REDISTRICTING TASK FORCE
CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO
MINUTES
Auditorium, Everett Middle School
450 Church
San Francisco, CA
Thursday, March 1, 2012 – 6:00 PM
Special Meeting
Members: Chair Eric McDonnell, Vice Chair Jenny Lam,
Mike Alonso, Myong Leigh, Sonia Melara, Marily Mondejar,
David Pilpel, Mark Schreiber, Melissa Tidwell
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 6:17 p.m. On the call of the roll, Members Schreiber and Tidwell were noted absent. Member Pilpel, seconded by Member Leigh, moved to excuse Members Schreiber and Tidwell from attending the meeting. The motion passed without objection.
2. Mapping. (6:18 p.m. to 8:10 p.m.)
The Task Force received public input and did not modify the February 23, 2012 working draft map.
Public Comment:
District 8 Supervisor Scott Wiener welcomed to the Task Force to District 8. He stated that he was grateful for the uniting of neighborhoods in District 8 as shown on the February 23, 2012 working draft map. He requested that the Task Force keep 55 Laguna Street in District 8. He stated that the proposed senior housing for LGBT community, at 55 Laguna, and the LGBT Community Center are parts of the communities of interest in District 8 and should remain united in District 8.
Neil Sims, Open House, requested the Task Force keep 55 Laguna, the proposed site for an Open House housing development for the LGBT community and the LGBT Community Center as communities of interest in District 8.
Hadley Hall stated that the LGBT community in District 8 was a strong community of interest, and requested that the Task Force keep 55 Laguna in District 8.
Marcel Adelman, Open House, requested that the Task Force keep 55 Laguna in District 8.
Richard Magary, Buena Vista Neighborhood Association, thanked the Task Force for keeping Buena Vista Park in District 8 as shown on the February 23, 2012 working draft map. He also requested that the Task Force keep 55 Laguna in District 8.
Mark Schemer, District 8 resident, thanked the Task Force for keeping Duboce Park in District 8 as shown on the February 23, 2012. He also requested that the Task Force keep 55 Laguna in District 8.
Felicia Elizondo, District 8 resident, requested that the Task Force keep 55 Laguna and the LGBT Community Center in District 8.
Marilyn Hayward, Open House, requested that the Task Force keep 55 Laguna in District 8 in order to keep the service providers in the same district as the people they serve.
Ann Minkoff, District 8 resident, requested that the Task Force keep 55 Laguna in District 8.
Seth Kilbourn, Executive Director, Open House, requested that the Task Force keep 55 Laguna and the LGBT Community Center in District 8.
Patrick Carroll, Diamond Heights Association, requested that the Task Force keep Diamond Heights in District 8. He requested that Diamond Heights Boulevard not be the dividing line between Districts 7 and 8 because that would split the community between two districts.
Ray Rudolph, Open House, requested that the Task Force keep 55 Laguna and LGBT Community Center in District 8.
Michelle Alcedo, Open House, Director of Programs, requested that the Task Force keep 55 Laguna and the LGBT Community Center in District 8.
John Whery, District 8 resident, requested that the Task Force keep 55 Laguna and the LGBT Community Center in District 8.
David Axel requested that the Task Force keep 55 Laguna and the LGBT Community Center in District 8.
Randy Hicks, District 8 resident, requested that the Task Force keep 55 Laguna and the LGBT Community Center in District 8.
Martha Knutzen, Co-Chair, Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club, requested that the Task Force keep 55 Laguna and the LGBT Community Center in District 8.
Reese Isabell, Co-Chair Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club, requested that the Task Force keep 55 Laguna and the LGBT Community Center in District 8.
Denise LaPointe, West of Twin Peaks Central Council, submitted the West of Twin Peaks Central Council proposed District 7 map.
Jason Henderson, Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association, stated that Hayes Valley Association welcomes Open House and the proposed senior LGBT project for 55 Laguna. He also stated the Hayes Valley and Lower Haight share communities of interest and should remain united in District 5. He also stated that the proposed LGBT senior housing is a future proposal and that representation is needed now. He requested that the LGBT Community Center remain in District 8. but that 55 Laguna should be in District 5. He stated that the Hayes Valley Association supported the February 6, 2012 Community Unity Map.
