2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 DORKA KEEHN, President
EMILY MURASE, Vice President
JULIE BURTON, Commissioner
CAROLENE MARKS, Commissioner
JUANITA MILES, Commissioner
ANDREA SHORTER, Commissioner
VALERIE TULIER, Commissioner
COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
City and County of San Francisco
Regular Meeting
Minutes
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
5:00 P.M.
City Hall, Room 408
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
MEMBERS PRESENT
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STAFF PRESENT
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President Dorka Keehn
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Belle Taylor-McGhee, Executive Director
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Vice President Emily Murase
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Rosario Navarrette, Deputy Director
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Commissioner Julie Burton
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Winnie Xie, Grants Administrator
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Commissioner Carolene Marks
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Caroline Donnola, Senior Policy Analyst
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Commissioner Andrea Shorter
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Ann Lehman, Policy Analyst
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Commissioner Valerie Tulier
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Carol Sacco, Policy Analyst
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Angela Martin, Executive Secretary
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1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
President Dorka Keehn called the meeting to order at 5:07 p.m.
Commissioner Juanita Miles was excused.
Commissioner Andrea Shorter arrived at 5:08 p.m.
NO PUBLIC COMMENT
2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
m/s/c/ (Burton/Marks/Unanimous) To move that the "Closed Session" will occur between Old and New Business for the March 26, 2003 Commission Meeting.
m/s/c/ (Murase/Marks/Unanimous) To adopt the agenda for the Wednesday, March 26, 2003, Regular Commission Meeting.
NO PUBLIC COMMENT
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
m/s/c (Murase/Burton/Unanimous) To approve the minutes for the Wednesday, January 29, 2003, Regular Commission Meeting with the stipulated corrections.
m/s/c (Murase/Burton/Unanimous) To approve the minutes for the Wednesday, February 19, 2003, Regular Commission Meeting with the stipulated corrections.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
President Keehn welcomed Supervisor Fiona Ma to the Commission Meeting.
Supervisor Ma introduced herself to the Commission and stated that she is a member of the Budget Committee. She stated that she would like to advocate on the Commission's behalf, and requested that the Commission inform her of any budget issues affecting funded programs. Supervisor Ma concluded by stating that she hopes the Commission will continue to bring forth legislation that she and the Supervisors might sponsor.
Vice President Murase asked Supervisor Ma to inquire if city departments are conducting gender analysis when implementing budget cuts.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
· Justice and Courage Oversight Panel
President Keehn reported that several members
of the Justice and Courage Oversight Panel met with District Attorney Terence
Hallinan to address budget cuts and recommendations outlined in the Justice
and Courage Report. President Keehn stated that one of the major issues discussed
is the staffing of the Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Unit, which is not fully
staffed due to attrition. She added that the Panel has recommended that misdemeanor
and felony domestic violence crimes be vertically prosecuted, and she commented
that District Attorney Hallinan established the Unit and is very concerned
about its staffing status. She stated that District Attorney Hallinan requested
the Panel's support to obtain funding for the Unit and agreed to provide an
Inspector for domestic violence and sexual assault crimes.
President Keehn reported that the Panel is scheduled
to meet with the San Francisco Chief of Police in April.
President Keehn also reported that the working
committees have been meeting and working to implement the recommendations
in the Justice and Courage Report. She added that the Panel is scheduled to
meet on March 27, 2003, and will hold its meeting quarterly in the future.
President Keehn added that the Panel is expected to receive an update on the
JUSTIS System, and that the Panel will meet with members of the Board of Supervisors
who sit on the budget committee to ensure that JUSTIS is approved and financially
supported.
President Keehn stated that she and Executive
Director Belle Taylor-McGhee met with Esta Soler to look at other domestic
violence program models around the country.
President Keehn announced that Justine McGonagle
has been hired as the Justice and Courage Project Coordinator.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
· Budget/Administrative
Update: Ms. Taylor-McGhee reported
that a memo from the Mayor's Budget Office was circulated to department heads
requesting that ten-percent (10%) contingency plans be initiated for 2003-2004,
along with budget cuts that were originally proposed. She stated that DOSW's
contingency plan amounts to over $200,000. Ms. Taylor-McGhee recommended that
a meeting be scheduled with the funded programs to talk about the proposed
cuts.
Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that she is restructuring
staff assignments to ensure that the Department operates more efficiently.
She added that the Department is reviewing the goals and objectives adopted
at the Commission's February 1, 2003, Retreat to present a strategic planning
document at the Commission's meeting in April.
President Keehn asked when the contingency
plan was due to the Mayor's Budget Office.
Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that the plan is
due to the Budget Office in April.
