisor breed and I
have been working on an amendment
which I'd like to read an additional resolve clause basically providing that it is
the intent of the board of
supervisors -- of course we
can't bind ourselves in the budget process -- the proceeds from this item that the public
utility commission earns would be dedicated to reinvesting in street lights so would read as follows, further resolved that the board of supervisors
intend in the annual appropriation ordinance to appropriate funds generated by these leases for the street light program and be -- and then it continues from there. So that's the amendment that supervisor breed and I would like to offer.
>> all right, there's been an amendment offered by supervisor wiener, seconded by
supervisor breed. Without objection amendment is adopted and same house same
call from item 18.
That is adopted
unanto items 49. >> item #49 was considered by
the land use and economic
development commit tee on
December 19 and forwarded to
the board committee report. Okay pie a portion of the
publthe california environmental
quality act and making
findings of consistency.
>> before us is a resolution that will authorize the
installation of what is called the light rail art project
along market street from to van necessary.
We know spine of our transportation system, and
plays a dig significant role
in the life of sf. This proposal, the light rail project, I think will help to
move us in that direction in terms of improving the the
look and feel and vibrant feel of market street.
It is the first of its kind in
the world in h that it will install lights along market
street that will allow people to visualize the movement of trains and the lights will move up and down market
street, reflect in the movements of the trains below ground, there will be different colors of lights for different subway lines and it will be a very interesting and exciting change to market
street.
This art installation, which
is privately funded is brought
to us by illuminate the arts,
which is the same organization that has installed the bay lights on the bay bridge, which have been a very
positive change for people viewing the bridge.
So this is a really terrific project. It's visionary. I want to thank illuminate the
arts for its work to really
make our city and region an even more beautiful and artistic place than it already is so colleagues, I ask for you support for this
installation, which will be
temporary, which we hope will become permanent in the future. >> supervisor mar.
>> I want to encourage you to go to illuminatethearts.Org
and see what it will look
like. It's pretty amazing.
Please add me as a cosponsor as well. >> thank you. So l coleagues, if we can take this resolution, same house same call. Without objection this resolution is adopted unanimously. If we can proceed to roll call, with the understanding
that at 3:00 pm we will be interrupt roll call for our special orders. With that, Madam Clerk. >> supervisor wiener is the first supervisor to introduce new business. >> okay. >> supervisor wiener will submit. Supervisor avalos.
>> submit. >> breed.
>> colleagues, I have one item
today.
I am introducing a package of
legislative changes to help
preserve san francisco's live music venues. With amendment ps to the building administrative planning and police codes this legislation is the result of months of work of
collaboration with the entertainment commission, five
music venues, owners and residential developers. San francisco nightclubs, bars, and entertainers attract 16 million customers each year
and generate over 800 million in spending according to a
2012 report from the controller's office, but more
than the dollars, these venues
are an integral part of our culture of what makes us san francisco. As we build more housing for everyone who wants to live
here we have to protect the reasons why they want to live here in the first mrats.
Place.
There are currently 351 permitted places of
entertainment in the city. The live music hall,
nightclubs and bars with DJs.
In recent years, residential development have increased dramatically in areas where traditionally they were more industrial or commercial.
This has purt increasing
pressure on long standing POEs
which place noise constraints. Forced to close recently,
including in dog patch, road
devil lounge in knob hill and
the sound factory in soma.
Now bottom of the hill and the independent in my district are facing the prospect of nearby
residential development. That could jeopardize their
ability to host live music or
pay tens of thousands of
dollars to soundproof their facilities. We've got to be able to coexist.
Music and culture are too
important to let us keep losing these venues.
Yes, we need to build places for people to live in our
city, but not if we force out the venues where they perform
in the first place. My legislation deemed illegal nuisance if they are operating within their permit.
It requires more accurate
sound tests before developer
builds near a poe to reduce conflicts later.
It requires developers to
begin working with nearby POEs and the entertainment commission long before they even start construction.
It ensures that all potential
residents of the units near a
poe are informed about the poe
before they rent or buy the place that they're interested in in. And it improves communication
between all relevant city departments while empowering the entertainment commission
to take an active early roll in these projects.
This is not a solution to all
of the problems, but my legislation goes a long way in
helping music and housing coexist in san francisco. I twant to thank everyone what
has worked so hard to make
this possible the
entertainment commission,
oewd; guy carson and terrance allen; tom temperno, the
co-owner of virgil c room; and my cosponsor, supervisor wiener, but you are all
welcome to jump on the band
wagon at any time.
Our city attorney who was up
late last night who was up making final revisions.
. And speaking of revisions, I'm introducing this legislation sooner than I
otherwise have because we
don't have anymore board
meetings this year. I want you all to know that I will continue to gladly accept
your feedback and make any
needed changes.
With new year's eve coming in a couple weeks, we should
remember that the venues where we gravitate are there because people care about them. San francisco has been my home my whole life and one of the
things I'm most proud of is my hometown's ability to
celebrate its night life, art, culture, music and the things we truly enjoy.
Ours is a small city, but it casts a huge shadow thanks in
a great number of ways to the music, art and culture that can only be found here in the city by the bay. Thank you. The rest I submit.
>> thank you supervisor breed. President Tang. >> thank you.
Now that we are just one
minute away from 3:00 pm i think we will stop this here
and proceed to our first 3:00
pm special order.
>> item 34 through 37 for a public hearing of persons
interested in h September 18,
2014 public works approval of
a tentative map for a two unit
new construction condominium
project. [Inaudible] Madam President,
we are in receipt of a request for continuance on this matter from the appellate and project
sponsor.
The alexander and david myers, dated December 12, 2014 requesting that continuance.
>> I will go first to our district 9 supervisor, supervisor campos. >> thank you.
In light of the requests by both parties and the fact that
we need some additional information, includesing possible additional briefing
to address some of the underlying issues in the
appeal, I'd like to hereby
move to continue this item to
the board meeting of January 20, 2015. >> thank you.
I wanted to confirm that it's January --
>> 13. Sorry, I realize the 20th is -- >> all right, so there's been
a motion by supervisor campos to continue this item to January 13, 2015.
Is there a sec second to that moegs?
Motion? Supervisor breed has seconded. Is there any member of the public who would like to comment? You have up to two minutes. . >> thank you.
My name is rebecca and I'm
from the lion's law firm. We represent appellant william bradley.
I believe that the requested
date was January 27, 2015 so
we would request that the continuance be made until that day. The purpose of the continuance
is to allow the parties in the underlying lawsuit to mediate the case as they believe it's
like liz they can reach an informal resolution of the matter.
If you have any questions I'm happy to answer them. >> thank you.
Any other members of the item
who'd like to speak on this item. Seeing none, supervisor campos. >> thank you. In light of those comments I'd like to amend my motion to continue it to the 27th of January.
>> all right, we'll have to
rescind that be motion previously made so is there a
second to that?
Seconded by supervisor breed.
and now a new motion to
continue items 34 through 37 through January 27, 2015.
And we will continue the hearing and have that remain open. Seconded. Second motion for continuing this item to January 27 by supervisor breed. Without objection we are continuing all these items to
January 27. And now Madam Clerk if you can
call our second special 3:00
pm order items 38 through 41. >> this comprises a special
order persons interested in the January 15, 2013 planning department determination that
the proposed project at 312
green street is exempt from environmental review.
Items 39 through 41 are the motions confirming or reversioning the exemption, determination and preparation
of findings and and we are in
receipt of a request from
project sponsor for the proper advertise 312 green steet requesting a continuance of this appeal. >> thank you.
And I believe that I received communications as well to
continue this item to January 13, 2015.
Seeing that we need a new district 3 representative so
I'd like to see if there's any member of the public who'd like to comment for this item. Seeing none, is there a motion to continue this item to january 13? Motion by supervisor mar, seconded by supervisor campos.
Without objection we are
continuing items 38 through 39
until January 13, 2015.
Items 38 through 41 until January 13, 2015. With that, Madam Clerk, if we could proceed to our third
special 3:00 pm orpder, items
32 through 45. >> items 32 through 45 comprise a special order for a public hearing of persons
interested in the November 20, 2014 public works approval of
a map located at 3032 clement
street for a now condo project. >> thank you. So colleagues, before us we
have an appeal of this
tentative map for 3032, 3038. We will proceed with this
hearing by first allowing our
appellants to speak for up to
ten minutes and will receive public comment supporting, and then our department staff will
have up to ten minutes divided amongst dcw or planning
department, as you see fit, a
total of ten minutes and our
project sponsor will have ten minutes to prevent and public
comment and then a rebuttal for up to five minutes.
With that, I will turn it other to supervisor mar.
>> I want to thank the residents near lincoln park
for always have the intent to improve or neighborhoods especially in the outer richmond.
This is a project that's very
close to lincoln park. It's
about a block away between
31st and 32 and across the
street from fresh and easy and
cvs.
It's a project that's move through the planning
department and commission.
The ceu was not appealed and what wez're hearing thod is the appeal of the planning commission and the department
of public works approval of the tentative parcel pap. I wanted to just ask my
colleagues to think about the process that we're at right
now and I'll have questions for planning once they're done was the appeal is presented.
>> thank you supervisor mar,
and now our appellants, you have up to ten minutes for your presentation. .
Thank you.
I live at my neighbors and iz
oppose the project as it is
designed for the oppose the project as it is designed for the four story buildings are the exception rather than the rule.
This particular four story
builwould dwarf the
neigter richmond district is due
to its careful balance of homes.
This project will bring 16 new
units and 15 new bedrooms to this block.
If you look at the floor plans submitted you'll see the three
rooms labeled as den are I
den
identical added to this block.
Our block has problem with
noise and parking from the existing four story apartments nearby. While the building provides
one off street parking space
for each unit, I any it's one car per beds room. I see my neighbors going to their homes parked in the streets.
I do this is starting at zero residents, if we reduce the number of units to four rather than six we'll still be far ahead. We applaud the mayor's drive to bring more affordable
housing to san francisco,
however, these units are not median income rental units.
They'll be selling for about $1.5 million each. This is hardly affordable housing.
The reerz yard modification variance that was granted presents problems to be the
neighbors.
This project as it is is not
compliant with planning code section 134 #5shgs 1 that requires a rear yard equal to 25% of the lot depth.
It is not compliant to section 134 ashs 15a which requires a yard at ground level.
We understand that a variance is granted to exempt this building from the code.
the first problem we have is
the patio for these second
floor units is at the same
height of the second floor bedroom of 380 avenue.
So what that means is when the patio's pushed all the way to
the fence line, a person or that rear deck will come just
within feet of the bedroom
window of 380 32 and avenue.
A person leaning of that deck can touch that person's
window.
The owner of 380 32 and
avalos.
Knew is upset about this.
That will further violate the 30 foot height limit. Because the thirds and fourth floors are not set back the building rises up past the
limit and will cast a
dominated shadow over the much smaller neighboring homes here.
They'll lose sunlight in the bedrooms earlier in the year and earlier in the day.
One of our neighbors is a graphic artist who depends on our natural light to do work
and it will affect her livelihood.
The rooftop mechanicals will
expose the neighbors to excess
noise 24 hours a day once the
ac, elevator, commercial space
go up on the roof the neighbors will have little opportunity to complain so we want to raise that issue right now.
The details of this project were poorly communicated to the immediate neighbors. P I'm appealing this project at this late stage with these reasons because quite frapgly I was ignorant of the whole appeals process. I received notice of the February meeting but I couldn't make it. I'm not an attorney or architect. I work a full-time job and take care of my three children. My neighbors are just like me and can't take off work to
come down to city hall to observe a process that they don't understand or they don't
realize the impact on them.
When I saw the final appeals
go up after the demolition of the store that's when I realized I had to take the opportunity to write in and at least take this last chance
effort to state my case. I've been speaking with my neighbors and many of them -- or some of them said they saw and received a notice just a
few days before the hearing and they couldn't make arrangements to come down.
Others saw the notice and they kind of ignored it because they didn't understand it. But a lot of the neighbors
didn't receive any notice whatsoever.
Most of them have no idea what's going up in that lot,
they have no idea how large the building's going to be and they didn't know there was any rear yard variance. They're shocked at the lack of
outreach by this project.
Some of them have participated
in construction projects of
their own and knew the importance of neighborhood outreach.
There they May not have been any perceived opposition at the earlier meetings, we are now much more familiar with this project going up. We haven't had the time on the
last few days to contact all of our neighbors, but we're
pretty confident that if we
do, we will get much more
support because those we
contacted gave us our support. There's a diagram of our neighborhood, this black being the store.
The red boxes are those are wrote in e-mails or signed a petition against the building as it is planned.
I want to emphasize that we're
not in opposition to have a building or store at this location, we're just asking
for more outreach and transparency with this project. Those of us directly affected by the sheer size of this building request it be scaled
back a bit so it will have less of an impact on our duly lives.
We all plan to stay in our homes for the rest of our lives. Thank you for this opportunity.
>> thank you.
Now at this time I'd like to invite any members of the
public who wish to speak --
>> through the chair, can I
just ask him if he has the petition because I don't have it in my feel.
P I know there have been a couple e-mails that have come in. >> I have copies I can pass around.
>> iat to
the >> any further questions for the appellant. Seeing none, we'll now proceed to public comment from individuals who wish to speak
in support of the appeal for
the have up to two minutes each. . If you can please line up by the podium.
Seeie will now proceed to our department representative, who will have
a total of up to ten minutes
for their presentation. >> good afternoon,
supervisors. Bruce, city and county surveyor.
We received this application September 30, 2014, circulated
it to other city agencies on
October 3, gave a tentative
approval on December 1 and we
received a copy of the appeal letter on December 2. That's all I got for you. >> all right, planning department staff.
>> good afternoon. I'm emery rogers, and I'm here
to respond to the planning
related issues raised by the appellant.
First, I'd like to talk about the extensive review process, as well as approvals already granted by both the planning commission and zoning administrator. Opportunity for public review occurred throughout those sets. There was no opposition to the project. No appeals of these past decisions by either the commission or the va were
taken.
The scale, density, rear yard
dimensions of the project were considered at a join commission of those bodies.
If the board wishes I can go through the specific s of those decisions.
I will suffice it to say these decisions were reviewed at a
public hearing when the
project was approved unanimously on the consent calendar and they were
considered nearly a year ago.
As it could have been and the zoning straz tors rear yard variance was not appealed to
the board of appeals so all
those materials are provided in your packet.
The appellant should have been addressed by the planning commission and the zoning
administrator when they considered entitlements to the project.
eight letters of support were submitted at the hearing.
We urge the board to reject
the appeal to consider issues
at this late day that the department, the commission and
zoning administrator consider permitses before the board at
this time is my belief. >> supervisor wiener, is there a question?
>> thank you Madam President.
Just a procedural question for staff, maybe for the city
attorney. Not even commenting on the
merits of the appeal. People are entitled to their view of what's appropriate for
their neighborhood and I
respect anyone's views on what should happen in a neighborhood.
This were now a year past when
this was before the planning
commission and the demolition
has already occurred and of course we -- when we have an appeal process we want to make
sure it's happening in a way
that doesn't just fragment the appeals and doesn't have a
situation where a building's
been demolished already and you're challenging the project.
I assume this is appropriately
before us or it wouldn't have been allowed on to the agenda.
You can appeal the map, even
though the arguments are more
pertinent to a discretionary review.
Was this timing typical?
Is that normally done as part
of the entitlement or after the entitlements because I'd hate to see this become a
pattern.
>> I can let [Inaudible] I
will say that in the of san francisco we do things differently.
In much of the rest of california the subdivision appeals are the first step and that's where the significant issues are considered because it's open space that be's
being subdivided.
Of the property, but rather through the entitlements so in
this case we did go through the land use entitlements through the commission. There was a required notice
posted on site with a large poster.
There was notice that was mailed to all occupants
with newspaper ads so that's the
typical way we do I.T. In san
francisco through those public
notice hear the zoning administrators is the proper of body for those and he has a different appeal process.
>> in terms of the timing of the subdivision map, is this -- when was that mappish shubed?
I know it's in the --
>> you received the application in September. September 30.
>> and was that after the
demolition had occurred? >> I don't have that information on here. >> okay. >> hang on a second.
>> I guess the other question
is, are there project sfon sponsors who will submit their subdivision map while their entitlement process is ongoing or is always after the fact and is it -- obviously this is -- given that that was submitted a long time after the fact. >> it's often while the project is on goingz. Going. Sometimes we don't see the application until very, very
late in the process.
It depends on the developer.
>> could this project sponsor
have submitted that application earlier or is our system set up that this is
when they have to do it?
>> as Ms. Rogers was saying, san francisco is different
than other places in the state
or country.
Usually the property would be
subdivided before all of the other entitlements happen.
It's just different in san francisco. It's not uncommon for us to
get a map when the project is virtually done. At 10th and market, whatever
the building is across from twitter, that building was essentially done when we got
the map. >> let's say if this appeal
were to be granted, the map were overturned, what would
the impact of that be of the project now that we have a demolished site?
Would they have to not build it?
>> in this case they could
still build it, they just
couldn't subdivide it. Sometimes the planning commission will see a
development for a number of units and the separately owned condos.
In this case the ownership is what you're considering -- are
you going to allow the parcel sizes to change position and if reason why it makes sense
to do it in san francisco with
the commission entitlements
upfront is because dcw doesn't have the authority to make the decisions.
With these hearings there's increased public process to be weigh in on the most important issues. >> I don't want to take up too
much time, when is the
earliest when this project sponsor could have gone in and
asked for the map. Obviously the appellant can't
appeal the map until I want's been granted so ultimately it's within that timing the neighbors don't control that. The timing is controlled by the project sponsor and by the department of public works and
what I'm asking is could this
project sponsor have filed
earlier?
>> the short answer so that is yes, they can file any time they want. >> they can do it in tandem with their conditional use. ? >> it's my understanding is the conditions are routed after the building permit has
been issued, which is after the planning commission-I believe it typically does happen at the end. >> and I don't know what -- you know, again, maybe we should make a look at what the law is.
It seems to me that we should
not be having subdivision applications for these projects happening a year or
whatever it is after the planning commission approval.
It invites these fragmented types of appeals and appeal happening when you have a demolition or maybe construction done so that's
not a conversation for today. >> we'd be happy to discuss
that.
I have a May 14, 2014 site survey that shows the building to be demolished. >> thank you.
>> thank you supervisor mar. >> thank you colleagues. I don't want to drag out this decision and I want to thank
planning staff for their presentation and department of
public works.
