June 28, 2011 Southeast Community Facility Commission Joint Meeting with Public Utilities Commission
ADOPTED MINUTES
SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY FACILITY COMMISSION
JOINT MEETING
Tuesday, June 28, 2011, 5:30 PM
1.0 CALL TO ORDER
Commission President Willie B. Kennedy called the Tuesday, June 28, 2011 joint meeting to order at 5:35 pm in the Alex Pitcher Community Room at
1.1 ROLL CAL
5:37 pm roll was called by Carla Vaughn, Commission Secretary.
Commissioners Present: Willie B. Kennedy/ Bobbrie Brown/ Karen Chung/ Theo Ellington/ Brigette LeBlanc/ Al Norman
Commissioner Excused: Armina Brown
Staff Present: Toye Moses, Executive Director/ John Roddy, Deputy City Attorney/ Francis Starr, Senior Management Assistant/ Carla Vaughn, Commission Secretary/ Marilyn Ramos, Secretary
1.2 ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
discussion of the
2.0 PUBLIC COMMENT
3.0 announcements
President Kennedy announced the Southeast Community Facility Commission’s 4th annual Health Fair is scheduled for Saturday, September 24th, 2011 from 10 am to 2 pm in the Alex Pitcher Community Room here at
4.0 ADJOURNMENT
President Kennedy adjourned the regular Southeast Community Facility Commission meeting at 5:40 pm and the joint meeting with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission began.
Mike Housh, Commission Secretary announced the full Commission of the Public Utilities Commission was present.
13. OPENING REMARKS FOR THE JOINT MEETING (SFPUC President Francesca Vietor & SECFC President Willie B. Kennedy)
Francesca Vietor, President of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) introduced Alice Guidry, niece of Alex Pitcher, and owner of Spice It Up Catering. President Vietor thanked Ms. Guidry for providing the meal service. President Vietor thanked the Southeast community for welcoming the SFPUC to the Southeast facility and said they look forward to the joint meeting, open dialogue and conversation, as well as hearing the concerns and issues the community is facing. Also, the SFPUC looks forward to sharing thoughts, ideas, and plans the SFPUC has moving forward with the Sewer System Improvement Program.(SSIP) SFPUC President Vietor said she was honored to co-chair the meeting with Southeast Community Facilities Commission (SECFC) President Willie Kennedy. President Vietor announced she would have to leave early, apologized and stated she would hand the meeting over to Vice-President Moran.
Willie Kennedy, President of the SECFC thanked SFPUC President Vietor and welcomed the SFPUC Commissioners. President Kennedy read the SECFC mission statement which is as follows: “The Southeast Community Facility Commission is located at
SFPUC President Vietor said there would be a presentation and discussion around some of the historical background and community engagement process and programming ideas regarding this facility from the PUC’s perspective and there will be an opportunity for public comment at that time as well.
SECFC President Kennedy announced there were strawberry plants and nectarines available for those present.
14. public comment
Alma Robinson, Executive Director, California Lawyers for the Arts, Bayview resident, applauded the commitment of the SFPUC to community art through the previously discussed allocation. Ms. Robinson mentioned two initiatives that might inform the planning process around the city-wide initiative for the arts, as well as particularly the Southeast sector.
1) An initiative for arts and the environment to get artists involved in supporting public awareness initiatives through their artwork, music and dance. Working with communities in community centers and in schools to help generate broad support for conservation, recycling, and attention to our global stewardship. This is a movement that has involved artist and environmental people around the state. Ms. Robinson said it would be great to see the SFPUC, which is so concerned with infrastructure and the environment, take on that aspect of art education.
2) Arts programs have helped reduce recidivism, which is the rate by which people who are incarcerated come out on probation and then return to jail. 70% of Californians go back to jail within 3 years.
Espanola Jackson, community activist, provided copies of an historical narrative of the Bayview community. Ms. Jackson requested the Commission adhere to the desires of the community. Ms. Jackson stated she was tired of hearing the SECFC is just an advisory. She noted the SECFC was set up by charter and had a city attorney just like the SFPUC. Ms. Jackson said the building did not belong to the SFPUC, it belongs to the community. In closing, Ms. Jackson said she knew the SFPUC would do an excellent job working with the SECFC and the community.
