Published By: Communications and Public Outreach
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Citizens Advisory Committee
MINUTES
October 15, 2007
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
1155 Market Street
4th Floor Conference Room
Staff: Maureen Barry
Members of the public present: Tim Colen, CAC Water Subcommittee
ORDER OF BUSINESS
- Call to order. Chair Lantsberg called the meeting to order 5:39 p.m.
- Roll Call
Present: Hayward, Jensen, Lawrence, Dawdy, Harris, Hansen, Lantsberg, West, Cleveland Mizany – arrived at 5:58 p.m.; Harris left at 6:35 p.m.
Absent: Clary, Pascal, Varni, Carlin.
- Approval of the minutes of the August 2007 Regular Meeting.
W Hayward raised a question about item #9 in the minutes, noting that he did not believe it reflected his motion. Chair pointed out that nothing was passed so there was no change in the enabling legislation. However, he pointed out that the body agreed to keep better track of attendances.
K Cleveland did note that there was a redundancy in the actual legislation text and that environmental justice and science was reiterated. He thought it was only logical to replace the redundant text with W Hayward’s suggestion about having a member with engineering or technical background. The Chair reminded the body that this was not on the table but merely the approval of the August 2007 minutes.
D Dawdy motion to accept the minutes, A Jensen seconded and they were approved.
- Public Comment – members of the public may address the Committee on matters that are within the Committee’s jurisdiction and are not on today’s agenda. None.
- Report from the Chair
Chair Lantsberg noted that K Cleveland is leaving the CAC and asked if a replacement has been suggested.
K Cleveland noted that Michael Ma, the State Assemblywoman’s brother who works for Turner Construction expressed interest.
As part of the report, L Harris, provided some news clips that will be shared with the appropriate CAC subcommittees. R Hanson alerted the CAC about an excellent speaker series at USF. November programs include Malik Rahim of Common Ground Initiative in New Orleans on 11/12 and Former Mayor and HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros on 11/28. All programs begin at 7:30 pm. Visit http://mccarthycenter.usfca.edu for more information.
Chair Lantsberg also encouraged members to encourage neighbors, friends and colleagues to consider joining the CAC and to work with Supervisors and the Mayor’s office to get folks appointed.
He noted he was reluctant to bring up the whole subject again as it was thoroughly vetted at the last meeting with no resolution. Members challenged the Chair and suggested that they indeed try to refine the enabling legislation.
- Discussion and possible action on recommendations to change the enabling legislation of the CAC to fill CAC vacancies. (continued from Chair’s report)
K Cleveland was bullish about opening up the discussion regarding amending the legislation especially in regard to W Hayward’s original motion to include members with “engineering and technical backgrounds”.
J West noted that number of members didn’t bother her as much as how we suggested that any Supervisor vs. member of district appoint them. A Jensen agreed.
K Cleveland proposed a motion to replace the redundant language on line 23 of the enabling legislation and replace it with W Hayward’s original motion of members with “engineering and technical backgrounds”. J West seconded the motion.
The Chair polled the members: R Hanson supported the measure, as did S Lawrence, W Hayward and A Jensen. D Dawdy called the question and it was supported unanimously.
Counsel J Roddy clarified S Lawrence question about what defines a quorum: Number of positions on CAC or number of positions filled at any one time. Counsel reaffirmed it was the former total positions on CAC and thus vacancies affect the quorum.
Discussion continued on revising the enabling legislation regarding how people are appointed, whether they are residents or nonresidents—although Counsel noted that generally they are intended to be residents of City or service area. Overall, the discussion underlined the general difficulty with filling vacancies and getting quorum. Counsel did note that under Section 2 if any changes were to be made to the enabling legislation then the current CAC would disband and become ineffective until new appointees were made to the CAC.
Chair polled the members and all agreed current changes proposed would not necessarily solve anything; motion to amend the enabling legislation was defeated unanimously.
Counsel did say that he would provide suggestive language to help CAC track attendance and notify both members and their appointing offices about how the CAC plans to proceed on this matter. Chair accepted the Counsel’s proposal and noted that the CAC would become more stringent about tracking attendance and following up on absences.
Final action item under the Chair’s report was a motion to move full CAC meetings from 4th Monday of month to 3rd Monday. L Harris seconded the motion and it was approved. The next meeting will be November 19, 2007.
- Staff Reports and Presentations
The CAC was looking forward to a full report regarding long range planning and how the SFPUC was fulfilling its reporting obligations under Proposition E. Due to an inter-office mix-up between SFPUC and Counsel, the summary report of the numerous strategic planning efforts by the SFPUC and how they relate to Prop E was not available. A section of a City report was passed out but this did not contain the material the CAC requested. Members expressed their disappointment in not receiving this material.
Counsel will provide this summary document and discuss it at the November meeting. Staff will also inquire about Water Enterprise Business Plan and forward report or information.
- Subcommittee Reports: (20 minutes)
a. Water – J Clary not present and no one came forward to report.
b. Power – K Mizany – Reported that Barbara Hale, AGM for Power Enterprise addressed last meeting, providing a 6-month look ahead of priorities of the Power Enterprise. K Mizany listed numerous projects that Hale reported on including CTs, Community Choice Aggregation—RFI upcoming; push for more renewables and public power. Hale also commented on a new proposal for a “sustainable civic center” Members queried Mizany as to whether Hale commented on Trans Bay Cable – she noted that this was not a topic of discussion at last meeting.
c. Environmental Justice – Chair reported that a resolution is expected from this committee regarding how this topic will be part of the SFPUC’s sustainability plan.
d. Wastewater – Chair reported that there have been some hiccups with the biofuel project due to issues with Port property. He said the L Harrison plans to return to CAC to report on next steps. Chair reported that the Subcommittee was very pleased about the role that they have been able to play in the Master Plan and that SFPUC staff has acknowledged their contribution. Chair noted that AGM Tom Franza was leaving as of October 19 and said he thought the enterprise had blossomed under his leadership. - Action on Change CAC Meeting Day
Taken up under Report from the Chair
- Possible Action on Nov/Dec meeting dates
Not discussed
- Discussion of potential future agenda items:
1) Response from T Winnicker and City Attorney regarding how various strategic plans fit together as SFPUC sets priorities for the future.
a. Business plan update.
2) Disaster Planning by the SFPUC – update on Security Plan by G Suhr and other appropriate staff.
3) The CAC will hold its next regular meeting on November 19, 2007, the 3rd Monday of the month.
- Announcement/Comments
None
Meeting adjourned at 6:56 pm; S Lawrence left the meeting resulting in no quorum.