I want to thank the resident for bringing these issues to this body, but you're
challenging a very routine commission by dpw and planning commission. The time to do this would have been in the conditional use
process to raise the concerns but right now our hands are tied in my opinion on how much can be done.
I want to address the lack of noticing that is alleged by the residents.
A number of the residents say they didn't receive the notice, but my understanding
is some were renters, not the owners, but I'll ask, what's the proper notice and was
there adequate notice a according to the rules of the neighborhood.
>> yes.
I believe this were concerned about not getting the notice,
but there was ha newspaper
advein a
300 feet radius and a 30 foot
sign posted at the site. >> thank you.
>> anymore questions for our department representatives.
Seeing none we will proceed to the project sponsor who will
have up to ten minutes for
the presentation.
>> good morning President
Tang, supervisors in for the
project sponsor at 3838 clement l lc.
I want to talk about the chronology of the project.
I don't want to repeat what
planning staff has already discussed, but supervisor
wiener, to answer your question, demolition took
place after the subdivision
map application was filed. That motion took place in November.
The building permit to demolish the building and the permit to begin construction
of the new building were issued in October of this year and demolition commenced after that time.
So I first just want to talk
about how long this project
has been pending.
The project sponsor began the initial outreach program with a neighborhood meeting in 2012. The project sponsor then filed an entitlement application, which Ms. Rogers already
discussed with you in 2012 and that began an 18 month process in working with planning department staff on design
that began an 18 month process of neighborhood outreach and
the project sponsor conducted extensive neighborhood outreach and I want to
briefly
show a map of neighbors that issued letters of support at
the conditional use hearing. So you can see that the
project is marked with a star
and red dots indicate each neighbor that submitted a
letter of support. As Ms. Rogers mentioned there
was no opposition at the
entiwas fully entitled and ready to enter the next phase of development, which was
getting its building permit plans in order, which takes time. Supervisor wiener, to get to your question about the overall timing of the development of this, part of the issue for consideration is
how long it can take for architects to develop the building permit plans to
finally get them approved by a dbi staff. It's our experience that
while sometimes subdivision applications can and are filed
consistent with the entitlement application, some
aspects of the subdivision map
act, dependsing on the type of application you're applying for, you need to have them granted before you can apply
for a subdivision. That's another consideration
for why there's oftentimes a
lag between when an
entitlement is granted. Back to the project at hand, I want to talk about the limited
scope of this project.
The top photo here represents the current project sight and
as has been mentioned, it has been demolished.
It has been levelled, and before some of the rain that
happened in the last week or so, the project sponsor intended to start doing foundation work, which is the
first stage in building the
structure so before I introduce the architect, I want to run through the
highlights of the project.
They replaced a single space
retail building and it's
adding 9000 square feet of
ground floor retail and six
multifamily units on floors two through four.
It was granted a rear yard exception and the project's second floor rear yard is
actually the same size as required by the planning
codes. The units themselves are going
to be two or three bedroom.
I'm not sure the distinction between a den is something that's ultimately that important here. What's germane is we are
talking about constructing a multifamily housing building
on a relatively busy street in the outer richmond where a
project like this is appropriate and these units
will be offered for new families to move into the district. I'll introduce the architect to run through the project
design.
Thank you.
>> good afternoon members of the board.
As mentioned we have been at
this project since 2012 and
our firm has held a couple of neighborhood meetings and
worked with the planning
staff, environmental staff, building, planning, dbi, fire department to get this plan through.
Some of the design background
for this project, if I show you the ground floor, basically we ask for rear yard
variance so that we can
provide the adequate parking agency required at the back
and still be able to be achieve neighborhood commercial unit.
The floors above are pretty
much identical.
The building has been designed
scarefully so the two stair shafts and elevator is buried in the belly of the building so they're not overwhelming to the street or rear yard. With that, itch want to take a
bin. Of your time on available [Inaudible].
>> any questions for our project sponsors.
Seeing none, now we 'd like to proceed to public comment. For those who'd like to speak
in support of the project sponsor you have two minutes.
Seeing none, now we have the
appellant if you'd like to
present a rebuttal for up to
five minutes.
>> I forgot to thank supervisor mar for introducing my appeal. >> please speak directly into
the microphone.
>> the architect's own drawing
shows there a 40 foot wall
going beyond the height limit. There are these structures
additional on top of that. We have a stairwell,
penthouse, as it's called,
another stairwell penthouse.
We're already talking about 8 feet beyond the 40 foot limit.
I don't see how this meets the height limit. Beyond that, I apologize to
the board for taking up your time on bringing this matter
up at such a late date. Again, we are not familiar with the process, we're just average citizens that go to work everyday, try to get to work, take care of our
families so when we see these
signs, we see them all over the city. And in speaking to the meeting
that happen in the store
earlier in 2012 one neighbor
actually went and I believe that's the one person the project sponsor is speaking about.
When he went he said that the owner was there, there were no plans, there were no diagrams
and he was told that the store
was going to be torn down and condos were going to be put up.
There was nothing beyond that. There were rumors going around
that are it would only be four units, not six. I think most of the neighbors
were just okay with that, but
in addition to that, I think the notification is really a
big deal. Most of the renters within 150
feet, they claim that all occupants within 150 feet were
notified, that's absolutely
not true.
The renters were not notified.
I was watching my own mail during this whole process.
The only opportunity I saw in
the entire period was an appeal hearing in February to
come. I tried to make that meeting, I could not. I came five minutes late and I would not be heard.
I was told outside that sorry, it's a done deal, there's nothing you can do about it.
I met this kind of problem every step of the way so you
can imagine how the average
person feels when faced with this process to try to get something done and they're told there's nothing that can be done. Right here I'm hearing nothing can be done. Newspaper ad, I've seen the ad. Really nobody reads that part
of the paper, if anyone reads
the paper anymore so I hardly see that as adequate notice.
. The sign on the building is
a large sign, but again, most
people simply drove by, walked by without examining it. Supervisor mar can attest that
once the neighbors are properly informed that the
neighbor wills come together
and voice their opinions. We
all had neighborhood meetings, they were well attended and there are many neighbors right now who would like to voice their opinions, but because they can't be here, they can't say anything.
Thank you. >> thank you. At this time, our public
hearing for the appeal of the
[Inaudible] Of 3032 and 3038
through 3040 clement street is now closed. >> I want to thank the neighbors for speaking out for the betterment of the neighborhood and thank you for
the appellant for bringing
these issues forward. I hope
you're not discouraged and
hope you continue to raise
concerns, but I think this is
a fairly routine parcel map approval and I don't find merit in supporting the appeal.
My moek motion will be to
amend item 43, the language in
the title, striking the word appeal from title and the
first line so the first line
would read motion of approving public works mixed new
construction so I move that we amend item 43. >> all right, supervisor mar has made a motion to correct the title through an amendment seconded by supervisor campos. Without objection the amendment stand and --
>> I move that we adopt Madam
President, item 43 as amended
and table items 44 and 45. >> motion made bid supervisor
mar and seconded by campos. Can we take that same house
same call. Without objection the motion
is approved and the tentative
map for 3032 and 3038 through
3040 clement street is upheld.
At this time if we can go to our next special order 3:00 pm. . First we need to go to item 43. 63.
>> item 63 is a convene [Inaudible] At 3:00 pm to hold
a public hearing to approve
or reject the mayor's reappointment [Inaudible]
Ending February 20, 2019. >> can we take this same house same call.
Without objection this motion is approved. First we must take public comment on item 63. Any members of the public
please come to the podium.
>> in government definitely not a matter of good government so we will bring
our comments further on this
matter at -- when it's considered business the board at a later date, but I just wanted to state that for the record. >> thank you. And for those members who wish to comment on this item, I
want to remind then we will
actually proceed to the
hearing about the retirement board reappointment so at that
time there will be further public comment on that action item.
Again, if you want to comment on whether we should sit as a community as a whole. >> I think it's very important that the board as a whole take a look at what's happening to
the -- I would say systemic problems going on at the pension board in san francisco. As everyone knows, pensions are a serious issue for
working people and the 35,000 city employees, whether or not they're going to have a pension. What we learned from 2008 is
that the hedge funds and speculators are using these
hedge funds to put our money in play, threatening our
future as a right to live from our pension so I think this is
a broader issue than just the city employees and even public
workers. Private pensions are threat
and as well.
We have to ask why has mayor
ed lee appointed a speculator to the pension board in san francisco. City workers should ask that question.
why is the mayor appointing a speculator of hedge funds who sells hedge funds to the pension board to the city and
county of san francisco. Especially when a state agency
said they're no longer going
to invest in hedge funds.
So why are we going in the
office of direction which is a largest [Inaudible] As a matter of fact in after after, the directors refuse to get in touch with them and ask them why they made that decision so I think the board as a whole
needs to take this decision and needs to reject -- first
of all, accept having a full board meeting and reject her appointment. Thank you. >> and again, I want to reminds everyone that the public comment we're taking
right now on item 63 is board of supervisors should meet
such as the ones provided
previously must be reserved for items 46 and 47.
At this time we're only taking public comment on whether the
board should convene as a committee as a whole.
>> I hope you do and I hope
it's a thor rediscussion. Thank you.
>> whose marching down the
streets of the city >> seeing no other members of
the public. Now for the rest of the board,
if we can take a roll call vote.
>> on item 63, supervisor
wiener. I didn't hear that.
>> I. >> avalos. >> I. >> breed . >> I. >> campos. >> I. >> cohen. >> I. >> farrell. >> I. >> kim. >> I. >> supervisor mar. >> I. >> supervisor tang. >> I. >> there are 9 Is.
>> this motion is now approved unanimously and now with can
go to items 46 and 47.
>> items 46 and 47 comprise
the board of supervisors sitting as a whole.
We're here to consider the motion to the retirement board
for a four year term ending February 20, 2019. >> thank youp. At this time I'd like to invite supervisor avalos to provide comment.
>> thank you Madam President. Colleagues, I've been
troubled
by this appointment mostly because I don't feel like I
have enough information to understand whether approving
the appointment of wendy
jordan is going to be an approval that has cleared her from all the investigations
that are going on related to complaints have been made about her position on the retirement board.
There have been two stories
that have come out just recently last friday or saturday and yesterday.
I did have a conversation with commissioner jordan on friday
and what she had to say to me sounded reasonable, but at
someone who's not well versed in the rules, even though I
see language for the rules for how [Inaudible] Is conducted
I'm not sure how it measures
up to ethics laws and I'm not clear there's a real investigation underway and
what's the result of the investigation that have been conducted and then sent out.
It's not clear.
Even talking to Ms. Jordan it
wasn't clear either so for me
I feel best that -- I wasn't
really sure how the process -- if it was going to have the right process for the appointment.
I know that she had been sworn in about maybe a month ago, I
don't recall the exact date,
and at that point there was a notification that was made to the board of supervisors. When she was sworn in it wasn't a swearing in. What I'm hearing from the city
attorney that when she was
sworn in it was more
expressing the intent she was
going to be appointed. later on December 8 we received the clerk of the
board received a letter from the mayor saying that he would
like to appoint her to the retirement board.
The only issue with that is
that8 the mayor
wasn't in town, it was -- supervisor cohen was acting mayor at the time. We talked to the city attorney and the city attorney told us
that because the mayor had
sworn her in even though he
hadn't done proper noticing
that that was considered a notification of some sort and the intent notified the board
was don prior to the memo that
came and was signed and dated December 8 when the mayor wasn't here so we have to
accept it as a proper notification, but it doesn't
strike me as one. What I'm concerned is we don't
have time to review the actual complaint that's been made of jordan.
If she is cleared I would feel comfortable to move her
forward, but I'm not sure if she's been cleared or not from these complaints. Not to say she's on the same level or would be on the same level as murphy, but we just
recently had the experience of
approving to the port commission, murphy, when we
knew for sure that he had actually not been working in accordance with building code policy, that he at one time he had been responsible for
overseeing and then we've
seen there have been issues
with Mr. Murphy on port
commission for not following building code procedures, which I think is not what we
want to put our name behind for making appointments for
important position for the port commission or in this
case with Ms. Jordan for the retirement board.
These are questions that I
remain unanswered for me and I think it's important that
either the mayor rescinds the notification an reissues a new one so we can actually have
mrr more time to weigh in with information on our appointment or we can see what
questions with can answer
today and possibly end up rejecting her appointment
because we don't have enough information to know whether she's been cleared or not. I have some questions for the city attorney or other people about what she's at in the
process.
So I'm not sure who we have here present to be able to respond from the retirement board or --
>> at this time, I'd like to invite the mayor's office or
someone from the retirement
board to speak to this item. >> executive deputy to the chair.
>> thank you.
so I guess -- the ethics
commdid receive a letter from the retirement board suggesting she's been cleared of anything related to
the complaints that have come
forward, but sounded like there hadn't been determination. Can you respond to that in any
way. >> I believe you're referred
to the letter dating November 28, 20140. My understanding is the letter to the ethics commission was stating the retirement
system's position with respect
to the positions.
The position [Inaudible] Of
the compatible activities to my knowledge the ethics
commission has not made any response in reference to that letter. >> has not made a determination. >> one of the things I'm
concerned about is the gmo
investments, there is a
threshold for people to make
investments, which is about
$10 million and that she has,
through her firm, had a
relationship with gmo through mutual funds but hadn't done her own private investment with them until later.
I was told she was granted a
waiver fwr the $10 million
threshold many years ago but
she didn't take the waiver
until after she was on the
retirement board and the retirement board oversees $388 million in investments in gmo
and I've been told -- the
question is whether receiving
-- taking advantage of that waiver after she's been on the
retirement board has the investments in gmo, is that something the retirement board would feel comfortable with
with a member receiving such a benefit. To me that is not something
that I feel comfortable with moving forward with her appointment based on that relationship.
I talked to Ms. Jordan about it.
Show said it seemed -- from
her point of view everything
was fine because the intent to
do the waiver was given before. Show had the opportunity to do it whenever she wanted to it.
Didn't matter that she was appointed to the retirement boshd. Board. To me it doesn't seem quite right that way. I know I've talked to other
people in the industry and
feel that's not something that's a standard practice either. I wonder what your thoughts are.
>> I think I would defer to
[Inaudible] And did talk to commissioner jordan, but I'll
say that the section in the statement of income activities you're talking about as interpreted by the retirement
system when they drafted it,
they believe that this
particular item related to opportunities that were available to you because of your position on the retirement board or during
your time on the retirement
board and since Ms. Jordan obtained the opportunity and accepted the opportunity well
before her time on the board,
it's my understanding that Mr.
Hue determined that this
particular statement and compatible activities section didn't apply. . >> okay. But that was something that still could be taken up by the
ethics commission wlg whether
it would apply or not.
It's not the director's decision.
>> absolutely. I believe the absolute decision is going to the ethics commission. >> and we haven't heard from them.
>> we have not.
>> I'm not sure I feel comfortable going further into asking questions. . I don't feel we've had the proper time to understand where things are with her poim. Appointment. I'm not necessarily opposed to appointing her if she's cleared by if ethics
commission, but I don't think the way the notifications
happened and we don't have a
meeting until -- our first meeting is January 8 of next year, which is a swearing in ceremony. We actually have our first official meeting the tuesday after that. We could have a special meeting on January 7, which I
think would be the 30 day rule
-- 30 day s from the notice that the maize your had given
us, but I'm not sure we want
to schedule a special meeting
before we have our special swearing in ceremony or we have the mayor rescind it and come back with another one,
but those are my recommendations on how to move forward. I don't know if we have enough information to feel that we
fell perfect ly well about making this appointment moving forward.
>> supervisor campos. >> thank you Madam President.
Let me say that I have been
treating calls with this individual with Ms. Jordan and I know that she has been
willing to have a conversation with me and I know that she could not be here today and so
I don't want to prejudge
anything or jump to any
conclusions, especially if the individual is unable to be be here. just a couple questions for
the city attorney in terms of
how much time the board has to
act on this item. My understanding is that there was an actual physical swearing in of this individual
by the mayor and whether or
not that swearing in is
legally appropriate.
>> deputy city attorney job gibner.
>> the appointment is subject to charter section 3.100, which means the mayor can make an appointment and the appointment is effective as soon as the mayor makes the appointment and sends the notice to the board of supervisors.
Then the board of supervisors has 30 days of receiving the
notice to vote to reject the nominee or the appointee
business eight votes.
Here the mayor, I don't recall
the dates, indicated his intent to reappointment Ms. Jordan to the retirement board
and swore her in, but he swore her in before sending the notice of appointment to the
board, so that swearing in was premature. She didn't start her term that day. The mayor then, I understand instructed his staff to take
the appropriate steps to complete the appointment and the mayor and staff sent the notice of appointment to the
clerk's office, which the clerk received on December 8, so that is the day that the 30
day clause for the board of supervisors started to tick. I understand that the commissioner was later sworn
in again because her first
swearing in was too early and the mayor's office is nodding that yes, she was sworn in
again after the mayor gave the notice to the board.
Where things stand for right
now with you is you can reject it before January 7.
If you don't act by January 7, the appointment stand. >> as a matter of law, given that he has once notification happens the board has 30 days
depending on the appointment
to act, when does the term begin?
I mean, is that typical that
the mayor would swear someone in even before the 30a that
the board has to act expires?
>> the charter is written in a
way that makes it appropriate. Basically the appointment
become effective when the mayor appoints and provides notice to the board.
The person can be sworn in then and the clock starts
ticking and if the board rejects it the appointee loses the seat.
It understand it doesn't -- it's counterintuitive, but
that's the way the charter raze. Reads.
>> in this case the special meeting on January 7, but that would be your last day.
>> now, there have a number of
allegations made in terms of
non compliance with ethical
requirements and we heard free the retirement board, sort of
their -- at least the executive director's view as
to the question of incompatible activities. .
Does the city attorney's
office have an opinion as to whether or not this individual
has complied with all the ethical requirements under state law?
>> I can only speak to what I
know based on the public
filings and conversation with Ms. Jordan.
As supervisor avalos mentioned, the executive
director of the retirement board received a complaint
that Ms. Jordan had accepted
an investment while a member
of the retirement board where
the company had granted her
the ability to invest even
though her amount was below the threshold.
The statement of incompatible
activities is a local law
adopted by the ethics commission for each individual
city department and commission
and the retirement board's statement of incompatible
activities has a statement which is that no officer or ploy yeez May directly or
indirectly cyst or accept a business opportunity, personal
loan, favor or anything of
value from any public or
private entity.
