Meeting Information

COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN

City and County of San Francisco

MINUTES

Regular Meeting

Wednesday, December 13, 2000 at 5:00 P.M.

City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 400

San Francisco, California 94102

American Sign Language interpreters and a Sound Amplification System provided upon request with 48-hour advance notice to 415-252-2570. Limited accessible street parking available. Accessible MUNI Lines are the 15, 44, 23 and 24 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 make arrangements or for accessibility information, contact Susan Murphy at 415-252-2570 (Voice) or 415-252-2550 (TDD).

MEMBERS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT

President Juanita Miles Sonia Melara

Vice President Carolene Marks Latika Malkani

Commissioner Dorka Keehn Susan Murphy

Commissioner Emily Murase Rosario Navarrette

Commissioner Andrea Shorter Carol Sacco

1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

President Miles called to order at 5:05 p.m.

(Commissioner Murase arrived at 5:12 p.m.)

2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

m/s/c (Marks, Murase, Unanimous) To adopt the agenda for Wednesday, December 13, 2000.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

m/s/c (Marks, Keehn, Unanimous) To approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held Wednesday, November 15, 2000.

m/s/c (Marks, Keehn, Unanimous) To approve the minutes of the Annual Retreat Meeting held Saturday, October 14, 2000 with the amendment to change Valarie Tulier’s title from Commissioner to Ms.

4. PRESIDENT’S REPORT

No report.

5. STAFF REPORT

Ms. Melara pointed out that a full written report was included in the Commissioner’s packet written by Rosario Navarrette, Assistant Director.

Ms. Navarrette spoke briefly on the following:

· Initial research was done regarding what work the Department of the Environment and other community organizations were doing for the Bayview Hunter’s Point community (Position papers and findings of research done on the hazardous waste are available for copying at the office). President Miles specifically requested that she receive a map of the hazardous waste sites located through out Bayview Hunters Point.

· New Staff Person (Introduction to the Commissioners)

Winnie Xie spoke to the Commissioners regarding her background. Ms. Melara commented the Ms. Xie’s has strong contracts knowledge. The Commissioners welcomed her.

President Miles acknowledged Ms. Navarette for stepping in as Acting Executive Director during Ms. Sonia Melara’s leave. President Miles stated that they appreciated and thanked Ms. Navarrette.

6. NEW BUSINESS

President Miles asked if any Commissioner wished to serve as liaison to the Friends of the Commission. Former Commissioner Tulier was the Commission’s representative and at this point there is no representation. Commissioner Marks stated she was very interested; however, her time is limited and she would not be available till a later date. President Miles stated that she would be willing to meet with Commissioner Marks to bring her up to date and examine what the process steps would be.

Ms. Melara stated that a contributing factor in the Friends lack of activity is that there is no staff person. If one of the Commissioners were to provide the leadership in developing active membership for the board, the staff person could perform the necessary follow-up. The position is currently open for a part-timer. (e.g. student, retired person) This person would spend approximately 20 hours a week doing work related to the Friends such as the newsletter. A $1,000 a month has been allocated for the position.

President Miles requested that the President of the Friends, MaryAnn O’Shea, be asked to attend the next Commission meeting so that the status of the Friends can be discussed.

7. OLD BUSINESS

a) ADOPTION OF THREE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN (see attached)

m/s/c (Shorter, Keehn, Unanimous) To adopt the Three Year Strategic Plan with the following amendments:

· Page 3, paragraph 2, second sentence change such as; to such as:

· Page 3, paragraph 4, last sentence change Commissioners roles, responsibilities to Commissioners and Department roles, responsibilities

· Page 3, under Objectives, add the following language:

- Continue citywide work/life survey and implementation of resulting recommendations in FY 2001-2004.

- Continue Public Awareness Campaign, including media work and presentations, in FY 2001-2004.

- Develop a transition plan for the CEDAW Task Force in FY 2001-2002.

● Page 4, 2^nd bullet, change June 30, 2002 to December 31, 2002

● Page 5, 2^nd Objective, 1^st bullet - delete Also, produce a yearly report.

● Page 5, 2^nd Objective, 2^nd bullet - change Collect and analyze statistical information on discrimination complaint cases and produce a yearly report to Collect and analyze statistical information as provided by the Human Resources Department and report to the Commission.

a) In the Three Year Strategic Plan under Violence Against Women a Needs Assessment was completed December 2000.

