1. CALL TO ORDER/ AGENDA CHANGES

Commission President Andrea Shorter called the meeting to order at 10:03 am.

A quorum of four Commissioners was present. Vice President Debbie Mesloh and Commissioner Nancy Kirshner-Rodriguez were excused.

President Shorter noted that before quorum was achieved and the meeting was called to order, Executive Director Emily Murase gave an informational presentation to those present in the room of past Commission and Department goals and outcomes. The President asked that the agenda be amended to remove item 5.

Action: To approve the agenda as amended.                                              m/s/c (Soo/Ryerson/Unanimous)

No Public Comment on agenda.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

No changes were made to the minutes from October 26, 2016.

Action: To approve the minutes from October 26, 2016.                          m/s/c (Zwart/Soo/Unanimous)

No Public Comment on minutes.

3. APPROVE 2017 MEETING SCHEDULE

President Shorter presents the draft schedule for calendar year 2017 with meeting dates, times and locations.

Action: To approve draft schedule of meeting dates for 2017.                m/s/c (Ryerson/Zwart/Unanimous)

No Public Comment on 2017 Meeting Schedule.

4. PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

President Shorter acknowledged the national election and stated that the City of San Francisco is committed to our everyday San Francisco values of non-discrimination based on citizenship status, marriage equality for all, and universal affordable health care. She said that these fundamental beliefs will not change here locally with a change in federal administration. She stated that San Francisco is a City that prides itself on inclusion, unity, and working with all members of society.

No Public Comment on President’s Welcome.

5. 5-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR COMMISSION (Amended item number)

1. Review Draft 5-Year Strategic Plan

Executive Director Murase and Department staff gave a presentation on the 5-Year Strategic Plan. Commission and Department discussed the plan. In particular, there were discussions surrounding report creation in regards to data collection and data analysis. Staff recommended that the existing data be used whenever possible and focus on analysis. Commissioners wanted to make sure that the Department produced reports or dashboards that highlight women’s status in various ways. A final draft of the plan will be presented at the December 14, 2017 meeting and will be voted on by the Commission at that time.

Public Comment:

1. Beverly Upton, Director of the San Francisco Domestic Violence Consortium, she spoke about her appreciation for the commitment of the Mayor to community unity especially regarding the City’s status as a Sanctuary City. She thanked the Commissioners for their efforts to strengthen and help the community. She spoke about diaper access as social justice issue. She noted that the Friends of the Commission on the Status of Women’s annual CEDAW Awards event poses a challenge to the domestic violence service providers fundraising activities if it is held in October as this is Domestic Violence Awareness month.
2. Nancy Rock spoke in support of the Girls Report, and stated that it is a very important document. She asked the Commission to continue to produce it. She said that since the national election went the way it did, it is important to focus at the state and local levels. She said that women in San Francisco need to step up. She Invited everyone to come to Assemblymember David Chiu’s Women’s Advisory meetings.
3. Jane Bernard Powers of San Francisco Democratic Women in Action, praised Assemblymember Chiu’s Women’s Advisory group and said that it is a great start to reviving grassroots women’s fora. She said that she hopes the Commission and the Department will help support this movement by doing the heavy lifting on issues and participation. She spoke in support of the Commission continuing to produce the Girls Report and that it is a great tool in fighting against barriers to girls achievements.

Commissioners discussed sanctuary cities and immigration in light of the national election.

2. Discuss Future Meeting Topics

Executive Director Murase pointed out Appendix B of the 5-Year Strategic Plan on page 25 as a helpful planning tool to organize the upcoming year’s meetings.

Commissioner Soo suggested that the Commission meet in the community to raise the Commission’s visibility in the City. Also she suggested an invitation to SFMTA to speak to the Commission on Public Transportation and Safety issues in regards to women.

President Shorter said that she would like to have a joint meeting with the Human Rights Commission but not another meeting with the Police Commission at this time. She suggested having a representative from the Immigrant Rights Commission speak to the Commission, or to engage them in some way.

No Public Comment.

6. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (Amended item number)

Public Comment

1. Jane Bernard Powers, San Francisco Democratic Women in Action. She thanked the Commission and Department for all of their work.

7. CLOSED SESSION (Amended item number)

1. Public comment on all matters pertaining to Item VIII, Closed Session.

No Public Comment.

2. Vote on whether to hold Item VIII in Closed Session (San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.10).

Action: Vote to hold Item VIII in Closed Session.                                       m/s/c (Zwart/Shorter/Unanimous)

Meeting Closed at 12:22 pm.

C.      Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b) and San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.10(b):

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION: Executive Director Emily M. Murase, PhD.

D.     Open Session

1. Report on any action taken in Closed Session as specified in California Government Code Section 54957.1(a)(5) and San Francisco Administrative Code section 67.12(b)(4). 

Action: Report on any action taken in Closed Session.                             m/s/c (Soo/Zwart/Unanimous)

2. Vote on whether to publicly disclose any or all of the information discussed in the closed session under San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.12(a).

Action: Vote to not publicly disclose any or all of the information discussed in the closed session.

                                                                                                                     m/s/c (Zwart/Ryerson/Unanimous)

8. ADJOURNMENT (Amended item number)

Meeting adjourned in memory of journalist Gwen Ifill, and also in celebration of newly elected hometown women:

Lateefah Simon -- BART Board

Shanell Williams -- San Francisco Community College Board of Trustees

Kamala Harris -- U.S. Senate.

Action: To adjourn the meeting.                                                                m/s/c (Soo/Shorter/Unanimous)

Meeting adjourned at 2:16 pm.