Greg Doxey, Osiris Coalition made the following comments regarding the 9910 and 9920 programs. “We understand about the programs you have in place, the 9910 and 9920. A lot of the people that might have been here earlier were not aware but there are also As Needed Lists. By state law you have to have the Wastewater Certificate, or OIT Certificate. There are loopholes where on the As Needed List, the AP licensing, which is an airplane and a power plant license that you get from an airport, you have made allowances for them to come in with that and it has no relation. What we are saying by sharing this information is #1) We don’t have any problems with those, we just want to be included. We want that robust job opportunities with some creativity loopholes for ourselves in this community as well as you made it for other organizations, or other ethnicities. #2) There are individuals that have already been working for the PUC or Wastewater program for 30 plus years. There actually have been some legal filings, I won’t comment on that, but this is how serious this is getting.
From the Osiris point of view, when we look at it, why would our people benefit from a 9910 program if there are people already there for 30 years that are not moving up. We don’t want our people coming in through the 9910 program and being stagnate for 30 years. What is the relevance of that? It affects your retirement. If you come in and your stagnate and you come out with an entry level journeyman of $4,500 a month versus someone who goes and gets the clear opportunity to move up that can come out with $10,000 a month your retirement package is a lot greater, you’re a lot happier in retirement days. Thank you very much.
Dr. Harrison Parker, retired dentist, Bayview community asked what the relationship was between the SFPUC and the SECFC, and what procedure the Commission needed to go through in order to make changes.
Mr. Ed Harrington, SFPUC General Manager, provided the following brief explanation. The SFPUC is set up under the Charter which says the SFPUC buildings and facilities are under the jurisdiction of the PUC. The SECFC is set up under the Admin Code, set up by the Board of Supervisors, not by the Charter, and not by the people of
President Vietor said it was helpful to have some clarity and understanding on the relationship and maybe there could be some discussion after the presentation on a way to better coordinate together and whether it’s making sure there is a regular presentation at the PUC meetings form the SECFC so that the advice and input received from the community gets back to the PUC, or even schedule regular joint meetings every year to provide better collaboration because that advisory role is important and critical for the PUC to be able to hear the issues the community is concerned about and to be able to take action and do things about it.
Ed Harrington, General Manager, SFPUC, said the PUC was there because of the historic relationship that has been discussed and many would say the PUC has not been as involved in a positive way as they would have liked to have been involved in this facility. There have been years when it seems to have had very little input from the PUC and very little involvement with the PUC. One reason we are here to night is that we really do want to change that. We want to go ahead and use the funds available to use, work with the community and really change how this building can really work for the people of
15.PRESENTATION (Ellis)
Juliet Ellis, Assistant General Manager, External Affairs SFPUC. Ms. Ellis provided an overview and history of the SECF. The purpose was to share with the entire Commission and the community the work that has been done while thinking about reprogramming the facility. Ms. Ellis thanked the SECFC, community members, and Ms. Jackson in particular. Ms. Ellis said she appreciated the history that was provided by different community members. Ms. Ellis’ presentation began with the background of the SECFC. The facility was built primarily with funds from the state and federal level that were secured by the community. The SECF was built following the lead of the community, as part of that mitigation around the expansion of the plant. The SFPUC owns the facility and that means we are responsible, we are liable, and we put resources into the building. It was built in the spirit of collaboration and partnership with the community. The hope is that we don’t get stuck on the dynamic of who owns the building. We want to collaborate with the SECFC and with the community members as we think about the maintenance, upkeep, and how to make the building vibrant.
The consensus from everyone is that this building is not living up to what was promised. Whether it is with regard to the programming and it really being a place that people are utilizing, or just aesthetically with what is happening in the building.
President Kennedy invited the Commissioners to ask questions or make comments.
Commissioner Art Torres thanked Ms. Ellis for her presentation and echoed General Manager Harrington’s concerns that the PUC remain involved with the facility and the community.
Commissioner Ellington thanked Ms. Ellis for her presentation and asked that a joint group between the SFPUC and SECFC is created to provide transparent plans and during every step of the process the community needs are being met.
Ms. Ellis responded and noted it was also the responsibility of the SECFC to keep the SFPUC aware of the needs of the community.
Commissioner Ellington had questions regarding the hiring process and ensuring the services provided would include hires from the 94124.
Ms. Ellis suggested continuing asking questions in public because it was the intent of the PUC to hire local.
Commissioner LeBlanc thanked Ms. Ellis for her presentation and she also thanked Tommy Moala for taking the time to explain the 9910 program to her. She had questions regarding providing compensation to the community from the tenants rent. Also, find a way to give back to the community through educational scholarships.
General Manager Harrington responded to date there were no surplus funds because the tenants were not charged enough to warrant a surplus.
