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COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN

City and County of San Francisco

Regular Meeting

Minutes

Wednesday, February 19, 2003

5:30 P.M.

City Hall, Room 263

1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place

San Francisco, CA 94102

1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

President Dorka Keehn called the meeting to order at 5:39 p.m.

Commissioner Julie Burton was excused.

NO PUBLIC COMMENT

2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

m/s/c/ (Murase/Marks/Unanimous) To adopt the agenda for the Wednesday, February 19 2003, Regular Commission Meeting.

NO PUBLIC COMMENT

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

m/s/c (Shorter/Marks/Unanimous) To approve the minutes for the Wednesday, January 29, 2003, Regular Commission Meetingat the March 26, 2003 Commission Meeting.

NO PUBLIC COMMENT

4. PRESIDENT’S REPORT

· Justice and Courage Oversight Panel

President Keehn reported that the Justice and Courage Oversight Panel did not meet in February. She stated that the next meeting will be held in March. President Keehn added that the Panel is currently scheduling meetings with Department Heads to discuss budget issues surrounding the domestic violence components within their departments as well as the JUSTIS project.

President Keehn also reported thatJudge Donna Hitchens will appoint staff to participate on one or two of the Panel Committees.

President Keehn statedthat she and Deputy Director Rosario Navarrette met with Supervisor Gavin Newsom. Supervisor Newsom presented ideas on domestic violence and 911. She added that he was very interested in the DV Oversight Panel and will look into funding for the JUSTIS Project. Supervisor Newsom said hehas made a request to Gregg Lowder for a report on the status of the budget for the project for the upcoming year. He was also very interested in using CEDAW and gender analysis as a way to look at cutting the budget and that he will recommend to the Mayor’s Budget Office that agender analysis be performed when implementing budget cuts.

President Keehn commented that she, Vice President Murase, and Executive Director Belle Taylor-McGhee also met with the Board of Supervisors President Matt Gonzalez.President Gonzalez stated that he will consider sending a representative from his office to the CEDAW and Oversight Panel meetings. The Department will update President Gonzalez on the Living Wage issue.

Vice President Murase responded that she conveyed her disappointment to President Gonzalez thatnone of the Board of Supervisors committees are headed by either of the two women on the Board of Supervisors. President Gonzalez stated that by appointing both women to the Budget Committee, they will have a great deal of authority during the budget process. Vice President Murase also reported that President Gonzalez is interested in raising the Minimum Wage in San Francisco and would like to have the Commission look into the Minimum Wage and its impact on San Francisco women.

5. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

· Department on the Status of Women (DOSW)2003 Budget Update: Ms. Taylor-McGhee reported that telephone calls were made to the directors of the funded agencies to explain the impact of the budget cuts.

· La Casa de las Madres: Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated the Department received a report from La Casa’s Executive Director Kathy Black in relation to the recommendations from the Commission.

· California Single Payer Health Care System: Ms. Taylor-McGhee reported that Senator Sheila Kuehl will introduce a bill on Single Payer Health Care legislation.

· Status of Girls Report: Ms. Taylor-McGhee commented that the Girls Report will be mailed to the Commissioners for their edits and feedback. The Department is requesting that all edits and comments be forwarded to the Department by March 7, 2003. Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that the department would like to have the Commission adopt the Report for public consumption at its March Commission meeting.

· End Exploitation of Youth Task Force: Ms. Taylor-McGhee reported that the Task Force has ended its initial work and has garnered a great deal of support from the women’s community. She stated that a full report will be presented to the City Services committee of the Board of Supervisors on February 27, 2003, at 9:30 a.m.

Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that the Task Force made three recommendations: (1) a secured residential house for teens exploited by prostitution; (2) a 24-hour, sevendays-a-week crisis hotline targeted for teens exploited by prostitution; and (3) more outreach services, particularly for girls exploited by prostitution.

