CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO

PEAK OIL PREPAREDNESS TASK FORCE

 

REGULAR MEETING

APPROVED MINUTES

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2008, 3:00 P.M.

 

CITY HALL, ROOM 421

ONE DR. CARLTON B. GOODLETT PLACE

SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102

Economy: Member Stark reported that she and Chair Rosenmeier talked with the Chief Economist for San Francisco, Ted Eagan and co-author Jennifer Matz of the Mayor’s Office of Workforce and Economic Development, who completed a study in November called Sustaining our Prosperity San Francisco Economic Strategy.  The report provides an analysis of San Francisco’s economy and how it breaks down by sector.  A discussion was held on the importance of testing for price sensitivity and responses of different sectors to changes in oil prices; however, the report is not designed to do that. 

 

Chair Rosenmeier reported that she had met with Ms. Matz who indicated that the City has a lot of programs that will help the Task Force as they try to develop a post-fossil fuel city.  It was indicated that a meeting would be set up with Mr. Eagan to discuss this topic.  Member Stark stated that it was important to consider how to remove policy barriers that would provide for conservation (e.g., density) and to people becoming more efficient and conserving energy.  It was explained that San Francisco does not produce anything it consumes and improvements to local production are necessary.  A discussion was held on the necessity for maintaining tourism in San Francisco as tax revenues and jobs related to supporting tourism are important to San Francisco’s economy 

 

Transportation: Chair Rosenmeier reported that she had reviewed MUNI rider-ship surveys about where people are riding MUNI and where they would like to be riding MUNI.  It was stated that the Mayor commissioned a report on the potential of making MUNI free and impacts; e.g., an increase in ridership, need for additional buses, staffing, and costs. It was explained that the report addresses important issues.  Chair Rosenmeier discussed the concept that if transportation costs for driving a car increase, public transportation prices would go down, and people would be more inclined to take public transportation.  Chair Rosenmeier questioned why MUNI is not moving towards a larger percentage of electric buses.  Member Mark suggested reviewing the congestion pricing proposal.  Chair Rosenmeier indicated that she would be identifying a MUNI staff person to meet with on transportation topics.

 

Infrastructure:  Vice Chair Meyerson reported that he had spent most of his time researching data on municipal infrastructure for public agencies such as the Police and Fire Departments, hospitals, jails, and the airport.  It was reported that the Police Department uses gasoline engines exclusively and does not seem to be interested in change, citing a safety exemption. Vice Chair Meyerson indicated that he is investigating whether Police Departments across the state use similar standards and whether the standards preclude alternative-powered vehicles. 

 

Vice Chair Meyerson reported that the City’s diesel fleet runs on 80% regular diesel and 20% biodiesel.  Biodiesel still has to be imported at this time, but there is an effort to work on more local production of biodiesel to fulfill the 20% biodiesel use.  There is also an effort to move towards increasing the percentage of biodiesel in diesel vehicles.  A discussion was held on utilizing maximum use of available dollars now as opposed to later when there won’t be as much money available.  It was stated that increasing fuel costs would increase stress in the population, especially in the economically marginal population.  It was suggested that methods be reviewed to servicing the economically marginal population.

 

Architecture: Member Gerber reported that she has been working with Chair Rosenmeier on reviewing the economic analysis of the green building report and would be reviewing green building legislation.  A review of the net metering policy would also be worked on. Member Gerber discussed methods the marine industry uses to mitigate their rat problem which can be adapted to street trees that produce food and would speak to Member Mark.  Chair Rosenmeier inquired whether there is an optimal building height for energy efficiency.  Member Gerber reported that it would be seven stories.

 

Food. Member Mark reported that he has held discussions with people in San Francisco who are engaged in food production and would be researching the numbers on current food production within San Francisco in February.  It was stated that there are only two known food producers in San Francisco.  Member Mark also discussed (1) the importance of San Francisco receiving local food sources within a 100-mile radius; (2) assessing where the City is currently in food production, distribution, human caloric needs, and intake; (3) reviewing Department of Public Works rules on street tree planting; and (4) holding a public forum on food as part of the peak oil assessment. 

