Meeting of 11 July, 2015

Minutes of the Libertarian Party of San Francisco for July 11, 2015 

Meeting Location:  San Franciso Main Library

 

Members present:  Aubrey Freedman (Chair), Marcy Berry (Vice Chair), Les Mangus (Treasurer), Jawj Greenwald, Phil Berg, Starchild.

Guest:  Richard Fast 

 

Activist Reports: 

 

Jawj just returned from Bali, after attending a conference sponsored by the International Society for Individual Liberty (ISIL).  She reported that the conference had outstanding speakers and a diverse attendance from several countries.  Several students present were sponsored by their countries’ libertarian organizations.  Richard attended an Independent Institute event.  He continues to promote communication among libertarian/Libertarian groups, not only in the U.S., but in neighboring countries.  Marcy worked on producing supplies and staffing the libertarian Pride booth.  Phil also staffed the Pride booth, and succeeded in convincing a booth visitor particularly disgruntled with the Libertarian Party to part in friendship.  Les wrote letters to the editor regarding Greece’s unraveling, but none were published.  He distributed copies of an article portraying Greece as a cautionary tale.  Aubrey organized and staffed the LPSF Pride booth.  Starchild continues working with liberty-minded groups.  He has drafted a resolution to be issued by the Bay Area Civil Liberties Coalition, of which the LPSF is a member, opposing the City of Freemont’s intention to place surveillance cameras in the city’s perimeter. 

 

Announcements: 

 

Golden Gate Liberty Revolution monthly meeting July 20th.  A guest speaker will share information on how to obtain information from government agencies. 

 

Free Exchange meeting August 1st.  Jim Elwood has returned from leading the ISIL Conference in Bali, and will resume hosting Free Exchange in August. 

 

Hearing on Assembly Constitutional Amendment 4 (ACA 4), Jim Frazier (D—Solano County):  Monday, July 13.  This amendment lowers, from two-thirds to 55%, the voter approval threshold for a local government to impose, extend, or increase a special tax to fund "local transportation projects" under its jurisdiction.  The LPSF recommends calling or emailing, preferably before 12:00 noon Monday 13th, your state representatives to oppose this change to Proposition 13. 

 

Membership/Newsletter 

 

Aubrey reported that total membership in the LPSF is currently 40, including 22 life members.  We compared number of registered Libertarians in various Bay Area counties vs. number of current members in LP chapters.  The LPSF did not compare well, in spite of herculean efforts by the LPSF Ex-Com to promote the LPSF.  Aubrey continues to send out monthly newsletters to close to 200 email recipients, apprising them of the work LPSF does, which appears to have brought in a few memberships.  We will discuss our membership situation further at the next LPSF business meeting. 

 

Website and Social Media 

 

Marcy reported that she continues her goal of posting a website/Facebook article each week and providing comments on others’ posts as time permits.  She joined the LP California Facebook Group to see what is going on in other California counties and also try to promote communication between LPSF and other counties.  Marcy reported that traffic on the LPSF website and Facebook remains static.  Although a few more people are posting on the Facebook Group and liking posts, the reach of the posts is not growing.  Richard suggested a Twitter account.  Marcy noted that the LPSF has a Twitter account but no volunteers with time to use it.  The same is true with Facebook and the LPSF Discussion List.  Without volunteers willing to use social media, we will discuss additional means of promotion at future LPSF meetings. 

 

Treasurer’s Report 

 

Les reported a bank balance at the end of June of $3,941.23.  Pending payments include reimbursement to Aubrey for his Pride booth expenses of $381.50, and reimbursement to Marcy for Facebook ad of $50.  Money might be needed for November 2015 paid ballot arguments since new restrictions have made it more difficult to win free lottery arguments. 

 

Libertarian Pride Booth 

 

The libertarian Pride booth continues to be a worthwhile investment, since it is a big opportunity to make the Libertarian presence in San Francisco known to so many.  The booth received $18 in donations, and 22 visitors left their contact information. 

 

LPSF Resolution on the proposed Mission Moratorium 

 

Aubrey has received the OK of LPSF members to proceed with sending out to the press the LPSF resolution he authored opposing the moratorium on market-rate housing construction in the Mission District.  The proposed moratorium will most likely appear on the November 2015 ballot. 

 

Ballot Measures – November 2015 Elections 

 

We discussed the proposals that will most likely appear on the November ballot, and made tentative decisions on the ones LPSF would support or oppose.  LPSF will, as usual, submit ballot arguments.  If any LPSF volunteer would like to submit a draft ballot argument reflecting the LPSF’s support or opposition to any proposal, please post the draft on the LPSF Activist List.  

 

A.  Potential Ballot Measures – Initiative Process 

 

1.  Prohibition of Height Limit Increase and Zoning Changes to the San Francisco Wholesale Flower Market.  Proposition was withdrawn by proponents, so no action by LPSF. 

 

2.  Requirements for Public Meetings of Local Policy Bodies.  LPSF decision:  General agreement with the greater transparency and public input proposed by this measure, but questions on cost and necessity of providing taxpayer-funded language interpreters.  No plans for an argument at this time. 

 

3.  Short-term Residential Rentals.  LPSF decision:  Opposition to the increased restriction of limiting rentals to 75 days per year and expanding the number of entities that can be sued.  Draft argument requested. 

 

4.  Mission Rock:  This proposal is on the ballot per the requirement that waterfront development exceeding current height limits need voter approval.  No plans for an argument at this time. 

 

5.  Mission District Housing Moratorium.  LPSF decision:  Opposition to interference with private developers wanting to meet housing demand.  Marcy has volunteered to provide draft argument.

 

6.  Disclosures Regarding Renewable Energy.  LPSF decision:  General agreement on the need to inform utilities customers on what constitutes “renewable” in City-provided utilities from “renewable sources,” but general opposition to a City-owned utility company.  No plans for an argument at this time. 

 

B.  Potential Ballot Measures – For Submission by the Mayor, Four or More Members of the Board of Supervisors, or Other Eligible Agencies. 

 

1.  Establishing the Legacy Business Historic Preservation Fund (Campos, Avalos, Kim, Mar).  LPSF decision:  Opposition to government intervention in the private business market or protecting one type of business over another.  Marcy has volunteered provide a draft argument. 

 

2.  Surplus Public Lands Ordinance (Kim, Avalos, Campos, Mar):  This proposal appears to be an effort by City officials to reserve land owned by the City and its jurisdictions (School District, Community College, Parks Department, etc.) for construction of subsidized housing for middle, low, and no-income people.  More study of this proposal is needed, and Aubrey will follow up.   

 

3.  Expenditure Lobbyists Ordinance:  The Ethics Commission made this proposal to include registration requirements of people paid by lobbyists to influence government officials.  No plans for an argument at this time. 

 

Resolution in opposition to Surveillance cameras in the City of Fremont

Starchild explained the resolution he authored for publication by the Bay Area Civil Liberties Coalition, of which LPSF is a member.  The city of Fremont, California, proposes to install surveillance cameras on the city’s perimeter to capture license plate numbers and potentially images of drivers of vehicles entering and leaving the city.  Starchild will follow up regarding the final version of this resolution.

 

Minutes taken by Marcy Berry