REDISTRICTING TASK FORCE
CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO
MINUTES
Minnie and Lovie Ward Recreation Center
650 Capitol Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94112
Tuesday, January 9, 2012 – 6:00 PM
Special Meeting
Members: Chair Eric McDonnell, Vice Chair Jenny Lam,
Member Alonso, Member Myong Leigh, Member Sonia Melara,
Marily Mondejar, David Pilpel, Mark Schreiber, Melissa Tidwell
Call to Order and Roll Call (6:12 p.m. to 6:13 p.m.)
The meeting was called to order at 6:10 p.m. On the call of the roll, Member Leigh was initially noted absent. Member Leigh was noted present at 6:12 p.m.
Presentation by the Advancement Project (6:13 p.m. to 6:36 p.m.) John Kim, representative of The Advancement Project made a presentation to the Task Force members regarding the ReDrawSF.org map drawing software that allow members of the public to review maps developed by the Task Force and submit their own draft maps. ReDrawSF.org will also provide training to members of the community at upcoming trainings and webinars.
Public Comment:
Chris Bowman expressed his enthusiasm for ReDrawSF.org.
A male speaker inquired as to whether ReDrawSF.org would allow for the merging of census block information.
A male speaker asked if the public would able to submit proposed changes through the ReDrawSF.org.
Mapping (6:37 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.) The Task Force presented the working draft map developed on January 4, 2012 for public input.
Public Comment:
District 11 Supervisor John Avalos thanked the Task Force for their ongoing efforts and acknowledged the difficult task before them. He offered assistance from his staff and from the residents in District 11 to the Task Force. He requested that the OMI (Oceanview-Merced-Ingelside) area remain in District 11. He requested that the Task Force keep the Filipino-American community, which is a large segment of the OMI community, in District 11. He requested that District 11's current boundaries remain whole or as intact as possible, due to the various communities of interest among the district's current neighborhoods.
Sharon Hewitt, Executive Director of the Clearwater Project located in Visitacion Valley, requested that the Task Force consider redistricting's impact on families and communities in the southeast sector of the City. She noted that OMI is an important neighborhood for the African-American community and requested that the OMI remain a part of the District 11. She also requested that the Task Force no longer divide the Sunnydale and Visitacion Valley neighborhoods between different districts.
Antoine Perry, Inner City Youth, requested that the Task Force keep OMI in District 11 and not move the neighborhood into District 7. OMI shares more common neighborhood issues, like combating crime, with Portola and Excelsior than any neighborhoods in District 7.
District 8 – Supervisor Scott Wiener stated that the current working draft map divides several neighborhoods and LBGT communities of interest.
Supervisor Wiener also requested that the Task Force consider several specific changes to the current working draft map. He stated that the areas he was going to ask the Task Force to keep in District 8 were not areas which he had won during his election as Supervisor. His proposed suggestions were not politically motivated, but were being made to keep communities of interest together. He stated that on the eastern edge of the district, Dolores Street and Valencia Street north of Ceasar Chavez should be moved back into District 8. He stated that the Mission Dolores neighborhood should remain whole in District 8. He stated that all of Bernal Heights area should remain in District 9, and should not be split between Districts 8 and 9.He stated that in the northeastern section of District 8, the LGBT community center and 55 Laguna Street – a site for future LGBT senior housing – should be placed back into District 8. He requested that the Task Force keep the area of north of Waller and east to Octavia Streets currently in District 8 remain in that district. If this area did not remain in District 8, it would divide the LGBT community. He requested that the LGBT Community Center and 55 Laguna Project (which will contain a senior LGBT housing project) in District 8, in order not to divide the LGBT Community of Interest. The northern border starting at Octavia should remain as Waller Street, except that the northern border should jut up to Haight Street for one block in order to encompass the 55 Laguna project. Buena Vista should also remain in District 8, per the current borders. He also requested that the entire Duboce Triangle neighborhood remain in District 8, especially Duboce Park.
