>> i think what we will do is keep it on the agenda for our next meeting so that our newest commissioner, we can talk a little bit about if there is any additional point of interest or subject matter. then we can talk about timing. we will have a better idea then, i think, about timing, for some of these issues, particularly the voting worked -- voting were--voting work. commissioner campos: as we come back to the idea of setting goals and agendas, the staff to think about the timing of when these agendas could be taken up. maybe you have some suggestions for us in terms of how to plan out, you know, the different things that come up, including the issue of fiber, which i think is actually a very good one. commissioner, anything else? if it is ok, can we have a motion to continue this item to

the call of the chair? i will make sure that we put it on the next agenda. we have a motion by commissioner avalos, seconded by commissioner pimentel. we will take that without objection. please call item 8. >> item 8, executive officer's report. >> there is no report. we can move on. commissioner campos: public comment on item 8? seeing none, public comment is closed. if you could call item 9. >> item 9, public comment. commissioner campos: public, not at -- not on the agenda but is otherwise within the jurisdiction of the local agenda agency commission? public comment is closed. item 10. >> item 10, future agenda items. commissioner campos: be on the items we have identified, any future agenda items you would like to bring up? is there any member of the public who would like to speak on this? seeing none, public comment is closed. last item.

>> item 11, adjournment. commissioner campos: meeting adjourned. i want to thank everyone for coming up to the meeting. we look forward to our follow-up meeting cca -- on cca and setting up a joint meeting with the public utilities commission. again, thank you to the members of the public, to puc staff, lafco staff, commissioners. thank you, madam clerk.

>> welcome to "culturewire." today we are at recology. they are celebrate 20 years of one of the most incredibly unique artist residency programs. we are here to learn more from one of the resident artists. welcome to the show, deborah. tell us how this program began 20 years ago. >> the program began 20 years ago. our founder was an environmentalist and an activist and an artist in the 1970's. she started these street sweeping campaigns in the city. she started with kids. they had an exhibition at city hall.

city officials heard about her efforts and they invited her to this facility. we thought it would coincide with our efforts to get folks to recycle, it is a great educational tool. since then, we have had 95 professional artists come through. >> how has the program changed over the years? how has the program -- what can the public has an artist engage with? >> for the most part, we worked with metal and wood, what you would expect from a program like ours. over the years, we tried to include artists and all types of mediums. conceptual artists, at installation, photographers, videographers. >> that has really expanded the program out. it is becoming so dynamic right now with your vision of interesting artists in gauging here. why would an artist when to come

here? >> mainly, access to the materials. we also give them a lot of support. when they start, it is an empty studio. they go out to the public area and -- we call it the big store. they go out shopping, take the materials that, and get to work. it is kind of like a reprieve, so they can really focus on their body of work. >> when you are talking about recology, do you have the only sculpture garden at the top? >> it is based on work that was done many years ago in new york. it is the only kind of structured, artist program. weit is beautiful. a lot of the plants you see were pulled out of the garbage, and we use our compost to transplant them.

the pathway is lined with rubble from the earthquake from the freeways we tour about 5000 people a year to our facility, adults and children. we talk about recycling and conservation. they can meet the artists. >> fantastic. let's go meet some of your current artists. here we are with lauren. can you tell us how long have been here so far and what you're working on? >> we started our residency on june 1, so we came into the studio then and spent most of the first couple weeks just digging around in the trash. i am continuing my body of work, kind of making these hand- embroidered objects from our day-to-day life. >> can you describe some of the things you have been making here? this is amazing. >> i think i started a lot of my work about the qualities of

light is in the weight. i have been thinking a lot about things floating through the air. it is also very windy down here. there is a piece of sheet music up there that i have embroidered third. there is a pamphlet about hearing dea -- nearing death. this is a dead rabbit. this is what i am working on now. this is a greeting card that i found, making it embroidered. it is for a very special friend. >> while we were looking at this, i glanced down and this is amazing, and it is on top of a book, it is ridiculous and amazing. >> i am interested in the serendipity of these still life compositions. when he got to the garbage and to see the arrangement of objects that is completely spontaneous. it is probably one of the least thought of compositions.