Commissioner LeBlanc expressed that there is enough talent around the table to look at ways contributions can be given to this community around scholarships. “I want to make sure that this is not overlooked and look forward to offering some ideas and working with the SFPUC to make sure this is put in place. Commissioner LeBlanc said she wanted to make sure the SFPUC and SECFC come together to support the community youth that are graduating and becoming good products of the community. Also, she wanted to make sure that businesses in the community were not overlooked. In closing, Commissioner LeBlanc said the community needed to focus not just on jobs, but on careers. The businesses (tenants) under the jurisdiction of the SECFC should give back.
President Kennedy opened the floor to the public and suggested comments not exceed the 3 minute limit.
Espanola Jackson suggested creating a citizens workforce committee to represent the SFPUC and the SECFC. She provided a list of groups she wanted to see as part of the workforce committee. In closing, Ms. Jackson stated the SECFC should be informed of whatever goes on within the facility.
Supervisor Sophie Maxwell noted the importance of the SFPUC and charged them with the responsibility to educate the youth in the community of the opportunities available.
Shaun Walton, Director, Young Community Developers, commented on the role of YCD in working with the Commission. He commended Juliet Ellis and the PUC team for the work they’ve done with members of the community.
LeShawn Walker, Interim Director, Renaissance and 20 year Bayview resident, commended the Commissioners and expressed her support for the long term vision of careers within the community.
Torrance Bynum, new appointed City College of San Francisco Southeast Campus Coordinator, introduced himself and thanked community leaders Espanola Jackson, President Kennedy and Dean Hunnicutt for their support over the years. In closing, Mr. Bynum state he looked forward to working with the community.
Marlene Walker addressed the Commission stating there is a lack of African Americans and Latinos in the Sciences. Previously there was a program at the Southeast campus. Bridge to Biotech.
Debry Carpenter, a youth from the community had comments regarding local hire. Also, he stated the community needs a gym, pool, micro technology classes, multimedia classes, creative arts classes, and local security.
Teran Tompkins commented on classes that were needed and noted we are in an age of technology and the campus needs to provide more classes in the technology field.
Mr. Jamil Patterson had comments regarding planning for the future without including the youth. He said there was a need for music labs, dance and internet technology. Also, street cleaning should not be scheduled during the time classes were held because it caused students to receive tickets and discouraged them from attending classes at the facility.
Chalita Holmes asked why the SECFC was not taking a lead on what was happening at the college as vested members of the community and why blacks hired by the contractors were only flagging and directing traffic instead of holding the higher paying jobs that included driving the heavy machinery.
Atuma Belfry commented on the need for guidance and referred to all the services.
Kevin Epps, independent film maker introduced himself and provided insight into the opportunities available in the field of media and film making.
Alma Robinson, California Lawyers for the Arts, suggested the Commission think about how some of the programs can be inclusive of job training, internships, job shadowing and all the ways young people have been exposed to careers in the arts, but that exposure prepares them for many other careers.
Al Williams, President of the San Francisco African American Historical and Cultural Society said he was delighted with Ms. Ellis’ presentation looking at the possibility of an historical display.
Claude Everhart addressed the Commission with regard to the importance of the SECF to the neighborhood. He mentioned Harold Madison, Art Agnos, & Phil Burton for their part in facilitating a lawsuit that forced compensation to the community for the blight the treatment facility placed on the neighborhood.
Jorge Bell, Vice Chancellor of City College of San Francisco said the college is 100% committed to bringing meaningful programs to the campus, along with services such as financial aid, admissions, and counseling offices. Mr. Bell said he would work with the businesses and different agencies to make sure certificate programs are created that will lead to employment or internships. He thanked Juliet and Masood.
Bill Shields, Chair of the Labor and Community Studies Department at
Alese Vincent, community member, addressed the need of the young people in the community to be encouraged to spread outside of their Bayview comfort zone. She suggested a list of services be provided to the community.
Anita Grier, thanked the Commission Presidents and Ms. Ellis and said she looked forward to working with the Commission. Ms. Grier said she was excited about the One Stop program and the Single Stop program.
Ingrid Wynn,
Dorris Vincent, community activist, announced there would be a free algebra class at
Espanola Jackson requested the community receive 10% from the PUC for the Bayview community.
President Kennedy thanked Juliet Ellis for her efforts and she thanked the PUC for their participation. In closing, she thanked the community for their attendance. Also, President Kennedy thanked San Francisco Wholesale Produce for the fruit they provided and Decorative Plants for their participation in providing the plants.
SFPUC Vice-President Moran thanked President Kennedy and the SECFC and stated he looked forward to working with the SECFC with the intention of getting it right this time.
ADJOURNMENT
President Kennedy adjourned the meeting at 8:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________
Carla Vaughn
Southeast Community Facility
Commission Secretary
