unless otherwise nounszed by the president, each person will have three minutes for public comment on each item. if there is an item of interest to you that is not on the agenda and is under the subject matter jurisdiction of the commission, you may speak under general public comment. that is item 4. it will be heard for 15 minutes and then continued again at item 12. please address your comments to the commission during public comment on items in order to allow equal time for all. neither commission nor staff will respond. the commission may ask questions after public comment is closed. if the fire alarms activate, you must evacuate using any exit. please note that elevators will return to the first floor and are not available for use. if you do need assistance out of the building, make your way to the closest area refuge across the hall from the men's restroom. inside the restroom is a speaker box, press it and city hall security will answer it, let them know where you are and they will assist you. item number 2. the president's report. >> president buell: thank you. let me begin by