2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 MINUTES
SHELTER MONITORING COMMITTEE
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
25 Van Ness Ave., Basement, Suite 70
San Francisco, CA 94102
Members Present: Members Excused:
Chair Diana Valentine Committee Member Kim Clark
Vice Chair Damian Ochoa Committee Member Erica Correa
Secretary Quintin Mecke Committee Member Greg Kats
Committee Member Henry Belton
Committee Member Diana Greer
Committee Member Judi Iranyi
Committee Member David Nakanishi
Committee Member Liz Olsen
Committee Member Maxine Pauson
Committee Member Hank Wilson
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL/AGENDA ADJUSTMENTS
The July 11, 2007 Committee meeting was called to order at 10:06 AM. Chair Diana Valentine reviewed public comment.
I. PUBLIC COMMENT
A member of the public said that he was having problem with General Assistance's PAES program. He said that he was supposed to be in housing and instead was in a shelter. He said that someone from PAES should be on the Shelter Monitoring Committee.
Chair Valentine explained the role of the Committee and suggested that the individual speak to Committee staff during walk-in hours and provided that information.
II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Vice Chair Damian Ochoa said that the date on the minutes was incorrect.
Committee Member David Nakanishi said the minutes did no reflect his suggestion that he would bring TOPS in to discuss the City's TB program.
Committee staff Bernice Casey noted that minutes are to reflect the actions taken at meetings and do not usually noted every comment made.
Action: Approved July 11, 2007 Committee Meeting Minutes
m/s/c (Mecke/Nakanishi/Unanimous)
No public comment
III. REPORTS
A. Human Services Agency
Adult Shelter Manager Briana Moore reported on behalf of Committee Member Greg Kats for the Human Services Agency [HSA]. Ms. Moore reviewed the list of shelter complaints [which had been provided to the Committee] that HSA had received from January 1 to March 31, 2007.
Vice Chair Ochoa asked if the ten day response time [requested by HSA for shelter response] was ten calendar days.
Ms. Moore said it was ten business days.
Committee Member Hank Wilson what types of complaints were logged with HSA.
Ms. Moore said that information was not in the original request from the Committee.
Secretary Quintin Mecke said he would resubmit the original request.
Vice Chair Ochoa asked if HSA followed up on the complaints provided by the Committee.
Ms. Moore asked to be provided a complete list of the complaints sent to HSA.
Ms. Casey said she would work with Secretary Mecke to compile and produce the list.
Secretary Mecke said that the Standard of Care workgroup was working on how sites can better address client complaints, specifically as they apply to personnel.
Ms. Moore said at the majority of shelters, shelter directors conduct investigations of complaints. She said that complaints against staff and disciplinary actions are usually treated as confidential personnel issues.
Committee Member Henry Belton expressed his concerns with shelter operations and shelter staff based on his past site visits. He said that he observed staff being disrespectful to clients and had taken complaints from clients with further examples. He said it was hope that by participating in the Shelter Monitoring Committee that he and the Committee could improve conditions in the shelters.
Secretary Mecke thanked Committee Member Belton for his comments. He asked Ms. Moore what the City's liability would be if a site was employing a sexual predator.
Ms. Moore said she worked with sites and waits to hear back from sites about their investigation. She said that HSA and the City Attorney's Office could also conduct investigations.
Chair Valentine asked Ms. Moore if she kept a detailed log of all complaints and if she did, to supply a copy to the Committee.
Ms. Moore said she did and would provide a copy.
Committee Member Nakanishi asked that denial of service reports be resubmitted with correct numbers noting that the numbers provided within the MSC South report did not add up to the number provided as a total.
Ms. Moore said that on August 15, 2007, metal detectors would be installed at Next Door, MSC South, and Sanctuary. Ms. Moore also reported that the Department of Building Inspections called for the temporary closure of 150 Otis from August 1, 2007 to November 30, 2007. She said that there would be 30 additional mats provided at the Ella Hill Hutch and Providence sites.
Vice Chair Ochoa asked what the cost of the metal detectors would be, including installation.
Ms. Moore stated that the detectors were free and had been provided by the San Francisco International Airport.
Vice Chair Ochoa asked what outreach had been done to staff and clients regarding the installation and what percentage of staff would be utilized to use the detectors.
Ms. Moore said she had conducted surveys on sites and said that Cypress Security would be used for surveillance.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. San Francisco Mental Health Clients' Rights Advocates
Ms. Fancher Larson, Senior Client Advocate, reviewed the origins of the San Francisco Mental Health Clients' Right Advocates and the scope of the services provided. Ms. Larson also reviewed the applicable welfare and institution codes that apply to mental health.
