sensitive nature requiring that they could be filled as quickly as possible. for me, because of that there is something unique about this appointment. given the nature of the qualifications of the applicant, the urgency of this position, it is certainly something i am open to moving forward. supervisor mar: i would agree with my colleague as well. given the urgency of the puc's important projects. i know your background with labor alliances and local hiring and so many issues that bring community within the different bodies that you work in, so i think you are perfectly poised to join the puc at this critical time as they move forward. an environmental justice issues, as well as bringing together various labor and union and community-based groups together to fight for better public utilities for the whole city, so

i'm looking forward to being supportive of your appointment today and not continuing this item, but i will listen to the comments first. supervisor campos: why don't we now open to public comment? thank you, mr. courtney. >> supervisors, happy new year. i'm the director of the san francisco labor council. i'm encouraged by your comments, but i'm still going to work off the agenda as i saw it when i walked in this morning. i want to be clear -- vince courtney is a great leader in our trade union movement. he is well versed in a lot of the different functions of san francisco and the puc. it is obviously one of the most important commissions in all of san francisco. mr. courtney sits as an executive officer on our legal counsel. -- on our labor council. the labor council recommends him highly for this very important position.

supervisor campos: thank you. is there any other member of the public who would like to speak on this item? please come forward. >> good afternoon, commissioners. my name is gregory reed. i'm the executive director of the randolph institute, and i'm here today to give our support as well as with me today, and i brought a van full of community members and members of our chapter. we wholeheartedly give our support to mr. courtney's appointment to the puc. thank you. supervisor campos: thank you very much. next speaker. >> hello, supervisors. you may have in your packet a letter was submitted in support of mr. courtney. i have copies here for the clerk. we need vince courtney on the

puc. i do not a with the discussion of the date is, but i cannot stress how much we need him. he was one of the first labor leaders to support what is now mandatory local hiring, along with members of the rules committee, as fate would have it, and we need him because starting in five or six weeks, all the mandatory language that the board has passed and is now a city law has to get into all these city contracts, the puc first and foremost. we need this to be the champion. we work with him, he works with us. he has experience working with environmental organizations. he was a member of the sunshine or dance task force, which a lot of people do not know. he stands for community labor partnership. if we can get him on tomorrow -- as soon as possible. i really cannot stress that enough. the community needs him. he is going to be a champion. we need him as soon as possible. did i say we need him on the

puc, like, now? supervisor campos: i think you said now, but human yesterday. [laughter] next speaker, please. -- you meant yesterday. [laughter] >> i'm here today to support mr. courtney to be your next commissioner. we the community supports the hard work he is doing for the community and he also supports local hiring. we at the philip randolph institute said francisco chapter and the community believe he would do an excellent job. be a born and raised in san francisco has demonstrated being about we the people of san francisco. we are asking for your support for mr. courtney. thank you. >> thank you very much, ma'am. next speaker, please. >> happy new year, supervisors.

we support vince courtney to be the next commissioner. we represent over 3000 members, and we urge you guys to support it and give the jobs to the community. we are the big supporters of the community and any city and county of san francisco. supervisor campos: thank you. we have been joined by the general manager of the rec and park department. >> i wanted to say a brief word of support for vince courtney and his appointment. i have had the great pleasure and honor of working closely with this for a number of years, most closely over the last couple of years, and he is a person of tremendous integrity, a tremendous collaboration and pragmatism. he fights fiercely for his members, and as someone who understands always some of the nuances and challenges of running a city department or

running a big city. he is innovative and is one of the leaders of the first apprentice -- partner apprenticeship program in the state of california. he is a wonderful individual and a wonderful asset to the city, and i support him wholeheartedly. supervisor campos: thank you very much. next speaker please. >> i am a member of the local 261, the laborers union, and i'm here to support mr. courtney. i have served with him on several boards that the union has, and he has a very diverse aspect on things that i think he will be a great addition to the puc commission. supervisor campos: thank you. any other speaker? good afternoon. welcome to rules committee. >> thank you, and happy new year to you, supervisor. i'm with local 261, here to

