Transcripts For SFGTV 20101122

president chiu: thank you very much. >> the last word i was quick to say. president chiu: thank you. thank you. next speaker. >> my name is benjamin. i have concern -- i am concerned that having a majority would basically and upper putting it to the next board. i would like to see the board have this have a regular majority. that way, the solution comes much quicker or much easier. people might not like the decision of the simple majority, but with a simple majority i know a mayor is going to come faster. or i know that somebody will be picked sooner. that is my comment. thank you. president chiu: thank you. are there any other members of the public who wish to speak in this committee as a whole? if you want to speak, please step up. >> bradley weidmeyer. you are going to be criticized no matter what you do. we have seen four years and beyond of people trying to delegitimize the vote of the people for this board of supervisors. it is terrible. you need to make sure that people know this process is going to happen next week. i am a little confused as to how the two measures are resolved. the clerk was instructed to come up with the process. it has not happened. is it also going to not happen next week? and will we go on? there is not a lot of time. 99 years ago this week, the supervisors select and the ppie board met because they had big things to do. and the accomplished them. in seven months, they had the architect chosen for this building and the civic center under way. that was two months before there were sworn in in january. that is the magnificence of the proposal here is that we get going. that the three supervisors -- we are ready to have this scheduled and to move forward and not to allow -- is there a guarantee we are going to go forward next week? it is very confusing. i do not see how the two measures are resolved. i think a testimony insisted that we go forward and that the legitimacy of your decision is here, because the people have seeded you and you can make this decision. it is necessary. we have huge things to do. i urge you to go ahead, not to wait for whatever delays will take this down the road to the next board. >> i am gladys otto. let us move on. i have been here since 1:30. why don't we get the basic rules to get this process moving and start the process as is, with all due respect? sometimes we are so afraid of what is going to happen. i came because i am worried about who is going to get it, how am i going to be supported for the next two years or whenever. so i want to see the process moving with the basic rules required by the law. let the public have the input. i think it is kind of late. i know sometimes used a light, but the process is one that is going to be so hard that i do not think we need to spend the energy tonight. anyway, thank you. president chiu: are there any other members of the public who wish to speak? have you spoken yet? step up, please. >> hello. i just wanted to say a little something, and it is something that i have learned. i just, like -- i am not sure it is supposed to be done by voting, but pick the person who is right for the job, that will show enthusiasm for what they want. to be a lawyer for good schools, public schools, catholic, everyone. for someone who will do the right job, and not someone who just wants all this power or popularity or something. [applause] president chiu: thank you for those comments. is there anyone else who wishes to speak in this session as we sit in the committee as a whole? seeing none at this time, this public hearing is closed. i want to thank all the members of the public who came out today. obviously, this will be the first of a number of sessions where we will receive a lot of very good public input on this very important question. it looks like supervisor daly -- the you have any further comments? supervisor daly: this has been a little technical, i think, in terms of starting this discussion. i would have loved to have had a discussion at least of some of the characteristics or values or attributes in a next mayor. again, i was having trouble writing my thoughts down, but i came up with three for me. i am certainly an unabashed progressive. some more conservative members of the board might disagree or prefer i had a different take on one of these. but the first, which hopefully we all can agree on, which we heard from the last speaker in the public hearing, is we really need someone who is familiar with the workings of san francisco government, who knows a great deal about the mayor's office and is ready for the actual challenges of managing the city and dealing with the legislative calendar. you can take a look at the charter and the powers and responsibilities of the office of mayor, and certainly a need someone who is ready there. you could probably find several members of this board as potential next mayor's, because if you have done a certain amount of time on this board, just by the nature of the job, you're going to meet the first qualification. for me, the second important attribute is i really think that we need a compassionate mayor. and when i say that, what i mean is someone who will