2005 Committee charges

April 7, 2005 meeting notes

David Bonowitz's radio segment on Soft Story buildings, KQED Perspective, June 1, 2005

This year’s ballot included several items related to earthquakes, the built environment, and community safety.

·         BART Bond Measure AA. PASSED (68% approval; required 2/3 vote regionally). See http://bart.gov/news/press/news20041104.asp. The Chapter supported and was signatory to official ballot pamphlet argument at http://www.smartvoter.org/2004/11/02/ca/sf/meas/AA/.

·         Letter of thanks from BART General Manager Thomas E. Margo.

·         San Francisco Proposition B. FAILED (57% approval; required 2/3 vote). "Neighborhood Historical Resources Preservation Bond." $60M in general obligation bonds to fund seismic strengthening and preservation of city-owned historic buildings including the Old Mint, Coit Tower, and the Palace of Fine Arts. Analysis by SPUR: http://www.spur.org/programs/ballotanalysis/2004/11/a. In October, the Board voted to take No Position on this proposition with the following rationale: If Proposition B passes, it is likely that some earthquake risk will be reduced in some buildings-a positive result that EERI-NC generally supports. However, the language of this proposition does not guarantee that any money will actually be spent on earthquake risk reduction in any specific building, including the eleven deserving facilities listed. More important, the proposition does not make clear how projects will be selected or how a selection process might prioritize historic structures relative to the City's other earthquake risks. EERI-NC supports rational risk reduction strategies that consider the relative hazards, the potential losses, and the likely benefits of risk reduction measures. For these reasons, the Chapter's Board of Directors has decided to take no position on Proposition B at this time.

·         California Proposition 61. PASSED (58% approval) $750M in general obligation bonds to build, renovate, and equip children's hospitals. At least some of the money is expected to go toward seismic retrofits in existing facilities. Analysis and links: http://www.smartvoter.org/2004/11/02/ca/state/prop/61/. Chapter Board did not consider this measure.

·         Washington Township Health Care District (Fremont, Newark, Union City, Hayward) Measure FF. PASSED. See http://www.whhs.com/about/Measure_FF.htm. $190 M bond measure for SB 1953-related improvements to Washington Hospital. Chapter Board did not consider this measure.
 

Strategy	Applicable Time	Person Responsible
Materials. Develop talking points materials; a list of all members of the state Senate and Assembly, and the members of the California Performance Review Commission and their contact information (phone numbers, mail and e-mail addresses).	Immediate	Chakos and Tobin
Commission Testimony. The Governor appointed the California Performance Review Commission and asked them to take testimony. EERI, and other organizations, should appear at, and present testimony at half of the hearings.	Sept. 2004	EERI Representative
CPR Commissioner Visits. The Governor’s appointees should hear from people they know or who are part of their constituency. Office visits should be made and personal letters sent.	August/Sept. 2004	EERI Representative
Recruit Colleague Organizations. EERI should recruit other organizations, SEAOC, SSA, PEER, CUREE, city councils, ABAG, and others to write organization letters to the CPR commission, and later to the legislature.	Current	EERI Representative
Recruit Other Leaders. Decisions will be made in a number of quarters on the issues and specifics of the reorganization, cost cutting and the Seismic Safety Commission.	Sept. 2004 to June 2005	EERI Representative
Little Hoover Commission. The Hoover Commission may conduct its own review and hold its own hearings. It should hear from Commission proponents.	Nov./Dec. 2004	EERI Representative
Letter Campaign. EERI would identify and assign one or two members to write a personal letter to his/her senator and assembly member. The objective is that each senator would hear from four constituents, and each assembly member from two.	Jan. 2005	EERI Representative
Office Visits. Members should be encouraged to meet with members of the legislature in their district offices.	Feb. 2005	EERI Representatives
Legislative Testimony. The legislature will hold hearings on the recommendations because legislation is needed to implement the recommendations. Each responsible committee must hear in writing and at hearings from Commission proponents as individuals and organizational representatives. The Commission staff should be able to provide timely advice on this.	Feb. through June 2005	EERI Representative
Information Gathering. EERI’s California chapters should hold meetings on the topic of earthquake safety and government organization and reform. There are multiple issues and agencies involved such as the boards of registration, and the Building Standards Commission. This could include hearing from local professors of public policy to learn more about government organizations (single purpose, independent, and oversight role) and performance evaluations. Informed members would be more effective advocates.	Ongoing	Chapter leaders