Committee Member Wilson asked how clients could access services.
Ms. Larson provided business cards and brochures.
Chair Valentine thanked Ms. Larson for her presentation.
III. REPORTS
A Human Services Agency-continued
Secretary Mecke asked what the security process involving the metal detectors would entail citing the different models employed at City Hall versus the Hall of Justice.
Ms. Moore said she would follow up with the Committee.
Chair Valentine asked if the Mayor's Office on Disability had been contacted before making the sleeping unit change from beds to mats, citing that the 150 Otis sites has beds and those units would be replaced in other locations as mats.
Ms. Moore said that MOD was not contacted.
Committee Member Wilson stated that the Committee has requested vacancy stats in the past from HSA and suggested that the Committee follow up with Committee Member Greg Kats about these stats so that they may be available monthly at the Committee meetings.
Chair Valentine said that the Committee would be requesting copies of surveys conducted by Ms. Moore regarding client and staff input on the installation of metal detectors.
B. Department of Public Health
Committee Member Nakanishi said that Buster's Place had been operating, based on funding from Haight Ashbury since the City's June 30 closing utilizing a mix of regular staff and volunteers. He said advocates as well as Haight Ashbury staff were hoping that there would be a final ad-back of funds at the July 17 Board of Supervisors meeting.
Vice Chair Ochoa asked about the landlord issue.
Committee Member Nakanishi said that the landlord had been requesting the removal of Buster's Place since April and the Department of Public Health and been working with Buster's Place to keep it in operation. He said he believed that the landlord had extended the extension for an additional three months.
Standard of Care Workgroup
Secretary Mecke said that the workgroup had finalized health standards and were successful in getting $300,000 of funding from the Board for implementation. He said that the workgroup was continuing to work on facility and operation standard.
A member of the public interrupted the meeting stating that the Committee had not heard his earlier complaint and should be listening to the people. He said that there should be a representative from PAES on the Committee.
Chair Valentine said she agreed with the member of the public's comments and understood his frustration. She asked Ms. Casey to work with Secretary Mecke in having some from CAAP come back to the Committee and give a presentation.
Committee Member Wilson said that [type of frustration] can be one of the reasons people get denied services from shelters, because of their frustration.
Committee Member Belton said that members of the public were relying on the Committee to follow up on their concerns.
Secretary Mecke said the Committee was at capacity with its policies currently. He asked the Committee follow up regarding the MAP complaints.
Buster's Place
The Committee reviewed a letter of support for funding for Buster's Place to be sent to the Board of Supervisors.
Committee Member Wilson and Committee Member Nakanishi stated a conflict of interest and asked to be excused from the vote.
Action: Excused Committee Members Nakanishi & Wilson from voting
m/s/c (Ochoa/Iranyii/Unanimous)
Action: Approved letter to the Board regarding Buster's Place
m/s/c (Greer/Iranyii/Unanimous)
No public comment
Local Homeless Coordinating Board
The Committee amended the draft letter asking the Board to consider more specific examples of improvement in the shelters.
Action: Approved amended letter to LHCB
m/s/c (Wilson/Ochoa/Unanimous)
No public comment
Bylaws
Action: Approved July 11, 2007 Bylaws
m/s/c (Wilson/Belton/Unanimous)
No public comment
The meeting was adjourned at 12:54 PM.
To obtain copies of the agenda, minutes, or any explanatory documents, please contact Bernice Casey at 415.255.3653 or Bernice.casey@sfdph.org 72 hours before the meeting.
To obtain a disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services to participate in the meeting, please contact Bernice Casey at 415.255.3642 or Bernice.casey@sfdph.org at least two business days before the meeting.
25 Van Ness Avenue is accessible to persons using wheelchairs and others with disabilities. Assistive listening devices are available and meetings are open-captioned. Agendas are available in large print. Materials in alternative formats, American Sign Language interpreters, and other format accommodations will be made available upon request. Please make your request for alternative forma or other accommodations to the Shelter Monitoring Committee at 415.255.3642. Providing at least 72 hours notice prior to the meeting will help ensure availability.
The nearest BART station is Civic Center Plaza at the intersection of Market, Grove, and Hyde Streets. The MUNI Metro lines are the F, J, K, L, M, and N (Civic Center Station or Van Ness Avenue Station). MUNI bus lines serving the area are the 47 Van Ness, 9 San Bruno, and the 6, 7, 71 Haight/Noreiga. Accessible curbside parking is available on Oak and Hickory Streets.
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