 

Vice Chair Meyerson recommended that (1) people be influenced to start buying local seasonable food so that supermarkets will start responding to that type of demand; (2) supermarkets be required to more routinely identify food sources; (3) determine the types of fruits and vegetables that would most efficiently yield nutritional and caloric requirements; and (4) analyze how far you would have to push past the 100-mile radius and what that would require in order to feed San Francisco and the Bay Area.  Member Mark reported that there are approximately six million people living in the San Francisco Bay area.   

 

Energy.  Member Duisberg discussed the high cost of solar in comparison with hydro and hydro carbons in California.  Additional topics of discussion included (1) the importance of education; (2) the energy cost in transportation of produce; (3) the water use of certain produce over other produce and water having a high intrinsic energy value; (4) energy efficiency or reduced consumption of energy as the most fundamental investment in the energy area; (5) architecture, types of agriculture, and kind of transport becomes important because all of those things have the potential to reduce the amount of energy used to get the same service or benefit.  Member Duisberg reported that he is responsible for reporting on the section of how to increase efficiency which would have a lot to do with people’s expectations.  Vice Chair Meyerson suggested creating enough energy savings so that PUC could bank enough to cover the 50 megawatts that they have to buy. 

 

Societal Functioning. Member Lundberg reported that there are the seven basic areas of peak oil to focus on for anticipating societal changes.  It was stated that social functioning could be the way people learn how to deal with peak oil and interact with others as opposed to waiting for orders from government or the news media.  With these seven interconnecting areas and all subsystems, there is great complexity with our society and more interdependence.  A discussion was held on (1) the importance of the societal functioning group reaching out and involving the public so that ideas can be presented for mitigating the effects of peak oil; (2) creating a list of action items to take regarding peak oil; (3) having to change the way we live because inexpensive energy would not be available; and (4) moving toward alternative methods of transport that is not dependent on oil.

 

Member Lundberg stated that a matrix listing the elements of social functioning and a proactive approach would be created.  It was suggested that a Task Force public outreach letter be created to send to NGO’s, schools, and religious organizations, etc. offering their expertise and advising of a meeting to be held in City Hall to gather input. Additional recommendations included creating publications and outreach to the general media on the Task Force’s mandate. 

 

Task Force members discussed methods for obtaining suggestions from the public; e.g., a website blog that a Task Force member could be assigned to respond to.  Vice Chair Meyerson discussed the question of the culture and interrelationship changes that would have to take place over time in order to accommodate a lessening availability of fossil fuels.  It was stated that changes would have to be made with consumption of goods/foreign goods and things society currently takes for granted. 

 

Public Comment

 

Dennis Brumm inquired about the percentage of biodiesel that is being imported.  Ms. Capria stated that all B20 is current being imported.  A discussion was held on the restaurant grease collection program that has just started that could result in local availability of biodiesel.

 

Nathan Rogers stated that there needs to be a shift of what society thinks is normal as we have had an abundance of inexpensive energy, and the paradigm is coming to a close.  The need for a massive media campaign was discussed.  Mr. Rogers suggested creating an online blog with an online blog master in order to create a media for public input. 

 

Gene O’Keefe reported that Israel is in the process of trying to get everyone out of gas- powered vehicles and into electric cars and is working with Renault Nissan on this effort.  Mr. O’Keefe suggested that the Task Force contact Renault Nissan on how the project called “Project Better Place” is being run.

 

Antoinetta Estadelman stated that the City’s budget would be affected when there is a peak oil shortage. It was suggested that historical data be researched on how to deal with budget cuts so that it is accomplished in a sustainable way.

 

Unidentified Speaker requested that the Task Force (1) consider the loss of Department of Parking and Traffic money from parking meters from less car usage into the city; (2) inquired who would be providing electric energy if there were to be a shift toward electric (whether it would be municipal or PG&E), (3) ensure that there be continued access towards health-related care; and (4) inquired whether MUNI would be installing more rail or electric lines.  A discussion was held on the City of Oakland’s Green Job Corp that provides funding for job training for lower income communities.  Chair Rosenmeier reported that San Francisco has a similar program.

 

Unidentified Speaker discussed the goal of the Task Force and report.  It was suggested that the Task Force consider fermentation.

