The Science & Technology Commission held its regular meeting Wednesday, November 28, 2001, at 4:00 p.m. at SAIC, 10260 Campus Point Drive, Bldg C, Rm C5100, San Diego, CA.

I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL:

Dr. Martha Dennis, Acting Chair in Vicki Marion’s absence, called the meeting to order and requested that the roll be called.

Roll Call:

1. Voting members – Jon Cohen, Martha Dennis, Susan Myrland, and Carrie Stone.
2. Ex officio member – Hank Cunningham
3. City staff – Mike Jenkins, Jeff Kawar, Ana Maria Jaramillo, Toni Dillon
4. Mayoral representative – Rudy Fernandez
5. Others present – Ben Haddad of SAIC, Charles Holland of Sony (Commission member Eccles is no longer with Sony, and Mr. Holland plans to submit an application for Commission membership to the Mayor’s office)

The Acting Chair stated that no action items would be taken today because, with only 5 voting members present, there was not a quorum. The Commission is currently composed of 17 members (due to one resignation), hence nine voting members must be present for a quorum of the Commission.

II. PUBLIC COMMENT

Ex offico member Hank Cunningham, Director of the Community and Economic Development Department (C&ED), announced that staff support for the Commission had been transferred from Information Technology to C&ED. This transfer was made at his request to the Mayor’s office because the goals of the Commission appear to be parallel with his Department’s mission. Mr. Cunningham noted that the City Council had recently adopted an updated strategic plan for his Department, and he distributed copies of the Community and Economic Development Strategy to those present.

III. COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP

Current Members’ Status:
Rudy Fernandez (Mayoral Representative to Boards and Commission) noted that under City of San Diego City Charter, (ART. V, SEC. 43) "Advisory Boards and Committees," Commission members are appointed by the Mayor for a staggered term of 1 or 2 years. The City Council has an opportunity to review and confirm these appointments. However, membership remains active until such time as the member resigns or the term has expired and the Mayor appoints a new member. Mr. Fernandez stressed that, until a new member is confirmed to replace the member with the expired term, the member whose term has expired continues to serve on the Commission. After 8 years of service, a Commission member can no longer serve.

Mr. Fernandez indicated that applicants for this Commission and any other Commission must complete an application, solicit letters of support, and apply with the Mayor’s office. He suggested that applications be submitted by May, 2002, and that recommended replacement candidates for some Boards and Commission would be presented to the City Council in June or July, 2002.

Swearing in of New Members:
It was agreed that Toni Dillon would swear in new members after the conclusion of the meeting. Two members were sworn in: Martha Dennis and Douglas Gary.

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR AUGUST 28, 2000, SEPTEMBER 25, 2000, OCTOBER 23, 2000, NOVEMBER 27, 2000, JANUARY 22, 2001 & FEBRUARY 28, 2001

No action was taken on this item because a quorum was not present. This item will be included in the 1/23/02 Agenda as an action item.

V. RELATIONSHIP OF COMMISSION TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Discussion:

Summary of Science and Technology Commission Goals:
There was discussion of a change in Commission goals; however, the subject was tabled until a quorum is present. Mr. Fernandez reminded the Commission that the intent of the Commission is outlined in SD Municipal Code: Chapter II, Article 6, Division 14:

SEC. 26.1401 Purpose and Intent:
It is the purpose and intent of the City Council to establish a Science and Technology Council (SDSTC) to serve in an advisory capacity to the Mayor, City Council, and City Manager on policy issues relating to Science and Technology matters…. Because technology and its uses evolve very rapidly, it is important that the City establish a Science and Technology Council which can advise the City of matters which impact both the technology industry and the City’s research and scientific institutions in order to help ensure that our region will continue to attract and incubate growth investment.

SEC. 26.1403 Duties and Functions:
The SDSTC Commission shall:
(a.) Advise the Mayor and council on policy and issues shaping biotechnology, digital wireless communication, high definition digital technology, medical imaging, and materials science technology.
(b) Advise the Mayor and City Council on matters, which impact both the technology industry and the city’s research and scientific institutions in order to help ensure that the San Diego Region will continue to attract and incubate growth and investment.
(c.) Form subcommittees as deemed necessary to allow for in-depth review of issues which impact specific segments of the industry, such as wireless technology, biotechnology, multimedia technology, and software technology, among others.

