CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCOCOMMISSION ON THE ENVIRONMENTREGULAR MEETING APPROVED MINUTES Tuesday, July 25, 2006, 5:00 P.M.City Hall, Room 416One Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett PlaceSan Francisco, CA 94102
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Commissioners Paul Pelosi Jr. (President); Ruth Gravanis, Angelo King, Alan Mok, Arlene Rodriguez and Johanna Wald
Commission Secretary: Monica Fish
ORDER OF BUSINESS
Public comment will be taken before the Commission takes action on any item.
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 5:10 p.m. Present: President Pelosi Jr., Commissioners Gravanis, King, Mok and Wald. Absent: Commissioner Rodriguez.
Commissioner Ruth Gravanis appointed by the Mayor on July 12, 2006 was introduced.
2. ACTION: Adoption of Minutes of the May 23, 2006 Regular Meeting. Upon Motion by President Pelosi Jr. and second by Commissioner Wald, the May 23, 2006 Meeting Minutes were adopted with no objection (Absent: Commissioner Rodriguez). (Explanatory Document: May 23, 2006 Approved Meeting Minutes.)
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Members of the public may address the Commission on matters that are within the Commission’s jurisdiction and are not on today’s agenda.
Ms. Lurilla Harris inquired as to whether there has been a movement to implement the ocean energy demonstration project in San Francisco. President Pelosi stated that the City’s involvement is preliminary at this stage and that the Department would be more involved in the future. 4. INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION: Update on San Francisco’s Global Compact Cities Program (Presentation Received in Commission Meeting). Staff: Melissa Capria, Climate Action Coordinator
Ms. Melissa Capria, Climate Action Coordinator presented an overview of the Department’s Climate Action Plan initiatives and United Nations (UN) Global Compact Cities Program. Topics discussed included:
§ Board of Supervisors 2002 Resolution to set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% below 1990 levels by 2012. § San Francisco’s Climate Action Plan adopted in 2004 targeting the municipal, commercial and residential community. § Sectors most responsible for greenhouse gas emissions. § San Francisco greenhouse gas emissions forecast and target. § UN Global Compact Cities program and purpose.
Ms. Michelle Sargent discussed her work for the Department since May, to define and implement the UN Global Compact Cities Program, an international coalition of businesses and cities committed to corporate social/environmental responsibility. San Francisco, the only participating city in the United States, signed onto the Program during World Environment Day 2005. Discussions included:
§ Program objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the commercial and residential sectors. § Partnerships with the Bay Area Council and the UN Global Compact to address green house gas emissions. § Creating the Business Council on Climate Change to reach out to businesses and the residential sector. § Principles of climate change leadership and action steps. § Next steps: Business Council on Climate Change (BC3)/Global Compact Reception on July 26 to review principles and recruit businesses. A progress report will be made at a future Commission meeting.
Public Comment: Ms. Nancy Wuerfel requested a report on the legality of the United Nations office setting up an office at the Department of the Environment and indicated that this item was not adequately reported or acted upon at Commission meetings. Deputy Director Assmann reported that this issue was discussed with the Deputy City Attorney and the Board of Supervisors as part of the Department’s budget hearing, and the Department was advised that it was acceptable and not a legal issue. Ms. Wuerfel asked if it would constitute a gift of City space to an outside entity and requested a written report. Deputy Director Assmann stated that it was not considered a gift of City space and would request a written report from the Deputy City Attorney. President Pelosi requested that this item be placed on the October 18 Operations Committee agenda and that a written report be provided at that time.
5. INFORMATIONAL REPORT: Update on the Department of the Environment’s 2006-07 Budget. Staff: David Assmann, Deputy Director
Deputy Director Assmann reported that the Board of Supervisors approved the Department’s 2006-07 budget at their meeting on July 25 with minimal changes. Two major changes: funding for the move was reallocated, a portion was used to cover a reduction in funding from the Public Utilities Commission and the other portion was transferred to the Department of Public Works for impound related projects. In addition, the Budget Analyst made additional cuts in program areas that amounted to a small percentage of the budget in professional services, material and supplies, and other small areas.
6. INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION: Update on the Department of Environment’s Move to 25 Van Ness Avenue. Staff: David Assmann, Deputy Director
Deputy Director Assmann reported that the Department is not moving to 25 Van Ness because the space is zoned commercial, not office use, and that the Real Estate Department did not make an effort to lease the space as commercial before offering it as office space. As a result, the lease in the existing facility at 11 Grove is in the process of being renegotiated.
Public Comment: Ms. Nancy Wuerfel inquired as to whether the Department would be researching alternative office locations other than 11 Grove Street. Deputy Director Assmann stated that if a successful agreement were not reached with the current landlord, alternative space would be researched. Ms. Wuerfel asked if any space had been given up at 11 Grove and asked if the Eco Center would remain in the same space. Deputy Director Assmann stated that the amount of space at 11 Grove has not changed since the lease was signed, and public space would have to be on the ground floor because of access issues. It was reported that the lease has been on a month-to-month basis since June 2004, and there is no required time line for a final lease agreement.
7. INFORMATIONAL REPORT: Update on the City and County of San Francisco Controller’s Office Audit Report. Staff: David Assmann, Deputy Director
Deputy Director Assmann reported that the second phase of the audit had not been completed by the projected date of June 30 and anticipated that a final report would not be available until after August.
8. DISCUSSION AND ACTION: Nomination and Election of Commission President. Nomination and Election of Commission Vice President if necessary.
Commissioner King nominated President Pelosi Jr. for President who accepted the nomination. AYES: Commissioners Pelosi Jr., Gravanis, King, Mok, and Wald; NOES: None. Commissioner Pelosi Jr. was elected as President.
