San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - July 30, 2024
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San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - July 30, 2024
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors held its last regular meeting before the summer recess on July 30, 2024, at 10:15 AM. With a quorum of 10 supervisors (Supervisor Walton excused), the board adopted a consent agenda, passed several ordinances and resolutions, heard special commendations, and conducted public comment. Key actions included ordering a charter amendment for firefighter retirement to the November ballot, passing a pretrial diversion contract amendment (9-1), and approving various grants and leases.
Consent Calendar
- Items 1–8 were adopted unanimously as routine, including settlement agreements, a memorandum of understanding with SEIU Local 1021, and building code amendments.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Several members of the public spoke on a range of issues: Chris Workline raised concerns about public health surveillance credentials; Jim McApee requested a full accounting of Laguna Honda Hospital certification; Leah McGeever spoke against homeless encampment sweeps; Peter Warfield criticized the library's new mission statement; and a speaker urged action on fentanyl in schools and playgrounds.
- Honey Mahogany, Director of the Office of Trans Initiatives, spoke in support of the resolution declaring August 2024 as Transgender History Month.
Discussion Items
- Item 12 (Fire Department Retirement Charter Amendment): Supervisor Stephanie sponsored a charter amendment to lower the maximum service credit retirement age from 58 to 55 for firefighters hired on or after January 7, 2012, citing elevated cancer rates. The board ordered it submitted to the November 5, 2024 election.
- Item 14 (Pretrial Diversion Contract Amendment): The board debated a $34,668,237 contract amendment with the San Francisco Pretrial Diversion Project. Supervisor Stephanie expressed concerns about data validity and noncompliance with SB 36. Supervisor Chan noted the Budget and Legislative Analyst recommended approval. The resolution passed 9-1 (Stephanie opposed).
- Item 23 (Lease for Twin Peaks Petroleum): Supervisor Melgar presented a 20-year lease for a legacy gas station at 598 Portola Drive, with a requirement to transition to biofuels. Supervisor Preston opposed due to environmental opposition. Passed 9-1 (Preston opposed).
- Item 29 (First Responder Student Loan Forgiveness Fund): Supervisor Safai introduced a ballot measure to create a fund for sworn police, fire, sheriff, paramedics, nurses, and dispatchers. After debate, the board voted 6-4 to place it on the November ballot.
- Item 35 (Ban on Algorithmic Rent-Setting): Supervisor Peskin introduced an ordinance to prohibit algorithmic devices for setting rents. Passed unanimously.
Commendations
- The board honored Fire Chief Janine Nicholson (retirement), Deputy City Attorney Ann Pearson (new role), Sutro Stewards (Mount Sutro restoration), and Green Cross (20th anniversary).
Introductions and Memoriams
- Supervisors introduced legislation on renovictions, BMR homeownership program fixes, and downtown master permitting for arts activation.
- The board adjourned in memory of Maureen Sullivan, Nathan Perkis, Larry Bush, and Officer Luciano Ortega.
Key Outcomes
- Charter Amendment for Fire Department Retirement (Item 12): Ordered submitted to November 2024 ballot.
- Pretrial Diversion Contract Amendment (Item 14): Approved 9-1.
- Twin Peaks Petroleum Lease (Item 23): Approved 9-1.
- First Responder Student Loan Forgiveness Fund (Item 29): Placed on November ballot (6-4).
- Ban on Algorithmic Rent-Setting (Item 35): Passed unanimously.
- Appointments: Amy Campbell and Sean McGarry to Planning Commission, Kavin Williams to Building Inspection Commission, and Raquel Redondiez to Yerba Buena Gardens Conservancy Board.
- Resolutions Adopted: Transgender History Month (August 2024), Korean Chuseok Day (September 17, 2024), and others.
- Ballot Arguments: Assigned supervisors to write proponent/opponent arguments for November measures.
- Grants and Contracts Approved: Included retroactive grants for emergency management, Boys & Girls Clubs, Centers for Equity and Success, Eviction Defense Collaborative, and Positive Resource Center.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon and welcome to the regularly scheduled board meeting of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for today, July 30th, 2024, our last meeting before the summer recess. Madam Clerk, would you please call the roll? Thank you, Mr. President. Supervisor Chan. Chan present, Supervisor Dorsey. Dorsey present, Supervisor Engardio. Engario present, Supervisor Mandelman. Mandelman present, Supervisor Melgar. Melgar present, Supervisor Peskin. Present. Peskin present, Supervisor Preston. Preston present, Supervisor Ronan. Ronan present, Supervisor Safai. Safai present, Supervisor Stephanie. Stephanie present and Supervisor Walton. Walton not present. Mr. President, you have a quorum. Thank you, Madam Clerk. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramatushalone, who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula. As the indigenous stewards of this land and in accordance with their tradition traditions, the Ramatushaloni have never ceded, lost nor forgotten their responsibilities as the caretakers of this place as well as for all peoples who reside in their traditional territory. As guests, we recognize that we benefit from living and working on their traditional homeland. We wish to pay our respects by acknowledging the ancestors, elders, and relatives of the Ramatushalone community and by affirming their sovereign rights as first peoples. Colleagues, please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation on Indus with liberty and justice for all. Colleagues, can we have a motion to excuse Supervisor Walton made by Supervisor Mandelman, seconded by Supervisor Ronan, and we will take that without objection. Supervisor Walton is excused. Madam Clerk, do you have any communications? Thank you, Mr. President. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors welcomes interested persons to attend this meeting here in the board's legislative chamber in this uh in City Hall, second floor, room 250, or you may watch the proceeding on SFGOV TV's Channel 26 or view the live stream at WWW.sfgovtv.org. You can submit your public comment in writing by sending an email to BOS at SFgov.org, or you can use the Postal Service, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the number one, Dr. Carlton B. Goodlitt Place, City Hall, Room 244, San Francisco, California, 94102. To make a reasonable accommodation request under the Americans with Disability Act or to request language assistance, please contact the clerk's office at least two business days in advance by calling 415-5545184. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Is there a motion to approve the June 25th, 2024 minutes? Motion made by Supervisor Preston seconded by Supervisor Dorsey on that motion made and seconded. Madam Clerk, a roll call, please. On the minutes, Supervisor Ronan. Ronan I, Supervisor Safai. Safai I, Supervisor Stephanie, Stephanie I, Supervisor Chan, Chan I, Supervisor Dorsey, Dorsey, I, Supervisor Engardio, Engario, I, Supervisor Mandelman, Mandelman, I, Supervisor Melgar, Melgar, I, Supervisor Peskin. I. Peskin, I, and Supervisor Preston. Preston, I. There are 10 ayes.
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