The consultants, Sandra Soo-Jin Lee, Ph.D. (Access Social Knowledge) and Seline Szkupinski Quiroga (Culture Cures Consulting) presented the final report of the Needs Assessment for Violence Against Women (VAW) services for the city of San Francisco for adoption into the final plan. Commissioners requested the Needs Assessment to determine the needs of past, present and future clients in VAW services and to identify gaps and barriers that exist. They accomplished that goal by gathering data both qualitative and quantitative from agencies and service providers, women who had experienced violence, community members and female residents of S.F. using a variety of methods. They identified a number of priority populations (women/girls who were underserved or at increase risk of violence). The needs and barriers specific to each particular group is detailed in the full report as well as recommendations.

As a result of their research they have recommendations on two levels: 1) specific to priority populations and, 2) general recommendations. They are all discussed in the full report.

The Commissioners discussed the report and recommendations, asked questions of the consultants which they answered.

The VAW Needs Assessment was adopted as part of the Three Year Strategic Plan.

b) ADOPTION OF THE COSW MEETING SCHEDULE (see attached)

m/s/c (Murase/Keehn/Unanimous) To adopt the COSW Meeting Schedule with the following amendments:

Date Location Topic

January 24,2001 Room 408 (City Hall) Environmental Health

March 28 Neighborhood Meeting Environmental Health

Bayview

June 27 Neighborhood Meeting Language Issues

Chinatown

September 26 Neighborhood Meeting Homelessness

Tenderloin

November 28 Neighborhood Meeting Elderly

Japantown

Commissioner Marks had concerns regarding the lack of turn-out of community members at the neighborhood meetings and questioned what steps could be taken that would result in a bigger turn out. For the Bayview meeting President Miles suggested that this would be a good time for us to introduce the Commission/Department to the new Supervisor, Sophie Maxwell, since she is the Supervisor for that district. Commissioner Marks also suggested that we get a complete listing of organizations for all the other various neighborhoods where we will be expecting to meet.

Ms. Melara suggested that now since the Supervisors are representing districts that we invite them to attend when we have meetings in their particular district. She also indicated that the list we use to invite community organizations is the same data base used for the social services directory and requested Commissioners to review the directory and provide information on any missing organizations.

It was also suggested that we hold a function for the Supervisors who will be leaving office and welcome those newly elected.

c) Status of Domestic Violence Investigation

Commissioner Keehn had concerns regarding funding due to the fact that Supervisor Yaki was not re-elected into office and he was obtaining the funding for the investigation

Ms. Navarrette stated that she had sent a message to Supervisor Yaki’s office informing him that he still has the option to be involved as an individual. We asked his assistant to inform us who they would be approaching to spear head the budgetary portion of the investigation. The Department will inform the Commissioners as soon as we know.

An initial meeting was held before Thanksgiving and disccused who might be on the review panel and our approach to the investigation. Ideas were discussed as to how to approach the various Departments to ensure full disclosure in order to identify and improve the City’s response to domestic violence. One way is to have the City Attorney’s Office Investigators do the investigation with the City Departments to allow us the level of confidentiality that may be needed to ensure full cooperation and drive the process. This would be through an inter-department work order. The City Attorney’s Office Investigators would be working with the Department’s staff.

To clarity, this is a City investigation. There are two levels of the investigation: 1) City Attorney’s Office Investigator do the preliminary investigation with the City Departments; and 2) Public hearing providing community and individuals a forum for voicing their opinions and make recommendations.

We have been informed that some community organizations and the Tempongko family may be conducting their own independent investigation as well.

8. PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments.

9. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY COMMISSIONERS

Commissioner Murase indicated that as requested before she would prefer the Commissioners not have a copy of anything in their meeting packet that was mailed to them previously (duplication).

She also requested that the Commissioners receive an updated staff/commissioner roster list.

10. ADJOURNMENT

President Miles called for the meeting to adjourn at 6:19 p.m.

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 415-554-4851. To obtain a free copy of the Sunshine Ordinance contact the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, Rachel Arnstine O’Hara, Clerk, City Hall, Room 362, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102-4683, phone: 415-554-6171, fax: 415-554-6177, email: rachel_arnstineo’hara@ci.sf.ca.us. 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. To review or obtain documents referred to on agenda, contact Susan Murphy at 25 Van Ness Ave, Room 130, San Francisco, CA 94102; phone: 415-252-2570, fax: 415-252-2575.

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 Admin Code 16.520 - 16.534) to register and report lobbying activity. For more information about the Lobbyist Ordinance, please contact the Ethics Commission at 1390 Market Street #701, San Francisco, CA 94102, telephone 415-554-9510, fax 415-703-0121 and web site http://sfgov.org/ethics.