2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
ANDREA SHORTER
President
KAY GULBENGAY
Vice President
DORKA KEEHN
Commissioner
CAROLENE MARKS
Commissioner
KATHERINE MUNTER
Commissioner
BARBARA SKLAR
Commissioner
JULIE SOO
Commissioner
EMILY MURASE, PhD
Executive Director
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COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
5:00 PM
City Hall, Room 408
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
Members Present Staff Present
Commissioner Kay Gulbengay Administrative Analyst Laura Marshall
Commissioner Dorka Keehn Policy Analyst Anu Menon
Vice President Carolene Marks Grants Administrator Carol Sacco
Commissioner Katherine Munter Commission Secretary Cynthia Vasquez
President Andrea Shorter
Commissioner Julie Soo
Excused: Commissioner Barbara Sklar
I. CALL TO ORDER/ AGENDA CHANGES
President Shorter called the meeting to order at 5:15 pm and welcomed all present. She announced that Executive Director Murase was attending to a family matter and Carol Sacco was serving as Acting Executive Director. President Shorter requested that following two imperative agenda items be added to the agenda:
· Resolution Urging California’s Senators to confirm the nomination of Justice Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court
· Action: To support the Massage Parlor legislation as proposed by Mayor Gavin Newsom and Supervisor Carmen Chu.
Action: Approved amended agenda.
m/s/c (Shorter/Marks/Unanimous)
No public comment.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Soo requested that the minutes reflect her request for data from the Adult Probation Department of how many probationers are mothers and whether other family members become caregivers to their children or if the children enter the foster care system.
Action: Approved amended minutes from April 22, 2009.
m/s/c (Gulbengay/Shorter/Unanimous)
No public comment.
III. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
A. Executive Director's Report
In the absence of Dr. Murase, Carol Sacco referred Commissioners to the written report provided in their packets. Ms. Sacco reported that the 31 out of 50 departments have submitted their gender budgeting data and that staff is working to analyze responses to the Mayor’s budget staff questions about demographic data collection. Ms. Sacco also reminded the Commission of the June 9 Women in City Leadership Luncheon where Chief Heather Fong will be honored.
B. Introduction of Deputy City Attorney Alicia Cabrera
President Andrea Shorter introduced and welcomed Deputy City Attorney Alicia Cabrera. Ms. Cabrera who has working with the City since 2006, also staffs other city departments including the Human Rights Commission, the Office of Urban Services, and the Office of Citizen Complaints. Ms. Cabrera also works on drafting legislation for the members of the Board of Supervisors as well as the Mayor’s Office. Previously,
Ms. Cabrera has worked with the Riley Center, one of our Department's Partner Agencies, and is very familiar with the work of the Department. She stated that she looks forward to working together.
C. Community Leadership Academy and Emergency Response Project Presentation
Sharen Hewitt, CLAER's Founder and Executive Director, explained that the CLAER Project helps people traumatized by violence move beyond victimization to healing and serves the Southeast Sector of the City which includes the Sunnydale public housing project and residents of the Geneva Tower who have limited access to services. The CLEAR Project is imbedded in the community and serves the most at-risk communities of San Francisco. Ms. Hewitt asked the Commission to take the lead in ensuring that low income women have access to workforce training, housing stabilization, and comprehensive child care. She requested the Commission's help in channeling economic stimulus funds to families headed by single women.
Boe Hayward, a Legislative Aide with the Office of Supervisor Bevan Dufty, expressed support for the Department and the CLAER Project. Supervisor Dufty is concerned with the limited services and access to services in public housing and those communities most in need. Mr. Hayward stated that during these difficult budget times, it is important to continue to provide services to those underserved communities.
Kizzy Buzby, a Sunnydale resident and a client of the CLAER Project, testified that she was recently a burglary victim. The CLAER Project helped her by providing furniture and food to her and her family. Ms. Buzby hopes that CLAER will continue to receive funding so that they can continue to support a community with minimal resources.
Laurel, a Policy Associate with the CLAER Project explained that currently the agency is handling a caseload of 300 and are assisting over 700 individuals. The current annual income of their clients is $12,500. In addition to her policy work, she explained that she provides resources to clients, infrastructure assistance, as well as care for the clients they serve. Ms. Hewitt hopes to work with the Commission to continue to serve this vulnerable population.
