of new recreation classification, the administration of five civil service exams, the selection of candidates, and the processing of new employees in the city of hr's system. the unit played a crucial role in the management of our successful labor-management collaboration with sciu. all told, with in the space of only eight months, the h.r. staff created a classified -- three new classifications. they resurrected one former class and expanded the use of two other classes. the staff has reviewed over 500 applications for these classifications. we have processed over 240 new employees. in particular, i would like to recognize the work of our two recruitment analysts.

the current and recent head of our processing unit, jonathan nellie and linda martinez, and our two labour relation analysts. last but certainly not least, i would like to recognize ken, the division pose a manager. i would like to say a few quick words about ken. he was absolutely stellar throughout this process, providing the leadership, of dr, and the know-how in this incredibly complicated process. he is deeply conscientious, task-oriented. he kept us all on the path. he was really able to keep his dedicated staff motivated through a process that was very onerous and we were under really tight deadlines. i commend him and his staff for

all of the work they did in implementing the new recreation model. >> thank you. [applause] >> do you like them? >> i like them, but not that. >> ready? 1, 2, 3. congratulations.

>> who brought all this candy? margaret? who do we owe this candy to? >> can we have the overhead? yes. we will dive into this. i just wanted to congratulate the winners of our employee recognition award. this is one of our most talented gardners. i can vouch for the incredible competence and leadership of the hr staff, without which all of the instrumental changes for rejuvenating our recreation program, and also things like the apprenticeship program, it would not have happened without the talented staff.

finally, the giants are fond of saying there is magic inside. we thought we would do our toes to the giants. there is also magic outside in the parks. if you do not have this done quickly, we will be late for the magic. >> wow. >> that is a conservatory of flowers, which is now warned. our clock in conservatory valley. >> wow. >> civics center plaza. the straw is also orange, if you

want to hold that up, and my time. "giants. >> thank you very much. commissioner lee? >> congratulations to the staff for the award. katie, great job. i received an e-mail from a couple members of the public asking about a grant that recreation park gave to botanical gardens for $400,000. i was wondering, what is the source of the funds for that? >> a deed you want to come up and comment? this is this -- did you want to come up and comment? this is on our botanical society program. >> the source of the funds for the grant is actually the revenue that is going to be generated by the garden. the entrance fee to the garden. we think we will generate

$600,000 from the fee in the current fiscal year. that will generate $250,000 in pure revenue for the department. the remaining $400,000 would be granted back to the society for their costs associated with running the entrance program. >> it is actually not a grant. it is revenues they have generated. >> it is a financial instrument we are using. we have to have a contractual relationship with them in order to give them money back. >> it is revenue generated from the collection. >> that is correct. >> commissioner bonilla? ? >> -- >> we will be using the center for -- tomorrow also, for the shelter? >> correct. >> i just wanted to make sure.

>> it will be progress of this week. >> it will be used for the next two days. it is short-term. is that correct? through saturday? through saturday afternoon. >> it will be available for use next week. >> correct. >> thank you. >> is there any public comment under the general managers' report? public comment is closed. we are an item number four, general public comment. members of the public may address the commission on items of interest to the public that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the commission and that do not appear on the agenda, with respect to agenda items. this portion of public comment will be up to 15 minutes. we have catherine howard, eve vanderschmidth, and rachel stat on and ross moody.

>> i am here to talk about the old car picnic. last year, the pyknic caused lung damage and cars were parked close to tree trunks. this festival this year was much more controlled with lines delineating parking. there was security on site. in some areas, trees were parked too close to the tree trunks. overall, the festival seemed more respectful of the park and we appreciate your efforts to do this. we recommend that cars be part even further away from trees and out from under the canopy, which is the primary development area. we have a report with general photos of the festival and some photos from last year showing the difference and also showing cars parked again. unfortunately, very close to some of the specimen trees and the roots. we did not see the same amount

of damage. security was very high. there were many park rangers and police. i think the security element is a very good, preventive thing. once again, i would like to make a simple comment that the concept is tree, canopy, car. thank you very much. >> thank you. i want to thank commissioner harrison for negotiating some of the improvements of that operation. it took some time and effort. thank you. >> eve, then barbara, then rachel, ross, and ernestine. >> hello. i would like to comment on the food concessions in delores park. i am a resident of the mission. i operate a small business in the mission. i spent time in delores' park regularly. i took time out from my work to

represent the silent voice of the mission, who support having food concessions. i have been looking forward to the food concessions in our park for almost two years. i have been following your process on posts and word of mouth. i have been bragging to friends and family in new york that we will have great local food and drink in our parks, just like they do. san francisco will be the new capital of the u.s. i have been aware of the loud voices of opposition led by the local cafes. this was predictable. with the withdrawal of blue bottle, i am struck that the commission is listening to the loudest few voices. you're letting those of us in the silent majority down. those of us patiently waiting for your process to complete have been run by bullies, and

you have condoned it. i am truly saddened by this turn of events. thanks for letting me speak. >> thank you. i should comment that the commission did not deny that permit. the applicant withdrew it. >> i understand. >> in defense of the commission, there was no official action to terminate that. we did get a lot of public comment and i appreciate your. >> next speaker, please? >> i am here on behalf of various organizations, including the national parks conservation organization and the sierra club. we are concerned about the protection of endangered species. we will not discuss the specifics of the recycled water project. we are concerned that the department --

we know through citizen scrutiny that the course of substantial to of, unresolved economic and a garment of problems. we recently learned the overall water project has nearly 80% of the recycled water dedicated to sharp park, contrary to the way the general manager has been discussing it with the public. it is been said the golf course is a small portion of the project. the commission should be fully briefed before taking action. this project has the potential to be a big waste of federal stimulus dollars. the general manager notified members of organizations that the project can be rerouted if the courts were to be changed to another land use. the sf puc staff contradicted

this, stating it would be difficult and expensive. this project that was sold as viable is a lemon. we are thankful that the chairman is now on the commission. thank you. he was not on the commission when all these decisions were taking place. chairman, you understand that protection should not come at the expense of recreation. you understand that the city should not be wasting stimulus bonds. you understand that real species recovery and building a better public is something that go the eyes of the public. [tone] funds need to be spent by next september. we are counting on you for this issue. thank you very much. >> thank you. >> next speaker. after ernestine, we have adele carpenter.

>> i am rachel and i am here for the same reason as barbara. i am a resident here in san francisco and a senior at usf. i will talk about the pacific recycling water project at sharp park, which is not on the agenda. i wanted to bring attention to the fact that this recycling -- recycled water project is going to devote 80% of the water to this golf course, which in no way am i against the use of recycled water. unfortunately, the future of sharp park golf courses on certain. the use of sharp park may soon change, which means the $5 million recycled water pipeline project may be a waste of federal stimulus dollars. furthermore, sf puc has said

during their meeting held on september 28, 2010, that redirecting recycled water from sharp park would be difficult. the city should not be wasting stimulus bonds. restoration, species recovery, and building a better part aligned with the public values of not wasting any of our tax dollars and money, and water. the reason why the species recovery is so important and the reason why we should not give so much of this recycled water to the golf courses because the golf course is environmental history and it has been atrocious. they are on the habitat of not one but two endangered species who are listed under the endangered species act. one of them is the garter snake. the other is the california red like a frog. why