encourage you to place vince courtney on the commission as of yesterday. again, i've known fenced throughout the year as a union brother, a friend, and a colleague, and he is more than qualified. thank you. supervisor campos: thank you. next speaker please. >> happy new year, supervisors. i'm here to support vince. oftentimes, communities have to work with unions trying to work up the best deal possible and trying to figure out innovative ways to be able to integrate people that are trying to get to work and trying to get to the limited amount of jobs and merge community interests with union interests. i have always found vince as one of those go to people to try to figure out those kinds of

problems and try to deal with those kinds of issues. i'm in full support of this, and he is one of the reasons that even though my sources told me that nothing was going to get voted on today, i still wanted to come by and support him because i do not know how it is going to shake out when everything is said and done, but i really want to hold everybody here that no matter how it shakes out, no matter who is appointed to mayor, that this particular appointee is locked and solid. thank you. supervisor campos: thank you. we have been joined by a member of the san francisco board of education, newly reelected member. good afternoon, and welcome to the rules committee. >> happy new year. i just wanted to take a break from holding my granddaughter, very new to our family, and work on the board of education to let you know how much i am in

support of vince courtney, and i'm grateful that this nomination has come before you, and i wanted to tell you briefly what impresses me most about mr. courtney, and that is his ability to reach across communities, across the aisle over and over again to bring people to the discussion table on issues, and i have seen him do that over and over again, and i cannot begin to tell you how highly i value that ability and capacity to do it, regardless of the argument or discussion at the table. he reaches across and brings people together to the conversation, and i believe he will continue to do that, and i know he will be an excellent appointment on the puc. i want to encourage you and let you know that he has my wholehearted support in this endeavor. thank you again, and happy new year. supervisor campos: happy new year. is there any other member of the public who would like to speak? seeing none, public comment is closed. supervisor dufty: i wanted to

briefly add my support to mr. courtney. i look forward to voting for him hopefully tomorrow at the full board, and a one take a moment to reflect on his parents, and i had the privilege of knowing them both. -- i want to take a moment to reflect of his parents. his mother is a respected member of the latino community who has been a trailblazer in her own right, and i know he will continue their tradition and do a great job. supervisor alioto-pier: thank you. i would like to echo the remarks of my colleague. i wholeheartedly support the appointment of mr. courtney to the puc, and i would like to make a motion to send this forward with recommendations. supervisor campos: we had a motion on the table. notwithstanding the trend we saw in this meeting, i do believe that for the reasons that have been articulated by supervisor mar and myself that it is really critical that we move this item

for wood, there is a lot of work that needs to be done at the puc, and it is not just local hiring but a lot of other issues that are really critical and time sensitive in nature, and i think that this is an excellent appointment. the motion is to send as a committee report, supervisor. and to table -- supervisor mar: so it would be to -- >> mou for item 7, table item eight, and sen through as a committee report -- the motion would be to move forward items 7, table item eight, and sent through as a committee report. >> -- supervisor campos: can you please call item 9? >> item 9, resolution approving the appointment of herb cohn and harry kim to the san francisco

relocation appeals board. supervisor campos: good afternoon. welcome to the rules committee. >> happy new year. ok. >> happy new year, everybody. >> happy new year. >> relocation appeals commissioner since 1993. before that, i was golden gate bridge director for four years. of course, here today to get reappointment. i'm also a chair of a san francisco committee, and it is

so good to be here. i've got so many things to talk about, but it is already lunchtime. anyway. to see everyone here, happy holidays. supervisor campos: ok, thank you, commissioner. any questions, colleagues? no questions. why don't we ask herb cohn -- supervisor dufty, i'm sorry. supervisor dufty: thank you. i want to reflect on my long friendship with mr. kim. i would say that i am the beneficiary of the least till we what ties similar to the one he has on today, which are miracle ties, if he shows you they do not have to be tight, but look

quite good. in all seriousness, he is a great individual, and there are people from communities that are bridges to the whole city, and he is one because of his consistent presence at city events and a willingness to be helpful. he is a start. colleagues, i want to briefly read into the record a letter for herb cohn, a longtime friend and colleague of mine in the castro neighborhood. he is a cpa, and he has been mined for more than 10 years, but more than that, he has been the past president of the merchants of our market and castro, which is a very vibrant merchants association. he was instrumental in the creation of the community benefit district and served as its first president and as someone who just gives tremendously. he served as a leader and president of the council of district merchants association, which is the merchants brought the city. the letter that he provided me,