This company gmo is doing
because with so did Ms. Jordan accept a business opportunity. There is -- as use can hear,
the language of the statement of incompatible activity is
open to interpretation.
Mr. Huish has interpreted it in a way that he believes most appropriate.
There is currently a complaint that's been forwarded of the
ethics commission and they e would forward that as an enforcement p matter. The question is, did she accept the business
opportunity, the advantage before she was a retirement
board member and then just later exercised that opportunity, or did she hold
on to it from before and then decide to accept it once she
was on the board in 2011? I don't think there's a black and white answer to that that
I can give you today. It's a question of
interpretation of the statement of incompatible
activities based on the facts and as supervisor avalos said,
I think ultimately the ethics
commission in this case will resolve it. There are a couple different ways the ethics commission resolves issues like this.
One is a person can ask for
advice, a public request for advice from the ethics commission.
They then draft a public resfons saying here's what
your statement of incompatible
activities means.
That's a public process. When Mr. Huish forwarded the complaint to the ethics
commission he instigated a
conft at this point it's confidential so I
don't know where it stand and I understand the board --
>> it is possible that the ethics commission could
decide either way depending on their interpretation of that.
>> that's right.
There's an matter of ethics. They could dismiss it, preach
a settlement where she could pay monetary penalties, or hold a public hearing leading to a determination.
>> what is the amount of the
penalties here?
>> under the charter and local
ethics law, the ethics
commission has the ability to
impose fines for up to $5000 for each violation.
It takes into account all sorts of factors in determining the penalty they apply.
>> specific ethical requirements that apply to this agency, are
there any other sections of
the government code or common
law that would apply to a determination of whether or
not there was compliance with
ethical requirements?
>> arising out of this gmo transaction, it's possible. I'm not entirely sure that Ms.
Jordan could have a conflict
if in agreement with gmo comes before the retirement board in her the future. I understand the last time the retirement board approved an agreement with gmo was something like 20 years ago.
I don't know how many times Ms. Jordan has recused herself as a board member.
I know that supervisor avalos
asked for that information a
few days ago.
This chronicle article referenced other allegations.
I don't really have any information to verify that or speak to it.
>> and I know that for elected officials and others, the
section 1090 of the government
codes requires limitations.
>> section 1090 would apply to a commissioner.
The political reform act would
require her to recuse herself if she's making a decision in her role as a board member
that would impact her own
financial holdings.
An as always, my office works
with every board member who
want to figure out when to recuse themselves.
>> I know there are times when
recusal May be necessary for
any of us, but many times when a recusal could invalidate the decision of the agency, is
there that risk here?
>> the law that you referenced, government code
section 1090 is the law that
sometimes requires
commissioners to step down. It would only require a
commissioner step down if he
or she has a financial interest in a company that is contracting with her
department that her board has
to approve and her financial interest in that company
doesn't sit within a recognized exception.
I haven't looked at that
partjordan. I don't think this is the type of transaction that would
require stepping down if a gmo
contract came to the board in
the future, it would require
her to recuse herself. >> [Inaudible]. >> I hate to predict the future based on the limited
information that I have, but
from what I know, the primary allegation is that Ms. Jordan
violated the statement of incompatible activities an we obviously will work closely
with her to make sure she
recuses herself in any future vote to ensure those votes are not subject to any legal challenge based on a con septd. September. >> thank you very much.
What I'd simply say is I don't know what is -- whether or not there's any violation here. You know, I think that you
want to be very careful about jumping to any conclusions.
What I can say is based on the fact that she was
certainly willing to speak to
me, I know that she wants the
facts to be known and I think
you have to give the individual the benefit of the doubt, but I do believe though that there are enough
questions that I don't feel
comfortable saying one way or the other here and I would think that the best thing to
do with something like this is
to give the individual an opportunity to come before the
board and answer any questions that we May have and to engage
in this kind of discussion so that's what I hope happens.
I think that we have an obligation to this individual
to make sure we give her that opportunity, but I think we also have an opportunity to the employees an retired employees of the system to
make sure that their interests
are protected and so I think that to do that, more
information is needed and I
certainly don't feel comfortable moving forward without getting that
additional information.
>> thank you supervisor cohen.
>> thank you very much. Excuse my back. I have a couple questions. Just so we're on the same
page.
My name's molia and I m I'm appointed by this body and colleagues to sit on this body in the retirement board. I have a couple questions to bring us up to speed on the
page on what exactly san francisco retirement board duty is. Karen, could you tell us
briefly what is the mission of this organization?
>> it's to invest the assets prudently and in the best interest of the beneficiaries.
>> how many people are on this body. >> seven commissioners.
>> how do they get to sit there?
>> there are three elected by the retired and active
members, three that are appointed by the mayor and
there is one who is appointed by the board of supervisors.
>> okay.
So some are elected, some are appointed. >> yes.
>> oftentimes the word
fiduciary is thrown around. Could you describe for us what that is? >> fiduciary has the interest
to put the interest of their trustees ahead of their personal interest at all times. >> okay.
Can you give us the background exactly of what the complaint is against her?
>> the current complaint
relates to Ms. Jordan's investment in gmo quality fund, a publicly traded mutual fund. The allegation is that because
gmo is also an investment manager with retirement
system, that that was an improper investment on her part.
There are two sections of the statement of incompatible activities that were referred
to in the complaint. The first prohibits, both
employees and members of the
board, from investing -- it
says specifically no officer
or employee maize invest
money with limited partnerships that are doing business was [Inaudible]. Because the gmo investment was
publicly traded at that section was inapplicable.
The one that seems to be of
concern here is the second one that says no business opportunity, a personal loan, a favor or anything of that
value from any public or private entity or firm doing
business with spurs.
The allegation is that although Ms. Jordan received
this opportunity before she
was appointed to the board in
august 2010, the fact that she exercised the opportunity after the fact was a violation. >> what year did she exercise this? >> 2011. >> 2011.
So she's been on the retirement board since 2010 and the allegations -- these charges are brought up against her in 2014. >> correct. >> okay.
And correct me if I'm wrong,
but there was the -- we fill out a form 700 indicating how
much -- where our assets are and where our investment ms are, correct? >> yes. >> and when we file these forms, what happens to them? >> the process has changed
recently, but in the past they would be filed directly
with the board secretary and
she would forward them to the ethics commission and with respect to the retirement commission, the board secretary would file them in house and review them.
>> so she filed on the 700
form that she had this investment?
>> yes, it's been disclosed. >> did she or did she not have to disclose that?
>> she did not because her
investment was a publicly traded mutual fund. >> the law says it will be ill
league ague illegal to make an
investment in something that's
a private entity.
So that's good to know.
What exactly -- if we were to approve her appointment, is
there any recourse that this body has should we find out at
a later date that the ethics commission has found her to be in violation? You May not be the best person to answer this question, I'll
defer to the city attorney. Say the ethics committee finds her to be in violation, then what? >> deputy city attorney again,
the ethics commission typically in that type of
situation would impose a monetary penalty. The board secretary would not
have any further authority to discipline or remove her. The mayor as the appointing
authority has the power to remove the members that he appoints.
>> does this body have any power to remove anybody? >> cow do.
You do, as you May recall, a
number of different appointed
and elected officials can be charged with official
misconduct and removed for
official misconduct.
The way that process works is the mayor or appointing
authority can suspends the individual, file charges, and
the board ultimately decides
to remove the commission.
the retirement board is not subject to that portion of the charter. The retirement board members serve at the subject of the
mayor and can be removed by the mayor. >> okay. So I'm going to go back to you.
Can you tell me how long has Ms. Jordan served? >> she was appointed in
augu
so colleagues, I -- this question opportunity for questions have been very
helpful. I'm supporting the appointment of p wendy jordan. She's been a fair person, easy to talk to and able to listen. Whether she takes a meeting or doesn't take a meeting, that's
up to her personal interest.
The difference between being a trustee and a member of the board of supervisors is we are
elected to serve people and our constituents and we have the responsibility to be accountable to folks. What's interesting is when
you're a fizz fiduciary is you're supposed to be a political.
Our number one role [Inaudible] When we retire. So I'm vested to make sure that this fund grows and I'm sure many of you are interested in making sure this fund grows.
I am not interested in scheduling another meeting to sit at a whole. I think if the ethics commission finds her to be in any kind of violation I think we can take up the matter then.
I want to reminds people that the ethics commission could
take almost a year to review
this process so we could be in limbo for a long time. >> thank you supervisor cohen. Supervisor avalos. >> thank you.
Well, like the ginsu knife
there's more to talk about.
For instance, gmo had a $10 million threshold for their
funds, but having a $10 million threshold, is it really a public fund if you have to have $10 million to invest.
You can't by investment for
gmo through e trade so >> I can't really shed a lot of light on that, supervisor.
My understanding is that the
April 2014 complaint was directed to the executive director of the ethics commission.
I know that Mr. Huish received
a copy as well as others.
To our knowledge that is pending before the ethics commission.
I can say the retirement commission has not been contact td regardsing that.
>> that's something that's still in doubt.
Also the $10 million threshold for investment and she didn't
have to meet that it looks like there's a favor that has been given. Whether it's publicly traded
or not and she has stock, that's an issue.
I don't feel comfortable moving forward and that would be my recommendation that I
would ask the mayor to either rescind the appointment and
come back in the new year and then there'll be more time to decide. Perhaps there could be some effort for the ethics
commclear her more
quickly than they are now. Currently right now I don't feel we have enough information to feel that this
is the right approach to take.
Now, I also -- before I get
off the mic, I did talk with Ms. Jordan last week. I know she's very knowledgeable, I recognize she's given quite a lot of time and her service for the retirement board. I don't want to discount that in any way, but I want to feel comfortable about my vote and that's why I do not feel comfortable to move forward
today and we either reject her
appointment or ask that it be rescinded and be brought back to another day when we have
more time to deliberate on it with input from the ethics commission. >> supervisor breed.
>> I want to ask the city attorney for some clarity. In this particular instance in terms of the investment, did
ms. Jordan break the law? >> city attorney, that's the question that the ethics
commission will be determined.
The law at issue is the
statement of incompatible
activities, which is the department by department policy, but that policy has
the force of law so the ethics commission could decide you
--
that the commissioner received
this business opportunity as
the moment she invested in the funds for gmo and that would be a violation of the law. That would be a violation of
our local campaign and governmental can you be the code.
>> so if she's found by the ethics commission to have broken the law, does that
present a cause for her to be removed and the process would
entail that the mayor would actually need to take action
to remove her, correct?
>> the mayor could remove his appointees, including Ms.
Jordan, or for no cause. If the ethics commission finds
a violation and imposes a
penalty, it's within the
mayor's discussion whether he'd want to remove her in that circumstance. It wouldn't be required that
he remove her from office.
P >> for clarity's sake, I'd like to know when the hearing possibly would take place or
if it would take place at all
to make a determination as to
whether or not she's broken the law. >> that's very hard to predict.
We know that there's an ethics
complaint pending because the
retistaff, you have a complaint, what are you doing with it,
they would tell you sorry, we can't comment because the
charter makes most of that
process entirely confidential.
In some cases the ethicings
commission receives a complaint, the staff
investigates it, the commission decides to dismiss
it and the entire process is confidential, not at public hearing.
Only if if the >> what's the value of the
assets managed by the board?
>> approximately 20 billion.
>> and how many employees are impacted, if you will, in terms of the retirement? How many employees are we talking about?
>> active and retirees we have over 56,000 members. >> okay.
What I would say is I personally think we have a
responsibility to these workers, to these retirees to
make sure that when you have people that are part of this
seven member body that oversee $20 billion in assets, that the individuals are complying with the highest ethical
standards and I think in this case we're not sure one way or
the other whether or not the law was violated.
and I actually think it's a disservice to those individuals.
, and quite frankly a disservice to this individual to move forward without giving
the individual the opportunity to say something. I don't think it makes sense
for how much we value compliance with ethical standards for us to move forward the application on the idea that if this individual
is found to have broken the law then there are some things that we can do at that time. .
I think that the fact that
there is this cloud hanging over this individual's head
requires at a minimum we hear directly from her an I want to
court her that opportunity and
so I will make a motion to
continue this item to January
7, where I hope we can have a
special meeting where we can
hear directly from this
appl
>> members of the board would
be determined by their vote to supervisor campos' motion. >> is there a so he could to this motion to continue.
Is there a second? Seconded by supervisor avalos.And why don't we take a
roll call vote to continue to
this item to January 7.
>> now might be the appropriate to take public comment. >> there are folks in the
chamber earlier who wish to
comment on the reappointment to wendy paskin-jordan.
If you'd like to line up you have two minutes to comment.
>> it's interesting that despite the statement of some
board members they're concerned about proeventing
conflicts of interest and any
sign of possible ethical going
forward with this appointment of wendy paskin-jordan.
And there's a national crisis
in this country of corruption,
looting of pension funds, pension funds going bankrupt and city workers and public workers losing billions of dollars. What are the reasons that
happens is because of these hedge fupdz, as a funds, as a matter of fact. Some people thiz thaz're going to get the money. The supervisor said I want to
get a lot of money.
So do I. Thousands of city workers
signed petitions saying they don't want their what the city workers think and I think that's a statement really of
the problem that we have here.
The city workers retirees an active city workers have a right to have a pension fund that is going to be secure and
they're very concerned that proposals to turn it into hedge funds will put their pensions in jeopardy and the
fact that you have somebody
who sells pension funds, who invests in pension funds and is on the board and you're going to be reappointing this person to a five year term,
what does that tell me an otherwise city workers? That you would have somebody
that has a personal conflict
of information on the pension board, who's questioning we're having a trial. Ed lee was informing about this conflict of interest before he reappointed here and he continued to reappoint her.
That tell ls me this mayor is not concerned about the retirees and active workers in san francisco. He's more concerned about
getting his friends or cronies
in positions where he can give money from the pension funds. That has to stop.
>> thank you, next speaker
please.
>> I think there needs to be
an alternative and I think it's important that the board access it. We have a good retirement system. We're one of the best in the country and I want to keep it that way.
I don't think investing in hedge funds in the direction
or since we got this new chief investment officer is going and I think it's important to ask the candidate about these questions.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak.
>> I'm also a retiree with the first program system and I just wanted to comment. A few people had said we should be giving her the benefit of the doubt.
Frankly, having worked as a career traffic engineer in the
city we were always told our
behavior had to be exemplary.
We couldn't have the appearance of impropriety.
We're in a fish bowl as public employees. In the retirement system
you're really in a fish bowl
so these questions of ethics are important.
We have appealed to every who
spoke to the board and made some very wonderful presentations. She didn't show so I think she has a lot of explaining to do. I very much would support this motion to have her come to the
board and answer these questions.
>> before the next speaker
comes up, I'm going to reminds
everyone this is about wendy paskin-jordan so just please
keep your comments related to
her reappointment, but not
about in general what the retirement board can or should not do. Thank you. next speaker, please.
>> I've been a san francisco
voter since 1908 and am the city of somebody who will have a city pension in a few years an I know he agrees with me in all this.
I want to thank you for your
unanimous vote to ask the
pension board to invest in the fossil fuels. That was such a different time.
During the nearly two years since that spring 2012 vote
the retirement board has done
little but waffle and mumble about how risky it might be. I've been to those meetings, I speak from experience. The world has moved forward around them and the reason to
divest in momentum to do them have grown spectacularly. The reasons that I think motivate it had board of
supervisors to vote was the
reality of climate change and the scientific news keeps getting more terrible in the 20 months since you vote. We're now in a race to save
the world from the worst case
scenario frs climate change
divest ment as this retirement
board was asked to do.
Another aspect that's change
td since April of 2013 is the new energy landscape.
Even a few years ago -- it's
here.
Renewable cheap energy is seriously impacking traditional power generation an power companies. in the U.S. Coke brothers -- I could go on about that. The third is the carbon bubble. More and more authority, the
bank of london, the british financial minister say wez're
in the midst of a carbon
bubble that could plummet and make the retirement board has
to the tune of I think $3500
million that's worthless.
So let's catch up.
>> thank you. Thank you for your public comment. That ng you. And again, I'm dpoing to have to remind everyone that your public comments must be
confined to this item which is about wendy paskin-jordan's reappointment. Please continue your comments in relation to these items or else we will have to sprupt you. Interrupt you. Thank you very much.
>> my name is brett, I'm senior analyst at 350.Org.
My job is to track public institutions reaction and due diligence to what is now called carbon risk.
The point that has been made
so far is that the board of
supervisors as part of their
fiduciary duty, is not to grow
the fund but protect it, what
the connection they're trying
to make here is that wendy paskin-jordan has been a
barrier to the due diligence of the board finding out
whether or not they are sitting on significant carbon risk.
I would say that it's up to
this board here to up hold the integrity of its board through this. And there's a difference
between intent and action. They're very separate things
and although intentd is significant the action is without a doubt where the rule was broken.
So when funds were traded after Ms. Paskin-jordan was on
the board that seems like a very strong indicator for an
ethics violation and this is the opportunity to keep the
first board at the highest caliber business examining
this further.
Thank you.
>> hello, I'm a san francisco
resident and member of fossil free san francisco as well.
I think the previous comments,
I have heard an explicit call
that she not be reappointed and they were basically giving
their reasons why they don't
think she is adequately representing her fiduciary duty on the board because of
these huge concerns in market risk in these areas.
I want to underline that
fossil free san francisco and
350.Org manage to bring
members of bloomberg, ronald reagan to the retirement board
to speak about market risk an
all members spoke up to that meeting except for one, the
one we are here talking about.
I comments are to urge that you reject this appointment,
and if you are not prepared to do this today, to hear this
again in January, get your questions answered and reject it at that time. I'd like to point out just
from hearing what I heard at this hearing, the ethics
commission usually charges
about a $5,000 penalty per
violation so if you can make more than $5,000 per violation there's no reason not to do
it. The real meaningful penalty
has to be in standing access to public opinion. It's clear that the due
diligence must be done on this
item, $20 billion of
pensioner's money is at stake. I'd add, that the appointment
was submitted so that it expired one day before the next meeting.
>> thank you, next speaker.
>> san francisco resident and member of fossil free san francisco.
I'm here to oppose the appointment of wendy paskin-jordan.
First of all, in terms of the
ethics violation, did she accept a business ovp.
Opportunity. Clearly she accepted a business opportunity and
continues to do so and she and the investors she represents
continue to be able to be leverage the amounts of money
invested by the pension board
for her own an her clients' benefit. I'm not able to do that, she is able to do that.
