mr. president, i believe sfgtv is requesting a five-minute break. president chiu: i understand that they need -- we've been going so long, they need to put in a new tape to record the proceeding tonight. if we could take a four-minute recess. supervisor campos: i hope it's not something i said. >> these are wonderful times

when you can celebrate people you're not only giving of themselves but it really have a focus. whatever they are doing, they see emergency action, and they take on a very selflessly, that opportunity to save somebody else's life it is truly a moment that i, as mayor, and pretty -- and very proud of. i know our fire chief and police chief join me in the rest of the city's official family joins us in honoring these heroes. with that, there is a presentation for these three and our officer. this is onwar onem. i know your family is here, too. thank you very much. [applause] and for justin taylor. thank you very much. [applause]

and then for jill voligrinski -- if i pronounced that name correctly. thank you very much. [applause] and of course, to the officer. thank you very much for doing your duty as well. i know you'll say that is just your job, but a lot of people do not do that as well. we're honored with their dedicated service on a day-to- day basis. thank you very much, officer. [applause] hopefully we will get to hear from them very shortly. but i would like to invite up now are chief of fire in chief of police for the safety awards. >> thank you, mayor lee, good morning everyone. we're here to bradley say thank you 23 citizens that were very brave last week, as well as the officer. they did a great job. my understanding -- was not on the scene, but the fire department prides itself on

getting to any emergency in the city without -- within three to five minutes. seconds really counted, and these three gentlemen went to work right away. onwar stopped his cab to see what was happened to the car was fully engulfed in flames. justin and the others worked collaborative litigate a stranger out of a car. then we got on the scene, and they had no benefit of the hose line or anything like that. they went to work and were very brave in doing so. when we got on the scene, the victim had already been taken out of the car and had been moved to safety. we were able to that provide emergency medical care and transport to the hospital. i am here to echo mayor lee's comments and say thank you very much, a great work. i know police chief suhr and myself as fire chief -- if any of them are looking for work sometime in public safety, we would be happy to consider them

for employment. thank you. good work. [applause] >> thank you, mr. mayor, for doing this, and chief hayes- white. she is always a tough act to follow. you only get so many chances in life to show up for people, and if you can imagine that this vehicle was engulfed in flames when the four men behind me went to work without thought of self. it demonstrates what the city of st. frances is all about when three citizens rushed to the aid of someone when a car is on fire. i know the sergeant is not here. got them out of the way. and then the officer runs up to the car, cuts the gentleman out of the car. the heat was so strong that he was not sure if he was burned. as you can tell, he still has a beautiful head of hair. he is fine. [laughter] it really does make you take a moment and catch your breath when you think about this.

this happened in seconds. the chief spoke three to five minutes for our fire department to get on the scene. with regard to the live-saving, that had already been done. congratulations, and we have plaques for you, too. again, if you're looking for work, we are hiring. [laughter] thanks. [applause] >> i know some of you recall, back in october, that we celebrated another hero, ms. williams, as to what she did as well. i would like to add to this list just great san franciscans who, i want to personally thank you on behalf of the city. if you would like to say a word or clarify what happened, leo, onwar, justin -- please, share with us. i know your families and friends are here as well. i know you really sure this precious moment in our city

where we can recognize people who are very selfless and bring up the best values that we have as human beings. please -- >> well, it was said that the person whose life we helped to save was allegedly drunk, so do not drink and drive. [laughter] but we do not know that. it is an interesting feeling. it does not feel like you're doing anything extraordinary when you are doing it. then all this fuss comes in. i guess if you find yourself in a situation like this, do not think, just do it. [laughs] thank you. >> is it true that you went home at 3:00 a.m. and had a glass of wine? [laughter] >> thank you. sorry, my english is not that good. i just stopped buying cab to assist the gentlemen.

