6:45 PM
1. Call to order and
Roll Call
Present Commissioners, Sally Stephens, Philip Gerrie, Pam
Hemphill, Angela Padilla, Laurie Kennedy-Routhier
Absent Commissioners, Andrea Brooks, William Herndon – SF
Police, David Gordon DVM, Bob Palacio - Rec & Park, Vicky Guldbech - ACC
Comr. Stephens – No-kill is not on the agenda tonight
because not enough progress had been made in the past month to merit
discussion. It will be on the agenda next month. Commissioners working on it
have not given up on the issue. A small group of people, working independently
of the Commission, are working on ways to work on and expand programs towards
no-kill. Their focus will probably be behavior assessment standards, dog
training programs, low cost spay-neuter services. None of these issues require
input from the Commission nor the Board of Supervisors. These issues can be
worked on now and so why wait for the Supervisors to act before working on
them. If anyone would like to be part of this unofficial group contact me.
2. General Public
Comment
Bill Hamilton – volunteer Give Me Shelter Cat Rescue and
former Commissioner on ACWC – Would like to see extremists on both sides of
no-kill debate coming together. The key is for ACWC to define ‘adoptability’, and the process for
adoption, for a uniform guideline that
all shelters could follow. It would be very helpful in borderline medical or
behavioral problems. Without such a guideline this Commission and the no-kill
movement will miss the point and savable animals will be killed.
Lana Bajsel – Give me Shelter Cat Rescue – Reading statement
for Julene Johnson. “Fix San Francisco brought the no-kill issue to ACWC in
June of 2008. Various testimonies and a
path to no-kill were proposed at ongoing meetings. At the Feb 11, 2010 ACWC
meeting, Comr. Sally Stephens asked the public to help form a sub-committee
about behavior testing. Julene Johnson and I asked, for the record, to be a
part of that sub-committee. Earlier this week Sally sent out an e-mail to
Angela Padilla, Kathleen McGarr, L-Danyielle Yacabucci and Julene Johnson, to
form that committee to discuss the items she mentioned earlier. On Tuesday
Susan Wheeler was included in the e-mail. When asked about the goal of the
sub-committee, Sally stated she was acting as a private citizen working for
no-kill and also working for legislation at ACWC. Concern is that at the Feb.
Commission meeting, Sally had asked for
names of those interested in being on that committee. In the following e-mail
she had only included one of the two people who had went on public record
wanting to be involved. She had invited three new people to be on the
sub-committee, two of whom were not at the February meeting. The question is
why one person was excluded and three new people were included. How, as a
private citizen, can Sally take on no-kill issues raised at Commission meetings
and select people she wants to be on the sub-committee. Question on the
practice of acting as a private citizen on ongoing Commission matters. Question
about selecting who she wants to work with after publicly asking for volunteers
to serve on that committee. This seems to be a conflict of interest as her role
as a Commissioner. Fix San Francisco has been working with ACWC in due process,
not going over their heads to the Board of Supervisors. Extremely frustrated by
length of time ACWC has taken to come up with a plan for no-kill in SF.
Joanna Morales – Give me Shelter Cat rescue – Finishes
Lana’s reading of Julene Johnson’s statement. “Does not agree that Comr. Stephens
should take no-kill issues behind closed doors while holding Chair of ACWC.”
Richard Schulke – Former Commissioner on ACWC – Fish &
Game Commission on March 3, 2010 voted unanimously to ban further permits for
the importation of turtles and frogs as a food source. Millions of local
turtles and hundreds of thousands of bull frogs will be saved by this ban. Asks
ACWC to officially endorse the act by the State Fish & Game. Asks ACWC to
honor by proclamation the work by Eric Mills and Virginia Hanley who have
worked on this issue for almost 20 years. They are true heroes and deserve to
be honored.
Eric Mills – Action for Animals – Worked for 15 years to get
law passed by Fish & Game. This will spare the lives of 2 million bull frogs in California and 3 to 5
hundred thousand fresh water turtles. Would like pressure on Board of
Supervisors to impose ban on all sales of frogs and turtles not just those for
human consumption. No fines currently imposed on illegal sales. Just citations.
DA does nothing. Brought blank petitions for measure to impose $18 on CA
vehicle license to bring in $500 million for State parks every year.
Comr. Routhier – Thanks Eric Mills for all his work. Does
enforcement of this law fall on Fish & Game?
Eric Mills – It could. It could be enforced by ACC or
better, if SPCA had humane officers because they do not answer to anyone in
City Hall. ACC was told years ago to stay away from Chinatown. Fish & Game
was not interested in the cruelty angle but protecting the resources.
