San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting – November 14, 2023

The Board of Supervisors convened on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at 2:15 p.m. to consider a full agenda. Key actions included final passage of a $300 million affordable housing bond for the March 2024 ballot, a 10–1 vote to place a non-binding policy urging SFUSD to offer eighth-grade algebra on the same ballot, and a contentious debate over a charter amendment giving the mayor veto power over certain SFMTA revenue proposals. The meeting also featured commendations, a committee-of-the-whole hearing, and multiple public comment periods.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1 – Waived competitive bidding to purchase 14 used compressed natural gas buses from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for $350,000. (Passed unanimously)
• Item 3 – Increased fees for reproduction and notary services by the Department of Administrative Services. (Passed unanimously)
• Item 5 – Amended the Health Code to regulate medical specimen test collection sites. (Passed unanimously)
• Items 6–8 – Approved three real estate leases: 716–720 Sacramento Street ($370,000 annual base rent), 2205 Jennings Street ($264,000), and 42 Gough Street ($44,472). (Passed unanimously)
• Item 9 – Accepted a retroactive $1,510,695 HUD grant for Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS. (Passed unanimously)
• Item 10 – Extended a contract with Bar None Auction for auction services, anticipating $2,900,000 in revenue. (Passed unanimously)
• Item 11 – Authorized a retroactive participation agreement with the California Department of Health Care Services for Medi-Cal administrative activities (anticipated revenue ≥$1,000,000). (Passed unanimously)
• Item 14 – Authorized $99,000 from the SoMa Community Stabilization Fund for a strategic plan. (Passed unanimously)
• Item 15 – Approved a 10‑year memorandum of understanding with the Friends and Foundation of the San Francisco Public Library. (Passed unanimously)
• Item 16 – Approved airport surveillance technology policies (application-based transport tech, license plate readers, gunshot detection). (Passed unanimously)
• Item 17 – Confirmed the mayoral appointment of Kent Lim to the Successor Agency Commission (term ending November 3, 2026). (Passed unanimously)

Public Comments & Testimony

SFMTA Charter Amendment (Committee of the Whole – 3:00 p.m.):

• Audrey Liu (District 1 resident) opposed the amendment, warning it would create a “single point of failure” and threaten SFMTA’s ability to raise revenue amid a projected $200 million deficit.
• Cyrus Hall (sustainable transportation advocate) urged a “no” vote, arguing the amendment gives the mayor new power and ignores looming operational deficits ($119 million in 2024, $230 million in 2025). He noted the Board already has the power to send SFMTA’s budget back with a two‑thirds vote.
• Dylan Fabris (SF Transit Riders) opposed the amendment, stating it “does not provide the political accountability we need” and opens the budget to political meddling that could lead to service cuts.
• Amy Cleary (Golden Gate Restaurant Association) supported the amendment, citing the problematic parking meter extension plan and the need for greater oversight of SFMTA programs.
• Christopher Peterson (SF League of Conservation Voters) strongly opposed, calling the amendment contrary to the Transit‑First Policy and the city’s climate action plan.
• Abdahadou (SEIU Local 87) supported the amendment, saying extended parking meter hours until 10 p.m. would harm overnight workers (3,000 members) already facing layoffs and vacancies.

General Public Comment:

• Several street vendors from the Mission District (Rodrigo Lopez, Cesar, and others) asked for clearer communication about the 90‑day ban on Mission Street vending, noting they are legitimate small business owners with permits and taxes. They requested financial assistance during the ban and expressed concern over lost holiday merchandise.
• Ron Carter reported that $7,000 of his food stamp benefits were stolen and suspected the stolen goods are sold on Mission Street; he urged enforcement against fraud.
• Multiple speakers supported Supervisor Safai’s ordinance to protect the Marina Green waterfront, arguing it must remain open and accessible.
• John Trezvenia and Vid Prabakin (SF Bar Association president) spoke on the judiciary resolution: the former opposed the resolution as an attack on voters’ constitutional right to elect judges; the latter urged unanimous support for an independent judiciary.
• Salah Hakuya Chandler requested a consulate for the African Hebrew Israelite community at 1536 Buchanan Street.