i first broke the window and injured my hand. i had to go to the hospital. i just want to citywide -- sorry. [applause] >> it was surreal. they're very few chances in life that you get to actually participate in it something that is doing the right thing without any gray area. there is right and wrong, and you add third dive in and become part of it and get to help somebody or you stand back and wait. i got a chance to make that decision, and i am only honored to have been a part of having a chance to help somebody like this. so thank you. [applause] >> i just want to thank everybody for being here. i do not know -- your kind of do something and you do not have

time to think. as i said before, i was just doing my job, nothing special. i want to thank these three. they are the ones who did the hard work. i just had your shot and cut a segel. there are other officers that deserve credit. they also helped drag the guy out of the car so he would not get burned. thank you very much. [applause] >> and to justin and leo, i owe you one. it says, in its deepest gratitude to your performance and outstanding. while serving sentences go, this is worthy of the highest esteem by the san francisco police department. i will have one for you, too. >> i have one from the fire department, certificate of appreciation for meritorious conduct.

in recognition of your courage in meritorious conduct to a citizen in the early morning hours of november 21, 2011. thank you for making a difference and saving someone's life. very much appreciate it. >> good work. >> i'd present our heroes from san francisco. [applause]

>> we're going to get started before everybody freezes. we want to welcome everybody to the groundbreaking of cayuga playground. is an important milestone for us. it was built in the 1950's and renovated almost 30 years ago. we are long overdue for the next renovation of this park. this particular neighborhood has become a family neighborhood.

it is so important that we keep our playgrounds clean, safe, and fun. we're so grateful to the voters for supporting the 2008 neighborhoods park fund. the project is a $9.3 million project. about $8 million is from the bond. we're thrilled we received an $800,000 grant from the state to cultivate the open space. it has been a team effort. i want to acknowledge some folks who are here. this is in no particular order. i really want to thank barbara, josie, and all the folks from the cayuga improvement group. mohammed will speak and make some introductions.

i want to thank lizzie hirsch, richard yee, marvin yee, our capital planning director. i want to thank courtney representing the parks alliance. steve courier is here. thank you for being here. i want to thank the rec and park staff, bill o'brien, our new gardner. perhaps the biggest thank you and acknowledgment is to our beloved retired gardener at the cayuga playground, demnny. he immigrated to the country in

1973. he worked in the law firm became a gardener and singlehandedly took over the park. you can see some of his work scattered throughout the trails and beautiful urban landscape. he crafted about 350 beautiful sculptures and characters. some of them have been safely tucked away for the renovation project. he will still see about 100. -- you will still see about 100 of them out here. you are a demigod to this park. thank you for being here. when the project is done, you will see a beautiful new clubhouse with a living roof. there will be landscape improvements. the street behind you will be part of the park. pavement to park. i want to introduce the park champion in chief who will say a few words, mayor ed lee.

>> phil has gone through virtually all of the details that need to be mentioned. i feel safer being here with the cia. [laughter] i know the cayuga improvement association was born back in the 1930's, 1937. it has been a stalwart group of volunteers in the community. i do not live far away. 10 years ago, i met demi. we did some cleanups here with you. i recall all the wonderful sculptures. i have snuck in here with my kids and visitors to show them how great it is to have these parks with people volunteering to do special things. i want to thank you for your

leadership and sacrifices, all of your wonderful years of work. the park's alliance for your wonderful relationship and support, and our arts commission. they will be commencing another great piece of our work here. it just goes to show all the city agencies working together and that we honor our parks in this city. this is a wonderful commitment. we are not leaving this district alone. you know that. we're coming out your for a great purpose. we want to show and demonstrate that every part of the city is worth every investment that we do, a special building strong neighborhoods. we have done that correctly here. this is well worth $9.3 million. it is a good investment. we will do more.

phil will make sure that the commitment carries on. we do that by finishing the things we have committed to in the future. i know the staff is excited to be out here making commitments. we are shovel ready with jobs. i want to thank mohammad for making sure that they work closely with the parks and a neighborhood association to do this. i am here to announce this but also to make sure that this is part of the long term commitment to every neighborhood in the city. we will continue this -- doing this and doing it well. >> you talked about the importance of jobs. there will be about 50 local jobs as a result of this construction project. you also talked about the importance of art in the parks. i want to recognize the president of the arts

commission. there is a profoundly between art and our parks. that is probably no better exhibited than in this park thanks to demi's great work. i want to call up susan to talk about that. >> this is a very unique opportunity for us here at cayuga park. we were called in to help preserve the unique sculptures. my colleague came out and catalog, photographed and catalog all 375 sculptures. within selected 130 to be taken and stored -- we then selected 130 to be taken and stored and stabilize to be reinstalled on the park is reopened. it is no small feat to stabilize

wooden structures in a damp park. they have to be cleaned out, debugged, and then a protective coat is put on them so they will be able to be in the park for years to come. it will continue the landmark status of this park. in addition to the conservation work, there is the new public art commission. eric was inspired by demi's work and has created these gateways sculptures that feature vignettes drawn from these works.

