May 12, 2011

1. Call to order and Roll Call
5:32PM

Present Commissioners; Jack Aldridge DVM, Andrea Brooks, Sally Stephens, Philip Gerrie, Susanna Russo

Absent Commissioners; Pam Hemphill, Rebecca Katz – ACC, John Denny –SFPD, Lisa Wayne – Rec & Park

2. General Public Comment


Jamie Yorck – Disappointed by Commission’s response to program for down-loadable audible recordings of the Meetings. Looking forward to an accurate record of what is said versus Commissioner Gerrie’s written synopsis. Views audio recordings as not replacing the written Minutes but rather supplementing them. The audio recordings will help the public gain greater knowledge of the issues. Volunteer’s to learn how to operate the audio recording system.

Richard Fong – Plan is being discussed at Rec & Park to use increased fees in the parks for funding to go to the dog play areas, DPA, to improve usability. Plan is dog owners would register before going to the DPA’s

Ryan Young – Want to know the status of the pet ban discussion. Would like to hear a commitment from the Commission about when it will come up. Other cities are looking at this issue. SF is losing a good opportunity to take the lead.

Public comment closed

3. Approval of Draft Minutes for April 14, 2011

No Commission comment

Public Comment

Richard Fong – Clarifies comments made on animal abuser database of who would be on it and for how long.

Public Comment closed.

Minutes approved unanimously with corrections by the public.

4. Chairperson’s report and opening remarks

A) Update on Commissioner appointments.

Comr. Stephens – Seats 3,4,5, & 6 are open for appointment or reappointment. The seats are currently held by Commissioners Gerrie, Hemphill, Brooks, and Stephens. The appointment is for 2 years. Appointment hearing at the Rules Committee could be on June 2, 2011. Applications are due 10 days before and are available through the Commission’s website. The completed form is then submitted to the clerk of the Rules Committee. Since we are not a charter Commission we serve until we are replaced not when our term has expired.

Comr. Aldridge – Can the public find out who has an application in?

Comr. Stephens – Not sure. Contact Linda Wong, clerk of the Committee to find out.

Comr. Gerrie – My past experience was that going in person one could see who had applied. On line, the info was only available three days before the meeting.

No public comment

5. New Business

A) Discussion of new requirements on the Commission to include an appointment database and audio recordings of the Commission meetings.

Comr. Stephens – Was able to attend training on the digital audio recordings. Was unable to attend recent training of the appointments database. The audio database is still optional but is expected to become mandatory. Starting with this meeting, all meetings will be available, by audio, on our website. Unsure if it would be possible to just listen to an agenda item by clicking it, as is now possible on the televised recordings, as we lack a staff person to take the time to do it.

Comr. Aldridge – Who maintains the web page for our Commission?

Comr. Stephens – The sfgov.org webmaster. We have no paid staff so any one of us can post updates through the webmaster. I post the agenda and Philip posts the minutes.

No public comment

6. General Public Comment

Lurilla Harris – Suggest that the webmaster supply application forms during Commission meetings. Would like to receive the agenda for the Joint Zoo meetings. Have asked but have not received a reply from them. Hope that this Commission would assist.

Comr. Stephens – Can help with that.

Comr. Gerrie – The dates and times for Joint Zoo meetings are set for the rest of the year. I can give Lurilla those dates.

Ryan Young – Would like an update on the pet sale ban and when it might be considered again.

Comr. Gerrie – I have not had the necessary time to possibly reintroduce it.

Ryan Young – What are the next steps to get it back of the agenda?

Comr. Stephens – This item was not agendized so we are not allowed to have a discussion about it. Basically an item gets on the agenda when a Commissioner submits an item to be included on the agenda. I put together, as Chair, the agenda. You can talk with Philip outside of this meeting about your views on the subject.

Ryan Young – If someone makes a request during public comment can it get on that way?

Comr. Stephens – A Commissioner must be willing to carry a particular item and do the research necessary otherwise it will not be on the agenda. You are always welcome to ask about any topic of concern.

Public comment closed

7 & 8 Calendar items and task allotments – none

No public comment

9. Adjournment 6:00 PM

Respectfully submitted by Philip Gerrie
Commission Secretary