EnvironmentalCommittee
2009 2008 2007 2006 San Francisco Asthma Task Force
Environmental Committee
March 5, 2008 1:30-3:30pm
MINUTES
Present: Denys Cruz, Vince Fabris, Karen Cohn, Stephanie Manfre, Gloria Thornton, Neil Gendel, Anjali Nath (on phone), Ben Heckman (on phone)
- Legislative Proposals
i. Karen has spoken to Emily Rogers from Supervisor Maxwell’s office. The City Atty. would like prioritization of legislation. Karen still needs to speak with Rosemary Bosque from DBI and Janan New from SFAA for their input.
ii. First priority of committee is Citizen’s Advisory Cmte. on toxic use reduction. Should also list what products are healthy to use. Neil has questions regarding charge of CAC as well as seats, which agency CAC will report to, etc. will bring ideas to next committee meeting. Seems like this proposal is feasible, no one will argue. Karen will research findings/data re: justification for CAC.
iii. Goals 2 and 3 related to code enforcement- Karen has discussed with DPH- they support. Need input from DBI.
iv. Dust Control legislation- Health Commission supports, Building Inspection Commission does not, Mayor supports. ATF will follow next steps
v. Goal 4- incentive and best practices- SFE wants to give incentives for property owners in BVHP and Potrero Hill to do home performance testing and then work with Mayor’s Office of Housing CHRP program to pay for repairs. For proposal re: home performance testing there needs to be a means for financing repairs (through rebate, tax assessment, financing through mortgage). We need to further research incentives. Another opportunity would be providing training for contractors and architects to learn about process. Karen will contact Build it Green for more information. Other thoughts- amending code would justify healthy housing guide.
vi. Smoke free multiunit housing. Denys asked about. Committee explained that Tobacco Free Project is researching the potential of this and ATF could play a supportive role. Currently the state has set aside tax credits for property developers who create set asides for smoke free housing. No one has applied in SF. Karen will try to speak with some affordable housing developers.
vii. Gloria would like to quantify for legislation the percentage of small property owners v. large and how many buildings have been condoized – tax assessor might know.
- Examples of Code Enforcement Programs/Healthy Housing Programs
i. NYC has an alternative enforcement program- 200 multiunit housing sites with highest numbers of code violations (hazardous and immediately hazardous) i.e. mold, lead, heat. City orders repairs to be done within 4 mos- if owner cannot afford- city will pay and place lien on property. Owners are also required to attend housing education course. Program is new and has not yet been evaluated
ii. Oakland program through Neighborhood Law Center identifies 12 worst landlords in city through partnerships in community. Karen would like to research similar program for SF.
iii. Currently in SF DBI has 5 year proactive inspection of housing- DPH does not have.
iv. Karen shared information from Michigan re: landlords guide for tenants with asthma. Easy one page document that people are more likely to read.
- Healthy Housing Stakeholder Trainings
i. Because legislation will most likely not go before the BOS before end of June, ATF can sponsor trainings on mold with Ben or someone from his firm (Tom Langren). Focus will be on mold intrusion, water intrusion, cameras, home performance testing, healthy homes. SFE and MOH could participate. Karen will look into Hall of Flowers location.
- Sustainability
i. Karen presented potential ATF future plan as it relates to CAFA funding and committee. CAFA work plan will focus on toxics use reduction (will tie in with CAC and other legislative proposals).
