San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - March 11, 2025
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San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - March 11, 2025
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors held its regular meeting on March 11, 2025, at 2:00 PM. The meeting included a formal policy discussion with Mayor Daniel Lurie, approval of consent and regular agenda items, commendations, introductions of new legislation, and public comment. Key topics included the city's drug crisis strategy, shelter policies for homeless families, Muni funding, and the suspension of the empty homes tax.
Special Order: Mayor's Appearance
- Mayor Daniel Lurie appeared for a formal policy discussion with the Board. He outlined his administration's strategy to address the fentanyl crisis, emphasizing enforcement against drug dealers and expansion of treatment bed capacity, including through the recently passed fentanyl state of emergency ordinance. He also noted that senior leaders and the City Attorney would travel to Washington, D.C., to lobby for federal resources for San Francisco's economic recovery, including for Hunters Point Naval Shipyard and transportation infrastructure, while opposing proposed cuts to food, housing, and healthcare programs.
- Supervisor Fielder raised concerns about displacement from enforcement actions, citing the 6th Street operation pushing drug activity into the Mission District. She called for a comprehensive four-pillar strategy (prevention/education, harm reduction, treatment, enforcement) and noted a hearing co-sponsored by several supervisors. The mayor responded that success is measured by residents' safety and clean sidewalks, and that his administration is committed to both enforcement and adding treatment capacity.
Consent Agenda (Items 2-8)
- The Board unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included seven lawsuit settlements totaling $4,900,900: Vincent Keith Bell ($825,000), Javier Grajeda ($30,000), Marvella Branner ($110,000), Matthew Gyves ($500,000), John Pugh ($60,000), Latoya Starks and Sanvada Kitcher ($2,880,000), and CWI 2 San Francisco Hotel, L.P. (stipulated assessed value of $216,400,000 and refund of $495,900 plus statutory interest).
Unfinished Business (Items 9-12)
- Item 9 (250096): Final passage of an ordinance to accept a $1,966,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for the jail and re-entry services program and to add three grant-funded positions at the San Francisco Public Library.
- Item 10 (240904): Final passage of an ordinance updating Form 700 (Statement of Economic Interests) filing requirements.
- Item 11 (241151): Final passage of an ordinance authorizing the tax collector to refund property taxes under $10,000 without a claim.
- Item 12 (250002): Final passage of an ordinance removing the requirement for parking operators to certify and report unaccounted parking ticket ratios.
New Business (Items 13-22)
- Item 13 (241150): Ordinance passed on first reading to authorize a voluntary disclosure program and advance determination fees for taxpayers.
- Item 14 (250001): Ordinance to suspend the empty homes tax pending litigation was continued to March 18, 2025, on a motion by Supervisor Fielder, who cited the need for amendments to allow collection as soon as the court permits, rather than waiting for final resolution of all appeals.
- Items 15-16: Resolutions adopted to increase airport professional services contracts for cargo building projects by $10.3 million and $10 million respectively, each for a new total not to exceed $13 million.
- Item 17: Lease amendment for communication facilities in Alameda County at $9,080 monthly base rent adopted.
- Item 18: Resolution approving an emergency declaration for restoring the Tesla Treatment Facility's standby power supply system (estimated $700,000) adopted.
- Items 19-20: Leases for community facilities at 1099 Sunnydale Avenue approved: FACES SF ($48,867.12 initial yearly rent) and Felton Institute ($24,216.48 initial yearly rent).
- Items 21-22: Contract amendments for health services system software (Hyland Software, not to exceed $574,000) and administration services (P&A Administrative Services, not to exceed $4,667,457) adopted.
Special Order 2:30 PM: Recognition of Commendations
- Supervisor Chen honored Yolanda Coos, a community leader from the Excelsior District and immigrant advocate, for her work with families, school equity, and community organizing.
- Supervisor Dorsey recognized Abby Yant, retiring Executive Director of the San Francisco Health Service System, for 35 years of healthcare leadership and her role during the pandemic.
- President Mandelman presented a commendation to Nelson Berry and Urban Angels, a volunteer organization distributing clothing and food to unhoused individuals and now expanding to educational tutoring for low-income children.
Introductions at Roll Call
- Supervisor Melgar and Supervisor Sauter introduced a motion to formalize a parental leave policy for Board of Supervisors members, citing state law changes and the need to support elected officials who are new parents. Supervisor Sauter noted that she and her wife are expecting a daughter soon.
- Supervisor Walton (with Supervisors Chan, Fielder, and Chen) called for a hearing to assess implementation of the city's Language Access Ordinance, including review of the 2025 compliance report and a pending Budget and Legislative Analyst report.
- Supervisor Fielder introduced a resolution addressing family homelessness and criticizing the reinstated 90-day shelter stay policy. She reported that two families faced eviction threats on March 10, 2025, with one shelter provider threatening to call police, and called for the policy to be rescinded or reformed.
- Supervisor Dorsey offered an in memoriam for Ali Jamil, a Jordanian immigrant and community member, father of Deputy City Attorney Mo Jamil.
