2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
ANDREA SHORTER
President
KAY GULBENGAY
Vice President
DORKA KEEHN
Commissioner
CAROLENE MARKS
Commissioner
KATHERINE MUNTER
Commissioner
BARBARA SKLAR
Commissioner
JULIE SOO
Commissioner
EMILY MURASE, PhD
Executive Director
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COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
5:00 PM
City Hall, Room 408
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
Roster:
President Andrea Shorter Vice President Kay Gulbengay
Commissioner Katherine Munter Commissioner Barbara Sklar
Commissioner Dorka Keehn Commissioner Julie Soo
Commissioner Carolene Marks
Total Estimated Meeting Time: 1 hr 56 minutes
I. CALL TO ORDER/ AGENDA CHANGES
President Shorter called the meeting to order at 5:05 pm. She welcomed new Commissioner Julie Soo. Commissioner Soo expressed her appreciation to the Mayor for his appointing her to the Commission. She explained that she is a 4th generation San Franciscan, and that her father was a public servant for the City as well. She stated that she is looking forward to fulfilling her new duties as a Commissioner.
Action: Approved agenda.
m/s/c (Keehn/Gulbengay/Unanimous)
No public comment.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action: Approved draft minutes from March 25, 2009.
m/s/c (Sklar/Munter/Unanimous)
III. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
A. Executive Director's Report Executive Director Murase
Dr. Murase referred Commissioners to her written report. She echoed President Shorter's welcome to Commissioner Julie Soo. She also pointed out that, for the first time, a Commissioner from this Commission has been called to the Rules Committee for review. Commissioner Gulbengay explained that following the Mayor's appointment of Commissioners, members of the Board have 30 days in which to request a review of the appointment. In this case, Supervisor Daly has requested that the Mayor's most recent appointments, including Ms. Soo, come before the Rules Committee in early May. Commissioner Gulbengay explained that the recommendation of the Rules Committee is then forwarded to the full Board for approval. President Shorter asked Dr. Murase to seek advisement from the City Attorney on this process. Dr. Murase then directed Commissioners to attachments following
Public Comment
Rev. Israel Alvaran, a representative from UNITE HERE Local 2, distributed information folders regarding a boycott of the Hyatt Fisherman's Wharf and the HEI Le Meridien Hotel, that are not unionized. He asked that two Local 2 members address the Commission.
Elsa Bukner stated that she has been a member of Local 2 for 18 years. She works for the Palace Hotel and is a member of the Local 2 Action Committee. She reported that nearly 90% of Class A hotels are unionized, affording union members affordable wages, decent wages, child and elder care benefits for hotel workers, and domestic partner coverage.
Anna Flores stated that she has worked for HEI (Le Meridien Hotel) for 20 years. She cleans 13 or 14 rooms per day. She and her co-workers would like to unionize to ensure access to affordable healthcare and other benefits. She requested that the Commission issue a letter in support of Local 2.
Rev. Alvaran reported that the Immigrant Rights Commission in on record for supporting the boycott and requested that the boycott be added to the Commission's agenda next month.
Beckie Masaki, Asian Women's Shelter, requested that there be better coordination with Partner Agencies in seeking federal grants as some are available to any entity, be it government or non-profit, while other grants require a partnership with a government entity. She further asked for support from the Department to ensure that Emergency Shelter Grant funding consider the needs of domestic violence victims.
K/Cathy Black, La Casa De Las Madres, asked that efforts be made to ensure that the needs of domestic violence victims be included in the Emergency Shelter Grant funding. Regarding the new San Francisco ordinance that provides additional renter protection to domestic violence victims, Ms. Black credited Katherine Berg, Emberly Cross, graduate student Sheila Hunter, and Michael Trancoso, for their dedicated efforts early in the process.
Commissioner Keehn asked about the nature of ESG funding discussions. Ms. Black stated that the funding is being handled by the Human Services Agency and she provided additional details.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA DISCUSSION/ACTION 5 min.
