San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - October 1, 2024
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San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - October 1, 2024
The Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, with all 11 members present. The board adopted a unanimous consent calendar, passed multiple ordinances and resolutions on first reading, held special order commendations, and conducted two 3:00 p.m. Committee of the Whole hearings: one examining special education funding failures in the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) and another adding emergency security funding for Planned Parenthood Northern California. The board also adopted a resolution supporting the federal Homes Act.
Consent Calendar
- Items 1 through 5 were adopted unanimously (11-0). These included routine budget and finance approvals, grant acceptances, a commemorative plaque fee waiver, and the Greater Downtown Community Benefit District Master Permitting for Entertainment Activation Program. President Peskin highlighted the master permitting program as a first-in-the-nation permitting reform that streamlines arts and culture activations in public spaces.
Unfinished Business
- Item 6 (Police Code - Vehicle Sideshows): Supervisor Dorsey moved an amendment to the findings, adding language about seized vehicles and street takeover maneuvers. The amendment was accepted, and the ordinance passed on first reading. It will require a second-reading vote next week.
New Business
- Item 7: Ordinance retroactively authorizing acceptance of a $14,000,000 grant from the California Economic Development Department for the California Jobs First Catalyst Program (May 1, 2024 through September 30, 2026) passed on first reading.
- Items 8-10: Three resolutions accepting grants for HIV/AIDS and PrEP programs, including increases for the Adolescent Medicine Trials Network ($173,063), MyPrEP Plus ($177,860), and The Bridge Clinic for transgender and non-binary people ($160,074), were adopted unanimously. Supervisor Ronan expressed support and asked to be added as co-sponsor.
- Item 11: Resolution approving a $7,000,000 increase to the Hunters Point Family Pit Stop Workforce Development Grant Program, for a new total not to exceed $16,238,478.52, with a term extension through June 30, 2025, was adopted.
- Item 12: Resolution authorizing acceptance of an in-kind gift from Deloitte Tax LLP valued at approximately $112,089 for climate tax advisory services was adopted.
- Item 14: Resolution approving a ground lease with Five Keys Schools and Programs at 42 Otis Street for 100% permanent supportive housing, with rent not to exceed $1, was adopted.
- Items 16-19: Four resolutions responding to Civil Grand Jury reports were adopted after a technical amendment to item 17. Supervisor Melgar questioned the board's disagreement with findings in item 16 regarding climate risk communication and bond funding; Vice Chair Stefani replied that departments were consulted and the response was fact-based.
- Item 20: Ordinance establishing the 555 9th Street Special Sign District passed on first reading.
- Item 21: Ordinance expanding the SFPUC Social Impact Partnership Program passed on first reading.
- Items 22 and 23: Appointments of Claudia Quinonez to the Child Care Planning and Advisory Council and Melinda Burrus to the Sugary Drinks Distributor Tax Advisory Committee were approved.
Committee Reports
- Item 27: Ordinance amending the Building Code to excuse professionally prepared architectural drawings for certain change-of-use designations passed on first reading.
Special Order 2:30 P.M. - Commendations
- Supervisor Ronan recognized Brian and Edwin Suchi Lopez, brothers who arrived as unaccompanied minors from Guatemala and successfully advocated for the right to counsel for immigrant children. Brian is now a UC Santa Cruz student and will vote in his first election; Edwin is a senior at City Arts and Leadership High School. Both received commendations during Latinx Heritage Month.
Roll Call Introductions
- Supervisor Engardio honored former President Jimmy Carter on his 100th birthday.
- Supervisor Mandelman introduced ordinances to acquire 2280 Market Street for an LGBTQ history museum and to repeal outdated Police Code provisions regulating bathhouses.
- Supervisor Peskin, with Supervisors Preston and Melgar, introduced an e-bike incentive program aimed at reducing emissions and advancing transportation equity.
- Supervisor Ronan submitted a motion for a future Committee of the Whole on the SFUSD math pilot funded by the Student Success Fund.
- Supervisor Safai noted the passing of actor John Amos.
Adoption Without Committee Reference
- Items 30, 31, 33, and 34 were adopted unanimously on a 10-0 roll call (Supervisor Melgar excused).
- Item 32, a resolution supporting the federal Homes Act (H.R. 9662), was severed by Supervisor Preston for separate consideration. Preston spoke in support of the bill, which would create a national housing development authority, build 1.25 million climate-resilient homes, invest $300 billion, create 400,000 jobs annually, and repeal the Faircloth Amendment. The resolution was adopted.
Committee of the Whole: SFUSD Special Education Funding
- Supervisor Safai convened the hearing to examine the unaccounted $20,000,000 (later reported as over $30,000,000) in special education funding and unfilled positions, along with the use of $8,400,000 from the Student Success Fund for a new School Stabilization Team.
- SFUSD Board of Education President Matt Alexander testified that the board passed the budget in June believing special education positions were included, but learned on August 30 that they were not. Approximately 250 positions were not in the budget; the budget was amended on September 4, after the school year began. He called the situation unacceptable and requested an independent assessment by the city controller.
- Vanessa Morrero, executive director of Parents for Public Schools, explained the SELPA and Community Advisory Committee (CAC) certification process, noting that the CAC must sign off on the special education budget plan.
- Maria Su, Director of the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families, testified that the School Stabilization Team was formed on September 22 after a request from the school board. The $8,400,000 consists of $6,800,000 in unspent Student Success Fund grant funds from FY2023-24 (out of a $9,000,000 allocation, only $2,200,000 was spent) plus $1,600,000 from unallocated FY2024-25 funds. She said no city staff would be paid from these funds and that the goal is to maintain local control of the district.