Now, whether or not this is technically a violation, to me
does not matter. I believe that the board these
to be held to a very high standard, including the standard of the appearance of a conflict.
As a federal employee we were all admonished that we have a look at the appearance of the
conflict as well as the conflict, that otherwise we
would not be able to generate
any kind of trust from the public and I believe city workers, whether in the charter or not, needs to be able to be held to that standard as well, especially with the amount of money on the table.
My second point is with respect to wendy paskin-jordan
is in terms of the excellent
definition we were given of a fiduciary is to put the interest of the trustees board
as above their own interests
and that's why everyone here
is talking about the risk of fossil fuel investment that
you voted on and was ignored by Miss Paskin-jordan as the chair of that committee. So together with the hedge
fund issue, all of these are fiduciary duties that she's not performing. Thank you.
>> thank you. next speaker.
>> good afternoon, my name is
cay walker and I'm a life
decade long member of the
great panthers and a member of seiu ten to one. I was very distressed by the conversation in general here
because I May not be an
attorney, but the sections
that were quoted is that Ms. Paskin-jordan allegedly
violated, to me were very indicative of someone that had a conflict of interest.
She was given this task to do
a favor to do a different type
of investment with gmo and didn't utilize it until she
was on the board.
Her reasons for doing its are
not clear, but she is
definitely somebody that's accepting a business
opportunity from any public
or pry separate entity in san francisco employee's retierpt system. She is definitely accepting that. I don't think you have to be an attorney to understand that. It's right in the language.
If she didn't know she was in
violation of this, then she has really not the competence
to be on that board or maybe she perhaps doesn't bother
with those minor things such as ethics.
There's also -- it was distressing to hear from
somebody there was only one
ethic violation filed and I know from what I've been reading and the actual documents that were sent to me
that there were two and one was filed in April and I guess
that was igz norred. Ignored. I think the comment that we're the plan members, we're the beneficiaries.
We should have --
>> thank you. Next speaker please. >> good afternoon.
My name is martha hawthorne.
I was a nurse for 30 years
with department of public
health and I'm not one of the
56,000 city workers and
retirees who depends on you,
board of supervisors, who protect us.
I've been to a number of the board meetings recently and I'm very disturbed by the behavior of wendy paskin-jordan.
I would urge you to reject her
appointment. She has missed many key meetings.
She missed the meeting on
fossil fuel divest m. She's never answered adequately the member's questions about hedge funds. We have to believe she's in favor of that.
I have think we deserve better
than went diz paskin-jordan. Wendy paskin-jordan. I have think there is someone better that can fill our position. Please, board of supervisors,
if you're not ready to reject
her reappointment, I think there's plenty of reasons to do it right now, however, if you're not ready, at least
vote in favor of the motion for a special meeting. She should be here.
She should not be missing an
action once again.
Thank you. >> good afternoon board of
supervisorses, my name is
patricia jackson and I'm a city retiree. I want to speak in favor of the suggestions is that were made here by supervisor avalos
to have the mayor rescind this appointment and come back in
January when it can be further investigated.
There have of those very corporations
that are gentry gentrification our city. I want to speak in favor of the motion. I'd like to suggest too that
for the future, let us
consider appointees, if they're going to be made by the mayor, that perhaps they should come from some other
part of our economy, someone
who understands or economy or alternative investment organizations. Thank you.
>> my name is kimberly and I
I'm a resident of san
francisco outer sunset district.
I'm here to ask that you
reject the appointment of
wendy paskin-jordan. In terms of -- the issue that has been the main issue of concern here during your meeting, which is her investment, it's my understanding her investment
that theish sure today was made in 2011 and the disclosure was not made until
2014 and I ask why this wasn't made earlier if this is not a concern. Secondly, I think that her
lack of attention an lack of information seeking regarding divestment from fossil fuels
raises an issue of her fiduciary duty as a board member.
Everyone on the board has met
with our group, fossil free
sf, to discuss the divestment except for wendy paskin-jordan. That seems like the prudent move to do so why is she not
doing that? Does she have another conflict
of interest in regard to the
fossil fuel industry?
I why did she not meet on our we' eve reached out to that many times, not just year-and-a-half ago and today
it's more and more clear that
investment in fossil fuels is
a bad investment. Even the rockefeller lost
their fortune because of the fossil fuel investment.
Why is she not giving
attention to this?
>> I think that any appointment of a city
official, be it a commissioner, supervisor,
their behavior needs to rise
to a higher standard in terms of ethics.
Seiu ten to one is in
opposition of investing in hedge funds, which they are considering.
I think Ms. Paskin-jordan operates a management firm
that has hedge fund
investments that she May
benefit by or influence those
decisions in a manner that May present a conflict of interest.
We also have serious concerns about the ethics violation
that we're hearing about so
given those regions, we of
course asking you not to approve the appointment of wendy paskin-jordan an if you need to look at it further, postpone it off to that
January 7 day, but certainly, don't approve her appointment
today.
Thank you.
>> hello, my name is an marie
and I eve been a city resident and homeowner for 30 years and
I'm here just to add the weight of my presence and
comments to the eloquent
speech of people before me.
I'm a member of 350 san francisco and became
concerned
ed along the lines of wendy
paskin-jordan dragging down
the process of advancing the divestment that you all voted
for and now I'm learning a lot more about other issues so I
think this is a big red flag
so please do not approve Ms.
Paskin-jordan's reappointment. Thank you. >> good afternoon.
I want to say my father, phil paulson gets a retirement check.
he retired many years ago from
central shops and -- [Singing] >> I'm here to speak on behalf
of myself and our future. We've been talking today about
the importance of not investing in risk an hedge funds have some risk to them, but there's nothing more risky than investing in fossil fuels
at this point for our future.
I want to thank supervisors
cohen and campos and representatives here for
bringing attention to the whole process and supervisor breed as well.
I think a lot more neighbors are informed of this process
now, which is really helpful, but I think enough information
has been brought forth that we
should support talking to this woman wendy paskin-jordan. I didn't know her name well
before this week and I'd been seeing these reports come out.
I urge the board to hear more
about these reports.
There's 56,000 meme that
people that are affected I
this amazing city I would not appoint wendy paskin-jordan to this position.
I would be talking with people here today, people in the rooms who have already talked about who to appoint who's
going to say yes in my
backyard to an inclusive, enriching and sustainable future for our city. >> thank you. Any other members of the public who wish to speak on
items 46 and 47. Seeing none, public comment is
now closed. Item 47, supercampos.
>> I want to summarize for my perspective, I'm not interested? A witch hunt or targeting this individual, but I feel when
questions of this magnitude
arise, in terms of protecting
the interest of everyone
involved, the retirees, the
employees, the public and the individual, it's important to have a good process. The way this would normally work is that once the appointment was made and the 30 day notice is provided to
the board the item goes to the rules committee where there's an opportunity to hear
directly from the nominee, the applicant.
Unfortunate ly because of how things worked out here we haven't that had that opportunity so but supporting the motion I made to continue
it to January 7 we're simply affording this individual the opportunity to come before
this body, speak and hear
directly from her so I ask for support on the motion. Thank you. >> thank you very much. Thank you ladies and gentlemen for coming out and hearing on this item. I'm going to be supporting this continuance. I think it's important to
answer the questions we've
heard here about attendance,
her thinking and her thought
pattern when it comes to answering some of the questions about her investment with gmo. I think also that it will also
allow us an opportunity to also further develop an understanding on what the pathway is with the ethics department.
I agree with one of the
speakers that we as elected officials, those that serve, any kind of a position head if
you're a doctor, lawyer, head of a religious organization, there's a higher standard we
have to hold ourselves to and
we need to remain above the
suspicion of any kind of
impropriety so let's give Ms. Paskin-jordan an opportunity
to come, state her position
and we will then wait to hear what the ethics commission
will find and I hope this body will adhere to what the ethics commission has found. Thank you. >> thank you. Supervisor breed. >> thank you. I too will be supporting the continuance.
I think that it is very rare that this body brings before
us any of the mayor's appointments for questioning and it is clear that we have a
number of questions when ethics are at kwez in a
situation of this nature and magnitude involving our retirement board, it is important that not only we have this discussion and we make sure that we're asking
the right questions an we're bringing to light all the
thing that is are of concern,
not only to us, but the
members of the public. It's important that person is
here to answer those questions directly. I appreciate the motion on the floor. >> thank you colleagues. Any further discussion on this item? Seeing none, we do have a motion before us by supervisor campos and seconded by
supervisor avalos to continue
item 47 to January 7, 2015.
It looks like we'd like to
hold this at 2 o'clock pm t.
Let's go to roll call vote. >> supervisor wiener. >> I. >> avalos. >> I. >> breed. >> I. >> campos. >> I. >> cohen. >> I. >> farrell. >> I. >> kim. >> I. >> mar. >> I. >> tang. >> I.
>> there are 9 Is. >> this motion to continue
item 47 has been approved unanimously to January 7, 2015
at 2:00 pm. Madam Clerk can we please call our next special 3:00 pm ord erp and before that we need to go to item 6 h.
4.
>> item 64 sit on December 16 today at 3:00 pm to hold a
public hearing to consider and discussion issues arising from
the labor dispute from the san francisco national restaurant. >> at this time we'd like to take public comment on item 64
and this is just on whether
the board should sit as a
committee as a whole to
consider the are there any members up to two minutes?
>> I'd like you to stay as a
committee as committee as
committee as committee asa whole because
-- [Singing
>> thank you members of the public on item 64. Seeing none, public comment is closed for item 64 and can we
take that without objection to approve this motion. This motion is approved.
Now we can proceed to item 48.
>> item 48 is a hearing to consider and discuss the issues arising from a bailor
dispute at the san francisco international airport restaurants. >> thank you. Supervisor mar.
>> we're joind in our chambers by dozens of hard working
employees from our san francisco airport and this
motion that I've made along with my colleague, supervisor
campos, is in respect to the
workers that the 1,000 plus workers that work in the
restaurants, but also to appreciate the airport who
have been working with local 2 to come to an agreement and
despite the strike over friday
and saturday and otherwise labor conflicts, I'm hopeful there will be an agreement. I've heard and I know the word
is spreading that there is an
agreement, but it's not finalized until it's signed.
I think I was up until about 2:00 am to come to an agreement that respects the contract workers that have not had had a contract for about a year-and-a-half.
I wanted to say that we're
talking about workers that
work at about $14.05 an hour
and the average pay was $24,000 a year try to live in san francisco or in other
areas on that salary are very challenging and workers that
have been without a contract
for about a year-and-a-half. I wanted to also just
acknowledge that two weeks ago, supervisor avalos we
heard in the budget and finance committee a proposal to extend as restaurant lease by ten years.
We heard a growing dispute from the workers themselves
from the sfo food and
beverage.
Speakers expressed indilg dignation to us that the city
would be granting lucrative lease extensions to those who run the restaurants and foregoing the competitive bid process, while about a thousand employees at those outlets are facing job insecurity and a loss of health coverage. Since that hearing there's
been a lot of work, but also a
two day walk out on friday and saturday despite the storm and
it was really effective. A strike business 1,000
workers in any industry should
draw our attention.
The travel industry in our beloved san francisco airport, especially during the holiday
season is a seriousish shun
ish issue and could have the
potential of hitting our city very hard economically.
And from their last impression or -- and visitors who come to san francisco through the
airport and leave through the airport, sometimes it's the last impression they have of our city.
I think having labor piece an moving forward it's really
critical so full awareness for our board is critical.
As the city is the landlord to
the food and bev rage and we
take about $18 million a year
in rent with these operations and also it's essential to the funding of the operations of
the airport and that revenue
stream is endangered by disputes like this one that
boiled over last week. This is one of the largest
employment base this is the region employing many thousands of workers and the quality of these jobs as we'll hear in a moment as the airport is a huge importance to our communities an families
from our communities as well. It affects who can pay rent
and who's in danger of losing their homes, it affects who
gets health care security and who riskings falling deeply in
debt when families fall ill. This is so much around us, not
just at the airport, but it's our whole economy that's impacted and it has huge implications for our city and
as such we felt this miles merited can know that there is ha tentative agreement that's
already been acknowledged to me, but I think hearing your stories and voices is
critical, but the you can do
your best to be sus say that
it is my hope that that said, let me say that it is very
upsetting to me that we have
to resort to having to have
this hearing. The fact is anyone who has
traveled the airport but here
in sfo knows when you're
traveling through an airport you're a captive audience.
You can't even bring water into the facility.
You are subjected as the
traveler to whatever prices are imposed on use by the vendors are selling at the airport.
We have been careful in
selecting vendors and second that we protect the traveler and worker. Personally I want vendors that actually -- that represent the
very best of san francisco,
not only in terms of the food an things being sold, but also in terms of practices that are being followed and tp idea to
me that we could have vendors
that in fact are not treating
their workers fairly is something that I have a
problem with and I personally
feel that the vendors that are selected should be in
compliance with the highest standards that we hold as a city an key among those standards is the idea you treat you workers well, especially when changes the
kind of prices that you're charging to those of us who travel.
The fact that we have workers taking $24,000 a year and that
you have vendors that are not willing to provide them not
only fair pay, but fair and
basic health benefits is problematic to me. I hope there is a resolution,
that this strike is avoided, but if that's not the case I want to make sure that people
know we have an obligation to make sure that the people that are selected to be vendors at this airport, that they truly reflect the values of this city.
And if there is no settlement I think that we have to make
sure that we look very carefully into what is happening with these vendors. What is it that they're doing,
what kind of practices are they engajed in, not only in terms of the workers, but in terms of the traveler.
How is it that we can have labor strife when you have the
kind of prices that are being charged at san francisco airport.
Why is it that we have to come
and have a hearing like this?
When I went to the airport I talked to a lot of the workers.
Many of them are women, women
of color, many of whom have dedicated decades of their
lives to making a lot of money
for these companies, making san francisco international as successful as it is. I'm hoping for the best, but
if there is no resolution, we have an opportunity and
obligation to act and look
beyond the issues of work and
are they really reflect tg values of san francisco. And especially in the holidays we have to go through this I
think it's sad so I'm hopeful, but I think it's important for
us to remain individual lent. Vigilant. >> thank you. If anyone would like to speak, come to this side of the room,
but I know we have first a
representative, rank and file
leader from local 2 to talk
the negotiationings and if there's any employer representative please come forward as well. Mr. Sing, thank you for being here.
>> thank you supervisors. I want to just make clear that
there is no tentative agreement in place.
There has been some progress that's been made, but there's
still issues outstanding. I'm joined by dozens of our
members who work in the restaurants at the airports
and have been negotiating patiently for this contract
for over a year now.
They have been met with resistance by their employer.
The action that occurred thursday and friday, the
strike by these members was to
sends a clear message to their
employers at the airport that
we're very serious about wanting a contract, which will
include healthcare insurance
and job security. The employers insistence that
they would not put one penny
towards the rising cost of
healthcare over the past five
years was the impetus for that strike.
If members' health care is not
taken care of in this contract, the about $24,000 a year. Well, the restaurants at the
airport who are making great
profits have, you know, seen
the revenues increase 34% in
the last three years. By not
putting any money towards
health care before this action occurred last week, some of
these workers have worked for
350 and $400 a month for family medical and again, if we've made some great progress in the last 48 hours and a lot
of that, credit due to our rank and file commit three and credit due to john martin and
his team really bringing folks
together and trying to make
this happen, but we're not yet at place where we can announce a deal.
I think it's important for folks to hear what we have to say.
From our members, we'll hear why these issues are
important.
Two, some of the
irregularities in these restaurants around pricing. Some strange stories about how menu prices have gone up and
how that May impact travelers going in and out of san francisco airport.
And three, and probably most appallingly, some of the behavior of these employers
leading up to the strike last
week and during the strike
last week, behavior that goes
beyond the pail of behavior in san francisco.
We've seen it from hotel employers, but haven't seen it come from public land.
We're asking this body as landlords at the airport to
look at the situation and ask
the questions we'd hope you ask an with that I'd turn it back to you. P >> now we'll ask if the
members can come forward and
if there are any reps please come forward.
>> thank you. Each member has up to two
minutes. >> I appreciate your long
hours you put in in trying to
get the airport in many shape.
One concern is that contract of compliance -- it's been
noted that many of the contract that are awarded are awarded with no bed.
I wish you, the board, would
look into that and see why
that some businesses are
awarded without going to bid.
Now, we have other businesses
that are really, really interested in putting business
out to the airport, but since there's no bid situation in
manythem, namely the
airport -- the airport has duty free.
Duty free has been in the
airport for -- in the 90s and their contractors keep turning over.
They don't have the bid and
along with some others. We'd like for the board to look into that and see why
that we can't make that field
level playing field so other businesses can [Inaudible]. Thank you.
>> next speaker.
>> I've been around this
[Inaudible] I'm very concerned of organizations and these groups that particularly put
that word out representing the
african american in this city. I'm doing a year of reporting
that's going to reflect on
what the african american
chamber of commerce and the
naacp -- those individuals that say they're representing-
>> we're talking about labor issues at the airport right now.
Please respect the workers and stick to the issue.
.
>> it's about the workers and
african american citizens. I hate -- if this man can get up here and sing when he want
to and you don't stop him, you have no right to stop me.
>> stick to the issue. >> I've been here for 20 something years. I know the game. I'm true to this. So let me speak what I got to say. >> thank you, next speaker, please. >> thank you. >> he took 30 seconds from me.
Y'all going to have to respect me.
I've been in this city hall,
which I call silly hall for over 25 years. Let me carry on what I wanted
to say about the african american commerce and naacp.
Going back to the tourists, we want to report on what has happened with that boycott
because if that don't come through us we might boycott the boycott. Thank you. >> thank you. Next speaker, please.
If you could please confine your comment to item 48. Thank you.
>> hi, my name is molly gomez
and I participated in the 48 hour strike.
I've worked at sfo for about
35 years and we're striking for decent wages, job security
and secure health benefits.
It costs me more than 2/3 of my annual wage for housing and that leaves me 1/3 for
everything he is. I have two daughters.
I am very concerned about my
healthcare and my job security.
I need to know that if, God
for bid, they have a medical emergency while out at school they'll be taken care of. I need to know that I have a job so I can pay for their college. The company wants to freeze the cost they pay for healthcare for six years
while
their revenues have increased by 34% over the last these years. They keep raising their
pricing up and up and I don't think they're getting approval from you.
They raised the price for a
bloody mary and within the
hour they raise it another dollar.
