April 17, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO COMMISSION OF
ANIMAL CONTROL & WELFARE

MEETING AGENDA

 Thursday, April 17, 2014

(Note: Public comment will be taken on each item. Items are first introduced to the Commission, and then there is public comment. After public comment, the Commission may further discuss the item and vote if it is an action item.)

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

2.    General Public Comment

Members of the public may address the Commission with comments or recommendations on items within the Commission’s jurisdiction other than the items on the agenda at the beginning or end of the meeting, but not both.

3.    Approval of Draft Minutes from the March 20, 2014 Meeting [Discussion/Action Item]


4.    Chairperson’s report and opening remarks

A) Remembrance of Virginia Handley



B) Update on Commission Vacancies and Appointments to the Commission


5.    New Business


A) Coyotes. Discussion only to remind Commissioners and the public about how to be “coyote aware” in City parks, especially as the “pupping” season begins. Rob Ruiz, Chief of Marin County Parks will give a presentation about normal coyote behavior, what you should do if you encounter a coyote, and things to be especially careful of during “pupping season.” [Discussion Only] [Commissioner Stephens]



B) Animal Care and Control Budget. Discussion and possible action to send a letter to the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor urging them to adequately fund Animal Care and Control. A hearing last year before the Board of Supervisors pointed out that ACC is chronically underfunded and understaffed. ACC’s budget will be addressed at a Budget Hearing on April 30, 2014. [Discussion/Action Item] [Commissioner Stephens]


6.    Old Business


A) SFPD Vicious and Dangerous Dog Unit. Discussion and possible action to send a letter to the Board of Supervisors, the Mayor, the City Administrator, the Police Commission and the Police Chief urging them to appoint a part-time contract person to serve as Hearing Officer for Vicious and Dangerous Dog hearings. The same person cannot act as investigator for the Unit and as the hearing officer. The Hearing Officer must have specific qualifications, including experience dealing with vicious and dangerous dogs, especially in a legal context, understanding of dog behavior, and good “people skills” to deal with problem dog owners and upset victims. Not just anyone can hold this job and have the support of the community. The Hearing Officer should also make presentations during all police training about how to deal with dogs during routine and emergency police situations. [Discussion/Action Item] [Commissioner Stephens]



B) Support for the Right of Safe Passage for Whales and Dolphins in the Waters near San Francisco. Continuation of last month’s discussion and possible action to send a letter to the SF Board of Supervisors encouraging them to support the free and safe passage of all whales and dolphins in our coastal waters, the San Francisco Bay and its estuaries, and to encourage citizens to do all within their power to protect them and preserve their natural environment. [Discussion/Action Item][Commissioner Tenofsky]


7.    General Public Comment

Members of the public may address the Commission with comments or recommendations on items within the Commission’s jurisdiction other than the items on the agenda at the beginning or end of the meeting, but not both. 


8.    Items to be put on the Calendar for Future Commission Meetings [Discussion Item]


9.    Closing Review of Task Allotments and Next Steps
 [Discussion Item] 


10.    Adjournment

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Disability Access: Room 408 is wheelchair accessible. The closest accessible BART Station is Civic Center, three blocks from City Hall. Accessible MUNI lines serving this location are: #42 Downtown Loop, the #71 Haight/Noriega, the F Line to Market and Van Ness, and the Metro stations at Van Ness and Market and at Civic Center. For more information about MUNI accessible services, call 923-6142.

There is accessible parking at the following locations: two (2) designated blue curb spaces on the southwest corner of McAllister Street at Van Ness Avenue; the Performing Arts Garage (entrance on Grove Street between Franklin and Gough Streets), and at Civic Center Plaza Garage.

To obtain a disability-related modification or accommodation to participate in the meeting, please contact Carla Vaughn at 252-2500 (voice) or 252-2550 (TDD) at least two working days prior to the meeting.

In order to assist the City's efforts to accommodate persons with severe allergies, environmental illnesses, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities, attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical based products. Please help the City accommodate these individuals.

Policy on Cell Phones, Pagers, and Electronic Devices: The ringing of and use of cell phones, pagers, and similar sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. Please be advised that the Chair may order the removal from the meeting room of any person(s) responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager, or other similar sound-producing electronic devices.

Know Your Rights Under the Sunshine Ordinance: Government's duty is to serve the public, reaching its decisions in full view of the public. Commissions, boards, councils and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people's business. This Ordinance assures that deliberations are conducted before the people and that City operations are open to the people's review. For more information on your rights under the Sunshine Ordinance (Chapter 67 of the San Francisco's Administrative Code) or to report a violation of the Ordinance, contact the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force. The current Sunshine Ordinance Task Force Administrator, Frank Darby Jr., can be contacted at the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, City Hall, Room 244, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102-4689; Office (415) 554-7724; Fax (415) 554-7854; E-mail: [email protected] Copies of the Sunshine Ordinance can be obtained from the Clerk of the Sunshine Task Force, the San Francisco Public Library and on the City’s Web site at http://www.sfgov.org/sunshine.

Attention: Individuals and entities that influence or attempt to influence local legislative or administrative action may be required by the San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance (SF Administrative Code 16.520 - 16.534) to register and report lobbying activity. For more information about the Lobbyist Ordinance, please contact the Ethics Commission at 1390 Market Street, #701, San Francisco, CA 94102, telephone (415) 554-9510; fax (415) 703-0121 and web site http://www.sfethics.org

Documents for Public Inspection: Any documents related to an item on this agenda that are distributed to the Commission in advance of the meeting are available for public inspection and copying at the Government Information Center, 5th Floor, SF Main Public Library, 100 Larkin St (at Grove), open seven days a week. They are also available on the Commission website: http://www.sfgov.org/awcc.