2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
City and County of San Francisco
Thursday, September 9, 2004
10:00 AM
City Hall, Room 408
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
Public comment will be heard before and/or during each agenda item.
Members Present Staff Present
President Andrea Shorter Executive Director Emily Murase, PhD
Commissioner Andrea Evans Deputy Director Rosario Navarrette
Commissioner Dorka Keehn Executive Assistant Bernice Casey
Commissioner Carolene Marks
Commissioner Angela Williams
Commissioner Williams called the meeting to order at 10:10 AM.
Vice President Miles was excused.
President Shorter arrived at 10:16 AM.
m/s/c (Marks/Evans/Unanimous)
Action: Adopted agenda for COSW Meeting, September 9, 2004.
No public comment.
m/s/c (Keehn/Marks/Unanimous)
Action: Approved amended Minutes from COSW Meeting, July 28, 2004.
No public comment.
4. PRESIDENT’S REPORT
The President Report was postponed until the September 22, 2004 Commission meeting.
No public comment.
5. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Executive Director Emily Murase provided the Commission with a written detailed report and gave a brief verbal synopsis.
Ms. Murase submitted a request to the Controller’s Office and the Mayor’s Budget Office asking that the Department’s carry-forward monies be used for facility and program improvements. The Department has prioritized a replacement of their server, a $6,000.00 cost.
The Executive Director gave an update on the VAW Grants Program process. Ms. Murase informed the Commission that the Department hoped to get all 25 contracts for the 19 agencies signed by the end of September and let the Commission know that the Department was half-way through the process.
Executive Director Murase announced the next CEDAW Committee meeting would be on September 29, 2004 from 2:30-4:30 PM at City Hall, Room 278.
Ms. Murase discussed the work being done by Commissioner Evans, VAW Grants Administrator Michelle Turner and herself on childcare. The goal of the Commission and the Department with this work is to be able to relay to agencies and partners the existing programs that currently exist in the City and County of San Francisco.
The Executive Director directed the Commissioners to the September 8, 2004 SF Weekly article, Lap Victory provided in the sleeve of their packets. Ms. Murase hoped that the article would provide further background information regarding the upcoming COSW September 22, 2004 hearing regarding labor conditions of exotic dancers in San Francisco.
In response to questions raised by the Commission, Ms. Murase explained the outreach process undertaken by the Department.
The Commission discussed the best way to provide a safe environment for members of the public to give testimony at the September 22, 2004 meeting.
Executive Director Murase reviewed the pieces of testimony that would be heard over the next few months. She explained that the scheduled August meeting featured a presentation by the Labor Board, September 22nd meeting would provide a venue for dancers to testify, October would provide an opportunity venue for club owners to respond and in November, the Commission could make recommendations based on all the testimony provided. Ms. Murase also explained that testimony from dancers would also be heard at a Department hearing, which will be held on September 22, 2004 at 25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70 from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM. The testimony provided at the Department only will neither be audio- nor video-taped.
President Shorter asked that the Commission and the Department take continued steps to give the public the impression that measures being taken have to do with the safety of the dancers and not because there is shame in the work done by these women.
The Executive Director reviewed some important dates for the months of September and October. September 29th, the Women’s Leadership Alliance putting on an event, 1-2-3-4: What the Hell are We Voting For? The event will be held at the Women’s Building from 6:00-9:00 PM. On October 7th, a Community Reception will be held at the Asian Arts Museum from 5:00-7:00 PM and October 12th, the Mayor will hold a press conference to announce the Verizon Hopeline grant at City Hall at 11:30 AM.
Commissioner Keehn asked that once an invitation was created for the Community Reception that she be provided with an on-line copy so that she could send invitations to her list.
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.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
m/s/c (Keehn/Williams/Unanimous)
No public comment.
- That this Commission Supports the City and County of San Francisco’s Emergency Legislation to Create a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Contracting Program. RES-NO 2004-014
b. Approved a letter to President al-Bashir of Sudanexpressing concern about acts of violence against women as a weapon of war in the Darfurconflict and urging him to take action and to protect the women and girls of Darfur.
