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February 12, 2004
Minutes of Meeting
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
a. The meeting was convened at 5:35pm by Chairperson Kennedy, who presided during all aspects of the meeting.
b. Commissioners in attendance: Chair Laurie Kennedy, Vice-Chair Sherri Franklin, Elissa Eckman, Kelly Jensen, Susan Wheeler, Chin Chi, Joanne Kipnis, Vicki Guldbech.
c. Commissioners absent: Jack Breslin, Dan McKenna, William Herndon (with excuse)
2. Public Comment
a. Richard Fong asked about dog play areas in North Beach and Golden Gate Park and Commission's ability to expedite development of them. Commissioner Kennedy responded that processes are in place for development.
b. Bob O'Brian passed out a flyer regarding dog experiments at UCSF.
3. Approval of Draft Minutes
a. Minutes amended and approved with corrections
4. Chairperson's report and opening remarks
a. Welcome
b. Update regarding a new secretary-spoke with a candidate who works for another Commission.
c. Thank you to Commissioner Jensen for work on Minutes.
d. Commute suspected as reason for Yvonne's departure.
5. Committee Reports
a. Animal Markets-Susan Wheeler wants to revisit item with new administration, feels it would be timely with Avian Flu issue. Requests that Jack Breslin attend the next meeting and provide his imput.
1. Public comment-Richard Fong feels the Chinese community is defensive when he asks about the issue.
2. Commission discussion-various Commissioners participated, bringing up health issues, cultural perspectives, existing laws and difficulty enforcing them. It was suggested that if the current Board of Supervisors supports the issue then resources will be found to address it. Susan Wheeler and Joanne Kipnis with start research again.
6. Letters of Recommendation
a. Declawing Ban-Susan Wheeler reports that she has not yet had a face to face meeting with Supervisor Sandoval but is working on it. Update on the state Koret's bill: it was pulled from the business practices committee and applies only to large cats. This makes an SF ordinance applying to house cats more significant.
1. No public comment
2. Discussion-Vicki Guldberg pointed out need for statistics on surrender, euthanasia secondary to behavior problems and plans to generate a monthly report at the shelter. Laurie Kennedy sent information from the SPCA behavior department to Supervisor Sandoval
b. Responsible Dog Guardianship-Sherri Franklin sent copies of the proposed legislation to Animal Care and Control and the health department for feedback and will contact Supervisor Dufty once that is received. She is also waiting for letter of support from the SPCA.
7. Old Business
a. Cambridge-like Ordinance--Elissa Eckman reports that tomorrow she, Sherri Franklin, the pro bono lawyer who drafted the ordinance and Suzanne Roy from In Defense of Animals will meet with Supervisor Gonzalez for 30 minutes.
1. Public comment-Bob O'Brian provided a copy of a Vigil for Animals letter that was sent to the USDA regarding a dog experiment at UCSF that violates the Animal Welfare Act which may provide support for the ordinance. Lurilla Harris asked what is being done for other animals in experiments.
2. Discussion-Ordinance is all animal inclusive. Elissa Eckman spoke with Art Agnos who felt that UCSF should not receive any more space at the Mission Bay facility until this issue is addressed appropriately. Joanne Kipnis asked if Physicians for Responsible Medicine could help and will solicit a letter of support from this group to send to Supervisor Gonzalez.
8. New Business
a. Out of meeting research of issues on the part of incoming Commissioners-Elissa Eckman recommends that new Commissioners familiarize themselves with current issues before the Commission to avoid repetitive discussion during meetings. Material is filed in the office. She moves the item and Susan Wheeler seconds.
1. No Public comment
2. Discussion-Sources of information access to the office were discussed. Susan Wheeler suggested written summaries at the end of issues. Joanne Kipnis will work on an orientation manual for new commissioners. Action and discussion items were differentiated at Chin Chi's request. Item was reagendized.
b. Web site-Joanne Kipnis wants to update and improve the website to increase public and Commissioner awareness of the issues as well as public awareness of the Commission's role. Sherri Franklin moves the item, Susan Wheeler seconds it.
1. No Public comment.
2. Discussion-Joanne Kipnis has collected a list of organizations for possible links to the commission's website that could also provide reciprocal links, Elissa Eckman suggested working with the webmaster to find out what is possible on the SFGate site.
3. Joanne Kipnis moves to progress on this item, Chin Chi seconds, and the item is passed unanimously.
c. Reaffirming the Official Role of the Commission-Chin Chi withdraws the item after speaking with the City Attorney about the Commission's jurisdiction.
9. Public Comment
a. Ron Cole is concerned that a draft of the Cambridge-like ordinance has yet to be provided to the public. Elissa Eckman points out that the draft is the work of the authoring attorney and is therefore covered by attorney/client privilege. Ordinance will be revealed in its final draft prior to submission to the Board of Supervisors, but Dr. Cole maintains that process should be open to the public as well as all documents involved.
10. Calendar Items
a. Chin Chi resubmits the proposal to urge Board support for Trap-Neuter-Release programs in San Francisco.
b. Sherri Franklin resubmits development of the Commission pamphlet.
11. Task Allotment
a. Susan Wheeler/Joanne Kipnis will restart Live Animal Market research and contact Jack Breslin.
b. Sherri Franklin will follow up on Responsible Dog Guardian Ordinance letters of support.
c. Joanne Kipnis will contact the Physicians for Responsible Medicine for letter of support for Cambridge-like ordiance.
d. Sherri Franklin/Elissa Eckman will meet with Supervisor Gonzalez regarding the UCSF ordinance.
e. Joanne Kipnis will contact the webmaster regarding improvements to our page as well as links.
12. Meeting adjourned at 7:00pm,