Summary of Business Expansion And Retention (BEAR) Team activities.
Mr. Cunningham introduced Mayoral Representative Rudy Fernandez, noting that they had met as Mayor Murphy was transitioning existing Boards into his administration. Mr. Fernandez stated that the Mayor wants to see a productive Commission that can help address his administration’s 10 goals:

1. Establish an ethics commission
2. Reduce traffic congestion
3. Create neighborhoods we can be proud of
4. Clean up our beaches and bays
5. Restructure regional government / construct an airport
6. Complete the ballpark
7. Build a library system
8. Make the City of San Diego America’s safest City
9. Pursue energy independence
10. Complete the MSCP open space acquisitions

Ana Maria Jaramillo referred members to the February 28, 2001, meeting when Chair Vicki Marion stated that it was a goal of the Commission to present a "digital divide" white paper to the Rules Committee and then to the full Council to assist in the City’s General Plan update process. Ms. Myrland commented that the white paper may need revisiting prior to presentation because of the rapid changes occurring in the field.

There was consensus to further discuss the nexus between the Commission and C&ED and to examine the possibility of the Commission being the voice for San Diego’s science institutions and technology industry. The nature of the Commission’s focus on pure science versus economic development concerns of the R&D and technology sector firms was noted. Mr. Cunningham used an example to illustrate how the Commission and C&ED nexus could address industry issues. He referred to the 1995 Biotechnology Hazardous Materials Taskforce and how C&ED staff worked with industry experts, fire professionals, and building code professionals to revise policy for the biotechnology industry, providing for more comprehensive and direct regulations for construction. Mr. Cunningham noted that the General Plan will have an Economic Prosperity Element, and the R&D and technology sectors, as leading economic generators, should ensure that their interests are reflected in the Element.

Discussion:
Following Mr. Cunningham’s comments, the Commission members present expressed an interest in going forward with an economic development emphasis.

VI. BYLAWS

A. Membership (Expirations, Resignations, etc.):
Resignations for non-attendance was suggested and determined to not be a power that can be included in the Commission draft bylaws. The C&ED staff was directed to draft bylaws for the Commission’s next meeting. It was suggested that the draft bylaws include a notification to the Mayor on chronic non-attendance. This notification would also be sent to the individual with a request to consider resigning. Also to be included in the bylaws was the Commission recommendation to the Mayor that he ask the member who was not participating through absence to resign.

B. Quorum Size:
It was suggested that the draft bylaws presented at the next meeting provide the opportunity for the members to reduce the quorum size from the current requirement of 9 for this 18-member board (currently 17 due to one vacancy), to a more reasonable number.

C. Meeting Frequency:
It was suggested that Commission meet every two-months alternating meeting locations between the downtown and UTC areas of San Diego.

1. Other suggestions for the draft bylaws were to acknowledge the Commission’s request that the comments and presentations by ex officios be openly respected and reviewed by the Commission.
    
   
2. It was noted that the San Diego Municipal Code (as cited above) provides for the appointment of the Chair as follows:
    
   During June of each year, the Mayor may designate one (1) member as Chairperson; however, in the absence of such designation, the SDSTC Council shall on or after July 15, select a Chairperson from among it members.
    
   
3. The Commission recognized Vicki Marion’s hard work and positive direction as Commission Chair. The Commission members agreed that she should lead the Commission forward during this transition period.

VII. UPCOMING MEETINGS:

A. December 28, 2001:
Acting Chair Martha Dennis announced that the December 28, 2001, meeting was canceled.

B. January 23, 2002:
The Acting Chair verified that the correct date for the next meeting is January 23, 2002, the fourth Wednesday of the month at 4:00 pm.

VIII. ADJOURN:

With no further business to discuss, the Acting Chair adjourned the meeting at 5:15 pm.