San Francisco Board of Supervisors Special Meeting - October 15, 2024
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San Francisco Board of Supervisors Special Meeting - October 15, 2024
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors held a special meeting on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 10:15 AM. The meeting was called to order with a roll call showing 10 supervisors present (Supervisor Stephanie was excused). The board voted on five ordinances and heard public comments on each. Introductions included new legislation and resolutions. All items passed unanimously.
Public Comments
- Item 1 (Operational Elevators): Amina Rubio (District 3 resident) supported the ordinance, citing safety concerns for elderly residents trapped in buildings with broken elevators.
- Item 2 (Entertainment Zones): Leah McGeever (District 6) opposed, criticizing the city's priorities toward entertainment over housing and basic needs. Andrew Bennett (President of IATSE Local 16) supported, noting the need for a vibrant city and asking that workers be included in planning.
- Item 3 (Gas Infrastructure for EPCA Appliances): Amina Rubio spoke in favor but asked that tenants not bear the costs of new appliances, noting unequal access between market-rate and non-market-rate units.
- Item 4 (Rent Control Exemption): Multiple speakers supported the expansion: Fred Sherburn Zimmer (Housing Rights Committee), Keen Chiquinetta (Jobs with Justice SF), Teresa Dulales (SomCAN), and others argued rent control protects tenants from displacement. One speaker, Richard S.D. Peterson, opposed, citing difficulties evicting non-paying tenants under current rent control.
- Item 5 (OVWR & SHARP): Leah McGeever expressed distrust of the board's ability to handle sexual assault legislation. Joy Zann (San Francisco Youth Commission) supported the ordinance, emphasizing confidentiality and youth access.
Discussion Items
- Item 1 – Housing Code – Operational Elevators: Ordinance to require R1 and R2 buildings to maintain at least one elevator for resident use. Passed 10-0.
- Item 2 – Administrative Code – Entertainment Zones: Created two entertainment zones: Mid-Market (Market Street between 5th and 6th Streets) and Arena (near Chase Center). Passed unanimously.
- Item 3 – Building Code – Gas Infrastructure for EPCA Appliances: Allowed new construction meeting electricity-ready guidelines to install gas infrastructure for appliances covered by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Passed unanimously.
- Item 4 – Administrative Code – New Construction Exemption from Rent Control: Provided that new units built between June 14, 1979, and June 13, 1994, would be subject to rent control if Costa Hawkins is repealed or modified. Passed unanimously.
- Item 5 – Administrative Code – Clarifying Duties of OVWR; Moving SHARP to OVWR: Consolidated the Office of Victim and Witness Rights and the Office of Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention, adding trauma-informed assistance requirements. Passed unanimously.
Legislation Introduced & Resolutions
- Supervisor Melgar: Introduced a formal request for a performance and management audit of the San Francisco Zoo (citing concerns about conditions and animal/worker safety) and an ordinance to allow more flexible window replacement standards for homeowners.
- Supervisor Preston: Introduced a resolution in support of Proposition 6 (ending forced labor in California prisons).
- Supervisor Ronan: Introduced legislation requiring the city's Chief Information Officer to create a public inventory of AI systems used by the city, conduct AI impact assessments, and establish procurement standards. The aim is to increase transparency and regulate AI before harms occur.
- Supervisor Safai: Added his name as co-sponsor of the zoo audit.
Key Outcomes
- All five ordinances were finally passed. Item 1 had a recorded roll call vote of 10-0; items 2–5 were passed on a single roll call vote (same house, same call).
- The board accepted the introductions, which will proceed to committee.
- No public comments were made on introductions.
- The meeting adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon and welcome to today's special board meeting for Tuesday, October 15th, 2024. Madam Clerk, would you please call the roll? Yes, Supervisor Chan. Chan present, Supervisor Dorsey. Dorsey present, Supervisor Engardio. Engardio present. Supervisor Mandelman. Present. Mandelman present. Supervisor Melgar. Melgar present. Supervisor Peskin. Present. Peskin present. Supervisor Preston. Preston present. Supervisor Ronin. Ronan present. Supervisor Safai. Safai not present. Oh, present. Safai present. Supervisor Stephanie. Stephanie not present. And Supervisor Walton. Walton present. Mr. President, you have a quorum. Thank you. Colleagues, can we have a motion to excuse Supervisor Stephanie made by Supervisor Safai, seconded by Supervisor Mandelman? We will take that without objection. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramatusha Loni, 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. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. Madam Clerk, could you do you have any announcements? Yes, thank you, Mr. President. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors welcomes you to attend its meetings in the boards of legislative chamber at City Hall on the second floor, room 250, or watch the proceedings on SFGov TV's Channel 2 or live stream at sfgovtv.org. Pursuant to administrative code section 67.15B. Every item on this special meeting agenda will have public comment. There will not be an opportunity for general public comment today. You may also submit your public comment by email to BOS at SFGO V dot ORG or via U.S. Postal Service to the Board of Supervisors at number one, Dr. Carlton B. Goodlit Place, City Hall, Room 244, San Francisco, California, 94102. To make a reasonable accommodation request under the Americans with Disability Act or to request a language assistance, please contact the clerk's office at least two business days in advance by calling 415-554-5184. Members, Mr. President, that concludes my communication.
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