CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO

PEAK OIL PREPAREDNESS TASK FORCE

 

REGULAR MEETING

APPROVED MINUTES

TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2008, 3:00 P.M.

 

CITY HALL, ROOM 421

ONE DR. CARLTON B. GOODLETT PLACE

SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102 

1.       Call to Order and Roll Call.  The Peak Oil Preparedness Task Force convened at 3:00 p.m.  Present:  Chair Rosenmeier, Vice-Chair Meyerson, Members Katz, Mark and Lundburg, Excused:  Member Gerber.

 

2.        Approval of the April 15, 2008 Peak Oil Preparedness Task Force Regular Meeting Draft Minutes (Discussion and Action).  Upon Motion by Vice-Chair Meyerson and second by Member Katz, the April 15, 2008 meeting minutes were approved with a revision to page 4 to correct the public comment speaker’s name from “Parsos” to “Parsons”.  (Explanatory Document: April 15, 2008 Approved Minutes).

 

3.        Presentation of Economy Section Outline (Informational Presentation and Discussion) Speaker:  Chair Jeanne Rosenmeier (Explanatory Document: Draft Outline Amended).

 

Chair Rosenmeier distributed an amended version of the draft outline (see explanatory document above). Recommendations to consider for the outline included:

 

·         To gauge the next two years of tourism and conventions--contact Moscone Center as they receive reservations years in advance.

·         Possible cottage industries:  Manufacturing from recycled materials, canning jars and caps.

·         How can the city compete in an energy-constrained economy?  We have a great competitive advantage due to Hetch-Hetchy.

·         Food preparation expertise.

·         Plan community dinners?

·         Need to emphasize that economy will no longer be able to grow.

·         Pilot car-free areas.

·         Regarding asset poverty, note that the middle class will be vulnerable, not just the poor.  The economy will become ever more food-centric.

·         Can we do an SF car or gas-guzzler tax?

·         Simplification of the economy; jobs will be less specialized.

 

Public Comment

 

Mr. Steve Vitka recommended locating community spaces around the city in order to hold community dinners with locally grown food.  It was suggested that discussions be held to consider how the city and surrounding communities would transition into growing and preparing its own food.

 

Mr. Don Eichelberger stated that an economic analysis needs to challenge the growth paradigm because there will be economy constrictions in a post-petrol world, which is now called recessionary.  It was explained that recession is being confused with conservation.  The speaker recommended (1) that the report issue recommendations for the City to take measures to assure that all of our needs such as food, consumer goods, energy, etc. could be met within a 300-mile radius; (2) that a severe carbon tax be enforced for anything that comes farther than 500 miles away; (3) that every solar panel have a back up generator; and (4) create a carbon/gas-guzzler tax.   

 

Member Mark joined the meeting at this time.

 

4.        Establishing Contact with Department Heads (Discussion) (Continued from the April 1, 2008 Meeting).

 

Chair Rosenmeier reported that the Task Force decided at the last meeting to continue this item until the Task Force has a draft report available or has an idea of what type of information department heads should be asked to supply.  Member Lundberg stated that the Task Force has limited time and now has the opportunity to advance the awareness and dangers of peak oil and make recommendations as to what the City should or should not be doing.  Vice-Chair Meyerson discussed other similar City initiatives that direct departments to take actions on issues such as conservation, reducing the carbon footprint, and the Climate Action Plan, which have the same objective.  Ms. Capria stated that the Task Force’s enabling legislation calls for a report to be prepared on the City’s vulnerabilities and for recommendations on steps that should be taken, but sees no problem with issuing a letter. Members Mark and Katz recommended that the tone of the letter be changed in order to draw department heads in rather than making demands.  Vice-Chair Meyerson stated that the Board of Supervisors could establish legislation/policies from the report’s recommendations that would request that certain measures be taken by departments.

 

Member Lundberg discussed an event called “The Big One” to be held on June 21 and 22 that could be an opportunity for the Task Force and department heads to learn about what proper City policies and priorities should be. Member Lundberg reported that he would resubmit the letter and requested input from Task Force members.  This item was continued to the May 20, 2008 meeting.

 

Public Comment

 

Unidentified Speaker recommended finding common ground and finding ways to give direction without issuing demands.

 

Unidentified Speaker suggested inviting department heads to a presentational meeting about peak oil in order to have an informal discussion.

 

Ms. Mary Foretich recommended getting department heads engaged by having food at the meeting, to have a community lunch, and request that food producers and chefs volunteer their services.

 

5.        Discussion of Possible extension of Task Force Sunset Date. (Discussion and Possible Action).

 

Vice-Chair Meyerson discussed the turnover on the Task Force, the amount of work that still has to be done, and the possibility of requesting an extension of the sunset date.  Members discussed the amount of time that should be requested if required. Member Katz stated that he was not in favor of an extension because he would have his section of the report ready on time. 

