San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - July 29, 2025

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, starting at approximately 2:15 PM. The meeting covered consent and regular agenda items, two special orders (commendations and a parcel map appeal), committee reports, introductions, and public comment. Key actions included passage of the One City Shelter Act, approval of police department in-kind gifts for the Real Time Investigation Center, denial of an appeal for the 1979 Mission Street affordable housing project, and introduction of the Street Safety Act.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1-23 were approved unanimously. These included routine approvals such as real property acquisition (601-617 Laguna Street, not to exceed $20,000,000), multiple lawsuit settlements (e.g., UnitedLayer, LLC for $850,000; Mary Tramil for $230,000; Renee Owens for $650,000; and others), and various administrative code amendments (e.g., employee donations to SF Firefighter and EMS Behavioral Health Foundation).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Comment on General Matters (after introductions) : Multiple speakers addressed the board on traffic safety. A representative from Walk San Francisco expressed strong support for Supervisor Melgar's Street Safety Act, stating "Without this fundamental commitment as a city, traffic safety will not be prioritized." Several residents shared personal experiences of near-misses and collisions. A mother and her daughter from District 1 testified about dangerous street crossings. A survivor of two pedestrian collisions urged coordination among city departments.
• Public Comment on Solar Permitting : Representatives from the SF Solar and Storage Coalition (Sutro Power, Luminault, and others) called for urgent reforms to DBI permitting and inspections, noting that the federal 30% solar tax credit is set to expire in January 2026. One speaker said, "Permits used to be pulled online… now take four to eight weeks." They also criticized CleanPowerSF's proposed adoption of PG&E's net billing tariff, arguing it undervalues locally generated solar energy.
• Public Comment on 1979 Mission Street Appeal : Many speakers from the Marshall Elementary community spoke in support of the appeal, citing daily safety hazards from drug activity. A parent said, "I've watched children be afraid to walk on the school sidewalk because of people injecting in front of our gate." Others in support of the project argued the housing is desperately needed. One speaker stated, "Every day of delay has real human costs."

Discussion Items

• Unfinished Business: Real Time Investigation Center Gifts (Items 27-30) : The board considered four items accepting in-kind gifts and waiving competitive bidding for the SFPD's RTIC, including office space from Ripple Labs (valued at $2.1 million) and equipment from the SF Police Community Foundation (valued at $7.2 million). Supervisor Fielder spoke in opposition, saying, "We need to consider the long-term implications of expanding surveillance infrastructure… especially when funded by private donations." She also noted that SFPD illegally shared ALPR data with out-of-state agencies. The items passed 9-2, with Supervisors Fielder and Walton voting no.
• One City Shelter Act (Item 31) : Supervisor Mahmoud introduced the ordinance to promote geographic equity in siting homeless shelters and behavioral health facilities. He stated, "75% of all shelter and transitional housing beds are concentrated in just eight neighborhoods." The ordinance prohibits new city-funded shelters in neighborhoods where the share of beds exceeds the share of unsheltered persons, and bans new shelters within 300 feet of existing ones, with waiver provisions and a sunset in 2031. Supervisor Chan opposed, saying it is "overtly prescriptive yet not precise enough." Supervisor Chen also opposed, arguing for more investment in permanent affordable housing. The measure passed 9-2, with Chan and Chen voting no.
• Special Order 2:30 PM - Recognitions : The board honored several individuals: Consul General of Italy Sergio Strozzi (leaving post), City Hall custodians led by Austin Wang, journalist Dion Lim (ABC7), community leader Seema Shree, SFUSD administrator Melee Lau Smith, DPW corridor worker Calvin Swift, traditional Chinese medicine practitioner Kenny Lao, and outgoing Real Estate Director Andrico Pinnock. Each received commendations and brief remarks.
• Special Order 3:00 PM - Appeal of Tentative Parcel Map at 1979 Mission Street (Items 56-59) : The public hearing addressed an appeal of the subdivision of a parcel for the La Maravilla affordable housing project (three buildings: 136 units of PSH, plus senior and family housing). Appellant Mark Solomon argued the project endangers Marshall Elementary students, citing existing safety issues from drug activity. Project sponsor Sam Moss (Mission Housing) countered that the appeal is a "backdoor attempt to delay desperately needed affordable housing." The Department of Public Works and Planning testified that the subdivision meets all technical and code requirements, and the concerns raised relate to the development, not the map. After extensive public comment, the board voted 11-0 to approve the subdivision (item 57) and table the disapproval motions (items 58-59).
• Committee Reports :
  • Item 60 (amnesty for DBI audit properties) passed unanimously.
  • Item 61 (ban on automated rent-setting) passed unanimously.
  • Item 62 (unauthorized dwelling unit disclosure) passed unanimously after Supervisor Melgar explained it protects tenants in rent-controlled units.
  • Item 63 (eliminating use size limits in certain NCDs) sparked debate. A motion to continue to September 2 failed 4-7. Supervisor Chan opposed the continuance, citing concerns from merchant groups. The ordinance then passed 9-2 (Chan and Chen no).
  • Item 64 (all-electric major renovations) passed 11-0.
  • Item 65 (Little Italy honor walk plaques) passed unanimously.
  • Item 66 (food purchasing goals for hospitals/jails) was amended to include a 10-year sunset (2035) and passed unanimously.
  • Items 68-69 (appointments to community development and historic preservation commissions) passed unanimously.
• Introductions : Supervisors introduced multiple items:
  • Engardio: Requested a hearing on commercial corridor revitalization programs; requested a legislative drafting to consolidate obscure business fees.
  • Fielder: Introduced resolutions opposing Trump's housing first/mental health policies and supporting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders.
  • Mahmoud: Introduced an ordinance to streamline building permit expiration timelines, aligning with state code.
  • Mandelman: Introduced an artist housing certification program and resolutions to initiate landmark designation for 16 buildings in District 8, plus a commemorative street naming for photographer Jim Marshall.
  • Melgar: Introduced the "San Francisco Street Safety Act," a resolution directing multiple departments to take data-driven actions to reduce traffic violence, citing nearly $500 million in annual costs from crashes.
  • Sauter: Submitted a letter of inquiry to SFPD on recruiting and training, and a hearing request on nonprofit oversight after the SF Parks Alliance collapse.
  • Walton: Introduced an ordinance for the SF Fire Department training facility at 1236 Carroll Avenue (funded by the 2020 ESER bond), an amendment to the YMCA lease for Crane Cove Park, and a resolution recognizing Black Business Month.
  • Dorsey: Requested a BLA analysis of costs from the Equal Benefits Ordinance (domestic partner benefits for city contractors), noting it may limit competition; also adjourned in memory of Scott Garvey.

Key Outcomes

• Items 27-30 (Police RTIC gifts) : Approved 9-2 (Fielder, Walton opposed).
• Item 31 (One City Shelter Act) : Passed on first reading 9-2 (Chan, Chen opposed).
• Item 57 (Parcel map approval for 1979 Mission Street) : Approved 11-0; items 58-59 tabled.
• Item 63 (Use size limits) : Passed on first reading 9-2 (Chan, Chen opposed).
• Item 66 (Food purchasing goals) : Amended with 10-year sunset and passed unanimously.
• All other consent and regular agenda items passed as noted, mostly unanimously.
• Adoption without committee reference (Items 72-77): Resolutions adopted, including supporting Golden State Valkyries' equal pay (amended), designating Pete Escovedo Day, South Asian American Heritage Month, National Health Center Week, Lady Gaga Day, and initiating landmark designation for The Mint Mall and Hall.
• Adjourned in memory of Scott Garvey.