2.

(DISCUSSION/ACTION)  Approval of Minutes of October 11, 2006 meeting.

Upon motion and second the minutes were approved as written.

(public comment)

There were none.

3.

Public Comment on any matter within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Facilities Committee of the Juvenile Probation Commission.
Vicki Rega, Turning Heads, commented that the time given to the carpentry program is very limited during the weekdays and they would like to extend it a weekend day a month so that the youth could get involved in building projects at LCRS. She asked if the Dept could help in this regards (estimated $250/month for 9 mos, plus materials).

Comm Queen asked if materials could be gotten through donations.  V. Rega said that there have been donations from a local mill in the past.  They could be approached again.  Comm Queen asked if she could explore that again.  She said she could.  The former woodshop teacher, John Fullmer, made the former contact.  They could try and contact him about this.

The Chief said they are working with DPW and an apprentice-training program, with a special eye to rebuilding the decks around the admin building.  They are looking into a source for stipends for the youth who get involved in this.  Allison Magee will pursue this.

Comm Rojas asked to be kept on top of this. 

4.

(DISCUSSION) Examination of the status of the Juvenile Hall replacement project, outstanding issues, progress on phase II. 

The Chief said that Joanne Chow Winship prepared a report (passed out at the meeting, attached) but was not able to attend the meeting. They are ahead of schedule.  There are warranty problems being addressed.

(public comment)        

There were none.

5.

(DISCUSSION/ACTION) Proposal for a policy/procedure for the naming of spaces in and about the new juvenile hall facility.

Comm Queen reviewed that this is an outstanding discussion and asked the Chief if he had any recent thoughts on it.  He said he would go along with whatever the Commission and Dept recommends. His recollection is that the community room was being considered for the space where such recognition would be placed. Comm Queen recounted that the discussion was that, and the possibility of using the walkway leading up to the facility.  He recommended that a specific space be named in Cheyenne Bell’s memory and one for Liz Aragon, and a wall for the placing of names of future honorees.

The Chief expressed his thought that the walkway out in front of the facility more reflected Cheyenne Bell’s role of connecting youth inside to the outside. And maybe a small area in the community room be for Liz Aragon.

Comm Rojas wanted to have a set of criteria for consideration of future ‘nominees’ so that there is a standard followed, and asked Comm Queen if he’d work on this.  The Chief said possibly having a room set aside to be used as the place to put such recognition.

The Chief asked if this process of naming recognition couldn’t be combined with the other commendation brought up by Comm Beijen.  Possibly.

Comm Queen’s inclination was to name the large community room for Cheyenne, and to leave the pathway for future candidates.

In his discussion with the counselors it seemed they would agree to have the community room be named for Cheyenne and another space for Liz Aragon.

Comm Rojas said she thought we needed the criteria set up first, and then decide on space.

The Chief said that a conference room in the administration part of the facility might work as a space for Liz Aragon.

Comm Queen said he’d take responsibility to talk to the counselors, with the Chief, and possibly talk to Dirk in this regards.  Comm Rojas said possibly to bring back to the next full Commission suggestions/recommendations for specific rooms/spaces to be used.  The secretary was instructed to put it on the next agenda and Comm Queen will work out the details with the Chief.

(public comment)

Liz Jackson-Simpson felt naming the community room after Cheyenne would be appropriate. She felt the criteria should also encompass the types of use of that space, so that only activities consistent with those purposes are allowed.

She also mentioned that the staff had the idea of creating a wall of fame for including the names of other outstanding individuals.  She offered to participate in any task that would lead to this achievement.

6.

(DISCUSSION) Status of plans for LCRS (new construction/rehab) and current repair projects.  Report on the condition of the pool table.

T. Powell, Dir LCRS passed out a short written report of the activities at LCRS (attached).  In reference to the amounts listed on that report, the Chief said that a large amount goes to DPW for ‘oversight.’  Additionally, if plans are for major rehabilitation, then many ADA restrictions will be invoked, resulting in even more expense.

The ‘good’ point in this is that most of it is already budgeted expense. The additional costs will be part of the supplemental “asks”.

Comm Queen asked if any of this “management” costs can be waived. The Chief said no.  Is it less expensive if outside contractors are used.  No. even if DPW didn’t do the work, they’d still get that percentage.

