group and advantage group. we were hoping to have, if we are lucky it will be tomorrow, if not, monday. it would be based on the board policy to not communicating with any of these vendors or if there are additional vendors that may come to you and ask you questions about this subject matter. thank you. >> we have a motion on this? >> so moved. >> second. >> okay. any public comment on this item? >> all in favor say, all in favor say, "aye". >> aye. >> opposed? unanimous. >> item 13. >> approval request for qualification pamela levine. >> pamela levine. hhs. we are in review for qualification for services. we hope to issue that later this month or at least before the next board

meeting. this rfq will allow to have a prequalified list of vendors that we can then contract for and without having to go through a full rfp process. the communication, the vendors would be for health benefits and wellness communication consulting services. these are large rubrics of services. it's communication strategies, design, eligibility, website engineering, wellness tuesday and digital support services. so we cannot come forward right now and give you a list of vendors that we ask to not talk to you. we try to get as much as possible prequalified

list of vendors and we continue to work on the website or work on the communication strategy for the wellness well being strategy. so, in looking at the advice that we would like to get in terms of the blackout period, we went back to the governance policy and when there is a provision that is not possible when a time of providers for which the blackout period provides it's a good faith effort to comply with the blackout provisions by taking all reasonable to determine if providers communicate with our potential candidates in an hhs search process. so while this is a little higher categories in saying specific to data warehouse or

fsa, we are asking that you avoid discussing this r fq to this type of vendors. there is ability for this board to communicate with vendors for reasons that aren't related to hhs business disclosing with directions within the actual policies and the agenda item on how to disclose them. what we are hoping as much possible is to be able to send out these types of documents, rfp's, rfq, to as many people as possible to qualify so

that we have a rich group of members to be able to choose from. so, and that's basically the foundation of san francisco government is to provide everybody as much as possible, the ability to at least try to get a city contract. i'm sorry i can't give you a list of the vendors, just ask that you observe this blackout period by if someone would come talk to you about services or ask questions to refer them to the department. >> i completely understand the issues of what i do. i cannot agree to say that i will not discuss anything about communications with any firm. it's just too broad. so which is what it looks like you are

asking for. one of the things that might help is i don't know how long the blackout period is. >> let me ask the question -- >> i understand in theory i would have to disclose before i have these communications. that's what the paragraph says. >> while i haven't been around for the way the policy was developed, i think the intent is to not talk about hhs specific. i under the blackout period. as soon as we issue the rfq and we select the or we qualify the candidates, we don't have the exact calendar together but i believe it will probably hit the streets in another 2-3 weeks. it will be out there may be 3-4 weeks and come back and we have to

qualify them as vendors. >> this is where the conflict between my day job running the health department for san mateo county and sitting on the health service system is difficult for me. i don't typically talk to communication firms but on occasion i do. we have to talk to them about communication. it's just literally not feasible to do that quote in advance because i may have the pio come talk to me. i don't know if i can abstain from doing this. it's such a broad question. >> i can tell you that my experience in other organizations in the city who have a board, you don't

actually, you could abstain to any decision that has to be made to a specific group of -- to this rfq. >> i just want to also clarify, paragraph 12. during the blackout period board member shall not communicate on matters pertaining to hhs. >> to be to communicate with such service providers for reasons unrelated to business. agree to disclose to the director prior to taking such communication and the disclosure of the board shall be made at the meeting of the board. i think the odds of this happening is incredibly slim, but i don't want to violate it mistakenly. >> any other comments? >> i would agree. i wouldn't recommend you agreeing to it. when this was adopted, it was

really adopted with this sense with concerns over communications with this board and blue shield and the main health care providers. i also think it's problematic not knowing the specific vendors. it would be easy to make the communication. if you say i can wait 2 months without talking to these vendors. but with that being said, this board does not vote to support a blackout period. the concept is there. at least in the first sentence that there is an expectation that board members are not going to be communicating to perspective members about hhs business regardless of what the board does here today. >> i'm happy to abide by that. it's just too broad and i'm

afraid i may run a foul about that. >> any other comments? >> this is an action item. we don't have to take an action on it, but it is an action item. we can take the vote. anybody would like to make a motion. >> i would move we not have this blackout period. i'm happy to have staff come back and have a narrower group and that would work and i can abide by not discussing this rfq with anyone. >> anyone second that ? >> i can't repeat that but i will second that item. >> any public comment? >> no public comment. all in favor say, "aye". >> aye. >> the motion fails. 2 ayes,