- President Mandelman offered an in memoriam for Alan Jacobs, former San Francisco Planning Director (1967-1975) and author of "Great Streets," who died at age 96 on February 18, 2025.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Michael Petrellis (remote, ADA accommodation): Expressed concern about safety in the Castro district, citing the death of a homeless neighbor named Dale and a violent attack on a gay man near the Castro Theatre on March 9, 2025. Demanded an urgent town hall meeting with elected officials.
- Salah Hakuya Chandler: Criticized the lack of African American representation in the chamber and called for dialogue on restoring the cultural heritage of the Black community.
- Griffin Lee (D2 resident): Opposed the empty homes tax, arguing it would disincentivize development. Also urged the board to consider costs before implementing a fair shelter distribution policy.
- Lisa Platt (D2 resident): Urged the board to prevent SFMTA service cuts this summer, suggesting evening parking meters or general fund transfers as alternatives.
- Jaime Villoria (Tenderloin resident): Criticized the lack of local action to address the SFMTA deficit and urged the board to find local funding solutions rather than relying on state or regional measures.
- Audrey Liu (District 1 resident): Supported a general fund transfer to SFMTA to prevent summer cuts to Muni lines, low-income tow subsidies, and crossing guards.
- Leah McGeever (D6 translatinx homeowner): Raised harassment concerns involving a community member and Supervisor Dorsey's advisor.
- Several taxi medallion holders and drivers: Spoke about financial hardship due to the city's purchase of medallions, calling for bailout or reduction in medallion price.
- Other speakers: Addressed weather manipulation conspiracy theories (multiple speakers) and urged action on the taxi medallion crisis.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda unanimously approved (11-0).
- Unfinished business items 9-12 finally passed on second reading.
- New business items 13, 15-22 adopted as described.
- Item 14 (empty homes tax suspension) continued to March 18, 2025, for amendments.
- Adoption without committee reference (items 25-29) unanimously adopted, including resolutions recognizing Problem Gambling Awareness Month, closing sidewalks for Figma Config 2025, recognizing Ramadan, supporting state bill AB 458 (firearms in public contracts), and urging the Mayor and HSH to explore fair distribution of homeless shelters across districts.
- Meeting adjourned in memory of Ali Jamil and Alan Jacobs.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon. Welcome to the March 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 present, Supervisor Ringardio, Engardeo present, Supervisor Fielder, Fielder present, Supervisor Mahmud, Mahmud present, Supervisor Mandelman. Present. Mandelman present, Supervisor Melgar, Melgar present, Supervisor Sauter, Soder present, Supervisor Cheryl, Cheryl 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 Ramatush Aloney, 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 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 Alone community and by affirming their sovereign rights as first peoples. Colleagues, will you join me in reciting the Pledge of 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. On behalf of the board, I want to acknowledge the staff at S of Gov TV and today, particularly Kalina Mendoza, who record each of our meetings and make transcripts available to the public online. And with that, Madam Clerk, can you take us to our 2 p.m. special order, the mayor's appearance? 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. Thank you, Madam Clerk, and welcome, Mr. Mayor. Mayor Lurry, do you have any opening remarks? I do. Thank you. Good afternoon, President Mandelman and members of the board. This week I am sending senior leaders of our administration alongside our city attorney, David Chu to join San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and top business leaders to lobby our federal government for critical resources for San Francisco. While I am prepared to make the tough decisions to tackle the city's budget crisis, we are looking to Washington to partner with us on San Francisco's comeback. With federal support, we can supercharge our economic recovery by investing in a bold vision for Hunters Point Naval Shipyard and Candlestick Point and upgrading our critical transportation infrastructure. But as we advocate for those resources, we are fighting proposed cuts to essential programs like food that provide food, housing, and health care for hundreds of thousands of San Franciscans, as well as FEMA reimbursements for critical work done to protect vulnerable communities during COVID. San Francisco drives innovation across the country, and when San Francisco wins, the country wins. I'm grateful to Senator Padilla, Senator Schiff, and our congressional delegation for their support and to the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce for their leadership on this trip. Our administration will continue to stand with them and leaders across San Francisco to protect the services our residents depend on and invest in our city's bright future. Thank you. And thank you, Mr. Mayor. Madam Clerk, could you please call the topic? Yes, the first topic submitted by the District 9 supervisor, Supervisor Fielder, is displacement effects into the mission and the comprehensive strategy to address the drug crisis. Supervisor Fielder, you may ask your opening question. Thank you, President, and thank you, Mayor, for coming and answering this question. You and I have been talking about conditions along Mission Street and the BART Plaza since our first sit down in December, and you even came to 16th Street to go on a walk with me, the DPW director, Mission Station Police Captain to see the conditions for yourself, and you've been many times since. I really appreciate your partnership and consistency in addressing challenges around 16th admission and your ongoing participation in community engagement in the mission. However, the recent enforcement operations at 6th Street have displaced people across the city, including to 16th admission, and the fentanyl crisis persists. Regarding public drug use and our addiction crisis, how is your administration defining the success of these enforcement actions? And do you think they've been successful? I appreciate the question, Supervisor Fielder, and I appreciate our multiple walks, including the one at 16th admission, and you're correct.
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