JTF, Inc. Board Meeting
April 28, 2003 at 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Attendees: Sheila Chung, Rosalyn Tonai, David Ishida,
Caryl Ito, Tak Matsuba, Jeff Mori, Benh Nakajo.
Guests: Karen Kai (advisory), Sandy Mori
(advisory), JK Yamamoto (advisory), Kathy Reyes (advisory), Makie Suzuki
(SFNPC), Shirley Wysinger (SFRA), Betty Traynor (SFNPC), Chris Esparza
(Fillmore Jazz Promotions Office).
Excused: Scott Belser, Colin Gomez, Doug Dawkins, Jon
Osaki, Pat Shiono
Absent: Bob Otsuka, Seiko Fujimoto
NPC is a
nonprofit coalition of neighborhood park groups across the city. In addition to advocacy work, NPC supports
“Friends of” groups who adopt (maintain, clean, beautify) parks and has formed
planning groups. Currently, the council
is trying to form groups to monitor park conditions using digital cameras to
ensure that parks are well maintained.
In addition, NPC is also engaging in a campaign to renovate playground
with community input with the help of volunteers and Parks and Recreation. Finally, Betty reports that the Council is
currently in the process of forming a Friends of Hamilton Park group. As of yet, the attendance at Hamilton Park
meetings has been sparse, and members are needed.
The Jazz Promotions office, chosen by a
neighborhood steering committee and funded by the Mayor’s Office and the
Redevelopment Agency, is marketing the community and businesses of the Fillmore
through pamphlets, CD-ROM materials, and a website. The office will also be hosting a farmers market, an art market,
outdoor cinema and at the end of the year, a multicultural storytelling
event. Their equipment, as well as
advice on programming, are also available for the community.
C.
Recognition of
Quorum
Unanimously approved.
1.
Japantown Tribute
to Mayor Brown
Held March 21, the event went well and
included the re-dedication of the Peace Plaza and drew approximately 75
attendees.
2.
Fundraising
letter
Mark reports that it appears the Task Force will be
able to last through June 30th.
By July 1, the Japan Center Garage Funds will be arriving although these
monies are only available on a reimbursement basis. While JCYC has been fronting the money to pay our bills, we are
tied to them as fiscal agents. Linda
has suggested creating a general fund of our own in order to eventually sever
from JCYC. The suggested amount to
raise is a total of $30,000 which means that it is up to the Task Force to
raise another $20,000 on its own. The
most effective way to raise money for the Task Force will be through a letter-writing
campaign among the Board and Advisory Board.
David requests to see monthly reports so that board members can get a
clearer picture of Task Force finances.
3.
Nominations
Committee
The nominations committee for new officers will
hopefully be meeting within the next week.
4.
Meeting with Matt
Gonzalez
Many community members and city departments were
invited by the Supervisors to attend the meeting in Sup. Matt Gonzalez’s office
to discuss the use of Prop. 40 funds.
Jeff states that a committee should prioritize what actions should be
taken from this point.
As of yet, Karen Kai has not received an official
opinion as far as their eligibility for funds despite statements by the
specialist from Parks and Recreation, Diane Chun, and Georgette Imura. Karen states however, that NLF does not want
San Francisco to be left out of the process because of their needs. Los Angeles and San Jose have already
applied for and received their funds.
Sandy reports that the Nihonmachi Parking
Corporation (NPC) board has not met in over 5 months, despite continued
requests by Kimochi. As such, none of
the items put forth at the meeting have been seen or approved by NPC. In addition, Linda adds, there were no
figures to back up the costs attached the items set forth by Allan Okamoto.
Jeff states that he was informed that the funding
for Prop. 40 is restricted based on two points. One, that it had to be part of a historic landmark project, and
second, that the project had to be completed with these funds. Karen responds that there is nothing in
the text of Proposition 40 that reaches the level of specificity that would
exclude NLF. Sandy asserts that at the
3 J-Towns meeting, the entire group followed what was being suggested by
Georgette Imura. The politics of the
committee was to move as a group despite Linda’s questions, which were not
addressed. Thus, Sandy suggests that it
is best to go above those at the meeting to the state department. Linda, in response, adds that Diane Chun,
informed her that the projects do not have to all be the same.
Karen expressed her concern that it is not NLF’s
intention to be the source of conflict, and that what needs to be done is
create more of an open process with more of a community consensus. Karen states that she only asks that the
Task Force communicate with Cathy Inamasu so that NLF can officially discuss
these matters in light of the other proposal that has been put forward.
Jeff states that we would like to have Linda work
on setting up a committee with at least one or two people from each of the
affected committees who are most familiar what’s happening to meet with Allan,
as well as Cathy and Rich. Ros suggests
that the Cultural and Historical Preservation Committee convene a meeting with
key chairs of other committees to take a look at the proposal and make
priorities and recommendations to the Executive Committee.
On behalf of SFRA staff, Shirley thanks the
Task Force for their letter of support.
SB 211 allows redevelopment agencies to extend their time for issuing
debt until the end of the redevelopment project. In the case of Japantown, it will be extended from 2004 until
2009. Shirley will further discuss SB
211 and 2113 at the next board meeting.
G.
Personnel
Committee: Policies and Procedures Review (Caryl)
At the last personnel committee meeting, they
established their policy, and roles as detailed in the committee minutes. The committee is also distributing the
Executive Director survey to be filled out by board and staff members by May 9th,
2003.
Action Item: Approval of Personnel Committee policy
unanimously approved.
1.
Communications Committee
David reports that communications regarding the
Japan Center Garage map of Japantown and the Fillmore in terms of future joint
efforts between the garage and the Task Force and marketing Japantown.
2.
Health and Safety
Committee
At the last meeting of the Health and Safety
committee, SAFE came to present on their activities and programs. Caryl has also suggested that the committee
pass a resolution to recommend bike lanes on Golden Gate and Turk, or as a
second option, Geary.
3.
Economic and Business
Development Committee
Tak is still waiting to hear from the insurance
company for liability on the Koban as an information booth. Linda reports that in her conversation with
Heather Fong, there are no records documenting a transfer to the Police Dept. It was suggested by Heather that the Task
Force find a news clipping or other alternate forms of documentation (including
individuals’ recollections) regarding the Koban. David suggests that if the merchants find that they own it, that
they lease it to the City at $1/year.
In addition to having ongoing discussions with
Naomi Porat, Tak reports finding that Mark Okuda of Union Bank and Tsumeko Graves are interested in
financing some of those interested in purchasing sites at 1600 Webster. Tak will be scheduling a meeting with
McInerney and Union Bank to facilitate this.