San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - September 26, 2023
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San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - September 26, 2023
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors convened on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at 2:15 p.m. for a regular meeting. All 11 supervisors were present. The meeting included a consent calendar, regular agenda items, a special order for a Committee of the Whole hearing on Laguna Honda Hospital, and introductions of new legislation. Key actions included the failure of a contested office lease, passage of development impact fee reductions, and adoption of the final San Francisco Reparations Plan.
Consent Calendar
- Items 1–3 (routine ordinances) were approved unanimously on a roll call vote of 11 ayes.
- Items 4–14 (including resolutions authorizing expenditures, contract amendments, lease approvals, property tax rate setting, and emergency declarations) were adopted on same house same call without objection.
Public Comments & Testimony
- General Public Comment: Multiple speakers addressed the board. Many spoke in support of bringing back eighth-grade algebra, citing equity and opportunity for STEM careers. Taxi drivers and advocates urged the city to address the decline of the taxi industry, including bailouts and fair competition with ride-share apps. Other speakers raised concerns about street conditions, fencing operations, and the need for police action on crime. One speaker criticized the city’s arts funding allocation. A parent opposed the algebra ballot measure, arguing it undermines the district’s equity-focused curriculum. Several callers made offensive remarks that were cut off by the presiding officer.
- Committee of the Whole Public Comment: A few members of the public provided testimony on Laguna Honda Hospital. One speaker praised the progress but called for ongoing oversight and quarterly board hearings. A nurse criticized past management and urged the city to ensure the facility never faces decertification again. Some callers offered unrelated commentary.
Discussion Items
- Item 15 – Office Lease at 1155 Market Street (Recommendation: Do Not Pass): The Budget and Finance Committee recommended rejecting the lease due to unfavorable market conditions and the city’s opportunity to purchase property instead. Supervisor Chan, committee chair, urged a no vote. The board voted 11-0 to reject the resolution, effectively killing the lease.
- Item 19 – Development Impact Fee Reductions (Planning Code Amendments): The ordinance reduced inclusionary housing requirements for small projects (10–24 units). Supervisor Preston opposed, citing evidence that such reductions do not spur new development and may hinder affordable housing creation. Supervisor Safai argued it would make smaller projects feasible and address the housing crisis. The vote was 10-1 (Preston voting no), and the ordinance passed on first reading.
- Item 20 – Tenant Organizing Ordinance (Administrative Code Amendment): The ordinance strengthened tenant rights to be accompanied by tenant association representatives at meetings with landlords and clarified good faith obligations. It passed unanimously, 11-0.
- Committee Reports (Items 22–24): Three resolutions were adopted on same house same call: a $60.8 million HUD Continuum of Care grant application, a $47.39 million loan for permanent supportive housing at 440 Geary Street, and a $14.24 million property acquisition at 42 Otis Street for homelessness services.
- Committee of the Whole – Laguna Honda Hospital Recertification: The board held a public hearing on the hospital’s strategy for recertification. Roland Pickens, Director of the San Francisco Health Network, and new CEO Sandra Simon presented. Key updates: The California Department of Public Health and Department of Health Care Services recertified Laguna Honda in Medicaid (effective September 5, 2023), covering 95% of residents. An application for Medicare recertification is pending, with a full CMS survey expected at any time. New admissions will not resume until after the Medicare survey and plan of correction are completed. Former residents who were transferred will be given priority for readmission. The 120 “triplet” beds remain offline pending a CMS waiver, but the city plans to restore them. The board filed the hearing after public comment.
Key Outcomes
- Item 15 (1155 Market Lease): Failed (11-0). The resolution to approve the lease was rejected, directing the city to renegotiate or seek alternative space.
- Item 19 (Impact Fee Reductions): Passed on first reading (10-1). Ordinance will reduce inclusionary housing requirements for projects of 10–24 units.
- Item 20 (Tenant Organizing): Passed on first reading (11-0).
- Item 28 (Reparations Plan): Adopted after being severed from the consent calendar by Supervisor Walton. The resolution accepts the final San Francisco Reparations Plan from the African American Reparations Advisory Committee.
- New Legislation Introduced:
- Supervisor Preston: Resolution urging SFMTA to implement a citywide no-turn-on-red policy; resolution supporting a green bank; hearing request on UN Plaza activation and Heart of the City Farmers Market relocation.
- Supervisor Safai (with co-sponsors): Ordinance requiring each police district captain to develop a footbeat and bike beat plan.
- Supervisor Engardio (with co-sponsors): Ballot measure for March 2024 urging SFUSD to offer algebra in eighth grade.
- Supervisor Mandelman: Ordinance extending the deadline for small businesses to comply with the Mandatory Disability Access Improvements (ABE) program; hearing request on treatment on demand and substance use disorder services.
- Supervisor Ronan: Submitted legislation without specific introduction; made lengthy remarks criticizing the mayor’s proposed drug testing for public assistance recipients.
- Supervisor Chan, Supervisor Stefani, Supervisor Walton, and others submitted various items and adjournments in memory.
- Laguna Honda Hearing: Filed. The board will continue to monitor recertification progress.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned in memory of Auden Schrader (on behalf of President Peskin), Reynard Hillis, and Francis Ho (both on behalf of Supervisor Walton).
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon. Good afternoon and welcome to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for today, Tuesday, September 26, 2023. Madam Clerk, would you please call the role? Thank you, Mr. President. Supervisor Chan. Chan present, Supervisor Dorsey. Dorsey present, Supervisor Engardeo. Engario present, Supervisor Mandelman. Mandelman present, Supervisor Melgar. Melgar present, Supervisor Peskin. Present. Peskin present, Supervisor Preston. Preston present, Supervisor Ronan. Ronan present, Supervisor Safai. Safai Yi present, Supervisor Stephanie. Stephanie present and Supervisor Walton. Walton present. Mr. President, all members are present. Thank you, Madam Clerk. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramatushalone, who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula. As the indigenous stewards of this land and in accordance with their traditions, the Ramatushaloni have never ceded, lost, nor forgotten their responsibilities as the caretakers of this place, as well as for all peoples who reside in their traditional territory. As guests, we recognize that we benefit from living and working on their traditional homeland. We wish to pay our respects by acknowledging the ancestors, elders, and relatives of the Ramatushalone community, and by affirming their sovereign rights as first peoples. Colleagues, please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge a leading flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Madam Clerk, do we have any communications? Yes, Mr. President. The board welcomes the public to attend this meeting in person here in the board's legislative chamber in City Hall, second floor, room two fifty to participate remotely. This meeting is airing live on SFGov TV's Channel 26, or you may view the live stream at WWW.sfgovtv.org. The telephone number and the meeting ID to participate are published on the agenda and streaming on your television or computer screen. As always, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. And on Tuesdays until the end of this meeting, the clerk's office is answering our phone to assist you. Just dial 415-554-5184 to send written comments to the members of the board. Send a stamped letter via U.S. Post Office addressed to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the number one, Dr. Carlton B. Goodlitt Place, room 244, San Francisco, California, 94102. Or you can send an email to BOS at SFgov.org. We continue to offer interpretation assistance in Chinese, Filipino, and Spanish, beginning at the 3 p.m. special order till 7 p.m. And Mr. President, that concludes my communication. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Would you please call the consent agenda? Items 1 through 3 are on consent and considered to be routine. If a member objects, an item may be removed and considered separately.
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