three things. one is, this report kind of cries out that there is a huge need for more resources in this area. i know we are totally research -- resource challenged in this department, but we need to protect the urban forestry division from cuts. then we will hopefully have more resources sunday and bulk up that area. it reminds me a little bit about, not to be dramatic, about global warming. it is a big problem, happen slowly. given the nature of the urban forests, which do not regenerate themselves, if you wait to fix it, it is too late. the other thing i wanted to talk about with something that jim mentioned at the very end, which is the variety of trees we're planting in the parks. the eastern end of golden gate park especially is full of trees that are an interesting and unique, and you don't see

them anywhere else in the city. we have not been planting trees like that for a very long time. there was a book about the trees at golden gate park. the panhandle and the eastern end of the park is full of trees that somebody in the department years ago had a real interest in and we have not been doing that for a long time. nobody has written a book about the trees we have been planting in the parks the last few years, so i think it would be good if we could get some attention on the department at some point. the third thing i wanted to highlight, again, the replanting at the golf courses. that was something i was not aware of because i am not a golfer, but that seems like something is broken their. at sharp park, there is almost nothing. except very mature and dying trees, so we need to have some kind of plan for the parks and squares and especially the golf courses. president lazarus: thank you. i share the view this is an

important subject. i regret in a way that it came at the end of the meeting, but it was worth just listening to all. after all, what are the park's, if not at the beginning, places of nature that you can enjoy i would love to hear you come back as we make project on this fraught, if that is a luxury that we can afford to be kept abreast of it. >> it would be my pleasure. president lazarus: great. ok. >> don't be taking the tags off the trees. >> is there any public comment on this item? seeing none, public comment is closed. and any other commissioner comments? commissioner bonilla: in approving this item, because it is an action item, are we then supporting the recommendations that we do this 50/50 plan and we did the reforestation? what exactly are we approving?

those seem like big steps. >> good question. >> the next steps are the director of operation will work with stack to develop proposed improvements -- will work with staff to develop proposed improvements to develop or achieve some of these items. there is a lot of work to get there. what you're doing is accepting the findings of the report. this is sort of the first time this has been presented to the department. when i went to urban forestry council, we all looked at these numbers and they are tough to take, but they were all very happy this report has been done. it is a document that i think will be helpful as we move forward. so you're director of operations will be working with the general manager to come up with the implementation steps and a plan.

commissioner bonilla: those are yet to be determined? >> those are yet to be determined. we would develop the plan, implement improvements, and that would be in the spring of 2011. commissioner bonilla: ok, which may include some of these elements. >> yes. commissioner bonilla: ok. >> mr. ginsberg? >> i just want to thank the team, danny and rick and caring and gm and kelly. -- and karen and jim and kelly. i feel like i am in class when i listen to jim. commissioner sullivan, thinking long term, echoing the conclusion of the report, is duly noted. i think we obviously have had a lot of conversations about identifying sustainable funding sources, but a subset of that, i think we need to come up with a

strategy to figure out how to improve the work we need to do on this front. it is a concept that a lot of things come before this commission that are divisive. protecting our trees is not. i think if we take that sort of consensus opinion and figure out how to translate that into a policy idea, to dedicate funding for that purpose, i think we could actually take a very significant step in that direction. so i will do it to things, not remove the trap -- not remove the taxgs, and i will be thinkig about what this team how we can comeback with a strategy for augmenting our resources in this area. >> i think the good news is in the last fund, the first time, the city of san francisco was able to come before council and put $4 million in four major

tree work. the most important properties that need this work will get a huge shot in the arm. that will start happening over the next year. there will be removals' and conversations and the public will become more educated about the parks. these are big, new efforts of the commission that will be taking place. commissioner lee: i just want to say the trees have a tireless advocate in commissioner sullivan. it is a service to all of us for the commitment you have to it. thank you. commissioner sullivan: thank you. thank you. >> on that note, there was no public comment? do we have a motion to approve the report? >> i would move. >> second. and all those in favor? >> aye. >> opposed? hearing none. >> item 5, general public comment continued at this time,

addressing the commission on items within the future agenda. these are four items that are not on the agenda. >> good evening, everybody. i know you must be tired, having been here since 2:00, but for the benefit of the commissioners who did not attend the meeting on july 1, i will make my comments. there is absolutely no valid reason that a certificate of appreciation has not been presented to me to date for my priceless gift of the number one the prime location on the waterfront. it was $600,000. everyone thinks me for this fabulous popular park except reckoned park. the recipient. unbelievable. what is behind this?

it is now approaching the 10th year. i want to know why. we must keep politics out of the commission, if that is what is going on. try walking in my shoes. how would you feel if you worked tirelessly for this project and then you get no piece of paper in return? it is not a big deal. it is just a piece of paper. but to me, it means a lot, so i can show my grandchildren their future. life is a two-way street. is give-and-take. think of it as a goodwill investment that will pay you big, big dividends. i know that. so a little kindness goes a long way. so guys and gals, please do it. please? it just do it. thank you. >> thank you. >> nancy?

