ADOPTED  MINUTES

SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY FACILITY COMMISSION          

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

6:00 P.M.

 

This meeting was held by Teleconference Pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order N-29-

20 and the Twelfth Supplement to Mayoral Proclamation Declaring the Existence of a Local

Emergency Dated February 25, 2020

 

1.  Call to Order and Roll Call:  Vice-Chair Amerika Sanchez, called the meeting to order at 6:01 P.M.

Present:  Sanchez, Chung, Murphy, Tran,  Satele, Posey (arr. 6:08pm)

Excused: Fromer

 

2.  Adoption of renewed findings under State Urgency Legislation to continue remote meetings during the COVID-19 Emergency and direct the Commission Secretary to agendize a similar resolution at a Commission meeting within the next 30 days.

Moved:  Tran     Second:  Chung

Public Comment:  None

Ayes:  Sanchez, Chung, Murphy, Tran, Satele

 

3.  Adoption of Minutes: April 27, 2022

Moved:  Murphy   Second:  Posey

Public Comment:  None

Ayes:  Sanchez, Murphy, Satele, Tran, Chung, Posey

 

4.  General Public Comment:  None

 

5.  Communications: (discussion only)

Correspondence Log -

Letter of Support for the SFMTA Grant Application

Commission Staff

 

6.  Report of the Chair:  (discussion only)

Vice-Chair Sanchez reported the recent passing of Chair Fromer’s son Drew Oyobio.  Memorial services are scheduled for Thursday, June 9 at Our Lady of Lourdes and the meeting will be adjourned in his memory.

The San Francisco Planning Department will host a community meeting to plan a new Caltrain Station in Bayview on Thursday, June 9 at 5;30 p.m. at the Bayview Opera House.

The Grand Opening for the new Center at 1550 Evans is scheduled for Saturday, August 20.  The RFP for Tenants and Community Hubs is closed.  Decisions regarding which community organizations will be in the new Center will be announced soon.  In closing Vice-Chair Sanchez announced an RFP for the Digital Equity Program was recently released.  Anyone interested in managing the program which will provide digital access to the community should respond to the RFP.

Public Comment:  None     

 

7.  Presentation:  Greetings from General Manager Dennis Herrera (Herrera)

(Dennis Herrera, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, General Manager)

Vice-Chair Sanchez introduced GM Herrera and Director Pharr welcomed him.

GM Herrera thanked staff and the Commissioners.  He noted he had been on the job approximately 6 months and appreciated the opportunity to share his vision for the agency and his plans to lead the 2500 incredibly professional group of people at the SFPUC who are dedicated to do the most on behalf of the residents of San Francisco and all ratepayers.  He added he was impressed with their ethics and their commitment to excellence.  He said a big part of his job is to provide them with the tools they need to continue to do their best.  He acknowledged the agency had been maligned in the press over the last few years, however he noted the vast majority of individuals do their jobs in an ethical transparent way.  He said he wanted to make sure he lived up to the standard that was expected from leadership.

GM Herrera said this is a time of tremendous transition at the agency due to climate change and a drought with energy challenges, but it is also a time of tremendous opportunity.  GM Herrera advised he wanted to ensure the SFPUC is known as the utility of the future and a place that residents can be proud of as we lead on issues that are important to everyone.  He reported our wastewater facility is the largest infrastructure project in the Bay Area and ensures we have clean water, responsibly dispose of waste-water and sewage, and that we are good community partners.  He said continuing to live up to the Mitigation Agreement is important to the Southeast Commission and it is also important to live up to the spirit of it moving forward as we continue the transition and transformation of the Southeast Plant.  He added this is a commitment he will live up to 150%.  He encouraged the Commission to celebrate what has been done in the Southeast Sector along with bringing on the 1550 Evans facility that will lead and provide opportunities for CBO’s and programming to help the community.

The General Manager acknowledged the contribution of the Commission in its assistance during COVID-recovery by giving out close to 10,000 vaccines at 1800 Oakdale.  He noted the support of the Commission during the SFPUC Customer Assistance Program campaign that reached out to those hit financially during the pandemic to help them pay bills, and the program launched in eight languages.  The outreach which was also provided digitally increased participation in the program by 50%.  GM Herrera encouraged the Commission to celebrate the work that is being done and continuing the tradition of Community involvement   He said the SFPUC is committed to the $10 billion infrastructure program and they want to make sure there is a meaningful economic investment in terms of job opportunities for the community.  He added that over 650 contracts had been provided to expand economic opportunity for folk that are working on the project with at least 450 LBE’s (locally -based enterprise) with many being women owned.  He reported this has provided economic benefit to people living in the Southeast sector of the city and has generated more than $400 million dollars of economic activity.

In closing GM Herrera said his vision is to take the SFPUC into a new millennium and build out an infrastructure that will ensure the position of being a preeminent Public Utility in the Bay Area is maintained and is a place where people will want to work and will want to do business. 

 

Questions and Comments from Commissioners:

Commissioner Tran expressed concern regarding water conservation and requested the monthly inserts to ratepayers be provided bilingually.

• GM Herrera responded there was a voluntary 10% reduction prior to the Governor’s conservation request which put San Francisco in good shape along with the drought surcharge that took effect on April 1 of this year and placed us down 42 gallons per person.  In response to the latest request from the Governor a 1% increase was added to the previous voluntary reduction which has allowed us to meet our goals.  He added the department continues culturally competent media efforts and is providing information in eight languages but can always do better.  He noted water reduction in San Francisco is better than the rest of the Bay Area, but the Bay Area is doing better than other regions of the state.

 

Commissioners had questions regarding reservoir water and how was the GM’s experience moving into a role that was more technical.