people are getting rid of this stuff. it holds no real value to them, because they're disposing of it. >> we're here in another recology studio with abel. what attracted you to apply for this special program? >> who would not want to come to the dump? but is the first question. for me, being in a situation that you're not comfortable in has always been the best. >> what materials were you immediately attracted to when you started and so what was available here? >> there are a lot of books. that is one of the thing that hits me the most. books are good for understanding, language, and art in general. also being a graphic designer, going straight to the magazines and seeing all this printed material being discarded has also been part of my work. of course, always wood or any kind of plastic form or anything like that. >> job mr. some of the pieces

you have made while you have been here. -- taught me through some of the pieces you have made while you have been here. >> the first thing that attracted me to this was the printed surface. it was actually a poster. it was a silk screen watercolor, about 8 feet long. in terms of the flatwork, i work with a lot of cloddish. so being able to cut into it come at into it, removed parts, it is part of the process of negotiating the final form. >> how do you jump from the two dimensional work that you create to the three-dimensional? maybe going back from the 3f to 2d. >> everything is in the process of becoming. things are never said or settled. the sculptures are being made while i am doing the collages, and vice versa. it becomes a part of something else. there's always this figuring out

of where things belong or where they could parapets something else. at the end goal is to possibly see one of these collage plans be built out and create a structure that reflects back into the flat work. >> thank you so much for allowing "culturewire" to visit this amazing facility and to learn more about the artists in residence program. is there anything you like our viewers to know? >> we have art exhibitions every four months, and a win by the public to come out. everybody is welcome to come out. we have food. sometimes we have gains and bands. it is great time. from june to september, we accept applications from bay area artists. we encouraged artists from all mediums to apply. we want as many artists from the bay area out here so they can have the same experience. >> how many artists to do your host here? >> 6 artist a year, and we receive about 108 applications.

very competitive. >> but everyone should be encouraged to apply. thank you again for hosting us. >> thank you for including us in "culturewire." ♪

>> good morning. today is wednesday, january 18, 2012. this is a meeting of the abatement appeals board. np to turn off the electronic devices. the first item is roll call. [roll call] commissioner romero is excused. we have a quorum. the next item is the oath.

all part is giving testimony today, please stand and raise your right hand. do you swear the testimony you are about to give is to to the best of your knowledge? thank you. you may be seated. the next item is item c, approval of minutes, discussion and action for the meeting held on november 17, 2010, december 15, 2010, and april 20, 2011. commissioner lee: are we able to take all three at the same time? commissioner murphy: motion. >> all in favor? >> aye. >> the minutes are approved.

we're going to begin with the appeals. president lee, would you like to explain the allotted time? ouacommissioner lee: let's do te continued appeals first. is there a special process for continuing appeals? let's get an update from the department first on what is happening, and then we will hear -- is it the other way around? commissioner murphy: maybe we could let the appellate go first, if they have their request? commissioner lee: the first item is 1117 gary boulevard. >> each has seven minutes for the presentation, three minutes for each side for their rebuttal. >> i am the attorney for the appellant. i am here to request another

continuance of this matter consistent with an agreement that my client, the appellant, has with the department. we were here in november, requested a continuance to allow the processing of the permit application that have been filed by my client. application has been approved by the historic preservation. the permit was released by planning in the last week or so. it is now with dbi in a structural plan check review. my anticipation is the permit will be through in the next couple of weeks hopefully. at that point, once the permit is issued, it is clients intention to withdraw the appeal. i would hope the board would look at this as an opportunity to move this casey2ñiv÷ along, i would request a continuance. commissioner murphy: how much of a continuance? >> i think 60 days should be sufficient. commissioner lee: does the

department have anything to say? commissioner murphy: we agree with your decision. let's make it 90 days. commissioner lee: any public comment? >> e this item for 90 days. i need to do a roll-call vote. [roll call] the motion passes unanimously. commissioner lee: ok, let's go 554 fell more strict -- filmore street. xópx#q>> acting senior building

inspector for the department. appeal number is 6753, address 554 filmore street. evaluation description, work includes removal of finishes, also to stained glass windows. an order of a bit with conditions, 10 days to respond, filing herman for notice of the evaluation period 60 days to obtain inspection approval. staff recommendation is to uphold the order of abatement and impose a suspension. comy

filed for the permit? >> they have filed for the permit. the last entry was november 28, 2011. commissioner murphy: the permit they filed for, does that cover on, this would clear the violations. commissioner lee: no question with the appellant. no? >> i have nothing to report other than we filed for the permit a couple days after this hearing in november. commissioner murphy: so isn't

planning now? you did not receive the permit? >> yes, we received the permit. commissioner walker: do you want a continuation? >> yes, until we get the permit. commissioner murphy: does anyone know how long this would take? >> we could consider treating both cases similarly, if that is ok with you. commissioner walker: 90 days? commissioner murphy: i am not sure if that is enough, talking about planning. commissioner walker: maybe they could come back in 90 days to let us know. commissioner murphy: second. >> roll-call vote.

