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COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
5:00 PM
City Hall, Room 408
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
Members Present Staff Present
President Andrea Shorter Executive Director Emily Murase, PhD
Vice President Angela Williams Executive Assistant Bernice Casey
Commissioner Andrea Evans Grants Administrator Richard Eijima
Commissioner Dorka Keehn Senior Policy Analyst Ann Lehman
Commissioner Katherine Munter Justice & Courage Analyst Colleen Montoya Policy Analyst Carol Sacco
I. CALL TO ORDER/ AGENDA CHANGES
The meeting was called to order at 5:08 PM. Commissioners Lee and Marks were excused. Vice President Williams arrived at 5:09 PM.
No public comment.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action: Approved draft minutes from December 14, 2005 and January 13, 2006.
m/s/c (Keehn/Munter/Unanimous)
No public comment.
III. PRESIDENT'S REPORT
President Shorter stated that she and Executive Director Murase met with staff from the 49ers and reported on the progress was being made on the 49er Diversity Plan.
No public comment.
IV. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
A. Executive Director
Executive Director Murase provided an update on the work of the work of the Department: 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 acknowledged Ms. Sue Wong from the Mayor's Budget Office.
No public comment.
B. Staff Report
Justice & Courage Policy Analyst Colleen Montoya reported on the Restorative Justice workshop, sponsored by the Sheriff's Department, she attended earlier in the month. Ms. Montoya stated that the "victim centered" approach of restorative justice takes places in the community, with victims playing a key role in determining criminal penalties.
C. Violence Against Women (VAW) Partner Agency Profile
Ms. Emberly Cross from the Cooperative Restraining Order Clinic (CROC) gave an overview of the work of her agency. CROC receives $53,164 per fiscal year of City monies to provide assistance in obtaining restraining orders. This same work would cost over $2 million if done by a private law firm.
Commissioner Munter asked from whom CROC received its referrals.
Ms. Cross replied that referrals came from the Police Department, Family Court, the District Attorney's Office, shelters, and from family members and friends of the client.
Commissioner Keehn asked what the number one problem CROC had been unable to address.
Ms. Cross said there was a growing trend for batterers to seek out restraining orders against their victims.
President Shorter asked if there was another state with a better model.
Ms. Cross said she was unaware of one.
Public Comment.
Beverly Upton, from the Domestic Violence Consortium, thanked CROC for its work and Ms. Cross for her presentation. Ms. Upton said that any cuts to the [Commission and the Department on the Status of Women's] budget and programs is unacceptable.
V. 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 (Shorter/Williams/Unanimous)
Public Comment.
Ms. Upton stated that Ms. Roselyne Swig was unable to attend tonight's meeting, but. thanked the Commission on her behalf.
A. Resolved, That the Commission recognizes February as Black History Month. Res. 2006-001
B. Resolved, That the Commission recognizes the leadership of UCSF Conference on Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Conference Chair Roselyne Swig, Founder of Partners Ending Domestic Abuse. Res. 2006-002
VI. NEW BUSINESS
President Shorter acknowledged individuals in the audience filming the meeting and asked that they identify themselves. She reminded the audience that the Commission meeting was a public meeting and as such, could be filmed.
Public Comment.
Zaire identified himself as a documentary filmmaker.
Hima identified herself as a documentary filmmaker.
A. Police Department Videos
President Shorter reported that the Commission and Department had been working with other City agencies to determine about the scope of the Commission's involvement in addressing the sexist content in the recently released videos [videos created by some San Francisco police officers]. President Shorter directed the Commission to a memo outlining the work the Department had undertaken.
Executive Director Murase said the Department was awaiting further guidance from the Mayor's Office. Dr. Murase reported that a Blue Ribbon Task Force would be assembled, with a large advisory committee.
Commissioner Keehn asked what the thought was behind creating a Blue Ribbon [Task Force] and a large advisory committee.
Dr. Murase said she could not answer that.
President Shorter stated she believed the Mayor wanted to ensure strong leadership and involvement with communities impacted [by the creation and release of the videos]. President Shorter asked the Commission to review the memo and to give feedback to Executive Director Murase.
No public comment
B. Budget .
Executive Director Murase directed the Commission to budget documents and a letter from Mayor Newsom outlining the need for $80 million in budget cuts with an emphasis on prioritizing direct service. Dr. Murase said that staff had volunteered to take a two-week unpaid furlough in lieu of further cuts to the Violence Against Women Prevention and Intervention Grants [domestic violence and sexual assault grant].