6. OLD BUSINESS

· 2003-2004 DOSW Budget:Executive Director Belle Taylor-McGhee stated that the City faces a $350 million budget shortfall and that the Mayor has instructed all City Departments to identify budget cuts to offset the deficit. She stated that this is devastating to the Department because two-thirds (2/3) of the Department’s budget is allocated for domestic violence programs. She added that for fiscal year 2002-2003 the Department has absorbed approximately $72,000. Ms. Taylor-McGhee alsostated that the Department is without accounting services and is hopes to share an accountant with another department. She commented that the Department has been working with the Mayor’s Budget Office to review cuts that can be identified in the budget. The target goal is approximately $169,000 for the Department, in addition to the $72,000 that has already been absorbed.

Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that each City Department is charged with also submitting a contingency plan beyond the proposed cuts. She stated that the Department is proposing cuts to the funded agencies and she presented the Commission two options for cuts: a six point two percent (6.2%) across the board cut totaling $111,767; or to cut agencies funded at $100,000 and above by seven-percent (7%); programs funded at $99,999 to $25,000 by five-percent (5%); and programs that are below $25,000 by three-percent (3%). The second option totals $111,713. Ms. Taylor-McGhee recommended that the Commission adopt option two, which she considers the most fair.

Commissioner Miles asked if the Department had considered not funding one or two programs as opposed to cutting budgets across the board.

Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that she would like to have a discussion with the funded programs before making a decision on that issue.

Commissioner Tulier stated that option two seemed the most fair of the two.

Commissioner Murase concurred with Commissioner Tulier.

Commissioner Marks asked about evaluating the agencies relative to the budget cuts.

Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that the Department is looking at how to evaluate the agencies in the future.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Jennifer Grant of the Rosalie House of Saint Vincent DePaul spoke regarding the budget cuts and diversification of funding.

Commissioner Tulier asked Ms. Grant to present any ideas for evaluating the funded agencies to the Commission.

Ken Theisen of Bay Area Legal Aid spoke and recommended that no cuts be made to programs. However if cuts must be implemented, he supported option two.

Tracy Brown of Mission Neighborhood Centers spoke about the budget cuts and the effect the cuts will have on non-profit agencies. She asked the Commission to keep in mind the immigrant population when making cuts to the funded agencies.

Becki Masaki of the Asian Women’s Shelterread a fax from Nina Jussef of SFWAR stating that she opposes cuts to the funded agencies. Ms. Masaki then spoke for herself and stated that if cuts are implemented, it will be the first time that the shelter will have to cut services to women and children experiencing violence. Sherecommended no cuts to the agencies.

Commissioner Tulier stated that the Commissioners are meeting with the Supervisors individually and welcomed the funded agencies to also attend.

President Keehn stated that she appreciated hearing about the other cuts the agencies are facing. This will allow the Commissioners to state their case for the agencies when meeting with the Supervisors.

Vice President Murase encouraged all of the agencies to participate in the budget discussions to determine how to implement cuts to offset the deficit.

Commission Shorter and Tulier recused themselves from voting on the budget cuts to the funded agencies.

m/s/c (Murase/Marks/Carried no opposition) To adopt to cut programs funded at $100,000 and above by seven-percent (7%); programs funded at $99,999 to $25,000 by five-percent (5%); and programs that are funded below $25,000 by three-percent (3%).

· Draft Letters regarding the State Budget to Governor Gray Davis and Senator John Burton:

Vice President Murase stated that she would like the adoption of the letters placed on the March 26, 2003 agenda.

NO PUBLIC COMMENT

· La Casa de las Madres

Commissioner Tulier commented that an issuehad been raised about the possibility of a conflict of interest regarding her involvement with the People’s Institute West. She stated that she has worked in the past as a consultant for People’s Institute West coordinating its Youth Freedom School program via a grant, and that she occasionally does pro bono work as a workshop facilitator. She added that in retrospect she should have exercised caution regardingthe Commission’s recommendations to La Casa, which list People’s Institute West as a recommended resource. She stated that since the Department or the Commission did not mandate La Casa to use People’s Institute West, and that there was not, is not, or will not be a contract between La Casa and the People’s Institute West, that a conflict of interest does not exist.

Kathy Black the Executive Director of La Casa de las Madres spoke and submitted a report regarding the recommendations outlined by the Commission relative to the complaints made against La Casa. She stated that La Casa is committed to continuous improvement to its programs and as well as individuals.

