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City and County of San Francisco
Regular Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, August 27, 2003, 5:00 P.M.
City Hall, Room 408
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place San Francisco, CA 94102
MEMBERS PRESENT
President Dorka Keehn
Commissioner Carolene Marks
Commissioner Adrea Shorter
Commissioner Angela Williams-Cofield
STAFF PRESENT
Belle Taylor-McGhee, Executive Director
Rosario Navarrette, Deputy Director
Winnie Xie, Grants Administrator
Caroline Donnola, Senior Policy Analyst
Justine McGonagle, Justice and Courage Coordinator
- CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
President Dorka Keehn called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m.
Vice President Emily Murase, Commissioners Valerie Tulier and Juanita Miles were excused.
No public comment.
2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
m/s/c/ (Miles/Williams-Cofield/Unanimous)
Action: To adopt the agenda for the Wednesday, August 27, 2003, Regular Commission Meeting.
NO PUBLIC COMMENT
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
m/s/c (Miles/Shorter/Unanimous)
Action: To approve the minutes for the Wednesday, July 23, 2003 Regular Meeting.
No public comment.
- PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Keehn reported that she and Vice President Murase met with Mayor Brown and he expressed his enthusiasm for the work of the Commission and the new President and Vice President.
- President Keehn also stated that she attended the Department’s Girls Report presentation before the United Way. She added that she was very impressed with the presentation and thinks that this could be an opportunity for the department to network with foundations and get additional funding.
- Justice and Courage Panel: President Keehn reported that she, Executive Director Belle Taylor-McGhee and Deputy Director Rosario Navarrette, met to discuss the status of the Oversight Panel. She added that the Oversight Panel will meet twice in October to discuss the Panel’s work, particularly around the working committees. She added that the Oversight Panel will hold a press conference on October 22, 2003, the anniversary of the murder of Joyce Claire Tempongko, to highlight its work. President Keehn stated that she has identified a person to fill the position that is open on the Panel. The Justice and Courage Oversight Panel will review the candidate’s resume this coming month and vote at the next commission meeting on her appointment.
Commissioner Shorter suggested having the District Attorney visit with the Panel and clarify the policies of the District Attorney’s Office.
President Keehn stated that the Panel is aware of the policies of the DA’s office; however, the policies are not always followed.
- Executive Director’s Review Process: President Keehn stated that she would like to have Human Resources provide a timeline of the review process for the Executive Director at the next Commission meeting. She also stated that she would like to work with Vice President Murase to oversee the Executive Director’s review process. Commissioner Williams-Cofield stated that she would also like to be involved with the process.
- Executive Director’s Report
- Violence Against Women (VAW) Program Update: Ms. Taylor-McGhee informed the Commission that a letter has been sent to La Casa’s Executive Director, Kathy Black, addressing several outstanding issues. These issues include a minor change in the language regarding the policy of using children as interpreters and La Casa’s grievance procedure.
- Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that the Department will gain more input and agreement on a grievance policy at the all-agency meeting.
- President Keehn stated that the VAW grant program process will be an item on the September agenda and asked that the Commissioners review all relative materials prior to the meeting.
- Ms. Taylor-McGhee extended an invitation to the Commission to attend the meeting with the funded agencies and added that an agenda will be distributed once a date has been established.
- Ms. Taylor-McGhee also reported that she has met with members of San Francisco Women Against Rape (SFWAR) and the Jewish Community Relations Council. She added that a letter has been forwarded to SFWAR regarding its political education activities and that she will schedule a meeting with SFWAR and its Board of Directors to discuss these issues.
- Meanwhile, a meeting between SFWAR and JCRC is scheduled for August 28, 2003.
- Ms. Taylor-McGhee reported that W.O.M.A.N. Inc. is attempting to rebuild its infrastructure. She stated, however, that some contracts have been lost in the interim. The Department is working closely with the Interim Executive Director to help her through this process.
- Ms. Taylor-McGhee added that a number of agency Executive Directors have been helpful in the discussions with SFWAR, and she acknowledged Terry Person, Beckie Masaki and Beverly Upton.
