2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 January 10, 2008
5:36 PM
- Call to order and Roll Call
Present: Commissioners: Laurie Kennedy-Routhier, Andrea Brooks, Sally Stephens, Philip Gerrie, Pam Hemphill. Chrisitne Garcia, Mara Weiss DVM, Cpt. Vicki Guldbech – ACC, Sgt.William Herndon – SF Police, Bob Palacio – SF Rec & Park
- Public Comment
Bob O’Brien – Informs commission of newsletter “Vigil for Animals” concerning animals used at UCSF.
Eric Mills – Action for Animals – AB 1614 signed by Governor, Covers rodeos including Mexican. Reported incidence of accidents, one or two a year. Suspects underreported. Intends to introduce an amendment for an on site Vet. African clawed frog is still a problem in GG Park. Letter from commission to the Board of Supervisors would be helpful concerning the African clawed frog problem.
- Approval of Draft Minutes from November 8, 2007 Meeting
3A. Public Comment
Ron Cole – Requests draft minutes be posted on-line before meeting
Comr. Gerrie – Web office does not post minutes labeled as “draft minutes”
Comr Routhier – Suggests not labeling them “draft”
Comr. Garcia – moves to pass November Minutes. Comr Hemphill seconded. Minutes passed unanimously with two corrections.
5 Committee Reports/Commissioner’s Reports
5 A Review of tiger attack.
Item tabled due to special public hearing ordered by the Mayor on January 11, 2008 of Rec & Park and Zoo committee.
5 B Report concerning Rocket Dog Rescue Founder Pali Boucher’s house fire. Donations are welcome.
Comr. Brooks – Fostering would be helpful.
Comr. Stephens – Benefit at Slim’s for Rocket dog Rescue on Friday February 1, 2008
Comr. Garcia – Would like to discuss item 4A.
Comr. Routhier – Suggests waiting until item 9, Public Comment, at end of meeting.
Comr. Guldbech – Would have to leave along with Comr. Herndon & Comr. Palacio if item is discussed because being City employees and because zoo concern being under investigation. Suggests waiting until the end of meeting.
6. Status and tracking of letters of recommendation approved by the commission, requesting action by the Board of Supervisors
6A - Update regarding the status of the Commission’s recommendation to pass a resolution that condemns the confinement of egg-laying hens.
Comr. Routhier - Originally brought to the commission and passed in August 2007. Brought to Supervisor Peskin in December. Supervisor Peskin agreed to sponsor the resolution. Brought to the full board on January 8, 2008. Item will be assigned to a sub-committee. Date and committee assignment not presently known. Assigned sub-committee will bring it back to the board with a recommendation for or against approval.
6A Public Comment
Diane Amble – We the People for Pets , Urges a no vote on ballot initiative.
Comr. Routhier – Clarifies that ballot initiative and City resolution are different items.
Diane Amble- Initiative sponsored by domestic terrorists and amounts to racketeering. Initiative would expose farm animals to disease and predators. Would drive some farmers out of business and possibly increase costs of basic food. Limiting egg production is racketeering.
Elliot Katz - Farm Animal Initiative would lift enormous amount of suffering of these animals. Animals now treated as commodities not individual living creatures.
Karla Koebernick – HSUS, Supports resolution 6A.
Bob O’Brien – Supports resolution 6A.
Anna Williams – Originally introduced resolution 6A to the commission. Thanks Comr. Gerrie & Comr. Routhier for their work on 6A. Resolution is humane and not radical in anyway.
Eric Mills – Action for Animals, Strongly supports resolution . Battery-cage condemnation is endorsed by every animal rights group in the State. Has been to factory farms of battery-caged chickens. Conditions horrific.
Kathleen Sharkey - Supports resolution . Not perfect but step in the right direction.
Mark Annese – Has seen survivors of battery-cages. Chickens are deformed and traumatized. Chickens are seen as commodities. Society does not tolerate similar treatment to dogs & cats. Chickens do not deserve this treatment.
Peter Brandt – Concerning the Farm Animal initiative, before circulated is reviewed by Secretary of State and Attorney General‘s office. Initiative has no connection with racketeering or terrorism. Initiative is modest proposal
6B Update regarding status of Commission’s recommendation to pass a policy whereby SF city departments, city concessions, and city-funded events procure eggs produced only from cage-free hens.
Comr. Routhier – Brought as package to Supervisor Peskin along with resolution 6A. Sup. Peskin had questions about what it would cost the city. Difficult to obtain information from city purchasing office as eggs are purchased in larger dairy category. Recommends tabling procurement resolution in favor of supporting statewide ballot initiative.