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. Resolution Recognizing the 20th Anniversary of the Professional Business Women of California
B. Resolution Recognizing the Engage Her Conference
Action: To approve the Consent Agenda.
m/s/c (Shorter/Gulbengay/Unanimous)
V. REPORTS DISCUSSION/ACTION
A. Health Commissioner Marks 3 min.
On behalf of Commissioner Marks, Dr. Murase reported that the Healthy San Francisco Advisory Committee will be meeting this week. There are roughly 35,000 (CHECK WEBSITE FOR ACTUAL NUMBER) newly insured individuals, of which women comprise 48%.
B. Justice & Courage Commissioner Keehn 3 min.
Commissioner Keehn reported on a very good meeting with Judge Mary Morgan who presides over the Domestic Violence Court. But she expressed concern over the continued delay in the completion of the JUSTIS project which is to connect the databases of criminal justice agencies. Finally, Commissioner Keehn reported that the Justice & Courage Goverrnance Committee has recommended Dion Roberts, Program Manager for Permanent Supportive Housing of the Human Service Agency, to serve on the Justice & Courage Oversight Panel. The Panel approved the recommendation unanimously. Commissioner Keehn asked that the Commission adopt the recommendation of the Panel.
Ms. Roberts introduced herself. She highlighted a new program at HSA which allows the agency to directly refer families to specific housing units. She expressed her enthusiasm for the appointment.
Public Comment
Beverly Upton, member of the Justice & Courage Governance Committee, spoke in favor of Ms. Robert's appointment.
C/Kathy (PLEASE CONFIRM SPELLING) Black, La Casa de las Madres, stated that Ms. Roberts was instrumental in making Mary Elizabeth Inn into a model permanent supportive housing facility with 93 rooms available to women.
Action: To approve Dion Roberts as a Justice and Courage Oversight Panel member.
m/s/c (Gulbengay/Sklar/Unanimous)
C. Women's Human Rights Treaty
Vice President Gulbengay asked Policy Analyst Anu Menon to give a report. Ms. Menon invited Commissioners to attend the next Gender Quality Principles Initiative Roundtable, scheduled for Friday, May 1, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm, at the IBM offices in San Francisco.
D. Violence Against Women (VAW) Prevention and Intervention Grants Program
Commissioner Munter reported that Partner Agencies were in the process of re-applying for grants. She recognized the work of Grant Administrator Carol Sacco. Applications are due on May 12, 2009. As of February, Partner Agencies have spent 70% or $1.4 million, in their allocations. As part of the City-wide Fiscal and Compliance Monitoring Committee, 11 Partner Agencies, roughly 1/2 of DOSW-funded agencies, have participated.
Regarding the May 12 deadline, Dr. Murase explained that the Controller's Office requires that contracts be in place before any services are rendered. Otherwise, payment on these services will be disallowed. In the past, the Controller has reprimanded the Department for failure to comply with this requirement. In order for contracts to be in place by July 1, they must be completed several weeks in advance of the new fiscal year.
E. Family Violence Council Executive Director Murase 3 min.
Dr. Murase invited Administrative Analyst Laura Marshall to provide the report. Ms. Marshall reported that the most recent meeting of the Family Violence Council was focused on best practices in intervention of family violence. Additional dialogue may continue in a subcommittee devoted to this topic. The Report on Family Violence in San Francisco is currently being vetted with the Mayor's Office. Commissioner Keehn requested information related to batterer's accountability initiatives. Dr. Murase pointed out that Tina Gilbert, Supervisor of the Domestic Violence Unit of the Adult Probation Department, will be presenting later in the agenda.
President Shorter reported that she and Dr. Murase met with newly-elected Supervisor John Avalos. Discussion focused on family violence and the particular issue of batterer accountability.
Public Comment
Beverly Upton of the Domestic Violence Consortium reported that her discussions with members of the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor's Office have been very encouraging. She requested that the contract renewal process be slowed in order to support efforts to restore funding to the VAW Grants Program. She asked that the Department meet with Partner Agencies to adjust the renewal timeline.
Beckie Masaki of the Asian Women's Shelter supported Ms. Upton's request and added that she would be willing to accept payment delays in order to accommodate a later contract renewal date.
