San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - June 11, 2024

This regular meeting of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors occurred on June 11, 2024, at 10:15 AM (UTC). The board considered a consent agenda of routine items, heard from Mayor London Breed on a proposed bond, debated the reappointment of Police Commissioner Deborah Walker, approved numerous resolutions and labor agreements, and introduced an imperative charter amendment regarding the Student Success Fund. Public comment was heard on language access, transgender sanctuary, and worker rights. The meeting adjourned after approximately three hours.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1–15 were approved unanimously without objection. These included ordinances on the Language Access Ordinance, SFPUC budgets and bond issuances, building fees, lawsuit settlements, planning code amendments (Wawona Street Cultural Center SUD, Divisadero Street NCD, landmark designation, parklet treatment), and surveillance technology policy.
• Items 16–35 were adopted on a single vote (same house, same call) without discussion. These included fee waivers for neighborhood events, COVID-19 lease extensions for airport concessions, retroactive grants for election security and accessibility, an SFMTA agreement with Friends of the Cable Car Museum, a Meals on Wheels grant ($49.7M), a security guard contract ($33.8M), a Sunnydale HOPE SF infrastructure loan ($52.4M), overdose reduction program agreements, refugee housing grants for Ukrainians, a housing incentive program grant ($3.2M), a grant for an LGBTQ history museum ($5.5M), SFPUC water revenue bonds (up to $1.04B), and the Local Coastal Program amendment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Language Access (items 79 and general): Multiple speakers, including representatives from the Filipino Community Center, Chinese for Affirmative Action, Arab Resource and Organizing Center, and South of Market Community Action Network, urged the board to reaffirm commitment to language access. They cited challenges faced by limited-English-proficient residents in accessing city services, housing, and public safety, and called for increased bilingual staffing and funding for community-based translation services.
• Alcatraz City Cruises Workers (item 76): Several deckhands and a retired union member spoke in support of a resolution urging Hornblower Group to negotiate a fair contract with Inland Boatmen’s Union members. They described low wages ($19/hr), delay tactics, and an attempt to hire replacement workers during a strike, and requested the board's endorsement.
• Transgender Sanctuary City (item 75): Members of the trans community, including the director of the Office of Transgender Initiatives and staff from trans-led organizations, spoke in strong support of the resolution declaring San Francisco a sanctuary city for transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary, and two-spirit people. They highlighted increased demand for services from asylum seekers and the importance of protecting trans immigrants.
• Women's Housing and Survivors: Representatives from the San Francisco Women’s Housing Coalition urged the board to expedite release of Notices of Funding Availability (NOFA) for housing for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, funded by the March 2024 bond.
• Other: A veteran called for peace and community unity; a speaker advocated for an end to corruption; a parent discussed education and bilingual programs.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's Appearance (2:00 PM Special Order): Mayor London Breed addressed the board regarding a proposed General Obligation bond for the November 2024 ballot. She highlighted amendments investing over $104.5 million in capital improvements at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Laguna Honda Hospital, and funding for economic revitalization including Harvey Milk Plaza and Powell Street Station improvements. She thanked supervisors for collaboration. President Peskin noted the bond would be filed after public comment.
• Police Commission Reappointment – Deborah Walker (Item 36): Supervisor Dorsey moved to amend a motion to reject the mayor's reappointment of Commissioner Walker by changing “reject” to “approve.” A lengthy debate ensued. Supporters (Dorsey, Melgar, Mandelman, Stefani) praised Walker's decades of service, her work on LGBTQ+ issues and the “30 by 30” initiative to increase female police officers. Opponents (Walton, Ronen, Preston) argued that Walker's public statements questioning the police commission's role in setting policy and her stance on pretext stops undermined civilian oversight. After an amendment vote (7-3 in favor), the item as amended passed 7-3, with Supervisors Preston, Ronen, and Walton voting no. Commissioner Walker addressed the board, reaffirming her belief in civilian oversight and her work on discipline and policy.
• Police Commission Appointment – C. Don Clay (Item 37): Approved 10-0 on roll call.
• Other Appointments (Items 38–40): Jayshawn Anderson to Sanitation and Streets Commission approved unanimously. Jessica Campos to Child Care Planning Council approved. For the Our City, Our Home Oversight Committee, Supervisor Mandelman divided the question; Shanell Williams was approved on a voice vote, while the remaining three (Kenzia Villias-Martinis, Julia D’Antonio, Jennifer Friedenbach) were approved 7-4 after debate about differences in policy approach.
• Labor Agreements (Items 41–69): A list of 29 MOUs and collective bargaining agreements with various unions, effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027, was approved 11-0. Supervisor Preston commended the bargaining teams.
• Panda Bear Donation Waiver (Item 70): Resolution to authorize solicitation of donations for hosting pandas at the SF Zoo, amended in committee to add transparency. Passed 9-2, with Supervisors Peskin and Ronen voting no.
• Children’s Funding Resolution (Item 71): Urging restoration of $25M cut to DCYF through private donations, adopted 11-0.
• Student Success Fund Charter Amendment (Imperative Item): Supervisor Ronen introduced a motion to waive the deadline to introduce a charter amendment clarifying that the Student Success Fund (passed 2022) cannot be counted against the children’s baseline. She explained the fund was meant to be additive and that its inclusion in baseline was a recent discovery. Supervisor Melgar seconded, noting it was unintentionally shortchanging children. The board voted 11-0 to adopt the imperative motion, allowing introduction.
• Commendations (2:30 PM Special Order): Recognitions were given to:
  • DEM IT team for completing the 911 dispatch center renovation on time and on budget ($12.3M project, adding 5 workstations, completed Feb 2024).
  • Michael Boland, Chief Park Officer at the Presidio Trust, for 34 years of service including Chrissy Field and Tunnel Tops.
  • Dr. Susan Ehrlich, CEO of Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, for her leadership through COVID and beyond.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda (Items 1–35): All passed unanimously.
• Police Commission Reappointment (Item 36): Motion to approve Deborah Walker passed 7-3 (Chan, Dorsey, Engardio, Mandelman, Melgar, Peskin, Stefani voted aye; Preston, Ronen, Walton voted no).
• Police Commission Appointment (Item 37): C. Don Clay approved 10-0.
• Other Appointments: Jayshawn Anderson and Jessica Campos approved. For Our City, Our Home Oversight Committee: Shanell Williams approved; remaining three approved 7-4.
• Labor Agreements (Items 41–69): Approved 11-0.
• Panda Bear Donation Waiver (Item 70): Adopted 9-2.
• DCYF Funding Resolution (Item 71): Adopted 11-0.
• Imperative Item – Student Success Fund Charter Amendment: Motion to waive deadline adopted 11-0, allowing introduction of a charter amendment.
• Resolutions (Items 74–85, except 75 and 79): Adopted unanimously. Item 75 (Trans Sanctuary City) adopted as amended; Item 79 (Language Access) adopted.
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:15 PM local time (after 4 hours of proceedings).