Commissioner Marks volunteered to meet with the City College Board to discuss what work can be done to better serve the residents of public housing and residents in the Southeast Sector. Commissioner Soo suggested working with the Mayor’s Office as there are stem cell research companies coming to San Francisco and training programs can help some clients get into the workforce. Commissioner Soo highlighted that the newly nominated Justice Sonia Sotomayor is a former public housing resident.
Commissioner Shorter volunteered to work with City College, Bevan Dufty’s Office, and another Commissioner to ensure that training programs and access to workforce development skills are available to women who are heads of households or public housing residents.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
All matters listed hereunder constitute a Consent Agenda and are considered to be routine by the Commission on the Status of Women. They will be acted upon by a single roll call vote of the Commission. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the Commission so requests, in which event the matter shall be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered as a separate item. Members of the public may speak on each item listed on the Consent Agenda.
C. Resolution Urging California’s Senators to Confirm the nomination of Justice Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court
Action: To approve the Consent Agenda.
m/s/c (Keehn/Munter/Unanimous)
Commissioner Marks and President Shorter both praised the work of Ms. Denebeim and expressed what a pleasure it is to acknowledge the work of such a visionary and hard working individual, and that her many contributions will continue to be felt throughout the City.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Proposed Legislation on New Controls for Massage Establishments
Supervisor Carmen Chu provided the Commission with an overview of the two proposed items of legislation on new controls for Massage Establishments, one authored by her, the other by Mayor Gavin Newsom, and requested the Commission's support. Supervisor Chu's legislation closes a loophole that currently allows nail salons, health clubs, and other massage establishments to bypass zoning procedures and simply obtain a new permit for massage establishments, rather than having to go through the Planning Department and its public permitting process for conditional use. Many women and girls who are trafficked into SF work at these establishments. This legislation will make it easier for the City to revoke licenses and regulate these businesses.
The second piece of the legislation, introduced by the Mayor, will make it easier to revoke licenses. It also changes the hours of operating for these establishments from midnight to 10 pm. The legislation institutes criminal penalties for operating without a permit, operating after hours, using the establishments as living quarters, and having unlicensed practitioners or underaged practitioners. The legislation will include stronger measures to ensure transparency of the establishments and monitor such things as untinted windows and proper street lighting. For new establishments that are requesting permits, they would undergo the conditional use process which requires final approval by the Planning Commission.
Commissioners expressed some concerns as there is currently only 1 inspector for the Department of Public Health working in collaboration with the Planning Department and the Police Department to catch violations. With such a small staff and so many establishments, it is difficult to check thoroughly for violations. Currently the first fine is $1000, 2nd fine is $2,500 and the 3rd fine is $5,000. Commissioners expressed their concern about the low fines and asked for clarification about how fine amounts are set. Commissioners agreed that fines should include the administrative cost of having a checks and balance system for these establishments.
Action: To approve Supervisor Chu's legislation for new controls on massage establishments that will close a loophole that currently allows massage establishments to bypass the zoning procedures and simply obtain a new permit for massage establishments.
m/s/c (Keehn/Munter/Unanimous)
No public comment.
Commissioners requested working with the Mayor’s Office to include language in the legislation to ensure that the owner of the establishments are the one’s being penalized, and not the worker or practitioner as many of them are victims of trafficking. The Commissioners also requested higher penalty fines for establishment owners so that the administrative costs are covered in order to provide oversight.
Action: To approve the Mayor's legislation which institutes criminal penalties on massage parlors for operating without a permit, operating after hours, using the establishments as living quarters, and having unlicensed practitioners or underage practitioners.
m/s/c (Soo/Gulbengay/Unanimous)
No public comment.
B. Economic Opportunities for Women by City Agencies
President Shorter explained that Executive Director Ann Hinton of the Department of Aging and Adult Services was called out of town and would present before the Commission at a future meeting.
C. Hotel Labor Issues
On behalf of UNITE HERE, Local 2, Reverend Israel Alvaran presented information on hotel workers who would like to choose whether to have a union through a card-check neutrality agreement and distributed information folders regarding a boycott of the Hyatt Fisherman's Wharf and the HEI Le Meridien Hotel which are not unionized.
