2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
City and County of San Francisco
Regular Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, September 24, 2003
5:00 P.M.City Hall, Room 408 1 Dr. Carlton B.
Goodlett Place San Francisco, CA 94102
MEMBERS PRESENT & STAFF PRESENT
President Andrea Shorter
Vice President Juanita Miles
Commissioner Angela Williams-Cofield
Commissioner Carolene Marks
Commissioner Valerie Tulier
Belle Taylor-McGhee, Executive Director
Rosario Navarrette, Deputy Director
Ann Lehman, Senior Policy Analyst
Commissioner Emily Murase
Justine McGonagle, Justice and Courage Coordinator
Carol Sacco, Policy Analyst
Winnie Xie, VAW Grants Administrator
1. CALLTO ORDER/ROLL CALL
President Andrea Shorter called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m.
Vice President Juanita Miles arrived at 5:14 p.m.
No public comment.
2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
m/s/c/ (Murase/Marks/Unanimous)
Action: To adopt the agenda for the Wednesday, September 24, 2003, Regular Commission Meeting.
No public comment.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
m/s/c (Marks/Williams-Cofield/Majority) Commissioner Tulier abstained.
Action: To approve the minutes for the Wednesday, August 27, 2003, regular Commission meeting with changes that were submitted via email.
No public comment.
4. NEW BUSINESS
A presentation on the Elbert Flowers Case was made by District Attorney (DA) Terence Hallinan at the request of the Commission. The District Attorney’s office is looking at what happened, how to explain it along with steps to be taken to make sure this situation does not happen again. Mr. Hallinan reported last year’s domestic violence conviction rate: 83% felony and 72% misdemeanors. He stated misdemeanors are often more difficult to prove than in felony cases due to the extent of the injuries received (less serious, often not visible).
Liz Argular-Tarchi, Former Chief of Domestic Violence for the DA’s office, reported that they have conducted a review of existing protocols and now have tighter controls in place for documenting and maintaining records. She stated that the District Attorney’s Office takes crimes against women, children and the elderly very seriously, and they are open to re-evaluating their internal systems ensuring sound decisions are made.
Sharon Woo, DA’s Chief of Domestic Violence, indicated that these protocols have been in place since 1998, when the Flowers case was first prosecuted. The difference now is that there is more accountability and a much better system of communication on the best resolution and protocols.
Ms. Woo responded to Commissioner Murase’s question about prosecution rates, indicating that she charges about 66% of felony arrests. Where they have successfully prosecuted, defendants proceeded to plea or were found guilty either by a judge or jury in 83% of felonies and 72% of misdemeanors. Ms. Woo also stated, in response to the question about community input on the DA’s protocols, that she is a member of the Protocols Committee for the Department on the Status of Women’s Justice and Courage Project, in which each law enforcement agency’s protocols are reviewed to see where they can improve and close gaps between the different agencies. Currently, they are reviewing the Police Department’s protocols. Committee membership includes law enforcement representatives, members of the community and representatives from the Department on the Status of Women. The committee will be reviewing the DA’s domestic violence protocols in the next month or two.
Commissioner Tulier asked how the Commission and Department and other community agencies work with the DA’s Office to create stricter standards, such as modifying a Stay Away Order. Commissioner Tulier stated that she would like to see the city be more proactive and not reactive. Ms. Woo responded that she would like to educate the judicial end of the criminal justice system on the dynamics of domestic violence and their role as judges in protecting the victim.
Commissioner Williams-Cofield asked if there is a policy or procedure that would allow for a child of an incarcerated person to have visits that do not include the victim. Ms. Woo responded by stating that they often rely on the family court which has a better understanding of family law, and they defer to the family court when it involves the children. Family court orders supersede the criminal court orders.
Commissioner Miles asked if the victim has to be in court when they are prosecuting the perpetrator. Ms. Woo responded absolutely not. She further stated the Evidence Code and the Penal Code provide tools to prosecute cases with an absent victim. Ms. Woo also stated that Mr. Flowers is facing multiple counts, including attempted murder as well as torture and aggravated mayhem.
President Shorter thanked the District Attorney’s Office for the information and expressed the Commission and the Department’s concern for the domestic violence community and those working as advocates on a day to day basis and wanted to be certain that the clients’ needs are being met. President Shorter requested if the DA has further information that they would like to impart to the Commission, she suggested that they do so in writing. She also thought it might be helpful to get the statistics that were mentioned earlier in a written format.
No public comment.
5. PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Shorter began by thanking the Commission for the opportunity and honor to serve as the President of this Commission. She is committed to do due diligence to productive sessions as well as meaningful policy impact and moving forward on the goals set forth for the Commission and Department on the Status of Women. President Shorter also thanked Commissioner Miles for her contribution to serving once more as the vice president.
