Southeast Community Facility Commission - March 12, 2014 - Meeting Minutes
APPROVED MINUTES
SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY FACILITY COMMISSION
Wednesday, March 12, 2014, 6:00 P.M.
1800 Oakdale Avenue, Alex Pitcher Community Room
San Francisco, CA 94124
- CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Karen Chung called the Wednesday, March 12, 2014 meeting to order at 6:25 p.m.
Ms. Carla Vaughn, Commission Secretary read the Mission Statement and announced the Sunshine Ordinance rule.
2.0 ROLL CALL AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF SUNSHINE AUDIO RECORDING POLICY
Ms. Carla Vaughn, Commission Secretary called roll at 6:26 p.m.
Commissioners Present: Karen Chung/ LaVaughn K. King/ Bobbrie Brown/ Janine Greer/ Eddy Zheng
Commissioners Excused: Brigette R. LeBlanc
Staff Present: Toye Moses, Executive Director/ Francis Starr, Management Assistant/ Carla Vaughn, Commission Executive Secretary II/ John Roddy, Deputy City Attorney
- CONSENT CALENDAR
Ms. Carla Vaughn, Commission Secretary read the Consent Calendar.
3.1 PROPOSED ACTION
Commissioner LaVaughn King moved to adopt the commission meeting minutes of Wednesday, February 26, 2014.
Commissioner Eddy Zheng provided the second for the motion.
The minutes of the February 26, 2014 meeting were adopted.
- PUBLIC COMMENT IS LIMITED TO 3 MINUTES
Carla Vaughn, Commission Secretary provided the public comment rules.
Dr. Espanola Jackson, community activist requested public comment be allowed to exceed the 3 minute rule.
- COMMUNICATION
Ms. Carla Vaughn, Commission Secretary announced the following communication, correspondence and announcement files:
Press Release: Mayor Lee, Supervisors & SFMTA Announce $6.8 Million Gift From Google To Fund Free Muni For Low Income Youth
Press Release: Mayor Lee Launches New Pilot Program To Help Long-Term Unemployed
Press Release: Mayor Lee Announces New Pedestrian Safety Actions & Launches Citywide Safety Awareness Campaign
Statement: Mayor Lee’s Statement On Five-Year Financial Plan Update For FY 2014-15 Through FT 2017-18
- CORRESPONDENCE
None.
- ANNOUNCEMENTS
-The next meeting of the Southeast Community Facility Commission will be Wednesday March 26, 2014.
-Please be advised that beginning in March 2014 the Southeast Community Facility Commission regular meetings will be the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.
-The Southeast Community Facility Commission 2014 Retreat will be on Saturday, March 15th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Oceanside Treatment Plant located at 3500 Great Highway.
-The 2014 Job Fair will be held on Wednesday, May 21st in the Alex Pitcher, Jr. Community Room.
-The 2014 Southeast Community Facility Commission Annual Health Fair will be held on Saturday, October 4th in the Alex Pitcher, Jr. Community Room from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- ADVISORY COMMITTEES REPORTS
Governance Ad-Hoc Committee, (Chair, Commissioner Karen Chung, Commission Member, Commissioner Brigette LeBlanc, Alternate, Commissioner LaVaughn King, Community Members, Alma Robinson, Siri Datta Khalsa, Greg Doxey)
Commissioner Karen Chung, Chair of the Governance Ad-Hoc Committee provided a summary report from the Governance Ad-Hoc Committee meeting held on Wednesday, March 5th. The committee discussed the commission history, clarity regarding the ownership of the building, the budget to benefit the community and the role of the Commission, etc. The Committee is reviewing the proposed MOU between the SECFC and the SFPUC. The next meeting with be Thursday, April 15th.
Dr. Espanola Jackson, community activist requested the meeting be held after consulting with the SFPUC and the City Attorney to determine the responsibility of the SECFC.
