Commission Meetings - March 9, 2015 - Minutes
Meeting Date:
March 9, 2015 - 5:30pm
Location:
Related Meeting Content:
Monday, March 9, 2015
5:30 P.M.
City Hall, Room 400
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102
SMALL BUSINESS COMMISSIONERS
Mark Dwight, President
Monetta White, Vice President
Monetta White, Vice President
Stephen Adams, Kathleen Dooley, William Ortiz-Cartagena
Irene Yee Riley, Paul Tour-Sarkissian
1. Call to order and roll call.
The meeting was called to order at 5:31 PM. Commissioners Adams, Dooley, Dwight, Ortiz-Cartagena, Tour-Sarkissian, and Yee Riley were present. Commissioner White was absent.
Staff in Attendance: Regina Dick-Endrizzi (Executive Director).
2. General Public Comment (Discussion Item)
Scott Hauge spoke about AB-1280 (one day tax holiday on Small Business Saturday, right after Thanksgiving).
3. Discussion and possible action to make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors (BOS) on BOS File No. 141298 [Various Codes - Noise Regulations Relating to Residential Uses Near Places of Entertainment]
Presentation by: Conor Johnson, Legislative Aide to Supervisor London Breed
Mr. Johnston highlighted a recent conflict between new residential developments and existing small businesses (particularly in the nightlife & entertainment industry). Informed by this tension, the legislation sets forth a process by which new residential projects within 300 feet of an existing nightlife venue are brought to the attention of the Entertainment Commission, which could then hold a hearing to coordinate between different stakeholders and to discuss how all parties can co-exist. In addition, the legislation would protect a venue from being deemed a nuisance, so long as it operates within the permit terms set out by the City and what was agreed upon in the Entertainment Commission hearing.
Commissioners Adams and Dooley applauded the sponsors for this “long overdue” legislation. Commissioner Yee Riley noted the benefits of developers working with entertainment venues prior to construction. Commissioner Ortiz-Cartagena praised the proactive, rather than reactive, approach. Commissioner Dwight asked how disputes would be moderated (whether there were standard hours of operation and noise standards). Commissioner Tour-Sarkissian congratulated Mr. Johnston for the effort, and asked about the indoor/outdoor decibels and whether the burden is placed on the contractor.
Public comment: Cammy Blackstone from the Entertainment Commission noted that this is the first legislation of its kind in the country, crucial for preserving cultural resources in the City, and assured that it would involve a collaborative effort with developers.
Motion: Commissioner Adams motioned to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve the legislation.
2nd: Commissioner Dooley.
Aye: Commissioners Adams, Dooley, Dwight, Ortiz-Cartagena, Tour-Sarkissian, Yee Riley.
Nay: None.
Absent: Commissioner White.
Motion passed, 6-0, 1 absent.
4. Review Project Outline to Develop Recommendations to the Mayor for Outreach and Economic Evaluation Framework for Construction and Infrastructure Projects. (Discussion and Possible Item)
Director Dick-Endrizzi noted the Commission’s request for presentations from departments doing infrastructure projects and discussed the need for clearer distinctions around economic impact reports/studies/analyses.
By end of year, the Small Business Commission will develop and submit recommendations to the Mayor regarding:
1) what constitutes an economic impact analysis/report/study, and
2) which type of projects will trigger analysis/report/study.
The Commission would conduct a series of hearings with the Department of Public Works, the Public Utilities Commission, San Francisco County Transportation Authority, SF Municipal Transportation Agency, Planning Department, Office of Economic and Workforce Development, Real Estate, Controller’s Office, and the City’s Chief Economist to obtain information needed to conduct research and to develop recommendations.
Commissioner Dwight discussed practical considerations, desired outcomes, and potential consequences of reports. Commissioner Adams provided an example of collaboration that reduced harm to small business. Commissioner Dooley commented about effects of long-term infrastructure projects on vulnerable small businesses (compounded by the residential building boom), delays in economic impact analyses, and previous instances in which the Commission’s recommendations were not taken into account. Commissioner Tour-Sarkissian agreed that a multi-prong approach would be necessary, suggesting that remedies be addressed in the recommendations to the Mayor, and requested that the office get a better understanding of how the aforementioned departments function. Commissioner Ortiz-Cartagena asked how likely it would be that the Commission would be truly included.
Public Comment: Samantha from Golden Gate Restaurant Association (GGRA) spoke about consolidation of public and private projects to minimize time, and economic analysis before and after such projects. Stephen Cornell spoke about consideration of the General Plan in these projects. Scott Hauge spoke about the desire of small businesses to be part of the discussion about infrastructure projects before, during, and after.
5. Director’s Report (Discussion Item)
Director Dick-Endrizzi attended an event on supplier diversity and the “Ladies that Launch” event, reported that dialogue had been started between the Office of Small Business and the Department of the Environment regarding the closure of the Market St. Recycling Center, and noted that the White House Office of Technology had set up a meeting to discuss the Business Portal.
6. President’s Report (Discussion Item)
Commissioner Dwight reported about Small Business Week.
7. Vice President’s Report (Discussion Item)
None.
8. Commissioner Reports (Discussion Item)
Commissioner Dooley attended the Planning Department meetings on defining subsidiaries in terms of formula retail and recommended that the Commission pay attention. Commissioner Ortiz-Cartagena attended the Working Solutions Award Ceremony and noted that one of his clients won the Inspirational Business of the Year Award. Commissioner Yee Riley attended a meeting with BART. Commissioner Yee Riley and Director Dick-Endrizzi noted that discussion in these meetings with BART have covered both expanding BART to more closely align with 24 hour public transit models, as well as integrating small businesses into underground spaces.
9. New Business (Discussion Item)
Commissioner Dwight reminded the Commission of the request during General Public Comment to discuss AB-1280 at a future meeting. Commissioner Ortiz-Cartagena inquired about using tablets rather than paper copies.
10. Adjournment (Action Item)
Motion: Commissioner Yee Riley motioned to adjourn the meeting.
2nd: Commissioner Ortiz-Cartagena.
Aye: All in favor.
Nay: None.
Absent: Commissioner White.
Motion passed, 6-0, 1 absent.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:38 PM.