San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting – September 10, 2024
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San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting – September 10, 2024
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, beginning at 10:15 AM. The meeting included a consent agenda, reports from the Budget and Finance Committee, a special appearance by Mayor London Breed, commendations, public comment, and several items of new business. Key discussions centered on government contracting reforms, public drug use, rent control, and recognition of community members.
Consent Calendar
- Items 1 and 2 were approved unanimously without discussion. These routine items included authorizing Certificates of Participation for the Concourse Garage Project (not to exceed $29,000,000) and a Business and Tax Regulations Code amendment regarding transfer tax reduction for union labor-built and union pension fund-financed housing.
Special Orders
- 2:00 PM – Mayor’s Appearance: Mayor London Breed addressed the board, emphasizing her administration’s efforts to increase transparency, oversight, and accountability in city government. She highlighted over 60 good government reforms, suspension or debarment of 14 contracts (representing over $10 million in completed work and $30 million in remaining contract value), and significant financial recoveries including over $100 million from Recology. She introduced new contract reform legislation co-sponsored by Supervisor Stefani to prevent misuse of public funds for political activity or lawsuits against the city. No questions were submitted by the board.
- 2:30 PM – Commendations: The board recognized three individuals and organizations:
- Martha Cohen, Mayor’s Director of Special Events, honored for decades of service organizing major events including APEC, Pride, and citywide celebrations. Multiple supervisors praised her effectiveness.
- Canine Companions for Independence, a nonprofit providing service dogs to people with disabilities. Supervisor Stefani noted that over 7,850 dogs have been placed, and that only 16,000 service dogs from accredited programs are available for 64 million Americans with disabilities. A client, Janet Corsetti, described how her hearing dog Queenie provides security.
- Nick Gregorados, retiring director of Prison Legal Services (PLS) after 27 years. PLS protects rights of incarcerated people; during the pandemic it helped collect stimulus checks, and in 2018 registered nearly 500 voters. Sheriff Miyamoto praised his leadership.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Several taxi drivers expressed distress over the impact of rideshare companies, stating they work 12–14 hours a day for minimal income and that only 1% of airport pickups are by taxis. They requested reduction of medallion prices to $100,000–$125,000.
- A speaker named Jordan criticized Supervisor Mandelman and Supervisor Safai, alleging support for oppressive policies and sexual misconduct, and called for accountability.
- Members of the Special Police Officers Association (SPOA) requested funding for training and re-entry programs for formerly incarcerated individuals. One speaker, Jeffrey Galbraith, who spent 22 years in prison, said SPOA gave him a chance at a new life.
- Everett Morgan, a former city employee, spoke about a wrongful termination complaint filed with the City Attorney’s office and an ongoing EEO investigation.
- Susan Porter Bexted announced United Against Hate Week (September 21–27) and encouraged participation.
- Francisco spoke about the treatment of a PUC commissioner and urged the board to maintain standards.
Discussion Items
- Item 3 (Budget Committee Report): Ordinance to de-appropriate and re-appropriate funds for District 7 projects and services. Specific allocations included $50,000 to Arts Commission for mural artwork, $125,000 to children/youth for playground improvements, $162,000 to Public Works for maintenance, $13,000 to Library for digital literacy, $49,000 to Recreation and Parks for trail renovation, and $150,000 to Municipal Transportation Agency for traffic calming and a parklet. Passed on first reading.
- Items 4–8 (Budget Committee Reports): Approved resolutions for an easement acquisition ($83,500), a grant from Larkin Street Youth Services ($181,368), a lease for a disability community cultural center (15 years, $60,353 annual base rent plus $1,167,500 tenant improvements), an engineering contract amendment for stormwater improvements ($17,800,000), and a grant application for affordable housing funding (up to $5,000,000). All adopted.
- Item 9 (Committee Report): Settlement of lawsuit Build Group, Inc. for $350,000 related to cost overruns and delays at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. Passed on first reading.
- Roll Call for Introductions: Supervisors introduced new business:
- Supervisor Stefani: In memoriam for Emilio Bernardini, a longtime Cow Hollow resident and butcher.