the design echoes of how the plant life enhances the sculptures overtime. crowning the opening day, it will have the name of cayuga on it. it will announce the injury to the park. it will be adorned with birds and wings. we're pleased to be part of a new park, new public commission, and preserving the work that came before us. thank you. >> thank you, susan. projects like this are all about partnership. i want to call up the director of public works. we work closely with them. we are incredibly grateful to you and your staff for all of your support, the engineering work, and your assistance with

the construction management of the project. thank you. >> it is always a pleasure to join the parks department, arts commission, cayuga improvement association, and community to celebrate this ground-breaking. we did relocate the street that leads into the park. as part of the design, there are a number of unique features. the first one is the living rooftop garden similar to ortega. dole be adding more green space and areas for butterflies and other creatures to enjoy. when i was raising my children, i came to the spark -- this part many time with the kids. we watched demi carve many of

the sculptures. there are many hidden trails along the hillside and all- around. those will continue. tdx will be the builder. it is a contractor we have worked together on a number of projects. they just finished the library at bernal and another library. they are a very good contractor. they work very well with the community. we have our team of architects, landscape architects, and the whole team along with our construction management team they will all make sure the project is finished on time and on budget. thank you for being here today. i am looking forward to the construction to start. >> last but certainly not least,

i want to bring up chris dillon , the president of the cayuga improvement association. they have been involved in the design and planning process from the outset. this is a neighborhood park. we will engage in our best efforts to make it what you want it to be. >> i wish i had the mayor's ability to speak so beautifully. i am going to lead. my comments are getting in thankfulness. this is testimony to the fact that collaboration among all stakeholders is possible and of the greatest value to the community. i am thankful that demi share his philosophy of life with the community. he transformed our failing part into a beautiful sanctuary full of amazing art. he has renewed our committee and created a beautiful community in our park is treasured by the residents of the neighborhood.

it is recognized throughout the world as a uniquely sacred site. his powerful design and philosophy are validated by the fact that there are many stakeholders that come to the park seeking peace, renewal, fun, exercise. it cannot be categorized. as a volunteer, i have witnessed the community to flourish. i am thankful for marvin yee's leadership. he embodies the best qualities of a civil servant. he has put together an expert team to focus on our shared vision. as a former leader, i know it is an almost impossible task. he has done it successfully. he has made this work appear easy. he is not only a consummate professional, he is a friend in our community. because of his leadership, every aspect of the project has been

blessed by a spurt of respectful collaboration. he has never wavered from the mission of enhancing our sanctuary well-respected and protecting demi's vision. i also want to acknowledge others for their many years of advocacy on the behalf of the park and playground. i am profoundly thankful to barbara and jesse -- josie the hours of hard work on this project. they have listened to committee members, they have mastered and grasp technical material. they've gone to meetings and hearings. they have made reports for our members and the committee. they've stretched far outside their comfort zone at times. as demi's chose an apprentice, josie has provided a vision for our team to work with.

barb's communication has been indispensable to the project. if they had not volunteered for the project, it would have been diminished. our community is a special part of the city. words cannot capture the magic of our part. it is a park in unique sanctuary. our community has been blessed by demi's vision, spirit, and artwork. we're blessed by community volunteers and residents. we're blessed to be served by our great city prepare to the park is at the heart of our city. -- request to be served by our great city. cayuga cairo the park is at the heart of our city. >> let's break some ground and cut the ribbon.

marvin? [unintelligible] the shovel. [laughter] are we ready? all right. [applause] >> so exciting. [applause] [laughter] >> where do you want it, marvin? [laughter]

>> of the meeting of the entertainment commission for the city and county of san francisco. >> hyde? newlin? cavellini indicated that he may be here. he is trying to do some work scheduling. >>