San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - April 15, 2025
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San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - April 15, 2025
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors held its regular meeting on April 15, 2025, at 10:15 AM, with all 11 members present. The meeting featured a special appearance by Mayor Daniel Lurie, who reported on his first 100 days in office, including a 35% reduction in property crime, violent crime down 15%, and car break-ins at 22-year lows. The board approved a consent agenda of six lawsuit settlements totaling $1,890,000, passed multiple ordinances and resolutions, and conducted a public hearing on an environmental appeal for a proposed six-story building at 2142 22nd Street. Numerous commendations were awarded, and legislation was introduced on public safety, housing, climate justice, and immigrant rights.
Consent Calendar
- Items 1–6 (lawsuit settlements) approved unanimously (10 ayes, 1 absence): Coinbase, Inc. ($1,600,000); Lester Hogan ($50,000); Ada M. Guzman ($45,000); Veronica Fulton ($40,000); Michael E. Johnson, et al. (city to receive $100,000); The Nederlander Company LLC, dba Broadway San Francisco, LLC ($55,000).
- Items 40, 42–45 (for adoption without committee reference) approved unanimously: Urging Planning and MOHCD to finalize Affordable Housing Sites Strategy; supporting California SB 684 and AB 1243 (Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act); Autism Awareness Month; Education and Sharing Day; 100th anniversary of the Great Star Theater; and a Committee of the Whole on blighted properties.
Public Comments & Testimony
- General Public Comment (2:00 PM): Multiple speakers addressed the board. Cheryl Shanks and others from the Mega Black coalition urged full restoration of Dreamkeeper Initiative funding, stating the allocation dropped from $60 million annually to less than $20 million. They noted a 95% approval rating for the program and demanded transparency and accountability. Cheryl Thornton (Black Employees Alliance) called for independent oversight of hiring and discipline practices for Black city workers. Several speakers supported the resolution backing the California Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act (SB 684/AB 1243), citing the $250 billion cost of the January 2025 LA fires and the need for fossil fuel companies to pay for climate damages. One speaker opposed the Castro Upper Market Entertainment Zone, calling it a "suck up to gay boarding bloc." Another speaker urged a humanitarian state of emergency in District 6 and defunding the police.
- Appeal Hearing on 2142 22nd Street Project (3:00 PM): No public comment was offered in support of the appeal or in opposition.
Discussion Items
- Mayor’s Appearance (2:00 PM): Mayor Daniel Lurie highlighted progress on public safety, the fentanyl crisis, and economic recovery. He noted collaboration with the board and outlined upcoming priorities: family zoning, a sustainable budget, and interim housing capacity. No questions were submitted from supervisors.
- Commendations (2:30 PM): The board honored: (1) The Great Star Theater on its 100th anniversary as the oldest Chinese theater in North America; (2) The City College of San Francisco men’s basketball team for winning the 2025 CCCAA state championship (32-1 season, sixth title); (3) SFPD Chief Bill Scott for his reform leadership; (4) DEM dispatchers Kathy Asorio and Nicole Workman for their service (National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week).
- Appeal Hearing – 2142 22nd Street (3:00 PM): Appellants (Emily Bruff and geotechnical engineer Alan Kropp) argued that the project site has unusual circumstances—a 40% slope, location in an earthquake landslide zone, and serpentine bedrock—warranting environmental review under CEQA. They contended that only shallow soil borings (2–5 feet) were done despite a planned 30-foot excavation. Planning Department staff (Don Lewis) countered that steep slopes and serpentine bedrock are common in San Francisco (13% of city on slopes ≥25%, 39% of parcels), and that building code requirements and the construction dust control ordinance adequately address risks. Project sponsor attorney Tuya Caralano argued the appeal was driven by a dispute over property line windows, not environmental concerns, and that the project qualifies for Class 1 and 3 categorical exemptions. Supervisor Walton moved to affirm the exemption.
- Legislation Introduced at Roll Call (after 3:00 PM):
- Supervisor Chan: Legislation granting SOSOR contracting authority to SF Fire Dept. for fire apparatus.
- Supervisor Chen: Resolution to add commemorative street name “Jerry Garcia Street” in District 11; resolution supporting AB 611 (Keep News Independent Act).
- Supervisor Fielder: Resolution proclaiming April 18, 2025 as SF SPCA Day; ordinance requiring 12-month minimum shelter stays for families with children unless viable housing is found; in memoriam for Ellie Curtis.
- Supervisor Mahmoud: Resolution reaffirming non-cooperation with identity-based registry (Chapter 103) and opposing federal immigration data-sharing.
