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

The Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, starting at 10:15 AM. The meeting included a special order with Mayor London Breed for a formal policy discussion, approval of consent and regular agenda items, commendations, and public comment. Key topics included tenant right to counsel funding, the Mayor's vision for nightlife and arts, housing initiatives, and an update on the emergency nurse registry contract.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2 through 14 were approved unanimously on a single roll call vote (11-0), including: low-value property tax exemptions (File 240161), Treasure Island development agreement amendment (240198), several lawsuit settlements (totaling approximately $1.45 million), vending requirements (Item 15 was severed for separate consideration), and others.
• Item 15 (ordinance to amend vending requirements) was severed at the request of Supervisor Safai, who successfully moved to duplicate the file and send it back to the Rules Committee. The original ordinance was then finally passed.

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

• Mayor Breed’s opening remarks: She emphasized revitalizing San Francisco through arts, entertainment, and nightlife. She noted a 53% increase in entertainment permit applications in 2023 (125 permits issued in two years) and highlighted new initiatives like the SF Live Concert Series and First Thursdays.
• Policy discussion – Tenant Right to Counsel:
  • Supervisor Preston asked Mayor Breed to commit to funding the tenant right to counsel program at the current annual level of $17.7 million. Preston cited data from the program: since 2019, nearly $68 million invested, legal representation provided to roughly 12,000 tenants; 63% of fully represented tenants stay in their homes and 92% avoid homelessness. The program is highly cost-effective, saving an estimated $10 for every $1 spent.
  • Mayor Breed acknowledged the program’s success but said she cannot commit to a specific funding amount due to the city’s significant deficit, though she listed right to counsel as a top priority and said she is reviewing it.
  • In a follow-up, Preston urged continued collaboration to maintain local rent relief funds (ERAP). Mayor Breed committed to working with the board to ensure sufficient prevention resources but noted concerns about repeat requesters and proper use of funds.
  • Mayor Breed then asked Supervisor Preston if he would support the budget if his priorities were included. Preston responded that he would need to see the budget, citing past opposition to large SFPD increases and refusal to allocate Prop I funds for social housing. He said he hopes to support the budget but will focus on preserving services for vulnerable residents.

Commendations (Special Order 2:30 PM)

• Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (May 2024): Supervisor Chan recognized the APA Heritage Foundation, especially Claudine Chang and co-chairs, for 20 years of celebrating AAPI culture.
• Miguel Carrera (Coalition on Homelessness): Supervisor Preston honored Carrera for 30 years of housing justice activism. Carrera, who experienced homelessness and exploitation, spoke about the ongoing crisis, citing 400 families on the shelter waitlist and families living in hotels for decades. He called for meaningful change and criticized budget cuts.
• Laborers Union Local 261: Supervisor Dorsey recognized public-sector laborers for essential city services, especially during the pandemic. Union leaders thanked supervisors for support on equity and apprenticeship programs.
• Willard Harris (104 years old): Supervisor Walton honored Ms. Harris, a former nursing supervisor and community leader who secured federal grants for free clinics in the 1970s. She remains active in Delta Sigma Theta and water aerobics.

Discussion Items

• Item 25 (Bayview Hunters Point Foundation contract amendment): Supervisor Walton thanked the foundation for improvements and accountability. Supervisor Chan noted the contract was right-sized for a shorter term due to pandemic challenges, emphasizing the need for ongoing performance audits.
• Item 34 (Tryfacta nurse registry contract, without recommendation): Supervisor Chan explained the contract grew from $5 million to over $11 million due to billing disputes and nurse staffing shortages. She noted $85 million in similar contracts citywide and 100,000 hours of overtime at Laguna Honda alone. The board adopted the resolution despite concerns.
• Items 30-31 (2550 Irving Street affordable housing): The board approved acquisition and a ground lease for a 100% affordable 90-unit development for low-income households, with a loan of up to $16.96 million and a $63.8 million multifamily revenue note.
• Item 33 (Piers 30-32 lease endorsement): The board found the proposed lease fiscally feasible and endorsed the term sheet.
• Introductions by Supervisors (Roll Call):
  • Supervisor Ronan introduced a resolution supporting SB 997, which would allow students to carry naloxone and use fentanyl test strips.
  • Supervisor Safai introduced the Downtown University Attraction and Retention Fund (proposed $25 million) to attract public universities to SOMA, Union Square, and the Financial District, citing Phoenix’s success with Arizona State University (11,000 students, $6.5 billion in investment).
  • Supervisor Peskin introduced the “Housing We Need Act” to create project revenue bonds for workforce housing (up to 120% AMI) using tax-exempt financing and property tax exemptions, addressing the 70,000+ stalled pipeline units. He also introduced a resolution to develop a plan to host the Sundance Film Festival in San Francisco.

Public Comments & Testimony

• One speaker urged the board to allow the condominium moratorium to lapse, arguing it would stimulate housing supply and tax revenue.
• Another speaker discussed propaganda in cinema and the need for beauty in education.
• A speaker requested investigations into alleged illegal access to city systems and suspicious deaths at 250 Kearney Street.

Key Outcomes

• Consent and regular agenda approvals: Items 2-14, 16-27, 28-29, 30-31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 were all approved (typically on a single roll call with 11 ayes). The minutes of March 26, 2024, were also approved.
• Item 15 (Vending requirements): Duplicated and sent to Rules Committee; original passed.
• Items 40-49 (Adoption without committee reference): All adopted unanimously after adding co-sponsors.
• Commendations: Approved for AAPI Heritage Month, Miguel Carrera, Laborers Union Local 261, and Willard Harris.
• No imperative agenda items or further business. Meeting adjourned after about 3 hours.