President Shorter asked Dr. Murase how flexible the contracting schedule is. She responded that she would have a discussion with staff regarding the possibility of adjusting the deadlines in light of the new information.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Adult Probation Department Update on CEDAW
Patrick Boyd, Chief, and Tina Gilbert, Division Director, of the Adult Probation Department provided an update on the implementation of the year 2000 gender analysis of that department. He directed the Commission to his cover letter and update report. Ms. Gilbert reviewed information related to female probationers.
LIST A FEW KEY INDICATORS HERE
Ø Two new gender-specific caseloads: 18 - 24 year old women probationers and General Supervision women probationers.
Ø On April
Commissioner Soo requested data on how many probationers are mothers and whether other family members become caregivers to their children or if children enter the foster care system. Ms. Gilbert responded that the data is not readily available.
B. Economic Opportunities for Women by City Agencies
1. Human Rights Commission
Melinda Kanios, Certification Manager for the Local Business Enterprise Program of the Human Rights Commission, provided handouts to the Commission with statistics on the number of minority-owned (471), women-owned (298), and other business enterprises (279), and an ethnic breakdown of the minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises. In response to the question of how many of the women-owned businesses participate in City contracts, Ms. Kanios explained that the Human Rights Commission is updating its database and is scheduled to present the information to the Board of Supervisors. Ms. Kanios would be happy to return to the Commission to provide the most recent information. Regarding outreach, Ms. Kanios explained that the Human Rights Commission convenes monthly workshops on how to become certified, and partners with business groups to give presentations.
Commissioner Soo asked if an enterprise can qualify as both a woman-owned or minority-owned enterprise. Ms. Kanios stated that, since 2006, enterprises must choose one. This policy was established based on a series of community meetings where the ability to be listed under 2 categories was deemed unfair and that opportunities would be maximized if enterprises selected one category. Commissioner Soo asked if there is any data to suggest that there is an advantage to certify under one category over another. Ms. Kanios responded that this data is not readily available.
2. Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce and Economic Development
Amy Wallace, Deputy Director, and Betsy Baum, Performance and Accountability Manager, presented data on the extent to which women participate in their programs. The 2 main workforce programs are CityBuild, a 12-week pre-apprentice construction workforce program, and the Workforce Investment Act Program for at-risk youth and young adults. Ms. Baum presented statistics that demonstrated that these programs include more women than national averages. The office is also responsible for the one-stop employment centers that have been expanded from 3 to 6 locations. Regarding outreach, MOEWD has written into their contracts a goal of 25% inclusion of women. Ms. Wallace discussed partnerships with the Human Service Agency through its Calworks programs and the Housing Authority through HopeSF to include more women.
Ms. Wallace stated that MOEWD will receive $6 million in fiscal stimulus dollars to create linkages between the unemployed and those fields where jobs will be available. Themes for the use of the dollars include sector strategies, green jobs, regional strategies, and collaborations, especially with educational institutions. In partnership with other city departments, MOEWD will be issuing RFPs in the coming weeks that will be focused on the broad themes. For example, the office will be seeking ways to build capacity at the one-stop shops. She reviewed additional measures to expand women's participation.
Commissioner Munter asked how the amount San Francisco will receive compares to other jurisdictions. Ms. Wallace responded that these stimulus dollars are determined by a formula based on employment level, income levels, and population size. Due to the fact that San Francisco tends to have higher employment and income levels, and a smaller population than other jurisdictions, the city generally receives grants that are relatively small. Notwithstanding, the $6 million fiscal stimulus allocation doubles the current allocation of federal dollars to these programs.
Dr. Murase asked whether participation data was available by gender and ethnicity. Ms. Baum stated that the data is available and that she would be happy to provide it.
3. SF Works
Executive Director Carrie Portis explained that SF Works is a non-profit housed in the Chamber of Commerce that promotes employment among low-income populations. Partnering with the Treasurer's Office, the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families, SF Works helps to publicize city services and tax credits. The agency partners with local employers and reaches out to hospitality workers, in-home care workers, and childcare workers. A new pre-qualification program targets women on public assistance, youth, and ex-offenders to access tax credits and other public benefits.
President Shorter asked how a person holding down multiple jobs would access the services of SF Works. Ms. Portis explained that her staff goes out to job sites during normal business hours to conduct outreach.