President Shorter highlighted the public hearing on the recently released report, “A Report on Girls in San Francisco: Benchmarks for the Future,” stating that one key celebratory thing about the report is that it is the first of its kind to come from the Department and Commission on the Status of Women. A public hearing will be held on Wednesday, October 29, 2003, from 4:00pmto 7:00pmin City Hall, Room 250, in the Board of Supervisors Chambers. The Youth Commission and supervisors Fiona Ma and Sophie Maxwell are the hearing co-sponsors. The purpose of this hearing is to look at what we are doing for girls in San Franciscoto improve, promote and advance the quality of life for young women. President Shorter thanked the Department for generating the report and coordinating the hearing.
No public comment.
6. Executive Director’s Report
Ms. Taylor-McGhee reported to the Commission that the Department has been involved in a number of discussions and negotiations with funded programs.
She has met with the interim executive director and Board of Directors of W.O.M.A.N., Inc. to discuss the agency’s transition. Unfortunately, W.O.M.A.N., Inc. has lost some of its contracts, and it has downsized its staff during this transition. We continue to work with them through the process.
A meeting is scheduled with the Board of Directors from San Francisco Women Against Rape (SFWAR) to discuss the terms of the pending contract with SFWAR and some of the issues that have been raised with previous public hearings.
We continue to wait for a response from La Casa de las Madres regarding some outstanding issues. Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that she just spoke with Kathy Black and expects to receive a response in a couple of days.
The all agency meeting with the Violence Against Women programs has not been set due to scheduling conflicts. It has been decided to move it into early November, after Domestic Violence Awareness month.
Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that she has been informed by the Mayor’s Budget Office that we need to provide a new contingency reduction plan to off-set a decline in state revenues for the current fiscal year. That could amount to a 2.5% to 5% reduction to the Department on the Status of Women., which would mean some reduction to our grants or some variation of funding in terms of savings from our funded programs.
Ms. McGhee reminded commissioners that October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and she let them know that they had a packet of information on events that will be taking place during the month. Ms. Taylor-McGhee indicated Verizon Wireless will be launching new initiatives that will provide the public with more information about the use of 911 from their cell phones. She further explained that most people are under the impression that when they call 911 from a cell phone, the police know the location of the individual. This is not the case. For a woman in crisis facing danger, this can be critical information if the police cannot locate her. The Department on the Status of Women is asking Verizon to take the lead on this to be the first to get this information out.
Ms. Taylor-McGhee reported that Carol Sacco, Ann Lehman and she presented findings last night from the Girls Report to the Junior League of San Francisco. The Junior League participants provide positived feedback. Commissioner Williams-Cofield added that she was at the Junior League presentation and expressed that Ms. Taylor-McGhee and department staff did a fabulous job. She also said the Junior League would like to support the department in getting information out on the Girls Report.
Ms. Taylor-McGhee also reported that the Justice and Courage Oversight Panel had a meeting in preparation for Domestic Violence Awareness month. They will hold a meeting on October 22, 2003, which is the third anniversary of the murder of Claire Joyce Tempongko. Additionally, a working meeting is set on October 2, 2003, to review the work of the Justice and Courage Project committees over the past year. They will be presenting a progress report on the work of the committees and the status of JUSTIS.
Regarding staffing issues, Ms. Taylor-McGhee reported that Angela Martin is no longer with the Department and she is in the process of hiring an executive secretary. The job announcement will be posted tomorrow. She is hoping to hire someone as soon as possible and will email the announcement to Commissioners.
Ms. Taylor-McGhee responded to Commissioner Tulier’s question regarding whether the Department had notified the funded agencies of the potential cuts by indicating that the Department had not since we were just made aware of it. Commissioner Tulier requested that funded agencies be informed of the possibility of cuts as soon as possible.
Commissioner Murase asked about the Commission’s annual retreat, which is traditionally held in October. Dates for the retreat will be finalized through staff since it is not realistic to meet in October. This matter will be placed on the November agenda consent calendar.
No public comment.
7. CONSENT ITEM
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.
A. Date of the October 2003 Commission on the Status of Women meeting.
Action: To change the date of the October 2003 Commission on the Status of Women from Wednesday, October 22, 2003 to Wednesday, October 29, 2003. Unanimous Consent.
No public comment.
8. OLD BUSINESS
9. CEDAW Task Force
Commissioner Murase introduced Sonia Melara, a member of the CEDAW Action Plan Committee. The Commission is being asked to consider whether to reopen the issue of forming an independent CEDAW Committee or to establish a committee of the Commission as had been approved at the March 2003 Commission retreat.