Marian Wong, Vice President with UNITE HERE Local 2, has worked at the Hyatt since 1995, and has worked on a petition signed by fellow co-workers requesting the Hyatt Corporation to enter into a card check agreement with UNITE HERE Local 2. Ms. Wong requested that the Commission approve the resolution to support the workers of these 2 hotels.
Jeff Shaver, an employee with the Hyatt since 1992, explained that for over 15 years he has worked without any benefits and has had to work 6 days a week in order to have health coverage. Mr. Shaver requested the Commission support the Card Check Neutrality Agreement.
Bonnie Johnson, a staff member in the dining department and a member of the Union Organization Committee requested that the Commission support the Card Check Neutrality Agreement as requested by the workers of the 2 hotels. Ms. Johnson explained that there are new hotels under the same management that are being built and employees at those hotels will have the Card Check Neutrality Agreement. She requested that the Commission support the Card Check Neutrality Agreement so that workers will have the same rights as new workers.
Claire Bowman explained that a petition was signed by the majority of workers and requested the Commission support the Card Check Neutrality Agreement Resolution up for action.
Reverend Dawn Reginsky explained that the majority of workers who work in housekeeping are women. Reverend Reginsky requested that they Commission support the Card Check Neutrality Agreement so that workers will no longer be scared or intimidated by arbitrary layoffs. It will also allow access to health care for many families.
Dania Duke, General Manager of the Hyatt Hotel, explained that workers of the Hyatt were given the options of a secret ballot or the Card Check Neutrality system, and preferred the option of a secret ballot. Employees where invited to attend the evenings meeting to provide testimony on what they believe will be a democratic way of discussing this issue. Ms. Duke explained that workers at the hotel are receiving an above-scale wage, more than what members of the UNITE HERE Local 2 members are receiving. Ms. Duke explained that many employees want a private vote and have felt pressure from the UNITE HERE Local 2 to vote for a Card Check Neutrality Agreement. Ms. Duke requested that the Commission not approve the resolution up for action.
Eduardo Aguilar, a hotel worker for the last 19 years, requested that the Commission not vote to approve the resolution up for action this evening because, in his experience, he has been compensated well for the work he provides and does not want to become a part of a union.
Juanito, a long time employee of the Hyatt, requested that the Commission not support the resolution. Juanito does not wish to belong to a union and feels he should not be pressured to do so.
Reverend Alvaran reported that the Immigrant Rights Commission in on record supporting the boycott and requested that the Commission support a Card-Check Neutrality Agreement which has been echoed by many hotel employees.
Rick Newborn, an employee with the Hyatt since 1990, believes that he and other employees have been given fair wages and good benefits without the representation of a union and urged the Commission not to support the resolution.
Julio Gerome, an employee since 1990, requested that the Commission not support the resolution and explained that he feels that he has been treated fairly without the representation of the union.
m/s/c (Marks/Gulbengay)
Ayes – Marks/Keehn/Shorter
Opposed – Munter/Gulbengay/Soo
Motion failed.
No public comment.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
A. Nominations of Officers for 2009-2010
Commissioner Marks nominated Vice President Gulbengay for President and Commissioner Soo nominated current President Andrea Shorter for President. Vice President Gulbengay declined the nomination. Andrea Shorter accepted the nomination for President.
Commissioner Keehn nominated Commissioner Gulbengay for Vice President. Commissioner Gulbengay accepted the nomination for Vice President. The election will take place at the June 24 Commission meeting.
B. Meeting Calendar
The Commission discussed changing the Commission’s Strategic Planning Session from July to November, and other meeting dates.
Action: Motion to approve the proposed remaining 2009 meeting schedule.
m/s/c (Keehn/Soo/Unanimous)
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT
Commissioner Soo reported the State Legislative Analyst's Office Report on Revisions to the 2009-10 Budget dated May 21, 2009 where the State Commission on the Status of Women is up for elimination as well as well as budget cuts to CalWorks, child support services, and domestic violence services. Commission Secretary will circulate the web link to the Commissioners.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn.
m/s/c (Shorter/Gulbengay/Unanimous).
The meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm.
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