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COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
5:00 PM
City Hall, Room 408
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
Members Present Staff Present
Vice President Williams Executive Director Emily Murase, PhD
Commissioner Dorka Keehn Executive Assistant Bernice Casey
Commissioner Jing Xu Lee Grants Administrator Richard Eijima
Commissioner Carolene Marks Senior Policy Analyst Ann Lehman
Commissioner Katherine Munter CEDAW Policy Analyst Kim-Shree Maufas
Justice & Courage Analyst Colleen Montoya Policy Analyst Carol Sacco
I. CALL TO ORDER/ AGENDA CHANGES
Vice President Williams called the meeting at 5:15 pm. President Shorter and Commissioner Evans were excused. Vice President Williams moved Reports after the Executive Director's Report.
No public comment.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES .
Action: Approved draft minutes from January 25, 2006.
m/s/c (Keehn/Munter/Unanimous)
No public comment.
III. PRESIDENT'S REPORT
Due to time constraints, Vice President Williams waived the President's Report.
IV. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
A. Executive Director
Executive Director Murase provided the Commission a written report summarizing the work of the Department in the following areas: Justice & Courage, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Public Outreach, Violence Against Women (VAW) Grants, Department Operations, and Upcoming Events.
Dr. Murase provided an update on the Budget. She stated that the Department had $13,000 in on-going reductions and a $70,000 contingency plan. Dr. Murase stated that the $13,000 would be absorbed in administrative cuts without an employee furlough.
Dr. Murase stated that the Controller's Office had completed a requested audit of W.O.M.A.N., Inc. She reported that the Department was working closely with the staff of W.O.M.A.N., Inc. and asked that any detailed questions about the process be addressed to her.
Dr. Murase reported that the UCSF Trauma Center had submitted a letter to the Commission on February 10, 2006, expressing its concerns with the recent contract award to San Francisco Women Against Rape (SFWAR) for sexual assault serveices..
Commissioner Munter stated that she would be working with the Department to respond to the concerns raised by UCSF.
B. Staff Report-CEDAW Analyst Kim-Shree Maufas
Ms. Maufas's report was moved to later in the meeting due to time constraints.
C. Violence Against Women (VAW) Partner Agency Profile-Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center [LYRIC]
Executive Director Jodi Schwartz thanked the Commission and the Department for allowing her to speak. Ms. Schwartz gave special thanks to Commissioner Marks. Ms. Schwartz reviewed the agency profile with the Commission to provide an overview of the services provided by LYRIC. Highlighting the Queer Girl video project and the Young Women's Health fair, Ms. Schwartz discussed how LYRIC utilized its grant monies. Ms. Schwartz stated that LYRIC was currently building staff capacity through a grant from the Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families.
Commissioner Munter asked where LYRIC received its funding.
Ms. Schwartz replied that 60% is from government agencies and that the Department is one of five government funders. The other 40% of funding comes from major donors (20%) and institutional donors (20%). Ms. Schwartz stated that individual donors were an untapped resource which LYRIC would be pursuing under her leadership.
Vice President Williams asked where LYRIC did outreach in the community.
Ms. Schwartz stated that outreach efforts were made at middle schools and through a program called My Space.
Commissioner Keehn asked what the biggest hurdles in accessing services were.
Ms. Schwartz said there were many factors impacting access, but homelessness was one of the biggest factors.
Vice President Williams asked which agencies LYRIC worked in collaboration with.
Ms. Schwartz said LYRIC collaborated with the following agencies: New Leaf, Department of Public Health (DPH), Eureka Valley Center, Recreation and Parks Department, Larkin Street, and the San Francisco LGBT Center. Ms. Schwartz stated that some collaborations provided opportunities to reach out to isolated communities.
Public Comment.
Lisa Thomas-Adeyemo, SFWAR's Director of Counseling, read a statement from SFWAR Executive Director Janelle White. Ms. White's statement said she was sorry she was unable to attend this evening's meeting. The statement said that SFWAR was eager to work in partnership with the UCSF Rape Trauma Center and that SFWAR and UCSF have a history of collaboration.