Dave Gartner. President, Dolores United, thanked the Task force for keeping the eastern boundary for District 8 at 20th and Market and Valencia and Sanchez Streets as shown on the February 23, 2012 working draft map because it keeps the neighborhood in one district.
Manesh Champsy thanked the Task force for keeping the eastern boundary for District 8 at 20th and Market and Valencia and Sanchez Streets as shown on the February 23, 2012 working draft map. He also thanked the Task Force for keeping the inner sunset in district 5.
Stanley Watson, Open House, thanked the task force for their hard work and for keeping Duboce Park community in District 8 as shown on the February 23, 2012 working draft map. He requested that the Task Force keep 55 Laguna and the LGBT Community Center in District 8.
David Cortez, Vice President, Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association, requested that the Task Force keep the communities of interest of Hayes Valley in District 5. He stated that the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association has been involved in the discussions with the planning of the proposed housing development at 55 Laguna since the beginning of the planning stages. He also requested that the Task Force keep the University of California extension campus in District 5.
Bill Wilson, Sunnyside district, stated that he had read the final report of the 2000 Task Force, and disagreed with their findings that the Sunnyside district is more closely aligned with the Glen Park residents than those in District 7. He requested that the Task Force move Sunnyside into either District 7 or District 8. He stated that it would be easier to move the Sunnyside area into District 7.
Peter Cohen, District 8 Democratic Club, provided proposed boundaries for District 8 to include up to Stanyan Street; eastern boundary to Valencia to keep the Valencia corridor intact; northern boundary Waller down to Steiner to Herman and wrap around the LGBT Community Center. He stated that the Hayes Valley and Lower Haight have communities of interest and should remain in District 8.
Mick Ames suggested that the Sunnyside Conservatory be in District 7, and the boundary for District 7 be at Congo Street down to the 280 Freeway.
Kathleen Cole stated that District 5 has several elderly care facilities and a proposal for more, so 55 Laguna would fit well in that district. She supports the Community Unity Map.
Sasha Cutler, Noe Valley resident, supported the Community Unity Map. She requested the Task Force keep communities of interest in Hayes Valley, including 55 Laguna, united in District 5. She also suggested that Diamond Heights Boulevard be in District 8.
Sasha Cutler, District 8 Democratic Club, supported the Community Unity Map.
He also requested that the Task Force keep the Hayes Valley and Lower Haight together as communities of interest.
George Cole requested that the Task Force keep Sunnyside united in District 7. He thanked the Task Force for making the eastern boundary of District 8 at Valencia as shown on the February 23, 2012 working draft map. He suggested that Diamond Heights could be moved to District 7 and he requested that the Task Force keep 55 Laguna in District 5 as a part of the Hayes Valley.
Jim Chappell stated that he was very pleased with the February 23, 2012 working draft map. He requested that Diamond Heights remain in District 8. He also requested that the Task Force keep 55 Laguna and the LGBT Community Center in District 8.
Chris Bowman, 1995 Task Force member, requested that the Task Force unite the Sunnyside area. He suggested that Clarendon Heights and Twin Peaks Improvements Association be united. He also suggested that Ashbury Heights and Buena Vista Heights be united. He also suggested that Kaiser Hospital be in District 5 and not be divided into two districts.
Richard Johnson, Community Partners United and past member of the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association, requested that the Task Force keep the Hayes Valley communities of interest united in District 5, including the proposed senior LGBT housing at 55 Laguna.
Otto Duffy, District 6 resident, North of Market, requested that the Task Force make the northern boundary of District 6 Post Street.
Mathew Gonzalez requested that the Task Force keep the Filipino united in Districts 6 and 11.
Alex Walker requested that the Task Force extend the boundaries east to Valencia, and that St. Lukes Hospital be in District 8 and the District 9 boundary should be the 101.
Gus Feldman, District 8 Democratic Club, stated that he supports the Community Unity Map, and requested that the Task Force keep the Lower Haight and Hayes Valley united in District 5.
Dennis Richards, Duboce Triangle Association, requested that the Task Force keep the Duboce Triangle united, and that Diamond Heights not be divided.
Richard Ivanhoe, Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council, stated that he supported the Community Unity Map, and requested that the Task Force keep 55 Laguna in District 5.