Action: Rejected the budget for Fiscal Year 2006-2007.
m/s/c (Keehn/Shorter)
Commissioner Keehn acknowledged the work of the community in fighting for dollars within the budget. She thanked Department staff.
Public Comment.
Ms. Upton thanked the Department staff as well [for volunteering for a two-week unpaid furlough] and hoped that the Board of Supervisors and Mayor would consider that message. Ms. Upton reminded the Commission of Ms. Emberly Cross's earlier presentation and how the dollars [which fund the Partner Agencies] save the City money.
C. Sexual Assault Services/Education RFP
Grants Administrator Richard Eijima provided an overview of the recommendations of the Funding Committee regarding the Sexual Assault Service & Education Grant Awards, totaling $325,000 over the next 18-months (January 2006-July 2007) in three program areas: 24-hour crisis line, intervention advocacy services, and prevention and education training. The Committee concurred with the RFP Review Panel and recommended awards to the Arab Cultural and Community Center, the Community Youth Center, and San Francisco Women Against Rape (SFWAR).
Action: Approved the recommendations of the Funding Committee for the Sexual Assault Service & Education grant awards.
m/s/c (Keehn/Williams/Unanimous)
Public Comment
Nina Jusuf, Executive Director of SFWAR, thanked the Commission on behalf of her agency.
D. 49ers Diversity Plan .
President Shorter invited the Commission to join the Human Rights Commission at a Joint Hearing to review the 49ers Diversity Plan on February 9, 2006 in City Hall, Room 416. President Shorter expressed her concerns about the absence of a gender analysis in the current draft of the Diversity Plan.
No public comment.
E. Friends of the Commission
Vice President Williams reported on the January 10, 2006 Friends leadership meeting. Their next meeting is scheduled for February 9, 2006. They hope to have a fundraiser in 2006.
No public comment.
F. Sexual Healing Workshop
Executive Assistant Bernice Casey gave an overview of the March 2, 2006 City College's Healing for Change's Sexual Healing Workshop. Ms. Casey stated that the self-healing workshop was for female survivors of violence and trauma. The sponsorship does not require a financial commitment, but would be non-fiscal, but would allow Healing for Change to use the name of the Commission to advertise the event.
Action: Supported the Sexual Healing Workshop.
m/s/c (Shorter/Williams/Unanimous)
No public comment.
VII. OLD BUSINESS
A. Labor Conditions of Exotic Dancers
Commissioner Evans reviewed the modifications to the legislation and stressed the overall goal of ensuring that exotic dance clubs are safe for dancers.
Commissioner Keehn asked about the enforcement mechanism.
Commissioner Evans said the Entertainment Commission would issue permits to operate after holding a public hearing. The Police Department would be able to cite a club operating without a license.
Executive Director Murase stated that there was a provision allowing the Commission and the Department on the Status of Women and other City agencies to inspect the premises [of an exotic dance club] at any time.
President Shorter stated that public comment would be limited to 90 seconds due to time constraints.
Public Comment.
Kia, a dancer, expressed her concern about losing private booths like the Champagne Room. She said that the stage fees were part of her contract as an independent contractor. She said she was given the option of being classified as employee. Kia submitted a petition with over 200 signatures from dancers and said that she obtained the signatures in less than a day. She stated that if she had more time she would be able to submit even more signatures.
Arial, a dancer, said she had never sold herself and that her job [as a dancer] allowed her to attend school full-time. She said not to change her club.
Lucia, a dancer, said the Champagne Room was safe. She said that the VIP area is open. She said that her managers are always looking out for her.
Venus, a dancer, said that a large majority of the dancers [she knows] are students. She said that if the Commission got rid of the private booths, her livelihood would be cut in half.
Suzy, a dancer, said she worked at the Hustler Club and that is was great. She stated that she had been sexually assaulted at the Mitchell Brothers in a booth, but that the Hustler Club was great and looked after the dancers.
Amanda, a dancer, said that she was very well treated at the club. She felt incredibly safe and that the booths provided an illusion of privacy.
Misty, a dancer, said that bouncers at the club were very protective and walked back and forth in the private areas to check on the dancers. She said that there was always someone watching. She said she worked at the Hustler Club.
Roxy, a dancer, said the legislation was insulting. She said there was no coercion and that she was responsible as a dancer and let management know if there was a problem.