two nos. >> i didn't hear the vote. >> it was dr. sclarn and commissioner lynn voted no. >> we can't hear you. >> the motion failed. and if there is another motion? if not, there won't be any action taken on this item >> i move -- [inaudible] >> we can't hear you. >> sorry. i move to approve the staff recommendations of communication request for qualifications blackout period. >> is there a second? no second? no second. the

motion fails. okay. that's it. item no. 14. >> do i understand if the staff are to come back at the april meeting, this is one where the list of vendors is extensive and we are interested in install business locally in web design and communications and branding. these are small contracts where we can encourage and involve our local small business and the business of health care services where usually we don't get that opportunity. we do want to make sure we do avow that and be broad about the request for people's organizations for participation. the way to bring this back in a way that it will pass and will get the support of the board will be to do what? i guess. we are

struggling a little bit with not knowing how to get a list of vendors because the list is so extensive in this area. and then how to meet the meets the of the board in terms of, commissioner fraser, your objections. do you have a recommendation for us. >> i guess i have to acknowledge that it's not clear to me that you have to initiate a blackout period. >> i can take a look at that and maybe i will work with you to try to come back at our report. either way, as i understand the main concern of this board, the first sentence would be okay. sounds like the board is on board with agreeing to limit not having communications with potential vendors as directly related

to hhs. this firm can now modify it's own policy that is commendable with commissioner fraser and i'm look at the rfq as well. >> okay. very good. did i have public comment on this item? i did. item no. 14. city clerk: item 14. discussion item report on network health plan issues if any? >> any network people out there? seeing none, no. okay. any public comment on this item? item no. 15. >> city clerk: item 15. discussion item, opportunity to place items or future agendas. >> there slaen might have

some when he comes back. i noticed that our governance rules needs updating and it won't be possible during this period. but the board evaluation hadn't been done since 2012 and there are other issues on the governance rules looked at and updated and best practices. we'll to have look at a consulting firm in the past we had cortex. and there is board training has been lacking, i think. so are there any other items for future

agendas on this one? >> president, would the request be for hhs to prepare a report and budget to support the board in reviewing board policies? >> yes. definitely. like we had before. that was pretty good. just needs tuning up and something done because we haven't been doing what we should be doing. >> it's been reviewing it's policy and provider that did that. it maybe helpful to see what they have done or if it's close to wait until they finish and piggy back on what they have done. >> the retirement board does continuing in updating actually. that's a good reference. >> all right. any public comment on this item? seeing

none. sorry. >> i'm going to make just a quick comment. we use time energy and we've piggy back on our training in order to minimize the cost of bringing this out from canada and he's very familiar with this board. and our training and governance and i would suggest we do that again and piggy back on the timing because that saves us a lot. he'll look for us and we don't have to pay for the transportation and lodging cost. the other thung is the board training and commissioner training is that i have noticed that we've had a number of commissioners come on board and previously we all used to go to trainings from the international foundation, although a lot

more is online these days or you can get the dvd's and such, i noticed that no one on the board has been, a lot has been done on the budget but no one is attending any of those conferences and trainings. those are really vital. there is a couple of those held in california specifically for public applies. if nothing else, i think that commissioners should be taking advantage of those now that there is a different budget issue and that can be affordable. i would like to already include that staff, especially senior staff have an at some -- opportunity to attend some of those because especially with regard to fiduciary responsibilities and other board responsibilities it will go a long way to making things a little smoother. i haven't seen that

in a long time. >> thank you. any other public comment? seeing none, item no. 16. >> city clerk: item discussion, discussion item, opportunity for the public to comment on any matters within the boards jurisdiction? >> all right. any comment on this item? item no. 16? come forward. >> good afternoon. my name is christina bay cove and daughter of a member of health services. we want to make a comment about the public health system. my father has problems and he complains against the health services of san francisco. basically what

happened, my father retired. he moved back to europe. he couldn't live here on his pension. he didn't leave with the health service system. he got free health cover in bulgaria. there was something that got lost and the mail came back to my father. basically, the health service system would not let my father go. based on some kind of internal rules, despite the evidence that he was detached from the health service system, they were able to keep enrolling him automatically and able to change his plans and increase his premiums up to $357. i think this is meeting last year. you make