Commissioner Keehn asked how employers can access information about tax credits. Ms. Portis directed her to her agency website, www.sfworks.org
Commissioner Soo asked about the degree to which services are publicized in different languages. Ms. Portis explained that brochures and other materials are available in English, Spanish, and Cantonese.
4. Department of Public Works
Director Ed Reiskin of the Department of Public Works walked Commissioners through the presentation.
CalTrans: race neutral policy has changed to a race conscious policy as of June 2, 2009. Underutilized disadvantaged businesses. Specific goals will be set out for fiscal stimulus projects.
KEY POINTS
Commissioner Keehn asked about whether the low-bid process has been reviewed for possible change. Director Reiskin stated that while many this is a matter of state law that is not readily changed. He added that there are some strategies for seeking better value "design build" "integrated project delivery"
3. Municipal Transportation Authority
Virginia Harmon, Manager of the Equal Opportunity Office, Contracts & Procurement, Contract Compliance, and Equal Opportunity. MTA consists of MUNI, Parking & Traffic, the Parking Authority, Taxi Commission. 7th largest transit agency in the country, 700,000 passengers every day.
KEY POINTS
4. Housing Authority
Barbara Smith, TITLE, of the Housing Authority presented the agency's response. She was joined by Director Henry Alvarez III, Executive Director, and Kyle Pederson
KEY POINTS
VII. OLD BUSINESS
A. Meeting Calendar
Action: To approve the proposed remaining 2009 meeting schedule.
This item was postponed to the May Commission meeting.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT
This item is to allow members of the public to comment generally on matters within the Commission’s purview as well as to suggest new agenda items for Commission’s future consideration.
Commissioner Linda Richardson stated that she was wearing several hats. As a Commissioner on the Human Rights Commission, she serves as the co-chair of the Local Business Enterprise Ordinance. She is very excited about the possibility of strengthening the partnership with the Commission on the Status of Women. She recognized the work of Dr. Murase who is conducting outreach to various women's groups to participate in the work of the Commission and the Department. She asked to be placed on a future agenda about issues related to the Southeast neighborhooods. The Human Rights Commission is undergoing a strategic planning process. Commissioner Richardson extended an invitation to the Commission and Department to engage in this process.
Dora (ADD LAST NAME) stated that she represents CLAER (PROVIDE FULL NAME) that addresses issues in the Visitacion Valley and Sunnydale neighborhoods. She explained that there are 6,000 women in the Sunnydale neighborhood who are without assistance for housing, social services, and violence against women. Women compose 98% of CLAER's clients. She asked that the Commission convene a meeting with the Housing Authority and the Board of Trustees to address the issue of women who are no longer eligible for CalWorks participation.
President Shorter requested that representatives from CLAER be added to the May Commission agenda.
IX. ADJOURNMENT ACTION 1 min.
City Hall is accessible to persons using wheelchairs and others with disabilities. Assistive listening devices are available and meetings are
open-captioned. Agendas are available in large print. Materials in alternative formats, American Sign Language interpreters, and other accommodations will be made available upon request. Please make your request for alternative format or other accommodations to the Department on the Status of Women at 415-252-2570. Providing at least 72 hours notice prior to the meeting will help to ensure availability.
The nearest BART station is Civic Center Plaza at the intersection of Market, Grove, and Hyde Streets. The MUNI Metro lines are the J, K, L, M, and N (Civic Center Station or Van Ness Avenue Station). MUNI bus lines serving the area are the 47 Van Ness, 9 San Bruno, and the 6, 7, 71 Haight/ Noriega. Accessible curbside parking is available on 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place (San Francisco City Hall) and Grove Street. 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 scented products. Please help the City to accommodate these individuals. For inquiries or requests for accommodations, please call 415- 554-6789 (V), 415-554-6799 (TTY).
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.
If any materials related to an item on this agenda have been distributed to the Commission after distribution of the agenda packet, those materials are available for public inspection at 25 Van Ness, Suite 130, San Francisco, CA 94102 during normal office hours.
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 25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 220, San Francisco, CA 94102 ; telephone 415-252-3100; fax 415-252-3112; website: sfgov.org/ethics.
