2017.09.11_SBC meeting minutes_Final.pdf

SMALL BUSINESS COMMISSION

MEETING MINUTES

SMALL BUSINESS COMMISSIONERS

Mark Dwight, President
Stephen Adams, Vice President

Kathleen Dooley, William Ortiz-Cartagena
Irene Yee Riley, Paul Tour-Sarkissian, Miriam Zouzounis

1. Call to order and roll call.

   The meeting was called to order at 5:37 PM.

   Commissioners Adams, Dooley, Dwight, Yee Riley, and Zouzounis were present.

   Commissioners Ortiz-Cartagena and Tour-Sarkissian were absent.
   Staff in attendance: Regina Dick-Endrizzi (Executive Director), Menaka Mahajan (Senior Policy Analyst), and Richard Kurylo (Legacy Business Program Manager).
    

2. General Public Comment. (Discussion Item)

   Public Comment: No members of the public requested to speak.
    

3. Approval of Legacy Business Registry Applications and Resolutions. (Discussion and Action Item)

   Casa Sanchez (Application No.: LBR-2016-17-091)

   Richard Kurylo (Program Manager, Legacy Business Program) informed the Commission that the application met the criteria for the Legacy Business Registry, and the application received a positive recommendation from the Historic Preservation Commission. Mr. Kurylo recommended that the Small Business Commission adopt a resolution to include Casa Sanchez on the Legacy Business Registry as a Legacy Business under Administrative Code Section 2A.242.

    

   Public Comment:

   Ann Cervantes spoke in support of Casa Sanchez.

   Robert Sanchez spoke in support of Casa Sanchez.

   Robert Jacob spoke in support of Casa Sanchez.

   Lethi Sanchez spoke in support of Casa Sanchez.

   Erick Arguello spoke in support of Casa Sanchez.

   Marta Sanchez spoke in support of Casa Sanchez.

   “Cousin Eddie” spoke in support of Casa Sanchez.

   Carol Jensen spoke in support of Casa Sanchez.

   Rosario Cervantes spoke in support of Casa Sanchez.

   
   Commissioners Adams, Dooley, Zouzounis and Yee Riley spoke in support of Casa Sanchez.

   
   Motion: Commissioner Adams motioned to adopt a resolution to include Casa Sanchez on the Legacy Business Registry as a Legacy Business under Administrative Code Section 2A.242, making the business the 100^th Legacy Business to be added to the Registry.

   2^nd: Commissioner Dooley.

   Aye: Commissioners Adams, Dooley, Dwight, Yee Riley and Zouzounis.

   Nay: None.

   Absent: Commissioners Ortiz-Cartagena and Tour-Sarkissian.

   Motion passed 5-0, 2 absent.

   The Small Business Commission presented an honorarium to Casa Sanchez and took photographs in celebration of Casa Sanchez being the 100^th business to be added to the Legacy Business Registry.

    

4. Board of Supervisors File No. 170209 - Police Code - Bicycle Chop Shops. (Discussion and Possible Action Item)

   The legislative sponsor Supervisor Sheehy office was not present to present on the legislation, therefore Director Dick-Endrizzi provided and over and updates on amendments to the legislation. Larry Stringer from the Public Works was present to answer the questions. 

   Commissioner Discussion:

   Commissioner Mark Dwight wanted to know how action by Public Works is initiated. Do they have to receive a complaint?

   Larry Stringers of Public Works noted the Public Works will likely just see it since we are out dealing with encampments which people report on a daily basis, he also noted that it is likely that they will need police support in order to deal with it.

   Commissioner Mariam Zouzounis inquired on whether the Supervisors took into consideration the Commission’s recommendations, including the threshold number.  Director Dick-Endrizzi responded yes along with other stakeholders which resulted in the Supervisor Sheehy reintroducing with the amendments and to have Public Works be the first entity to be able to do the removal and issue citations.  The threshold number was one that was not discussed and it has remained the same. 

   Commissioner Stephen Adams noted that Public Works is doing a good job. 

   Public Comment: No members of the public requested to speak.
    

   Motion: Commissioner Adams motioned to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve BOS File No. 170209 - Police Code - Bicycle Chop Shops as is.  Most of the Small Business Commission’s recommendations were included and the SBC supports the change of Public Works is a primary entity enforcing the regulation. 

   2^nd: Commissioner Yee Riley.

   Aye: Commissioners Adams, Dooley, Dwight, Yee Riley and Zouzounis.

   Nay: None.

   Absent: Commissioners Ortiz-Cartagena and Tour-Sarkissian.

   Motion passed 5-0, 2 absent.

    

5. Bimonthly Report for the Legacy Business Program for July and August 2017. (Discussion and Possible Action Item)

   Richard Kurylo (Legacy Business Program Manager, Office of Small Business) and Angel Cardoz (Director, San Francisco Small Business Development Center) presented the Bimonthly Report for the Legacy Business Program for July and August 2017.

   Commissioners Adams, Dooley and Dwight thanked and congratulated Mr. Kurylo. Commissioner Yee Riley inquired about how businesses needing assistance contact the Small Business Development Center. Mr. Cardoz said businesses contact him directly or through Mr. Kurylo or technical assistance providers or a variety of other avenues.