Crystal Java stated that she supported the Community Unity Map.
Hiroshi Fukuda, Japantown Better Neighborhood Association and Japanese Religious Federation, requested that the Task Force should move the line between Districts 2 and 5 from Pine to California Street. He urged the Task Force to keep the St. Xaviar Church (on Pine and Octavia Streets) and the Buddhist Church further east on Pine Street. He stated that these two churches are not currently in District 5 on the February 6, 2012 working draft map. He also urged the Task Force to keep the Japanese and African American communities in Japantown together in light of the long history of those two communities working together.
Dr. Justin Morgan, District 5 resident, stated that he was pleased that the Task Force had reunited Japantown and the Fillmore as shown on the February 23, 2012 working draft map. He requested that the Task Force also include Booker T. Washington Center, Hamilton Community Center, Westside Courts Housing, JCYC, Rosa Parks Elementary School and Chibi-Chan preschool in District 5.
Caroline Hsu, Asian Law Caucus, supported the map submitted by the Japantown and Western Addition associations and requested that the Task Force keep Booker T. Washington Center, Hamilton Community Center, Westside Courts Housing, JCYC, Rosa Parks Elementary School and Chibi-Chan preschool in District 5.
Danielle Love, Lower Haight resident, supported the February 6, 2012 Community Unity map.
Alicia Gamez, District 8 Resident, stated that the February 23, 2012 working draft map shows an over population in the northern/eastern sections of the City and an under population in the southern/eastern sections of the City. She stated that this causes under representation for the southern/eastern and more representation in the northern/western. She suggested that the Task Force move populations to the southern/eastern sections, which would balance the population and representation throughout the City. She requested that the Task Force include both sides of Valencia Street in District 8.
Risa Teitelbaum, Liberty Hill Association, requested that the Task Force unite the Valencia corridor over to Bartlett Street.
Judy Berkovitz, President Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods, and member of the East Mission Improvement Association, stated that the Coalition for Neighborhood reviewed the February 23, 2012 working draft map and the SF Realtors map. She stated they did not have the Community Unity Map to review but looked forward to reviewing it with members of the association. She stated having two Supervisors representing an area could be beneficial to neighborhood associations. She requested that the Task Force keep San Francisco General Hospital in one district, preferably District 9.
Walter Caplan, Forest Knolls Neighborhood Association, stated that Claremont Elementary School has an enrollment of 574, of which only 15% live in District 7. He stated that next year the Board of Education will give children living in a neighborhood preference to neighborhood schools, which will mean that there will be a need for only one Supervisor to represent the schools in the district.
Note: This matter was taken out of order.
3. Voting Rights Act Analysis (9:00 p.m. to 9:28 p.m.)
Public comment on all matters pertaining to this item: None
Closed session – CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION.
Member Pilpel, seconded by Vice Chair Lam, moved to invoke the attorney-client privilege and go into closed session to confer with or receive advice from legal counsel. The motion passed without objection.
The Task Force convened in Closed Session at 9:00 p.m.
Present: Deputy City Attorney Jon Givner
Task Force Members: Alonso, Lam, Leigh, McDonnell, Melara, Mondejar, Pilpel;
Redistricting Task Force Clerk, Kay Gulbengay;
Redistricting Task Force Consultants, Karin Mac Donald and Jaime Clark
The Task Force reconvened in open session at 9:28 p.m.
Chair McDonnell reported that counsel advised the Task Force about litigation risks related to Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, and specifically about the decision of whether to consider race as a predominant factor in drawing a district in the Southeastern area of the City. After conferring with legal counsel, the Task Force determined by a vote of 6-1 that they will not consider race as a predominant factor in drawing districts in that area of the City. (Motion made by Member Melara, seconded by Vice Chair Lam, with Member Mondejar voting No and Members Schreiber and Tidwell excused).
Member Pilpel, seconded by Member Melara, moved not to disclose the closed session’s deliberations. The motion passed without objection.
4. Task Force Budget. (8:11 p.m. to 8:12 p.m.)
Vice Chair Lam reported that she did not have any budget updates.