6B Public Comment
Diane Amble – Affirms that mandating government funds to support the demise of a part of the egg production industry is racketeering. Resolution to cage free hens will have impact on global warming. Health factor of eggs layed on the ground.
Elliot Katz – Recommends eating fewer eggs due to cholesterol impact. Eating battery-cage eggs is supporting cruelty and abuse.
Karla Koebernick – HSUS, Cage free eggs are subject to same federal safety regulations as battery-cage eggs. Cites hospitals that have gone cage-free for health reasons. Worlds’ largest food service company has gone cage-free.
6C Update regarding the status of the commission’s recommendation that a permit process for professional dog walkers be established.
Comr. Palacio – Two updates. One, concerning resolution passed by ACWC. Meeting with Supervisor Bevan Dufty’s. He will sponsor it. Two, resolution submitted to Rec & Park but Commission has a back log. Daniel Lafort in Rec & Park planning division, is handling profesional dog walker policy as well as city-wide dog walking plan. Policy should be before .Rec & Park Commission by March
Comr. Stephens – Does it have to pass Rec & Park before going to Supervisors?
Comr. Palacio – It just needs to have been before Rec & Park so Supervisor Dufty knows what Rec & Park thinks about it.
7. Old Business
A) Discussion and possible action to recommend a management system and provisions that would protect wildlife caught behind electric fences enclosing goats being used to control vegetation growth on lands under the jurisdiction of the City
Comr. Palacio – Contacted Lisa Wayne, of park open spaces, who hadn’t heard about this being a problem. Goat contractors gave City a signed agreement versus City giving them a city-constructed agreement. No evidence of animals being harmed. Goat contractors willing to agree to anything the ACWC recommends .
Comr. Guldbech – Goat contractors had not heard of any problems. Contractors said if any problem reported they would see to it immediately. Also, willing to make any changes deemed necessary.
Comr. Routhier – Contractors would like Citys’ recommendations to be included in initial contract. City Attorney said to investigate and find out how contracts are written by the various City departments that use the service, City Attorney said three ways to proceed. 1. City ordinance through the Board of Supervisors that would outline provisions as to fencing 2. A resolution that would go to all relevant City departments to include provisions for fencing in any agreements. 3.If departments go though purchasing department they could just add a line as needed.
Comr. Palacio – Wants specifics as to what is needed.
Public Comment 7 A
Eric Mills – Action for Animals, Goats also need to be protected from people. Goats killed in Oakland last year by man with a gun.
8 New Business
A) Commission officer elections:
- Chair
- Vice Chair
- Secretary
Comr. Brooks – Nominates Sally Stephens as Chair. Seconded by Comr. Weiss
Passed unanimously.
Comr. Routhier – Nominates Andrea Brooks. Comr. Gerrie nominates Christine Garcia for Vice-Chair. Seconded by Comr. Hemphill.
8 A Public Comment
Elliot Katz – Strongly recommends Christine Garcia as Vice-Chair.
Denise Bolbol – Supports Christine for Vice-Chair.
8 A
Comr. Routhier – Vote for Vice-Chair; four to three in favor of Comr. Andrea Brooks.
Comr. Garcia – Nominates Comr. Gerrie for Secretary. Passed unanimously.
8 B – Discussion regarding potential action the commission may take to address 4th of July fireworks, which reportedly cause nesting birds to abandon their nests and young.
Comr. Hemphill – July is nesting season for many birds in SF’s parks. Nesting birds include, swallow, gulls, herons, and cormorants. Illegal fireworks has been seen to have a negative impact on nesting birds. Sites of greatest concern are Stow lake in GG Park, the Boat House in Lake Merced, Heron’s Head Park, and Agua Vista Park.
Comr. Herndon – Police make many arrests around 4th of July. If called police will respond. Doubtful if officers would be available to patrol park areas.
Comr. Hemphill – Is there a way to increase public awareness?
Comr. Palacio – Suggest contacting Board of Supervisor member of that area and police captain in charge of that area as well. Ask to dedicate increase patrols and presence in sensitive areas. Park rangers can also be notified.
Comr. Garcia – Suggest signage in sensitive areas paid by ACWC funds.
Comr. Routhier – Doubtful if ACWC funds could be spent for signage. Suggests asking DA for clarification.
8 B Public Comment
Diane Amble – Supports signage. Encourage birders to monitor areas.
Eric Mills – Action for Animals, Encourage signage soon to educate people beforehand.
