JTF, Inc. Board Meeting

1765 Sutter Street, Conference Room

July 22, 2002 at 6 –8:30 p.m.

Attendees: Benh Nakajo, Pat Shiono, Doug Dawkins, Jeff Mori, Chris Durazo (staff), Tak Matsuba, Linda Jofuku (staff), Seiko Fujimoto, Caryl Ito, Bob Otsuka, Colin Gomez, Yoko Tsukuda (staff).

Guests: Shirley Wysinger (SFRA), Judy Hamaguchi (NJAHS), Flo Yamada, Kahn Yamada, Maki Miyata, Gen Fujioka (Asian Law Caucus), Eddie Dobbins (SFO), Kandace Bender (SFO), Kenji Taguma (advisory), Steve Doi (advisory), and Kaz Sugiura (JCCNC).

Excused: Sheila Chung and David Ishida.

Unexcused: Mark Moriguchi, Jon Osaki, and Mariko Watanabe.

A. Jeff Mori acknowledges recognition of a quorum and calls the meeting to order at 6:20pm.

B. June 24^th and April 22^nd, 2002 minutes approved with two corrections (noted by staff).

C. Chair’s Report

Jeff, Tak, Doug, David, Seiko, and Caryl of the JTF Board met with the Executive Board of Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) on July 9th. Chaired by Eric Tate (JCCCNC Board President), both organizations gave updates on what they were currently addressing, and how their boards function. There was clarification on the for-profit Japanese Economic Development Corporation (JEDC) of JCCCNC, designed specifically to make ventures for the JCCCNC. The JCCCNC board has no direct influence over the corporation, but can disband it. The meeting was left at a point where both organizations would have more regularly scheduled discussions with more participation of the JCCCNC on the Task Force.

Continuing discussions with Supervisor Gonzalez, District 5: Meeting scheduled for Friday, July 26^th. Board representation and SB307 is on the agenda. The Task Force indicated their intention to apply for SB307, and will work with the planning department.

Linda discussed with the Board the possibility of having board and committee members take minutes and write reports at meetings. At Yu Ai Kai, committees took minutes and had a mission statement describing its function, and the secretary of the board took minutes at board meetings. These records were required for auditing purposes. However, concerns were raised that board or committee members who are taking minutes would be unable to fully participate in the discussions. It was agreed that tentatively, committee members will take minutes, and the issue of minutes at board meetings will be further discussed at the executive committee meeting.

Linda is developing a chart of percentage of time that is allocated per contract for each staff member, and requests that board members notify her of meetings so that she can assign specific staff members to attend.

The date of the Executive Committee will change to every third Monday of each month, so that meetings will be closer to board meetings.

Discussion with Pam David of the Mayor’s Office of Community Development (MOCD):

Jeff Mori spoke to Pam David of MOCD who runs community block grant funds, business loan funds, community nonprofit program funds, and a loan fund, for the City and County of San Francisco. Jeff spoke with Pam specifically regarding supplementing Task Force projects and planning funding. Pam is expecting to meet with Executive Committee members who should contact her.

Gary Kitahata contacted Jeff through email, requesting the Task Force consider an action item in regards to the demolition policy for the redevelopment agency. Due to the complexity of the issue however, the item will be referred to the Executive Committee for discussion.

Jeff will be on vacation from 7/27- 8/10. In his absence, the vice president, Caryl Ito will assume his duties as chair.

D. Staff Report

The San Francisco Redevelopment Agency (SFRA) Commission will be addressing inclusionary zoning on July 23^rd. At an earlier Western Addition meeting, SFRA staff announced a reduction of the 10% inclusionary zoning to 5% inclusionary zoning for projects in the pipeline (which will impact the 1600 Webster St. project). At this same meeting, McInerney asked if he could offer to sell the inclusionary units to a non-profit in exchange for a waiver of the 5% requirement. Olson Lee of SFRA, however, commented that such an exchange was not even, because of the “sale” to a nonprofit.

McInerney confirmed that he would not demolish the building at 1600 Webster St. until all approvals are made. The next step is getting approval from the SFRA Commission.