Patricia Berne, SFWAR Board Member, said that SFWAR would be drafting a response to the UCSF Rape Trauma Center letter recounting its concerns and extending SFWAR's commitment to meet and work with the staff of the Rape Trauma Center.
V. REPORTS
A. Health
Commissioner Marks provided an update on the Universal Health Care Initiative and stated that she had met with the Mayor and with DPH. Ms. Marks stated that she was working with a group called Volunteers in Medicine, which provides health care to working people utilizing retired medical staff. Commissioner Marks stated that she was sorry she would miss the presentations on disaster preparedness and asked that any statements be provided to her. In addition, Commissioner Marks stated that she was working with Upwardly Global, a group that works with recent professional immigrants and independent organizations.
No public comment.
B. Justice & Courage
Commissioner Keehn stated that the City recently put a large amount of money into anti-violence programs but expressed her concerns about the lack of monies earmarked for domestic violence and sexual assault services.
No public comment.
C. CEDAW
Vice President Williams said the CEDAW Committee had met earlier today and received an informational training on CEDAW from Senior Policy Analyst Ann Lehman. Ms. Williams said that upcoming CEDAW Committee meetings would focus on three of the departments which had completed a gender analysis.
No public comment.
D. VAW Grants Program
Commissioner Munter said that the Department would be working closely with SFWAR and the Rape Trauma Center to facilitate a discussion. She said that she believed the Department would work closely with W.O.M.A.N., Inc. on issues raised in the audit. Ms. Munter asked CEDAW Policy Analyst Maufas to provide an update on the Trafficking RFP.
Ms. Maufas stated that five agencies attended the Bidder's Conference and that she had received three proposals and was working to finalize a Review Panel.
Commissioner Marks acknowledged the work of Commissioner Munter in the grants programs.
E. Friends
Vice President Williams reported that the Friends of the Commission on the Status of Women met on February 9 and elected officers. Toni Wilson was re-elected as President. She stated that the Friends were trying to tie the 31st anniversary of the Commission into its work.
No public comment.
Vice President Williams asked the individual filming the meeting to identify herself.
The individual filming the meeting said her name was Hima and that she was working on a documentary.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA .
All matters listed hereunder constitute a Consent Agenda and are considered to be routine by the Commission on the Status of Women. They will be acted upon by a single roll call vote of the Commission. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the Commission so requests, in which event the matter shall be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered as a separate item. Members of the public may speak on each item listed on the Consent Agenda.
Action: Approved the Consent Agenda.
m/s/c (Keehn/Munter/Unanimous)
No public comment.
A. Honored Women's History Month, Res. 2006-003: Resolution recognizing March as Women's History Month.
B. Honored Amy Ackerman, Res. 2006-004: Resolution recognizing the work of City Attorney Amy Ackerman.
C. Honored Curry Senior Center, Res. 2006-005: Resolution recognizing the work of the Curry Senior Center to seniors of San Francisco.
D. Honored the Japanese Delegation, Res. 2006-006: Resolution recognizing the Japanese delegation on domestic violence.
E. Honored Aileen Hernandez, Res. 2006-007: Resolution recognizing Aileen Hernandez as a 2006 National Women's History Month Honoree: Builders of Communities and Dreams.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Staff Report
CEDAW Policy Analyst Kim-Shree Maufas provided an update on the sexual harassment prevention legislation for the San Francisco Unified School District. Ms. Maufas said that she had been working the school district and the School Board over the last few months. She said a new resolution would require mandatory training and bring the district into compliance with the Office of Civil Rights, Title IX.
Commissioner Keehn asked who would provide the training.
Ms. Maufas said that the training would be provided by Claudia Beliz, Title IX Compliance Officer.
Commissioner Munter asked what role the Department would have in compliance.
Ms. Maufas stated that the Department would be available, as it had been historically, to provide technical assistance.
Commissioner Marks departed at 5:54 pm.
