Biosciences Task Force
DRAFT
MINUTES of the
SAN FRANCISCO BIOSCIENCES TASK FORCE
Tuesday, December 2, 2003 at 4:00 p.m. City Hall 1 Dr. Carlton Goodlett Place, Rm. 421
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 4:10 p.m.
Present:
Reed Benet
Amit Ghosh
Rajiv Bhatia
Madison Kilpatrick
Janice Bolaffi
Dr. Mike Le
Frank Chiu
Joe Raguso
Peter Cohen
Scott Williams
L. Michael Costa
Corinne Woods
Theresa Feeley
Lori Yamauchi
Absent:
Julie Brandt
Joe Raguso (Exc)
Scott Williams (Exc)
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of October 7, 2003 and November 4, 2003 were approved as amended.
3. TASK FORCE COMMITTEES
Ms. Woods announced that a Room 479 has been reserved for committee meetings, scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoon from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. of the weeks following each regular meeting of the Task Force. Jill Lerner explained that because the Task Force was formed by a resolution of the Board of Supervisors, it and its committees are subject to the requirements of the Sunshine Ordinance. Consequently, regular meetings must be noticed and taped.
The members moved, seconded and approved that the following days and times be established for each committee:
Functional Definition-Wednesdays, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Code Process-Wednesdays, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Industry Location Criteria-Thursdays, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cost Benefits-Tuesdays, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Chairs for the committees were nominated and approved:
Functional Definition: Joe Raguso nominated by Mr. Costa
Code Process: Reed Bennett nominated by Ms. Woods.
Industry Location Criteria: Michael Costa nominated by Ms. Pierce
Cost Benefits: Madison Kilpatrick nominated by Ms. Feeley
All nominations were approved by the Task Force.
4. TASK FORCE APPOINTMENTS
There are still open seats: Visitacion Valley/Little Hollywood neighborhood representative; a representative from organized labor who works for a biotech company. Another open seat is for a representative from a Mission District neighborhood association.
5. HEALTH CODES RELATING TO BIOSCIENCES
Dr. Rajiv Bhatia of the Health Department reported that Health Code section, Article 21, contains regulations relating to bioscience issues. Codes for sanitation, hazardous
materials, cleanup of materials are relevant. These are issues relating to biosciences that must be regulated.
Mr. Costa suggested that a list of other jurisdictions with biotech industries be compiled. Ms. Woods suggested that the Task Force establish a committee of environmental health and safety.
Ms. Bolaffi said she will send the Task Force members a link for the CDC's Biological Safety section.
Ms. Pierce mentioned that the City's adoption of the precautionary principle and that the concept of "least harmful" should be analyzed and clarified.
Members agreed with Ms. Bolaffi's statement that the cost of an environmental impact report could be prohibitive to many companies.
Ms. Pierce agreed with setting standards that could enable a project moved to a negative declaration; that in developing standards, with community input, community members feel that they are being protected.
Mr. Cohen stated that "best practices" research should be studied by a committee as well as what health safety standards are observed by industries. Ms. Woods suggested that Cost Benefit Committee review this subject.
Dr. Bhatia proposed that Sue Cone, his director of the Health Dept.'s hazardous materials program research other Bay Area county's experiences are in regulation of bioscience industries, what issues they have and report back to the Task Force. Cambridge was also mentioned as a study area to.
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
