Department of Building Inspection

Access Appeals Commission

ACCESS APPEALS COMMISSION
AGENDA
JOINT MEETING WITH THE DISABILITY ACCESS SUBCOMMITTEE

Wednesday, January 7, 2009
10:00 A.M.
333 Market Street
Sign in at the front security desk

MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION

AGENDA:

_________________________________

Richard Halloran, Senior Building Inspector
Department of Building Inspection
Secretary to the Access Appeals Commission

If any materials related to an item on this agenda have been distributed to the Access Appeals Commission after distribution of the agenda packet, those materials are available for public inspection at Department of Building Inspection, 1660 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, 1st floor Public Information Counter, during normal office hours

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE SUNSHINE ORDINANCE

(Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code)

Government’s duty is to serve the public, reaching its decisions in full view of the public.  Commissions, boards, councils and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people’s business.  This ordinance assures that deliberations are conducted before the people and that City operations are open to the people’s review.

The ringing of and use of cell phones, pagers and similar sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting.  Please be advised that the chair may order the removal from the meeting room of any person(s) responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager, or other similar sound-producing electronic devices.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE SUNSHINE ORDINANCE, TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE SUNSHINE ORDINANCE, OR TO REPORT A VIOLATION OF THE ORDINANCE, CONTACT FRANK DARBY BY MAIL TO ADMINISTRATOR, SUNSHINE TASK FORCE CITY HALL, ROOM 244, 1 DR. CARLTON B. GOODLETT PLACE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102-4689.  OFFICE (415) 554-7724, FAX (415) 554-7854, E-MAIL: sotf@sfgov.org

Citizens interested in obtaining a free copy of the Sunshine Ordinance can request a copy from Ms. Destro or by printing Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code on the Internet, http://www.sfgov.org/sunshine/and at the San Francisco Public Library.

SAN FRANCISCOLOBBYIST ORDINANCE

Individuals and entities that influence or attempt to influence local legislative or administrative action may be required by the San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance [SF Administrative Code Sec. 2.100] to register and report lobbying activity.  For more information about the Lobbyist Ordinance, please contact the San Francisco Ethics Commission at 30 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 3900, San Francisco, CA 94102; telephone (415) 581-2300; fax (415) 581-2317; web site: sfgov.org/ethics.

ACCESSIBLE MEETING INFORMATION POLICY

This special meeting will be held at 333 Market Street (between Fremont and Beale Streets)

Accessible MUNI lines service this site. Contact MUNI Accessible Services at (415) 923-6142 or www.sfmuni.comfor detailed information. For a complete listing of all routes and services, please contact the Municipal Railway (MUNI) at (415) 673-6864

Accessible seating for persons with disabilities (including those using wheelchairs) and assistive listening devices are available at the meeting.  To request a sign language interpreter, reader,  materials in alternative formats, or to request other accommodations for a disability, please contact the AAC Secretary, Rick Halloran (415) 558-6110 at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting.

Individuals with severe allergies, environmental illness, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities should call (415) 558-6110 to discuss meeting accessibility.  In order to assist the City’s efforts to accommodate such persons, attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical based products.  Please help the City to accommodate these individuals.

POLICY STATEMENT OF PUBLIC HEARING OR MEETING

Pursuant to Section 67.7-1(c) of the San Francisco Administrative Code, members of the public who are unable to attend the public meeting or hearing may submit written comments regarding a calendared item to the AAC Secretary, Richard Halloran at 1660 Mission Street 3rd floor, San Francisco, CA 94103 or at the place of the scheduled hearing before the proceedings begin.  These written comments shall be made a part of the official public record and these comments will be brought to the attention of the members of the Access Appeals Commission.  [Twenty copies are necessary.]

POLICY STATEMENT OF PUBLIC COMMENT

Pursuant to Section 67.16 of the San Francisco Administrative Code, each member of the public may address the Commission once for up to three minutes on any agenda item.

SUMMARY OF RULES OF EVIDENCE AND TESTIMONY

Access Appeals Commission Rules will be available at each meeting.  For an advance copy, please contact AAC Secretary, Richard Halloran at 1(415) 558-6110.

All persons testifying in any matter on the Commission Agenda must first be sworn in by the Official Reporter. 

The Director’s staff representative shall make the first presentation of each appeal, followed by the appellant, each for up to seven minutes.  The Director’s representative and the appellant then each have three minutes for rebuttal.  Any interested persons not affiliated with the principal who wishes to speak on the item may then be heard once for up to three minutes.  Additional time may only be granted at the discretion of the President or Chairperson.

Acceptance of additional documentary evidence at the hearing is at the discretion of the President or Chairperson.  In general, all written information pertaining to the appeal provided by the appellant shall be submitted to the Secretary nineteen days in advance of the hearing date.

If an appeal is denied by the Commission, the appellant has the right to request a rehearing if he or she may demonstrate that they have substantially new information for the Commission’s consideration.  A request for a rehearing must be made within ten days of the meeting date at which the appeal was denied.  Such a request shall be made by letter and addressed to the Secretary of the Commission.  The letter should state the reasons for the request and should present the new information.  The filing fee for a rehearing request is $100.00.

REQUESTS FOR NOTICE OF HEARINGS AND AGENDAS

If you wish to be included in the Access Appeals Commission mailing list for Notice of Hearings and Agendas, contact AAC Secretary, Richard Halloran, at the Disabled Access Section of the Department of Building Inspection, 3^rd floor, 1660 Mission St, 94103, or call 415-558-6110. The Access Appeals Commission Hearing Agendas and Minutes are also available at our web site http://www.sfgov.org/dbi

INFORMATION GUIDE TO THE ACCESS APPEALS PROCESS

A guide to the access appeals process is available by contacting Richard Halloran,Secretary,Access Appeals Commission, at the Disabled Access Section of the Department of Building Inspection, 3^rd floor, 1660 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, or by calling 415-558-6110.