is the public comment on this item? thank you. we can continue with the vote on the motion. [roll call] the motion carried unanimously. item e. new appeals to orders and abatement. 6755, 336 pear street. seven minutes for the department to speak, seven minutes from the appellant. rebuttal then public comments. >> members of the board, good

morning. chief housing inspector representing the department of building inspection in this matter. this is a case that is before you in which property owner has appealed the order of abatement issues by the director's representative, they are asking for more time to address the structure that is at the rear of the lot of record in this case. glñ is an eight-unit apt building at the front of the structure. i will be showing some photographs. here is the front of the subject building. this location is, in addition to being a parking area, drives through to the middle of the a lot. all of this is going to be germane with respect to the blighted conditions that have existed for some time.

here is a real photograph. here is the apartment building. then there is a space here where the driveway comes through the bottom of the building. the structure in question is here. this is at the end of the lot line. here is more detail -- commissioner murphy: are these eight units occupied? >> no, it is dilapidated. the front building, the apartment building, as we put in our staff report, is a fully occupied eight-unit building, with the dilapidated building in the back. that building is approximately here. i am going to show you a photograph of what the structure looks like. this is in your staff report. you cannot see all the structure, but the front portion has been collapsed, there has

been some shoring. we had been at this since may 2010, and as of this morning, there is not a building permit application to address serious blighted conditions. albeit, this is not the front of the,!ñr18 this building and adjacent properties have to deal with this. the property owner's representative will address this, i am sure, but the concern is whether or not they can legalize this. if they want to work with planning, that is totally up to them, but too much time has gone on. we spoke with the planning department yesterday, one of the team leaders. the maps clearly show, in 1919, this was a stable. later on, this was for a garage. we cannot find any building

permit application that shows it çt used legally for a dwelling unit, on the site inspections show there was some residential use going on at some time. while that mayy the property owner, staff does not have a problem with that, but we believe no continuance should be given. an order of debate and should be upheld because this is a serious blighted condition. because we have this ordinance, looking at things more carefully, we want to make sure we are consistent. that is our recommendation based on the findings we have. if there are any questions, i have more exhibits. i think you would want to hear from the property owner. commissioner murphy: i have one question. commissioner hechanova: -- commissioner hechanova: i have one question. were these taken from the rear side of the property? >> this was taken in their rear

yard. the inspector is standing somewhere under these trees looking in this direction. commissioner hechanova: thank you. commissioner walker: it seems to me -- i had heard there was a fire? it is not just falling apart, it looks like it burned. >> what we saw when we were out there, there was a collapse of the front portion of the structure. 7uu+k8 inspections for them to short it. today, 20 months later, there is no permits. -- shore it. there was concern from individuals in the edges apartment buildings, use the area.

there is also parking back there. one of the things the planning department told us is the apartment building is already legally nonconforming. the buildout under present zoning would be four units. unless there was substantial evidence that there was ever a residential use back there, what they would be looking at would be to repair or demolish the structure, restore the parking. that would be the only thing planning would be looking at. because of the rear yard, it is unlikely that they would approve any such use for residential. the problem is, the property owner should apart -- started that process months ago. commissioner murphy: 7 decide that is against the property, the neighboring property on the

back, we do not have a picture of that? >> there is so much vegetation, it is hard to take pictures. the property line ends approximately here. as you can see, it was hard to get pictures with the vegetation. perhaps the property owner could give you more. perhaps they have other pictures they were able to take. commissioner hechanova: was there evidence of occupancy by animals or birds, by virtue of being opened? >> yes, it is open to the elements. the other concern we have is, over a period of time, the building descender goods further. in the last 20 months, there has probably been more damage. -- deteriorates further. the building needs to be either repaired, or in this case, probably demolished.

>> i am representing the levenson family, the owners of the property. this is a photograph of the building. this has been removed so far. we have a seriously dilapidated building on this site. we no time has gone on. this is 20 months. the property owner has not stood still in this time period. the building is held in trust by two families. it took a great deal of effort for the various owners to agree as to what course of action to follow. city planning staff. they are willing to entertain

the use of this building as a single-family apartment over a broad -- garage. we are ready to permit -- submit the permit application this week. i have copies, if you wish to look at them. they include floor plans -- this is all in preparation of a site plan. in addition, the property owners capped the gas, electric, and water lines. the building is vacant. >> so there is plumbing fixtures -- commissioner murphy: so there are plumbing fixtures in there? >> yes, and as you can see from this picture, there was residential use. i should probably leave it right there. we had to deal with le