- Resolved,That this Commission Supports the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Golden Gate Park on Saturday, October 23, 2004. RES-NO 2004-015
- New YorkStateSenator Tom Duane for his introduction of the Equal Rights Amendment for New York.
- That this Commission Supports AB 3042, Protecting Exploited Children.
RES-NO 2004-017
f. Action: Approved letters to Governor Schwarzenegger asking for his support for the following legislation: AB358, AB2240, AB2317,AB2404, SB 1555, AB 1796 and SB 1639.
- Resolved, That this Commission Supports the First Annual Conference “Groundbreaking Women in Construction”. RES-NO 2004-016
a. Procedures Governing the Issuance of Subpoena
City Attorney Paula Jesson gave an overview of the Commission’s Subpoena power. She explained that if the Commission wanted to serve a subpoena, first the Commission would have to vote on the action item. Then, the City Attorney would work with the Executive Director to draft and process the subpoena. Finally, the City Attorney, or one of its agents, would serve the subpoena.
No public comment.
- Election of Commission Officers for 2004-2005
On the July 28, 2004 Commission Meeting, Commissioner Shorter was nominated for President of the Commission and Commissioner Williams was nominated for Vice President.
m/s/c (Marks/Keehn/Unanimous)
Action: Approved Commissioner Andrea Shorter as President and Commissioner Williams as Vice President for 2004-2005.
President Shorter thanked the Commission and expressed a special thanks to Commissioner Williams for her tenure as Vice President and asked that she be honored at the next Commission meeting with a resolution.
Commissioner Williams thanked the Commission.
Commissioner Keehn asked the Commission to look in the community for qualified individuals to serve on the Commission and asked that special outreach be done to the Latina and Asian communities.
Commissioner Williams asked that publicity be placed under New Business at the October Commission meeting.
No public comment.
8. REPORTS
- Justice and Courage
Commissioner Keehn gave an overview of the Justice and Courage Project. She explained that the Department was seeking appointment as a voting member on the JUSTIS Governance Council and gave a synopsis of the process involved in reaching that goal. She urged the Department to begin to think about how to add a line item in the next 2005-2006 Fiscal Year Budget for Justice & Courage work.
Commissioner Keehn discussed the work done by the Department and the Friends. The Friends submitted a grant proposal for $50,000.00 earlier in the week to get funding for a study to measure the effectiveness of batterer programs.
m/s/c (Marks/Williams/Unanimous)
Action: Approved new panel members, Supervisor Fiona Ma and Executive Director Emily Murase, for the Justice & Courage Oversight Panel.
No public comment.
- CEDAW
Commissioner Williams reviewed the mid-August meeting with the City Attorney. The City Attorney’s Office will not be able to work on the Gender Parity project as substantially as once believed but has offered the services of Deputy City Attorney Amy Ackerman to work as point of contact for the CEDAW Committee.
Commissioner Williams asked the Commission to provide her with names of individuals it believed would be interested in serving on the CEDAW Committee.
Commissioner Keehn suggested contacting Supervisors and asking them for nominations and asked that the CEDAW Committee follow up with the Mayor regarding citywide CEDAW training.
President Shorter and Commissioner Keehn suggested partnering with a local college or university, UCSF, USF or Mills College, to do the Gender Parity and other projects.
No public comment.
- Friends
Commissioner Williams reported that the August Friend event at One Market Restaurant went well. She said the Friends were able to recruit one more board member. Ms. Williams said that future goals of the Friends included writing grants and improving publicity for the Commission, the Department, and the Friends. She also asked the Commission to provide additional names of people might be interested in joining. Commissioner Williams said the Friends are trying to recruit an individual with marketing experience but asked that the Commission submit any names of individuals who would be committed to doing the work.
No public comment.
9. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment.
m/s/c (Marks/Williams/Unanimous)
Action: Meeting adjourned at 11:14 AM.
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.
(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 Donna Hall, 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, email: Donna.Hall@sfgov.org. 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.