God for bid a customer wants
to put a slice of tomato, another 3 bucks.
Please pay attention.
Thank you. Because I can't
access the tip jar until the
end of the shift when they decide to unlock it for me and let me have it. On behalf of all the members that you will hear from today, I ask that you continue to
support us in this effort to make sure that these employers
do the right thing.
Thank you.
Good evening supervisors.
My name [Inaudible].
i have been working at the
airport for five years.
My concern for hair care and
we just increase it.
All the consumption going up
and since one-and-a-half year
we're waiting for that one and
then a hair care too is
important for me because I
have
[Inaudible] To do my bid.
Thank you.
You >> good afternoon, board of supervisors.
My name is fernando salazar and I've been working at the
the airport for two years as a line cook.
Also I need a group contract with good healthcare because
the cost of living has been
increasing, as we know, every single day. I'm looking forward to have a
good contract to stay working
at the airport. Also I need good healthcare
for me and my family.
Also, we need an increment on our retirement pension, I hope
it's coming on the contract. Healthcare is especially
important to me because we have been worker every day at
the airport and I need my
medical insurance to go and
check my health.
Also, supervisor campos mentioned that people is
trapped at the airport so are
we, the workers are trapped
there taking care of a
thousand and thousands of people every day at the
airport and sometimes we are under staffed.
so we have to do two, three
jobs at the same time because
we ayou very much.
>> my name is dana jobe and I'm a line cook at the the airport.
I've been working there since 1993.
I was laid off a few years ago
and I was called back to work,
but I want to talk about the behavior of the owners. And incident that happened
before the strike last week,
my boss, one of the owners of mission bar and grill, called
myself and two other cooks
into her office and started ed
talking to us and the conversation was about healthcare and the thing that really irked the crap out of me was that she brought up the fact that she had spoken to a lawyer and she said that we could be terminated if we went on strike. .
How would you feel if you were told that? And we also talked about
healthcare and she reiterated
what molly had spoken about, freezing the healthcare
because they felt they were paying enough it had been
brought up in a contract
negotiation meeting about
bringing an whether or not contributions would be needed
and my boss told me that oh,
well, the union reneged on that, which is absolutely false.
and one other thing I want to
bring up, I'm 65 years old, I have a 12-year-old daughter
that my wife and I adopted.
How would you feel if you had
worked 20 years at the airport, I'm vested for 19
years and your monthly mention is $280. >> thank you very much.
Sir, can I just ask you, despite the intimidation from the owners, my understanding
is that the strike was about 85% successful and your strike
vote for the union was about
99% so despite the intimidation local 2 stand
strong and there is a really effective voice of the members; is that true?
>> we want to be righteous and
get a fair and square deal and
it's been too long and, you know, I can just walk away.
I have social security, but I care about my coworker who
has two jobs working 80 hours a week.
That's who I care about, the young kids, and the direction of this city. When I see in stuff happening I feel ashamed. I think we all should be ashamed. >> thank you.
P
>> thank you. [Applause]
>> next speaker, please.
Sp >> my name's [Inaudible]. I've been working at the
airport for 17 years
[Inaudible].
We're here to apply for a good
contract.
Two -- today I hear people
working with me and idz hear
that all the owners say he doesn't care if we go for strike. They said they make more money because the management is the one who working on their restaurant. Yeah, go strike, we don't care
because we make more money.
We don't care, all the employees, so go ahead, go strike.
So it's really matter for us,
for me because we work, we go
to work, we paz for our own parking. Even I'm sick I go to work because we need it.
We pay for our own bills, our rent, our house, our kids just to go to work and we don't
want to help us for our health benefits.
Like we're just working just
to pay our bills and extra for
our medicals. Gentlemen, please, please help
us to have a better [Inaudible] And I know you
have power for all these owners who own or work at the airport.
Please, sir, help us. Thank you. Good night. [Applause] >> thank you very much, next
speaker, please.
>> all the supervisors, my name is [Inaudible].
I have worked at the airport
for four years as a server. I just wanted to say one
thing. I really believe [Inaudible]
They can't afford to give us a
good contract and benefits
because thaz're always busy
and their prices really high.
Miff restaurant sell the bottled water is $5.60.
How can they not afford benefits.
Last thing I want to say, supervisor, it is your responsibility to make sure
that my coworkers and I are treating fairly. Don't let this happen on your
watch, please.
Thank you. [Applause]
>> good afternoon, my name is
anita change.
I've been working at the
airport 11 years as a cashier.
I have work because I need healthcare.
I have high blood pleasure and
am a diabetic and need the
medication to control my unit
to survive, but my employer at
the airport want us to pay
$350 a month by the last yeerz of our contract. We all cannot afford it to pay
the extra 350 a month. Besides, I'm paying rent,
bills, food and medication.
We know this owner, they making money. We want the airport to continue contribution for their healthcare full coverage. Thank you. >> thank you very much. And before our next speaker
comes up, I do apologize, we
have a board rule here where
we cannot use applause or vocal expressions for approval
or disapproval.
Perhaps there could be other gestures you use to support each other such as use your
fingers.
>> my name is [Inaudible] I
work at san francisco restaurant airport.
We are here today because I
want our voices to be heard.
We need healthcare badly and I had an accident four years ago
and I have to be on doctor
care since four years ago and wez work hard -- everybody at
the airport works so hard and
we want them to help us with the health benefits that we deserve it.
So please help, thank you.
>> thank you. Reminder. Thank you. Next speaker, please.
>> good afternoon supervisors
and particularly, supervisor
mar and campos for your time,
comments and true grasp of
what is at stake here. I'm proud to serve the public at san francisco airport.
I just passed my 30 year
anniversary and I'm deeply gratified to have served seven
times in negotiations. when use pass through sfo, and you said it so well.
When you pass through sfo and
purchase a snack please pause
to consider that the person smiling at you and their
spouse are likely both to be working two jobs.
This is the true face of clinging on to middle class existence. We as union members will do
whatever it takes to ensure
that this fragile grasp is not further weakened.
We are appealing to a sense of simple common decency, both on
the part of the lessees and those parties that can influence them.
And thank you, john martin,
he's been a blessing.
Thank you for your time. >> thank you.
Next speaker please.
>> good evening supervisor, my name is [Inaudible].
I work at the airport for 20 years as a cashier at sfo restaurants. I need a good contract with healthcare because I need to be able to go to the doctor
when the employer can afford to give us a good contract. I know this is because all the
company are making good money and penny. The restaurant is always full.
I know they making good money, therefore I hopeout guys help
lg us. helping us. Thank you.
>> thank you. Next speaker, please. .
>> my name is erika.
I've been working at sfo for three years right now. I needed healthcare because
of my daughter, but I want you to take a look here to see the people who have been working
here for 30 plus years and given their best and don't get respect from the owners.
I have want you to know that I
have to work two hours for paz
for bloody marz mary that costs 15. These people need more respect. Everyone here, we are a family
and we need to get together and don't let them disrespect us the way they're doing. Thank you.
>> thank you. Next speaker, please.
>> my name is sam, I work in airport 15 year.
Right now I work in bar and
grill [Inaudible] There are some [Inaudible] If they go on
strike they'll be fired.
So on the strike day on
thursday all employees at the airport received text messages
from our bosses that we need
to work or all you guys will
be fired so we're very scared
about we ask the supervisor to
help us all employees of sfo
need a good contract and would have insurance so we can
afford to pay our family insurance.
Thank you very much.
>> thank you, next speaker, please.
>> hello, my name is joan, I
have worked at the airport a
year-and-a-half as a cashier at napa farms market. I need a good contract with healthcare because it is really important for me.
. I have two kids.
Living in the bay area is very expensive and having to spend additional for healthcare is something we cannot afford. Ever since I started working I have given my all, my heart and my soul, not just because I am doing my job, but because
I love what I do. The employers can afford to give us a good contract. I know this because they make
ha lot of money because our sales have gone up and they
are going to open two more restaurants from a different
airport.
Thank you. >> good afternoon, my name is pauline murphy and I have been working at the airport for almost three years now and I'm
here to talk about the behaviors of the employers towards us. Ever since they heard there
will be an up coming strike
they have threatened to fire
us.
In my workplace that most of the employees have not been a
member of the union before and
they kept telling us that
they're not technically in a contract that they could fire
us and they could pinpoint who could go back to work.
There was an incident to where
one of the union reps told us that we'll be going to the store and talk to the manager
and she told him it's okay, I'm not scared because we could really fire you. Then during the strike one of my coworkers saw that there was a worker who was actually going to work and we were trying to talk to him about
what we were fighting for and
one of managers saw him and
actually pushed him to get away from us and tell him that don't listen to them, you
know, just go to work and then the manager, who said that
they saw it reported it to the police and wanted us to tell
them that we are not doing
what wez're supposed to do so we're trying to harm our
coworkers. Thank you.
>> next speaker, please. Come on up.
>> hi, good afternoon. I've been working for [Inaudible] Diner for seven years, v.
I was doing strike on friday
and I got [Inaudible] They changed my schedule without telling me first.
They told me if I don't go to work for the schedule and then
I saw on the wall they post if
I go -- the employee [Inaudible]. They never call me for the changing the schedule.
And then the second thing, I
need good health benefits
because I meet a lot of
people, like a passenger or customer who from all over the world so I need something for protection for me.
And then on [Inaudible] Very good health benefits.
The second thing, I have need
my employer -- I believe if they play fair we are very
happy to work.
Thank you.
>> my name is mike, I'm a [Inaudible] I'm here in support of the airport
restaurant work eshs ers and I
tell you why. It affects all of us as members of local 2.
The thing is, enough is
enough, these employers think they're something special and
can put their workers in these restaurants have nothing and be nothing. They're their right hands. . The managers don't know nothing.
The workers are the ones who make those restaurants operate and the service they perform
and work they do, not the
managers. the managers treat their workers like they're garbage and that's got to stop right
now because enough is enough.
These workers deserve good
benefits, good healthcare,
decent pensions and wages.
I've been down there on the
picket line for two days and I
want these workers know that we're on their side.
I've been to many different picket lines since I've been a
member of local 2 since
February 23, 1981.
I tell you, enough is enough. These people are human beings
and have families to support
and bills to pay an deserve better than what they're
getting and these employers
are making good money. Enough is enough because those
workers are the life blood of
those restaurants. >> thank you.
Thank you very much.
Next speaker, please. >> good afternoon, supervisor, whoever bosses that are here,
r m copping to talk about the benefits of the -- I work in
the airport for two years, I
work [Inaudible] And I got my
medical for the union but on
the reason I see -- some new workers, they don't have the medical and then they want -- they make some hours to get the medical.
I guess owners, policies and it's my reason I got my medical for the union so I
appreciate that, but I really
worry about the other workers
and we want these jobs, the
bosses they can -- they use us -- whatever they use and then
they don't need us, they fire
us so I don't see that they're
right because we want -- we have any of these workers,
they have a family to support,
bay area or california, it's very expensive. I mean, I really don't know,
but they pay, like, $13 an hour and we work for the airport, we could really make
good money because on the
prices on the they go up, but the salary is the same. I don't see that's fair
because we're working for them, but they don't really care for us. That's my point here to be
here to talk about the
benefits that we really need
and I really care about the
healthcare because
>> I work in [Inaudible] The best airport in the worl but we have a lot of problems
right now with the owners.
They don't sign a contract [Inaudible].
>> thank you.
Next speaker, please.
>> my name is [Inaudible] Lopez.
I've worked at the airport for
ten years.
I'm here too to talk about
contract and the medical solution, our healthcare.
Thank you.
>> good afternoon, my name is roberto [Inaudible].
I've worked for three years in
terminal two in [Inaudible]
Restaurant. I'm here to talk about my
healthcare. I'm latino, but I trust in this nation and I'm here to make sure that we have health benefits.
Again, I trust in this
country.
>> my name is will burr and I
work in airport for ten years
and everybody worried about
health insurance and I think everybody think about [Inaudible] The company we don't have a union right now.
We don't have insurance an one
girl she work in a company with me, like, two months ago
she went to [Inaudible] And
she didn't have insurance and she got [Inaudible] $8,000 and she didn't have no insurance,
she get another job to pay the bill because other people they say we work just for pay bills
and that is why we need
better
contract, thank you. >> hello everyone, hi.
I work as an add needed sf o
airport about a year ago actually anyway in the badging
office and I used to see
people -- I meeted and greeted almost 8,000 people coming in and some of these people came into the badging office and I
helped them. I saw a high number of terminations. It's a stressful job to work at the airport. It's low wages. Some of these contracts are below the city minimum at $11 an hour. They're making maybe 7 or $8 an hour. It's terrible.
You can't live in the city if
your rent is 500 or $700 a
month, how can you live on 10 or $11 an hour?
You can't do it.
It costs almost $8 to go just
one way to bart from san francisco downtown to sfo. It's really terrible for some
of these workers.
If you're late in the five minutes, ten minutes you could
believe fired a second or third time and it's to no fault of your own.
It could be a traffic jam, bart could go down, and you could still get fired so
there's a life rate of stress for these workers at hourly wages. I see people get hired and
work so hard to get hired and be tossed out once they were late once or twice.
You can't live in the city if
you make 10 or $11 an hour. I know in because I have to
leave the city because I can't get a full-time job with benefits.
San francisco is not helping people to stay here.
It's helping the big businesses do a merri-go-round and get rid of the older workers in favor of the younger workers. I'm here to speak later on
because this will be my last
time -- thank you.
>> thank you very much.
Next speaker, please.
>> good evening.
My name is [Inaudible]. And my company and the only one thing I'd like to say,
you
know, I wish everybody please try to help everybody at the airport, everybody work harder. Thank you very much, I really appreciate it.
It's great, thank you.
>> I work hard, so I need good
benefits, I need healthcare.
The owners make a lot, a lot of money.
For example, the restaurant,
the place I work, that I have
make $9 million net.
Number one
>> [Singing] >> thank you very much. At this time I'd like to call on supervisor mar. >> walter, you hit it on the head with that song.
Thank you so much to local 2 members for speaking, telling your stories. I think this is what leadership looks like, this is what unity looks like, this is what solidarity looks like.
My first picket line for local
2 was 1984 for the restaurant workers strike an I'll say the spirit of local 2 and the
power of you standing united is so important.
I'm very hopeful that you have succeeded hopefully with
coming to an agreement so I know Mr. Sing said that there's not a tentative agreement yet, but I think your actions over the last few
days, but also your presence
here representing the few of you, the dozens, hundreds of
you here today represent the thousand workers there I think
is a strong message you want justice and a fair contract. Thank you for educating us today.
I'd like to know if in of my colleagues have anything to say. If there are any others, please do line up, but
otherwise let's proceeds with last public comment on this item. >> this struggle is my struggle as well.
I was a food worker.
When I -- I was so impoverished that I couldn't
afford a car so I rode a bicycle everywhere. I had to ride it on the
highways. When I went to work from time
to time I get scars, I get
burns, I get cuts.
Some of the scars on my body
still have not healed, it's opinion, like, 14 years.
I think at this rate we might just need a ballot initiative so that people can get a living wage at the airport.
I've been to an airport -- you might get a bottle of juice or
something and it's, like, $3.
I'm just very troubled that
people cannot get a living
wage at the airport. I figured you'd get more money
because you have to go through security, metal detectors, et cetera, et cetera, I figured
more money for them.
I guess there's certain side
effects that people can acquire by working in the food industry.
When I was in the food industry when I did not think, I just reacted. Something happened, low on this, react.
Low on that, react.
People is cooking the food.
I am just -- it's very troubling that people cannot
get a living wage, they cannot get healthcare.
I think the living wage now is about $18 adjusted for inflation. It's definitely not can I want
up.
We need stock options for
them, we need medical and we
need opportunities for them to grow in advance, higher
education, lots of things and --
>> thank you very much. Next speaker, please. Again, if there's any other
member of the public please
line up.
>> hi, my name's [Inaudible].
I am 83 years olds.
I'm legally and morally in san francisco, was evicted on the
street.
I am homeless now.
I need your help.
It's only in germany, fascist
company that 83 years old
people was evicted from the street. I don't know what to do.
I am almost a year not living in my home -- >> sir, I apologize.
I want to make sure you're commenting on item 48, which is regarding the labor dispute at the airport. We will have time for general public comment later in the meeting. Thank you.
Again, if there's any other member of the comment ready to speak on item 48. Supervisor kim.
>> I have just wanted to thank all the workers that came out today from the airport.
I know many of us start our holiday travels, many of us
will be going through sfo international and airport and
I certainly will be and I
certainly plan to stand in
solidarity before I ride my
plane, which is a huge strain
on passengers who can't even bring liquids through security, but I certainly hope
that local 2 will unit heerz
is successful in coming to an agreement with the concessionary stance.
It was exciting to seize after a prolonged struggle l with acceptabilitier plate that we were able to be get to a conclusion a couple months
ago, buff but I want to voice my support for you and thank
you for all that you do, not
just serving our city and being the face for so many tourists that come through
from around the world at the
airport as our giant stadium concessionary state as well, butt serving your families and community, it is so important
that we rez main concerned about healthcare issues and
making sure we are paying our workers fairly so they can
afford to live in san
francisco and bay areas'
rising cost of living through
the region.
That they work with and and I represent district 9 which includes the mission and this
is a text that came from -- it
was dated December 11, 2014
from mission bar and grill and it bothers me that something
like this would come from a business that has the name
mission on it, but it says from mission bar [Inaudible] And it says good morning, please return to work as
scheduled or you May be replaced, sincerely mbg.
Legally, the kind of language that's being used straddles the -- sort of walks the fine line of whether or not is it
just a statement or actual
threat, but of course, you
know, getting this from -- on
your personal phone from your
employer, we know what the
intended impact of this is,
which is to intimidate and
threaten and that's troubling. I was very troubled to hear in public comment about how in
some of these establishments
it seems like prices are being
increased without any of what are the requisite approvals that need to be obtained.
I would ask the city attorney
if
you can please review the
leases that are -- I don't know how many leases we're talking about. The chair,
maybe you can tell us maybe
how many we're talking about. >> I can't recall the exact number.
It's somewhere in the range of eight to ten that we're looking at, but I'd be happy to look into that question an report back. . >> one question I would have
is if a business and establishment raises prices
can they do that unilaterally or do they have to go through
a process where they require approval of management. I know john martin try to run a tight ship.
One chemical question I would
be would that be a breech of
the lease?
