2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, August 18, 2005
City Hall, Room 421
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
Members Present Staff Present
President Andrea Shorter Executive Director Emily Murase, PhD
Vice President Angela Williams Executive Assistant Bernice Casey
Commissioner Dorka Keehn Grants Administrator Richard Eijima
Commissioner Jing Xu Lee Justice & Courage Policy Analyst Aparna Reddi
Commissioner Carolene Marks Policy Analyst Carol Sacco
Commissioner Katherine Munter CEDAW Intern Julie Gamble
Anti-Trafficking Intern Alexys Vasström
- CALL TO ORDER/ AGENDA CHANGES
The meeting was called to order at 5:40 PM .
Executive Director Murase asked that a letter to Governor Schwarzenegger urging the approval of AB 1768, which would continue funding from the State Restitution Fund to support the Trauma Recovery Center , be added under Consent Agenda through the Imperative Agenda procedure.
Action: Add Imperative Agenda item on letter to Governor Schwarzenegger to Consent Agenda.
m/s/c (Marks/Keehn/Unanimous)
No public comment.
Commissioner Marks asked for a follow-up on Home Base. Acting Policy Analyst said that she would provide a follow-up at the September meeting.
Action: Approves Minutes from July 27, 2005 Commission Meeting.
m/s/c (Keehn/Williams/Unanimous)
No public comment.
President Shorter thanked City Attorney Paula Jesson for her work on behalf of the Commission and the Department.
No public comment.
IV. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
A. Executive Director Murase reported that the all monies for programs had been restored in the Fiscal Year 2005-2006 Budget and that monies had been allotted for additional staffing for the Department. Executive Director Murase stated that a full report had been provided to the Commissioners in their packets.
Public Comment.
Margaret Kokka from W.O.M.A.N., Inc. extended an invitation to the Commission to attend W.O.M.A.M., Inc.’s Share Our Stories event on September 13, 2005 . The event will provide an opportunity to hear first-hand reports from domestic violence survivors.
B. Staff Report
Intern Alexandra Vasström provided the Commission with an overview of the work she completed this summer in the area of human trafficking. Intern Julie Gamble discussed her work compiling a gender parity report.
- Violence Against Women (VAW) Partner Agency Profile: Mary Elizabeth Inn
Executive Director Kae Lewis gave an overview of the history of Mary Elizabeth Inn . The Inn was founded in 1914 and has provided services to over 42,000 women. The Inn can house 88 women at one time. Ten beds are slotted for women who are victims of domestic violence. Ms. Lewis discussed other supportive programs at the Inn .
Commissioner Marks asked if clients of the Inn worked. Ms. Lewis replied that if women were able to work, an on-site counselor provided job-readiness and preparedness training.
President Shorter thanked Ms. Lewis for her presentation.
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.
V. CONSENT AGENDA
Action: To approve the Consent Agenda.
No public comment.
A. Resolved, That the Commission recognizes September as Hispanic Heritage Month. Res. 2005-029
B. Resolved, That the Commission recognizes Elizabeth Aguilar-Tarchi’s contributions to the Justice and Courage Project. Res. 2005-030
C. The Commission sent a letter to the Public Health Commission asking for the status of the Office of Women’s Health.
D. Resolved, That the Commission recognizes the contributions of Deputy City Attorney Paula Jesson to the work of the Commission and the Department. Res. 2005-031
- Resolved, That the Commission recognizes Asian Women’s Resource Center 21 years of service to immigrant women and their families. Res. 2005-032
- Resolved, That the Commission recognizes the preservation of the Earned Income Tax Credit. Res. 2005-034
- Resolved, That the Commission recognizes September as Elder Abuse Awareness Month. Res. 2005-035
- The Commission sent a letter to Wu Yee Children’s Services recognizing the organization’s Butterfly Social 2005 fundraiser.
- The Commission sent a letter to Governor Schwarzenegger urging the approval of AB 1768, which would continue funding from the State Restitution Fund to support the Trauma Recovery Center . Item added under Consent Agenda through the Imperative Agenda.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Entertainment Commission
Robert Davis, Executive Director of the Entertainment Commission, gave a brief summary of the Entertainment Commission. The Commission was founded three years ago and is charged with regulating all forms of entertainment. The Commission has a staff of 3 and works with other City agencies such as the San Francisco Police Department, Planning Department, Department of Building Inspection, Department of Public Health, and the California State Alcohol Beverage Control Agency on enforcement and issuing permits to businesses that provide entertainment. In response to the development of new legislation to protect the labor conditions of exotic dancers, Mr. Davis asked that the Commission consider staffing time to enforce legislation and asked that any legislation show a clear division of roles [between permitting and enforcement].
President Shorter thanked Mr. Davis for his presentation. She asked if he was familiar with the Commission on the Status of Women’s request to the City Attorney to draft legislation to protect the labor conditions of exotic dancers.
Mr. Davis said that some members of the Department on the Status of Women had kept him informed of the development of legislation.
President Shorter asked if he had concerns with permitting [under any new legislation] exotic dance clubs.
Mr. Davis asked that any legislation clearly delineate roles for [any] City agencies, discuss the suspension process, and provide community outreach.
Vice President Williams asked when the Entertainment Commission met.
Mr. Davis replied that the Commission met on the first and third Tuesday of every month.
No public comment.
B. Trafficking Legislation and VAWA Act
No one from the Public Defender’s Office was available to present.
No public comment.
- Election of Officers for 2005-2006
Action: Elected President Shorter and Vice President Williams as President and Vice President for 2005-2006.
m/s/c (Keehn/Munter/Unanimous)
No public comment.
