Minutes
Shelter Monitoring Committee
November 2, 2005
25 VanNess, Room 800
10:00-12:00
Members present: Kendra Stewardson, James Chionsini, Diana Valentine, Bianca Henry, John Melone, Joyce Crum, Blanche Korfmcaher, Dorothy Harris
Members not present: Maria Wilson, Cristoff Jones, Delbert Scott, Judi Iranyi (excused), Maxine Pauson (excused)
Non-Members: Dwight Macadams, Paul Lentz, Hank Wilson, David Nakanishi, Norman Tanner
I.Call to Order
II.Agenda for 11/2/05 approved
John mentioned that the agenda was sent out 43 minutes short of the 72 hour notice. He claimed that we could not vote on anything because of this. The group agreed to go ahead and meet because this technicality should not prevent us from addressing the critical issues.
III.Approval of minutes from 10/5/05
IV. New Members
Dorothy Harris (replacing Bruce Allison,BOS seat 1)
Maxine Pauson (replacing Jesus Medellin, BOS seat 6)
David Nakanishi will be replacing Blanche Korfmacher as Mayoral DPH appointee
V.SMC Vacancies
Maria Wilson (LHCB seat 1)
Cristoff Jones (BOS seat 2)
Both have missed more than three meetings without an excuse and are dismissed from committee.
VI. Shelter Closures and action steps
Joyce Crum reported on the status of closures. Dolores Street has 4 sites, two were closed:
1) 601 Dolores Street had 20 beds closed by DBI because of earthquake standards. DHS is working with them to get the problems corrected. Internal problems at 610 held up the repair process in the beginning.
2) 1050 South Van Ness (15 beds) lost because of month to month lease. The school wanted the space back, they were month-to-month.
Total beds lost: 35. Now Dolores is down from 100 beds to 65 beds. DHS is working with the arch diocese to find a new place.
1) Saint Boniface Shelter (80 beds) will lose its lease on he last day of February, building is owned by Glide?. The building is being demolished. Shelley is working on it and has identified a site. There are no other possible closures.
Actonsteps: Continue to monitor the process of closure and try to make sure people are linked into permanent housing. Make sure they have a plan and that people are fully informed. Also make sure no on e falls through the cracks.
Joyce said that during the closure of a Man’s Place they met with workers there to insure the closure is appropriately planned. They called this a “workgroup” A person from SMC should be on this workgroup.
Proposal 1: Someone from SMC will contact Shelley to find out what is needed.
Select someone from SMC to be on the workgroup (probably David)
(approved)
Miscellaneous:
Episcopal Sanctuary went 24/7 hours yesterday. No one stayed in except people who had pre approved bed rest.
VII.Censure removal of Problematic SMC members
There were numerous violations of the “anti-unilateralism ordinance” that one member was involved with. Also the duplication of the City and County seal on personal cards, release of confidential client information, failure to produce reports, making serious accusations without evidence and several other ethical and professional violations.
There was considerable discussion about this (more than one hour) and the person in question was allowed to speak in his own defense. Out of respect for the member in question the specifics of discrepancies will not be reproduced here.
Hank Wilson suggested that a minority statement could be attached to reports that can insure the participation of the public and a diversity of perspectives. He also stressed the timeliness of the release of reports so as to maintain credibility, maximize accountability and create positive change.
Proposal 2: Remove John Melone from the Shelter Monitoring Committee.
(approved 7 ayes, 1 abstained)
VIII.Approval of Reports
No reports to approve at this time.
Team 2 will produce reports soon for 260 Golden Gate and Larkin Street.
Team 1 will provide reports for hospitality House and Ella Hill Hutch.
Letter requesting a cost analysis of Hamilton has been sent by Bianca.
IX.MacMillian (39 Fell) Update
Charlie: The Sheriffs Deputies have probably been extended there. James will call Barbara Garcia to follow up.
X.Schedule of visits
Visits will proceed as pre agreed. Teams will continue with their schedules.
XI.Respite Bed situation
Various staff persons have said that if there was access to CHANGES on the Respite floor it would make discharge easier, clients could be placed directly into shelters. Joyce says they already have access, its just not on that floor. It is difficult to get clarity on this issue. Joyce, David and Bianca will follow up with Respite to see what is happening.
XII.Subcommittee reports
We want a press team. Forms will be brought to next meeting. Table this until next meeting.
XIII.BOS Rules Committee
We have a hearing scheduled on November 23, 10:00am.
There is money in the budget for a staff person. Wade Crowfoot (Mayors Office) is working on it because SMC Chairperson Diana wrote him a letter asking about it and requesting that SMC be included in the hiring of the staff person.
NEW BUSINESS
XIV.Public Comment
Paul Lentz a resident at MSC-S submitted a letter detailing many problems at MSC-South. He also claimed to have a petition with 137 signatures and the last 4 social security digits. The issues he presented were interests of CAAP clients because of the money taken from their checks since the implementation of Prop. N:
1) Only 3 of 7 showers for 200 beds work (2nd flr)
2) Towels, mattresses, blankets
3) Absence of hooks in the showers
4) Food quality and availability
5) personal televisions and radios
6) bedcheck and lights out times
7) breakfast hours and lines
8) television and chair availability
He mentioned that there were no client grievance forms readily available and they are often impossible to obtain.
Joyce: MSC-S is a city owned building and has to go through an RFP process through DPW.
DHS cannot do repairs until it is all done. It has been over two years and the showers have been broken. Regarding showers Mr. Lenz reported that there were no towel or clothes hooks in showers. Whereupon Ms. Crum responded, “You know a hook can be used as a weapon.”
MSC: Multi-Service Center South (shelter)
RFP: Request for Proposal (similar to RFQ)
DPW: Dept. of Public Works
DHS: Department of Human Services
She said that over 1000 people have been housed through Care Not Cash, but Mr. Lenz said that the voters were misled. Ms. Crum replied, “The only thing I can offer you is a follow-up to your complaints”
Many in attendance weighed in on the food issue at the shelter. SMC members mentioned that they ate the food at MSC-S that Kendra Stewardson described as “inoffensive.”
XV.Adjournment
There was a time of honoring and acknowledging the contributions John Melone has made to the community and committee as a tireless and meticulous fighter for the poor and marginalized. He is encouraged to continue participation with the committee in the future.
Next SMC meeting Wednesday, December 7, 2005
10:00am-12:00pm, 25 Van Ness room #800
