REDISTRICTING TASK FORCE
CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO
MINUTES
Auditorium, Marina Middle School
350 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
Wednesday, February 6, 2012 – 6:00 PM
Special Meeting
Members: Chair Eric McDonnell, Vice Chair Jenny Lam,
Mike Alonso, Myong Leigh, Sonia Melara, Marily Mondejar,
David Pilpel, Mark Schreiber, Melissa Tidwell
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 6:13 p.m. All members were present.
2. Mapping. (6:13 p.m. to 8:34 p.m.)
The Task Force received public input and made modifications to the February 1, 2012 working draft map. The Task Force agreed to post the February 6, 2012 working draft on the Redistricting Task Force website.
Public Comment:
Catherine Stefani, Legislative Aide for District 2 Supervisor Mark Farrell, informed the Task Force that Supervisor Farrell was unable to attend the meeting due a family emergency, and she would present on his behalf. She welcomed the Task Force to District 2 and thanked them for holding a community meeting in District 2. She recognized the enormous task facing the Task Force and thanked them for their service to the City and County of San Francisco. She stated that Supervisor Farrell had met with members of neighborhood associations in District 2 and that redistricting was a topic of discussion. She indicated areas of concern were Jordan Park, Laurel Heights, and Russian Hill. She stated that the Jordan Park area boundaries were west to Arguello and south to Geary. She stated that this area has a strong community of interest with the Presidio Heights and Pacific Heights neighborhoods, including common concerns regarding California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC), planning issues, and recreation and park issues. Neighborhood associations from these areas have requested that Jordan Park and Laurel Heights remain in District 2. The other area of concern was that of Russian Hill, the boundaries of which are south to Union Street and east to Leavenworth. She stated that there are many projects, such as the Francisco Reservoir, which are in the area and concern many in District 2. The neighborhood associations in these areas are working together to resolve these issues. She stated that these neighborhood associations have requested that Russian Hill remain in District 2.
Steve Cohen, Laurel Heights resident, stated that the Pacific Heights, Presidio Heights, and Marina neighborhoods have a community of interest with Laurel Heights. He requested that the Task Force keep Laurel Heights and Jordan Park in District 2.
Patricia Vaughey, Marina Merchants, expressed concern over the Task Force’s working draft map and the map’s population variances between the districts. She outlined suggestions for drawing lines in all the districts. She indicated that she would submit proposed maps for the Task Force to review.
Al Sodoni, Anza Vista Neighborhood Association, requested that the Task Force keep the Anza Vista neighborhood in District 2. They have already been working closely with the District 2 Supervisor to resolve potential traffic problems that could result from the Target store moving into the area and would like to continue to work with Supervisor Farrell as the District 2 Supervisor.
Bernard Choden, Japantown Organizing Committee and San Francisco Tomorrow, requested that the Task Force keep Japantown in District 5. He stated that Japantown had common neighborhood development issues with other areas of District 5.
Charles Ferguson, Presidio Heights Association of Neighbors (PHAN), stated that Jordan Park and Laurel Heights have common neighborhood issues with Presidio Heights. He stated that the neighborhood associations for these areas often meet together. He stated that many of the residents of these areas also often use the Laurel Village shopping center. He stated that the neighborhoods also have common neighborhood issues arising from the University of California San Francisco Laurel Heights campus and the California Pacific Medical Center on California Street campus. He requested that the Task Force keep Jordan Park and Laurel Heights in District 2.
Jim Grossman, Anza Vista Neighborhood Association, requested that the Task Force keep Supervisor Farrell’s neighborhood in District 2.
Paul Wermer, Pacific Heights Residents Association, expressed concern with the proposed boundary between Districts 2 and 5 along Geary Street due to the public services - like the Rosa Parks Center and the Western Addition branch library - on both sides of the street. He requested that the Task Force keep Japantown and the Western Addition together in District 5. He recommended moving the boundary between Districts 2 and 5 north to Bush or Sutter Street.
Greg Scott, President, Pacific Heights Residents Association, requested that the Task Force keep Jordan Park and Laurel Heights in District 2. He requested that Japantown remain in District 5 and that the Lake Street corridor and Sea Cliff neighborhood remain in District 2.