stand up for vulnerable san franciscans. i think in the city of st. francis, we need to defend it like that in the office of mayor. for me, the third attribute is not really an attribute, but really a political qualification. it has to be someone who can get six votes out of this room. people ask me why my name is not in consideration. i think i do one and to find. i think three i have a problem. a bit of realpolitik there. in terms of the process moving forward, i got caught up on our board rule that our legal counsel referenced, this -- as two-year chair of the rules committee, you would think i would get that the rules committee should repair appointments. but we have a rule earlier in our calendar. it is the adoption of a committee agenda. in part, adoption without committee reference agenda -- rule 3.11 says the board may consider motions for immediate option without -- for immediate adoption without reference to committee. the requires six votes. if no one else wants to do it, i am happy with preparing a motion for next week's adoption calendar we can start to talk about the meat of this item. i think something as big as appointing a successor mayor, something this important, should have a special item on the agenda and a special time and this that and the other. but according to our board rules, it appears as if it can be effected just on the adoption without committee reference. it is emotion internal to the board. the board does have rules capable of doing this. i did support supervisor chu's motion directing the clerk to develop the process. let me make a friendly suggestion. how about we put the appointment of mayor on the calendar, encourage members of the public to testify at general public comment at any calendar where we have an item on the adoption calendar, and obviously we can pull the item off the adoption calendar and move forward with it there. that is my 2 cents. i think that is the simplest way to move forward. i think we can hopefully have a more substantive discussion of what we feel are qualities of the next mayor of san francisco and what that should be. president chiu: any other final comments? we do still have other business in front of the board. supervisor avalos: i want to go on to the business of the board, but i want to continue this item to next week's calendar, next week's agenda, item number 45. that is the amended sitting as a committee of the whole. president chiu: supervisor avalos has made a motion to continue item 45. sitting as the committee as a whole. supervisor avalos has made a motion to continue this until next week. is there a second to this motion? it is seconded by supervisor campos. supervisor alioto-pier: i would just like to -- supervisor daily is talking about doing what he is quick to do. it is than redundant to continue this item. we have essentially the same thing on the agenda for next week. am i missing something? it seems like we are duplicating this. and if we go with what supervisor daly suggested, which seems to be the simplest -- supervisor avalos: i will withdraw. supervisor alioto-pier: it can be done during the public comment. so we are not duplicating that either. president chiu: anybody else on the roster? supervisor daly: the only reason why i would support supervisor avalos's motion is because the substance is slightly different. it perhaps should be amended and stuck in a place where we are not continuing to talk about the process next week. we have had a discussion of process already and will get that opportunity when the cork comes forward. but the nice thing about supervisor avalos's movement is there is a time certain aspect. but would not be nice is multiple parts of the meeting with public comment. we do not have time certain for general public comment. president chiu: so is there a motion for -- it has been withdrawn. i realize item 46 -- my understanding is because we did not vote today on the motion to take a nomination for the successor mayor, according to the deputy city attorney that has been tabled by an operation of law. with that, why don't we go to roll call for introduction stacs? >> supervisor maxwell, you are first on roll-call for introductions. supervisor maxwell: i would like to adjourn today's meeting in memory of roughhouse, who passed away on wednesday, november 10, at age 89. he worked for the veterans administration, and retired after completing 30 years of service. he was a community leader and has been in the trenches of community work for over 25 years. he organized the bayview hill neighborhood association and served as president and agent from 1985 through 2004. he received numerous awards in recognition for his tireless work in the community. he was appointed to the board of permit appeals under agnes and served as commissioner for four years. he was a humble and wonderful man and worked tirelessly for his community. ralph will be missed by his family and friends, and all the community and all the people who knew him. i would like to extend my deepest sympathy to his family. his funeral service is sunday, november 25 at the mortuary. there will be a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. at st. paul's of