2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 COMMISSION MEETING
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Minutes
2:30 PM
City Hall, Room 421
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 Secretary Garry Consolacion
Commissioner Andrea Evans Grants Administrator Richard Eijima
Commissioner Dorka Keehn CEDAW Policy Analyst Kim-Shree Maufas
Commissioner Carolene Marks Justice & Courage Analyst Colleen Montoya
Commissioner Katherine Munter Policy Analyst Carol Sacco
I. CALL TO ORDER/ AGENDA CHANGES
President Shorter called the meeting to order at 2:40 PM. Commissioner Lee was excused.
No public comment.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action: Approved draft minutes from October 26, 2005.
m/s/c (Evans/Keehn/Unanimous)
No public comment.
III. PRESIDENT'S REPORT
President Shorter welcomed the new Justice & Courage Policy Analyst Colleen Montoya, who most recently served as Director of the Youth Commission. She holds a Masters in Social Work from UC Berkeley. Ms. Montoya said she was honored to be chosen for the position.
IV. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Executive Director Murase announced the upcoming Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) training for Department staff and CEDAW Committee members, which will be conducted by Senior Policy Analyst Ann Lehman.
Vice President Williams arrived at 3:38 PM.
Riley's Center Program Director Jennifer Grant gave a presentation on the work of the Center, its programs and shelters. The Rosalie House can house 12 women, including their children. Each client is provided peer counseling, therapy, and information referrals. The typical length of stay is 8 to 12 weeks. Last fiscal year Rosalie housed 87 women and children. Brennan House can house 15 women and provides programs with the goal of preparing individuals to become self sufficient though employment training. Services are offered in 15 different languages, including Spanish, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Ms. Grant thanked Commissioner Keehn for attending the Riley Center Vigil. Ms. Grant also gave an overview of the services the Riley Center provided to human trafficking victims.
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.
V. CONSENT AGENDA
Action: Approved the Consent Agenda.
m/s/c (Shorter/Marks/Unanimous)
A. Resolved, That the Commission recognizes the work of Westside Community Mental Health Center Inc.'s Women's HIV Prevention Program, especially on World AIDS Day. Res. 2005-041
B. Resolved, That the Commission urges the City of San Francisco, its citizens, and community based organizations to come together to combat gender violence in San Francisco. 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, November 25-December 10, 2005, Res. 2005-042
C. Resolved, That the Commission recognizes Janice Mirikitani's receipt of the California State Minerva Award. Janice Mirikitani, Res. 2005-043
D. Resolved, That the Commission recognizes the work of Healing Waters in combating HIV and AIDS in San Francisco. Healing Waters, Res. 2005-044
E. Resolved, That the Commission recognizes the contributions of Ms. Terry Person-Harris as Executive Director at Community United Against Violence (CUAV). Terry Person-Harris, Res. 2005-045
Commissioner Marks requested recognition of Beckie Masaki, for receipt of the Sister of Fire award, at the December Commission meeting.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Sexual Assault Services/Education RFP
Commissioner Munter asked for a postponement on the determination for the Sexual Assault Services/Education grants until the January Commission meeting.
Executive Director Murase stated that current services provided though the UCSF Rape Trauma Center would continue through the grant process.
No public comment.
B. Women's Initiative
Development Director Heather Haxo-Phillips gave an overview of the Women's Initiative programs, which help low-income women to start businesses. The curriculum includes computer training, financial management training, English classes, and business savvy. Fifty percent of participants are Spanish-speaking. The agency has served thousands of women by offering them loans of up to $25,000, regardless of their credit history. Through the help of Comerica Bank, the agency distributes an average of 60 "no strings attached" loans a year. Women's Initiative is currently working on doing more outreach to domestic violence survivors who want to start their own business. A video was presented at this time that showed a graduate of the program, Maria Valeria, who now offers her time as a volunteer with Women's Initiative.
Vice President Williams acknowledged the great work of Women's Initiative for the San Francisco Community, stating that she met a graduate [of the program] who now owns a successful small business and is the first in her family to own a home.
Commissioner Marks asked about the rate of return on the loans.
Ms. Haxo-Phillips said that less than 10% of loans were in default, which is a very low figure compared to typical bank loans. The first loans are small loans which graduates usually use to purchase computers. The amount then increases as graduates progresses with their small businesses.
Commissioner Marks asked if there was outreach to the Asian Community.