We're not there yet so I would
ask we make a motion to continue this item to the first immediate next meeting of the board of supervisors,
which I think is actually a
special meeting on January 7.
i don't think that we will
need to haerz the item again,
but I just want to have it as
an option so I would make a
motion to continue to
immediately following the
special meeting.
>> just to restate supervisor campos has made a motion to continue this item to January
7, 2015. The public hearing portion of
this item has been held and closed, buff we can continue the item itself. >> the item itself. >> item 48, sure. That's seconded by supervisor mar.
Without objection that's been
continued, item 48 to January 7, 2015. With that, colleagues, we will now reconvene as the board of
supervisors and proceed pack
to our item 50, which we left off at. Again, I want to thank everyone for being here today for item 48.
Now we'll go back to roll call for introductions. We left off with supervisor breed who had completed her
submission.
>> I'd like to introduce new
business, supervisor campos.
>> I'm the potential short
term and long-term strategies
to help alleviate the affects of flooding along folsom street in the mission
district, the area of 17th and folsom, which is actually the
lowest point in the city which always floods every time that there is -- not even a significant rain. Even a minor rain sometimes,
and over the post few weeks we have been working with community members to prepare for the storm and I want to
thank the public utility commission for the hard work they have done to help folks. This is a complicated problem and so this is basically a hearing that would allow us to have a long-term discussion
about a more permanent solution.
The rest I submit. Thank you. >> thank you supervisor
campos.
Supervisor cohen.
>> thanks very much.
First, I just wanted to make an announcement and raise the level of attention around a very important item.
I just want to recognize that earlier this week congress
passed a bill that could
result in a complete national
data collection on police shootings and other deaths
that happen in law enforcement custody. This is pretty significant
because what it is is a reauthorization of legislation that expired in 2006.
This is legislation that was introduced by representative
bobby scott, a democrat in
virginia and base cliz states receiving federal funds would be required to report every
quarter on the number of deaths that occurred of
persons in the their custody. And think, I believe, speaks
to a lot of the wave and movement and protest and outrage you see happening on a daily basis.
I have want to offer one final piece before I submit the rest
in me more yum I'd like to request we close the board
meeting out in memory of my great uncle. He was laid to rest earlier in afternoon.
He passed away on December 9
at the age of 96.
Louis was born November 17,
1918 in ocean springs,
mississippi and he attended
elementary school at xavier preparatory high school.
He was married to my aunt on
June 28, 1939 at holy ghost
catholic church.
As newlyweds they started
their family, and with the
birth of ten children. But 1942 is needs of the
family had my uncle louis
seeking to obtain higher wages
for loading freight for the
louisville and nashville
railroad.
Like many african americans,
migrating from the south to san francisco [Inaudible].
Uncle louis has settled into the working class neighborhood of bay view hurnters point.
Together he would raise ten children in the community.
He could be seen on sunday mornings at our lady of the lord church with his children
and later in life at all hallows catholic church. he loved singing and could be heard singing or whistling a
tune as he worked in the yard or remodelled the interior or exterior of his home.
Besides his family he loved
the san francisco giants, the baseball team, attending many of their games until he was no longer able.
He's left quite a legacy
behind. >> on our city's as a city how
we want to continue to make improvements in our supportive housing system.
One of the reports was recently [Inaudible] That I requested earlier in the year that was released earlier
today.
That examined the cost identify and compare procedures for client intake, assessment and outcomes. Both of these reports are some
of the first comprehensive analyses prioritized here in san francisco.
While both reports affirmed that supportive housing as cost effective and necessary, they provide la number of recommendations that the stitz I believe should explore and
implement in order to reduce ourover all homeless
population and help the formerly homeless become receive sufficient.
The city services audit report
and their tenants focuses on inclined characteristics, services provided, service
gapsbenefits, helts care youthization, and the length of stay in client
exits.
Four key areas I look forward to exflowering, includesing service provision, administration, and program goals.
The bla report I requested
affirms the effectiveness of support I [Inaudible] Costs to build new supportive housing ewe nitss here in our city of
san francisco, but provides recommendations that both dph and hsa can track the records of their clients and calls for
the city to convene a working
group to support housing. Include tg feasibility of
moving to a citywide or needed
assessment system, more trajectories, service utilization availability an
cost of alternative housing and the projective future costs of maintaining and expand tg city's service
housing port folio. As a city more of our homeless here in san francisco.
I plan on bringing together the directors and helping staff to discuss the reports
of my hearing and the steps needed for improvement in service delivery and outcomes for our clients that plan on
taking the immediate and long-term fuel chur.
There are a number of legislative proposals we'd
like to address, including
contract compliance, better performance outcomes and how
to encourage more support of housing tenants to qualify for public benefits and the
transition of willing and able housing tenants housing opportunities. I plan on scheduling this meeting in February and look forward to the discussion and
I thank today all the people
involved, I want to thank trent from hsa, everyone from
dph and everyone participating in these efforts and look forward to continuing this discussion. The rest I submit.
>> thank you supervisor
farrell. Supervisor kim. >> right before thanksgiving
this year I a pilot program to restroom fa stillties throughout our district.
It is one of the top concerns
I continue to hear from our residents, visitors, small business owners and on our city streets. We work at the department of public works over the last two years and needs to come up with a pilot program that will
offer a triple combination of portable toilets, singzs,
needle collection and dog waste bags and receptacles.
For the last sixth months we
have implemented this project alike is that there's a real need for clean and safe public restrooms to provide people with a dignified place to go to the bathroom.
At the same time as this usage has gone down in our neighborhood. This is significant because
most of the steam cleaning requests pertain to reports of human feces.
Hire to the 1001 pit stop
public works averages requests on [Inaudible] Steam clean using #1r5 gallons of water,
the city has saved 160 gallons
of water a day at 2641 gallons per month.
In the appropriate receptacles
and not left behind in our
doorways, parks or tree wells.
They identified 150,000 to fund the initial pilot through
January, and given the significant unfortunately due to the holidays it was difficult to schedule on December, the hearing will take place in early January,
but in the meantime we want to introduce a supplemental to ensure we can continue the
prog the yearexpands to other high needs neighborhoods like the
high needs market.
As we with a spike in traffic fatalities.
And while we are slightly
behind in terms of fatalities and pedestrian fatalities we
also know that there is often a spike during the holidays as
there is an increased number
of shared users on our odes. Roads.
We want to reminds the public to drive safely during this
time of joy and gatt eshg. Almost done, I've asked the
city attorney to begin
drafting an ordinance that
all frequent drivers and large take the approved training starting in the new year.
The city will be handing out bumper stickers announcing the
partner's early and voluntary commitment. We're working with the san francisco bike coalition to
continue pushing our don't walk efforts throughout the holidays.
I was really glad to see that
sfmpa has decided to launch
the pilot we began in the
month of December and we are
supporting the campaign to
report locations or drivers blocking the box by hashtaging
-- I still call it pound -- hashtag parking dirty sf.
This program was modelled by washington dc public works and
you can learn about it more at sf bike.Org.
I have a in the founding
member of community housing partnerships core chop program. The community housing organizing project works to train and develop community organizing leadsers to
categorize social change in
san francisco, promote social
justice and advocate for
issues for social poverty and
homelessness. We are all
organizizers, chop also runs
community scholars program, an
8 month internship program to promote [Inaudible] Through
chop she worked almost every day on a campaign including most recently the fair chance
act authored by my office and supervisor cohen and the registration project.
She came to our meetings supporting policy measures
that would make a difference in the tenderloin.
She was born in san francisco
on July 21, 1969 to edgar
[Inaudible] And raised by her grandparents.
She grew up closely with her
two siblings, trino and lucia. She worked in the tenderloin.
She was an amazing mother, daughter, sister, friends and
someone who cared deeply about her neighbors and residents.
She passed at the age of 45 to unknown causes.
The community housing
partnership family in our district are grieving her loss and the gap in leadership. Friends remember her as loving, outside going, caring, down to earth, and never
without a smile on her face.
She is survived by her who daughters.
Friends my visit her today at driscol mortuary.
A mass funeral would be celebrated tomorrow, december
17 at 10:00 am at saint
anthony's church at 3125 cesar chavez street.
We want to pay condolences to family, friends, chp community. I know many of you have seen her in our halls and in meetings and speaking at public comment and if you see
her photo you'll recognize her and her smile immediately.
You can go on facebook.
I know community housing partnership who here today
have posted many photos of leanna to recognize the impact she has and continues to have on our neighborhood. The rest I submit. >> thank you supervisor kim. Supervisor mar. >> thank you Madam Clerk. As I mentioned to my first
kwez to the mayor kicking off this meeting, I'll be working with the city attorney with input from supervisor avalos and President Tang on
beginning the process to
research what with the budget
analyst's office as well, the
tax looking at ultra luxury housing with absenteeism owners in our city. We'll begin the process to
talk with stake holder groups.
Also an issue of pay equity
and parity I'm issuing today. Supplemental appropriation up
to the amount of $3.4 million during the 2014, '15 fiscal year to funds the cost of
doing business allocation for non profit agencies at contract with the city and county of san francisco. many women and people of color staffed the community based organizations that are non profits in our city. There's a wealth gap that's leaving them behind.
This is about parity and pay equity for these workers. We did this resolution a few
months ago because in fiscal
year 2008, 9, 11 and 12, non profits received founding from san francisco despite having
to absorb the huge costs of healthcare rent.
This flat funding amounted to
the reduction for non profit really negatively impacting
allocation for this purpose was contingent on revenue and
savings above the projected estimates for 2013, 2014 to be
found in sources such as the city's local tax, property tax
and real estate transfer tax.
According to our recently cap our comprehensive annual
financial report for the city
for fiscal year 2013, '14, the city's general funds is now in
a much healthier financial
position that continues to post significant
improvements.
>> I'm going to adjourn in a memoriam. Our city and chinese american
community has lost a warm kind and outstanding when laura lie passed away
on December 10th after suffering from
liver cancer for over 5
years. Laura
was born in china on January 7, 1933.
She had only 4 years of formal
schooling in hong kong before immigrating to the united states. She
went to washington elementary school
and because of her age she was quickly
promoted to galileo high school and
during this time she joined mun shing the democratic youth league
not too different from the chinese
association. At the time of that organization mun shing was subjected to surveillance and harassment by the federal government and fbi and elements of the chinese community
itself. With the mun shing laura became active in drama and
theatre and
there she met her husband who she
married after high school. Laura lie
worked for pg & e before retiring in
1995. Throughout their married life,
she was his main companions and
assistant and partner. Her astute management of their finances allowed
them to accumulate an amazing library
but also made it possible for her husband to retire early so he can
become a full time people historian and she joined him in his research
throughout the world. Laura continued to support their favorite community
based organization like the chinese cultural center, chinese historical society and the chinese association as
well. Her powerful spirit, devotion
and grace were in comparable. I know she was gleaming when she knew her
root to salvation and knowledge is
applied to the community. Laura's
ashes will be scattered. We join the
family and relatives. Also I'm very
saddened by the passing of the history of the asian movement and grass roots
activist from the 70s and 80s that
came together when he was on
death row
in san quentin. It took a 9-year
struggle to successfully win his release and freedom. The defense
committee was the first pan coalition
for churches but also militant
community groups. Mr. Chul sue leaves
in 1981 after the grass roots campaign
led by a social movement after being
released from prison for being wrongly
convicted of a gang murder. He brings asian americans like myself
in an unprecedent pan asian coalition and
the movement which I call it represents the pan asian movement in
american history. Chiu sui lee came
to the U.S. In 64 with limited english ability and he was brought up
by his aunt and uncle. Chul sue lee was also
part of a small korean community and attended many schools in san
francisco. He was wrongfully convicted
in 1973 of killing a chinese gang
leader and he was very young at the
time. I wanted to acknowledge activist
yamenta. And I want to mention Dr.
Ruth and kim from social equality and
many others who worked on the campaign
to free him. There will be a number of
memorials coming forward to remember
chul sue lee's live and I want to thank american asian studies for being their for him. Lastly i respectfully request that we end our meeting in
honor of a man, a homeless man named
Mr. Tay lamb. He was a
homeless person
brutally killed on November 23rdrd. 67-year-old was beaten to death as he
slept in an alley on montgomery street
on that late night. He was discovered
dead in his sleeping bag monday
morning. He was fatally attacked by
three men because he had over $1,000
in his pocket but known that robbery
was not. He was 5-foot 5 inches tall
and kept to himself and not a problem
to others who frequented the area. All
who knew him said he was a very respectful gentleman. However we do
know why 67-year-old lamb was
attacked. He was an easy target because he was sleeping outside in an
isolated area. He was an easy target
because he was disabled. He was an
easy target because he's considered as
a class of being worthless and
unfortunately Mr. Lam is not alone. About 100 homeless people die every year in san francisco and homeless
people are at risk for increased health problem due to
exposure, high
stress, sleep deprivation, unsanitary
surroundings and lack of hygiene
facilities and without stable housing.
I'm appreciative of the work that
supervisors farrell and oors
doing. I
know that the hatred out there is unnecessary. Many homeless are dying.
My office is working on the office of home coalition and other members of the homeless community to increase safety and awareness for people living
on the street. While lam's heinous murder is an extreme example of the dangers facing homeless
people, forced to sleep outside I believe the
death of the hundreds of people was
absolutely preventable. We'll continue
to struggle alongside homeless people until everyone in san francisco is housed. Today the suspects are at large and yet to be found. The
investigation is on going. If you know anyone with information to the case, please call my office. The rest I will submit.
>> thank you, supervisor mar. President Tang?
>>supervisor katy tang: thank you,
today I have a package of legislation I'm introducing to some of the recent
changes made at the state level. A
couple weeks ago you May remember that introduce an interim goal to deal with
some changes and codify our local public health code and some changes
adopted at the state level. Today I'm introducing a package of legislation and planning codes that would actually
are the results of several conversations, many many conversations with the departments and community
members about how we should address
our massage regulations. It
passed 31 and shifted the legislation
to known as the california massage council.
While it was great and it created some
statewide consistency in regulation unfortunately there were loopholes
created on the local level
which has
-- impacted cities like san francisco.
If an establishment is 100 certified
they can bypass any of our local planning codes. Because of that we have introduced legislation to close
that loophole and that allows us to institute new regulations that have been allowed understate law. The first piece of legislation today will
require that all massage
establishments regardless of
the type of certified therapist to go through
this process in the city. I mentioned
previously if you had a massage
establishment and all massage therapist were certified were able to
buy pass that. In addition it will inhibit any establishment closed for
violation for law for 1 year and the medical definition of medical service use. The second piece of legislation
brings up to health code at the state
level. It removes exemption and alliance the hours of instruction required for permit. Conforms
with the state, the attire rerequirements. Such
as requiring that a health outreach worker accompanying inspection is available. We felt it was important if there are outreach workers that can speak some of the prevalent languages
for some of the employees at these establishments that they are
there to
serve the potential victims and also requiring massage practitioners to hold only one permit through the city and not to have this dual permitting
system. We would also deny an
establishment a permit to anyone with
an ownership who is convicted or
charged with human trafficking and
lastly any prevention of any health
code for grounds of a denial for permit. I will hope to continue to work with our committee on this and community members to ensuring that we have safe operations of massage establishments in our neighborhoods.
So lastly on a related note, today I'm
introducing a resolution with the
company sponsor ship with supervisors farrell, with national human trafficking prevention month and
January 11th national human trafficking awareness day. So while I'm very proud that san francisco has
taken up a leadership role in trying
to address human trafficking and many
of which we expect to be going on in these massage establishments, there is
a lot of work to be done. The U.S.
Department of health estimates that 22,000 people are trafficking into
united states each year for modern day slavery. In fact san
francisco and the bay area has been identified by the fbi as three of the highest
trafficking areas in the entire
nation. As, you know, these issues are
happening right in our own backyard. Although we are highlighting the month of January as public awareness for human trafficking, this is something
in an I know that I will certainly
along with others will continue to
work on for the time to come. With
that I will submit the rest.
>> that concludes the roll call for general business.
>> now we are ready for public comment. At which time the members of
the public May address the council on
subject matters due to policies with
mayor on the board without reference
to community calendar. Please know
that public comment is not allowed to items already discussed. Please direct your remarks to the board as a whole
and not to a specific councilmember or audience. If you would like a document
to be displayed on the overhead projector please state it as such and
remove the document.
>> public speaker: my name is amy fur
white. I'm an nimbe. We have to say
yes in our back yards to find solutions for all sf neighbors and neighborhoods. I have been wanting to
come speak to you about the theatre in district five because the property
owner has said no to revitalize this offer to produce a performance venue. But more in that some other time. I
also want to applaud supervisor mar's efforts to identify revenue resources for affordable housing of the taxation
of levee units and contribute to our housing and displacement crisis, but
most of all I'm here to
support
supervisor avalos resolution in
affecting democracy in san francisco. I put Dr. King up there. I
participated in the March on saturday
and was struck by two things, first by the shear number of police officers
and the money it must have cost to work in the March. I was moved because
the March was truly
generational and
cultural and in love. I went to the third baptist church on sunday the
14th and came away with three proposed
action items. No. 1, the cigarette
boycott, which were related to tobacco
products and no. 2, the community world leader and community in policing
efforts and work with sf high schools
in our danger in community colleges
and to develop peace from
within our neighborhoods. Thank you.
>> public speaker: good evening, Madam President and members of the
board of supervisors. Frank martin dell campo. I rise this evening in the
capacity as a member of the executive committee of the san francisco labor
council. For the purpose of informing
the board of action adequate and strong action appropriate he
so taken
by the executive committee of san francisco council on December 1st of
this year of the meeting that I attended. During this meeting we accepted a challenging leadership by a
very troubled time by taking the
difficult the 43 students and their
families. I voted in favor as did the overwhelming majority of participants. My reasons were the
following: one,
this issue affects all of our
families. Any family in mexico and latin america has family here. So we
exist in many different nations. It's appropriately a matter that should be
taken up by the board of
supervisors.
Two, the issues facing all of our
communities of financialization, the
militarization and decriminalization of oppressed people is widespread. Four, that we all know that these guns
that were taken to mexico, many of these guns came from the united states
and ended up shooting a dea agent.
Lastly, I asked this board to take the
same similar strong and appropriate
action to defend the 43 in this city
who also suffered the hands of lawless police.
>> thank you. Next speaker,
please.