George Wooding, West of Twin of Peaks Central Council, requested that all of the neighborhoods included in the West of Twin Peaks Central Council remain in District 7. He stated that these were all similar medium-density neighborhoods, with single-family homes. He also opposed the proposed movement of neighborhoods currently in District 7 to District 8, and the proposal to move the Lakeshore neighborhood into District 7.
Tina Shauf, Filipino Community Center, requested that the Filipino-American community in OMI remain in District 11 and not be divided. She discussed the presence of the Filipino-American community in San Francisco since the 1940s, and the movement of that community from near Chinatown to Districts 6 and 11. She also mentioned that the Filipino-American population in District 11 has decreased, although they still have a common need for the same types of services.
Al Perez, Filipino American Arts Exposition, requested that the Filipino-American community in OMI remain in District 11 and not be divided. He also stated that District 11 has a Filipino-American community of interest.
Anatalio Ubulde, local business owner, requested that the Task Force keep Filipino-American communities together. He stated that District 11 has one of the most concentrated Filipino-American communities.
Michael Pangilinan, Filipino American Democratic Club, requested that the Task Force preserve Filipino-American areas. He stated that Filipino-Americans have little representation in City Hall and the Board of Supervisors.
Lucia Bogatay, Co- President of the Mission Dolores Association, stated that the Mission Dolores area should be in one district, either District 8 or 9, and not be divided. She stated that the area consists of many persons who rent their homes.
Maria Mejia, a Mission Dolores resident, requested that the Task Force to keep the Mission Dolores area whole. She stated that she is a renter, and that the neighborhood should not be divided along Dolores Street.
Richard Magary, Buena Vista Neighborhood Association, requested that the Task Force keep Buena Vista Park neighborhood in District 8. He stated that there is a community of interest in the area that supports Buena Vista Park. He stated that he would provide the Task Force with an alternative map. He also stated that the Castro Benefit District boundary would be split as shown on the current working draft map.
Peter Lewis, Mission Dolores Association, requested that the Task Force not divide the Mission Dolores neighborhood along Dolores Street.
Jim Stark, Lakeshore Acres Improvement Association, requested that the Task Force keep the Lakeshore neighborhood in District 7 and not move it to District 4. He supported the current boundary between the districts along Sloat Boulevard.
Chris Bowman, 1995 Task Force member, stated that past Task Forces looked at data concerning unions and drew the boundaries for District 11 because it had a high proportion of union households in neighborhoods such as OMI and Crocker-Amazon. He also stated that the Portola neighborhood should be united and suggested that it be moved to districts to the north (District 9) or east (District 10).
Steven Currier, Outer Mission Merchants and Residents Association, requested that the Task Force keep the OMI neighborhood in District 11.
Tess Walborn, Haight-Ashbury Neighborhood Council, stated that the Task Force should keep the Western Addition neighbor hood in one district. She stated that the neighborhood had common concerns relating to the development of areas previously under the Central Freeway and the bus rapid transit project.
Lindsay Kefaven requested that the Task Force keep the Mission Dolores neighborhood in a single district. She stated that there is a community of interest around Mission Dolores Park.
Helen Bautista, former Public Library Commissioner, requested that the Task Force consider that the presence of the Ingleside Library on Ocean Avenue in that it has many Filipino books and often provides space for community events. She also requested that the Task Force preserve the Filipino-American community in District 11.
Bernadette Sy, Filipino Community Center and Bayihanan Community Center, requested that the Filipino-American community in OMI remain in District 11.
Jeff Rocca, District 11 resident and business owner, requested that OMI remain in District 11. He stated that the OMI neighborhood is one of the last blue-collar neighborhoods left in San Francisco and should remain in District 11.
F.X. Crowley, Lakeshore neighborhood resident, requested that the Task Force keep the Lakeshore and Merced neighborhoods in District 7 and not move them into District 4.
Nancy Crowley, Lakeshore neighborhood resident, also requested that the Task Force keep the Lakeshore and Merced neighborhoods in District 7 and not move them into District 4. She stated that St. Stephen's church is an anchor for those neighborhoods, and that those neighborhood residents use Muni lines, shopping areas, and parks in District 7 not in District 4.