Ms. Haxo-Phillips responded that there is no direct outreach for the women in the Asian community, due to capacity issues. The focus is on the Spanish-speaking community.
President Shorter thanked Ms. Haxo-Phillips and Ms. Valeria for their presentation.
No public comment.
VII. OLD BUSINESS
A. Labor Conditions of Exotic Dancers
Commissioner Evans provided an update on the legislation. There were two points for further consideration: criminal penalties and public hearing for permits.
Commissioner Keehn asked about [which City agency] could be responsible for enforcement.
Commissioner Evans said that permit enforcement was still being discussed.
President Shorter raised a concern that it has been 3 months and the Commission has not yet seen updated legislation.
Executive Director Murase said participation and input by stakeholder agencies had caused a delay, but assured the Commission that the legislation was close to completion.
President Shorter asked that an updated draft be provided at the December Commission meeting.
Public comment.
Maxine Duggan said that one constituency group which is under-represented in this legislation process is current exotic dancers due to the fear of retaliation from club owners. Ms. Duggan emphasized that the exotic dancers need protection so they can come forward.
VIII. REPORTS
A. Justice & Courage .
Commissioner Keehn reported on the meeting with District Attorney Kamala Harris. The District Attorney recently introduced the "Teddy Bear Room," a playroom for the children of domestic violence victims. Commissioner Keehn said the District Attorney's Office was successful in convicting the batterer who set his girlfriend on fire. After a successful meeting with the Mayor's Office, Commissioner Keehn reported that Justice & Courage would receive $60,000 to fund the Safety and Accountability Audit, and that the Mayor committed to continuing the funding of the Justice & Courage Policy Analyst with City monies after the federal monies concluded in September 2006. In addition, the Commission will be working with the Police Department on the proposed move of the Domestic Violence Response Unit (DVRU) to the Homicide Unit.
Public Comment.
Beverly Upton, Domestic Violence Consortium, stated her concerns regarding the move. She said that if the DVRU is moved to the 4th floor, some batterers may have access to victims and their kids because that floor also houses the robbery detail. She expressed concern about the limited space available at the current Homicide Unit, as a lack of space could be a basis for further reducing DVRU staffing levels. Ms. Upton explained that, although the optimal staffing level was 20 inspectors, she received a report indicating that there were only 11 inspectors currently assigned to the unit, and that actual number of on-duty inspectors may be a low as 8. She urged the Commission to continue advocating on behalf of domestic violence victims on this issue.
B. VAW Grants
Commissioner Munter reviewed performance data from the VAW Grants Program for Fiscal Year 2004-2005. She recommended that Department initiate annual site visits and that the Commission continue to invite agencies to report to the Commission directly.
Public Comment
Patricia Lee, from one of the Partner Agencies, requested that the agency be notified before the visit in order to prepare staff and clients appropriately.
President Shorter assured Ms. Lee that the visits would be planned in advance and that the agency would be notified. She suggested one site visit per grant cycle.
C. Health
Commissioner Marks raised concerns about the care of the elderly at Laguna Honda. She explained that the 700 to 800 beds at the facility are provided in an old-style open-ward configuration that may not benefit clients. She reported that she will be sitting on a new steering committee that will be addressing the health needs of the elderly, particularly the uninsured.
Commission Marks inquired about disaster preparedness among Partner Agencies. She expressed concern that Partner Agencies be equipped to address the needs of clients in the event of a natural disaster.
Commissioner Marks shared with the Commission a brochure on sexual assault that she picked up at Heathrow Airport, outside of London. The government brochure advised passengers on ways to prevent victimization and resources available in the event of sexual assault.
President Shorter thanked Commission Marks for her comprehensive report.
IX. PUBLIC COMMENT
John Kelly, concerned citizen, expressed his concerns about the backlog at the DNA crime lab. He requested that the Commission investigate the reasons for the backlog.
The second concern that John Kelly brought up was the substandard living standards for women at homeless shelters. He highlighted the Mayor's promise to move 300 women from shelters to permanent housing. He presented to the Commission his letters of concern and asked the Commission to bring this up to the Mayor.
President Shorter assured Mr. Kelly that she would look into the matter and requested copies of the letters documenting his concerns.
X. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 4:38 PM.
American Sign Language interpreters and a Sound Amplification System provided upon request with 48-hour advance notice to 415- 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.
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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.
Know Your Rights under the Sunshine Ordinance
(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 the 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. 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.