B. City College International Women's Day
Ms. Vivian Caldron and Ms. Blank invited the Commission to a City College International Women's Day event, sponsored by Latino Services Network and the Women' Studies Department, featuring Dolores Huerta and Elba Sanchez. The event will be held on March 9 at City College Phelan Campus.
No public comment.
C. Agencies Response to Disaster
Commissioner Keehn asked who had requested the presentation [from the agencies].
Executive Director Murase stated that Commissioner Marks had requested the presentations.
Commissioner Keehn apologized to the agencies.
Executive Director Kathy Black from La Casa de las Madres said that is was an opportunity for La Casa to talk about its work in this area. She said that La Casa was working in partnership with San Francisco Collaborating Agencies Responding to Disaster (SFCARD). In addition, La Casa was working with the DPH as part of a City-wide emergency plan and with San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH) to make itself available as psychiatric resource. As a shelter, La Casa has acquired an ample stock of food, medical, clothing resources and supplies. La Casa staff has worked to make sure services and resources would be available if the shelter lost electrical power.
Program Director Jennifer Grant from the Riley Center said that St. Vincent de Paul [parent organization and fiscal agent for the Riley Center] was active in community-wide disaster preparedness programs. Each [domestic violence] shelter has a bulletin board with emergency procedures in English, Spanish, and Chinese. Each shelter is equipped with an emergency supply kit. All staff is trained in where to locate supplies, how to access water, and how to turn off the electricity and gas.
Maintenance Coordinator Geene Gonzales from the Asian Women's Shelter (AWS) stated that AWS was working with SFCARD and San Francisco Neighborhood Response Teams (SFNERT) and had received training. AWS conducts four trainings a year in emergency preparedness and discusses hazard mitigation, earthquake preparedness, and other disasters. AWS shelters can survive for 4-5 days without outside assistance. In addition, if needed, AWS has an out of state contact where clients can be transferred.
Vice President Williams thanked the presenters and suggested that future Department agency audits ask for a disaster preparedness plan.
C. Urban University
Ms. Tracy Weaver gave a presentation on "Moms at Work," a program at Urban University, which helps single working mothers balance work and life. Ms. Weaver stated that the Urban University was founded in 1998 by her, a single mother. After 8 years, Urban University has served over 400 women, 85% were single mothers of color. Ms. Weaver said that she would like to work with the Commission about addressing the needs of single mothers, particularly the issues of being over extended from working the "second shift" and child care.
Commissioner Keehn suggested accessing resources for expansion through the Women's Foundation and child care resources through DCYF.
Ms. Weaver said that Urban University had established a committee to look at child care availability and was examining additional models for care, including a daycare collective.
Public Comment.
Debra, a client of Urban University, said that the resources she received at Urban University helped her establish her own consulting business and that parenting can be a real challenge for all families.
VIII. OLD BUSINESS
A. Labor Conditions of Exotic Dancers
Commissioner Keehn said that the legislation would address labor issues within the dance clubs and stated that the Commission had been working with other City agencies to determine the legality of the booths. Commissioner Keehn explained that stage fees were illegal by state law and that the Commission was not creating new laws, but establishing a permitting scheme to monitor all clubs that provide exotic dancing as a form of entertainment.
Commissioner Munter stated that the legislation was an effort to clarify existing laws, laws which were already on the books, and to maintain good working conditions.
Executive Director Murase said that the legislation was intended to fully support the work of dancers by providing a safe working environment and to ensure that dancers are paid what they deserve since stage fees are illegal by state law.
Public Comment
Francisco, with the Department of Environmental Justice, said that any legislative process should involve the constituents of San Francisco, not just a segment of the population. He encouraged workshops to be held which included input from the dancers, owners, and patrons.
Lila, a dancer, said she had been working for over 3 years and worked in 4 to 5 clubs. She has never felt forced into prostitution. She said she had never been assaulted or knew of a dancer who had been assaulted. She prefers to be an independent contractor and said that the VIP rooms [private booths] were where she made 80% of her income.
