San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting – October 3, 2023

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors held its regular meeting on October 3, 2023, starting at 2:15 PM. The meeting included a consent agenda, several legislative items, special order commendations, a Committee of the Whole hearing on the implementation of U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recommendations regarding the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), roll call for introductions (including in memoriam tributes), and general public comment.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1–21 (settlements, unlitigated claims, and administrative code amendments) were approved unanimously by a roll call vote of 11–0.
• Item 22 (ordinance to reduce inclusionary housing requirements for certain affordable housing programs) passed on final reading 10–1, with only Supervisor Preston voting no.
• Items 23–24 (two retroactive grants for Adult Probation: $507,470 from the Board of State and Community Corrections and $100,000 from the California Emergency Management Agency) were adopted 11–0.
• Item 25 (reauthorizing CleanPowerSF membership in a Joint Powers Authority, not to exceed $4,772,710) adopted without objection.
• Item 26 (maintenance agreement with Caltrans for the Southern Skyline Boulevard Ridge Trail Extension) adopted without objection.
• Items 27–29 (three retroactive grants and agreements for the District Attorney’s Office: $1,066,724 for workers’ compensation fraud, a $75,000 revolving fund for crime victim expenses, and up to $275,391 for criminal restitution compact) adopted without objection.
• Item 30 (retroactive grant increase of ~$28,000 from NIH via Oregon Health & Science University for drug abuse treatment clinical trials network) adopted without objection.
• Item 31 (another $100,000 grant from Cal OES for probation specialized supervision) adopted without objection.
• Item 32 (resolution urging Recreation and Park Department to share information on UN Plaza pilot activation and mitigate impacts on farmers’ market) adopted without objection.
• Item 34 (sublease agreement for Bayview Vehicle Triage Center at Candlestick Point, base rent $312,000/year for two years) adopted without objection.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Police Reform Hearing: Several speakers addressed the Committee of the Whole. One speaker urged the board to reduce emotional disorder and focus on consciousness. Another speaker called the hearing “political masturbation” and argued funds should go to basic needs, not policing. A third speaker thanked SFPD for an incident near Mission PD. A fourth speaker cited Romans 13 to support police authority. One remote caller suggested more community outreach on constitutional rights.
• General Public Comment: Speakers raised a variety of issues: opposition to Bible study during public comment, opposition to Italian Heritage Month, criticism of police reform and mourning for Senator Feinstein (with one speaker calling her legacy harmful), support for taxi medallion relief, opposition to limiting remote public comment, advocacy for reparations and the Yoshi’s building, criticism of DPW violence, and calls for stronger leadership on fentanyl and crime. One caller urged a citywide no-turn-on-red policy and better intersection daylighting.

Discussion Items

1. Commendations and Recognitions (Special Order 2:30 PM)

• Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California – Celebrated its 50th anniversary. Supervisor Preston recognized the center’s role in preserving Japantown and supporting the community (e.g., raising $4+ million for Japan earthquake relief). Executive Director Paul Osaki accepted and noted the center’s origins in the destruction of Japantown by redevelopment.
• Bill Hirsch – Recognized on his retirement. Supervisor Ronen highlighted his decades of legal advocacy for people with HIV/AIDS, mental health, and the unhoused. Hirsch thanked the board and said he will continue social justice work.

2. Committee of the Whole: Updates on DOJ Police Reform Recommendations (3:00 PM)

• Presentation by Deborah Kirby (Jensen Hughes) – The 2016 DOJ assessment identified 94 findings and 272 recommendations. Initial implementation reduced use of force and advanced crisis intervention training. The current phase (ending April 2024) focuses on five project plans: use of force, bias, community policing, management dashboard, and policy development. As of October 2023, 27 recommendations remained uncompleted. Key challenges include understaffing of the professional standards unit, IT system delays, and ensuring accurate stop data (after media reports of officers misreporting race).
• SFPD Chief Scott – Reported that the department has made progress, including a new disengagement policy and steps to address disparities. On stop data falsification allegations, he acknowledged the need for deeper auditing but cited staffing shortages. He noted that technology (records management system, dashboard) is being upgraded to improve data accuracy and accountability.
• Supervisors’ Questions – Supervisor Walton pressed on persistent racial disparities in stops and use of force, and the need to shift resources to root causes (e.g., gun violence reduction via CalVIP grant). Supervisor Preston asked about auditing of stop data and whether the department risks losing “substantial compliance” status on audit recommendations. Chief Scott committed to improving the audit process and staffing.
• Supervisor Dorsey asked what key factors enabled sustained reform. Ms. Kirby cited self-driven leadership, community engagement, and a culture of continuous improvement.

3. Roll Call for Introductions – New Business

• Supervisor Preston announced that the state issued an RFQ for affordable housing development on the DMV site on Fell Street, following a unanimous board resolution in November 2022. Proposals due November 22, 2023.
• Supervisor Safai proposed legislation to codify the Homeward Bound program (reunifying homeless individuals with out-of-town support networks) and submitted an in memoriam for Artist Cooper Jr.
• Supervisor Melgar introduced two hearing requests: (1) working conditions for mothers at SFPD (with Supervisor Stephanie), and (2) progress on intersection “daylighting” for pedestrian safety since 2019 legislation.
• In Memoriam – The board adjourned in memory of Tim Figueras (SOMA youth advocate) and U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein. Colleagues delivered tributes to Feinstein, noting her historic firsts as president of the board, mayor, and senator, and her leadership after the 1978 assassinations, on gun control (assault weapons ban), and on intelligence reform.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda and most regular items were approved unanimously or without objection (except Item 22, 10–1).
• Item 33 (police reform hearing) was continued to May 21, 2024, on a motion by Supervisor Walton, seconded by Supervisor Ronan, without objection.
• Items 37–40 (adoption without committee reference: extension for Alexandria Theater landmark designation, Filipino American History Month proclamation, support for Green Bank applications, and urging MTA to prohibit right turns on red) were adopted 11–0.
• Committee of the Whole – The hearing was received and filed; the board will receive a final report from Jensen Hughes by April 2024. SFPD committed to improving stop data auditing and completing the management dashboard.
• Legislation Introduced – Supervisors submitted numerous items for draft or referral, including Homeward Bound codification, hearings on maternal working conditions at SFPD and intersection daylighting, and an update on the DMV housing site.