Public Comment: None
5. Community Outreach. (8:12 p.m. to 8:24 p.m.)
Vice Chair Lam reported that she had discussions with staff members at the University of San Francisco possibly conducting surveys regarding public interest in redistricting but due to time constraints this may not be of value to the Task Force’s work. She indicated that the Task Force could conduct specific focus groups. Chair McDonnell requested that one of the focus groups be with seniors and another with public housing residents. Member Mondejar requested that youth and college students be considered for a focus group.
Chair McDonnell informed the Task Force that only one room in City Hall would be able to televise remaining Task Force meetings due to conflicting scheduling of other meetings in City Hall. He reported that the March 29, 2012 Redistricting Task Force meeting will be televised.
Member Mondejar reviewed with the Task Force the four concepts for ethnic outreach advertising. The Task Force agreed on concept C for finalizing the for ethnic outreach advertising.
Public Comment: None
6. Approval of Redistricting Task Force Minutes of December 16, 2011, February 6, 2012, and February 11, 2012. (8:25 p.m. to 8:26 p.m.)
Member Pilpel, seconded by Member Melara, moved to approve the Redistricting Task Force Minutes for the meetings of December 16, 2011, February 6, 2012, and February 11, 2012 with corrections. The motion passed without objection.
Public Comment: None
7. Process for Consideration of Citywide Maps. (8:26 p.m. to 8:41 p.m.)
The Task Force discussed the process it will use to evaluate proposed maps submitted on or before March 2, 2012 by members of the public. Chair McDonnell informed the Task Force that individuals who have submitted proposed citywide maps will make a presentation at the March 7, 2012 Task Force meeting.
Public Comment:
Richard Ivanhoe suggested that the presenters provide written summaries with their presentations before the Task Force.
Alicia Gamez stated that she agreed that written summaries should be provided by the presenters. She requested that the Task Force keep Liberty Hill and the Valencia corridor in District 8.
Otto Duffy, North of Market resident, expressed concern about using Redraw SF. He stated that 10 years ago the software was user friendly and thousands of maps were submitted.
Patrick Carroll inquired if the citywide maps and written comments will be available on the Redistricting Task Force website.
Chris Bowman, 1995 Task Force member, requested clarification as to whether or not amendments to the citywide map submittals could be submitted after the deadline of March 2, 2012. He also suggested the idea of having questions prepared for the presenters.
8. Format of Final Task Force Map and Report. (8:42 p.m. to 8:55 p.m.)
The Task Force discussed the format of its final determination, including whether to issue written findings or a report. Deputy City Attorney Jon Givner informed the Task Force that they need to include a final map and, at a minimum, a description of the neighborhoods and communities of interest that they kept together in each district.
Public Comment:
Bill Wilson stated that he really appreciated having the final report available on the Redistricting Task Force website and urged that there be a summary of the final report.
Chris Bowman stated that RedrawSF has statistics available to the public to review He also indicated that the CAVEC map could be used to show statistics.
Otto Duffy, North of Market resident, stated that he was approaching map drawing with the assumption that all districts would be up to plus or minus 1%. He stated that if 5% is used it will change the dynamics and requested that the Task Force keep the North of Market area whole.
9. Task Force Member Reports. (8:56 to 8:58 p.m.)
Vice Chair Lam reported that she and Chair McDonnell attended a meeting on February 29, 2012 in District 5, hosted by Supervisor Olague, and provided an update on the redistricting process to date.
Chair McDonnell reported that he had made a presentation on February 27, 2012 to a class at Hastings College of the Law for Professor Jim Sutton.
10. Public Comment. (8:58 p.m. to 8:59 p.m.)
Chris Bowman inquired if public requests to divide a neighborhood into two supervisorial districts limits the Task Force to a 1% or 5% deviation.
Deputy City Attorney Jon Givner responded that the Task Force can go higher than the 1% threshold if necessary to keep recognized neighborhoods together. The Task Force cannot divert from the 1% threshold specifically in order to keep recognized neighborhoods divided.
Andrew Bley, District 7 resident, inquired when the redistricting process will be completed and when the data will be available on the website.
11. Future Agenda Items. (8:59 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
Chair McDonnell requested that Mapping, Task Force Budget, Community Outreach, City Wide Map Presentations, Discussion on Final Task Force map and report, along with the regular items be on the next agenda.
Public Comment: None
12. Adjournment.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
