Budget and Policy Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002
Approved: (6-04-03)
City and County of San Francisco
ELECTIONS COMMISSION
BUDGET AND POLICY COMMITTEE
Minutes of the Meeting Held
Tuesday, May 27, 2003
1. Call to Order and Roll Call. Commissioner Brenda Stowers, Chair, called the meeting to order at 5:35 pm. Commissioner Michael Mendelson, Commissioner Robert Kenealey and Counselor Claire Sylvia were present.
2. Flag Salute was led by Commissioner Robert Kenealey.
3. Discussion and possible action to adopt and recommend a policy regarding general policies on fiscal accountability and responsibility to the full Commission. Commissioner Mendelson MOVED that the Committee accept the policy as presented in the materials before the Committee. Commissioner Kenealey asked what was the reason for the policy. Commissioner Mendelson replied that it would be the Commission’s publicly stated policy so that the public would be aware of the ground rules that the Department applies in fiscal matters. Commissioner Kenealey replied that the policy was no more than what is required by the budget and fiscal provisions of the Charter. Commissioner Stowers asked Claire Sylvia if there was anything in the policy that was not specifically covered by the Charter. Ms. Sylvia responded that purchasing rules and regulations were not in the City’s Charter. Counselor Sylvia further explained that the policy would ask the Department to do more than what the Charter requires, for example, at the time an appropriation is requested, the policy requires that the total program cost be divulged. Commissioner Mendelson expressed concern that the budget problems experienced under the former director, when moneys were spent without the Commission be made aware of the full expenses, should never happen under future Directors. Vote: two – yes, one – no. MOTION CARRIED.
4. (a) Discussion and possible action to review and recommend to the full Commission an annual report template. Commissioner Stowers MOVED that the Committee review and recommend a template for the annual report to the Commission and said that Article XI of the Commission’s Bylaws, under section one, covers the content of the annual report. Commissioner Mendelson called the Committee’s attention to item #5 on the agenda, which recommends an amendment to the Bylaws regarding the annual report. Commissioner Stowers withdrew her motion and Commissioner Kenealey MOVED that the Committee recommend to the Commission an amendment to Article XI of the Bylaws deleting the reference to “annals” and substituting “annual report”, such report to be prepared by the President with the approval of the Commission. MOTION CARRIED unanimously.
(b) Discussion and possible action to recommend approval of the proposed Commission Annual Report dated 24 January 02 – 19 March 03 submitted by Michael Mendelson, President and edited by Alix Rosenthal, Vice President.
Commissioner Stowers MOVED to report to the Commission that the Committee will keep the Annual Report in Committee until further action. MOTION CARRIED unanimously.
(c) Discussion and possible action to recommend approval of the proposed “Addendum President’s Annual Report”; First Three Months, Addendum #1, or Addendum #2 submitted by Thomas Schulz, Past President. Commissioner Mendelson MOVED not to approve the addenda submitted by Commissioner Schulz. Further, Commissioner Mendelson stated that much of what appears in the addenda occurred before the Commission came into being. Commissioner Kenealey said that the addenda express the philosophy of a member of the Commission, which is inappropriate for an annual report, however the statements relating to the redistricting task force should be included in the final annual report. Commissioner Kenealey MOVED that the Committee not approve the addenda submitted by Commissioner Schulz, addendum 1 and 2, to the Annual Report for the Elections Commission. MOTION CARRIED unanimously to not approve the proposed addenda.
ADJOURNMENT at 6:30 pm
Disability Access
The Elections Commission meeting will be held in Room 082, City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA. The Commission meeting room is wheelchair accessible. The closest accessible BART station is the Civic Center Station at United Nations Plaza and Market Street. Accessible MUNI lines serving this location are: #42 Downtown Loop, and #71 Haight/Noriega and the F Line to Market and Van Ness and the Metro Stations at Van Ness and Market and at Civic Center. For information about MUNI accessible services call (415) 923-6142. There is accessible curbside parking adjacent to City Hall on Grove Street and Van Ness Avenue and in the vicinity of the Veterans Building at 401 Van Ness Avenue adjacent to Davies Hall and the War Memorial Complex.
The following services are available on request 48 hours prior to the meeting; except for Monday meetings, for which the deadline shall be 4:00 p.m. of the last business day of the preceding week: For American sign language interpreters or the use of a reader during a meeting, a sound enhancement system, and/or alternative formats of the agenda and minutes, please contact The Elections Office at (415) 554- 4375 or our TDD at (415) 554-4386 to make arrangements for the accommodation. Late requests will be honored, if possible.
In order to assist the City's efforts to accommodate persons with severe allergies, environmental illnesses, 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 accommodate these individuals. Individuals with chemical sensitivity or related disabilities should call our accessibility hotline at (415) 554-6060.
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 decisions 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, Donna Hall, Clerk, City Hall, Room 409, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102-4683 at Phone No.: (415) 554-7724; Fax No.: (415) 554-7854; E-mail: [email protected] Copies of the Sunshine Ordinance can be obtained from the Clerk of the Sunshine Task Force, the San Francisco Public Library and on the City's website at www.ci.sf.ca.us.
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.
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 Ethics Commission at 30 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 3900, San Francisco, CA 94102; telephone (415) 581-2300, fax (415) 581-2317; web site at http://www.sfethics.org/.