Lois Scott, Western Addition resident and Cathedral Hill Neighborhood Association, requested that the Task Force not divide the Cathedral Hill neighborhood. She stated that it is a distinct neighborhood consisting of large apartment complexes built in a former redevelopment area. She requested that the Task Force use a topographic map which would highlight the hills of San Francisco. She also requested the Task Force to remove the “tail” in District 5.
Herbert Weiner requested that the area north of California Street be consolidated into District 2.
Robert Tamaguchi, member of the Japantown Better Neighborhoods Plan Committee, requested that the Task Force keep Japantown in District 5. He stated that the current draft boundary along Geary Street splits Japantown and his committee’s Japantown planning area. He stated that there are many Japantown landmarks located on both sides of Geary Street. He stated that there are many proposed planning projects occurring in Japantown and they are being made with the joint efforts of the Japanese American and African-American communities.
Patrick Carroll, Diamond Heights Neighborhood Association, thanked the Task Force for keeping Diamond Heights in District 8. He stated that he also opposed the San Francisco Bay Guardian’s proposed redistricting map because it would split his neighborhood along Diamond Heights Boulevard.
Gabie Berliner, Jordan Park resident, requested that the Task Force keep Jordan Park in District 2 because the neighborhood shares issues in common with Laurel Heights and Presidio Heights.
Larry Costello, President, Jordan Park Improvement Association, requested that the Task Force keep Jordan Park in District 2. He stated that neighborhood residents have more commercial and school ties to the rest of District 2 and are more politically aligned with District 2. He stated that neighborhood residents would oppose the policies of recent District 1 supervisors.
Rose Hillson requested that the Task Force keep Jordan Park in District 2 because it shares common interests with Pacific Heights. She stated that Japantown has a community of interest with the Fillmore arising from similar historical struggles.
Stephanie Wald, Jordan Park resident, requested that the Task Force keep Jordan Park in District 2 due to its close ties to Pacific Heights and Presidio Heights.
M.J. Thomas, Pacific Heights resident, requested that the Task Force keep Laurel Heights in District 2.
Bob Friese, Presidio Heights Association of Neighbors, requested that the Task Force keep Jordan Park in District 2. He stated that the Task Force should also take the character of neighborhoods into consideration.
Ryan Kimura, Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, requested that the Task Force keep Japantown in District 5. He stated that the Task Force should not divide the neighborhood along Geary Street and that there are that institutions with ties to Japantown south of Geary, such as Rosa Parks Elementary School which offers bilingual language programs, the St. Francis Square Co-op which has many Japantown residents, and the Buchanan YMCA.
Hiroshi Fukuda requested that the Task Force keep Japantown out of District 2 and in District 5. He also requested that the Task Force keep Jordan Park in District 2.
Rich Worner, President, Jordan Park Improvement Neighborhood Association, requested that the Task Force keep Jordan Park in District 2. He stated that the neighborhood has many issues in common with residents of Pacific Heights and Presidio Heights. He also stated that Jordan Park residents have never been supported by District 1 supervisors and have more in common with recent District 2 supervisors with respect to City policies.
Chris Bowman, 1995 Task Force member, stated that Cathedral Hill working was currently divided between three districts and that work the current Task Force working draft map has divided the neighborhood between two districts. He suggested that the Task Force move the Anza Vista neighborhood into District 1. He suggested that the Task Force move the Panhandle and the west area of Funston between Judah and Lincoln into District 4. He also suggested that Lake Street be the dividing line between Districts 1 and 2. He requested that the Task Force restore Russian Hill to its current boundaries.
Kathy Devencenzi requested that the Task Force keep Jordan Park and Laurel Heights in District 2.
Grover Wald, Jordan Park Improvement Association, stated that area residents have a lot of interaction with CPMC and that there are common ties to schools and shopping districts in the area. He stated that Jordan Park is a homogenous architectural area. He requested that the Task Force keep Japantown in District 5.
Ariel Ungerleiger, President, Marina Neighborhoods Association, requested that the Task Force keep Jordan Park and Laurel Heights in District 2. She stated that the areas have common interests with respect to transit and CPMC with other District 2 residents. She also requested that the Task Force keep Russian Hill in District 2. She stated that Russian Hill residents are working with her neighborhood association on a Van Ness Avenue bus rapid transit line and the Francisco Reservoir. She requested that the Task Force keep Japantown and the Fillmore together in District 5.