Ron Cole – Difficult to control firework activity. Audubon should put in signage.
Mark Annesse – Another affect of fireworks is the toxic chemicals that go into the water and on the ground that animals & fish can ingest.
John Denny SFPD, Requests patrol duty around Stow Lake on July 4th. Usual duty has been in full riot gear on Jefferson St.
8 C Discussion on the slaughter of non-native deer in Point Reyes. Consideration of a resolution recommendation that would condemn the practice.
Comr. Stephens – Questions killing of non-native deer as the only method to control population versus one of last resort. Conern about the way killing is done and concern about precedence in Rec & Park lands.
Comr. Hemphill – Plan has been worked on for years. Culling has not stopped their increase to 1100 deer currently. Deer kill in California statewide in 2006 by fish & game was apx. 28,000 deer.
Comr. Herndon – Questions our roll as advisory body to the Board of Supervisors to a matter that is not in their jurisdiction. Recommends looking into matters under Boards’ jurisdiction such as the off-leash dogs at Fort Funston.
Comr. Stephens – Concerned about this approach taken with in San Francisco.
Comr. Garcia – Supports resolution for precedence setting that killing in this way is wrong.
Comr. Herndon – Resolution could encourage non-lethal methods to control deer before killing them. City could only make a statement.
Comr. Hemphill – This matter has had hearings for years and considered in depth by appropriate parties. Contraception is not a simple procedure and can lead to death as well. The decision was not made lightly and we should not be advising a a complex decision. We shouldn’t generalize.
Comr. Gerrie – Doesn’t see a precedent possible in San Francisco. Agrees with Comr. Hemphills’ comments.
8 C Public Comment
Elliot Katz – In Defense of Animals, Encourages learning facts about this issue before making decisions. Suggest sub-committee to study issue.
Diane Amble – Appalled at killing of deer. Precedent is very important. Example in San Francisco is feral cats.
Deniz Balbal – Comr. Stephens was suggesting resolution stating opposition to the killing and if circumstances arose in San Francisco, to use non-lethal means. Non-native deer explosion is human created due to lack of using birth control earlier. Feels issue is worthwhile but not for this commission.
Eric Mills – Action for Animals, Lots of issues in town for commission to focus on. The zoo. The African Clawed frog in GG Park for example.
Richard Fong – Encourages non-lethal methods of animal control in SF.
Anna Williams – Supports Comr. Stephens in advocating for non-lethal methods of invasive species control. Time taken on resolution on this issue would not take long nor take away from attention to local issues. Precedent is important.
8 C
Comr. Stephens – Willing to look further into issue.
Comr. Hemphill – Deer killing policy is a tough decision that was made. They were brought to Pt. Reyes for hunting.
Comr. Routhier – Has there been a resolution in Marin County?
Comr. Stephens – Unsure but Marin Humane Society opposed it as well as Carol Migden.
8 D Discussion and possible action to recommend a resolution in support of the ballot initiative that would put a measure on the November 2008 ballot requiring that egg-laying hens, calves used for veal , and pigs used for breeding be given enough room to turn around and extend their limbs. This resolution would take the place of the formally voted on recommendation to pass a policy whereby SF city departments, city concessions, and city-funded events procure eggs produced only from cage-free hens.
Comr. Routhier – Support by Supervisors of this initiative would be helpful for the campaign at this time.
Comr. Gerrie – Questions the timing of resolution before it actually qualifies for the ballot at the end of February.
Comr. Weiss – Has Board of Supervisors made comment on state ballot initiatives before? Would their support make a difference in the campaign?
Comr. Routhier – Supervisors have made resolutions on a wide variety of issues. Resolutions are non-binding. Supervisors support would help humane organizations such as HSUS in increasing awareness.
8 D Public Comment
Karla Koebernick – HSUS, HSUS has been behind 23 ballot initiatives previously. All have started slow. The Supervisors backing will help us publicize.
Comr. Routhier – The process of getting a resolution passed by the Board can be slow. The deadline for petitioning is the end of February. Would it be better to have the Board endorse the measure in the election in November?
Karla Koebernick – An endorsement would imply a support for voting for it in November. An endorsement would definitely help in November. The initiative has broad support from vetenarians and humane groups. Adding city governments to that list validates the cause.
Diane Amble – We the People Pets, HSUS driven by vegan agenda. They spread misinformation and junk science to eliminate all food derived from animal production including milk, cheese, and eggs, U of Notre Dame food service people visited conventional and cage-free egg farms and concluded both systems did not treat the eggs inhumanely. Encourages Commission to investigate first hand to find out the truth.