Pixy, a dancer, said she had never once been coerced into doing something she didn't want to do.
Cynthia, a dancer at Showgirls, said she is not a prostitute and that the legislation was an insult to her.
Raven, a dancer, said she had been dancing for six months and has never felt unsafe. She said the managers were great. She said that if the Commission got rid of the private booths that it would dramatically decrease the amount of money she made.
Kiera, a dancer, said she had been dancing for 13 years. She said that each club should be looked at individually and that the clubs which are not following the rules should be investigated.
Shauna, a dancer, encouraged the Commission to leave the private booths in the clubs. She said she never felt like she had to pay her stage fees if she didn't have the money. She said that management waives fees if a dancer does not make enough in a shift.
Tauras, a dancer, said the private rooms allow dancers to earn more money and that the bouncers look after the dancers.
Ramona, a dancer, said she has been dancing for 4.5 years and has never felt coerced. She said she didn't see any reason to close down the private booths.
Mira, a dancer at Crazy Horse, said that dancers deserved a right to work. She said that the private rooms allowed dancers to make money.
Sheila, a dancer, said she had been dancing for a year. She said everything has been great. She said that the private rooms allowed her to make money. She said that by dancing she was able to go from a part-time student to a full-time student.
Stephanie, a dancer, said that dancing allowed her to take care of her family as a single mom.
Bella, a dancer at the Gold Club, said she was proud to be an exotic dancer. She asked that the lights don't get turned up.
David, a manager at Crazy Horse, said that he was glad to hear from all the dancers. He said that he has seen a cross-section of women as dancers, pre-med students to businesswomen.
Christina, a dancer, said that customers are kicked out if they are not respectful. She said that management takes care of the dancers. She said that the lights should stay dim.
Misha, a dancer, said that the clubs have evolved. She always felt safe. She said she conducts herself with etiquette and style. She said the private rooms help her make money.
Daisy, a dancer, said that she had been a dancer from Alaska to Mexico. She said that dancers didn't need private booths to make money. She said that women had been raped in the clubs.
Ariel, a dancer, said she had been dancing for eight months and made money in the VIP rooms. She said she never felt disrespected.
Amone, a dancer, said that San Francisco has the safest clubs. She said that the private rooms had cameras and clubs could monitor the rooms to make sure dancers were safe. She said that dancers were independent contractors like hairdressers.
Hima, a filmmaker, said it was awesome that everyone came out but asked the dancers to consider who had asked them to come.
President Shorter asked that comments be addressed to the Commission not the audience.
Hima said that dancers should be paid to work. She said the legislation provided a way for dancers to work safely.
Nancy, a dancer, said the Commission cannot take the VIP rooms away. She said that economic impact would hurt San Francisco. She said that she was a property owner which allowed her to rent to San Franciscans. She said that if she couldn't dance in the private booths she wouldn't be able to make money to pay her mortgages and won't be able to rent to San Franciscans.
Nikki, a dancer, said she has never been coerced. She said the stage fees were like a renter fee. She said that if a dancer performed prostitution her contract was terminated.
Bridget, a dancer, said that taking away the private booths would be like taking away 80-90% of her income. She said that the money she makes allows her to take care of family members.
Christine, a dancer, said that she dances and is not coerced.
Olida, a dancer, said the money she makes as a dancer helped her pay for medical bills for an ill family member. She said the majority of money she makes is from the private booths.
Stephanie, a dancer, said that the clubs explain about the stage fees and that the stage fees are like the same fees paid in beauty salon.
President Shorter thanked everyone for their comments. She stated that the legislation was designed for everyone's safety.
VIII. REPORTS
A. Health
Commissioner Marks was absent.
No public comment.
B. Justice & Courage
Commissioner Keehn thanked Ms. Montoya for her hard work. She said that the Mayor had guaranteed that the Justice & Courage Policy Analyst position would be added into the budget. She said that the Oversight Panel would be holding an roundtable discussion with the ethnic media.
No public comment.
Commissioner Keehn left at 7:04 PM.
C. Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Committee
Vice President Williams said that the next CEDAW meeting would be on February 22, 2006 at 10:30 AM.
No public comment.
D. Violence Against Women Intervention & Prevention Grants Program
Commission Munter said that an RFP for a public education program on human trafficking would be issued shortly.
Quorum lost at 7:06 PM.
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