>> i will now put on my hat as co-director as the professional dog walkers association has to mclaren park. this may or may not be appropriate for mclaren, but it is definitely not compatible with the new outreach area where 10 of 18 holes are proposed. this would create conflict amongst dog owners and golfers. many professional dog walkers, in addition to dog owners, use one of the largest legal owned runs in the city. dogs being dogs will naturally want to chase the disk. people involved will be in danger of getting hit by disks weighing as much as one-third of a pound, averaging 25, 30 m.p.h. or more. that spca estimate is 40% of households own dogs. the need for this is critical. we, the professional dog walkers

association, are in support of shared use, shared space with other recreational users, and many people without dogs walk in these areas. but disc golf is not a good fit. thank you. >> can i ask a question? are you just post to that one area? otherwise, in mclaren park -- >> definitely, we are definitely opposed to it being with that area. and the majority of it is in that area. >> you have an opinion on other parts of mclaren? you don't have to speak for the group. and i personally? -- >> personally? no, i don't. i don't have an opinion. i am very torn, because i know some of the disc golfers and i

have had discussions about this, and they are nice people. on the other hand, they already have one course in san francisco, and there are other courses throughout the bay area. i am not sure. >> ok, i did not need to put you on the spot. thank you. >> thank you. >> is there anyone else would like to comment under general public comment? ok, public comment is closed on the item 25. item 21, public comment on all matters pertaining to closed session. it is there anyone who would like to comment on closed session? seeing none, public comment is closed. commissioners, we need to vote on whether to hold closed session. >> motion? >> so moved. >> all those in favor? >> aye. >> opposed? none. >> we need to ask everyone to >> we need to ask everyone to please leave while we

>> we have reconvened into open session, and you need to make a motion whether to disclose any or all of the discussions that were held in closed session. >> i move that would not disclose. >> move and second. all those in favor? >> aye. >> we are now on items 6, commissioners' matters. are there any commissioners' matters? >> hearing on. at any public comment on this? public, disclosed. we are on item 27, which is new business, agenda setting. comments from the commissioners? >> none, but i don't want to lose sight of commissioner

bonilla's, about moving toward a committee structure. i want to direct staff that you work with the commission on directing how that will best work. >> is there any public comment on this item? seeing none, public, disclosed. -- public comment is closed. we are on item 28, communications. is there any public comment on this item? marilyn, are you coming? ok, sorry. it is hearing on top -- seeing none, public, disclosed. >> item 29? >> item 29, adjournment. >> so moved. >> yay!

>> good afternoon. thank you for joining us. today is a major milestone in our sf park program. it is a new system of managing parking in the city and county of san francisco. the mta was fortunate enough to receive a $25 million partnership grant to look at ways to help with congestion in

urban cities and find a way to do with pricing. rather than looking at toll booths and things of that nature, we thought it would be a more elegant solution to look at where the cars are going better actually trying to park. by making parking easier and getting better data, we believe we will have a strategy that will reduce congestion on city streets. over 30% of the contestant dickcongest -- congestion is related to automobiles looking for parking. we want to provide better data in terms of the sensors on the street. they will have a real time information needed for 511, through the website, or through their smart phones to receive information as to where parking is available in the city. the parking will be made available because we're going to properly priced the parking in the city. by having these smart readers, we will be able to properly

priced the parking in the city to provide at least 15% availability on almost every street in the city in terms of parking. by guiding you there, we hope you can get off the street quickly, find your parking spot, and pay the appropriate price in terms of the value. parking. we're very excited about the project. today is the launch of about 190 meters that will be installed as part of the pilot program. we will be collecting data over the next few months. the pilot will last a total of two of years. this is the first area where it will be implemented. over the next three months, we have five additional areas where we will be implementing new leaders. we're also looking at new technology related to multi- space meters. we're looking at better using the parking infrastructure on the street so that it is not obtrusive to pedestrians and at the same time is aesthetically pleasing.

i have several staff members here. they're going to be able to answer any detailed questions you have about a project. today is a very exciting day. by reducing the circling parking spots, we help with many mu -- ni --muni to be able to travel quicker. we reduce the amount of carbon emissions created by cars circling trying to find a parking spot. if you do not use muni and need to use an automobile, where making it easier for the automobile users by providing real-time information on parking availability. we're also making it easier to pay. inconnus points, credit cards, a debit card -- you can use queens -- you can use coins,

credit cards, debit cards, and other forms of payment. >> how will the congestion pricing work? >> we will be able to price the parking, the cost of parking on a daily basis, time of day, day of the week. in case of special events down by the ball park, we will be able to properly price on street parking as related to what is happening in the city. the current plan is not to make adjustments on a daily basis. it will be more of a monthly basis. that is the plan entrance of adjusting prices so do not confuse people. the idea is to properly priced the parking so that we create enough availability on the streets of the automobile users will be able to park quickly. we are not extending or changing any of our current powers of

enforcement in terms of the parking meters. we're not want to be implementing sunday parking meters. we're going to keep the current practices and policies. with the data that we collect from the meters and the censors in the 2011 timeframe, that is when will will start putting in for mission to the -- putting the information to the mta board to make policy decisions. the meters generate $26 million in terms of revenue each year. citations represent about $20 million. it is a significant revenue impact of the meters. we're looking at the meters not just to create more revenue for the agency. the goal is to really reduce congestion and deal with carbon emissions. [unintelligible]