• GM Herrera said Hetch Hetchy was close to 100% full as well as the Cherry Lake Reservoir.  He added that we are in better shape than the Shasta Reservoir.
• The GM said he is learning a new skill set and the intricacies of the position is part of the attraction of the job.

 

General Manager Herrera said he was looking forward to working with the Commission.  The Commissioners and staff thanked General Manager Herrera for his presentation.

 

Public Comment: None.

 

8.  Letter of Support for SFMTA Grant Application to the Caltrans Bayview Active Transportation Program: (Action)

Ariel Ward, SFMTA Engineer provided context regarding the Livable Streets Project, a high pedestrian and bicycle project providing a multimodal Community corridor with origins in the Bayview Community Transportation plan.  At a minimum $8.5 million dollars of improvements are needed.  Currently $3.5 million is available.  The grant application is needed to secure additional funding.  The SFMTA is seeking partnerships with local organizations such as the Bayview YMCA and the San Francisco African American Arts and Cultural District.  Ms. Ward noted the application is due in June 2022 and the award will be given in December 2022.

Questions and Comments from the Commissioners:

Commissioners noted the communities were diverse and wanted to ensure all communities had access to the transportation program.  There was also concern regarding street signage and the need to make information recognizable.

• Ms. Ward responded she would talk to the section engineer to see if this is something that has been addressed.

 

Commissioners asked if this is different from the Shuttle Program previously presented by SFMTA staff?

• Ms. Ward advised this is a separate program.

 

Public Comment:  None.

 

The Letter of Support was provided by staff and a motion to accept was provided and seconded.

Moved:  Chung  Second:  Murphy

Public Comment: None.

Ayes: Sanchez, Murphy, Satele, Tran, Chung, Posey

               

9.  SECF Director’s Report: (discussion only)

Emily Pharr, SECFC Executive Director

The Executive Director announced the new center at 1550 Evans was nearing completion and she encouraged the Commissioners to drive by and see the 2 years of work that will soon be fully operational.

Director Pharr reported 1800 Oakdale remains closed to the public with the exception of Five Keys and the vaccination clinic.  The contract with the clinic expires next month and they will consolidate with other sites.   Of the 10,512 vaccinations provided 4,088 of them were second doses and 2,060 were booster shots and the numbers continue to be impressive.

Director Pharr said the Commission should continue to promote the new Center at local community events and the Grand Opening is scheduled for Saturday, August 20^th.  Please save the date.

The Director reported the RFP for Tenant Partners has been extended to June 17^th and amendments and additional information would be provided.

Larry Berry, SECFC Deputy Director provided information regarding the RFP for the Access Program in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development.  The Access Program is a Digital Equity Program that will provide community members with technology access and allow them to use the community Center as a co-working space for personal professional projects.  The RFP was released last Friday, and outreach is being provided to let organizations know about the available opportunity.  The due date is June 24^th.  We are searching for a non-profit organization to partner with to administer the program.

Director Pharr acknowledged AAPI month and noted Commissioner Tran was highlighted in the Currents Newsletter.

Director Pharr announced the passing the Chair Fromer’s son Drew and advised information regarding the service and where to send condolences would be provided.    

 

Public Comment:   None.

 

10. Future Agenda Items:

Staff provided the following:

Operating Plan Review

Customer Service Model

Fee Schedule

Tenant Recommendations

 

Questions and Comments from Commissioners

The Commissioners had questions regarding RFP’s that may have already been submitted and if organizations needed to resubmit their RFP’s?

• Staff responded they were allowed to edit their proposals and the Commissioners were reminded that all questions should be directed to the Real Estate Department to maintain a process of transparency.

Some Commissioners noted the Real Estate Department was not a part of the community and the duty of the Commission is to represent the community and there may be some mistrust if the community is directed to access another city department for information.  The Community may feel the Commission is being dismissive.

Director Pharr said she appreciated the position that was being taken and suggested anyone with questions could be referred directly to her and she would be happy to direct the questions to the Real Estate Department.  She noted it was important the community did not feel they were receiving a brush off, but it was important to follow protocol and maintain transparency so the community could reap the benefits.

Staff added responses to questions posed to Real Estate are addressed through our website and updated daily.  For future reference staff has committed to updating the Commissioners directly whenever any new questions from the community need to be addressed.

Regarding the extension of the June 17^th deadline for the Tenant RFP staff advised there would be a webinar that would provide instructions and clarity.

Commissioners requested a flyer as well and staff advised an email would be provided that could be shared with their networks.

Public Comment: None.

 

11. Announcements:

Staff provided a media announcement from the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office launching a Deputy Bilingual Nameplate Program.

This pilot program was put in motion by the Sheriff’s Department, Supervisor Walton, and Commissioner Tran.  The nameplates will let the public know if the deputies are fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish, or Tagalog.  Other languages will be added in the future.  We congratulate Commissioner Tran for her efforts to ensure community members who do not have English as a first language are seen and heard.

Commissioner Chung requested the Korean language be added to the list for the Sheriff’s program.

Questions and Comments from Commissioners:

Vice-Chair Sanchez said there was interest in a Bayview Coop to address food insecurity and she will share the link for a survey that is being provided to receive feedback from the community.  The survey is in Spanish, Chinese, and English.

Public Comment:

Ms. Emily Wade Thompson announced the African American Graduates Rites of Passage event on May 31 from 6pm to 8:30 pm at Kezar Stadium.  Commissioner Posey is a keynote speaker, and everyone is invited to attend.

 

12. Adjournment:

The meeting adjourned at 7:33 pm with a moment of silence in honor of Drew Oyobio, the beloved son of Chair Gina Fromer and her family.

The next meeting of the Southeast Community Facility Commission will be Wednesday, June 22, 2022.

   

Carla Vaughn, Commission Secretary