2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 Wednesday, June 29, 2005
5:00 PM
City Hall, Room 421
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
Members Present Staff Present
Vice President Angela Williams Executive Director Emily Murase, PhD
Commissioner Andrea Evans Executive Assistant Bernice Casey
Commissioner Jing Xu Lee Secretary Richard Eijima
Commissioner Carolene Marks Policy Analyst Carol Sacco
CEDAW Intern Julie Gamble
Anti-Trafficking Intern Alexys Vasström
- CALL TO ORDER/ AGENDA CHANGES
Meeting was called to order at 5:17 PM.
President Shorter, Commissioners Keehn, and Munter were excused.
No public comment.
Action: Adopted minutes for COSW Meeting, May 25, 2005.
m/s/c (Evans/Lee/Unanimous)
No public comment.
3. PRESIDENT’S REPORT
The President’s Report was waived.
No public comment.
- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
The Executive Director’s report was presented before quorum was established.
No public comment.
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.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
Action: Approved Consent Agenda.
m/s/c (Evans/Marks/Unanimous)
No public comment.
- Resolved, That the Commission recognizes June as Gay Pride Month. Res. 2005-021
- Resolved, That the Commission recognizes the contributions of Abeer N. Rafidi. Res. 2005-022
c. Resolved,That the Commission urges the Board of Supervisors to continue to funding the Girls’ Advocate for the Public Defender’s Office. Res. 2005-023
d. The Commission sent a letter to the California State Alcohol Beverage Control regarding the proximity of exotic dancers in permitted After Hours exotic dance clubs in San Francisco.
- The Commission sent a letter to the Federal Labor Commission regarding stage fees in exotic dance clubs.
- The Commission sent a letter to the Entertainment Commission asking for information about the owners of exotic dance clubs.
- The Commission sent a letter to Governor Schwarzenegger asking for the release of battered women prisoner Flozelle Woodmore.
- Resolved, That the Commission condemns the San Francisco 49ers Video. Res. 2005-024
- Resolved, That the Commission recognizes the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations. Res.2005-025
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. Response to 49ers Video
San Francisco Human Rights Commission (HRC) Senior Compliance Officer Larry Brinkin gave an overview of the HRC’s investigation of the San Francisco 49ers’ in-house training film. Mr. Brinkin explained that the 49ers, as a contractor with the City for use of Monster Park, was subject to the City's non-discrimination policy. Brinkin reported that the training videos, with its racist, homophobic, and sexist depictions, created a hostile work environment. He explained that the HRC tries to resolve issues through mediation. If mediation fails, sanctions in the Administrative Code, including fines, contract suspension or cancellation, and a permanent ban from City contracts, can be pursued. The respondent is allowed to appeal findings before the HRC. Mr. Brinkin provided a history of complaints about the 49ers that HRC had heard over the years. Mr. Brinkin said that the 49ers organization held two community meetings recently: one in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community and one in Chinatown in response to the controversial video. The HRC is currently working with the 49ers to design a better diversity training program. Mr. Brinkin emphasized that the HRC process focuses on contract compliance of the 49er organization, and not on possible negative impacts on the community stemming from the video.
Executive Director Murase gave an overview of the work the Department has done in response to the 49ers video, including an audit of community outreach efforts prior to the airing of the 49ers’ video over the past 18 months which revealed that no outreach had been conducted in the LGBT or Asian American communities and only limited outreach to women's organizations (i.e., Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure). She has also contacted the Commissions on the Status of Women of San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties on this issue.
Commissioner Evans asked if the HRC had the authority to enforce recommendations the HRC had made.
Mr. Brinkin explained that the contracting organization, in this case the Department of Recreation and Park, is ultimately responsible for adopting and enforcing sanctions. Nevertheless, the HRC could monitor any training programs that the 49ers developed to ensure that the programs met the outlined requirements.
Public Comment
Alexys Vasström said that she had seen the video and that it was very offensive.