"i'm writing to ask for your support to my nomination to the city's relocation appeals board, submitted to you by major new some. due to a long-planned trip out of town, i will not be able to change, i will not be a person -- i will not be able to attend in person. i regret not being able to attend since i'm extremely excited to have the opportunity to serve my city in this way. i've arranged to have supervisor dufty spiegel might have since he knows me very well. we work together on projects for over 10 years. i will also be available by phone. you have a list of my activities, but a few highlights include serving as president of the district council merchants association, serving on the border buffer marketing castro, forming and serving as the original board president of the castro upper market and community district and owning and managing two commercial properties in health appeared in the san real estate and commercial value properties that

will be invaluable on the board. i humbly ask for your support for my nomination, herb cohn." he is a stellar human being, and i hope he will be considered. supervisor mar: i just wanted to thank commissioner kim for his work building a stronger korean- american community, but also for your work on the bridge board. so many different organizations, and you are unable veteran, working within the veterans communities as well, but your experience and qualifications make you perfectly qualified for reappointment, and i look forward to supporting you at a future date. thank you, mr. kim. supervisor campos: thank you. i, too, look forward to supporting commissioner kim and commissioner cohn at a later date. has been especially gratifying to get to know commissioner kim through the golden gate bridge

board. if anyone can give you a very thorough explanation of its history and admission, that as commissioner kim. why don't we open up to public comment? any member of the public who would like to speak on this item, please come forward. >> good afternoon, supervisors. i'm from the mayor's office of housing and executive director of the relocation appeals board. i wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for your time today. notwithstanding the circumstances that are presented, i wanted to point out a couple of things about the relocation appeals board. it is mandated by state law for any city that has redevelopment agency. the relocation appeals board is currently handling appeals from the transbay terminal from the central subway. we will soon hear appeals from treasure island. the appeals mandated by state and federal law, and it is very important that we have a quorum

to hear these appeals, which are coming at us very quickly. i had the opportunity to work with mr. kim, and he brings great expertise to this field. his background in public service and finance and real estate is outstanding, so i urge you to consider the appointments. >> -- supervisor campos: how many members of the board are there? and how many vacancies are we talking about? what would be needed to get a quorum? >> there are five members that are required. current time, we have two that have been approved by this committee. two before you know, and one that as a holdover, so we do have a quorum, i believe. >> you would have -- supervisor campos: you would have a quorum of three? >> we do need three, but we do need insurance if a member

cannot attend and is not able to hear the appeal. we are required to hear an appeal within 60 days. supervisor campos: to the extent that commissioner kim is currently on that board, would he not be held over? >> i believe so, supervisor. am i think the city attorney is confirming that there is no action, that commissioner kim would be held over. ok, great. thank you very much. next speaker please. seeing none, public comment is closed. supervisor mar: i would like to move that we continue item 9 to the call of the chair, and i look forward to supporting commissioners cohn kim cohn -- and kim. supervisor campos: thank you. if we could take that without objection. please call item 10. >> item 10, resolution

confirming the appointment of florence kong to the city hall preservation advisory commission, a term ending january 13, 2012. supervisor mar: this is for the city of preservation advisory commission. >> good afternoon. my name is lawrence k -- florence kong. it is my honor to be nominated as a commissioner of city hall preservation advisory commission. i'm proud to have city hall, a national landmark, and serve on our city government. as i walk through our city hall, i know the importance of welcoming. our city hall should be an example to make all people feel welcome, not only for the taurus, but also of people who may use our facility.