Discussion Items

Affordable Housing Bond (Item 2):

• President Peskin thanked all supervisors for co‑sponsoring the $300 million general obligation bond for affordable housing, including workforce and senior housing. The bond will appear on the March 5, 2024 ballot and requires a two‑thirds voter approval. The ordinance was passed finally on a unanimous vote.

District 7 Vision Zero Projects (Item 4):

• Supervisor Melgar explained that $527,000 was reappropriated to 17 community‑selected projects, including a mural on the Clarendon Pedestrian Bridge and a rainy‑day fund for small businesses. The ordinance passed on first reading.

E‑Bike Delivery Pilot Grant (Item 12):

• Supervisor Preston highlighted a $605,620 U.S. Department of Energy grant to expand the city’s electric bicycle delivery pilot from 30 to 80 participants. He noted that delivery drivers are eager to transition to e‑bikes, reducing emissions and congestion. The resolution was adopted.

State Housing Law Compliance (Item 13):

• Supervisor Preston moved an amendment to strike the phrase “will likely underproduce low-income units” and replace it with “absent the commitment of additional funding from local, regional, state, and/or federal sources, the Bay Area is at risk of underproducing.” The amendment was adopted, and the resolution passed as amended.

Eighth‑Grade Algebra Ballot Measure (Item 23):

• A declaration of policy urging SFUSD to offer algebra in eighth grade. Supervisor Walton, a former school board member, argued the measure is unenforceable and that the district is already working on a plan. Supervisors Engardio, Safai, Ronan, and Preston supported the measure as a way for voters to express their voice. Supervisor Ronan noted that the city has a partnership with SFUSD on math interventions (e.g., Japanese “problem‑solving” teaching) and that the real issue is closing the opportunity gap. The measure passed 10–1, with only Supervisor Walton voting no.

Police Staffing Charter Amendment (Item 18):

• Supervisor Dorsey clarified that the procedural vote to continue the item to November 28 was not an expression of support. The item was continued without objection.

SFMTA Charter Amendment (Items 19–21 – Committee of the Whole):

• Supervisor Safai introduced the amendment to allow the mayor to disapprove SFMTA proposals on fares, parking meter rates, and hours of operation. He argued it formalizes what already happens in practice. Supervisor Dorsey opposed, calling it a “solution in search of a problem” that repoliticizes the agency and undermines Prop A (2007). After public comment, item 20 (modifying the submission timeline) passed 6–5 (yes: Walton, Chan, Peskin, Preston, Ronan, Safai; no: Dorsey, Engardio, Mandelman, Melgar, Stephanie). Item 21 (the charter amendment itself) was continued to November 20 on a unanimous 11–0 vote.

Judiciary Resolution (Item 27):

• President Peskin severed the item from the consent calendar and sent it to the Government Audit and Oversight Committee for further discussion. Supervisor Ronan requested removal of his name as a co‑sponsor, stating he supports the general principle but disagrees with parts of the resolution. Supervisor Preston emphasized the need to distinguish between legitimate criticism of judicial decisions and Trumpian intimidation tactics, citing the mayor’s and governor’s recent attacks on Magistrate Judge Donna Ryu.

Marina Green Ordinance (Introduced by Supervisor Safai):

• Supervisor Safai introduced an ordinance prohibiting the Recreation and Park Department from undertaking environmental review that would extend the West Harbor Marina more than 150 feet beyond its current boundary. He argued that the current design would block public access to the Marina Green, a “priceless San Francisco treasure.” President Peskin co‑sponsored the legislation.

Key Outcomes

• Affordable housing bond finally passed (unanimous).
• Eighth‑grade algebra ballot measure ordered submitted to the March 2024 election (10 ayes, 1 no).
• State housing law compliance resolution adopted as amended (unanimous).
• SFMTA charter amendment – timeline modification approved (6–5); the amendment itself continued to November 20 (unanimous).
• Police staffing charter amendment continued to November 28 (unanimous).
• Judiciary resolution sent to committee.
• Marina Green ordinance introduced and referred to committee.
• Commendations presented to Isaiah Zazi (catalytic converter etching volunteer) and organizers of Castro Halloween 2023.
• Adjournment in memory of Brandon McCapes, Felicia Smith, Maria Reyes Garcia, and Fred Chan.