>> public speaker: thank you Madam President. Good evening members of the
board. My name is martin howard, the
President Of the san
francisco police
officers association. Last week councilmember avalos introduced to this board disparaging remarks and
language to the san francisco police department on the number of shootings that have occurred in this city. There
was also language in this resolution
comparing the incidents in ferguson,
missouri and new york to incidents
that occurred in our city. Supervisor avalos was attempting to
paint members
of the sf P.D. With a broadbrush as being trigger-happy. Nothing could be
further from the truth. As a 25-year veteran of this fine
department and speaking from this personal experience
I can tell you the use of lethal force
is the worse experience that any officer in san francisco or anywhere in this country has to go through. It is a nightmare and often haunts the officer for the rest of their lives. I
can also tell you that there is no
more diverse culturally enlightened,
better trained and better educated
urban law enforcement agency
than the
sfpd. The sf poa is a sponsor that
provides dreams for toys for youth for
public housing and this army member of the outreach wilderness
program but
why it the language in this resolution is divisive and confrontational. We should be understanding
harmony along
with structured debate -- s on the issues in this country.
>> thank you, next speaker, please?
>> public speaker: good
evening, my
name is sarah osaba. I'm a new resident. I relocated here after being
11 years in vermont doing social and racial justice work. My daughter was born in oakland. We came here because she was invited to train in san francisco ballet across the street. I
have been texting her because she's
finished and waiting for me. I tried
to bribe her to coming here. I'm 49
years old. I have worked over 30 years
helping non-profit businesses and city
halls do business in a more culturally and relevant manner in a way that doesn't disadvantage or create greater disparities. I cannot believe what I
have seen in san francisco and how it's changed since I have been gone.
We are, my daughter and I are the new faces of homeless in san francisco. I came with money saved up to pay first
and last month but after 3 months of
subletting and looking. The san francisco city painted a message here
that you are not welcomed
here. People
of low and moderate incomes are not welcoming here and people tell me this place used to be a little bit ghetto
but there are no more black people here. People felt okay to say that because they note the color of my
skin. When low and moderate income
people, a place to live. This is red lining. The whole city has been red
lined. And black families and latino families are pushed into other areas.
I don't want to live in san francisco.
>> thank you, next speaker,
please.
>> public speaker: good evening, President Tang and supervisors. Supervisors you are the sunshine of my
life for I will always be around. You
are the apple of my city eye. Forever you will stay in my heart. I feel like this is the beginning and I wish you
look in the coming years. Tell me how
much leadership how much so much
leadership be inside of you. You are
the sunshine of our lives. I
saw a
picture of you those are the happiest
days of our lives. Now I'm
back on the
city chain gang. Good luck President
Katie tang. I saw a picture
of you. Those were the happiest days of our lives. Now we are back on the chain
gang. We are back on the city's chain
gang. Good luck President Katie tang.
Now I know that supervisor is
a stevie
wonder fan, kim. There is a button for you.
>> thank you very much, next speaker, please.
>> public speaker: good
evening, my
name is juana, I want to thank supervisor avalos for working for leadership for all. The epidemic of
police violence is an issue that is sparking racism across our country and city. As a city we have an opportunity
and obligation to talk about how this
impacts sf residents. While we extend
our condolences to mike brown and eric
garner, we take the national issue. Let's be clear, this is not an
antipolice resolution. This
is an antipolice brutality resolution. We can't be about ferguson if we are not about san francisco. It's back wards and hypocritical to take a stand on support on a national issue on cases
that are far from here on cases yet to
be resolved. If we deny the
opportunity by the race of those
killed, then we deny the realities of
our communities which continues to increase mistrust. There are many
parallels with sf and ferguson.
Ferguson fought for weeks to indict the officer who killed mike brown. One
thing you can do here locally is demand the release of those names at the very least to show support and
show you care about accountability. To
deny those names is to increase
mistrust in law enforcement.
We call
on police conscience to call to
police. These acts of violence are unacceptable. We are here and I also
would like to hear, I have heard there are concerns including the
language on
the fact that every 24 hours a person
is killed.
>> thank you. Next speaker,
please.
>> public speaker: good
evening, my
name is jaron brown and I'm here with
-- I want to thank supervisor avalos
and many of you who are supporting equality for all resolution.
There are
times when san francisco is french
when we take a radical stand. Oh, my
God! San francisco took a stand around minimum wage and nuclear arm.
This is no the that moment. We have seen thousands and sent people to ferguson,
we have seen the st. Louis rams. Today newscast walked out with
their hands
up. Kobe bryant, darren
williams, we have seen k-8 students walk out of their schools to say black lives matter and this has to stop. It's a moment when the whole country is saying this actually isn't about cleveland, it's not about new
york,
it's not about ferguson. It's a fundamental issue and it has to change. Who is outside when you are
going to impact a young african american person, a latino person. That's the moment that we are all joining in together and that's the importance of this resolution and the importance is to say of course it's happening in san francisco and when
the chief of police in richmond stood
with people, he like here was attacked by the police union in richmond and
his response was when did it become political activist to realize it was a black matter. This should not be about us versus them. It should be about
finding ways to build bridges between
many of our residents and the police.
We hope it will pass unanimously,
thank you.
>> public speaker: hello, I wanted to thank all the board of supervisors. I
have lived in san francisco since
1997. My job was outsourced by a financial firm here in 2008. I have
not been able to get another full time job since then with benefit in my field. So I'm being kind of forced out of san francisco. I just can't make it
in san francisco and it's not enough
help getting a job. I want to raise your awareness about how difficult it
is and what a competitive job market
is, more competitive in manhattan. You
are competing with everybody here, the tech people and I'm talking about twitter and all of these tech companies, the last people that they are looking at is people like me. When
you are driving into the city on the
101 or over the bay bridge, the first
thing you see are billboards of men
crawling around in their boxer shorts. The hardware programmer and ruby on rails programmer. The last people they are looking at is people like me who
are older women in tech. I wanted to thank you all and congratulate all of
you for your success and everything
you try doing; you've tried
to accomplish. We are also in the middle
of a depression. Even though we have these tech companies, it's brutal. I want to thank you all for everyone you have done and raise your awareness that this is not enough. I needed more
help. There should be more incentives
for local companies to hire san francisco residents older workers like myself and it not there and we are
being forced out. I have a job lined up but it's outside the area. This is
the last time you will see me. I have
e-mailed you in the past.
>> thank you very much. Next speaker,
please.
>> public speaker: good
evening, john from san francisco. Just a reminder
the power of christmas is back. And what a power it is. It has been around for hundreds of years and I don't mean
the power of money. It is the birthday
and celebration of a personal friend
to each of us that we can enjoy alone or with others. The only way to do that is to experience him through your imagination. You can imagine him to be
a make believe friend or your real friend. Whatever works for you. The
friend that will always be there through eternity. You can talk to him anytime, anywhere and you don't need
the internet to do so. All he asks of
you is to let him love you.
There are some out there that want to take him
from you. Don't let them. Merry christmas to all of you. Thank you. >> thank you, next speaker, please.
>> public speaker: michael line. I'm talking as an individual. Please vote
in favor of the resolution affirming the board of supervisors commitment to
equal justice and the rise to protest
and urging reforms in the national policing and judicial process. This resolution speaks to the demand for equal justice under law and therefore
I'm asking you to support it passage. I particularly appreciate the
inclusion of the whereas dealing with alex nieto, whereas alex
nieto was
killed by sf P.D. Officers on March
21, 2014, where he was shot nearly ten times and none of the names of the
officers involved in his killing have been released seriously undermined the
trust between members and the community and the police. I would like
to suggest an amendment adding a
resolve that san francisco convene an independent public inquiry into the nieto killing with full investigative powers. Calling for an independent investigation into police killings of unarmed people is a key demand of many
of the recognized legal and civil
rights groups including the american with civil liberties union and those incorporated into this resolution. An independent investigation into the nieto killing would be a concrete action of san francisco to take to
implement the spirit of this
resolution.
>> public speaker: I wanted to speak
actually in support of two items, item 52 and 53 and they are
related. As far
as item 52, I'm sure all the people
behind me will have the things to say maybe better than I. I believe we need
to stand with our youth today. If we
pass this resolution, we will pass this resolution we will become part of a historical time because at this time there is going to be no turning back
and we into -- need to join with the people standing up for these rights
and standing up against police brutality and yes ferguson was the spark but we have had too many deaths
here in san francisco, alex nieto and so when the police officers association takes offense
with this
resolution, I find that offensive
myself. So please pass this and I work with a lot of youth and I know it's
very very important to them that we
and I with many different elders stand
with them. We can stand up besides
them for their futures. And I would also like to item 53 which
has to do
with making now I put on the hat of the conveneers of san
francisco as we submitted this resolution. I am in favor of passing this resolution of
making December 10th as a declaration of international human rights and we
certainly need those in our country
today and more so. Thank you.
>> public speaker: good
evening, my
name is rina. We appreciate your
stance with solidarity. You cannot forget your area growing up in a black
community ingleside I have witnessed
sfpd abuse their power I
watched the
police slam my mother on the floor as
the officers digged his knee in her
back and I have watched them harass my sister. The sfpd and police across the nation must be held accountable for their action. Every minute a child is murdered boo I the police. For the
last few months I have been actively protesting. I have been to ferguson and felt and saw the grief of this community. It is the same pain we feel
here. You know this is wrong. How many of you have children. How would you feel if your child was missing from
your kitchen table and the person who
murdered them is protected by his badge. The good people of this city need to know the truth. We need to know that our elected officials have our backs. Right now is the time to
show you have a heart. This is a dramatic issue and it needs to be
addressed. So many have been put under
the carpet. Right now is the time for you to stand up. I urge you to pass
this resolution as it is.
Thank you.
>> public speaker: hello, my name is nancy hernandez. I work as a teacher in the san francisco unified school district. The reason why I'm here is I
here in support of the previous version about police violence and racism within the police system and
the right to protest. In the current evolution of the proposal I feel like a lot has been taken out. I think it's commendable that the board of
supervisors in san francisco wants to
take initiative and address the uprising happening in our city. If you
are a preschooler, they are making
little signs, if you are an elder.
there were elders in the rain that locked box together and one was in a
wheelchair and so a group of black activist taking that space. The white allies put their bodies on the
line-up. It was like 70 something. It was amazing. It was raining. We have a
lot of power in this room. I think we can take a stand. If you don't, you are missing an opportunity. The
previous version of it talked about the racism, talked about things happening in san francisco and drew parallel of what we see as going wrong in the conditions in ferguson and in
new york and drew a parallel to changes here in san francisco. I think
there is no point of making a proclamation in san francisco canw
saying they are out of pocket and corrupt and where are the cases
happening here. There is no point in
us saying here that berkeley
is out of
pocket for the way they use
teargas.
>> thank you very much. Next speaker, please.
>> public speaker: good evening, President Tang and supervisors. I want to first express how disappointed I am
that my supervisor is not here to
listen. Supervisor breed is very
concerned about the violence in our
neighborhood and perhaps feeling some pressure about this resolution. >> I would like to redirect the rule that we could not direct any comments
to any member of this body. If you
want to keep it general I would appreciate it.
>> I did not direct it at a supervisor
breed. I just want to discuss what was shared. It's everywhere. It's not just
in the news, it's in our streets, in
our institutions and dominates our
interaction and ideas,
ferguson is in
another mother's eyes and in another
father's tears. What does justice look like in new york or san
francisco. Can
you turn your backs on the mike browns
and those of san francisco. As you
talk about holiday shopping.
Watering this down is unacceptable. the police officers association says a resolution
paints them as racist trigger-happy urban occupyers but where does it say that. I want to know because that thought comes from somewhere. We must have transparency and swift justice,
we must stop the
militarization of our
police department and must
address
this retaliation for supporting this.
Supervisors, your silence is
violence.
>> public speaker: first off I want to ask what would have
happened if I were personally next? What would you
have done if I were next in
line to be
killed by an officer in san
francisco?
I was born in the mission. I grew up
in the valley. I used to be proud to
be of san francisco of this great city
and county but now with this violent outbreak, I'm embarrassed to say I live in san francisco. I live in the
city of richmond where the chief of
police said black lives matter. He said this when he became an officer to protect his community. Not one officer
has done that in the city of san
francisco. I took a ride along because
I wanted to be an officer in san francisco and change the community but after seeing what this has come to,
there is no way I can become a cop
anymore. Alex was not just a friend
but my brother not by blood but because we shared this love for this
city and we are both buddhist and we
are both pacificist. It was unfortunate that he was killed by the
police department. He was a volunteer
for sfpd. For that I want to say I am alex nieto.
>> thank you very much. Next speaker,
please.
>> public speaker: good afternoon supervisors. I'm here to
alert the
supervisors and the public to something that the library has planned for implementation next month that is going to be very damaging to the
public general he and especially to teenagers and anyone under 18. That is
the library plans to
implement a
highly privacy software product being
catalogued enhancement with social
media aspect but it's prime thing is
breaking privacy. Let's recall that patron privacy and confidentiality are core to intellectual freedom that we
expect the library to guard. I'm going
to put up a slide to show what the video says. They reserve the right to change the services to youth anytime without specific notice to the user and expect the user's continued use to constitute an agreement. I will put
that down here for you to see. We are asking the supervisors to do all you
can from making all the negative
constelgs and especially teens 13-17
who will be subject to revelation to all activity to their parents. There is expression of opinions to the sole discretion of the vendors once the users flag any comment and the selling of patron information to third parties we think is unacceptable. Please put a
stop to it. Thank you.
>> public speaker: good evening, I'm
here to speak on behalf of
the youth of your constituencies on libraries. I
have some experience working with
homeless youth in shelters and as well
as those that have been kicked out of
the house for one reason or the other. The thing that concerns me about this
program that in those youth that are
defined as being under the
age of 18, the program allows access to records
of all activities on that program. So
whether these users have been abused they are questioning these are all
factors that can lead to them
being retaliated against by their families.
My colleagues in the field that people
who stay the longest in these shelters
and the issues that turn up more frequently are girls that have problems with their sexuality or rather girls that have problems with
their sex utilities -- sexuality and they are driven out of the
house. Also the publically shared information can
hinder job applicants and the privacy policy of the commons says that any of
that data can be accessed by third
party searches and google was named
specifically because this is
a danger
to youth. Thank you.
>> public speaker: good evening supervisors. I know some of you. Good to see you and thank you for your time in listening to everyone. I'm here on a personal level and it's something
that I have not been transparent about
in public before. My son was brutalized by the police. He was a graduate at lowell high
school. He was targeted. Excellent driving record and pulled during the occupied movement supposedly for running a stop sign.
When he was on his way to take a test
for a job and he was beaten and detained for 2 months in jail. I could
barely get in contact with him. They
wouldn't let me visit him. My son suffers from cognitive issues to this day where there is no treatment because he was traumatized and beaten
in the head with the baton over and
over again. I'm thankful that I'm not
testifying here that my son
is dead.
But police brutality has got to stop.
We have to address the
systemic
racism. It's not police because we need police protection. The problem is when people are targeted because of their race or age and they are victimized and people who do that
which tend to be police, they are
protected by our system. Accountability has to be, there has to be some kind of accountability in our system otherwise we just walk around with a lot of broken people, a lot of people who don't have faith in the
system. I'm hoping this
resolution can have change.
>> thank you very much. Next speaker,
please.
>> public speaker: good evening
supervisors. I'm a teacher with sf. My
heart breaks when I hear this mother's
testimony just as it breaks when I see
the images coming out of ferguson,
coming out of our own neighborhoods. Alex' fate, even though I did not not
him personally this could have
affected anyone we know. I have seen
loved ones brutalized by
police. As a
student at berkeley I was beaten by
police as I was involved in a protest.
I'm here to represent my former student, although their dtsdzs were not victims of police violence, I don't understand how this city can
claim to care about a crisis of
violence and holding people that
commit acts of violence are not held
accountable for committing a homicide. 14-15 shots and we still don't know the name of the shooters. The police should be held to a higher standard
and keeping that example for our
youth. Thank you.
>> public speaker: seasons greetings supervisors, elliot louis here to give
you an update from our board wechl had our annual retreat a couple days ago.
What I wanted to tell you about was
what our board now 14 members, all seats full. Thank you board of supervisors for that. For deciding
what the keys of mental health issues
of france and what our board will investigate and report upon. This is what our board decided by consensus. The issues of children and youth, the relationship between mental health and trauma. Issues of seniors,
special lau
-- especially the shut in seniors
that you don't see. Issues of criminal health in the system, those incarcerated that can lead to mental illness that can lead to
behavior that result in incarceration. These were the key issues, these are the issues
we are going to be looking at. I mentioned all 15 seats are full, we
still have one open seat and that's seat 16 reserved for a member of the
board of supervisors and I invite any of you or all to apply. We would be
glad to have you. We only meet once a
month. You can send an aid if you can't attend. It would be a way to
have a voice in our community. I encourage you for anyone who has an
interest in the role of
mental health
in our community. I would encourage you to participate in our board. I
hope you have a good holiday. Thank you. Good night.
>> public speaker: good evening,
board, my name is is maria ralta for alex nieto coalition. I'm disappointed
that the first resolution was
cropped
and adjusted to meet this ideology
that this is not happening in san francisco. I'm really disappointed in supervisors that wanted to amend the
original version because not
only am I
a supporter for justice for alex
because I'm married to his first
cousin. I want to let you know who alex was. He's no the this monster
that the media portrayed him to be.
Alex was a gentle soul. He was a
security guard that I watched several
times to being involved in altercations where he was the peace maker and there was no kind of
violence from this man. He dealt with
people who were intoxicated and he calmly escorted them out of his place
of business. I'm really disappointed
that some supervisors here have publically spoken about the issues of
violence in new york but not heard that they are disappointed with what happened to alex. These are two colored young men that were killed in
san francisco and we are sweeping them
underneath the rug as if they were nothing. I'm sorry that it does not highlight the beauty of san francisco but we need to remember that
this too,
we are ferguson also
>> public speaker: this
ought to be a
permanent fixture in san francisco or
any city. I would hope that my
representative in district 5 agrees that this is a moment in san francisco
to be strong and align itself more
with the concerns over the lives of people with color instead of the
feelings of the san francisco police department. They maybe feeling bad with things said in the
country and in
this city, but their feelings don't compare to the harm that is happening
far too often. It needs to be
addressed. There was a gentlemen who spoke tonight, a President Of the
police bureau and he's opposing this proposal. Right after he shook his
finger at you he walked right out that door, he said in his moment that he
wanted to have an open discourse and
that it's time for dialogue and then
he left. So, please keep that in mind.
