San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - April 23, 2024

The Board of Supervisors convened on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 10:15 a.m. to consider a consent calendar, regular agenda items, special orders, and adoptions without committee reference. Key actions included affirming a CEQA exemption for a housing project at 72 Harper Street, approving ground leases for the Transbay Block 2 East affordable housing development, and recognizing commendations for police reform, community outreach, and rescue operations.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1 and 2 (Administrative Code – Community Opportunity to Purchase Act; Shared Space at 1429 Mendell Street Parklet) were approved unanimously as routine.

Special Order: Commendations (2:30 p.m.)

• San Francisco Police Department Reform: Recognized for completing all 272 recommendations of the Collaborative Reform Initiative. Chief William Scott reported that use of force decreased by 65% from 2016 to 2022, officer-involved shootings declined 50% in the seven years post-CRI, and diversity in recruits increased from 52% (2016) to 81% (2023).
• So Help for the Elderly Employment Training and Economic Development Team: Recognized for door-to-door outreach to small businesses in Chinatown and the Sunset, assisting over 200 businesses with more than $3 million in grants during the pandemic.
• Marine Unit Rescue: Honored for rescuing four boaters from a capsized vessel on April 14, 2024, in a joint effort with Bar Pilots and U.S. Coast Guard.
• Jason Lee: Recognized for 16 years of service at SFMTA, where he improved real-time information systems, installed over 800 digital signs, and launched all-door boarding.
• Center for Immigrant Protection: Recognized during Transgender Advocacy Week for supporting LGBTQ+ immigrants, particularly transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals.

Public Comments & Testimony

• During the 72 Harper Street hearing, the appellants (represented by Brian O'Neill) argued that the Planning Department failed to conduct a required historic resource evaluation and that the proposed roof addition would be visually intrusive. The project sponsor (Julie Park) stated the addition was needed for minimum ceiling height and that the project was code-compliant; she called the appeal frivolous. No public speakers supported the appellant during the hearing.
• General public comment included remarks on jail lockdowns, hepatitis B awareness, support for the Market Match program, and concerns about rental pet policies.

72 Harper Street CEQA Appeal Hearing (3:00 p.m. Special Order)

• The board held a hearing on the appeal of a categorical exemption determination for a proposed project at 72 Harper Street (ADU and rear addition to a single-family home). Planning Department Deputy Director Rich Sucre defended the exemption, stating that the addition would not alter visible character-defining features and was set back 19 feet 5 inches from the front facade. The Planning Commission had previously voted 6-0 not to take discretionary review.
• Key Outcomes: Supervisor Mandelman moved to affirm the exemption determination (Item 22) and table the motions to conditionally reverse (Items 23 and 24). The motion passed on a roll call vote of 10-0 (Supervisor Melgar excused). The appeal was denied.

Committee of the Whole: Transbay Block 2 East Ground Leases (3:00 p.m.)

• The board sat as a Committee of the Whole to consider ground leases for 200 Folsom Street. OCII staff presented the project: 184 units of affordable family rental housing, with 40 units set aside for families experiencing homelessness, plus child care and community commercial space. Financing includes bonds, tax credits, and state funds (bond issuance approved earlier under Item 10). The residential ground lease rent is $15,001 per year; commercial rent is $1 per year.
• Key Outcomes: After public comment (none offered), the committee reported favorably. The board then adopted Resolution 240308 (Item 26) on a roll call vote of 9-0 (Supervisors Stephanie and Melgar absent).

Discussion Items (Regular Agenda, Items 3-20)

• Items 3-12: Resolutions and ordinances on consent (property tax exemptions, contract amendments, lease agreements, etc.) were adopted en bloc on same-house-same-call votes.
• Items 13-16 (Treasure Island): Four items related to the Treasure Island development were approved after an amendment to Item 14 (Disposition and Development Agreement) offered by President Peskin to condition certificates of participation on capital plan capacity. The amendment was adopted without objection, and the package passed same-house-same-call.
• Item 17 (Form 700 filers): Passed on first reading.
• Item 18 (Vending regulations): Passed on first reading.
• Item 19 (GO bond passthroughs): President Peskin moved an amendment to remove the requirement to file calculation forms with the Rent Board (to assist small landlords). The amendment was adopted, and the ordinance passed on first reading.
• Item 20 (Emergency contracts): Passed on a roll call of 8-0 (Supervisors Stephanie, Walton, Melgar absent).

Roll Call for Introductions

• Supervisor Peskin introduced legislation to help Bob's Donuts relocate and adjourned in memory of Reverend Cecil Williams, Fire Lieutenant Steven Silvestrich, and others.
• Supervisor Preston introduced a resolution supporting the Green New Deal for Public Housing (SB 1218) and highlighted a BLA report on the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), which provided $61.2 million to 10,110 households.
• Supervisor Dorsey introduced a resolution recognizing Fair Housing Month and announced a legislative drafting request for Right to Recovery Enforcement Priority Zones.
• Supervisor Safai introduced a resolution urging the mayor to designate March 31 as César Chávez Day as a paid holiday.
• Supervisor Walton requested a committee of the whole on jail lockdowns due to overcrowding and understaffing.
• Supervisor Engardio introduced a resolution declaring May as Hepatitis Awareness Month.

Adoption Without Committee Reference (Items 29-43)

• Items 29, 30, and 31 were severed and amended. Item 29 (Supporting SB 1012 – psychedelic-assisted therapy) passed 9-1 (Supervisor Chan dissenting). Item 30 (Supporting SB 1031 – Bay Area transit funding) passed 10-0. Item 31 (Supporting AB 886 – journalism preservation) passed as amended.
• Item 34 (Armenian Genocide Commemoration Day) and Item 35 (Supporting AB 2882 – community corrections) were adopted.
• Item 39 (César Chávez Day holiday) was adopted. Item 41 (Supporting AB 1858 – trauma-informed school shooter drills) was adopted. Item 43 (National Sexual Assault Awareness Month) was adopted.
• The remaining items (32-38, 40, 42) were adopted en bloc.

Key Outcomes

• The board affirmed the CEQA categorical exemption for 72 Harper Street (motion passed 10-0).
• Ground leases for Transbay Block 2 East affordable housing (184 units, 40 homeless) were approved (9-0).
• The Treasure Island development agreements were amended and approved with conditions on COP issuances.
• The ordinance on GO bond passthroughs was amended and passed on first reading.
• Multiple congratulatory resolutions and state bill support resolutions were adopted.