City and County of San Francisco
Notice of Annual Public Hearing Regarding Pest Management Activities on City Properties
(San Francisco Environment Code Chapter 3, Section 310)
WHEN: Wednesday, July 28, 2021, 5:00 p.m.
LOCATION: via WebEx
PUBLIC COMMENT CALL-IN
1-415-655-0001 / Access Code: 146 057 1798
Due to the COVID-19 health emergency and to protect Commissioners, SFE staff, and members of the public, the Meeting Room’s at City Hall is closed.
Members of the public are to participate remotely. If you want to ensure your comment on any item on the agenda is received by Commission Affairs Manager, Katie Chansler in advance of the meeting, please send an email to [email protected] by 5pm on Tuesday, July 27th or call (415) 355-3709.
Refer to the “Remote Access to Information and Participation” section below for instructions.
AUTHORIZATION
San Francisco Environment Code Chapter 3, Section 310
San Francisco city staff have been national leaders in integrated pest management (IPM) since the City passed its Integrated Pest Management Ordinance in 1996. The Ordinance governs the way pests are managed on all City properties, but does not apply to private property. Specifically, the law applies to any City staff or contractors managing unwanted insects, rodents, birds, weeds, or other organisms for buildings & landscapes that are owned by the City, even if in other counties, or leased from the City (with leases signed after 1996), such as golf courses or vendors at San Francisco International Airport.
The San Francisco Environment Code Chapter 3, Section 310, calls for a noticed public meeting at least once a year to consider issues on matters related to pest management activities on City property, including the use of certain pesticides. City departments are to explain any exemptions they were granted from the City’s pesticide requirements, as well as any uses of “most restricted” pesticides.
Important Information
In accordance with Governor Gavin Newsom’s statewide order for all residents to “Stay at Home” - and the numerous local and state proclamations, orders and supplemental directions - aggressive directives have been issued to slow down and reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Copies of explanatory documents are available at 1) the Department website sfenvironment.org; (2) upon request to the Commission Secretary, at telephone number (415) 355-3709, or via e-mail at [email protected].
If any materials related to an item on this agenda have been distributed after distribution of the agenda packet, those materials are available for public inspection with request sent to Commission Secretary, at telephone number 415-355-3709, or via e-mail at [email protected] during normal office hours or will be made available on the website http://www.sfenvironment.org/article/city-staff/pest-management#meetings.
During the hearing, members of the public will have the opportunity to comment about individual agenda items or speak generally about pest management activities on City properties and properties leased by the City, including those activities affecting weeds, rodents, insects, mammals, birds, and aquatic plants. Persons unable to attend the hearing may submit to the Department of the Environment, by the time the hearing begins, written comments. These comments will be made a part of the official public record and shall be brought to the attention of the Department. Any written comments should be sent to: Chris Geiger, 1155 Market Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103 by 5:00 p.m. on the day prior to the hearing. Comments that cannot be delivered by that time may be sent via e-mail to [email protected].
ORDER OF BUSINESS
1) Call to order
2) Introduction, current Citywide integrated pest management (IPM) initiatives, pesticide use trends. Speaker: Chris Geiger, Integrated Pest Management Program Manager, San Francisco Department of the Environment
· Public Comment
3) Presentation by representatives from City departments that requested pesticide exemptions or used pesticides on the “most restricted” list in Fiscal Year 2020-2021. (Informational presentation and discussion only) Speakers: Chris Geiger, Integrated Pest Management Program Manager, San Francisco Department of the Environment; Department of Recreation & Parks; Public Works; San Francisco International Airport; Port of San Francisco; Pestec; San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (Explanatory Document: Attachment A: Staff Memo and Attachment B: Summary of Pesticide Use Exemptions Granted for San Francisco City Operations)
· Public Comment
4) General Public Comment. Members of the public may speak on matters that are relevant to pest management on city properties, or properties leased from the City, but are not on today’s agenda.
5) Adjourn
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Staff Memo
B. Summary of Pesticide Use Exemptions Granted for San Francisco City Operations
Remote Access to Information and Participation
This meeting will be held remotely using video conferencing, through the WebEx Meetings platform, and by telephone for members of the public who are unable to attend using computers or smart devices.
Attending the Meeting: Watch or Listen
Members of the public have the following options for attending the meeting:
Option 1: Watch the meeting using a computer or smart device by clicking on the following link:
https://ccsf.webex.com/ccsf/onstage/g.php?MTID=e70d9c578736ce4cf250ad87159c96644
· If you are able to and would like to watch via your computer, please follow these instructions: i) Click on the link above; ii) Enter your first name, last name, and email address if desired; iii) Click “Join by Browser” (directly beneath the “Join Now” button);
· If you are able to watch via your smart mobile device: i) Download the WebEx Meetings application; ii) Click on the link above; iii) Click “Join”; iv) Enter your name and email; v) Click “Ready to Join”.
Option 2: Join the meeting by phone if you do not have access to a computer or smart device.
Dial: 415-655-0001 and then enter the Access Code: 146 057 1798
Participating During Public Comment
Members of the public will have opportunities to participate during public comment. The public is asked to wait for the particular agenda item before making a comment on that item. Comments will be addressed in the order they are received. When the moderator announces that the Committee is taking public comment, members of the public can:
Dial: 415-655-0001 and then enter the Access Code: 146 057 1798
1) Participate over the phone by pressing *3 (this step is very important, as it will activate the “Raise Hand” icon in the Participant window)
Depending on the number of people also in line ahead of you, you may have to wait before it is your opportunity to speak. When it is your turn, you will be notified that your line has been unmuted, and it will be your opportunity to speak. Your line will be muted again when your allotted time expires.
