San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - February 27, 2024

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting on February 27, 2024, beginning at 10:00 AM. The agenda included consent items, regular agenda items, special orders for commendations, committee reports, and public comment. Key actions included approval of a $9 million settlement, an apology to African Americans, and amendments to density controls in historic districts. The board also honored outgoing Controller Ben Rosenfield and several Black community leaders during Black History Month.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1 through 9 were approved unanimously, except for Item 6 (settlement with Amazon.com Sales, Inc.) which was severed. Supervisors Walton and Peskin recused themselves due to conflicts of interest. The settlement of $448,119.86 was approved 9-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment: Several speakers addressed the board. One speaker criticized the memoriam for Logan Miller, arguing it was disrespectful. Another speaker advocated for reducing digital surveillance to reduce overdoses and suggested it contributed to retail closures. A speaker urged support for the Public Defender Pilot Program funding. Peter Warfield criticized the library's new strategic plan for omitting books and reading. A speaker against item 17 (apology) argued that the city must now reap what it sowed. Another speaker supported the apology but called for more action. A speaker proposed turning the vacant Macy's building into an indoor garden. One speaker complained about elevator delays in SROs due to the mayor's office holding funds.
• Public Comment on Item 43 (Ben Rosenfield Day): Michael Petrellus praised Rosenfield for his compliance with public records requests, contrasting him with other officials.

Discussion Items

• Item 10 (APEC Fund Reappropriation): Ordinance to de-appropriate $3.5 million from General City Responsibility and reappropriate $500,000 to SFMTA for free parking and transit during Lunar New Year, and $3 million to OEWD for a relief fund for SoMa businesses affected by APEC. Supervisor Engardio thanked Supervisor Chan for securing $1 million for small businesses on Taraval Street affected by Muni track reconstruction. The ordinance passed 11-0.
• Item 11 (Tax-Defaulted Property Auction): Resolution to authorize sale of tax-defaulted properties. Supervisor Safai moved to remove three occupied properties (92 Ellington Ave, 41 Sears St, 26 Stanley St) to allow owners more time to apply for mortgage relief. The amendment passed without objection, and the resolution as amended was adopted.
• Item 15 (Homeless Services Contracting Waivers): Ordinance to extend sunset date for contracting waivers for homeless services through May 5, 2029. Passed 7-4, with Supervisors Chan, Dorsey, Peskin, and Safai voting no.
• Item 17 (Apology to African Americans): Resolution apologizing for systemic discrimination and committing to redress. Unanimously adopted (11-0). Several supervisors spoke in support, including Supervisor Preston who emphasized the need for non-repetition of harm, and Supervisor Ronen who lamented the lost momentum from 2020 racial justice protests.
• Item 22 (Density Controls in Historic Districts): Ordinance to re-impose density limits in Northeast Waterfront, Jackson Square, and Jackson Square Extension historic districts, reversing unintended consequences of prior density decontrol that allowed buildings up to 400% taller than height limits. Supervisor Melgar and Dorsey voted no, citing concerns about setting a precedent that could undermine housing production. The board also approved a duplicated file (moved by Supervisor Stephanie, seconded by Melgar) to send the issue back to committee for further work. The ordinance passed 8-3 (Dorsey, Engardio, Melgar voting no).
• Special Order 2:30 PM – Commendations:
  • Controller Ben Rosenfield Day (Item 43): The board declared February 29, 2024 as Controller Ben Rosenfield Day. All supervisors praised his 26 years of service, including his role in maintaining AAA bond ratings, guiding the city through the pandemic, and mentoring staff. Rosenfield expressed gratitude and noted his pride in the controller's office team. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
  • Black History Month Commendations: Supervisor Melgar honored a team from the Department of Emergency Management (Janet Fallings, Theodores de G Rosen, Vora Hurd, Antoinette Acoff, Raquel Dawson) for their collective 132 years of service. Supervisor Preston honored Nate Ford for his 34 years of youth basketball and mentorship programs, including the SF Rebels, which has helped over 600 youth access scholarships. Supervisor Mandelman honored Dr. Tyler Termir, CEO of San Francisco AIDS Foundation, the first Black CEO in its 42-year history. Supervisor Walton honored Kyrie Howard, a first-generation law graduate who passed the bar. Supervisor Safai honored Renard Monroe, executive director of Youth First, for his community work in Lakeview.
• Committee Reports (Items 33-35):
  • Item 33 (Fleet Charging): Amended to remove retroactive 311 notice requirement. Passed.
  • Item 34 (Parcel Delivery Service): Passed as amended.
  • Item 35 (Supporting SB 915 on Autonomous Vehicles): Adopted.
• Roll Call for Introductions: Supervisors introduced various items, including an ordinance to ensure city firearms purchases only from vendors compliant with state/federal laws (Supervisor Stephanie), a resolution supporting AB 2286 requiring human safety operators in heavy autonomous vehicles, and a hearing request on SRO elevator repair delays (Supervisor Preston). Supervisor Safai called for a hearing on reimagining Union Square after Macy's closure announcement.
• Closed Session: The board convened in closed session to discuss labor negotiations (Item 44).

Key Outcomes

• Approved Settlements:
  • Mason Masuda lawsuit: $9,000,000 (Item 18, passed).
  • Florence Kong et al.: City to receive $750,000, with debarment provisions (Item 19, passed).
  • Lyft, Inc. tolling agreement: $5,156,634 tax dispute (Item 20, passed).
• Committee of the Whole Cancelled: Items 28-32 (delinquent property tax hearings) were cancelled because the Treasurer-Tax Collector received payment for all properties. The public hearing was opened and closed with no comment, and the items were tabled.
• Adoption Without Committee Reference: Items 39-44 (minus 43) were adopted unanimously. Item 42 (supporting AB 2319 on maternal health) was also adopted.
• Next Steps: The duplicated file on density controls (Item 22) will return to committee for further work. Supervisor Preston's hearing request on SRO elevator repairs will be scheduled.