Commissioner King nominated Commissioner Gravanis for Vice-President who did not accept the nomination and nominated Commissioner Wald for Vice-President, second by Commissioner King. Commissioner Wald accepted the nomination. AYES: Commissioners Pelosi Jr., Gravanis, King, Mok, and Wald. NOES: None. Commissioner Wald was elected as Vice-President.
Commissioners discussed revising the Bylaws in order to allow for elections in January of each year instead of October. A Bylaws change notice would be published and a Resolution adopting the new election date would be voted on at the September Commission meeting.
Public Comment: Ms. Nancy Wuerfel asked if there would be Commission meetings in September and November. It was indicated there would be regularly scheduled meetings in September and November and the Commission would meet unless a quorum was not available.
Public Comment: Ms. Lurilla Harris corrected the use of the term “appointment” of officers and advised that the proper term should be “election.” 9. INFORMATION: Commission Secretary’s Report (Explanatory Document distributed in Commission Meeting)· Monica Fish, Commission Secretary reported on communications and correspondence and provided an update on pending City legislation as reflected in the Commission Secretary’s Report explanatory document above. 10. INFORMATION: Operations Committee Report▪ Chair’s Report: Commissioner Mok highlighted the meeting of July 19, 2006 reporting that (1) the Bayview Farmers Market is in the second year of operation. Girls 2000, the lead agency, was awarded a $280,000 three-year grant to support the market; (2) School Education Program staff presented an overview of current and new programs; and (3) Deputy Director presented on: the Grantees Operating Procedures Manual for program year 2006, 2006-07 budget, update on the move to 25 Van Ness; and status of the Controller’s Office Audit Report. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2006, at 4:00 p.m., 11 Grove Street, Eco-Center Conference Room. 11. INFORMATION: Policy Committee Report▪ Chair’s Report: Commissioner Wald highlighted the meeting of June 12, 2006 reporting on a discussion with Department staff, concerned public members and others to implement Urban Environmental Accord 12 on Urban Nature and current challenges. The August 14 meeting would be cancelled. The next meeting will be held on September 11 to discuss Urban Environmental Accord Action 17 on environmental health, which calls for promotion of public health and environmental benefits of supporting locally grown organic foods. 12. INFORMATION: Director’s Report (Explanatory Document: Directors Report distributed in Commission Meeting)▪ Nelly Sun, Management Assistant to Jared Blumenfeld, Director, Department of the Environment highlighted updates on SFE administrative and programmatic operations relating to Budget Planning, Strategic Planning, Climate Division, Outreach and Education Division, Environmental Justice Division, Zero Waste, Toxics Reduction Program, and the Urban Forestry Division as reflected in the Director’s Report explanatory document above.
Commissioner King advised that the Health and Environment Committee hears major development issues in the Bayview district and requested that a workshop be set up with the Department and the Environment and the Health and Environment Committee for the purpose of promoting green building in the Bayview District. Ms. Sun stated that she would discuss this item with Ms. Anne Eng, Program Manager for the Environmental Justice program area.
Vice-President Wald and Commissioner King complimented the Outreach Section’s Recycling brochure.
Commissioner Gravanis complimented the Department’s efforts and inquired about Supervisor Peskin’s Food Service Waste Reduction Ordinance and asked when the Board Operations Committee would be hearing the item. Ms. Sun stated that amendments had been proposed and she would report back on this issue.
Public Comment: Ms. Lurilla Harris inquired (1) about the income level needed to qualify for installation of solar energy systems, and (2) where Green Zebra coupons would be distributed. Ms. Sun indicated that she would consult with the Environmental Justice program area and report back to Ms. Harris.
Ms. Debbie Raphael, Toxics Reduction Program Manager discussed the development of Green Zebra coupon books and the intention of distributing the coupons to vendors such as Whole Foods to either sell or give away and as a fundraiser for schools. The Commissioners were invited to attend the next green business recognition event supporting green businesses when scheduled. 13. PRESIDENT’S ANNOUNCEMENTS. President Pelosi Jr. congratulated Commissioner Gravanis on her appointment to the Commission. A new Committee, the Alternative Energy Committee was formed that will require a bylaws amendment to be voted on at the next Commission meeting in September. Members appointed included Vice-President Wald and President Pelosi Jr. Regular meetings will be held on the second Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. in Room 408, City Hall.President Pelosi appointed Commissioners Gravanis and King to the Policy Committee. Appointments were accepted.Public Comment: Ms. Nancy Wuerfel recommended (1) pursuing wind-generated devices for the home as part of a discussion at the Alternative Energy Committee; and (2) discussed an article by Mr. Michael Pollan on the dependency of corn-based products on fossil fuels.14. INFORMATION: New Business. Deputy Director Assmann announced that Deputy City Attorney Rona Sandler would be working with the Port in the future and acknowledged her work for the Department of the Environment.15. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS. There was no discussion of future agenda items at this time.16. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Members of the public may address the Commission on matters that are within the Commission’s jurisdiction and are not on today’s agenda. There was no public comment at this time.17. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting of the Commission on the Environment adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Monica Fish Commission Secretary TEL: (415) 355-3709 FAX: (415) 554-6393
** Copies of explanatory documents are available at (1) the Commission’s office, 11 Grove Street, San Francisco, California between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., (2) on the Commission’s website https://sites.google.com/a/sfenvironment.org/commission/environment-commission as attachments to the meeting agenda or minutes, (3) upon request to the Commission Secretary, at telephone number 415-355-3709, or via e-mail at [email protected].
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Adopted: September 26, 2006 |
Environment Commission > 2006 Meetings >
