San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - May 21, 2024

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors held its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, starting at 2:00 PM. The meeting included roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance, a land acknowledgment, approval of the April 16, 2024 meeting minutes (11-0), a special appearance by Mayor London Breed, multiple commendations, public hearings, and introduction of new legislation. The meeting adjourned after approximately 3 hours.

Consent Calendar

• Item 2: Ordinance to de-appropriate $4.75 million from permanent salaries and appropriate $4.75 million to overtime in the Police Department's Airport Division for FY2023-2024. Passed on first reading.
• Item 3: Resolution authorizing a revocable permit for Mission Neighborhood Centers, Inc. to use 355 sq. ft. at the Hall of Justice for a children's waiting room (5-year term, $1 annual rent). Adopted.
• Item 4: Resolution retroactively accepting a $1.4 million grant increase (new total $5.6 million) from the California Employment Development Department for WIOA programs. Adopted.
• Item 5: Resolution approving a second amendment to the Carahsoft Technology Corporation agreement for Salesforce products, increasing the not-to-exceed amount to $20.6 million and extending the term through June 30, 2030. Adopted.
• Item 6: Resolution authorizing a $20.9 million loan for 1005 Powell Street under the Small Sites Program for extremely low-income housing. Adopted. President Peskin noted the need for ongoing ELI subsidies.
• Item 7: Ordinance designating a sidewalk portion on 24th Street for a commemorative plaque honoring Peter Gabel. Passed on first reading.
• Item 8: Resolution approving an easement agreement with Midtown Lands LLC. Adopted.
• Items 9-11: Resolutions determining that liquor licenses for Castro Theatre, The Lab, and Domaine SF serve public convenience. Adopted.
• Item 12: Ordinance approving the Human Services Agency's surveillance technology policy for call recording. Passed on first reading.
• Item 13: Ordinance (Housing Needs Report and DAS name updates) passed on first reading.
• Item 14: Motion to veto Ethics Commission regulations (proposed rules 1.126-9 and 1.127-4) was tabled after the Ethics Commission provided clarifying memo. Supervisor Ronan moved to table, seconded.
• Item 18: Ordinance requiring conditional use authorization for parcel delivery services. Passed on first reading.

Special Orders

2:00 PM – Mayor's Appearance

Mayor London Breed appeared for a formal policy discussion. Supervisor Safai asked about collaboration on sober housing, referencing a $3.6 million allocation from the previous budget. Mayor Breed confirmed her commitment to abstinence-based recovery programs, noting over $20 million invested in seven locations, and expressed willingness to work with Supervisor Safai's office. The exchange concluded with both parties agreeing to collaborate.

2:30 PM – Commendations

• Jennifer Choi: Chief Trial Deputy in the City Attorney's Office, recognized for leading the gun violence restraining order program (13 filed in 2024) and code enforcement work. She is a first-generation Korean immigrant.
• Heather Woodward: Founder of the creative writing department at Ruth Asawa School of the Arts (SOTA), retiring after 27 years. Recognized for her dedication to student writers.
• Nicole Bonn: Director of the Mayor's Office of Disability, departing to lead the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund. Recognized for 30+ years of disability advocacy, including creating the Disability Community Cultural Center and leading pandemic response.
• San Francisco Asian Police Officers Association (SFAPOA): Recognized for promoting career development of AAPI officers, community engagement, and recruitment. A recruitment video featuring Sergeant Colbert Chu was shown.

3:00 PM – Hearings

• Item 15: Hearing on the progress of the U.S. Department of Justice findings and recommendations. Supervisor Walton moved to continue the hearing to July 16, 2024. Motion approved without objection.
• Items 16-17: Public hearing on the report of delinquent charges for code enforcement violations. Department of Building Inspection staff reported 14 properties removed from the list after negotiations. The board amended the resolution to remove those properties and then adopted the resolution as amended.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Code Enforcement Hearing: Several property owners spoke, disputing fees or seeking extensions. Most resolved issues with DBI staff, leading to removals from the list.
• General Public Comment:
  • Multiple taxi medallion holders (including medallion numbers 1225, 624) described business losses due to rideshare apps and airport construction. They requested city assistance, such as reducing medallion prices or requiring TCP permits for rideshares.
  • Richard S.T. Peterson reported a Muni rear door design flaw that injured his hand; he urged corrective action.
  • Jim McAfee alleged misconduct at Laguna Honda Hospital regarding his domestic partner's care and recertification.
  • Another speaker criticized case management services in homeless housing programs, calling for better oversight and an ombudsman.

Discussion Items (Roll Call for Introductions)

• Supervisor Dorsey introduced a charter amendment for the November 2024 ballot to re-establish minimum police staffing at 2,074 full-duty officers (starting July 1, 2025), create a deferred retirement option program (DROP) for sworn officers, and require periodic staffing adjustments. Co-authored by President Peskin and Supervisor Stephanie, with six co-sponsors.
• Supervisor Melgar introduced a charter amendment to revamp the Our Children, Our Families Council, creating a seven-member body to align city and SFUSD spending with measurable outcomes. Also introduced a resolution urging the Department of Early Childhood to expand childcare investments, including a 10-year spending plan and support for 24/7 childcare for first responders.
• President Peskin introduced three charter amendments: (1) creating an Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund for seniors and families (targeting 2,100 ELI households), (2) establishing an Inspector General within the Controller's Office to investigate fraud, waste, and abuse, and (3) two versions of a government reform measure to streamline commissions while preserving public oversight, in response to the Together SF initiative.
• Supervisor Safai introduced a charter amendment to improve retention and recruitment of nurses and 911 dispatchers by allowing buyback of up to three years of retirement credit for temporary nurses and equalizing retirement benefits for dispatchers. Noted 20% vacancy rate for dispatchers and 170+ vacant RN positions.
• Supervisor Preston introduced a resolution supporting state bills (AB 2655, AB 2839, AB 3211, SB 1228) to address AI-generated deceptive content in elections. Also introduced a resolution condemning racist threats against the Williams family, which was amended to include a major fire at the family home on May 21, 2024. The board urged SFPD and SFFD investigations and temporary housing support.

Key Outcomes

• Passed: All consent calendar items (items 2-12, 13, 18); resolutions on AI in elections (item 22) and condemning racist threats (item 23, as amended); amended code enforcement assessment resolution (item 17).
• Tabled: Ethics commission regulation veto (item 14).
• Continued: DOJ hearing (item 15) to July 16, 2024.
• Referred to Committee: Resolution urging restoration of $25 million in DCYF funding (item 24) sent to Government Audit and Oversight Committee.
• Introduced: Multiple charter amendments for November 2024 ballot, including police staffing, children/youth accountability, affordable housing, inspector general, government reform, and nurse/dispatcher retention.