 

Members discussed the best time to deliver the report in order for it to capture the most attention and how the November election may impact when the report should be submitted. It was stated that submission of the report would not have bearing on the actual sunset date as it could be delivered at a later date.

 

Public Comment

 

Mr. Simone asked if the Board of Supervisors annual budget cycle has any bearing on when the report should be issued.  Member Mark reported that the budget begins on July 1.

 

This item was continued to the Call of the Chair.

 

Item 7 was heard before Item 6.

 

6.        Member Attendance and Peak Oil Task Force Attendance Policy as it relates to completing work assignments (Discussion) (Explanatory Document:  Task Force Adopted Attendance Policy).

 

Chair Rosenmeier discussed the attendance policy and asked for a commitment for attendance at meetings from Member Lundberg.  A discussion was held on the importance of having members attend meetings so that a product can be produced and information can be gathered. Member Lundberg stated that because of personal reasons, he may not be able to attend as many meetings as required by the attendance policy, and would have to resign if that becomes the case.  Member Lundberg indicated that he would have a more definitive answer regarding his membership before the next two meetings.  Chair Rosenmeier reported on a candidate for membership that would be interested in writing a section of the report if Member Lundberg were to resign.

 

7.        Division of responsibilities for Energy Section of the Report (Discussion) (Explanatory Document:  Draft Outline)

 

Mr. Don Eichelberger stated that a lot of the energy work should have already been done through global warming efforts and suggested piggybacking onto the work that has already been accomplished. Ms. Capria reported that the global warming work does not contain an economic component.

 

8.        Consideration and Approval of Co-sponsorship of Nonprofit Peak Oil Conference (Discussion and Action). Speaker:  Chair Jeanne Rosenmeier

 

Chair Rosenmeier reported that she was contacted by Ms. Erica Edelson, Oil Independent Berkeley Task Force, who is trying to organize a peak oil forum for non-profit organizations and had asked that the San Francisco Peak Oil Preparedness Task Force co-sponsor the event, tentatively scheduled for mid-June.  Chair Rosenmeier reported that she had attended a meeting of the planning group and is intending to attend additional meetings and would report back with additional information. The intent is for the Task Force to join with the City of Berkeley for an information-giving event on peak oil to foundations, with Mr. Richard Heinberg speaking. 

 

Upon Motion by Member Mark and second by Vice-Chair Meyerson, approval was given for the Task Force to co-sponsor the conference with the caveat that the Deputy City Attorney would be consulted on the legality of co-sponsorship, to confirm that the City of Berkeley is the actual sponsor, and to make sure that less than a quorum of members attend the conference.  (AYES:  Chair Rosenmeier, Vice-Chair Meyerson, Members Katz, Lundberg and Mark; Absent:  Member Gerber.)

 

9.        Discussion of Letter “Save San Francisco’s Pilot Solar Incentive Program” (Explanatory Document: SF Solar Support Letter) (Discussion).

 

Member Mark reported that this item had previously been discussed during New Business at the April 15 meeting and thought that there would be no further action to take.  Chair Rosenmeier reported that the Board of Supervisors Budget and Finance Committee would be meeting on May 7, 2008 to consider this program.  Chair Rosenmeier indicated that there is opposition to this program because it would be drawing on the same funds that are supposed to be used for community choice aggregation.  Ms. Capria indicated that it would be a good idea to get clarity on the funding issue and to speak to Mr. Cal Broomhead, Energy Manager or Ms. Johanna Partin, Renewable Energy Program manager. Vice-Chair Meyerson stated that anyone could act on this issue as individuals, but is not sure whether the Task Force can take a position on an issue before the Board of Supervisors.  No further discussion was held on this item.

 

Public Comment:  Mr. Simone stated that he thinks the Task Force has the freedom to make interim recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.

 

10.    New Business/Future Agenda Items (Information and Discussion).

 

Member Lundberg would be issuing a revised draft to Department Heads to present to Task Force members for the May 20 meeting.  Chair Rosenmeier discussed a letter by Mr. Richard Heinberg about resilient communities and disaster management, and suggested this topic as a future agenda item. Member Lundberg suggested that Mr. Moore, of the East Bay, who has actually met with disaster planning and emergency preparedness county officials on how to get peak oil included as a legitimate case similar to an earthquake speak at a future meeting. Vice-Chair Meyerson suggested that the person in charge of the City Disaster Planning Group attend the same meeting.  Member Mark recommended that a transportation charrette be scheduled similar to the food charrette with a large group of advocates already doing work that have a plan and vision.  Member Lundberg suggested that the Peak Oil Preparedness Task Force discuss hosting a table or attend the “The Big One” event in Golden Gate Park on June 21 and 22. 

 

11.    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.

 

Unidentified Speaker (1) stated that the Metropolitan Transportation Commission is having a regional transportation planning meeting on May 25 and recommended that a Task Force member attend the meeting; and (2) discussed stationery uses for back-up generation

 

12.    Adjournment.  The Peak Oil Preparedness Task Force meeting adjourned at 5:25 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: May 20, 2008