Comr. Routhier – When will the ban go into effect?
Eric Mills – When the permits expire. Unsure if they are
only issued as of Jan 1st or through out the year. Grandmother said,
“Stay true to your cause and eventually you’ll wear thebastards down.”
Audrey Kimball – Opened recently an antique and collectible
store at 16th & Irving St. One hope was to foster rescue cats at
the store hoping that customers would see the cats and adopt them. Contacted
Give Me shelter. Brought first cat two weeks ago. Then a second cat. Both cats
are doing well living at the store 24 hours a day. Many breakable and fragile
items in the store but nothing has been damaged by the cats. Both cats were
scheduled to be euthanized by ACC. Would have been tragic to have killed them.
Sue Capezuto – Give Me Shelter Cat Rescue – Reminds
Commissioners that in January Comr. Padilla had promised to do a revision of
no-kill legislation to be done in February. No-kill not on the agenda tonight.
Is disappointed. SF was once leader in no-kill and now no one’s priority.
Nadine May – If one asks 10 San Franciscans, on the street,
if they want a no-kill City, 8 or 9 will say that they think it already is a
no-kill city. SF used to lead in the no-kill movement. Adoptable animals are
currently being killed daily. Bringing
in out-of-city cute, adoptable animals and euthanizing the rest is not the way
to go. Cities across the US are adopting no-kill. SF should as well.
Comr. Stephens – Asks public to not applaud after each
speaker.
Justin Pinkerton – Fixsanfrancisco.org – Dropping no-kill
now would be a huge mistake. Over a year of hearings in this Commission on no-kill has been a big disappointment.
That pales in comparison to the animals dying everyday due to failure of this
Commission to act. SPCA is struggling to
maintain its hospital at the expense of the well being of their own animals.
ACC is not willing to perform a basic task in order to benefit themselves and
the community. ACWC should use its powers to seize the opportunity and not let
it slip away.
Laura Fairbanks – Fixsanfrancisco.org – Disappointed in ACWC
for not fighting for no-kill. Supports any efforts to save lives of animals,
whether legislation or anything else.
Cynthia Cox – Fixsanfrancisco.org – Begs Commission to make
no-kill a reality in SF. Commission has spent a year and half discussing the
issue. That is a year too long. It’s time to get going. Talks and shows picture
of her own cat, Vinnie, that would not be alive if not taken in and adopted.
Had behavior issues according to ACC. Also took in two kittens that had
ringworm that would have been euthanized. Cites other cats that were adoptable
but were euthanized or were taken by other volunteers.
Laura Massa – ACC volunteer – Tells experience of
volunteering at ACC when euthanasia takes place. Means a human being failed.
Means failed to evaluate it properly. Means failed to give adequate care. We
fail as a city when animals are killed. Make SF a no-kill city.
L-Danyielle Yacabucci – Had volunteered at ACC to do their
statistics but was not accepted to do so by Rebecca Katz. She felt it was too
complicated.
Lisa Quattrini – Give Me Shelter Cat Rescue – Frustrated
with how long no-kill legislation has taken. Austin just became a no-kill city.
Every day more animals are being killed. That is unacceptable. ACWC needs to
step up.
Mark Ennis – Disturbed by Lana’s concerns about independent
committee being set up by a Commissioner. Such a group should have
representatives from every rescue group. Not hand-picked behind the scene. Also
disturbed that no-kill was not on the agenda. Saw no closure on the issue.
Thinks ACWC is taking a weak stand on the topic.
Kathleen McGarr – fixsanfrancisco.org – ACWC only needs to
recommend legislation, not think tanks. Legislation is all Commission is
responsible for. Commission has taken
too long. Too many animals have died.
Richard Fong – Has been listening to public comments. See
Commissioner’s efforts stopped by Rebecca Katz. Need to work together as a
committee not just individually.
Public Comment Closed
Comr. Stephens – Point of clarification. Commissioners are
not obligated to respond to public comment and encouraged not to. Not
responding, therefore, does not mean anything. Will not continue with working
group immediately. The working group, that was the subject of so many comments
tonight, never met and will cancel any future meetings and discontinue it
altogether. . Apologize for perception that something was being done behind the
scene.
