San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting – February 11, 2025
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San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting – February 11, 2025
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors held its regular meeting on February 11, 2025, at 2:00 PM. The meeting featured a special appearance by Mayor Daniel Lurie for a policy discussion on Muni funding, approval of numerous consent and regular agenda items, committee reports, introduction of new legislation, and public testimony on transit, public safety, and other city issues. Several votes were taken, including the passage of a core initiatives ordinance (10-1) and multiple appointments to regional boards.
Consent Calendar
- Items 2–5 (Refunding Certificates of Participation for port projects, appropriations, Planning Code amendment for 99 Rhode Island Street, and exempting Midtown Park Apartments from construction contracting requirements) were approved unanimously without discussion.
Mayoral Appearance and Policy Discussion (2:00 PM Special Order)
- Mayor Daniel Lurie addressed the board, focusing on Muni’s financial crisis. Supervisor Myrna Melgar asked whether the Mayor would ensure no service cuts during the current budget shortfall. The Mayor stated he would do “everything in my power to support Muni’s immediate and long-term health,” but noted that the city’s budget crisis is real and that service reductions are being evaluated. He emphasized the need for a multi-pronged approach, including state funding advocacy and local/regional revenue measures likely on the 2026 ballot. Supervisor Melgar followed up on specific funding sources; the Mayor cited Sacramento advocacy and stop-gap funding needs. The discussion underscored Muni’s centrality: 500,000 daily boardings, 60% of regional transit trips start or end in San Francisco. The Mayor also mentioned the newly announced Hospitality Zone Task Force for public safety during All-Star Weekend.
Unfinished Business
- Item 6 (Commercial Vacancy Tax Exemption) – Passed on final reading with a required two-thirds vote (11-0).
- Item 7 (Core Initiatives to Strengthen City’s Responses to Homelessness, Drug Abuse, Mental Health Needs) – Passed on final reading (10-1; Supervisor Walton voted no).
Regular Agenda – New Business
- Item 8 (General Reserve appropriation to SFMTA for free parking at Portsmouth Square Garage and Lunar New Year transit fares – $526,000) – Passed first reading (11-0).
- Item 9 (Applying for grant funds for Transitional Housing Programs, up to $4,210,804, and Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program, up to $629,926) – Adopted (11-0).
- Item 10 (Retroactive grant to Young Community Developers for Black to the Future and School Site Mentoring Program – not to exceed $12,422,660) – Supervisor Walton recused; adopted (10-0).
- Item 11 (Grant amendment to Bay Area Community Resources – not to exceed $10,473,540) – Adopted (11-0).
- Item 12 (Professional Services Agreement with HDR Stantec JV for Water Enterprise program management – not to exceed $80,000,000, 10-year term) – Adopted unanimously.
- Item 13 (Lease amendment with BART – rent credit of up to $3,150,000 for fare gates replacement) – Adopted unanimously.
- Item 14 (Grant amendment to Catholic Charities for Family Rapid Rehousing – not to exceed $14,533,573) – Adopted unanimously.
- Item 15 (Amended Airport Surveillance Technology Policy) – Passed first reading unanimously.
- Items 16–23 (Appointments to regional boards and commissions) – Each appointment was approved after excusing the appointed supervisor from voting; all passed 10-0 or 9-0.
- Item 24 (Military Equipment Use Policy and additional equipment approval – Sheriff’s Office) – Motion by Supervisor Chen to refer back to the Rules Committee for amendments, citing concerns over pepper ball launcher usage guidelines. Seconded by Supervisor Walton, who noted ongoing investigations into chemical weapon harms and children affected by testing. Supervisor Fielder also expressed concerns. Motion passed unanimously (11-0).
Special Order 2:30 PM – Recognition of Commendations
- Supervisor Walton recognized Officer Jason Johnson (SFPD) for founding Operation Genesis Inc., which has taken over 90 youth and chaperones to Ghana and engaged over 300 youth in programs. Deputy Chief Lazar praised his community policing work.
Committee Reports
- Item 25 (Behested Payment Waiver for fundraising related to immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental protection, reproductive rights, and racial equity) – Adopted (10-0; Supervisor Walton absent).
- Item 26 (Inclusionary Housing Ordinance non-potable water exemption) – Passed first reading unanimously.
- Item 27 (Appointment of Supervisor Jackie Fielder to Local Agency Formation Commission) – Approved (9-0; Supervisor Fielder excused; Walton absent).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Muni Funding Crisis: Over a dozen speakers urged the board to prevent service cuts, citing reliance on Muni for work, healthcare, and daily needs. Speakers highlighted that the SFMTA faces a $300+ million short-term deficit and potential 4% cuts this summer. Some called for transferring $15–50 million from the General Reserve. Others criticized the Mayor’s lack of a concrete plan, noting that Proposition L (to tax ride-hailing) passed but was undermined by a competing measure.
- Police Chase Incident: Supervisor Fielder submitted a letter of inquiry after a police chase ended with a car crashing into a parklet on 24th Street during Super Bowl Sunday, injuring six. She questioned SFPD’s pursuit policy and accountability. Several commenters echoed concerns.
