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COMMISSION MEETING
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Minutes
4:30 PM
City Hall, Room 034
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 Secretary Garry Consolacion
Commissioner Andrea Evans Grants Administrator Richard Eijima
Commissioner Jing Xu Lee CEDAW Policy Analyst Kim-Shree Maufas
Commissioner Carolene Marks Justice & Courage Analyst Colleen Montoya
Policy Analyst Carol Sacco
Graduate Intern Lisa Shapiro
I. CALL TO ORDER/ AGENDA CHANGES
President Shorter called the meeting to order at 4:43 PM. Commissioners Keehn and Munter were excused.
President Shorter asked that a resolution objecting to the candidacy of Judge Samuel Alito as the next Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court be considered by the Commission under imperative agenda procedures given that Senate hearings will convene before the next regularly scheduled Commission meeting.
Action: Approved addition of a resolution objecting to the candidacy of Judge Samuel Alito to United States Supreme Court under imperative agenda procedures.
m/s/c (Williams/Shorter/Unanimous)
No public comment.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action: Approved minutes from November 16, 2005 Commission meeting.
m/s/c (Evans/Lee/Unanimous)
No public comment.
III. PRESIDENT'S REPORT
A. San Francisco Police Department Video
President Shorter gave an overview of the San Francisco Police Department video controversy. She reported that Mayor Newsom has asked the Commission to work with the Human Rights Commission to recommend ways to improve the cultural competency, including gender issues, of the Police Department.
No public comment.
IV. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
A. Executive Director
Executive Director Murase introduced the Department's newly assigned Deputy City Attorney, Sherri Sokeland Kaiser. Ms. Sokeland Kaiser provided an overview of her professional background in working for sexual assault and domestic violence programs. As a Deputy City Attorney, she has taken a lead in representing the City in the same-sex marriage litigation.
Dr. Murase said that the Department has been instructed to come up with $83,000 in budget cuts for fiscal year 2006-2007. She will be working with staff over the next few weeks to develop a draft budget for the Commission's consideration for the January meeting.
B. Staff Report
Senior Policy Analyst Ann Lehman provided an update on the outreach she had done in the last few weeks on the San Francisco Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Ordinance. Ms. Lehman provided an update on efforts in New York and Santa Clara to pass local ordinances modeled on the San Francisco legislation.
Intern Lisa Sapiro and fellow San Francisco State graduate student Stephani Manfree discussed the upcoming domestic violence conference on March 24, 2006 at San Francisco State that they are organizing as part of their Master's in Social Work requirements. The conference is free and everyone is invited. Ms. Sapiro and Ms. Manfree asked the Commission to support the conference.
C. VAW Agency Profile-SFWAR
Executive Director Nina Jusuf provided an overview of how San Francisco Women Against Rape (SFWAR) has successfully addressed operational issues that were raised by the Commission earlier in the year. In particular, she elaborated on new community-based fundraising initiatives that have been launched to continue and expand services to those in need.
V. 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.
Action: Approved the Consent Agenda.
m/s/c (Shorter/Marks/Unanimous)
No public comment
A. Resolved, That the Commission recognizes the accomplishments of Beckie Masaki's with her receipt of the Sister of Fire Award. Res. 2005-046
B. Resolved, That the Commission recognizing the 50th anniversary of Rosa Parks' refusal to sit at the back of the bus. Res. 2005-047
C. Resolved, That the Commission supports the State Assembly White Ribbon Campaign.
Res. 2005-048
D. Resolved, That the Commission opposes the confirmation of Judge Alito to the Supreme Court. Res. 2005-047
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Annual Report
Executive Director Murase recognized Ms. Sacco for all her work in assembling the report. Dr. Murase expressed how pleased she was to present this annual report as it was the first report submitted since 2000. President Shorter asked that future Annual Reports be discussed as part of the Commission's annual retreat/strategic planning session.
Action: Approved Annual Report
m/s/c (Williams/Shorter/Unanimous)
No public comment
B. Friends of the Commission
Vice President Williams welcomed Toni Wilson, President of the Friends of the Commission on the Status of Women, who provided an update on the outreach and organizational work being launched in the new year.
No public comment.
C. San Francisco DNA Lab
Mr. Gabriel from the San Francisco DNA Lab was not present
Public comment
Mr. John Kelly stated that the November 16, 2005 Commission Minutes did not reflect his comments accurately and explained his concerns.
President Shorter stated that, unfortunately, the minutes had already been approved by the Commission.
VII. OLD BUSINESS
A. Labor Conditions of Exotic Dancers
Executive Director Murase said that two key issues have surfaced after reviewing the legislation with Board of Supervisors and their representatives: the imposition of criminal penalties and a public hearing process related to the approval of licenses.
Public Comment
Daisy Anarchy, Sex Workers Organized for Labor, Human, and Civil Rights, stated that Supervisor Daly had worked on legislation in the past on behalf of club owners. Ms. Anarchy asked why certain components of the legislation [coerced prostitution] could not have a criminal penalty. Ms. Anarchy said that a priority must be the statement made by San Francisco Police Department officials that the legislation be enforceable.
Dr. Murase stated that if there is an issue with "pimping" at a club, existing legislation should be employed to address it.
Commissioner Evans stated that the Commission cannot go beyond what State Law already provides.
Ms. Anarchy asked who will be enforcing the prosecution of violators [of the legislation].
Dr. Murase explained that the legislation allows a number of City agencies to conduct inspections, including the Commission on the Status of Women.
Commissioner Evans stated that the Commission can only encourage the District Attorney to pursue particular cases and does not have the authority to require the District Attorney to prosecute cases.
VIII. REPORTS
A. Justice & Courage .
Commissioner Keehn was absent.
Public Comment.
Beverly Upton stated that everything seems to be coming together with all the work of the Justice & Courage committees. The Mayor authorized $60,000 for a Safety and Accountability Audit that will evaluate the impact of reforms to date on enhancing the safety of victims.
B. CEDAW Committee
Commissioner Williams reported that the CEDAW Committee has request the Mayor to appoint her, in her capacity of CEDAW Committee Chair to the citizen body responsible for overseeing implementation of the Sweat-free Labor Ordinance. The next committee meeting will be held on January 25th at 10 a.m.
No public comment.
C. VAW
On behalf of Commissioner Munter, Grants Administrator Richard Eijima provided an update on the request for proposal process for sexual assault intervention and prevention services.
No public comment.
D. Health
Commissioner Marks asked Policy Analyst Kim-Shree Maufas to give an update on the work she was doing in the Bayview/Hunter's Point community. Ms. Maufas said she has contacted various organizations for research statistics [on breast cancer rates in the community]. As part of her work on trafficking, Ms. Maufas will be attending the Ending Violence Human Trafficking seminar at UCSF, featuring prominent guest speakers, including District Attorney Kamala Harris, in February 2006.
Public Comment
Daisy Anarchy reiterated that she was disturbed and concerned that District Attorney Kamala Harris will be speaking at the seminar because of her refusal to prosecute dance club owners.
IX. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment.
X. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 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.