- Girls Report Update: Ms. Taylor-McGhee informed the Commission that the Department is still continuing to conduct presentations on the Girls Report. She added that a link has been added to the San Francisco Unified School District’s website so that interested parties can view the Girls Report. Ms. Taylor-McGhee reported that there have been discussions about hosting a hearing on the Girls Report. She added that the staff has suggested that the Commission hold its October Commission meeting on the Girls report and invite Supervisors Ma and Maxwell, and the Youth Commission to serve as co-sponsors. Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that if the hearing is held in October, the date of the COSW meeting may have to be changed from October 22, to October 29, due to October 22 being the anniversary of Joyce Clair Tempongko’s murder. President Keehn suggested that the Commission have a discussion regarding if (1) the Commission want its October meeting to address the issues surrounding the Girls Report and (2) should the meeting be changed from October 22 to October 29.Commissioner Marks stated that before the date is changed, a meeting room should be reserved. Commissioner Shorter asked for clarification on why the date of the meeting should be changed.President Keehn stated that it would enable the Department to complete the tasks of coordinating a press conference on the anniversary of Joyce Clair Tempongko’s murder, hosting the Girls Report hearing, and obtaining press coverage for both events. Commissioner Shorter stated that she feels it would be appropriate to change the date of the October Commission meeting to October 29, 2003.Commissioner Williams-Cofield asked what the Department hoped to accomplish from the hearings. Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that the Department would like to continue to update its statistics relative to girls and to identify benchmarks to assist in determining where policy issues on girls should be focused.
- Association of CaliforniaCommissions for Women (ACCW): Ms. Taylor-McGhee reported that she and Commissioner Williams-Cofield, attended the state convention of the ACCW. She added that the Commission has been asked if the Commission would be interested in hosting the ACCW’s quarterly meeting in May 2004. She stated that she will send the Commission information when she hears from the Steering Committee so that it can be voted on at the September Commission meeting.
- Meeting with the San Francisco Police Chief: Ms. Taylor-McGhee reported that on August 26, 2003, she met with Police Chief Fagan, Captain Frank O’Malley, and Rachael Kilshaw of the San Francisco Police Department. Also in attendance was Sharon Woo of the District Attorney’s Office. They discussed several domestic violence issues including the victim confidentiality form. She added that there was also discussion regarding the backlog on criminal Stay Away Orders. Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that Chief Fagan commented that he thought the backlog has been cleared and would issue a directive to clear the backlog if that had not already been done Ms. Taylor-McGhee reported that a discussion about the misdemeanor policy of the Police Department also took place. She added that Police Chief Fagan stated that he has concerns about resources and the fact that currently there is not sufficient time to investigate domestic violence misdemeanors before the suspect must appear in court. Ms. Taylor-McGhee added that the Police Chief has advocated for night court. She added that also discussed was the fact that the California Penal Code does not consider domestic violence a repeat offense. She stated that the Chief Fagan advised the Department to discuss the issue with the District Attorney. Ms. Taylor-McGhee added that Chief Fagan stated that he is committed to be responsive to the domestic violence community on any issues that arise.President Keehn asked what means the Police Department used to address and clear up the backlog issue. Deputy Director Rosario Navarrette stated that she does not think there was a resolution to the backlog issue and that the DOSW will have to continue to meet with the Police Department. President Keehn asked Ms. Navarrette for her opinion on the creation of night court. Ms. Navarrette stated that she thinks it is important, but that it will take a tremendous amount of work and resources to make it happen. Commissioner Williams-Cofield asked if a date had been established for the Police Department to report back to the Department regarding the backlog issue. Ms. Navarrette stated that no date had been established, but the Department will follow-up with Chief Fagan to establish a date.President Keehn asked that the Department follow-up with the District Attorney to address the domestic violence case.
- Commissioner Marks asked that the Department provide at the next meeting the amount of work and expense needed to host the ACCW meeting in May.
- Public Comment Jennifer Grant of the Riley Center asked that the funded agencies be notified well in advance of the specifics for the all-day meeting with the Department.
- OLD BUSINESS
- Friends of the Commission Commissioner Williams-Cofield reviewed the plan to re-establish the Friends of the Commission and asked the Commissioners for their opinion on the plan.President Keehn stated that a work plan for the Friends should be established before any events are planned for prospective members. Commissioner Williams-Cofield stated that she does have ideas for the work of the Friends and will forward her ideas to the Commission via email. Commissioner Shorter stated that the Commission discussed at its Retreat ways to build the Department’s capacity so that it can partner with other organizations and universities throughout the Bay area. Commissioner Shorter stated that she would be willing to work with Commissioner Williams-Cofield to outline a plan for the Commission. Commissioner Marks stated that she thinks other ideas should be presented in addition to fundraising (i.e., internships, training opportunities.)President Keehn asked the Department to inform Commissioner Williams-Cofield of any areas in which they think the Friends could support the Department in its work. President Keehn thanked Commissioner Williams-Cofield for her work on the Friends issue.
No public comment.