President Keehn asked if a special meeting
needed to be scheduled in order for the Commission to approve the ten-percent
(10%) contingency plan.
Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that a proposal,
with input from the funded agencies, can be presented to the Commission
at its April meeting.
President Keehn suggested that the Commission
meet with the Mayor and his Budget Office to discuss the budget. President
Keehn stated that she would contact the Mayor's office to schedule the meeting.
· La Casa
de las Madres: Ms. Taylor-McGhee
stated the Department has received responses from La Casa that address issues
raised by the Commission at its February meeting. She added that the Department
is reviewing the responses and plans to schedule a site visit to La Casa in
April. Ms. Taylor-McGhee reported that the Department will make formal recommendations
at the Commission's April meeting.
President Keehn and Vice President Murase
thanked La Casa's Executive Director Kathy Black for responding promptly
to the Commission inquiries.
Commissioner Marks stated that she would like
to see the La Casa issue completed.
· Justice
and Courage Project: Ms. Taylor-McGhee
stated that she wanted to thank all of the employees from the various departments
involved in the Justice and Courage process.
· Verizon
Wireless: Ms. Taylor-McGhee reported
that the department has received a shipment of 200 prepaid cell phones from
Verizon. The cell phones will be distributed in April to programs who provide
services to women experiencing domestic violence.
· Sexual Assault
Awareness Month: Ms. Taylor-McGhee
commented that April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and that the Adult
Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Conference will be held at City College
of San Francisco in April. She added that several members of the DOSW staff
plan to attend the Conference.
6. OLD BUSINESS
· Approval
of the COSW 2003 Strategic Planning Session Minutes:
m/s/c (Shorter/Marks/Unanimous) To approve
the COSW 2003 Strategic Planning Session Minutes at the April Commission
Meeting.
· Approval of the Status of Girls Report:
Ann Lehman and Carol Sacco spoke to present
the plan for the April release of the Girls Report.
m/s/c (Murase/Marks/Unanimous) To approve
a draft of the Girls Report that includes the Executive Summary and to appoint
Commissioner Murase to conduct final review prior to release.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Clarissa Rojas spoke and asked that the Commission
take a stance against the war.
· Approval
of the Draft Letter to Governor Gray Davis
· Meetings between the Board of Supervisors
and COSW Commissioners: Commissioner
Tulier stated that she is in the process of scheduling meetings with Supervisors
Peskin and Sandoval. She added that she asked Executive Director Belle Taylor-McGhee
to send out an email to the funded agencies extending an invitation to participate
in the meetings to advocate for no budget cuts.
President Keehn stated that she thought it
was important for the funded agencies to attend meetings regarding the budget.
Commissioner Shorter stated that she met with
Supervisor Chris Daly and with Tom Ammiano's Staff.
Commissioner Marks stated that she would like
a one-page synopsis to present at the meetings with the Supervisors.
Vice President Murase stated that Supervisor
Dufty's staff is working on issues surrounding raising the Marriage License
Fee.
Executive Director Belle Taylor-McGhee stated
that in order to raise the Marriage License Fee, the State Legislature must
mandate it.
Commissioner Marks stated that if the fee
is raised, it may be difficult for some people to pay for the license.
Commission Shorter stated that the Commission
should investigate the fee of neighboring/competing cities.
Commissioner Tulier stated that the Commission
may want to look at the possibility of lobbying to raise the fee and allocating
the extra funds to help other Commissions around the State.
Deputy Director Rosario Navarrette stated
that the Department is designated by the State Legislature as the body which
administers the Marriage License funds to the domestic violence programs.
Commissioner Murase stated that she will be
the liaison between the Commission and the Board of Supervisors regarding
the Marriage License Fee.
NO PUBLIC COMMENT
· To
approve the draft letter in support of Senator Sheila Kuehl's proposed Single
Payer Legislation SB 921
Senior Policy Analyst Caroline Donnola stated
that she received a list of fifty-five (55) organizations that are endorsing
SB 921. She added that the Bill is scheduled to be presented before four
committees in April.
Commissioner Marks asked if a list of organizations
that oppose the legislation was available.
Ms. Donnola stated that other legislation
was being proposed by the insurance industry, which represents opposition.
Commissioner Burton asked if the legislation
would pass.
Ms. Donnola stated that Senator Kuehl does
not think it will pass in this Legislative Session. However, Senator Kuehl
does believe it will pass next year.
Vice President Murase expressed her support
for the letter regarding SB 921, and the recommended copying the letter
to the San Francisco Health Commission, Association of California Commissions
for Women, and Assemblymen Leland Yee and Mark Leno.
