San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - April 16, 2024

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting on April 16, 2024, led by President Aaron Peskin. The meeting featured commendations for emergency dispatchers, approval of numerous routine and financial items, introduction of legislation on housing, public safety, and social equity, and extensive public comment focusing on police funding and city response to sexual assault.

Consent Calendar (Items 1-13)

• All items were approved unanimously. These included routine appropriations, several lawsuit settlements (totaling over $3.9 million, with individual settlements for Mitzey Davis/Leslie Lankster ($100,000), Jocelyn Li ($45,000), Ibrahim Nimer Shiheiber ($50,000), Charles Heard ($900,000), Kirstin Johnson et al. ($75,000), Yes in My Back Yard/Sonja Trauss ($32,000 by appellants), and Danielle Dillard/Kim Lee ($2,800,000)), a retroactive MOU with the Deputy Sheriffs' Association, and amendments to the Building and Planning Codes regarding disability access and commercial uses.

Regular Agenda (Items 14-31)

These resolutions and ordinances were adopted unanimously on a single vote:

• Amendment to DFS Group duty-free lease at the International Terminal.
• Agreement with Santa Clara Valley Water District for the Intertie facility.
• $890,000 expenditure from the SoMa Community Stabilization Fund.
• Acceptance of grants for Union Square Park Revitalization ($2M), Tobacco Grant Award ($2.89M), and Transform Mental and Behavioral Health ($909,095).
• Ordinance amending the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA) requiring notice of foreclosure for multifamily buildings.
• Annual reports for Noe Valley, Castro, and Discover Polk Community Benefit Districts.
• Umbrella MOU with SFUSD for green infrastructure (40-year term).
• Authorization to apply for the Prohousing Designation Program.
• Liquor license determinations for Kim Huong Cafe and Origin Boutique Nightclub.
• Parklet shared space designation at 1429 Mendell Street.
• Reappointments to the SFMTA Board (Janet Tarlov, Fiona Hinze) and Treasury Oversight Committee (Kevin Kone).

Special Order 2:30 PM - Commendations for Emergency Dispatchers

The Board recognized National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. Three awards were presented: Dorian Locke (Tony Hardley Award for Excellence in Supervision), Bill Hackathon (DEM Dispatcher of the Year), and Valerie Tucker (EMS Dispatcher of the Year). DEM Director Mary Ellen Carroll and awardees spoke, honoring the work of dispatchers and remembering deceased colleague Florinda "Flo" Picasso.

Legislation Introduced at Roll Call

Several key legislative items were introduced by supervisors:

• Supervisor Preston Introduced resolutions to retain state funding for the Market Match program (threatened by a $33.2 million proposed cut by Governor Newsom) and support AB 2115 (Methadone access).
• Supervisor Ronan Announced a hearing request, co-sponsored by all 11 supervisors, to investigate the city's handling of sexual assault and harassment allegations, specifically evaluating the SHARP office she created in 2018 following an article in the San Francisco Standard. Also introduced resolutions supporting ACA 1 (lowering the voting threshold for housing bonds) and declaring SF SPCA Day.
• Supervisor Safai (who was absent during initial roll call but participated later) Introduced a resolution designating Cesar Chavez Day as a paid city holiday.
• Supervisor Stefani Introduced a resolution supporting AB 2479 (sober living facilities) and delivered a powerful speech on the systemic failures in addressing sexual violence.
• Supervisor Walton Introduced a resolution supporting the California Legislative Black Caucus's 2024 Reparations Priority Bill Package.
• Supervisor Mandelman Introduced resolutions supporting AB 2882 (Community Corrections Accountability Act) and recognizing National Independent Bookstore Day.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Police Budget & Care Not Cops: Over a dozen speakers from Lavender Phoenix, the Anti-Police Terror Project, and allied groups demanded a 50% cut ($400 million) to the SFPD budget, redirecting funds to housing, food banks, and social services. They cited persistent budget overruns (e.g., $25.4M budgeted overtime vs. $80M actual in 2023) and the killing of Binko Brown by a security guard. A healthcare worker coalition requested DPH divestment from policing.
• Nonprofit Oversight: Several speakers raised allegations of retaliation, discrimination, and corruption at non-profit organizations receiving city funds, such as the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (TNDC) and Centro del Pueblo. They called for a Board investigation into the management and use of taxpayer funds by these entities.
• Sexual Assault Response: A speaker stated that sexual assault is a pervasive problem in city politics, noting the article about John Jacobo and alleging a currently serving male supervisor touched them.
• Other Comments: Speakers addressed the proposed cuts to the Market Match program, support for the MENA category checkbox (AB 2763), issues at Laguna Honda Hospital, and general critiques of city policies.

Key Outcomes

• Items Continued:
  • Item 35 (Supporting SB 1012 on Psychedelic Therapy): Continued one week for further deliberation to secure unanimous support.
  • Item 37 (Supporting AB 886, the California Journalism Preservation Act): Continued one week pending amendments by the author.
• Hearing Ordered: The Board will hold a hearing on the city's response to sexual assault and harassment, examining the SFPD, District Attorney's Office, and the SHARP office.
• Adoptions Without Reference: All remaining adoption items (National Donate Life Month, support for SB 1031, etc.) and appointments were approved.
• Adjournment in Memory: The meeting was adjourned in memory of Maureen O'Brien Sullivan, Eleanor Coppola, and Raymond Patlan.