Allen Melaro, Filipino-American Arts Center, requested that the Task Force keep the Filipino-American community intact in District 11.
Jim Wexel, President, Westside Democratic Club, requested that the Task Force keep the Lakeshore and Merced neighborhoods in District 7 and not move them into District 4.
David Fix, resident of the Duboce Triangle area, requested that the Task Force keep all of the Duboce Triangle neighborhood in one district.
Emile Guzman requested that the Task Force preserve the Filipino-American community in District 11. He stated that OMI neighborhood had several community interests such as this Recreation Center and Balboa High School. He also stated that OMI is a working-class neighborhood like the other neighborhoods in District 11.
A male speaker requested that the Task Force keep OMI in District 11 to keep the last area for blue-collar workers intact in a single district.
Charley Stamas stated that the Task Force should consider how Highway 280 divides neighborhoods. He stated that the Balboa Park BART stop also unites neighborhoods and is the heart of District 11. He also stated that the OMI neighborhood should be in District 11.
Lawrence Lee, Lower Haight Merchants Association, stated the Task Force should keep the Lower Haight together in one district. He stated that the Western Addition should also be in one district. He also supported moving the 55 Laguna Street project back into District 8, due to its connection to the LGBT community.
Alicia Gamez requested that the Task Force not create district boundaries along Valencia Street because the businesses on Valencia Street have common interests. She also stated that the Valencia Neighborhood Association will be meeting soon to submit comments to the Task Force.
Lisa Tennebaum, Liberty Hill Historic and Neighborhood Association, described the Liberty Hill neighborhood as the area north of 20th Street and south of Hill Street. She stated that Liberty Hill shared common concerns with Mission Dolores because they are both historic neighborhood districts and have dealt with similar issues arising from the development of Valencia Street. She also stated that her neighborhood association is debating whether this area should be in District 8 or District 9.
Seth Kilbourne, Open House, stated that the Task Force should consider the LGBT community of interest and requested that the 55 Laguna Street site and the LGBT Community Center remain in District 8. He stated that the Task Force should not split LGBT service providers from the community. He also requested that the area between Waller, Market and Buchanan Streets remain in District 8.
Rebecca Rolfe, LGBT community, requested that the Task Force keep the area around 55 Laguna Street and the LGBT Community Center in District 8.
Neil Sims, Open House, requested that the Task Force keep the area around 55 Laguna Street and the LGBT Community Center in District 8.
Mike Brown, Inner City Youth, requested that the Task Force keep OMI in District 11 and not move it into District 7. He stated that the area shares common concerns about crime in the area. He stated that in general, OMI has nothing in common with District 7.
Chelsea Boilard, Coleman Advocates for Children, requested that the Task Force keep the OMI in District 11 along with Excelsior. She stated that both neighborhoods have relatively high concentrations of children.
Kent Bogis, resident of the OMI, resident requested that the Task Force keep OMI in District 11.
Gus Gilbert requested that the Task Force keep OMI in District 11. He also stated that the Task Force should place the Lakeshore and Merced Manor neighborhoods in District 7.
Vicky Trasvin requested that the Task Force keep District 11 intact due the presence of labor union households. She stated that the communities in the district shares many of the same churches and has a high number of students.
David Troup, Treasurer of the Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association, requested that the Duboce Triangle neighborhood not be split between different districts as the draft map proposes. He also stated that the LGBT Community Center and the 55 Laguna Street project should remain in District 8.
Mark Schewer, Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association, requested that the Task Force keep the Duboce Triangle neighborhood in one district. He stated that Duboce Park is a very important part of the Duboce Triangle itself. He also stated that Duboce Triangle residents share more common interests with District 8 than District 5, especially due to the LGBT community in Duboce.
Walter Caplan, Forest Knolls Neighborhood Organization, informed Task Force members that what they decide might impact San Francisco for the next 10 years. He requested that the Task Force keep the Forest Knolls neighborhood in District 7 and not moved it to District 8. He stated that the neighborhoods west of Twin Peaks Boulevard share common features, such as single-family homes and new young families. They also share common transportation lines and services.