   Public Comment: No members of the public requested to speak.
    

6. Cannabis Policy Presentation. (Discussion Item)

   Menaka Mahajan (Senior Policy Analyst, Office of Small Business) presentation to Small Business Commission goal was to provide more information on the topic of Cannabis to prepare the Commission on the adoption of the local regulations. Ms. Mahajan’s presentation covered regulations on 1) the Federal level: Cannabis scheduling in the Controlled Substance Act and workarounds and reform efforts that are taking place (Cole Memoranda, Rohrabacher-Blumenaure Amendment, Marijuana Justice Act, National Conference of State Legislatures) , 2) the State: a review of California Law, Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA) and the status of the State of California rulemaking to date, 3) and taking a look at to date what Oakland in doing in comparison to San Francisco, and 4) 2016 data for LA, SF and Alameda Counties on per capita spending on cannabis and estimated tax revenues.  

   It was noted that there are bills still in process at the state, considering colocation, and multiple licenses in same location for space sharing.  Commissioners want to know how the state determined 11,500 licenses to be issued and Ms. Mahajan said it was based upon administrative capacity.  This included both the legalization of medical establishments to growing, distribution, testing and delivery.  Whether distributor requirements would be similar to Nevada?  Ms. Mahajan noted that so far no, but that she is monitoring all changes to the regulations and will inform the Commission if it does. Commissioners did ask questions regarding Oakland equity program and Ms. Mahajan identified some the key criteria which is the equity applicant had to have lived there for 10 years and it has to be an area which has been historically or disproportionally affected by law enforcement in those police beats. Ms. Mahajan informed the Commission that Nicole Elliot was appointed as a Director. 

   Commission expressed interest taxation at the various level of the supply chain and what information from Colorado can be gleaned to provide information to that will be useful in develop SF regulation.

   Public Comment: No members of the public requested to speak.

    

7. Approval of August 14, 2017 draft meeting minutes. (Action Item)

   Public Comment: No members of the public requested to speak.

   
   Motion: Commissioner Dooley moved to approve the August 14, 2017 draft meeting minutes.

   2^nd: Commissioner Adams.

   Aye: Commissioners Adams, Dooley, Dwight, Yee Riley and Zouzounis.

   Nay: None.

   Absent: Commissioners Ortiz-Cartagena and Tour-Sarkissian.

   Motion passed 5-0, 2 absent.
    

8. Director’s Report. (Discussion Item)

   Director Dick-Endrizzi reported that Mayor Lee initiated a construction mitigation program for small business impacted by the Central Subway project. The Invest In Neighborhood Team is tasked with developing the program. The Board of Supervisor chose to uphold the Flavor Tobacco Ban which now allows the referendum to move forward and be on the June 5, of 2018 ballot. The Cannabis Taskforce was extended for another year, both Supervisor Safai’s ban on new medical dispensaries the interim moratorium on cannabis dispensaries were heard and passed out of committee. The resolution the Commission adopted on autonomous vehicles was well received by the Mayor’s office and Board of Supervisors.  Announce the addition of Rhea Aguinaldo to the staff of the Office of Small Business.  Getting more inquiries and calls from businesses on the Softy Story.

   Public Comment: Stephen Cornell spoke to construction mitigation and there are other worthy areas such as Polk Street, Van Ness Ave, Irving Street, and Taravel Street are also disserving of such a program. 
    

9. Commissioners’ Reports. (Discussion Item)

   Commissioner Stephen Adams: Note the articles in the Chronicle and the Examiner on the topic of Construction Mitigation and noted Joaquin Torres and Jorge Rivas in Invest in Neighborhoods for going into those neighborhoods and talking to these small businesses with regard to construction mitigation. Jorge has is put in a lot of hours and I think it’s important he get recognition for that.  Commissioner Adams also announced the first Thursday of the month there is now an “Out Walk” in the Castro. Ten businesses signed up. There was good turnout and thanked Jen Myers from Local Take and Angie Stryker from Spark Arts for putting this together.

   Commissioner Irene Yee Riley: Also recognize Francis Chan for all the merchants he is working with in Chinatown as well.

   Commissioner Kathleen Dooley: reported on the bi-monthly MTA business corridor meetings and that we are still emphasizing how the commercial areas need outreach well in advance before any legislation or any plans are solidified.   

   Public Comment: No members of the public requested to speak.
    

10. New Business. (Discussion Item)

    Commissioner Stephen Adams: Interested in getting more information on Soft Story and get ahead of it.

    Public Comment: No members of the public requested to speak.
     

11. Adjournment. (Action Item)

    Motion: Commissioner Dooley moved to approve the August 14, 2017 draft meeting minutes.

    2^nd: Commissioner Adams.

    Aye: Commissioners Adams, Dooley, Dwight, Yee Riley and Zouzounis.

    Nay: None.

    Absent: Commissioners Ortiz-Cartagena and Tour-Sarkissian.

    Motion passed 5-0, 2 absent.

     

    Adjournment: 7:22 PM