Çomr. Padilla – Shocked and appalled by community’s reaction
to efforts by Comr. Stephens and self to form group to work together. Had not
revised legislation as had intended because the SF shelters are totally opposed
to no-kill legislation. Has tried to talk with shelters. They have good
legal-oriented reasons to oppose it. Should invite Rebecca Katz to a meeting to
have her describe to the public why she opposes it. Being a no-kill advocate,
was persuaded by SPCA and ACC that initial proposed legislation was totally
unworkable. Was, as a lawyer, stumped, on how to prepare a form of legislation
that would ever get out of this Commission. Saddened that perception that the
working committee was perceived as being behind closed doors. As being
negative. Effort was only to get something done. Nothing will get done without
the shelters approval. Welcomes anyone with ideas about how to do no-kill
within a legal framework to contact self.
3. Approval of draft
Minutes from February 11th, 2010 Meeting
Richard Fong – Had met with Supervisors Mar & Chu on the
artificial turf issue at Beach Chalet. Only rational approach to oppose is the
scientific one that the artificial turf will create respiratory problems for
those playing and for wildlife.
Cynthia Cox – Notes that Dr. Gordon did not make last
meeting but was not listed as present or not.
Minutes approved unanimously with corrections from the
public.
4. Chairperson’s report and opening remarks
A) Comr. Stephens
– Joint Zoo, JZ, met on February 25th. There was a status report on the hippo
exhibit. The hippos, that the new exhibit
was built for, have died. Question was what to do with that space? One
option, talked about, was to find a rescue hippo. Option 2 was to expand the
space for the black rhinos who are in the adjacent space. Rhinos require stronger
fencing than hippos so would have to spend money to upgrade the fencing. They
would not need the hippo pool. Option
three was to relocate the Baird’s Tapir. The tapir is currently in a small
enclosure. It would require the least amount of money to move the tapir. Will
pass any opinions, from Commissioners, about which of the three options they
prefer. Will also pass on any opinions from the public. No opinion was asked of
JZ. Only informing JZ.
Comr. Gordon – Is supplying the water a financial issue?
Comr. Stephens – They were intending to do it for the
hippos.
Comr. Gordon - Do they consider the current facility for the
rhinos and the Baird’s Tapir inadequate?
Comr. Stephens- The Baird’s tapir facility is considered
inadequate. The black rhino exhibit is relatively new and the zoo argues that
their existing space is larger than the hippos’.
Comr. Gerrie – One fact that was not mentioned in that
report was the cost for this exhibit. It was expensive and shows, to me, a lack
of planning in spending money on two aging animals. They need a master plan
versus doing this piece meal. It wasn’t thought out.
Comr. Stephens –Dr. Spinelli, the advisory vet on JZ, and I
have asked for presentations on what they plan to do with their capital
projects. There is a master plan but it is vague and not specific.
Comr. Hemphill – Surprised that they had not built a
filtration system in the hippos’ pool.
4 A) Public comment
Deniz Bolbol – Thanks Commission for its work two years ago
on recommending reforms that were needed at the zoo. The reform legislation was
sabotaged by Carl Friedman and Supervisor Dufty as well as the zoo which put
out misinformation about the legislation. The zoo lied to the public, and the
Supervisors, about what the legislation contained. That was why it lost. Now,
through Bevan Dufty, Comr. Stephens has been appointed to be the liaison with
JZ. She has been the JZ liaison for 8,9, or 10 months.
Understands why nothing has changed by the report Comr.
Stephens just gave. She didn’t give the whole story. The three options are what
the zoo wants. They are not the only options. Have been advocating against it
since before it was built. The cost for it has been 7 to 8 million dollars with
a substandard pool with out the filtration system. To say that bringing in a
“rescue hippo” is a bastardization of an idea of a rescue zoo. Zoo is practiced
at their PR spin. Mr. Jenkins is not interested in what you do or think. He
wants to keep you under control. Questions Comr. Stephens just bringing three
options for the hippo exhibit. Has brought to JZ other options for the exhibit
but was not mentioned. Has animal welfare been considered? Encourages
Commissioners to learn more. A lot of information is missing.
L,Danyielle Yacabucci – The meeting has been very negative
tonight. Have Deniz and Comr. Stephens been working together? If it doesn’t get
positive, nothing will change. They need to work together. Doesn’t go to the
zoo. It is too depressing. Nothing has enough room. We all want the best.
Richard Fong – Used to see polar bear with brown stuff on
its fur. Last time saw polar bear it looked OK. They must have done something
right. Would like to hear from Mr. Jenkins. Lot of work at zoo looks like a
band-aid approach. Often only lowest coast is considered. Health needs need to
come first. Zoo needs better oversight and stewardship.
Mark Ennis – ACWC has been good on zoo issues in the past.
Would like to see more action taken on the zoo currently. Would like to see
more Commissioners at JZ meetings.