Sonia Melara thanked the Commission for putting this item on the agenda, as they had already made a decision on CEDAW, based on the 5-year strategic plan and the work of the subcommittee. Ms. Melara expressed her desire to inform the Commission of the gaps in communication in an effort to encourage them to re-look at the issue and re-consider their decision. She suggested the Commission consider appointing a sub-committee of the Commission, which would include Commissioner Murase and department staff to look at how the issue could be re-configured. She was concerned that there was nothing at the retreat which modified what had originally been proposed. Ann Lehman, Ken Theisen and Commissioner Murase informed the Task Force that the Committee was to be part of the Commission, and not an independent committee as had proposed. She asked that the Commission reconsider its decision and put it back on the table for discussion by a subcommittee. Ms. Melara stated that although the committee doesn’t seek to place additional burden on staff, it will need someone to do agenda and minutes work, although she indicated that in either scenario this would be the case. If an independent committee were created, the Mayor, Commission and the Board of Supervisors could appoint members. The committee would be the monitoring body of CEDAW, ensuring its implementation. She believes the committee would serve as an advocate for the Commission and as an outside body that could advocate and raise funds for more staff positions.
Commissioner Marks asked for Ms. Melara’s proposal in writing. Valerie Tulier stated she was concerned about deciding at this meeting, and that if the committee remains under the Commission, then staff is required. An outside entity, on the other hand, would not be provided with staff. Ms. Melara finally said that as an “independent” committee they are still working with the Commission, but the appointing authorities would differ.
President Shorter thanked Ms. Melara for her presentation and asked the Commission to consider not taking action on this item. However, if it is revisited, they would like to be furnished with more information. There was a call for the vote.
m/s/c Miles/ Williams-Cofield
Action: To re-open the issue of forming an independent CEDAW committee.
Motion passed with a NO vote with the exception of Commissioner Tulier who abstained.
10. Friends of the Commission
Angela Williams-Cofield met with Ms. McGhee to get a history of the Friends and review their bylaws. The Commission’s role with the Friends is recruitment. Once Ms. Williams-Cofield gets a list of potential people to recruit from commissioners, she will get a company to sponsor an event and find a good venue. She is also meeting with previous members of the Friends. She hopes to have it wrapped up by the October meeting and would like commissioners to provide her suggested names at the November meeting.
11. Executive Director’s Review
Belle Taylor-McGhee will send the performance review (45 page document) to Emily Murase and to Angela Williams-Cofield.
12. Commission Visibility
Angela Williams-Cofield reported that she and Ms. McGhee met. They made a list of four things they are going to move on which will take a portion of each commissioner’s time. This item will be placed on the November agenda and each commission member will be given a task to increase the Commission’s visibility.
13. Girls Hearing
Ann Lehman reported that “Save the Date” notices have been sent out. Ann Lehman and Carol Sacco are working with the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families to send out more notices. Currently there are approximately ten speakers. She asked commissioners to email the names of persons they would like to have speak at the hearing. There will be youth in attendance also.
She stated that they are organizing speakers by topics, but the public can speak on anything under public comment. There was discussion on time allocated for speakers.
Ann Lehman stated that she has sent it to the San FranciscoUnifiedSchool District, and Carol Sacco stated that they are working with the San Francisco’s Youth Commission. Commissioner Tulier asked for the information to be sent to school health programs and to ask the health programs to send them the information to the Healthy Start, Twenty-first Century and after school programs. One representative from the San Francisco Unified School District Health Department has agreed to present. Commissioner Marks suggested press releases be sent to small newspapers. Belle Taylor-McGhee commended Carol Sacco and Ann Lehman on their great work.
14. Quarterly May 2004, Meeting of the Association of CaliforniaCommissions for Women (ACCW)
Belle spoke to Lisa Coffee, the secretary of ACCW regarding San Franciscohosting the May 2004 quarterly meeting. She reported that they are schedule to make a decision at their November meeting. Other cities have also indicated interest in hosting the May meeting. If San Franciscois selected, the responsibility is to find a location and provide breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon reception. The cost for this effort is about $250.00.
Angela Williams-Cofield asked Belle Taylor-McGhee if she had a plan for this. Belle Taylor-McGhee stated that she thought this would be easy. President Shorter suggested we look at the list of corporate sponsors for the Women’s Summitand offered to work with Belle on it. Commissioner Murase urged that the meeting incorporate a youth group or some funded agencies. Commissioner Miles cautioned on the length of time, as this is usually a one day event.
15. Grant Review/Funding Process
Rosario Navarrette stated that on Table six (6) of their packets there is a memo on the selection process for the Violence Against Women program selection. She indicated that this is a summary; there are many more processes in the steps. If any commissioners need more details, Rosario Navarrette will be happy to speak to them. Commissioner Marks said she would like talk to Ms. Navarrette about the complaint process and creating a proactive approach.
16. Reports: None
17. Announcements: None
Public Comment: None
18. Adjournment:
Meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