Health, Housing and Public Safety Advisory Committee, (Chair, Commissioner LaVaughn King, Commission Member, Commissioner Janine Greer, Alternate, Commissioner Karen Chung, Community Members, Dan Goldman, Michele Davis, Veronica Shepard, Lyslynn LaCoste, Harrison Parker, Onika Shabazz
Commissioner LaVaughn King, Chair, Health, Housing and Public Safety Advisory Committee provided a brief summary from the Health, Housing and Public Safety Advisory Committee meeting held on Monday, March 10th. The 7th Annual Health Fair will be held on Saturday, October 4th. Outreach to the community churches is ongoing and Five Keys Charter School has been invited to join in the planning process as well as other tenants in the facility. There was discussion regarding implementing a “Speaker Series.” The next meeting will be held on Monday, April 14th.
Economic Development Advisory Committee, (Chair, (Vacant), Commission Member, Commissioner Eddy Zheng, Alternate, Commissioner Karen Chung, Community Members, Dan Goldman, Tempe Priestly, Lyslynn LaCoste, ShamannWalton)
Commissioner Eddy Zheng, Chair of the Committee announced the next meeting will be held on Thursday, March 20th and he requested as much input as possible from the public regarding the planning of the upcoming Job Fair scheduled for May 21st.
Facility Advisory Committee, (Chair, Commissioner Brigette R. LeBlanc, Commission Member, (Vacant), Alternate, Commissioner Bobbrie Brown, Community Members, Steve Good, Siri Datta Khalsa, Robert Woods)
No report.
Outreach and Diversity Advisory Committee, (Chair, Commissioner Eddy Zheng, Commission Member, Commissioner LaVaughn King, Alternate, Commissioner Bobbrie Brown, Community Members, Lance Burton, Gina Fromer, Barbara Ockel, Pastor Carl Alexander)
Commissioner Eddy Zheng announced the next meeting of the Outreach & Diversity Advisory Committee would be on Thursday, March 13th. The Committee is interested in finding solutions to engage the community and encourage their participation in advancing the interests of the community along with the Commission.
8.0 PRESENTER
Chairperson Karen Chung welcomed Cathrine Sneed, Executive Director, The Garden Project.
Ms. Cathrine Sneed who has worked in the San Francisco County Jail for 35 years provided an update on the Garden Project and her experience working with thousands of prisoners over the years. Over 10,000 trees were planted all over the city. Recently there were over 189 youth in her summer program for ages 13 to 17. She appealed to the Commissioners and the community to provide help to the youth just as someone had helped them along the way. She noted the current contract would be ending at the close of the current fiscal year and she hoped the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors would support the efforts being made by the Garden Project.
The following individuals spoke in support of the Garden Project:
Anthony Travis, graduate of the Garden Project, currently works for SFPUC.
O.J. Jarvis, graduate of the Garden Project, currently a City employee.
Mr. Kinwood DeVore, Executive Director, Metropolitan Fresh Start House serving over 4000 men.
Yumik Mohammed Sheik, sophomore at San Francisco State University.
John, assistant supervisor to Cathrine Sneed.
Michael Turner, sophomore at the College of San Mateo.
Chairperson Karen Chung asked the following questions:
Where is the Garden Project located?
What is the budget?
How old is the program?
Ms. Cathrine Sneed provided the following answers:
The program was started in 1982.
The program is located at the San Francisco County Jail.
The budget for the past five years has been primarily from the SFPUC and will end in June.
Ms. Cathrine Sneed is requesting the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors provide funds to expand the farm.
Commissioner Janine Greer asked how much money is needed to continue the Garden Project?
Ms. Cathrine Sneed responded the previous budget was $1.6 million dollars and she requested the Commission ask the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors to provide funding because the program was never formally funded.
Dr. Toye Moses asked if the project was in jeopardy and if she wanted letters forwarded to the Mayor, Board of Supervisors and Supervisor Malia Cohen?
Ms. Cathrine Sneed said the program was in jeopardy without funding and she hoped other city agencies might provide funding.