Renovation was for two hippos but now only one hippo can be accommodated.
One hippo means a lonely hippo. Should not bring any more
animals into the zoo. Zoological Society has run the zoo into the ground. Drop
and fill pools were fine when water was cheap. Now they can’t pay their utility
bill. Recently purchased and brought in two zebras. Paid $3000 each. They were
brought in to keep company for one existing zebra. Should have placed the one
lonely zebra and saved the expense of purchase and upkeep. The Zoological
Society doesn’t know how to manage their money. Should not bring any more
animals into the zoo.
Bob Jenkins – SF Zoological Society – Not able to answer
everything that was brought up tonight in a three minute forum. Does promise to
go back and talk with Tanya Peterson and other Society members and comeback and
make a presentation to this Commission. Analogy to the point of view of the
Charge of the Light Brigade. One view is from the front and another from a hill
overlooking the battle. Both views are different and need to be considered to
understand the event. Only one view was expressed tonight. Hippos exhibit did
not cost $7 million. It only cost one million. Three million of the bond money
was allocated to the hippo/rhino project. Only one third for the actual hippo
exhibit. Seven million was a mischaracterization of City funds. This was a City
project run by the City. It was a three million plus project. A lot of money
was used for city overhead. 20%to 30% was taken out for City costs, to pay DPW
staff, planning staff, etc. Will be happy to come back and answer the many
concerns raised tonight. Has repeatedly invited Commissioners to JZ meetings
and to the zoo itself. The hippos/rhino was redesigned in 2005 for two aging
hippos to triple the amount of water space in their pool. Zoo started in 2006
on the Grizzly Gulch exhibit.. The cost for each was similar. Three to three
and half million each. Finished the Grizzly exhibit 18 months sooner than the
City finished the hippo/rhino which had many problems associated with that
project. As director of the Steinhart Aquarium, at the time, went to the City
asking for a better working relationship because of that project.
5. New Business
A) Discussion and possible action to inform goat companies operating
in SF about fencing practices that may impact wildlife.
Comr. Hemphill – Use of goats to manage weeds has been going
on for some time. Fencing the goats have brought complaints about wildlife
trapped within. Problems have only been handled individually when fencing is
already in place. Rec & Park had put guidelines in the goat contracts for
wildlife but it has not been implemented. Problem has been around for many
years. ACC is not notified when the fences are put up but will respond when there
is any animal emergency. Guidelines in the draft letter include that a gap must
be left in the electrified fencing and the fencing not left up for more than
three days. Water should also be left inside fencing. Conversations with goat
companies have suggested some modifications. Five companies have bid on or been
awarded contracts in SF. One company had withdrawn because the plots of land in
SF were too small. Two others did not have working phone numbers. Leaving two
left. One company, Goats R Us, does not have gaps in their fencing because
goats can get out and dogs can get in, killing goats. People have also stolen
goats for food. They fence only an acre at a time and check for sensitive
wildlife before installation. The other company, Sycamore Farms, also has
fencing, pre-manafactured without no gaps in them. Setting up fences in small
areas is labor intensive. Problems, such as fallen trees, make it difficult to
not leave gaps. He usually fences 5 to 6 acres at a time leaving it up for 5-6
days. He has about 500 goats inside. Belief is that 350 goats can clear about
an acre a day. SF has also their own goat company. They have 75 goats. It is
owned by a tenant of the Port of SF. They use no fencing. Only have a goat
herder working in areas smaller than an acre.
As a result of
conversations with goat herders and ACC, would like to modify existing
guidelines. Instead of requesting a gap in the fence and a three day time
limit, would like to suggest no gap in the fence and a two day time limit. The
enclosed area should be no more than an acre. Water should still be provided
inside fencing and ACC should still be notified of the coming of the goats
either by being a signatory, being called, or e-mailed. Would like to direct
proposed letter to ACC and to City
Office of Contract Administration for review before notifying Rec & Park
& PUC.
Comr. Routhier – Thanks Comr. Hemphill for bringing issue
back up. Had been discussed before in Commission but recommended actions not
taken. Had thought of propping fence up with a big white PVC tube to help small
animals escape.
Comr. Hemphill – The problem with that is new baby goats are
the size of skunks and could also escape.
Comr. Routhier – Comr. Hemphill’s new research showed goats were not staying
for weeks at a time. Hopes to be able to vote on it after discussion and public
comment.
5 A. Public comment
Richard Fong – Thanks Comr. Hemphill for her work. Concern
about baby goats being born and then put to work immediately.