- Supervisor Mandelman: Resolution supporting AB 1363 (Wyland’s Law) for protective order transparency; resolution opposing the erasure of Medgar Evers from federal websites; ordinance expanding Castro LGBTQ Cultural District to include DeBose Triangle; in memoriam for Scott Nielsen.
- Supervisor Melgar: Legislation to improve seismic safety of concrete buildings; resolution commemorating 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide (April 24).
- Supervisor Sauter: Announcement of entertainment zones at PIER 39 and Union Square; in memoriam for fallen firefighter Tilo Tiape III (age 38, Station 3).
- Supervisor Walton: Resolution declaring April 11–17 Black Maternal Health Week; hearing on Black maternal health.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda (Items 1–6): Approved (10-0-1). The six ordinances were finally passed.
- Unfinished Business (Items 7–8): Item 7 (600 Townsend Street West SUD) and Item 8 (Castro Upper Market Entertainment Zone) all passed on final reading (same house same call).
- New Business – Roll Call Votes:
- Item 10 (SFPUC contract amendment with CPM/CM Pros JV, not to exceed $34 million): Adopted 11-0.
- Items 11–22 and 24–29 (various contracts, leases, grants, street naming, and Mission Rock infrastructure): All passed without objection (same house same call).
- Item 30 (Appointment of Supervisor Dorsey to BCDC): Approved 10-0 (Dorsey excused).
- Item 31 (Appointments to Sugary Drinks Distributor Tax Advisory Committee): Approved 11-0.
- Item 32 (Appointment to Sheriff’s Oversight Board): Approved same house same call.
- Item 33 (Sheriff’s Military Equipment Use Policy – 2024 Annual Report): Adopted 8-3 (Supervisors Chan, Fielder, Walton dissenting).
- Appeal Hearing (Items 34–37): The board voted 11-0 to approve Item 35 (affirming categorical exemption) and table Items 36 and 37 (reversal motions). The hearing was filed.
- Adoption Without Committee Reference (Items 40–45): Items 40, 42–45 adopted unanimously. Item 41 (resolution supporting Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act) adopted same house same call.
- Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned in memory of Tilo Tiape III, Ellie Curtis, and Scott Nielsen.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, everybody. Welcome to the April 15th, 2025 regular meeting of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Thank you, Mr. President. Supervisor Chan. Chan present, Supervisor Chen, Chen present, Supervisor Dorsey. Dorsey present, Supervisor Ringardio. Engartio present, Supervisor Fielder, Fielder present, Supervisor Mahmud. Mahmoud present, Supervisor Mandelman. Present. Mandelman present, Supervisor Melgar. Melgar present, Supervisor Sauter. Sauter present, Supervisors 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 Ramatushalone, 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 Ramatush Alone community and by affirming their sovereign rights as First Peoples. Colleagues, please please join me in saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Liberty and Justice for all. On behalf of the Board, I want to acknowledge the staff at SFGov TV and especially James Kawana today, who record each of our meetings and make the transcripts transcripts available to the public online. And with that, Madam Clerk, should we go to our 2 p.m. special order? Yes, Mr. President. Special order at 2 p.m. is the appearance by the Honorable Mayor Daniel Lurie. There being no questions submitted from eligible members of the board. The mayor may address the board for up to five minutes. Welcome, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Board President Mandelman and members of the Board of Supervisors. This week, at least for some of us, marks uh a hundred days in office. And it offers us an opportunity to reflect on the work we've started and everything that we still want to achieve. We have made public safety the number one priority, working relentlessly to provide clean and safe streets, confront the deadly fentanyl crisis head on, and connect people on the street to treatment and care. At the same time, we are laying the groundwork to jumpstart our economy in our downtown core, along our commercial corridors, and across our neighborhoods. I believe we're off to a strong start, thanks in large part to the collaboration and support of this board. Together we pass the fentanyl state of emergency ordinance, expedited legislation to unlock federal funds for critical infrastructure and health projects, and advanced legislation to spur housing development in Soma and downtown. We introduce new legislation to expand our entertainment zones and renew the first year free program to support small businesses. And we announced two major executive directives, permit SF and breaking the cycle. Property crime is down 35% from last year. Violent crime is down 15 percent, and car break-ins are at 22-year lows. Muni ridership is back at 75% of 2019 levels, and for the first time in years, people feel San Francisco is headed in the right direction. So much of the progress we've made as a city stems from a major change right here at City Hall. The new era of collaboration is real.
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