Thank you.>> public speaker: there is
a dream that means something. He called this pharaoh because he had this dream about seven fat cows and
they came up out of the river and there were skinny cows and he fell back to sleep and he had a second dream about the 7 years of corn that
were really good and 7 years of corn.
He said to pharaoh that the dream is one. God doubled it to you because it will shortly come to pass. In other
words the seven fat cows represented
the seven good years of corn that
represented seven good years and seven
bad skinny cows and bad years of
representing years of salmon. It's interesting because we are now in the
last days. God is is doubled to us the
interpretation of this mysterious
three 1/2 years. It is 40 jubilee.
He's doubled it if you think of the years since destruction which ended in
the year 36 you get 1960
years. If you
take 30, 670s, you get 2520.
>> public speaker: I'm going to make this quick. It's been raining
and the
roads are slick. When I see you for
the next board of supervisors meeting
I want to wish Ms. Tang congratulations for being interim President And wish you much
luck with the job. Happy holidays! >> thank you very much. If there are any members of the public who would
like to speak for public comment,
please do lineup.
>> public speaker: hi, happy holidays! Mark ferrell, I appreciate what you are doing regarding the
homeless issues and stuff. We definitely need more transparency as to what's going on. I think at the
mails that I have attached here of which I would like someone to get and
I would like mark ferrell to get one
in particular. The issue I'm having is
I would like to see trent gilmore responding to such issues such as
child abuse and violence
within their
programs. I just. Somewhere between
crashness and aloofness. That's what
I'm getting. Take a peak. I'm not the most articulate person here. When you
are trying to reform san francisco in their homeless issues, I think you need to look at the people who are running these programs. I guess I'm
going to move on to police brutality. I feel as though I have to carry a
camera with me everywhere because I am no telling when they are going to pull
up and try to attack me. I recorded
the police maybe about a week ago and then when I got 2 blocks away they
troo id to stop me alone.In how we approach
this issue but this regarding a
fax of how were was happening services go is not a loving approach. I think it's the opposite. I think of something that harms people. I think
something that harms officers
and I think that the poa has
every right to be protective of their officers but it's
actually doing a disservice to
those officers. I think we need to it knowledge that sam francisco arguably the best police department in the
country, has issues as well. That even the best apartment those issues exist. We are like the rest of the country country even though we are unique in the sense that we have come a long way. But we still have
some ways to go. I will end
with this: when the alex --
incident happened we went to a
community meeting. I was very
clear in speaking about the
alex the echo, incident that was not going to prejudge what took place and the people my community that were critical of me because I was insane mike
this is what I think happened. But where I was critical not so much of the police department
but of the city was the fact that after the incident this terrific incident took place,
the way the family was treated. The parents did not find out about alex until a couple of days after the fact and then
the way that they found out, it
wasn't through a lego respectful heartfelt notification. This is what
happened. But it was more of an
interrogation. My criticism was not of the individual officers
or police department. My
criticism was of as how we as a city interact with people whose
loved ones are involved in something like that. I was
immediately criticized by the
poa as being anti-cop for doing
that. I don't believe that was
anti-. Irc think most police
officers would recognize that
we have to interact with the community differently. That it doesn't serve the police
department when a family is treated that way. And
acknowledging that we have mishandled, how we've
interacted with the family is
not anti-cop. It's actually conjured. It's respectful of police officers instantly recognizes that we have work to do. So, I'll be respectfully opposing the amendment by
supervisor: and I would ask my
colleagues to support this
resolution. Is not going to
change that much because it needs to be more than just a resolution, but it's a step in the right direction. >> thank you. Supervisor kim >> I had a question and to
make some comments as a point
of clarification of supervisor:. You had mentioned you wanted to delete the
portions of the resolution that
refer to alex -- . These are
lines 23 through 25 on page 3 and then 128 on page 4. Is that correct?
>> yes that's correct
>> not the other lines that
were submitted to us? I just talked about the data? >> that's correct
>> you are keeping those lines in mind okay. Which ones you
can read
>> I just maybe I have a different copy that peavy was a
little old. So, your amendment
motions to delete lines 23 through 25 on page 3 and lines
1 through eight on page 4. Is that correct? >> that is correct although I
do have a couple questions
about the relevancy of the s
election [Inaudible] Project. That's a statistic. In order to move this forward on the card to use this as a sticking point
but I'm happy to have
discussion on it. I would like to see that. I don't
[Inaudible] Mapping project is
not in the business of identifying race. I don't know
what the statistics came from.
I just question out. Supervisor
avalos can speak to that
>> the mapping project is a community effort. It's participatory action research where community members do
their own work and so language
there that honors the work that community residents have done to assess the conditions that
they live in. That she worked on [Inaudible] Linking google
buses in proximity to places
where [Inaudible] Are having.
There are critical part of what we've done to promote
[Inaudible] Policies and they
weighed in on issues on placing and people of color and that with this language comes from.
>> thank you. >> well, I just want to first point out there's a lot in
common that we are really kind of nailbiting over I think some details. But I'm glad to see is
that this board is united on
further resolve in terms of
what we as a body would like to see what this nation would do around an issue that I think that we all agree exists, police brutality and police violence. I was really stunned
that month ago when I learned that actually there's no nationwide database for individuals killed by police
officers. In fact, we actually
have no of the numbers of individuals in this country that were killed by the police.
For right or wrong. I think the further results clause regarding the endorsement of
the national [Inaudible] Action
coalition is really in line
with what we all believe and I'm glad that this port is unified on it. Just pointing to
the unity I think that we
haven't -- I understand the
concern on both sides regarding
the references to alex -- to me it's important we acknowledge them in the resolution making the need to concur with supervisor avalos and combos to knowledge the pain and hurt over the loss of life in our city. If the concern is that were singling him out, I'd be happy to add names of others that should be included in this resolution as well. All lives
matter and that has been the
movement that has come forward. I think a positive of that. So when we say that black lives
matter that all lives matter. I think it would be appropriate to include other names of life that have been lost. Collects is just one of those. That
being said, go soon though
still under investigation that we don't know who's at fault and I don't want to prejudge what happened. I was not there. I've heard a number of narratives of what could have occurred on multiple sides. No
one in this room knows what
happened that day. Unfortunately. I'm just wondering, title think there's
anything that is written by
supervisor avalos that points a finger or blame at sf pd in
this instance. That being said,
there's clearly sensitivity all around in terms of what these words May imply and were I don't see that implication, if there's a way to acknowledge the pain and hurt in our community also to say we need to have a better process because of whose fault it is, even if -- did point the teaser
at the police as has been
implied by some, we can still
have a better process with the community, for the family, in terms of what happened, and
acknowledge that we don't prejudge any officers and that there's an investigation. So,
I'm not sure if there's a way to unite the sentiments that
are being stated at this board in this individual case. That being said, come very
supportive of the resolution
that is before us. In the press lately there've been comments
about how there's been a lot of silence among the elected
leadership around this really
important issue. Having a moment to speak about it now, I'll just the first one to say that I was speechless. I didn't have words to address what's happening in this country. Something that's been happening my entire life for decades is the issue, not just of violence
but specifically police violence and police brutality that we all know it exist. We all know there's fear in our community and even with the best police department here in the city, that fear exists and
we know that just like any class of elected officials is not perfect, we work with a lot of great elected officials and politicians. That's not to say that all politicians are great. Same thing with the police officers. We have a lot of amazing police officers. I get to work with them. I really appreciate the leadership that
I get to work with at sf pd and the tenderloin and south of market. I have grown in my respect and admiration for
individuals to capt. John s and
cmdr. Redman and mcgarity likely care about our
communities. And when to break
down racial bias in our criminal justice system. And within the police department. That being said, there are thousands of police officers just like any class of individuals unfortunately racism sexism classism all that pervades to our society. No
police department I don't think is unfortunately not protected
from that. That's just the society we live in. I think
that the resolution is measured in addressing not. That being said, you can pull out
individual words and say, that
we are furthering divine in a
relationship that is incredibly
important. So, I want to respect all of the authors in
this. I'm glad to be keeping all the pieces on the data points because it is important
to include. I don't know nypd and ferguson. As an it's hard to say we're better police department than them. I don't live in those cities. They can have great leadership and great officers but there was this one officer that clearly made the
wrong decision. When they shot
this innocent individual. That could happen here in san francisco as well. So, I want to be able to balance both. I think everyone in this room is saying that that there's a balance. So, I think the
question is how can we bring all the sentiments together. Finally, a lot of people cannot
to speak in public comment and I know that community activists and organizers camping every neighborhood, but I want to say
I see many of you in the neighborhood and in the
community through your work
with power, [Inaudible] Within our school district and I just want to knowledge your service
and your leadership in this work and you May not be at every
meeting but I certainly see you
and many of them. So, I do want
to support the resolution in its original form. That being said, could we don't have the votes to do that I think that maybe there's a way to
acknowledge alex and many others killed were shot by the police. And it knowledge the pain and hurt that exists in our community and our knowledge that there can be a better
process without judging the
incident or fault or blaming these officers from what might have occurred. At the end of
the day I also want to say I
don't police our streets. So I
don't understand the fear that they go through when they try to make our neighborhoods safer. I see no police officers do aerobic things for neighborhood and I think anyone or anything in this resolution should take away from the daily
heroism that sf pd engages in. I'm just thinking [Inaudible] We can do more per week and can need to be better we can continue to be more equitable and to wipe out the bias that
exists in all this is him as a pdm also our governments. So we can come to a resolution on this today. I will be supporting the original resolution but that can happen that we can come to some type of agreement on the amendments.
>> thank you supervisor camp
supervisor: is next like you to clarify again the minute you're
proposing because I think that we have received a document
that stated the [Inaudible] >> so for so there's a couple
points I want to point out. When I spoke about not being a
part of the original
conversation you presented supervisor avalos presented a copy of the language drafted already last tuesday in the chamber. That's my son on. I'm talking about when you were the week prior to that was a couple weeks prior to when you were talking this will legislate. We worked on amendments together this week but in the initial conversation the initial thinking of this resolution I was not a part of. That's the
point I was try to make earlier. Supervisor kim, I think you raise an interesting point we talked about a lot of people
being critical of san francisco
like where the voices have been
missing. Certainly for my community is comes from a place of distrust not only with the police but also in the media. In unfit disproportionate overreporting of crime and violence that is shed in very negative and harsh and credible
critical light on people that automatically re-victimizes a victim or paints another
suspect. So people have been
very careful in their
discussion about the overall experience right here in san francisco. I agree with you supervisor campos. You are correct. We are all in the same
spirit of like mind here. We
recognize no person or agency were entity such as this body
is perfect. We all have -- we all come to the people with
their own set of experiences and positive and negative that
filter into how we decide what will support and what we will
not support. My concerns about
specifically calling out alex
-- from what I heard from other
community members concerns about not shedding light on the other lives that have been
lost. This is the most recent tragedy. So I can understand
that. So I'm willing to work
with supervisor kim on the language on that. But
supervisor that are busy last
about my amendments are. So,
the amendments are pretty -- pretty substantial. But substantial but pretty self-explanatory I think. It's
on page 3, it starts from line
6 through line 24. Excuse me.
Page 1, though whereas clause
that starts on line 14: whereas
[Inaudible] Authorized by
malcolm x's question the
validity of this particular
statistic.. Back to page
3162 lines 24, the beginning on
96 whereas [Reading]. The
following [Inaudible] Every
case someone has killed -- is
that a typo? Officer involved shooting however number of [Inaudible] Created controversy
and tension in the police. They source of contention as and whereas in the indie conviction
mapping product I don't think
it within to this particular
conversation. It under the palm
online 17: [Inaudible] The duchess redundant. Activists
and ferguson missouri plus protesters to connect with
account. Michael brown vocal
[Inaudible] When he was shot at least 10 times whereas alex --
was known by making [Inaudible]
I am happy to -- one thing we
did not do was write a resolution in support of alex
-- in the family and the desire to get more information or possible compromise. The
following mac whereas online
five, page 4 where communities
[Inaudible] >> thank you. I just want to
clarify that it is indeed more
than just page 3 and four they are seeking the amendment and
there was a second for motion
for that amendment. Let's go to
supervisor March 1 and the
supervisor, and has additional comments >> not this time >> supervisor mars >> I deftly want to move to our votes and want to appreciate supervisor autos for the efforts were the past few weeks. To poor resolution
together that all 11 of us can
get behind. Notice I have learned a lot since the
ferguson actions several weeks
ago, joining supervisor avalos in the [Inaudible] Protests and
being part of asians for black
lives as a solitary and I like.
I feel that resolutions like
this, that are symbolic are
important but our actions that we do in personal lives our political lives and building organizations and those movements is even more important. Want to really
appreciate supervisor's come in
and read for sharing so much of themselves and giving input into this. I was a big part of
this process from the beginning
and I know that is a process that we all have to go forward in the future. It's an awkward
decision because I'm hearing
from growing movements and learn every day by being active in them we are to follow the lead of young people with her
was on saturday with the millions much more with other
actions or follow read of african-americans but I'm still
going to be supportive of the original motion supervisor
autos has brought in a really appreciate the comments and the insights and the wisdom that
have spoken from the community.
Ideal following the lead of african-americans is really
really important to me but I do
feel that supervisor comments suggestions have logic behind them, my political sense is it's watering down and it's
taking away the real heart of
the alex -- movement and how san francisco is connected. So,
we are making connections with
other types of violence and other issues. I feel like the avalos resolution is really focused on institutionalized racism within the justice
system and the police system and it's about a full systems change and cultural change. There are other issues out there also but I think that's the focus. So all be supportive of the supervisors avalos's original motion with appreciation for the amendments but I'll still be supportive. I think supervisors kim's suggestion to compromise by still mentioning alex -- is a good one and I be supportive of
that if the original motion doesn't go forward in supervisor:'s moments are successful. To me the most
important things are the result as others have said and putting
this on record in support of
the ferguson action. The ferguson action movement statements and the structural changes that are proposed in them to me are the most
important things. I know that the heart that went into the drafting of this from germany and pollock two supervisor although wilson's office, and
the community efforts to get the language the strong as
possible is something him and said supportive >> supervisor autos >> thing. I like to start moving on voting for amendments
and probably will have some
process questions. I have an
amendment as a whole. I believe
that supervisor: amendments are religious amendment of the hole
that I have here today. So, I
believe that this amendment as a whole is actually more
complete document than the work
in progress that submitted last week. So I would propose that we accept this amendment as a
whole and we have a vote on the [Inaudible] That are being proposed by supervisor:. I am
willing to go forward if we
cannot approve the amendments, if we do not approve the
minutes that supervisor: is accepting, that we move forward
that we don't pass this
ordinance but we have on the books the ordinance that I submitted today that I think is a much broader than the one that I submitted last week it
was just a work in progress. That's my proposal. Is that we
accept the amendment as a
whole. And then we have a vote
on the amendment that are being
offered by supervisor: and then we vote on the underlined
ordinance. I do believe we need to pass this ordinance we would
need, you both mdm. Clerk
>> this item is on second appearance. It would require a goes to weave the reference to committee and its expose on the item itself.
>> so at this time I think that supervisor autos stated we can take the amendments that been offered in the order they have been received. So, mdm. Clerk let's call well on the mimicked the whole offered by supervisor autos >> the messrs. Further
discussion >> point of information
supervisor autos has made a motion to amend. [Inaudible]
Motion to motion to extend the motion which might be unanimous and then we would proceed on
whether to adopt that amendment. >> there to amendments as a whole ending before sereno so there's one set by supervisor autos and one by supervisor:. Then we will proceed to the
underlying item divorce. Item 52.
>> this is a six vote
threshold. >> all be supporting just
amending it so we can consider
that amended. >> that is correct the motions were taken right now have to do with just the moment as all permits submitted by the two
supervisors. Any other further questions, seeing none mdm. Clerk
>> supervisor autos the moment bearing a new title supervisor
winner aye supervisor autos aye
supervisor breed aye supervisor
campos aye supervisor: aye
supervisor federal aye
supervisor kim aye supervisor
mark aye supervisor chang aye there are nine aye >> that amendment has been
adopted. Now, we have the
second amendment does offer by
supervisor:. So this amendment might be amendment of the
holder supervisor: submitted actually is overlaid on top of the minutes that have not been
adopted just out by the board. So mdm. Clerk if you could take a local boat on the mimicked offered by supervisor:
>> supervisor winner aye
supervisor avalos no supervisor
breed aye supervisor campos aye
noto supervisor: aye supervisor
federal aye supervisor kim know
supervisor mark note supervisor
chang aye there are five aye and for nose >> seen as this amendment it
needed six those to be adopted
this amendment fails. Now
colleagues, before us is the
underlying item 52,, and first other to call supervisor breed >> personal I like to
duplicate the file and secondly I will not be supporting the
resolution today. Thank you >> supervisor breed has made a singular motion to duplicate
the file. I just like to
clarify that wanted duplicated file which would you like to
see good one is contained
supervisor autos is amendments
>> for clarity, it would be
based on the recently amended item that supervisor avalos has
submitted to the board that we approved
>> thank you. Supervisor: >> I was seconding the duplication
>> thank you very much. So now
mdm. Clerk if we can vote on
one of the files in >> after we vote on this matter President Then will tend to the duplicate items
>> yes >> does the duplicated file require about
>> no it does not
>> on item 52 as amended
supervisor winner note supervisor avalos >> this is the underlined
duplicate the file and send it to committee. >> all right. For the
duplicated file mdm. Clerk if
we can take a roll call vote for sending this to committee.
>> supervisor winner aye
supervisor avalos, note
supervisor breed, aye
supervisor compost, note
supervisor:, aye supervisor
federal aye supervisor kim, no
supervisor mark, note supervisor chang aye there are
five aye and for nose.
>> this just for clarification, this motioned to send to committee required five votes because it is a parliamentary motion. It required majority vote of the members present here today so that motion to send committee
passes. Now mdm. Clerk, if you
could read in memoriam
>> today's meeting will be adjourned in memory of the following beloved individuals.
On behalf of supervisor: the
late Mr. Lewis jesse armstrong senior. On behalf of supervisor
jim for the late Ms. Liana [Inaudible] On behalf of
supervisor more for the late
Ms. Laura joan by. Mr. Choi
[Inaudible] >> thank you. Before we adjourn I just want to wish our
colleague supervisor leo: a very happy birthday today and wish everyone a very happy holidays. Mdm. Clerk is there any further business >> that was our business for today and the legislative session >> thank you. The meeting is
