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 Meeting
This is the regularly scheduled December meeting of the Commission, held at a different location and beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Minutes
Wednesday, December 17, 2003, 5:30 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70, SF, CA 94102
Public comment will be heard before and/or during each agenda item.
Present
President Andrea Shorter
Vice President Juanita Miles
Commissioner Dorka Keehn
Commissioner Carolene Marks
Commissioner Emily Murase
Commissioner Valerie Tulier
Commissioner Angela Williams
Belle Taylor-McGhee, Executive Director
Bernice Casey, Executive Secretary
Rosario Navarrette, Deputy Director
Caroline Donnola, Senior Policy Analyst
Winnie Xie, Grants Administrator
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
President Shorter called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
No public comment.
2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Vice President Miles asked that Ms. Brenda McClendon from Motivating Teen Spirit under New Business be moved to the beginning of the program as Commissioner Miles had to leave at 6:00 p.m.Commissioner Keehn asked that the Closed Session also be moved up as some commissioners had to leave early. m/s/c (Marks/Williams/Unanimous)
Action: Adopted amended agenda for the Wednesday, December 17, 2003, Regular Meeting.
No public comment.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Keehn corrected a statement on the Draft Minutes of the Wednesday, November19, 2003, Regular Meeting.
Commissioner Keehn asked about next steps following the Girls Hearing and meetings with agencies around issues brought up at the hearing.Executive Director Belle Taylor-McGhee briefed the Commission on the steps the Department has taken thus far and informed the Commission that further steps would be discussed at the upcoming January Retreat. m/s/c (Murase/Miles/Unanimous)
Action: Approved the corrected minutes from the Wednesday, November 19, 2003, Regular Meeting.
No public comment.
5. CLOSED SESSION
Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 (b) and San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.10 (b): Public Employee Performance Evaluation of Executive Director, Belle Taylor-McGhee. m/s/c (Williams/Marks/Unanimous)
Action: Adjourned the current meeting for a Closed Session to discuss Public Employee Performance Evaluation: Executive Director Belle Taylor-McGhee. Session closed at 6:05 p.m.Commissioners Shorter, Keehn, Marks, Murase, Williams and Tulier present during the Closed Session. Session re-opened at 6:57 p.m. Commissioners Miles, Keehn and Marks are excused.Commissioners Shorter, Murase, Williams and Tulier present. m/s/c (Williams/Murase/Unanimous)
Action: Voted not to discuss any or all discussions held in closed session (San FranciscoAdministrative Code Section 67.12 a.).
No public comment.
6. Presiden't Report
President Shorter postponed her report in the interest of time.
No public comment.
7. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
On Monday, December 15, 2003, Mayor Brown held a department head meeting to inform directors that the budget situation was worsening, even in the current fiscal year. Another meeting was held on Tuesday, which identified what cuts would be asked from each department. This contingency plans calls for departments to make an additional 7 1/2 % cut in their current budgets above and beyond other cuts or contingency cuts made up to this date. In the last budget proposal from the Mayor’s Office, the $60,000.00 cut from the Department’s current budget did not affect any of the current Violence Against Women (VAW) Programs. Any additional cuts would cut directly into VAW Programs’ funding. The Executive Director suggested that the Commission and the Department continue talks they began last year with the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor’s Office to let them know that any additional cuts made at this time would directly impact the services provided by the VAW Programs.
Ms. Taylor-McGhee addressed the concerns raised at the last meeting regarding the Department’s inability to pay membership dues to different coalition partners. Dues have not been paid because funds are not available at this time.
President Shorter asked for the number of agencies to which the Department currently pays dues.
Executive Director Taylor-McGhee said that is was approximately five, and that it is important to support these organizations in order to strengthen alliances.
Ms. Taylor-McGhee provided an update on the Girls Hearing. She informed the Commission that a copy of the Girls Hearing Resource Guide has been provided to the Commissioners in their packets.
She stated that she met with the Girls Scouts of the Bay Area to discuss the work they are currently doing and to talk about joint projects the Department and the Girls Scouts could work towards.
Senior Policy Analyst Ann Lehman and Policy Analyst Carol Sacco attended the Board of Supervisor’s Budget Committee Meeting on Friday, December 12, 2003, and testified on more support for girls’ services.
The Commissioners were provided with a VAW Program Funding Process timeline in their packets. A questionnaire was sent out to the funded agencies seeking input about the idea of priority funding. Internally, the Department is discussing the Funding Allocation Plan and the Request for Proposals. The Department plans on presenting a comprehensive plan to the Commission for their review at the January retreat. Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that we need to ensure that the Review Panel and the Funding Committee have no conflict of interest.
Ms. Taylor-McGhee returned from a Human Rights conference last week in Boston where she presented on CEDAW. The conference provided an opportunity to network on a national level about CEDAW. She also had the opportunity to meet with the Executive Director of the Boston Commission on the Status of Women, Ms. Linda Brantley.