Shirley Wysinger, of SFRA, reports that the issue surrounding the inclusionary housing policy is based on the city’s policy, and will be amended to provide for hardship waiver and safe harbor provisions in order to be consistent with the city. Owners who acquired properties prior to April 30^th, 2002, (the day that the item was placed on the Agency’s agenda for consideration) may ask for a waiver on economic hardship or a reduction of the inclusionary housing policy from 10% to 5%. This issue will be heard on July 23^rd, and the commission is expected to vote on the item. At this time, the JTF Board has taken no official stance on inclusionary housing.

Nihonmachi Street Fair on August 10-11^th, 2002. The Task Force needs volunteers to staff our information booth at the Nihonmachi Street Fair. The booth was approved, and the communications committee also approved the distribution of flyers.

Hapa Issues Forum (HIF) Census Data Sponsorship. The Task Force sponsored an HIF press release, which stated that Hapas number 500,000 in the state of California.

Nonprofit Status Update. The Task Force is waiting for a $500 check from the Japanese Community Youth Council (JCYC) to send in the application for non-profit status.

A letter was filed with Supervisor Matt Gonzalez, making him aware of the Japantown Task Force’s intent to apply for SB 307 Funds.

E. Economic Development Committee

Caryl reports that the Economic Development Committee drafted a letter to John McInerney requesting the retail space at 1600 Webster for an affordable price to the Task Force, and that the space be expanded from 3,000 sq. ft. to 5,000 sq. ft. The Committee felt that the commercial space was a critical corner for cultural preservation and economic/commercial development and would like community control of that area. In exchange, the Task Force would seek community support for the project.

It is estimated that the cost of building the retail space is $300,000. Colin Gomez warns that in his experience working with McInerney, that McInerney will walk away from any deal that he feels is unreasonable. If the Task Force makes a request, Colin warns that it must be reasonable. Shirley Wysinger also adds that if the Task Force is to make a deal, it should be done quickly since the SFRA staff report is due Friday, July 26^th and it can be included in the Owner Participation Agreement (OPA). Motion passed to send the letter to McInerney.

7.1 Action Item: Approval of letter containing proposal to McInerney

F. Communications Committee

Seiko reports that software to develop the website has been purchased and installed. Staff members are currently working on developing a timeline for website progress, as well as the website itself. In addition, individuals have volunteered their services to develop maps of Japantown. The committee will be meeting with Richard Shintaku as well as several of his students, most likely at next month’s communications meeting.

Jeff reports that Richard Hashimoto contacted him and informed him that the Nihonmachi Parking Corporation is considering putting together a brochure for Japantown, or just the Japan Center. The brochure would include businesses, churches, and nonprofit organizations.

G. Finance Committee

Modifications to the existing budget need to be made since they were made on incorrect assumptions. The Finance Committee will need to revisit the 2000-2001 budget, and contact Mark Moriguchi to realign the budgets.

7.2 Action Item: Approval of 2002-03 Budget

H. Nominations Committee

Rosalyn Tonai just gave birth to a baby girl and will be on leave for 3 months. At this time, there is no process and procedure for temporary replacements. Judy Hamaguchi, a National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS) staff member, will sit in on Task Force meetings on Rosalyn’s behalf. Motion passed to have Judy Hamaguchi take up the interim seat on the Board for Rosalyn.

7.3 Action Item: Judy Hamaguchi to sit in vacant seat until October 2002.

I. Other Business and Announcements

San Francisco International Airport, Kandace Bender, Director of Communications updated the Task Force on the runway project. Bender reports that few changes since World War II have been made to the existing runways. Everyday, 1,100 flights per day occupy Bay Area air space, and every year 38 million passengers go through San Francisco Airport. Dramatic increases in traffic have resulted in chronic delays and have made the airport one of the most delayed in the nation. SFO generates 24.5 billion in business revenue, 8 billion in personal income, 5.4-billion tax revenue and generates 275,000 jobs and is the major employer in San Mateo County. From 1997 to 2002, there was an increase from 185 to 209 international flights annually. Nineteen of the added flights were destined for the Pacific Rim. As such, the vitality of SFO is critical to the economy of the Bay Area as well as Japantown.

A Community Party is scheduled for former Police Chief Fred Lau on August 16^th. The banquet costs approximately $40 per person and will begin at 6pm at New Asia Restaurant.

This Thursday, at 6:00pm there will be a celebration for the acquisition of the YWCA property by Nihonmachi Little Friends.

J. Next Board Meeting will be held on August 26th.

K. Meeting ends at 9:00pm

cd&ey 8/19/02