- Superintendent Matt Wayne testified that 14% of SFUSD's 49,000 students have IEPs, and the special education budget is $224,000,000, over 20% of the general fund. He reported 64 vacant certificated special education classroom positions out of 516, and 209 vacant paraeducator positions out of 1,312. He acknowledged a process failure: a $60,000,000 increase was requested in April, but under state oversight and a hiring freeze, the budget office directed removal of 283 FTEs (about $30,000,000) and reduced contracted services by $37,000,000. The district ultimately added $30,000,000 after school started. He said approximately 1,000 students could be impacted by vacancies and four Williams complaints had been filed, three related to special education.
- Multiple supervisors expressed concerns: Supervisor Safai pressed on legal mandates and accountability; Supervisor Ronan and Walton warned against diverting Student Success Funds from direct student services; Supervisor Chan questioned the fiscal stabilization plan and use of one-time funds; Supervisor Preston raised the school closure timeline and urged reconsideration of the fall 2025 impact date; Supervisor Melgar stressed the need for operational systems and compliance with state and federal requirements; Supervisor Engardio asked about the PEF arts audit and whether the CAC certification process was legally bypassed.
- Public testimony was extensive. Parents, students, and advocates described failures in special education, called for a comprehensive and independent audit, and urged that Prop G / Student Success Funds be spent directly on schools and students. Several speakers shared personal stories of students with IEPs lacking teachers, paras, or services. One speaker questioned the board's jurisdiction over SFUSD.
- The hearing was filed.
Committee of the Whole: Planned Parenthood Northern California Security Grant
- Supervisor Stefani introduced the item, citing unprecedented protest activity and documented security incidents at the San Francisco Planned Parenthood health center. Between July 1 and September 26, 2024, there were 28 documented security incidents; 18% occurred in the first two days of the 40 Days for Life campaign, which began September 25.
- DPH Chief Financial Officer Drew Morel testified that the existing grant had a not-to-exceed amount of $400,000 and its security budget was exhausted by July 2024. The proposed amendment increases the grant by $171,000 to a total of $571,000 to fund one security personnel during all operating hours and two during the 40 Days for Life protests through November 3, 2024. Planned Parenthood is contributing $108,000 of its own operating funds toward the $279,666 total security cost.
- Kimberly Ellis, Director of the Department on the Status of Women, noted that a recent landscape analysis recommended increased security funding, and she voiced strong support.
- Ruth Nunez, Senior Health Center Director at Planned Parenthood, reported intimidation of patients and staff, including a gun-brandishing incident and a suspicious package, and said the center serves about 18,000 patients.
- Public comment was supportive, with one speaker suggesting an increase to $800,000. Supervisor Safai was excused from the vote. The ordinance passed on first reading by a roll call vote of 10-0.
Key Outcomes
- Consent calendar adopted unanimously (11-0).
- Vehicle sideshow ordinance amended and passed on first reading; final vote scheduled for next week.
- All Budget and Finance Committee items, Civil Grand Jury responses, appointments, and several land-use/administrative ordinances were approved.
- The SFUSD special education hearing was filed; school closure recommendations are expected before the October 18 enrollment fair, with school board action proposed for December 10, 2024.
- The Planned Parenthood security grant ordinance passed on first reading (10-0) and will return for a second reading.
- Adjourned in memory of John Amos.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon and welcome to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors regular meeting for today, Tuesday, October 1st, 2024. Madam Clerk, could you please call the roll? Thank you, Mr. President. Supervisor Chan. Chan present, Supervisor Dorsey. Dorsey present, Supervisor Renguardio. Engario present, Supervisor Mandelman, Mandelman present, Supervisor Melgar. Melgar present, Supervisor Peskin. Present. Peskin present, Supervisor Preston. Preston present, Supervisor Ronan. Ronan present, Supervisor Safayi. Safayi present, Supervisor Stephanie. Stephanie present and Supervisor Walton. Walton present. Mr. President, all members are present. Thank you, Madam Clerk. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramatusha Loney, 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 allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Madam Clerk, do you have any announcements? Yes, thank you, Mr. President. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors welcomes you all to attend this meeting in the board's legislative chamber within City Hall, second floor, room 250, where you may watch the proceeding on SFGOVTV's Channel 26 or view the live stream at WW.sfgovtv.org. To submit your public comment in writing, you can either send 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. To make a reasonable accommodation request under the Americans with Disability Act, or to request language assistance, you may contact the clerk's office at least two business days in advance. I'll give you the telephone number. It's 415 554 5184. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. Madam Clerk, would you please call the consent agenda? Items one through five are on consent. These items are considered to be routine. If a member objects, an item may be removed and considered separately. And colleagues, before we call the roll on this, I know that we already passed item five unanimously last week, but I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge and highlight this legislation in what I believe will be its final passage. This legislation represents a unique and innovative approach to permitting reform, the first actually in the country, about which other downtown business district districts have already reached out seeking to replicate. It creates a streamlined master permitting program for arts and culture activations by by putting the community benefit district in charge of the master permit over a longer duration. It allows them to get the permit once and more quickly activate public spaces, incentivizing CBDs to build and sustain long-term commitments to arts and cultural programming and to commit stewardship of underutilized public space. Our downtown recovery has immense assets, CBD governance, community partners, arts and culture institutions, public funding, and underutilized public spaces. And each CBD has gone through an in-depth creation of public realm action plans with community and stakeholder input. This legislation puts puts those assets to work over the long term.
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