Holly, a dancer at the Gold Club, said she had been dancing for eight months. She said that dancers were discouraged from performing acts of prostitution and were treated with respect from the management. She said that she had flexibility, and that Sex Workers Organized for Civil and Human Rights did not represent her.
Commissioner Keehn clarified that the based on case law the state did not recognize exotic dancers as independent contractors.
Helena, a dancer, said she had been dancing for 4 years, Déjà Vu for two years. She said there was a difference between alcohol and non-alcohol serving clubs. She said that in clubs that serve alcohol, patrons and dancers have to maintain a 6-foot distance. She said that the flexibility [as a dancer] allows her to go to school.
Charlie said she had worked at the Gold Club for several years and that the working conditions there were exceptional. She said that management is very professional. She said that prostitution was not allowed in the Champagne/VIP rooms.
Jody said she had been dancing at the Gold Club for 5 years and that it is a safe, clean environment where she is able to earn money and go to school. She said that she only has to work 3 days of the week. Jody said that she had read the information about coerced prostitution and said that it was not happening at the Gold Club. She said the booths were not totally private. She said that she has never felt threatened. She ended by saying that if the booths were taken away, her income would be cut by more than half and she would have to take out student loans.
Diamond, a dancer, said she worked at the Gold Club which is a gentlemen's club. She said that the club works with her school schedule and waives house fees if a dancer does not make enough money during a shift.
Devan, a dancer, stated that she worked at the Gold Club. She reiterated that the private rooms were not private but removed from the general areas to make the customer feel special. She said that 80% of her income is made in the VIP areas. She said that stage fees were like rental fees. She said that no place was private in the club and that dancers can refuse to provide service to a patron by asking the bouncer to remove him. She said that Ms. Weaver has addressed the issues of single motherhood in her presentation and that dancing provided an opportunity for her to support her child.
Daisy Anarchy said that the labor laws prohibited stage fees and that there were hundreds of cases where the Labor Commission had ruled that dancers were not independent contractors. She said that she had been sexually assaulted in a private booth and her friend had been raped. She said that the clubs were providing misinformation and that dancers can make all the money they need without private booths.
Hima, a dancer, said that dancers are forfeiting their rights to make money by paying stage fees. She said that dancers can still make money without private booths.
Cris, a dancer, said she had been a dancer for 2 years with the Hustler Club. She said she would like a copy of the legislation. She said that dancers had the right not to be sexually assaulted and that just because one dancer had not been assaulted did not mean that it was not happening to other dancers. She asked where she could get information on the existing laws. She said that all clubs were not the same and maybe only a few needed to be policed.
Commissioner Keehn said to contact the Department to get a copy of the legislation.
Maxine Doogan, with Exotic Services Providers, stated that she appreciated the work of the Commission. She has been working with the Labor Council to keep the abreast of the work of the Commission and the Department with on the legislation. She stressed the illegality of stage fees.
B. 49ers' Diversity Plan .
Vice President Williams provided an overview of the February 9 Joint Hearing with the Human Rights Commission. She said the current draft diversity plan does not fully represent women but said she was working with Lisa Lange, 49ers' Vice President of Communications. She said that she believed the 49ers would have something more specific before the season began.
Executive Director Murase said the Department was pushing for greater representation of women, such as vendors, and urged the 49ers to conduct a gender analysis.
Vice President Williams asked for a copy of the gender analysis completed by the Department.
Dr. Murase said she has scheduled a training at the July 2006 Commission Retreat.
No public comment.
C. Police Videos
Executive Director Murase said that the Department had received no additional information and that a Blue Ribbon Task Force had not been appointed yet.
Commissioner Keehn asked why the Commission needed to wait before taking action.
Commissioner Munter said they were awaiting from guidance from the Mayor's Office.
Dr. Murase said she had meet with the Mayor's Chief of Staff and was waiting for the Blue Ribbon Task Force to be formed. She suggested inviting Ed Lee to an upcoming Commission meeting.
No public comment.
IX. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment.
X. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:09 pm.
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