- Supervisor Walton: In memoriam for Adam Ardenal Banks, a legendary high school track coach and educator.
- Supervisor Dorsey: Submitted a letter of inquiry on “Drug-Free Sidewalks,” seeking collaboration on mandatory drug treatment, potential use of Prop 36 (if passed), and scaling up interventions for public drug use. He emphasized that drug treatment need not be voluntary to be effective and that expungement should follow successful completion.
- Supervisor Mandelman: Introduced a resolution recognizing United Against Hate Week, September 21–27, 2024.
- Supervisor Melgar: Introduced a motion to convene in closed session on September 24 to discuss the lawsuit San Francisco vs. EPA (to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court on October 16).
- Supervisor Peskin: Introduced an ordinance to expand rent control to all multifamily buildings built as of November 5, 2024, contingent on the repeal of Costa Hawkins (via Prop 33). The ordinance would protect approximately 100,000 renters from arbitrary rent increases. Co-sponsors included Supervisors Walton, Ronen, and Chan. He also adjourned in memory of Chief Deputy Kevin Fisher Paulson of the Sheriff’s Department.
- Supervisor Safai: Introduced a resolution declaring September 16, 2024 as “Massa Mini Day” honoring Mahsa Amini, whose death sparked the Women, Life, Freedom movement in Iran. He also noted that City Hall would be lit in red, white, and green on that day.
- Adoption Without Committee Reference (Items 13–17): Unanimously adopted resolutions including:
- Transit Month – September 2024
- Use Agreement with CSUITEMUSIC for documentary “SFPD Journey to Justice”
- Consolidation of Elections for November 5, 2024
- 180-day extension for Planning Commission review of a rooftop addition at 1896 Pacific Avenue
- National Service Dog Awareness Month – September 2024
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Passed unanimously.
- Budget Committee Items (3–8): All passed on first reading or resolved.
- Lawsuit Settlement (Item 9): Ordinance passed on first reading.
- New Business Introductions: All items were submitted; further action will occur at later meetings or as noted (e.g., closed session on September 24 for EPA lawsuit).
- Adoption Without Committee Reference: Resolutions 13–17 adopted unanimously.
- Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned in memory of Emilio Bernardini, Adam Arnold Banks, and Kevin Thaddeus Fisher Paulson.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon and welcome to the regular meeting of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for today, Tuesday, September 10th, 2024. Madam Clerk, could you please call the roll? Thank you, Mr. President. Supervisor Chan. Chan present, Supervisor Dorsey. Dorsey present, Supervisor Ingario, Engardeo present, Supervisor Mandelman. Mandelman present, Supervisor Milgar. Melgar present, Supervisor Peskin. Present. Peskin present, Supervisor Preston. Preston present, Supervisor Ronin. Ronan not present, Supervisor Safai. Safaye not present, Supervisor Stephanie. Stephanie present and Supervisor Walton. Walton present. Mr. President, you have a quorum. Thank you. 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 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 through the flag of the United States of America and two of the public for which it stands. One nation under God is the role. We have a motion to approve the July 30th, 2024 minutes. Is there a motion to that effect made by Supervisor Stephanie, seconded by Supervisor Walton on that motion made and seconded, Madam Clerk? A roll call, please. On the minutes, Supervisor Stephanie. Stephanie I, Supervisor Walton. Walton, I, Supervisor Chan. Chan, I, Supervisor Dorsey. Dorsey I, Supervisor Ringardio, Engardeo, I, Supervisor Mandelman. Mandelman, I, Supervisor Melgar. Melgar, I, Supervisor Peskin. Aye. Peskin I, Supervisor Preston. Preston, I, Supervisor Ronan. Ronan, I, and Supervisor Safayi. Safayi, I. There are 11 ayes. The motion is approved. Madam Clerk, could you please call the consent agenda? Yes. We have two items on consent, items one and two. These items are considered to be routine. If a member objects, an item may be removed and considered separately. Would any member like an items or item severed? Seeing none, we will take these items, same house, same call.
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