- Taxi Medallion Crisis: Taxi drivers spoke about financial hardship, high medallion costs, and competition from ride-hailing. They requested the city lower medallion prices and address SFMTA policies.
- Teen Dating Violence Prevention: Speakers thanked the board for recognizing February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and highlighted the need for resources under Title IX threats.
- Other: A speaker raised mistreatment of homeless families at Hamilton Family Shelter; another referenced the SFPD overtime audit.
Introductions (Roll Call)
- Supervisor Fielder – Letter of inquiry to SFPD on the police chase (Feb. 9, 2025) that injured six; requested details on pursuit decision, speed, and accountability.
- Supervisor Mandelman – In memoriam for Reverend Robert Cromey (LGBTQ+ and civil rights activist, died Jan. 14).
- Supervisor Melgar – Introduced a resolution affirming commitment to fund Muni; in memoriams for Charles K. Pascarian and Bob Geary (former officer and firefighter).
- Supervisor Sauter – Introduced resolution recognizing February 2025 as Children’s Dental Health Month; referenced Cavity Free SF and oral health disparities in Chinatown, Mission, and Bayview.
- Supervisor Sherrill – Introduced ordinance to allow corner stores two projecting signs; co-sponsored resolution for Normandy Apartments acquisition (108 units affordable housing with 30% income cap, low public cost per unit).
- Supervisor Walton – Requested a hearing on mistreatment of residents at Ellis Griffith apartments; also requested a hearing on SFPD overtime audit (over $108M in FY22-23, 32% of overtime by 12% of officers, improper approvals, $30.8M for special initiatives without metrics).
- Supervisor Dorsey – Announced intent to introduce legislation expanding rewards for unsolved homicide information (in response to Police Commission resolution); in memoriam for FX Crowley (labor leader, civil service commissioner).
Key Outcomes
- Items 6 and 7 passed final reading (6: 11-0; 7: 10-1).
- Item 24 (Military equipment) sent back to Rules Committee for amendment (11-0).
- All appointments and most other items approved unanimously or with recusals.
- Muni funding: No immediate action; Mayor committed to advocacy, but no guarantee against summer service cuts. Board discussion and public testimony highlighted urgency.
- Police chase inquiry: Letter submitted; further legislative action possible.
- SFPD overtime audit: Hearing requested by Supervisor Walton; no vote taken.
- Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month: Resolution (Item 30) adopted unanimously (11-0).
- Adjournment in memory of Reverend Robert Cromey, Charles Pascarian, Bob Geary, and FX Crowley.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon and welcome to the February 11th, 2025 regular meeting of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Madam Clerk, will you please call the role? Thank you, Mr. President. Supervisor Chan. Chan present, Supervisor Chen. Chen present, Supervisor Dorsey. Dorsey presence, Supervisor Angardio. Engartio present, Supervisor Fielder, Fielder present, Supervisor Mahmoud. Mahmoud present, Supervisor Mandelman. Present. Mandelman present, Supervisor Melgar. Present. Melgar present, Supervisor Sutter. Soder present, Supervisor Cheryl. Cheryl present, and Supervisor Walton. Walton present. Mr. President, all members are present. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Will you please call the role? Oh, you you just did, actually. Okay, let's try that again. Um the San Francisco Board of Supervisors acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramatush Alone, 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 been 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 Ramatusha Lone community and by affirming their sovereign rights as first peoples. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of the American and to the Republic for which it stands one nation on God and the principle of liberty and justice for all. On behalf of the board, I want to acknowledge the staff at SFGov TV and especially today, Colina Mendoza, who record each of our meetings and make the transcripts available to the public online. And with that, Madam Clerk, can we go to our 2 p.m. special order? Yes, the special order at 2 p.m. is the appearance at today's meeting by the Honorable Mayor Daniel Lurie, present to engage in a formal policy discussion with eligible board members. Prior to the discussion, the mayor may address the board for up to five minutes. Welcome, Mr. Mayor. Do you have any opening remarks? I do. Thank you. Thank you for having me. Good afternoon, President Mandelman and members of the Board of Supervisors. It's an honor to be here on what is an important fun and exciting week for our city. I look forward to marching with you all in the lunar new year parade, welcoming fans to San Francisco for the MBA All-Star Weekend. To ensure residents and visitors feel safe and welcome, public safety is key. Last week, Supervisor Dorsey and Sauer joined me to announce the San Francisco Police Department hospitality zone task force, which will main which will make downtown safe and kickstart our economy. The Hospitality Zone Task Force will be an important part of our public safety plan for this weekend, MBA All-Star Game and the Lunar New Year parade. But it will continue after those events are done. The hospitality zone task force will provide residents and visitors with the security they deserve 365 days a year. This new effort is part of our diversified strategy to get San Franciscans back to work, clean up our streets, and welcome more people to our city. San Francisco is open for business, conferences, tourism, and the community events that make our city special.
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