Comm Queen: wasn’t the original idea to have the youth involved in the projects?  The Chief: yes, they are going to make it a requirement of the work plans.  Question:  timeline?  N. Cole: no timeline has been developed yet.  Written plans are still being compiled.  The “rub” is the amount of money.  When it reaches a certain threshold, you have to go out to informal or formal bidding. Under that work can be done with the bureau of building repairs. T. Powell said that there are timelines for the two projects (dorm/gym). They anticipate starting the dorm in July, but plans for housing the youth are still being firmed up. Comm Rojas thanked T. Powell for the call and update on the pool table.

Comm Queen asked if there were any outcomes from the “blue ribbon committee” for LCRS.  The Chief said he hasn’t heard and isn’t waiting. He’s going forward with what he has currently.  There is no information about Hidden Valley Ranch. He’s in discussions with Alameda County for getting support from some other bay area jurisdictions.  Maybe they could create a LCRS that included kids who would otherwise go to CYA along with the current youth served. Comm Queen asked if they were talking about creating a “Missouri model” for LCRS.  The Chief agreed.

Comm Queen asked if LCRS has any relationships with any of the local nurseries such that they might provide pro bono help.  T. Powell clarified that what they are looking into is being the provider of greenery for the city’s projects. The Chief said what needed to be done is a topical survey of the site to see what enhancements/improvements need to be made in order to operate this program. They need to do a business plan that the Parks Trust Foundation can shop around for financial support.

Comm Rojas asked what the process is for accepting donations from people.

M. Lui said you have to do an accept and expend resolution at the Bd of Supervisors.  Quest: what about for instance the $2500 needed for the carpenter?  M. Lui didn’t know the lower limit but said it generally goes through the Bd. of Supervisors. Comm Queen asked the Chief to find out what the process would be.

Comm Queen asked what the operation in Hayward was that they mentioned.  T. Powell said it was an approved educational vocational institution, specifically for carpentry. N. Cole said that each trade union in the city has its own apprenticeship program.  Comm Queen asked why they weren’t involved, and we went to Hayward.  Ans. This is a referral from DPW, one they use.  Ques: what has our contact been with the unions?  Ans. Via Mohammed Nehru’s rep.

(public comment)
Liz Jackson-Simpson: she commended the activities to improve LCRS, along with the long-term planning for how the entire space (LCRS/HVR) would be used.  She encouraged more attention be paid to real vocational preparation programs (as pointed out by the JJC report).  She said that there should also be stipends given to youth who participate in any “labor” project at LCRS and that those vendors are connecting that training to outside employment opportunities, and select vendors based on that criteria.

She mentioned YCD previously having a hazmat training program. Possibly this could be done at LCRS.

Other city depts like Rec and Park need to be involved in the “build out” of LCRS.

The Chief said that SF Parks Trust Foundation is meeting and attempting to get a mechanism where LCRS youth can go to City build.  They are also working out academic credit for it.

V. Rega was concerned that if the ‘horticulture’ program was going to be viewed as vocational, what is the outlook for horticulture workers in SF.  The Chief said that in Rec and Park there are many vacancies for gardeners.  T. Powell said that there are assurances that help would be given to the youth afterward.  Comm Queen wanted something more formal, like a memorandum of understanding of activities, and outcomes.

V. Rega reported that of 2 youth who finished the carpentry classes at LCRS, one is going on to city college and the other is going to enroll in AND.

7.

(DISCUSSION) Status of YGC facilities and processes for continued oversight and maintenance.

N. Cole passed out a written report of the status (attached). He commented that we are always short of funds.  We are now at about 2-3% remaining of current fiscal year’s budgeted funds.  Once the new JH is online fully then they will no longer maintain the old buildings.

Comm Queen asked the Chief what is being done to address the lack of funds.

The Chief said that they have put additional requests to the Mayor/Bd of Supervisors for facilities maintenance costs.

(public comment)

There were none.

8.

(ACTION) Adjournment

The Chief proposed to the Committee the use of the old intake/admissions modular office as the site for CARC, in line with the suggestion of the Civil Grand Jury to bring CARC closer to the hall.

It was decided that a tour would be made of the site on April 5, 10am.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:56pm.