San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - September 24, 2024
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San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - September 24, 2024
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting on September 24, 2024, starting at 10:15 AM. The meeting included a consent agenda, multiple legislative items, a closed session regarding litigation with the EPA, and a special order hearing on a CEQA appeal for the 700 Indiana Street project. The board voted on various ordinances, resolutions, and motions, with several items passing after debate.
Consent Calendar
- Items 1 through 5 were approved unanimously (11-0). These included routine approvals such as park code amendments, tax-exempt certificates of participation (not to exceed $61,395,000), and surveillance technology policies for police and emergency management.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Closed Session (EPA lawsuit): Over 30 members of the public, including representatives from Sierra Club, Surfrider, and community organizations, urged the board to drop the city's lawsuit against the EPA. They argued that the lawsuit could weaken the Clean Water Act, harm public health, and damage San Francisco's environmental reputation. Several speakers shared personal stories of illness from sewage-contaminated water. No speakers supported the lawsuit.
- 700 Indiana Street Appeal: Public comment was divided. Appellants and neighborhood representatives argued that the planning department failed to adequately review environmental impacts, particularly regarding shadow, air quality, and hazardous materials. Project supporters, including biotech workers, union representatives, and business groups, emphasized the need for lab space, job creation, and economic recovery, and noted that the project meets CEQA requirements.
Discussion Items
- Item 6 – Drone Ordinance (Unassisted Aerial Vehicles): Passed 9-2 with Supervisors Ronan and Walton voting no. Supervisor Preston expressed concern about data accuracy in findings, but the ordinance was approved on first reading.
- Item 11 – Student Success Fund Grant ($26,519,360): Extended discussion about SFUSD transparency and use of funds. Supervisors Walton, Safai, and Ronan raised concerns about potential school closures and lack of accountability. DCYF Director Maria Sue and staff responded. The resolution was adopted after debate.
- Item 21 – Vehicle Sideshow Ordinance: Passed on first reading. Supervisors Preston, Safai, and Walton criticized the ordinance as largely performative, noting existing laws. Supervisor Dorsey defended it as a clarifying tool. The board requested accurate findings be provided for second reading.
- Closed Session (2:30 PM): The board convened to discuss the pending litigation with the U.S. EPA. After the session, the board voted 10-0 (Supervisor Peskin absent) to not disclose deliberations.
- Special Order 3:00 PM – 700 Indiana Street CEQA Appeal: A public hearing was held on the appeal of a general plan evaluation (GPE) for a 70,650 sq ft biotech lab at 700 Indiana Street. Appellants argued the GPE was inadequate for failing to review shadow impacts on Dog Patch Arts Plaza, air quality mitigation, and hazardous materials. Planning department staff and project sponsor (MBC Biolabs) countered that the project was consistent with the Eastern Neighborhoods EIR and that all analyses were properly conducted. The board voted 2-8 against a motion to reverse the GPE (Supervisors Ronan and Walton in favor), and then voted 9-1 to affirm the planning department's determination (Supervisor Walton dissenting). The project's CEQA exemption was upheld.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (11-0).
- Item 6 (Drones): Passed 9-2.
- Item 7 (USDA Forest Service Grant): Passed 11-0.
- Items 8-9 (Certificates of Participation & Parking Garage Management): Passed on same house same call.
- Item 11 (Student Success Fund): Adopted after discussion.
- Item 12 (Dementia Care Program): Adopted.
- Item 13 (Workers' Comp Fraud Grant): Adopted.
- Item 14 (Property Tax Rate): Adopted.
- Item 15 (Commemorative Plaque): Passed.
- Item 16 (Downtown Entertainment Activation): Passed.
- Item 17 (Mike Chen appointment to SFMTA Board): Approved.
- Item 18 (Urban Forestry Council Appointments): Approved.
- Item 19 (Eleanor Blume appointment to Public Works Commission): Approved.
- Item 21 (Vehicle Sideshow Ordinance): Passed on first reading; amendments to findings requested for second reading.
- Closed Session: Board voted 10-0 not to disclose deliberations.
- 700 Indiana Street Appeal: Motion to reverse GPE failed 2-8; motion to affirm GPE passed 9-1.
- For Adoption Without Committee Reference (Items 28, 31, 32): Adopted. Items 29 (St. Vincent de Paul School Day) and 30 (USS Dianne Feinstein) were approved after separate votes.
- Introductions: Supervisor Safai requested a hearing on SFUSD financial issues; Supervisor Chan introduced a resolution urging SFUSD to reconsider school closures; Supervisor Dorsey requested legislation on notification policies for permanent supportive housing. The meeting adjourned in memory of Rudy Saddleberger, Ed Donnelly, and Ali Reza Garavi.
Meeting Transcript
Thank you, Mr. President. Supervisor Chan. Chan present, Supervisor Dorsey. Dorsey present, Supervisor Ringardio. Engartio present, Supervisor Mandelman. Mandelman present, Supervisor Melgar. Melgar present, Supervisor Peskin. Present. Peskin present, Supervisor Preston. Preston present, Supervisor Ronan. Ronan present, Supervisor Safaye. Safaye present, Supervisor Stephanie. Stephanie present and Supervisor Walton. Walton present. Mr. President, all members are present. Thank you. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors acknowledges 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 in accordance with their traditions, the Ramatusaloni 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 Ramatushaloni 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 stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Madam Clerk, could you please read the consent agenda? Or do you have any announcements? Yes, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors welcomes you to attend this meeting in the board's legislative chamber, City Hall, second floor, room two fifty. Or you may watch the proceeding on SFCov TV's Channel 26 or view the live stream at WWW. SFGOVTV.org. You may submit your public comment in writing by either sending an email to BOS at SFgov.org or via the U.S. Postal Service to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the number one, Dr. Carlton B. Goodlitt Place City Hall, Room 244, San Francisco, California, 94102. If you need 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 415 554 5184. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Could you please read the consent agenda? Yes. Items pardon me. Items one through five are on consent. These items are considered to be routine. If a member objects, an item may be con uh may be removed and considered separately. Seeing no names on the roster, Madam Clerk, would you please call the roll on items one through five? On items one through five, Supervisor Chan. On items one through five. Chan I, Supervisor Dorsey. Dorsey I, Supervisor Rengario, Engario, I, Supervisor Mandelman. Mandelman I, Supervisor Melgar. Melgar, I, Supervisor Peskin.
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