- Commission Visibility
m/s/c (Marks/Williams-Cofield
Action: To appoint a point person to meet with the Executive Director to brainstorm further issues. President Keehn appointed Commissioner Williams-Cofield as the person to meet with the Director to brainstorm issues relative to the Commission’s visibility.
No public comment.
- Legislative Update
- SB 921 – Single Payer Legislation: Policy Analyst Caroline Donnola reported that the bill passed the Senate and was went to the Assembly Health Committee and that the bill’s author, senator Sheila Kuehl, made a strategic decision to not have the bill heard in the Assembly Health Committee in the current legislative session. Ms. Donnola stated that Senator Kuehl believes the bill has a better change of getting a two-thirds vote in January.
- AB 292 – Prohibits the use of children as Interpreters: Ms. Donnola reported that the legislation passed the Senate Judiciary Committee in July with two (2) modifications. One was a minor technical modification and the other was to allow a ninety (90) day period for an agency to get into compliance if an agency is deemed out of compliance. The bill is in Appropriations and is expected to be heard on Friday, August 29, 2003.
- AB 1342 – Adoption of CEDAW on a State Level: Ms. Donnola reported that the bill is expected to begin movement in January at which time the Commission may want to consider a formal letter of support.
- Proposition 54 – Racial Privacy Initiative: Ms. Donnola reported that this proposition will ban State government from collecting racial and ethnic data by creating a constitutional amendment barring most government agencies in California from gathering information on a person’s race. If approved, California would be the first state in the Country to bar such data collection. The initiative is on the ballot and goes before voters on October 7, 2003, the same date as the recall election. In terms of where it is in the polls, a field poll released on August 19, 2003, showed that 46% of likely voters are in favor of the proposition, 35% oppose it and 19% are undecided. The poll indicates that there is a slight increase in people who oppose the proposition. Poll also indicate that support for the proposition is stronger in Northern California than in Southern California.
Commissioner Marks asked if the Commission could write a letter opposing the opposition.
Executive Director Belle Taylor-McGhee stated that she believed that the Commission could not write a letter opposing the initiative, but she would check with the City Attorney and report back at the next Commission meeting. President Keehn asked if people are supporting the bill because of lack of clarity in the title. Ms. Donnola stated that there is some confusion regarding the bill; however, people are becoming more informed. She added that people who feel strongly about the bill are likely to vote on October 7, 2003. She added that health organizations have been speaking on how this will affect health indicators. She concluded by saying that the numbers may change, but there is confusion about the bill. Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that during the Commission Retreat on the discussion surrounding Proposition 54, the Deputy City Attorney stated that the Commission could conduct educational initiatives, but not take a stance on the Proposition. President Keehn asked if the Department is considering conducting any public education on Proposition 54. Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that she has been doing some education during the presentations of the Girls Report. President Keehn asked if a statement regarding Proposition 54 could be added to the website. Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that she was unsure, but will find out. The Commissioners agreed to either write individual letters or an op ed piece opposing the proposition.
5. NEW BUSINESS
- Shannon Dooley – Information about the San FranciscoAIDS Foundation Marathon
Shannon Dooley presented before the Commission and stated that she is attempting to help raise $4,000 for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation Marathon and asked for members of the Commission to provide their individual support.
- Election for the President and Vice President of the Commission
m/s/c (Williams-Cofield/Marks/Unanimous)
Action: To elect Commissioner Andrea Shorter as President and Commissioner Juanita Miles as Vice President of the Commission.
President Keehn thanked the Commission and staff for their support during her reign as President of the Commission. She added that it was a pleasure working with Commissioner Murase. She also thanked the domestic violence community for its support.The Commissioners and Belle Taylor-McGhee thanked President Keehn for her leadership. A representative from the Mayor’s Office presented President Keehn with a proclamation announcing August 27, 2003, as “Dorka Keehn Day”. Beverly Upton of the Domestic Violence Consortium thanked President Keehn for her leadership. Newly elected President Shorter presented President Keehn with a Resolution honoring her work.
- Managing Relations with Contract Agencies
Commissioner Marks began a discussion related to the funded agencies and the Department’s process for resolving conflicts.
Public Comment
Jennifer Grant of the Riley Center stated that the concept of best practices is important and the organizations should work together with the Commission.
- The Release of Battered Woman Prisoner Flozelle Woodmore
Belle Taylor-McGhee gave background information on Ms. Flozelle Woodmore’s request for release from Governor Gray Davis.
m/s/c (Shorter/Keehn)
Action: To send a letter supporting the release of Flozelle Woodmore to Governor Gray Davis.