the shipwreck church. >> thank you, supervisor maxwell. we will skip over supervisor alioto-pier and go to -- supervisor alioto-pier. supervisor alioto-pier: thank you, madam clark. i have one in memoriam today for robert baragelata. he was a trial attorney for more than five decades and the brother of a late supervisor. he died after suffering a stroke. he was 85 years old. he devoted most of his career to representing accident becomes who claimed they were mistreated by insurance companies. he retired from the practice of law several years ago. his longtime friend and colleague said that the two of them were discussing an upcoming insurance case the day before he died. he is survived by his wife of 54 years, his daughter, his sons michael and robert, and four grandchildren. he was known as being a dapper dresser who walked down the streets of san francisco, at home, and abroad, handing business cards to people he met and inviting them to call him when he came to san francisco. he will be sorely missed. supervisor campos: -- supervisor chu: if we can do it from the full board. that would be appreciated inappropriate. i would also like to adjourn in the memory of william frost. he was born in san francisco in 1923 and passed away last friday, surrounded by his loving family. his wife barbara raised their eight children in the sunset district and more active members of the parish in the district. he served honorably in the army during world war ii and was always very active in the community. he was an avid runner, loved camping and body surfing, and also square dancing. he will be missed by his children his grandchildren and his family and friends. >> supervisor daly is not in the chamber. supervisor dufty: i have introduced an ordinance that relates to the path of gold and rainbow banners that hang on the street fixtures. that measure hopefully will be referred to the city operations committee and we will be looking at the replacement of some of the banners that are on market street. colleagues, i would like to submit an in memoriam on behalf of joseph medina, the fire chief, on behalf of the entire board. he passed away on october 26 at the age of 75. he grew up in san francisco. he attended local elementary schools and graduated from galileo high school. he went on to serve for two years during the korean war as a member of the marine corps. afterwards, he studied fire science at san francisco's city college. in 1962, he joined the fire department and work of the ranks. he was promoted to lieutenant in 1970, captain in 1973, a battalion chief in 1977, and assistant chief in 1982. he was appointed to position of file -- fire marshal and in 1992 named head of the department. he retired in 1996. he was a respected individual who led the department. he worked at every station and studied constantly as he was promoted to the ranks to become chief. he was always appreciative of the effort and dedication to fellow firefighters and treasure the bond of friendship with those who worked under his command. he took a great interest in the lives and deeds of all the personnel and their families and is regarded as one of the great fire chiefs that has served the city and county of san francisco. he will be remembered fondly as a fairly dark, a gentleman, and a friend. he is survived by his wife of 26 years, his children, family members. we appreciate his service and dedication to his city. i am also introducing an in memorial for erwin bayer. he built a successful textile manufacturing business here in the san francisco bay area. it became a premier supplier of quilting fabrics around the world. erwin was a past president of the jewish community life in san francisco and a longtime supporter of the jewish community federation. he was a graduate of san francisco state university and was an avid forty-niners fan. he held season tickets for 40 years and attended all the super bowls at which they competed. last, i am submitting an in memoriam for john robert myer. he passed away with his partner james at his side. he was the and the son of theo and lucille and enjoyed a rich and full life. at 16, he joined the merchant marines as a cook and survived two bomb attacks on the ship. he worked as a makeup artist for the san francisco opera and studied with the martha graham company and the joffrey ballet. his family was involved in managing properties. he and his partner owned property in many cities. while he lived in many cities, he much beloved san francisco, which was always the city he loved most. his final days rest and surrounded by many of the people he touched throughout his life. he is survived by his loving partner and his adopted the sun, and many other nephews and family members. he will be greatly missed. >> thank you, supervisor dufty. supervisor dufty: there is one item i did not mention. i want to acknowledge last night there was a vigil outside of city hall that was hosted by the healing circle support group. i wanted to share that among those people who were remembered at the candlelight vigil was the sixth month anniversary of the passing of a husband and father of three children, delmand eugene carter, who was shot and