Announcement
The ringing of and use of cell phones, pagers and similar sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at this hearing. Please be advised that the hearing officer may order the removal from the meeting room of any person(s) responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager, or other similar sound-producing electronic devices.
Public Comment
At this time, members of the public may speak on items of interest that are relevant to pest management on city properties but are not on today’s agenda. Public comment will be taken following each agendized item. Each member of the public may address the hearing for up to three minutes, unless otherwise announced by the hearing officer. If it is demonstrated that the comments by the public will exceed 15 minutes, the hearing officer may continue Public Comment to another time during the meeting.
The Brown Act forbids the Department from taking action or discussing any item or issue not appearing on the posted agenda. This rule applies to issues raised in public comment as well. In response to public comment, not on an agendized item, the Department is limited to:
1. Briefly responding to statements made or questions posed by members of the public, or
2. Request staff to report back on a matter at a subsequent meeting, or
3. Directing staff to place the item or issue on a future agenda (Government Code Section 54954.2(a).)
Accessibility Meeting Policy
The public hearing will be held virtually due to the public health emergency.
To obtain a disability-related accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, or to obtain meeting materials in alternative format, please contact Katie Chansler at 415-355-3709. Providing at least 72 hours’ notice will help to ensure availability. Written reports or background materials for calendar items are available for public inspection and are available online at www.sfenvironment.org/coe. Public comment will be taken on each item before or during consideration of the item.
The following services are available on request 72 hours prior to the meeting; except for Monday meetings, for which the deadline shall be 4:00 p.m. of the last business day of the preceding week: For American sign language interpreters or the use of a reader during a meeting, a sound enhancement system, and/or alternative formats of the agenda and minutes, please contact Katie Chansler at 415-355-3709 to make arrangements for the accommodation. Late requests will be honored, if possible.
Language Access
Per the Language Access Ordinance (Chapter 91 of the San Francisco Administrative Code), Chinese, Spanish and or Filipino (Tagalog) interpreters will be available upon requests.. Assistance in additional languages may be honored whenever possible. To request assistance with these services please contact the Commission Affairs Manager at 415-355-3709, or [email protected] at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing. Late requests will be honored if possible.
語言服務
根據語言服務條例(三藩市行政法典第91章)，中文、西班牙語和/或菲律賓語（泰加洛語）傳譯人員在收到要求後將會提供傳譯服務。翻譯版本的會議記錄可在委員會通過後透過要求而提供。其他語言協助在可能的情況下也將可提供。上述的要求，請於會議前最少48小時致電 415-355-3709或電郵至[email protected]向委員會秘書提出。逾期提出的請求，若可能的話，亦會被考慮接納。
Acceso A Idioma
De acuerdo con la Ordenanza de Acceso a Idiomas “Language Access Ordinance” (Capítulo 91 del Código Administrativo de San Francisco “Chapter 91 of the San Francisco Administrative Code”) intérpretes de chino, español y/o filipino (tagalo) estarán disponibles de ser requeridos. Las minutas podrán ser traducidas, de ser requeridas, luego de ser aprobadas por la Comisión. La asistencia en idiomas adicionales se tomará en cuenta siempre que sea posible. Para solicitar asistencia con estos servicios favor comunicarse con el Secretario de la Comisión al 415-355-3709, o [email protected] por lo menos 48 horas antes de la reunión. Las solicitudes tardías serán consideradas de ser posible.
Access Sa Wika
Ayon sa Language Access Ordinance (Chapter 91 ng San Francisco Administrative Code), maaaring mag-request ng mga tagapagsalin sa wikang Tsino, Espanyol, at/o Filipino (Tagalog). Kapag hiniling, ang mga kaganapan ng miting ay maaring isalin sa ibang wika matapos ito ay aprobahan ng komisyon. Maari din magkaroon ng tulong sa ibang wika. Sa mga ganitong uri ng kahilingan, mangyaring tumawag sa Clerk ng Commission sa 415-355-3709, o [email protected] sa hindi bababa sa 48 oras bago mag miting. Kung maari, ang mga late na hiling ay posibleng pagbibigyan.
Know your Rights under the Sunshine Ordinance
(Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code)
Government’s duty is to serve the public, reaching its decisions in full view of the public. Commissions, boards, councils, and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people’s business. This ordinance assures that deliberations are conducted before the people and that City operations are open to the people’s review. For more information on your rights under the Sunshine Ordinance or to report a violation of the ordinance, contact the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244, San Francisco, CA 94102, 415-554-7724 (phone), 415-554-5163 (fax) or by email to [email protected]. Copies of the Sunshine Ordinance can be obtained from the Clerk of the Sunshine Task Force, the San Francisco Public Library and on the City’s website at www.sfgov.org.
Lobbyist Registration and Reporting Requirements
Individuals and entities that influence or attempt to influence local legislative or administrative action may be required by the San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance [SF Campaign & Governmental Conduct Code §2.100, et. seq] to register and report lobbying activity. For more information about the Lobbyist Ordinance, please contact the Ethics Commission at: 25 Van Ness Avenue, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102; telephone (415) 252-3100, fax (415) 252-3112, web site at www.sfgov.org/ethics.
Katie Chansler, Commission Secretary
TEL: (415) 355-3709; FAX: (415) 554-6393
Posted: July 16, 2021