Deputy Director Rosario Navarrette participated in a press conference at the end of November with Assemblyperson Leeland Yee and the San Mateo Commission on the Status of Women. The press conference was held to address meeting the needs of the Asian women.
No public comment.
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.
No items have been calendared for the Consent Agenda.
8. OLD BUSINESS
Commissioner Carolene Marks was to present on SB 689 but had to leave. Commissioner Murase suggested that Commissioner Marks prepare a draft letter of support for SB 689 before the next meeting and that it be provided to the Commissioners for their approval.
Commissioner Angela Williams presented on her progress on the reactivation of the Friends of the Commission on the Status of Women (Friends). At the September COSW meeting, Commissioner Williams was assigned to provide clarity in terms of the roles and responsibilities between the Commission, the Department and the Friends. Under the Friends Constitution and the By-laws, Commissioner Williams reported that the Friends is totally separate from the Department and the Commission. The Commission can suggest people to be part of the Friends and tell the Friends what the Commission would like their help with, but other than that, the Commission does not play a role in the Friends. The Friends received a $75,000 grant from Verizon, which will be presented this upcoming Friday at a press conference.
Commissioner Williams received two names of potential members from Commissioner Keehn. Commissioner Williams asked the other Commissioners to submit their two names of potential Friends members to her as soon as possible.
Commissioner Williams discussed the coordinator job description for the Friends, and she provided the Commission with a written report of her assessment.
President Shorter thanked Commissioner Williams for her efforts and stressed the importance of the Commission’s relationship with other organizations. She stated we should ensure that all organizations are legally and appropriately constituted by law. President Shorter asked if the two individuals who were referred to Commissioner Williams by Commissioner Keehn might be able to participate in the Verizon Press Conference, and if the individuals would serve as officers of the Friends at the time of the press conference, or if their role had been established.
Commissioner Williams replied that the two individuals would be Friends only and not officers. The hope is that the Friends will come together in the first full week of January and vote on their officers. Until then, any member of Friends will only be acting as a member and not an officer.
President Shorter wanted to ensure that there would be members of the Friends to accept the check from Verizon on behalf of the Friends.
Commissioner Williams added that another individual referred to her by Executive Director Taylor-McGhee makes the current number of individuals interested in Friends three.
President Shorter wanted to make sure the Commission was clear on what the reactivation of the Friends would look like and at what point it will be considered to be reactivated. President Shorter wanted to ensure that the monies that the Friends receive from Verizon will be accessible in an appropriate and clear fashion to the Department.
Commissioner Williams stated that the Friends can be reactivated once they have three members which they now have. It is up to the Friends to decide upon officers.
President Shorter asked to have an update as soon as possible as to when officers for the Friends will be voted upon.
Commissioner Tulier suggested that Commissioner Williams continue to serve as the liaison between the Commission and the Friends.
Executive Director Taylor-McGhee informed the Commission that the Department has kept the Friends files current.
President Shorter hoped that Commissioner Marks would be available to elaborate on the recognition of Lateefah Simon. President Shorter asked the other Commissioners if they had any ideas on the recognition and that the issues be revisited at the next meeting.
Commissioner Valerie Tulier provided the Commission with a draft agenda for the annual retreat, which came out of her meeting with Executive Director Taylor-McGhee and Deputy Director Navarrette on Tuesday, December 16, 2003. Commissioner Tulier informed the Commission that the Department staff would be meeting again to discuss ideas for the retreat agenda and asked Commissioners to supply their ideas for the retreat by December 29th.
Commissioner Tulier suggested that the Commission re-visit last year’s Strategic Plan to look at the progress, the things that need work along with the parking lot issues. She suggested that Commissioners be provided with protocol visuals and an organizational chart. Commissioner Tulier stressed the importance of prioritizing issues as well as looking at goals and staff responsibilities. She suggested a Commissioner liaison to work with a set issue. For example, Commissioner Murase would work on CEDAW issues.
Commissioner Tulier said that the Commission should be looking at on-going projects as well as future projects. For example, how is the Commission going to proceed with girls issues after the Hearing? Furthermore, Commissioner Tulier suggested assigning each Commissioner to a member of the Board of Supervisors to develop an on-going relationship. Commissioner Tulier also suggested committee development in the areas of Budget and Media/Visibility as examples.
Commissioner Tulier suggested that small group work might be an option for discussion between the Commissioners and staff at the retreat.
Commissioner Tulier asked that each Commissioner submit two priority issues that they want to address at the retreat by Monday, December 29th to Executive Secretary Bernice Casey and to think about issues that they would like to attach themselves to in the upcoming year.
President Shorter asked when the next COSW meeting was going to be held. Executive Director Taylor-McGhee informed the Commission of the regularly scheduled Wednesday, January 28, 2004, Commission meeting and the January 30, 2004, Retreat.
President Shorter asked when the agenda for the retreat needed to be posted.
Ms. Taylor-McGhee informed President Shorter that it must be posted within 15 days.
President Shorter suggested that the Commission meet before the 28th to discuss retreat agenda items. Executive Director Taylor-McGhee said she would contact City Attorney Paula Jesson to double check on times and information on exceptions and would contact the Commissioner with further information via e-mail.