killed on may 15 of this year. his wife was in attendance, as was his mother. i saw his mother at public comment, but i do not believe she was able to stay in order to testify. i want to acknowledge there were family members and loved ones of jovan hilton, the 22-year-old young man who is the second son of felicia willis to be killed in gun violence, and the parents of another 22-year-old who was murdered on november 8. i want to acknowledge them. obviously, many colleagues have worked with the healing circle. i would also like to share that in all of the sadness among those that were remembered, they went out of their way to acknowledge it kathleen perran, the individual who lost her life in russian hill. their stance in behalf of her loss was greatly appreciated. thank you. >> thank you. supervisor mirkarimi: with supervisor dufty, i was at the healing circle vigil last night. i want to commend them for their ongoing work. most often not in the spotlight of the media or large public crowds, they gather together to commemorate and reflect on those whose lives have been lost on the streets of san francisco. i think it is important that if anybody who has not witnessed or been part of that process -- that they actually do so. at the beginning of this meeting, we were shocked to learn of the passing of brother kelly cullen of tndc. i do not have all the information we would like to collect in order to address the othebrother cullen's life in the way would like, but this really does it as pretty hard. he was only 57 years old, and his impact on the city and the tenderloin is everlasting, and will be woefully missed. everybody who knows brother kelly's creativity and in the fatigue of all energy -- and indefatiguable energy will miss him greatly. he has been connected to tncdc from its founding in 1981. he ascended to executive director. he became one of the first tenants at their first building. the hotel, for most of his 21 years in the tenderloin -- brother kelly has lived in the franciscan friar at st. barnabas church. he has a long history in the tenderloin. he in 1979 became director of employment at st. anthony's foundation, which everybody knows very well. they feed thousands of people per day. in 1981, as i said, he joined the staff and became director of the tenderloin recreation center, working with san francisco recreation and parks department and eventually joining tndc. when he became executive director in ne, they have nine buildings and 1000 tenants. later, they have 21 buildings with 61 units of housing and 3000 tenants. he left, making a mark and like any. i know that the city will feel his loss. i would ask that on behalf of the whole board that will certainly send our condolences. president chiu: without objection, that shall be the case. supervisor mirkarimi: i have a feeling some of our colleagues will want to weigh in on this since it is fresh news, if not today certainly next week. >> thank you, supervisor. supervisor daly/ ? supervisor campos: i will introduce an ordinance to extend the operation of the voting system task force, as that deadline is expiring. i do not know if i am supposed to do this, but i want to wish my partner happy birthday, who is waiting for me at home. thank you. president chiu: on behalf of the full board, we all extend him that. [laughter] supervisor elsbernd: i would like to ask the board to adjourn today's meeting in memory of someone who i consider myself lucky to call a friend, howard lester, who recently retired as the ceo of williams sonoma company. howard took over williams sonoma in 1970 and took it from a company that at that time had just a few stores around the bay area, and he is largely responsible for developing it into the tremendous brand. pottery barn, west elm -- howard did all of that for san francisco. he was very proud of his roots in oklahoma, but a lot of people do not realize williams sonoma headquarters are right down there at the very end of van ess, right there by galileo high school. howard did it in district 2. i got to know howard not through that. i got to know him through his tremendous charitable work. howard actually did not want it known then, but he was largely responsible for the project in supervisor maxwell's district. he was the general chairman of the hugely successful 2005 american express championship and the general chairman of the president's cup last year at hardin park. his contributions locally and to the state -- he spent the last several years down in the desert communities, palm desert, palm springs, and his native state of oklahoma. he was a tremendous man, a brilliant man, and very, very generous. most importantly, a huge heart. i will miss him personally. this is a community that will very much miss all that howard lester did. i ask us to adjourn in his memory tonight. >> that concludes roll call for introductions. president chiu: we can now go to general public comment. we have obviously had two sessions of public comment related to mayoral succession. general public comment is for those topics we have not yet discussed. please focus on topics we have not discussed. thank you. first speaker. >> [speaking a foreign language]