- Response to the Murder of Juliette Williams
Former Commission on the Status of Women Commissioner Juanita Miles brought this issue forward, but was unable to attend the meeting. Executive Director Emily Murase summarized her concern that press reports about this murder did not reflect a context of domestic violence. However, in following-up with the District Attorney about how the murder was to be charged, Dr. Murase reported that the perpetrator would be tried for a domestic violence-related murder.
Public Comment
Beverly Upton, Domestic Violence Consortium, said that the press coverage on the incident employed victim blaming. She stressed the need to respond to the press.
The Commission directed the Department to raise these concerns to the editors of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Commissioner Evans suggested writing to the authors of the article as well.
c. City Code Changes
Deputy City Attorney Dorji Roberts reviewed the City code changes he has drafted regarding the labor conditions of exotic dance clubs.
Commissioner Marks asked how long before the legislation would be ready to present to the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Roberts said that additional documentation was needed to support the legislation and estimated an additional two to three weeks.
Vice President Williams asked what type of permits the legislation would cover. Mr. Roberts said that it specialized in live entertainment. Commissioner Evans said that she had not seen the legislation but hoped it addressed stage fees.
Public Comment
Daisy Anarchy, Sex Workers Organized for Civil and Human Rights, thanked the Commission and the Department for their work in this area. She asked that the legislation be made available for review before going to the Board of Supervisors. Ms. Anarchy expressed her concerns about police enforcement and pimping and pandering prosecutions by the District Attorney.
Executive Director Murase thanked Mr. Roberts and said that she would address concerns regarding the police and district attorney at future meetings.
Maxine Doogan, a member of the public, urged the Commission to examine all ways money is taken from the dancers by the clubs, including boxes attached to or inside the booths. She encouraged everyone involved in the process of creating legislation to visit the clubs. Mr. Roberts said the proposed legislation prohibits charging the dancers “anything of value”.
d. Human Rights Campaign
Ms. Dharmaraj from W.I.L.D. discussed a new, local Human Rights Campaign and upcoming hearings on the issue. Ms. Dharmaraj said that the new initiative combined international treaties to ensure basic human rights for everyone in San Francisco in the areas of housing, health, family, criminal justice, and education. She said that the ordinance will refer to CEDAW. She explained that public hearings would be held in September or October. Ms. Dharmaraj said that the initiative was already supported by District Attorney Kamala Harris, Public Defender Jeff Adachi, and Supervisor Tom Ammiano.
Commissioner Marks asked what the costs of the initiative would be. Ms. Dharmaraj said she was unsure at this time. Commissioner Evans asked when a draft of the initiative would be available. Ms. Dharmaraj said it would be available next week. She said that the initiative would strengthen the rights of all people.
The Commission asked that a letter indicating support in concept be added to the July 27 COSW meeting for Consent Approval.
No public comment.
7. OLD BUSINESS
a. Strategic Plan
Executive Director Murase asked the Commission to review the updated Strategic Plan for adoption at the July 27, 2005 Commission meeting.
No public comment.
b. Labor Conditions of Exotic Dancers
Commission Evans gave an update on the work of the Department.
No public comment.
Commissioner Marks asked that Commission look at where community meetings have been held in the past and where they should be held in the future. Vice President Williams and Commissioner Marks said they would work together to locate a space for the September meeting.
No public comment.
8. REPORTS
a. Justice & Courage
Oversight Panel members, Emily Murase and Beverly Upton gave an overview of the qualifications of
candidates.
Action: Approved the Justice & Courage Oversight Panel candidates.
m/s/c (Marks/Evans/Unanimous)
Vice President Williams announced that the next CEDAW meeting would be on July 27, 2005,
City Hall, Room 034.
No public comment.
9. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment.
10. CLOSED SESSION
a. 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
- Reconvene in open session
The Commission lost quorum during the Closed Session.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The Commission lost quorum during the Closed Session.
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.