L-Danyielle Yacabucci – Thanks Comr. Hemphill and Routhier
for bring issue forward again. Crucial to put non-electrical gap panels along
animal paths not just where the fence ends. Non-electrified panels do not make
it any easier to get over the fence if properly installed. Water should be place
both inside and outside of fence alongside non-electrified panels. Two days is
still too long for animals to go without access to their food because of an
electrified fence. Goats–R-Us has been coming to Laguna Honda for two years.
They are easy to work with and care about all the animals affected by the
fencing. Working with Sycamore was very, very difficult.
Mark Ennis – City did not always use goats. Maybe other
methods of weed clearing should be considered if it affects wildlife. If goats
must be used, get rid of electric fences and just have goat herders there.
Public comment closed
Comr. Hemphill – The SF goat group does use a goat herder.
Removing vegetation is removing habitat. A main concern in SF is fire and also
the homeless. Removing undergrowth helps police locate them. The homeless also
destroy habitat. Herbicides has been used. Goats are an improvement over
herbicides.
Comr. Stephens – You are suggesting sending the draft to
ACC’s contract department and then bringing it back at our next meeting?
Comr. Hemphill – Right.
Comr. Stephens – You are also suggesting that requiring gaps
in the fence be removed from our letter and that fences be left up for no more
than two days?
Comr. Hemphill – Spoke with Jamie Ray of ROMP. She felt two days
was OK but no longer than that. Issue is not a concern for non-electric fence
that the Port Authority goats have.
Comr. Gerrie – When this was brought up before, we were
unsure of where this contract actually was between the goat people and City
agencies. We got as far as recommending that ACC be a signatory for approval.
There was no oversight to make this happen. What has changed now?
Comr. Hemphill – In the past, the Office of Contract
Administration signed a contract with the goat company. The contract did not
state how the work would be done.
Comr. Gerrie- It seems like the ball was dropped somewhere
because that was our recommendation.
Comr. Hemphill – Yes ACC needs to be notified.
Comr. Routhier – Would the two primary goat companies support
this? Or oppose it?
Comr. Hemphill – This is in line with the practices they now
do so they would support our letter.
Comr. Padilla – Why not push for a ban on the total use of
goats as Mark suggested?
Comr. Hemphill – The vegetation must be removed in some way.
It is much more economical to use the goats.
Comr. Padilla – Does the economics guide our view of animal
welfare? Would it be better to advocate for a total ban?
Comr. Hemphill – It is an issue of picking your battles.
Goats-R-Us do not use their goats for meat. A lot of goat companies do use
their animals for meat.
Comr. Gerrie – The goats are a lot more effective in
removing vegetation and can go into poison oak areas which are all over the
City. Any other method is much more expensive.
Comr. Stephens – The alternative is often herbicides not
just people doing the actual work by hand.
Comr. Routhier – Makes a motion to proceed with
recommendation with changes included. Seconded by Comr. Gerrie.
Comr. Stephens – Is their public comment on this motion?
Comr. Routhier – Do we need public comment again?
Comr. Stephens – Yes, because the motion was made now and we
have proposed specific changes to what was originally proposed. We took public
comment before there was a specific motion on the table.
5 A. Public Comment on Motion
Richard Fong – Approves motion.
Public comment closed
Comr. Stephens – Vote to approve recommendation to send
letter to ACC and City Office of Contract Administration for their comments.
Approved unanimously.
6. General Public
Comment None
7 & 8 Calendar items and task allotments
Comr. Stephens – Follow up on the last item.
Comr. Padilla – As to no-kill, requests that Rebecca Katz,
Kat Brown, and Vicky Guldbech come and say to the public what they said at the
meeting we had with them and go through the legislation in detail so the public
understands their objections to it. Would like to hear from them why the
legislation is not workable. Would like to hear what is workable within this
framework. Would also like the President of the SPCA Board, who is the interim
director, to come and present as well on what is unworkable, in the original
proposed legislation, and what alternatives they have. Will also try to come up
with a revised proposal factoring in
California’s statutory limitations. Concerned that three Commissioners are
opposed to any legislation so anything proposed may not pass. Commends Comr.
Stephens trying to get a working group together. Would like all those from the
dog rescue groups to get together and talk and share resources.
Comr. Stephens – The appointment of Commissioners will take
place in May or June. Was told to ask for a time at the Rules Committee when
appointments are up at the end of April. The application deadline is 10 days
before the Rules Committee hearing.
Adjournment 8:30
PM
Respectfully submitted by
Philip Gerrie
Commission Secretary