Commissioner Tulier asked if La Casa could highlight the new strategies and also provide measurable timelines for the implementation of the recommendations. Commissioner Tulier added that new complaints have been presented to the Commission regarding the use of children as interpreters and she requested that this issue be reflected in the report.

President Keehn recommended that once the Commissioners had the opportunity to review the report they should forward any questions or comments to Belle Taylor-McGhee who will present them to Kathy Black.

Ms. Black stated that the Commissioners can contact her personally via telephone.

Commissioner Murase asked Kathy Black to provide a breakdown of the bilingual volunteers and also to incorporate client input in the grievance process.

Commissioner Marks asked if the other agencies were asked to abide by the La Casa recommendations.

President Keehn stated that Commissioner Marks is referring to the written Client Bill of Rights.

Belle Taylor-McGhee stated that the Client Bill of Rights is animpending project that will be done in collaboration with all of the funded agencies.

Commissioner Tulier asked if the La Casa item would be on the March agenda.

President Keehn stated that once the Commissioners had the opportunity to review the report it will then be determined if the item should be placed on the March agenda.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Tracy Brown spoke regarding the La Casa report and stated that she needs to know that action is being taken to implement the Commission’s recommendations. She suggested the Commission appoint a community advisory committee to help La Casa meet the needs of the immigrant community.

Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that Assemblyman Leland Yee’s office is presenting a bill that would prohibit the use of children for language interpretation. She will provide a copy of the bill to the members of the Commission.

Commissioner Tulier recommended writing a letter to support Assemblyman Yee’s bill.

7. NEW BUSINESS

· California Single Payer Health Care System

Senior Policy Analyst Caroline Donnola spoke about a proposed Single Payer Health Care Systemthatis being introduced by Senator Sheila Kuehl for a Single Payer Health Care System in California. She added that the bill will provide all California residents with health care coverage and provide every individual access to any health care provider who is licensed in the state. Ms. Donnola stated that the health care coverage is comprehensive and includes mental health, dental and prescription drugs coverage. Ms. Donnola stated that one of the most interesting aspects of the legislation is that the estimated savings for the state is significant with one organization estimatinga savings to the State at approximately $21.3 billion a year.

Commissioner Marks asked if Ms. Donnola could provide the names of those who are for and against the legislation.

Vice President Murase stated that she strongly recommends supporting the legislation in principle.

Commissioner Shorter asked Maria Cora of the Women’s Health Department for her opinion regarding the legislation.

Maria Cora stated that she supports the legislation and encouraged the Commission to support the legislation on its principles.

m/s/c (Marks/Murase/ Unanimous ) To support in concept a Single Payer Health Care System in California and to consider endorsement of Senator Sheila Kuehl’s proposed Single Payer legislation with the understanding that it benefits women and children in the State of California.

m/s/c (Marks/Tulier/Unanimous) At a later Commission meeting there will be a discussion of the pros and cons of the legislation.

8. CLOSED SESSION

The Commission convened its open session to meet in closed session.

9. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION

Vote to elect whether to disclose any or all discussion held in Closed Session (San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.12 (a).)

m/s/c (Murase/Keehn/Unanimous) Not to disclose discussion that occurred during closed session.

10.ANNOUNCEMENTS

Commissioner Murase announced that the next CEDAW meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2003, at 2:00p.m.

Commissioner Tulier asked that a letter of support be written to support the Buena Vista Elementary School community regardinga child that was killed in the intersection of the school.

Commissioner Miles stated that she would like a letter of support written in opposition tothe Video Game Auto Theft III.

Commissioner Miles stated that the AACW Commission is scheduled to meet on February 26, 2003, in San Diego.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Explanatory documents: For copies of explanatory documents listed in this agenda, and other related materials received by COSW, please contact the Department on the Status of Women at 25 Van Ness Ave, Suite 130, San Francisco, CA 94102; phone: 415-252-2570, fax: 415-252-2575. Also, to the extent possible, documents will be available on the COSW website at: http://www.sfgov.org/cosw/.