Anna Williams – We have seen a preview of opposition this measure will face. Inflammatory language. Terroristic. Extreme. Vegan agenda. Supports City’s Supervisors to support this measure to bring it respectability from distorted opposition.
Deniz Balbal – Can’t imagine anyone fighting to give an animal space to open their wings. Only those who profit will object. University studies can be bought. Common sense says animals should at least be able to turn around and open their wings. Supervisors would agree.
Eric Mills – Action for Animals, HSUS has high reputation. Scientists can be bought. Conditions are horrendous for farm animals in the US. It would appropriate for City of St .Francis to take a stand on this.
Mark Annese – What happens in SF affects the whole country. This is about building a more compassionate world. It doesn’t say not to eat the animals but treat them better.
Kathleen Sharkey – This is important first step. Not a vegan but eats sustainably farmed animals.
Pat Kovila – The sooner this is passed the better for the campaign.
Peter Brandt – HSUS, Heartened by most comments. Is a very San Francisco issue. Wild birds and feral cats are important but in terms of number of animals, people of SF affect far more animals by what they eat. Science firmly on the side of humane treatment. If feral cats were caged for months until their bones broke people would not support that even if they were making money from it.
Karla Koebernick - HSUS, Estimated that 1 in 30 Americans belong to HSUS. Far smaller number are vegan. Measure enjoys broad support from people with diverse lifestyles and diets. Part of national growing trend. Farm bureau survey shows 89% support for this type of measure.
8 D
Comr. Brooks – Supports moving ahead with resolution by Comr. Gerrie.
Comr. Routhier – Supports moving forward as well. Helpful to HSUS. Supported by Supervisor Peskin.
Comr. Stephens – Supports but unsure of timing before qualified for the ballot.
Comr. Routhier – Makes a motion that this resolution moves forward. Comr, Hemphill seconds. Unanimously passed.
9. Public Comment
Denis Bolbol – ACWC was instrumental in resolving elephant situation three years ago. Urges Commission to get involved in overall failure of zoo management. Current zoo management not doing their job. Public safety is current problem. Commission need to look at larger overall animal welfare problems.
Laura Massa – Wants Commission to see about removing tigers from the zoo for their own safety.
Kathleen Sharkey – Unhappy that special zoo meeting was meeting on a weekday morning with little notice.
Diane Amble – Warns of unintended consequences of any action ACWC might make concerning tigers at the zoo. Elephant relocation was worse for elephants.
Pat Kovila – Previous speaker incorrect. Four elephants were at the zoo. Two died at the zoo. One died soon after transfer. One is still doing very well at sanctuary. No tiger sanctuaries are currently available. Zoo environment unnatural for tigers. Bond measure passed in 1997 intended to help zoo animals went for human amenities. Supports agendizing zoo management issue for next meeting.
Richard Fong – Encourages public discourse as to what to do about the animals at the zoo.
Mark Annese – Zoos are problematic. Archaic idea to educate by looking at caged animals. Natural disaster could let dangerous animals escape into the Sunset district. Encourages commission to explore options for the well being of zoo animals.
Anna Williams – Historical note. Looking back from the near future concerning our consumption of farm animals will be seen as deeply ethically troubled. The same as to the practice of keeping animals in zoos. The practice is ill-conceived and out-dated. The problem is much more than the provoking actions of teen-agers. Zoo animals are there as entertainment not education. Supports issue being agendized.
Ron Cole – Relates troubled history of the zoo as regards to how animals are kept. Zoological Society not qualified to oversee operations. Animal keepers and vets need a say.
10. Calendar Items
Comr. Routhier – Will help new Chair, Comr. Stephens, with agenda.
Comr. Stephens –AB 685, the Pet Trust Bill, concerning taking care of pets in a will. City can support.
11. Closing Review of Task Allotment and Next Steps.
Comr. Gerrie – Agenda item concerning the zoo for next month by Comr. Gerrie. Also for Comr. Gerrie, presenting Farm Animal Initiative to Supervisors.
Comr. Hemphil will look into possible actions to stop fireworks in bird sensitive areas. Comr. Stephens will further look into deer situation in Point Reyes.
Comr. Routhier, status of resolution of condemnation of battery-caged hens.
Comr. Palacio, status of licensing of professional dog-walkers.
Comr. Garcia, status of Helping Hands for Animals initiative.
12. Adjournment 8PM
Minutes by Comr. Gerrie, secretary