i have been a licensed contractor and general contractor that has successfully completed conservation work and numerous projects. i'm also the ceo of the bay area metro chinese radio. i hope to bring with me some understanding of the importance of preservation. i will further promote the image of city hall to the people overseas in my program. san francisco has a rich history of diverse people with different cultures. the preservation and understanding of our city hall has historical significance and cultural value. i will bring civic pride to our future generations. as a member of the city hall preservation advisory commission, i hope to help maintain our city hall's

reputation as a friendly place for all people and for many generations to come. thank you. supervisor alioto-pier: thank you. supervisor mar: -- i not want to ask a question. i just want to thank you for your leadership of the asian american contractors association. i have personally seen the great work that you did at the eureka valley recreation center, lovingly restoring a property that is very valuable in the community, and i know you have been very much part of ensuring that local businesses, local individuals can participate in the work of the city, and i think you would do a stellar job, so i'm very grateful you are here before us. >> thank you very much, a supervisor dufty. supervisor mar: i just wanted to add, thanks for the work of the immigrant rights commission. you would bring a breath of knowledge to the commission.

thank you, ms. kong. supervisor alioto-pier: thank you. is there any public comment on this item? >> maybe i have to lean forward. first of all, i want to thank the supervisors for the ability to address you here this afternoon and anyone else that may be here in this room. my name is richard armstrong. i have been a representative for nearly 20 years. i now represent the largest this division company in the west, and as such, i have done business with the ironworks owned by florence kong for many years. we have done many contracts, and she is one of the large steel fabricator companies in the west and certainly the largest

in san francisco. this has been a pleasant business relationship, and she has always made sure they kept their account current, which is hard for any customer during these times, whether large or small. i appreciate her business ethics. i have not always won the order, but we have been given the opportunity at each order, and again, something that is not always found in today's business environment and is refreshing. she has been a person of her word, whether discussing potential orders or payment terms. she has always kept her word, and now, she is nominated for the preservation of city hall commission. a position that would cause the placement of contracts for maintenance and repairs, certainly, and she has a great deal of history with contractor

agreements. your mission statement calls for statute, dignity, and the high standards, and i say to you this afternoon that florence kong fulfills all these expectations of great stature, dignity, and the highest standards of business, and i look forward to seeing her confirmed of this appointment by you guys, hopefully, today. supervisor campos: thank you very much. next speaker please. >> good afternoon. we have spent the morning together. share of the san francisco city hall preservation advisory commission. i am here to encourage you to approve of the appointment of florence kong. we have been without our fit

seat filled for an extended time, and she would be a great asset -- without our fifth seat filled. in the year 2013, we will be celebrating our 100th anniversary, and we have major plants, and we need someone with her expertise and structural formation of this incredible building. there are some things that need to be done, and our commission is going to go forward in supporting them, and i'm sure that florence will be an incredible addition to our commission, so i'm asking for your support. supervisor campos: bank you very much. next speaker please. -- thank you very much. next speaker please. >> good afternoon, supervisors. i'm here to support florence kong's appointment to the city

hall preservation advisory commission. as the previous speakers mentioned, she is a very successful businesswoman who is very active and supportive in the community. she believes in giving back to the community and to the city. she grew her company from a few employees to over 100, and she believes in hiring local residents in san francisco. her expertise on the construction field would make her an excellent and outstanding commissioner, so, please, aboard her or confirm. thank you. -- please appoint her or confirm. thank you. >> good afternoon, supervisors. i wanted to st. -- speak in

strong support of florence kong and her apartment. i worked a lot with her this summer and got to know her. i was with her in a series a stakeholder discussions around local hiring and how to get to a consensus, and i found her way of dealing with different community stakeholder groups, business, labor, community, city, to be incredible, and i think she is -- i'm just so happy to be here to support her. something people do not know is she runs a radio show and brings in a community members. city hall is the people's call. this is someone who should be in charge of preserving and advising on the preservation of it. the other thing that someone had mentioned -- i read had mentioned that ms., is a contractor. she does 90% local hire, so i

expect to see that when work is done on the people's call that we are going to see our people, our communities, union work force, community work force rebuilding the city's tall, and i think that is something that florence kong can really make sure happens. supervisor campos: thank you. any other member of the public who would like to speak? seeing none, supervisor mar. supervisor mar: thank you. i look forward to supporting your in the future, but i'm going to continue this item. but i really strongly support your candidacy. supervisor campos: i, too, look forward to supporting you in the future, so we have a motion to continue. supervisor alioto-pier: i would just like you to know that we were voting today, i would vote for you. i will not be on the rules committee next time, but i wish you luck, and i am here to support you. supervisor campos: we have a motion to continue to the call of the chair. can we take