Commissioner Eddy Zheng commended Ms. Sneed and the Garden Project and wondered what the position of the Sheriff’s Department and the SFPUC might be.
Ms. Cathrine Sneed reported she began her work with the Sheriff’s Department as a Special Assistant to the Sheriff and the Garden Project was created as a means to give inmates a positive working experience. Unfortunately the new Sheriff views the project as a conflict.
Commissioner Eddy Zheng said the program is great and young people should be empowered to take over and learn how to advocate for themselves. He proposed the Commission write a letter to the Mayor, Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff’s Department because the program was making a difference in many lives.
Mr. Siri Datta Khalsa, owner of SF Foliage said 75% of youth are unemployed in the Bayview and $1.6 million dollars is not enough to meet the needs of the community. He said his hope was that the Commission would frame the letter of support to meet the needs of the community.
Dr. Espanola Jackson said $3 million dollars should be requested and the SFPUC could help as well as other departments. She suggested the letter should also go to the SFPUC because they are giving millions of dollars away to programs that are not doing anything and this is a program that is working.
Chairperson Karen Chung directed staff to forward a letter to the Mayor, Board of Supervisors, SFPUC and the Sheriff’s Department in support of the Garden Project.
- CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
Chairperson Chung appointed James Autry to the Governance Committee as a new member. Commissioner Eddy Zheng was appointed as the Chair of the Economic Development Committee.
Chairperson Chung announced the 2014 SECFC Retreat scheduled for March 15th was cancelled and proposed May 31st or June 21st as possible new dates for the 2014 SECFC Retreat.
Commissioner Eddy Zheng advised he would not be available for May 31st due to a pre-existing commitment.
The Commissioners agreed on June 21st as the new date for the 2014 SECFC Retreat and the location would remain at the Oceanside Treat.
Chairperson Chung announced there would be one presenter per commission meeting and no more than two presenters per month.
10.0 STAFF/DIRECTOR REPORT
Dr. Toye Moses reported the SECFC staff was busy preparing for the Job Fair and the Health Fair by meeting with all of the committees. Staff is also spending time getting use to the new tenants, Five Keys and also spending time working closely with the SFPUC Facility Manager.
10.1 SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION STAFF REPORT & GENERAL UPDATE
Samuel Murray, SFPUC Acting Building Manager provided the SFPUC staff report. The SFPUC is looking at the Phase 2 design for the building and coming up with new ways to look at security for this location to make the environment safe. The whole facility will be remodeled to provide a more modern facility to create the educational modality that is needed. Mr. Murray noted the agencies in the building are friendly and want to work together.
In closing, Mr. Murray advised he would take the message of the Garden Project back to the SFPUC.
- ONGOING BUSINESS
None.
12.0 NEW BUSINESS REQUESTS for Future Agenda Items
(This item is to allow Commissioners & staff to suggest/introduce agenda items for future consideration)
Commissioner Eddy Zheng requested the following:
- A discussion regarding the SECFC Resource Directory the Commission provides to the community.
- A discussion to propose halting all Committee meetings except those planning the Job Fair, the Health Fair, and the Outreach & Diversity Committee until the roles of the Committees can be discussed at the Retreat.
Commissioner Janine Greer requested the following:
- A discussion regarding having the Retreat sooner than June 21st and possibly during the week instead of the weekend.
Director Toye Moses asked the Commission Secretary to repeat the items requested by Commissioners Zheng and Greer.
Carla Vaughn, Commission Secretary repeated the three requests as noted in Item 12.
- PUBLIC COMMENT IS LIMITED TO 3 MINUTES
None.
- ADJOURMENT
Chairperson Karen Chung thanked Ms. Cathrine Sneed for her presentation and the healthy vegetables she provided to the community. The audience was invited to stay and enjoy the meal prepared by Ms. Sneed and her staff. The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
________________________
Carla Vaughn, Commission Executive Secretary II
Southeast Community Facility Commission