wonderful presentations analysis. i guess you can assume how much is $357 from a patient that is $350. i met most of you in a closed session. my opinion is the board wasn't that friendly in the closed session as it appears to be in the open session. i will say as i said last year. you have thousands of members which is a huge organization. not all live here in san francisco and have the opportunity to attend these meetings and have access to the information. it's not that easy to come from a different country and speak another language and follow all the rules. actually i have a comment also on your customer service. i believe on your website it says that you have a very high standard of

customer service. our experience shows something else. we worked with my father last year in the office, we couldn't figure out who was the director. reporter told us who is the director. my father just has two sentences to say. he has traveled a long way. he's still healthy. he's age 84. he came a long way from europe to san francisco just to say two sentences. >> yes. your time is up. >> you give me opportunity to say two or three sentences. i am deeply disappointed because my salary is $650. they took from my salary for health service 60 percent. this is

shameful, unbelievable. if somebody explained in europe, i will do this. i have this opportunity. my question is if someone -- big salary, not small like mine. they took 60 percent, he will be dissatisfied and will complain like me. i'm sure this person will complain 10 times more than myself. >> thank you. this has been in appeal and has been aired out before. >> thank you for giving me the opportunity. >> thank you. >> any other comment on this item? no other comments. all right. item no. 17.

>> city clerk: item 17. action item vote on whether to hold closed session for voter appeal. >> we'll be going into closed session soon. i will need a notion. >> so moved. >> all right. do i have a second? >> second. >> it's been moved and seconded. all in favor say, "aye". >> aye. >> i guess i should have public comment on this one too. any public comment? no public comment. all right. we'll be in closed session. >> >> all right. item no. 19. >> city clerk: item 19 vote on whether or not to disclose information from the closed session. >> i move we do not disclose any information held in closed session. >> i second the motion.

>> any public comment on this item. >> all in favor say, "aye". >> aye. >> opposed? it's unanimous. >> item no. 20. >> city clerk: item 20. action item possible report on action taken in closed session. >> any motion on this? >> because we voted on 19 not to disclose we just pass on 20. >> all right. >> item no. 20 is not really necessary. okay. we can scratch 20. very good, thank you. well, that's our last item on the agenda. if there is no objection, this meeting is adjourned. [ meeting is adjourned ] >> thank you madam chairwoman for running a very efficient meeting. [ meeting is adjourned ]

>> i want to learn more about it. >> social networking and e-mail.

>> i want to know how to use it. ♪ ♪ ♪ >> divisional divide is a divide between those with access to use digital tools and those who don't. >> with young people, having computers and i just don't know. they're doing it fast. so, i want to know. >> not knowing how to navigate the internet or at a loss of what to do. >> we don't have a computer. >> we're a nonprofit that unites organizations and volunteers to transform lies through literacy. our big problem right now is the broadband opportunity program. a federally funded project

through the department of aging. so, we're working in 26 locations. our volunteers are trained to be tutors and trainers, offering everything from basic classes all the way to genealogy and job search. >> to me computers, knowing how to use it. >> i think it's really important to everybody and possibly especially seniors to get enough of these skills to stay in touch. >> it's been fun. with seniors, to get them out of their homes. >> so they can connect with their family members. or their family members. >> [speaking in spanish].

>> so, what we focus on is transferring skills from volunteer to learner to help them get onto facebook, find housing in crisis, be able to connect with friends and family. >> i decided to teach what i learn and it made me want to give back. i discovered that seniors do a lot of review. >> i am a beginner, so, little by little i learn. i learn a lot now. >> if you get the basics, you can learn it. it's simple. it's easy. once you know it. and that's what i want to learn, how to make my life easier and more knowledgeable with the computer.

>> so, what we need right now are more people who speak languages other than english or in addition to english who can give their time during the day and who care deeply ideally about helping to close the divide. >> it's a humbling experience. it's something simple to ask in our daily life, but to someone that doesn't know and to help somebody gain that experience in any way is awesome. >> [speaking in spanish]. >> no matter how tired or cranky or whatever i might feel, when i walk into this place i always walk out feeling great. >> if you feel comfortable using computers and you have patience, we want you on our team. >> would you show me how to type?

>> [speaking in spanish]. >> will you help me learn more? >> good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to a special meeting of the san francisco board of supervisors neighborhood services and safety committee. my name is david campos. i am chair of the committee. we are joined today