Jim Marks requested that the Task Force keep the Portola neighborhood together in either District 11 or District 10. He stated that the neighborhood shares common issues relating to McLaren Park.
Rob Joyce, resident of District 5, thanked the Task Force for its reunification of the Western Addition and Lower Haight neighborhoods in its working draft map. He also asked that the Task Force consider placing all of the "Wiggle" bicycle route in a single district.
Mara Kopp requested that the Task Force keep the Lakeshore and Merced neighborhoods in District 7 and not move them into District 4. She stated that the neighborhoods had different concerns than those in District 4, and that they had different planning and transportation issues.
David Hooper, President of the New Mission Terrace Association, suggested that the Task Force remove the area between Ocean, Holloway, Ashton, and Harold Avenues to decrease the population currently in District 11.
Mary Harris, OMI, President, Neighbors In Action shared the history of the OMI area with the Task Force. She also stated that she is grateful for Supervisor Avalos and how he understands the needs of the OMI district. She requested that the Task Force keep OMI in District 11 rather than District 7.
Kristine Zaback, Forest Knolls Neighborhood Association, requested that the Task Force keep the Forest Knolls neighborhood in District 7 and not move it to District 8.
Marilyn DeGuzman stated that the residents of OMI have different needs and requested that the Task Force keep the Filipino-American community intact in District 11.
Benjamin Gonzalez requested that the Task Force keep the Filipino-American community intact in District 11 due to similar economic needs.
Juan Zimordin requested that the Task Force keep OMI in District 11 because the current district supervisor has been very supportive of the community.
Dan Weaver stated when with the OMI was previously placed in District 7 in the 1970s, it was difficult for the neighborhood to have its issues addressed in City Hall. He requested that the Task Force keep OMI in District 11 and move it into District 7. He also stated that the Balboa Park BART station should be the center of District 11.
Judy Berkowitz, Coalition for SF Neighborhoods and East Mission Improvement Association, thanked the Task Force for moving the northern boundary of District 9. She requested that the Task Force not divide the Portola and Bernal Heights neighborhoods. She reiterated her request to place the eastern boundary of District 9 at the 101, and generally supported using freeways as district boundaries as much as possible.
Chris Bowman offered suggestions for handling of public comment raised questions relating to the Voting Rights Act and moving people in and out of districts, and raised concerns relating to moving current Supervisors out of their districts.
Jim Marks inquired what impact the maps submitted by the public would have on the Task Force’s final decision
Glen Van Legh inquired if the Task Force members’ assignments for reviewing the public input were available to the public.
Recess
The Task Force recessed at 8:51 p.m. and reconvened at 9:02 p.m.
The Task Force agreed not to make modifications to the working draft map until they had reviewed community input received to date. The Task Force reviewed criteria for submission of draft maps by the public.
Member Pilpel, seconded by Member Schreiber, moved to approve the criteria for submission of draft maps by the public as amended. The motion passed without objection.
Community Outreach (10:15 p.m. to 10:16 p.m.) The Task Force reviewed current and future outreach activities, including discussion regarding synthesis of community input.
Public Comment: None
Task Force Budget (10:16 p.m. to 10:17 p.m.) The Task Force reviewed the current budget and expenditures associated with the Task Force. Chair McDonnell stated that the potential sources for additional funding were still under review.
Public Comment: None
Task Force Member Reports (10:18 p.m. to 10:20 p.m.)
Member Mondejar reported that she had distributed press releases to the ethnic media.
Public Comment: None
Public Comment: (10:20 p.m. to 10:20 p.m.)
Public Comment: None
Future Agenda Items (10:21 p.m. to 10:22 p.m.)
Chair McDonnell requested that the Mapping, Community Outreach, Budget and other standard discussion items be included on the next agenda.
Member Lam requested that an item relating to more specific deadlines for the submittal of maps by the public and finalizing the redistricting process be added.
Member Pilpel requested that the January 20, 2012 regular meeting of the Task Force be listed as cancelled on the Task Force's website.
Public Comment: None
Adjournment
The Task Force adjourned at 10:22 p.m.
