San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - January 30, 2024

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors convened at 10:15 AM on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, for a regular meeting that included a 2:00 PM special appearance by Mayor London Breed, consideration of a consent agenda, several contested items, and introductions of new business. The meeting lasted into the early evening.

Mayor's Appearance (2:00 PM Special Order)

• Mayor London Breed delivered opening remarks highlighting a 30% decline in assaults and robberies on Mission Street following a street vending moratorium she implemented with Supervisor Hillary Ronen in November 2023, noting that 75% of businesses support continuing the moratorium. She also discussed the need to change state laws to better regulate street vending.
• Supervisor Preston asked about a $10 million allocation for elevator repairs in single-room occupancy (SRO) hotels, approved in June 2022 but not yet released after 580 days. He requested the notice of funding availability (NOFA) be published by February 12, 2024. Mayor Breed declined to commit to a specific date but said she would work to expedite the process, acknowledging her department's responsibility and the urgency for residents with mobility issues. She mentioned exploring a sole-source approach due to limited contractors.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2 through 16 were approved unanimously via roll call (11-0). These included routine approvals such as:
  • Authorization of American Registry for Internet Numbers agreements.
  • Appropriation of $1,350,239 in tax increment revenue bond proceeds for Treasure Island infrastructure.
  • Acceptance of a $2,050,000 grant for organized retail theft vertical prosecution.
  • Several lawsuit settlements (e.g., $40,000 to Phaedra Michelle Scott, $190,000 to Alfred Coutts, $450,000 to Peyman Pakdel and Sima Chegini).
  • Adoption of building code and health code amendments.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment included:
  • A speaker urged the board to regulate cell phone warning labels regarding addictive effects.
  • A speaker criticized the board's response to violent rhetoric and offered to join nighttime street outreach.
  • A speaker alleged the mayor's office uses technology to hack social media and called for investigation of death threats.
  • A speaker requested help with a property dispute involving a neighbor's objections to repairs.
  • A speaker read a poem critical of supervisors who oppose a ceasefire in Gaza.
  • A speaker highlighted the fentanyl crisis and criticized Democratic leadership.
  • A former firefighter alleged department corruption and failure to act on attacks.
• During public comment on the library item (Item 45), community members expressed support for the 100 Orizaba Avenue site, citing the need for a larger library in the underserved OMI neighborhoods.

Discussion Items

• Item 18 – Westwood Park Landmark Designation: Passed 10-1 (Supervisor Preston dissenting).
• Item 19 – Soma Pilipinas Gateway Cultural Marker: Amended by Supervisor Dorsey to add references to public realm artworks and a bronze plaque contextualizing the Dewey Monument. Adopted unanimously as amended.
• Item 20 – Overdose Prevention Initiative Grant: Passed without objection.
• Item 21 – FY2023-2024 Mid-Year Budget Reductions ($48.4 million reserve): Passed without objection.
• Item 31 – APEC-Related Overtime Costs ($6.5 million grant): Supervisor Chan noted the city spent approximately $20 million total on APEC, while also introducing a supplemental to support small businesses affected by the exclusion zone.
• Item 32 – Pretrial Diversion Project Contract Amendment ($19.8 million): Passed 9-2 (Supervisors Stephanie and Dorsey voting no) after debate about lack of audits and financial reporting concerns.
• Item 34 – Fire Code Amendment (Five-Foot Access and Sprinkler Inspection Fees): Initially faced opposition over potential conflict with state law (SB9), but after clarification from the fire marshal and city attorney, passed unanimously 11-0 on first reading. Sponsor Supervisor Chan emphasized fire safety and noted the ordinance had been vetted by the building inspection commission.
• Item 45 – Library Site for Ocean View, Merced Heights, Ingleside, Lakeview (OMI) Neighborhoods: After extensive debate, Supervisor Safai offered amendments changing "shall require" to "prioritize" for the city-owned parcel at 100 Orizaba Avenue. The amendments passed 11-0, and the ordinance as amended passed 8-3 (Supervisors Dorsey, Mandelman, and Melgar dissenting). Supervisor Melgar argued the original language prohibited exploration of other sites, while Supervisor Safai and Supervisor Walton stressed the site was the only viable option after years of study and that the community deserved a new library after decades of broken promises.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: All items adopted unanimously.
• Item 18 (Westwood Park Landmark): Passed 10-1.
• Item 19 (Soma Pilipinas Marker): Adopted unanimously as amended.
• Item 32 (Pretrial Diversion Contract): Passed 9-2.
• Item 34 (Fire Code): Passed 11-0 on first reading.
• Item 45 (OMI Library): Passed 8-3 on first reading as amended.
• Items 49-51 (Adoption Without Committee Reference): Adopted unanimously.
• Item 48 (Matthew Shepard Stamp): Amended and adopted unanimously.
• Introductions: Supervisors introduced new items including a hearing on UCSF's acquisition of Dignity Health, a resolution opposing state affordable housing cuts, a request for a BLA report on Zurich's four-pillar drug strategy, a resolution declaring February 11 as 49er Day, and a resolution recognizing the 20th anniversary of the Winter of Love (same-sex marriage). Supervisor Peskin introduced a drafting request for campaign finance disclaimers linked to individuals making death threats.
• Commendations: Recognitions were given to Coco Drake (Haight Ashbury Community Nursery School) and educators Sarah Liebert and Dr. Akiko Takahashi for their math pilot work.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned in memory of Lena Farrell.