Mimi Gauss, Jordan Park resident, requested that the Task Force keep Jordan Park in District 2. She stated that the interests of Jordan Park are closely aligned with the interests of District 2 and not District 1.
Karen Kai stated that she was a member of Fifth Stream Music, a jazz group based in Japantown. She stated that there are many ties between Japantown and the Western Addition, such as her group’s relationship with the Rosa Parks Elementary School. She requested that the Task Force keep Japantown in District 5 and keep Japantown and the Western Addition together in a single district.
Roger Muskie requested that the Task Force keep Japantown in District 5. He stated that the Task Force should respect the Japantown planning area boundaries. He stated that Japantown should be in a single district, not split by Geary Street. He also stated that the Japanese American and African American communities are a community of interest in District 5 and should remain together.
Steven Currier, President, Outer Mission Merchants Association, requested that the Task Force move the area south of Geneva to District 11. He stated that this area has more in common with District 11 than it does with District 10. He stated that the current District 11 has a single umbrella organization, the District 11 Council, that represents the entire area.
Catherine Carr, Laurel Heights resident, requested that the Task Force keep Laurel Heights in District 2.
Walter Caplan, Forest Knolls Neighborhood Association, thanked the Task Force for keeping Forest Knolls in District 7 as shown on the current working draft map. He stated that many areas west of Twin Peaks have common issues with respect to Sutro Tower, such as the recent seismic upgrades of the tower. He also thanked the Task Force for their diligence and for being responsive to the public.
Kristine Zaback, President, Forest Knolls Neighborhood Association, thanked the Task Force for keeping Forest Knolls in District 7 as shown on the current working draft map.
3. Task Force Budget. (8:34 p.m. to 8:36 p.m.)
The Task Force did not discuss its current budget and expenses.
Public Comment: None
4. Community Outreach. (8:36 p.m. to 8:37 p.m.)
Member Lam informed the Task Force that she had contacted John Arntz, Director of the Department of Elections, and that he will be providing a list of possible vendors for outreach activities for the Task Force’s review.
Public Comment: None
5. Meeting Schedule. (8:37 p.m. to 8:44 p.m.)
Member Tidwell, seconded by Member Leigh, moved to approve the following schedule:
Wednesday, April 4, 2012 6pm at City Hall
Thursday, April 5, 2012 6pm at a location to be determined
Monday, April 9, 2012 6pm at a location to be determined
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 6pm at City Hall
Saturday, April 14, 2012 10am at City Hall
The motion passed without objection.
Public Comment: None
6. Approval of Redistricting Task Force Minutes. (8:45 p.m. to 8:46 p.m.)
Member Pilpel, seconded by Member Leigh, moved to approve the January 21, 2012 minutes with corrections. Motion passed without objection.
Public Comment: None
7. Task Force Member Reports. (8:47 p.m. to 8:49 p.m.)
Member Pilpel informed the Task Force that he would be making a presentation at the Neighborhood Network on February 3, 2012. Member Pilpel also informed the Task Force members he would be contacting the San Francisco Youth Commission to possibly make a presentation on redistricting process.
Vice Chair Lam informed the Task Force that she and Chair McDonnell would be making a presentation on redistricting to the Potrero Hill Democratic Club on February 7, 2012.
Member Leigh informed Task Force that he will be making a presentation on the redistricting process at the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club meeting on February 13, 2012.
Members Alonso and Tidwell informed the Task Force that they will be unable to attend the February 11, 2012 Task Force meeting.
8. Public Comment. (8:49 p.m. to 8:50 p.m.)
Chris Bowman, 1995 Task Force member, addressed the Task Force’s modifications to the district lines around the Anza Vista neighborhood and the Western Addition.
9. Future Agenda Items. (8:50 p.m. to 8:53 p.m.)
Chair McDonnell requested that Mapping, Task Force Budget, and Community Outreach, along with the other regular items, be included on the next agenda.
Public Comment: None
10. Adjournment.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m.