[traffic] >> by making it easier for people to pay at the meter using a credit or debit card, we think it will make it much easier for them to pay for the utilization. they will not take a chance of not having enough change in getting a citation. that is why we're doing, a pilot. whee need to get an sense of the impact on the new technology. we would prefer that our revenue comes from the parking meter and it being properly administered instead of issuing citations. citations are somewhat punitive. we want to make it easier for people to use our streets and parking in the city. they can get a off the streets so that muni can go through

easily. >> what is the most expensive parking right now? >> the most expensive parking right now is $3.50. that is downtown. that is $3.50 per hour. we do expect to have arranged. right now, is about $2 in residential parking areas. it is $3 over by the wharf and $3.50 downtown. i have a range from 50 cents up to $6. -- we expect to have ranged from 50 cents up to $6. if we have an area that is underutilized, we will try to steer you there with low or parking rates per hour. >> is there a chance that the price will fluctuate on the high end any day? >> that will be the price during the day. we do not want to make it more confusing to use the parking and for structure.

yet it is to stabilize it, use the data we are collecting -- the idea is to stabilize it and use the data we're collecting. any changes will occur every four weeks in terms of rate changes. >> the most expensive hourly parking right now is $3.50. you anticipate some parking up to $6. when would that happen? >> the pilot study is going to be over the next two years. it will be some time before we get to those numbers. the most important thing is that we will have the data to make better decisions in terms of the actual utilization. that is the most important part of a pilot. what is the actual utilization? how long do people need to be in a parking spot? in some cases, we expanded the limitations. we may move to four our parking in some areas. this is a major milestone. it is one of many steps towards

a new parking policy in the city. it will take about two years to do that. >> are there censors around here? >> there is one right there. there is one right behind you over there, young lady. the sensors will provide information when someone is parking and pulling out of the parking spot. in conjunction with the meters, with a much better data collection in the city. we're very excited about the project. we've got attention from around a country if not around the world. this is one-of-a-kind in terms of using new technology to deal with on street demand parking. >> if i go to five and 11, with the data be there? >> it is not there yet but will be there in the next few weeks. we expect to provide this data in an open source manner. we expect some smart phone applications to be developed out of that. we expect great things to happen. you will be able to with your

smart device know exactly where a spot is and find your way to it. >early 2011 for the real time data, the early part of next year. >> what will determine what district these meters and sensors will be? how did you decide on the test areas? >> the short answer is we try to look a good sampling of different positions, more tourist areas versus residential and business and financial district. we need to have a mix of six different pilot areas to get an idea of utilization. parking is not the same in any -- in every area, as you can imagine. the pilot project areas chosen were part of the agreement with the u.s. department transportation. they were chosen as sample

areas, represented of neighborhoods in the city. downtown, the civic center, employment centers, places that generate a lot of traffic. the case valley civic center, the marina, fisherman's wharf downtown. >> they will be up and running over the next three months. >> who makes the systems? >> the company that is based in san diego. [unintelligible] [traffic] >> that is of a question. -- that is a good question. we will get to test that out in terms of the ruggedness of the meter. the plan originally was to replace all the meters over the next three years. we were fortunate in getting the

grant. it allows us to test out a lot of technologies and go beyond simply replacing the meters in kind. this will also be a pilot in terms of ease of use by customers, usability, simplicity, and whether it will stand up to an urban environment. >> aside from the meter head itself that we're piloting to see how durable it is and whether or not it is easy to read, with also built-in security measures -- we have also built-in security measures into the infrastructure itself. all of these parking meters have an hour thing that rotates. this is to prevent people from putting a pipe cover on it -- pipe cutter on it to remove the head. [unintelligible] >> how you assure people that

put in a credit card in [unintelligible] >> part of the specification was the highest level of security or credit card processing. none of the data is stored on the meter or by the mta. it is handled by the meter company and processed as quickly as possible. there's very little risk of using credit cards at the meters. >> [unintelligible] concerned about the possibility of [inaudible] [traffic] >> one of the great things about the meters is that it makes it so easy to pay. people should get a lot fewer parking tickets and area. that can leave people with a bitter taste in your mouth. that is one part.