OUR MISSION: To provide our customers with high-quality, efficient and reliable water, power and sewer services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care.
525 Golden Gate Avenue, 13th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
T 415.554.3155
F 415.554.3161
TTY 415.554.3488
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Correspondence Log
May 25, 2024 through June 7, 2024
Date Received From Subject
May 25, 2024 Jellicles Farm /
Lalitha Visveswaran
Submission of Video Evidence Refuting False
Allegations by ACRCD
May 25, 2024 Jellicles Farm /
Lalitha Visveswaran
Confidentiality Breach & Mismanagement of
Harassment Complaint by ACRCD,
Investigation required.
May 25, 2024 Steve Lawrence Item 14, Onsite Water Reuse
1 Espinoza II, Cirilo C
From: Jellicles Farm <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2024 1:16 AM
To: Commission; 1 Haubert
Cc: Dawson, Amy L; Espinoza II, Cirilo C; Shawn Wilson; jellicles farm; Lalitha Visveswaran Subject: Submission of Video Evidence Refuting False Allegations by ACRCD
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To: SFPUC Commission and Board of Supervisors Alameda County District1,
cc: Amy Dawson, SFPUC; C.Espinoza, SFPUC; Shawn Wilson, BoS Dist1
I am writing to present photo and video evidence that refutes the false allegations made against me, which were used as justification for my removal from the Sunol Agpark.
The links provided are to my video journal documenting the clean state of my fields, demonstrating that the charges mentioned in the non‐renewal letter were unfounded.
This evidence corroborates my claims of misconduct, discrimination, and harassment by ACRCD. Additional videos and photos from earlier dates in 2023, along with metadata, are available upon request.
Furthermore, I can provide timestamped photo evidence depicting the condition of other farms in the Agpark. These visuals serve to highlight the targeted discrimination I endured, ultimately leading to financial ruin and the termination of my ten‐year association with the Agpark.
I urge you to
investigate ACRCD’s competency to manage the Agpark. I seek justice for the wrongs committed against me by the Sunol Agpark advisory board, ACRCD employees, senior management, and their Board of Directors.
Given the gravity of the situation and the evidence now in your possession, what actions will be taken to address and
rectify this corrupt system?
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Lalitha Visveswaran
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4 5
6 https://youtu.be/lSBTCU1wfL4?si=UTqgCJ9ZYuKpqywv
https://youtu.be/45AVKcJbX2c?si=ILwgJ61xYm4FBfQT
https://youtu.be/r0‐lbvJizQo?si=0ITi7Gaf3uPq9GDp
https://youtu.be/6aY6ggedOAM?si=g4zfo57osBCoZrrz
https://youtu.be/xMCaifxiasI?si=v7EwMSVBgLQ‐wKdr
https://youtube.com/shorts/yN63c8pM9HY?si=FCqdOJ5S2iVlK3ro
https://youtube.com/shorts/R9WhcJ1Rcq0?si=VXQb‐z89ybXr3gv3
https://youtube.com/shorts/F6irNTGdwq0?si=_alKWtLRc1PC‐hms 1 Espinoza II, Cirilo C
From: Jellicles Farm <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2024 12:46 PM
To: 1 Haubert
Cc: Commission; Espinoza II, Cirilo C; Dawson, Amy L; Shawn Wilson; jellicles farm; Lalitha Visveswaran Subject: Confidentiality Breach & Mismanagement of Harassment Complaint by ACRCD, Investigation required.
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To: Office of Board of Supervisors, Alameda County District 1
cc: SFPUC commission
I am writing to formally request an investigation into the mishandling of a harassment and discrimination complaint I filed with ACRCD. The nature of the misconduct is as follows:
I submitted a complaint regarding harassment and discriminatory treatment I experienced from the Sunol Agpark
Manager, Colleen Hotchkiss. I sent this complaint directly and solely to the Executive Director and CEO of ACRCD, Katherine Boxer, with the expectation of confidentiality and an impartial investigation.
However, I have since discovered from CPRA records that all responses and communications related to my complaint
were actually written by Colleen Hotchkiss herself ‐ the very person I accused of harassment and discrimination.
It appears that Katherine Boxer inappropriately delegated the responsibility of addressing my complaints back to the individual I reported, rather than properly investigating the matter.
Moreover, while my original complaint was
sent only to Katherine Boxer, all subsequent responses were sent to me with Colleen Hotchkiss copied. This is a clear breach of confidentiality.
The subject of a harassment complaint should not be made aware of the complaint's details, let alone be tasked with investigating themselves and crafting the official response.
This represents a serious mishandling of my complaint and a failure to follow proper protocols for investigating claims of harassment and discrimination.
The accused should never be placed in charge of investigating themselves. An objective third party should have been appointed to look into my allegations and determine appropriate remedial actions.
I am deeply troubled by the lack of professionalism, the breaches of confidentiality, and the overall mismanagement of my complaint. I have carefully documented the initial harassment, my complaint submission, and the inappropriate responses I received.
I implore your office to investigate this matter thoroughly and evaluate the competency of ACRCD to manage a valuable
community resource like the Sunol Agpark.
2 Such misconduct should not be tolerated, and I trust you will take appropriate measures to address this mishandling and ensure proper complaint protocols are followed going forward.
Furthermore, I expect justice and appropriate compensation for the termination of my farming career, reputational loss, and the physical and emotional distress I have endured as a result of this ordeal.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. I am available to provide any additional information you may need for your investigation.
Please find attached a sample of the communications that indicate that the staff, senior management and Board of Directors were
all complicit in this breach of confidentiality protocol.
Sincerely,
Lalitha Visveswaran
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5 6
Sent from my iPhone
1 Espinoza II, Cirilo C
From: Steve Lawrence <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2024 3:29 PM
To: Commission
Subject: item 14, Onsite Water Reuse
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Hon. Commissioners:
As proposed SFPUC would grant much more for foregone use (saving) of a gallon than customers pay for a gallon. Customers pay less than 1.4 cents; applicants who supposedly save usage get as much as 6‐1/4 cents.
Where's the sense in that?
Too, ask about the program. Is
this in the nature of a give‐away or bonus for those in the know, i.e. those alerted by staff? Programs like this enable soft corruption: the favored win bucks, while customers as a whole lose through SFPUC's depleted purse. "You saved me bucks; let me do you a favor."
Make sure the aim— and the practical effect—are both good.
Another question: when is the grant given, upfront, while the supposed (calculated by staff) water savings is as much as ten years on?
Steve Lawrence
41 year customer and rate‐payer