San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting – December 10, 2024

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 10:15 a.m. The meeting included approval of the consent calendar, a special order at 3:00 p.m. to hear an appeal of the SFMTA's decision on overnight recreational large vehicle parking restrictions, four commendations, and numerous regular agenda items covering housing, port leases, settlements, and policy amendments. The board voted 7–3 to conditionally reverse the SFMTA's RV parking ban, overturning the mayor-backed policy.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Items 1–14 en bloc, including routine ordinances: fee eliminations, $571 million in general obligation bonds for seawall, earthquake safety, and affordable housing; settlement approvals (Scott Edwards – $650,000; Annamarie Faro – $195,000; Rick Lam – $350,000; Maria Elena Rosales – $95,000; Steven Benvenuto – $70,000; Michael J. Turon – 2722-2724 Folsom Street); planning code amendments and street vacations; administrative code changes for Shelter Monitoring Committee, Surveillance Technology Ordinance, Artificial Intelligence Inventory, and Rapid Rehousing Policy.

Public Comments & Testimony

• RV Parking Ban Appeal (3:00 p.m. Special Order): Over 40 speakers, including representatives from La Raza Community Resource Center, Coalition on Homelessness, Compass Family Services, and individuals living in RVs, urged the board to reverse the SFMTA decision. Key points: the ban would harm the 1,400+ people living in vehicles (90% of unsheltered families are in vehicles); towing would destroy the only shelter for many families, children, seniors, and disabled persons; the city lacks sufficient shelter beds (over 500 families on waitlist) and safe parking sites; the policy would disproportionately affect immigrants, people of color, and low-income workers. Several speakers cited a lack of meaningful outreach and housing offers before enforcement.

Discussion Items

• Item 15 – Settlement for Paul Wildes and Reed Sandberg: Ordinance authorizing a $3,250 payment plus injunctive relief for alleged discrimination. Passed 7–3 (Supervisors Walton, Peskin, Preston voting no).
• Items 16–18 – Port of San Francisco Items: Lease terminations and new leases for Waterfront Plaza (57-year term, $1M initial rent) and Pier 45 Sheds A & C, plus transfer tax exemption for port leases. Approved 10–0.
• Items 19–23 – Treasure Island Infrastructure Financing: Certificate of participation up to $65M, appropriation of $65.55M, and related resolutions. Approved en bloc.
• Items 25–28 – Homelessness Support Housing Leases and Grants: Ground lease with Abode Property Management ($1 rent), $14.2M grant for supportive housing, $43.5M amendment for St. Vincent de Paul, $17.8M amendment for Compass Family Services. Approved.
• Item 32 – Embarcadero Plaza Grant (BXP): Deferred to committee on motion by Supervisor Chan (seconded by Ronan) for further capital planning discussion.
• Items 38–39 – Casa Adelante Affordable Housing (1515 South Van Ness): Up to $107.6M in revenue notes and $45.2M loan for 168-unit 100% affordable project. Approved with celebratory remarks by Supervisor Ronan.
• Item 40 – Potrero Yard Modernization Project: Endorsed design-build-finance-operate-maintain agreement (milestone payments up to $200M, annual payments up to $42.2M over 30 years). Approved.
• Item 41 – Bay FC Training Facility Lease on Treasure Island: 25-year lease with extensions, $28,000/month after occupancy. Approved. Supervisor Dorsey noted co-sponsors and commended the project.
• Items 45–47 – Referred Items from Budget Committee (Marina Fees, HomeRise, Mid-Market Foundation): Supervisor Chan explained the difficult choices due to budget deficits, audit flags, and overspending. All three items were approved.
• Items 49–52 – RV Parking Restrictions Appeal: After extensive public comment, the board considered three motions: (50) Affirm SFMTA decision; (51) Conditionally reverse; (52) Prepare findings. Supervisor Preston moved to table item 50 and adopt items 51 and 52, seconded by Supervisor Walton.
  • Discussion: Supervisors Mandelman and Melgar expressed concerns about resources and the need for safe parking sites first, but ultimately supported the reversal. Supervisor Safai called the policy a political ploy and supported the appeal.
  • Vote: 7–3 (Supervisors Dorsey, Engardio, Mandelman dissenting). The SFMTA decision was conditionally reversed; the board will adopt written findings based on the appeal arguments.
• Item 56 – Chevron Unlitigated Claims (Kern County Property): Conveyance of city-owned land in Kern County to Chevron. Supervisor Chan explained her no vote, citing climate concerns. Passed 8–2 (Chan, Melgar no).
• Commendations (2:30 p.m. Special Order): Recognitions for Airport Director Ivar Sattero (retiring after 40 years), League of Women Voters of San Francisco, Andrew Jordan Nance (Mindful Arts SF), Tracy and John Gallardo (Mission District community leaders), and Presidio Bay Foundation (for Scholars Summer Program).

Key Outcomes

• Conditionally reversed SFMTA's overnight RV parking ban (7–3). The board directed preparation of written findings for the reversal, effectively nullifying the policy.
• Approved $571M general obligation bonds for capital projects (consent).
• Approved over $107M for Casa Adelante affordable housing at 1515 South Van Ness.
• Endorsed Potrero Yard modernization with key financial terms.
• Approved Bay FC training facility lease on Treasure Island.
• Defeated (deferred) Embarcadero Plaza grant to committee for capital plan alignment.
• Approved settlement agreements for lawsuits totaling approximately $2.66 million (Items 53–55) and several smaller settlements.
• Adopted 2025 board meeting schedule with amendments (removed September 23 for Rosh Hashanah; moved December 2 meeting to November 25).
• Seniority lottery for four incoming supervisors (Cheyenne Chen, Jackie Fielder, Bilal Mahmud, Danny Sauter) was conducted; order of seniority will be posted.