Commissioner Marks asked how the legislation
would affect senior citizens.
Ms. Donnola stated that the strongest support
for the legislation comes from senior citizens. She added that this legislation
would apply to everyone on Medicare and supplement Medicare with prescription
drug coverage.
m/s/c (Murase/Burton/Unanimous) To approve
the draft letter in support of SB 921
7. NEW BUSINESS
· Raising the Minimum Wage in San Francisco
Caroline Donnola stated that the City of San
Francisco commissioned UC Berkeley to conduct a study on the feasibility
and impact regarding raising the Minimum Wage. She added that the study
should be completed in two to three weeks. Ms. Donnola commented that the
preliminary study suggests that an increase of the minimum wage from $6.75
per hour to $8.50 per hour would have a minimal impact on businesses, and
she stated that eighteen-percent (18%) of businesses would see a one-percent
(1%) increase in operating cost. Ms. Donnola added that Supervisor Matt
Gonzalez and a number of organizations support the increase. She also reported
that the plan is to do a ballot initiative in November. Ms. Donnola concluded
that preliminary polls indicate that seventy-five (75%) of voters in San
Francisco would vote in favor of the increase.
· To approve
the draft letter in Support of Assembly Member Leland Yee's proposed legislation
on the use of children as translators AB 292
Caroline Donnola stated that the legislation
pertains to State agencies and State funded programs and would prohibited
the use of children as translators to officially translate medical information,
legal information and other complex issues. The legislation would affect
some of the Department's programs that are State funded.
President Keehn asked about the penalty if
children were used as translators.
Belle Taylor-McGhee stated that the organization
would lose its State funding or contract.
Caroline Donnola stated that the purpose of
the legislation is to get agencies to establish policy and to employ adult
translators.
Commissioner Shorter stated that the enforceability
of the legislation is not clear.
m/s/c (Tulier/Murase/Unanimous) To revise
the letter to state that the Commission "is in agreement with the intent
of the legislation."
8. CLOSED SESSION
The Commission adjourned its open session
to meet in closed session.
9. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Vote to elect whether to disclose any or
all discussion held in Closed Session (San Francisco Administrative Code
Section 67.12 (a).)
m/s/c (Murase/Tulier/Unanimous) Not to
disclose discussion that occurred during closed session.
NEW BUSINESS (cont.)
President Dorka Keehn was excused
Commissioner Juanita Miles was excused.
· To consider
writing a resolution in opposition to the War
The issue of writing a resolution in opposition
to the War will be discussed at the April 23, 2003, Commission meeting.
· To consider
writing a letter of appreciation for Doris Ward's 30 years of public service
Commissioner Marks will draft a letter for
consideration to recognize Doris Ward for her 30 years of public service.
10. REPORTS
· CEDAW
Commissioner Murase reported that Supervisor
Gavin Newsom is sponsoring legislation to conduct a gender analysis relative
to budget cuts. The resolution has received input from the Department and
the CEDAW Task Force and will be introduced in the upcoming weeks to the Board
of Supervisors.
11. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Commissioner Murase stated that she would
like to set up a consent calendar for routine approvals and would like Amy
Ackerman to present an overview of a consent calendar at the May 28, 2003,
Commission meeting.
Commissioner Marks stated that she would like
to adjourn the April meeting in memory of Dr. Arthur Coleman with remarks
by Commissioners Marks and Miles.
Commissioner Shorter reported that the Mayor's
Women Summit will occur on March 31, 2003. She also stated that the San
Francisco Port Authority approved a resolution to work with the International
Museum of Women to build a museum on Pier 26.
Commissioner Marks reported that the Mayor
extended an invitation to a reception at the New Asian Art Museum on Sunday,
March 30, 2003, at 5:30 p.m.
Commissioner Tulier reported that Monday is
a holiday in remembrance of Caesar Chavez, and she asked if it could be
acknowledged at the Women's Summit.
Executive Director Belle Taylor-McGhee stated
that she was asked by Assembly Member Leland Yee's office to give testimony
regarding the proposed legislation to prohibit the use of children as translators.
Commissioner Shorter reported that she will
attend a hearing on criminal justice matters and parole reformation and
will give a report at the April 23, 2003, Commission meeting.
12. PUBLIC COMMENT
13. ADJOURNMENT
Explanatory documents: For copies of explanatory documents listed in this agenda, and other related materials received by COSW, please contact the Department on the Status of Women at 25 Van Ness Ave, Suite 130, San Francisco, CA 94102; phone:
415-252-2570, fax: 415-252-2575. Also, to the extent possible, documents will be available on the COSW website at: http://www.ci.sf.ca.us/cosw/.
