San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting – October 24, 2023

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at 2:15 PM. The meeting included a special appearance by Mayor London Breed for a formal policy discussion, approval of routine consent items, public comment on a range of issues, and votes on several ordinances and resolutions. Key topics included preparations for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, affordable housing development at Parcel K in Hayes Valley, behavioral health and homeless services, implementation of Senate Bill 43 on conservatorship, and community concerns about a proposed tiny cabin village.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2–11 (Consent Agenda): Approved unanimously (11 ayes). Included: amendments to the Administrative Code for city budget preparation and multi-year grants; salary ordinance changes for the Police Department; administration of the Empty Homes Tax; delegation of authority to amend leases for 100% affordable housing; road closure at John F. Shelley Drive; Police Code changes on drawing firearms by armed guards; Health Code requiring pharmacies to stock opioid antagonists; suspension/debarment of contractors for labor law violations; surveillance technology policy for the Department of Elections; and establishing the Labor and Employment Code.

Public Comments & Testimony

• APEC Summit: Numerous speakers expressed concerns about the impact of the APEC summit (November 2023) on vulnerable communities. Speakers included seniors, immigrant workers, small business owners, labor union members, and activists. They requested transparent information about security zones and checkpoints, protection of the right to protest, and that $10 million in reserve funds be redirected to community services instead of policing. Some supported Supervisor Chan’s resolution to mitigate impacts.
• Affordable Housing at Parcel K: Residents of Hayes Valley (including Robin Levitt, Andrew Signer, and Natalie Burdick) urged the city to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for 100% affordable housing on Parcel K, a city-owned site that has been stalled for nearly 20 years. Over 450 signatures were collected in support.
• Tiny Cabin Village (1979 Mission): Several District 9 residents opposed the proposed 60–70 tiny cabin village near Marshall Elementary School, citing lack of community input, potential for increased blight and crime, and a cost of $100,000 per unit. They demanded more transparent due diligence.
• General: Speakers also addressed the need for a family support hub for homicide victims, opposition to APEC trade policies, and concerns about the displacement of homeless individuals.

Discussion Items

• Mayor Breed’s Appearance (Special Order 2:00 PM): The mayor discussed APEC preparations, stating it will generate nearly $53 million for the local economy and that over 1,200 volunteers signed up. She committed to working with supervisors on community outreach.
  • Topic 1 – Parcel K (Supervisor Preston): Supervisor Preston asked Mayor Breed to commit to issuing an RFQ for affordable housing on Parcel K by end of 2023. Mayor Breed said she needed to verify facts with her office and noted that broader housing policy changes are also needed to meet the city’s housing element goal of 46,000 affordable units in eight years. No commitment was made.
  • Topic 2 – Behavioral Health and Homeless Services on West Side (Supervisor Melgar): Supervisor Melgar reported a significant increase in homeless individuals and drug addiction on West Portal Avenue, from 2–3 before the pandemic to 15–20 now. She requested dedicated staff for outreach. Mayor Breed acknowledged the challenge, cited new conservatorship tools (SB 43) effective January 1, 2024, and pledged to work together.
  • Topic 3 – Senate Bill 43 Implementation (Supervisor Mandelman): Supervisor Mandelman praised the mayor’s support for SB 43, which expands conservatorship eligibility to include substance use disorder. He expressed concern about a lack of appropriate locked subacute and board-and-care beds. Mayor Breed noted that such beds are expensive and that the city added about 350 of its 400-bed goal, but that 12% of people conserved succeeded in community settings. She called for state help and improved efficiency.
• Commendations (Special Order 2:30 PM):
  • Tony Delorio (Teamsters Local 665) was honored for his labor leadership and community work.
  • Vernon Ng (District 7) was commended for intervening in a violent attack at Shaw’s Ice Cream, subduing an assailant using Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
  • Castro Street Fair Board of Directors was recognized for 50 years of the fair, which has raised over $1.6 million for Castro-based nonprofits.
• Committee Reports:
  • Item 24 (Castro Street Nighttime Entertainment): Passed on first reading (10 ayes, 1 no) after being forwarded without recommendation from the Land Use and Transportation Committee.
• Adoption Without Committee Reference (Items 28–37):
  • Item 28 (APEC Resolution): Urged mayor and city agencies to inform residents, prioritize funds for mitigation, protect free speech, and uphold sanctuary policies. Adopted unanimously (11 ayes).
  • Item 29 (SoMa Pilipinas Gateway): Sent to committee for further discussion, with Supervisor Safai added as co-sponsor.
  • Items 30–37: Adopted unanimously (11 ayes), including recognitions, planning extensions, and committee reports.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved 11-0. All ordinances passed on first reading.
• Item 20 (Cash Revolving Funds): Passed on first reading (9 ayes).
• Item 21 (Graffiti Advisory Board): Passed on first reading (11 ayes).
• Item 22 (IHSS Public Authority Appointments): Motion approved unanimously.
• Item 23 (Historic Preservation Commission Appointment): Motion approved unanimously.
• Item 24 (Castro Street Nighttime Entertainment): Passed on first reading (10-1, Peskin dissenting).
• Item 28 (APEC Resolution): Adopted unanimously (11 ayes).
• Item 29: Sent to committee.
• Items 30–37: Adopted unanimously (11 ayes).
• Mayoral Policy Discussion: Topics were filed after discussion; no binding actions taken.
• Public Comment: Concluded without further board action.