 

Unidentified Speaker discussed the viability of more people becoming farmers and stressed the importance of food distribution.

 

Unidentified Speaker discussed tidal wave as a viable energy source. 

 

Unidentified Speaker discussed the importance of creating concrete proposals that can be done, maybe not immediately but within a practical timeframe. 

 

Cal Simone stated that he was in favor of a MUNI electric system but not all on wire.  If the system were to shut down, the entire city would be immobile.  Mr. Simone indicated that he would not recommend bringing more people into the City as (1) a dense population would cause problems with food-shortages, and (2) a larger population could cause more social unrest resulting in more police and government intervention.

 

Unidentified Speaker recommended that (1) the Task Force should consider detailed plans to deal with state and federal regulations; (2) consider food security; (3) connect with local firms such as farmers markets to provide food; and (4) consider BART as a method of bringing freight into the City. 

 

Member Mark stated that society would be moving from a culture of abundance or perceived abundance to scarcity that would require cultural shifts.  The mandate of the Task Force is to provide policy recommendations to the City.  What can the City do with its modest budget to facilitate a cultural shift—does it mean creating different layers of government, such as neighborhood councils or participatory budgeting?  Decision-making would be needed in a resource-constrained society.   

 

Item 7 was heard before Items 5 and 6.

5.      Comments Letter regarding Green Building Construction Requirements: Economic Impact Report.  Approval of Comment Letter to Controllers’ Office of Economic Analysis (15 minutes) (Discussion and Action) (15 minutes)

 

Continued to the Call of the Chair.

 

6.      Establishing Contact with City Departments, Supervisors and Mayor.  How to make contacts with City Departments, Supervisors, and the Mayor in particular regarding interim actions in keeping with the Peak Oil Preparedness mandate. (Discussion) (15 minutes)

 

Members discussed sending a letter and the City’s peak oil resolution to City government offices advising them (1) that they should not be conducting business as usual with any developments or policies that perpetuate petroleum dependence; (2) to establish contact with City departments at this time.  Member Gerber recommended that each Task Force member meet with their district supervisor and select an additional Supervisor.  Chair Rosenmeier requested that this item be continued to the March meeting in order to discuss a letter/proposal. 

 

7.      Selection of Second Meeting Date, Time and Location.  Choice of possible second meeting-- possibilities being second, third or fourth Tuesdays. Request for Bylaws amendment notice to be published reflecting the amendment (Discussion and Action) (5 minutes).

 

Public Comment:  Cal Simone suggested 5 to 7:30 p.m. as a meeting time and volunteered to prepare meeting minutes.

 

Task Force members chose the third Tuesday of each month from 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., City Hall, Room 421, as a second meeting date and agreed to a rotation of minute-preparation.  It was stated that the first meeting held on March 18 would be to discuss the Economy and Energy sections of the report.

 

Member Mark left the meeting at this time.

 

8.      New Business/Future Agenda Items (Information and Discussion) (5 minutes).  Chair Rosenmeier requested that Task Force members email her suggestions for future agenda items.

 

9.      Public Comments:  Members of the public may address the Task Force on matters that are within the Task Force’s jurisdiction and are not on today’s agenda (15 minutes total).

 

Unidentified Speaker asked about the process for the Task Force sending information to the public.  Ms. Fish stated that (1) there is an agenda mailing list that includes members of the public; (2) the Chair usually responds to inquiries by members of the public, and (3) the secretary usually sends out information to a quorum of members, keeping a copy for the public record.

 

Antoinetta Estadelman inquired as to why wind propellers do not all function at the same rate.  Member Duisberg stated that the maintenance of the original wind turbines had not been that good; but subsequently, Power and Light that owns a majority of the wind turbines have been making sure that they work properly.  

 

10. Adjournment.  The Task Force meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.

 

** Copies of explanatory documents are available at (1) the Task Force office, 11 Grove Street, San Francisco, California between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., (2) upon request to the Task Force Secretary, at telephone number 415-355-3709 or via e-mail at [email protected], or (3) at the Peak Oil Preparedness Task Force meeting website as attachments with each agenda or meeting minutes.

 

Respectfully submitted by,

Monica Fish, Task Force Secretary

 

Approved: March 4, 2008