D. Commission Retreat
President Shorter reviewed the draft agenda for the Commission Retreat on September 23, 2005 and asked for any changes or edits.
Vice President Williams said she would be out of town, but she would try and call in.
Executive Director Murase said she would check with the City Attorney about [Vice President Williams’] participation and voting via the phone.
Commissioner Munter asked for a time change to 9:30 AM -3:30 PM .
Vice President Williams asked that Economic Development be added to the Strategic Plan.
Action: Approved amended agenda, with a time change and the addition of Economic Development to the Strategic Plan, for the September 23, 2005 Commission Retreat.
m/s/c (Williams/Keehn/Unanimous)
No public comment.
Commissioner Lee left at 7:00 PM .
E. Concerns Related to Lead in Candy
Commissioner Marks discussed recent articles outlining increased amounts of lead found in candy and the impact on the children of San Francisco .
Executive Director Murase suggested that the Department send a letter to the Department of Public Health asking for an update on the work it was doing with this issue.
No public comment.
F. Women’s Equality Day
The Commission discussed sponsorship of the California Women’s Agenda (CAWA) and the Women’s Building August 26th Equality Day event.
Action: Approved sponsorship of the August 26th Equality Day event.
m/s/c (Keehn/Munter/Unanimous)
No public comment.
VII. OLD BUSINESS
A Labor Conditions of Exotic Dancers
Executive Director Murase provided an update on work being done regarding the labor conditions of the exotic dancers. She reviewed the letter to the City Attorney which asked for a timeline to have the draft legislation finalized.
Public Comment.
Daisy Anarchy said thanked the Commission for its work.
Action: Approved sending a letter to City Attorney Dennis Herrera requesting a deadline for the legislation.
m/s/c (Shorter/Williams/Unanimous)
VIII.REPORTS
Commissioner Keehn gave an update on the work of the Justice & Courage Project. She reviewed the Attorney General’s report on domestic violence. She said the report indicated a rate of 63% of noncompliance in batterer programs.
No public comment.
Vice President Williams will give an update on the work of the CEDAW Committee on both the gender parity report and the sweatshop-free ordinance. She discussed the qualifications of the two candidates for the CEDAW Committee: Philip Ginsberg, Human Resources Director, and Sandra Holmes of the Controller’s Office.
Action: Approved candidates for the CEDAW Committee.
m/s/c (Marks/Keehn/Unanimous)
No public comment.
IV. CLOSED SESSION
A. There was no public comment on all matters pertaining to the Closed Session.
B. Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b) and San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.10(b):
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION: Executive Director
C. The Commission reconvened in Open Session at 8:20 PM .
Action: Elected not to disclose any or all discussions or actions taken in closed session (San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.12(a).
m/s/c (Shorter/Munter/Unanimous)
X. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 PM .
American Sign Language interpreters and a Sound Amplification System provided upon request with 48-hour advance notice to 415- American Sign Language interpreters and a Sound Amplification System provided upon request with 48-hour advance notice to 415-252-2570. Translation into languages other than English is also available with 48-hour notice. Limited accessible street parking available. Accessible MUNI Metro station in the Van Ness Station and lines are J, K, L, M and N. Accessible MUNI Lines are the 6, 7, 9, 42, 47, 49, and 71 lines. Accessible seating for persons with disabilities (including those using wheelchairs) will be available. Meeting proceedings available in alternative formats. In order to assist the City's efforts to accommodate persons with severe allergies, environmental illness, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities, attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical based products. Please help the City to accommodate these individuals. To obtain a disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, to participate in the meeting, please contact the Department on the Status of Women at least two business days before the meeting at 415-252-2570 (Voice) or 415-252-2550 (TTD). The Board of Supervisors has amended the Sunshine Ordinance by adding provision 67A.1. The provision is effective as of January 21, 2001 .
The ringing of and use of cell phones, pagers, and similar sound producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. Please be advised that the Chair may order the removal from the meeting room of any person(s) responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager or other similar sound-producing electronic devices.
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.sfgov.org/cosw.
Know Your Rights under the Sunshine Ordinance
(Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code)
Government’s duty is to serve the public, reaching its decision in full view of the public. Commissions, boards, councils and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people’s business. This ordinance assures that deliberations are conducted before the people and that City operations are open to the people’s review. For more information on your rights under the Sunshine Ordinance, or to report a violation of the Ordinance, contact the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force at 415-554-7724. To obtain a free copy of the Sunshine Ordinance contact the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, City Hall, Room 244, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102-4689, phone: 415-554-7724, fax: 415-554-7854. Copies of the Sunshine Ordinance can also be obtained from the San Francisco Public Library and on the City’s website at www.sfgov.org.
Attention: Individuals and entities that influence or attempt to influence local legislative or administrative action may be required by the San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance (SF Campaign & Governmental Conduct Code § 2.100 – 2.160) to register and report lobbying activity. For more information about the Lobbyist Ordinance, please contact the San Francisco Ethics Commission at 30 Van Ness Ave., Suite 3900, San Francisco, CA 94102; phone: 415-581-2300, fax: 415-581-2317 and web site http://www.sfgov.org/ethics.
Lobbyist Registration and Reporting Requirements
Individuals and entities that influence or attempt to influence local legislative or administrative action may be required by the San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance [SF Campaign & Governmental Conduct Code § 2.100] to register and report lobbying activity. For more information about the Lobbyist Ordinance, please contact the San Francisco Ethics Commission at 30 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 3900 , San Francisco , CA 94102 ; telephone (415) 581-2300; fax (415) 581-2317; web site: sfgov.org/ethics.