Commissioner Tulier asked the Commission if they wanted to invite last year’s facilitator back and if there was a cost for her services.
President Shorter said she would also contact another facilitator and determine whether she would be available for the retreat.
Commissioner Tulier asked where the Commission would get funding for the facilitator and other costs for the retreat.
Executive Director Taylor-McGhee informed the Commission that the funding was provided by the Friends at last year’s retreat.
President Shorter asked that capacity building be added to the retreat agenda and that the agenda itself is fleshed out more before the retreat.
Commissioner Murase added Strategic Planning around VAW Programs as an agenda item for the retreat. m/s/c (Murase/Williams/Unanimous)
Action: To establish retreat agenda
No public comment.
9. NEW BUSINESS-CONTINUED
President Shorter asked if a resolution had been drafted for the Recognition of Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr.’s contributions on behalf of San Francisco’s women and children. Executive Director Taylor-McGhee commented that she had not received a draft from the Commission.President Shorter asked if the Commission could vote on the recognition at this time and determine the form of the recognition at a later date. m/s/c (Murase/Tulier/Unanimous)
Action: To recognize Mayor Willie L. Brown Jr.’s contributions on behalf of San Francisco’s women and children.
No public comment.
10. REPORTS
Commissioner Keehn was not available to deliver her report on the Justice and Courage Project.
President Shorter asked if there was someone else available to deliver the report. There was no person available to deliver the report, and President Shorter said it could be moved to the next meeting.
Deputy Director Navarrette commented on the current work of the Justice and Courage Project. Ms. Navarrette said that the sub-committees are working to create more ways to obtain data regarding domestic violence and the total numbers of reported incidents of domestic violence.
No public comment.-
11. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Executive Director Taylor-McGhee announced the hiring of Bernice Casey for the Executive Secretary position.
Deputy Director Navarrette announced the proposal for creating a Family Justice Center which would house Law Enforcement and community agencies---a one-stop domestic violence shop. Meanwhile, the Department is partnering with the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice to submit a proposal to the Department of Justice, which is due in February.
No public comment .
12. ADJOURNMENT
m/s/c (Tulier/Williams/Unanimous)
Action: President Shorter adjourned the meeting at 7:43 p.m.
American Sign Language interpreters and a Sound Amplification System provided upon request with 48-hour advance notice to 415-252-2570. Translation into languages other than English is also available with 48-hour notice. Limited accessible street parking available. Accessible MUNI Metro station in the Van Ness Station and lines are J, K, L, M and N. Accessible MUNI Lines are the 6, 7, 9, 42, 47, 49, and 71 lines. Accessible seating for persons with disabilities (including those using wheelchairs) will be available. Meeting proceedings available in alternative formats. In order to assist the City's efforts to accommodate persons with severe allergies, environmental illness, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities, attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical based products.
Please help the City to accommodate these individuals.
To obtain a disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, to participate in the meeting, please contact the Department on the Status of Women at least two business days before the meeting at 415-252-2570 (Voice) or 415-252-2550 (TTD).
The Board of Supervisors has amended the Sunshine Ordinance by adding provision 67A.1. The provision is effective as of January 21, 2001.
The ringing of and use of cell phones, pagers, and similar sound producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. Please be advised that the Chair may order the removal from the meeting room of any person(s) responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager or other similar sound-producing electronic devices.
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.
(Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code)
Government’s duty is to serve the public, reaching its decision in full view of the public. Commissions, boards, councils and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people’s business. This ordinance assures that deliberations are conducted before the people and that City operations are open to the people’s review. For more information on your rights under the Sunshine Ordinance, or to report a violation of the Ordinance, contact the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force at 415-554-7724. To obtain a free copy of the Sunshine Ordinance contact Donna Hall, Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, City Hall, Room 244, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102-4689, phone: 415-554-7724, fax: 415-554-7854, email: Donna.Hall@sfgov.org. Copies of the Sunshine Ordinance can also be obtained from the San Francisco Public Library and on the City’s website at www.sfgov.org.
Attention: Individuals and entities that influence or attempt to influence local legislative or administrative action may be required by the San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance (SF Campaign & Governmental Conduct Code § 2.100 – 2.160) to register and report lobbying activity. For more information about the Lobbyist Ordinance, please contact the San Francisco Ethics Commission at 30 Van Ness Ave., Suite 3900, San Francisco, CA 94102; phone: 415-581-2300, fax: 415-581-2317 and web site http://www.sfgov.org/ethics.
Lobbyist Registration and Reporting Requirements
Individuals and entities that influence or attempt to influence local legislative or administrative action may be required by the San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance [SF Campaign & Governmental Conduct Code § 2.100] to register and report lobbying activity. For more information about the Lobbyist Ordinance, please contact the San Francisco Ethics Commission at 30 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 3900, San Francisco, CA 94102; telephone (415) 581-2300; fax (415) 581-2317; web site: sfgov.org/ethics.
