Good afternoon, everyone.

Welcome to the September 30th, 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, Engario present, Supervisor Fielder.

Fielder present, Supervisor Mahmud.

Mahmoud present, Supervisor Mandelman.

Present.

Mandelman present, Supervisor Melgar.

Melgar present, Supervisor Sauter.

Sauter 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 Ramatushalone 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 Ramatushalone community, and by affirming their sovereign rights as First Peoples.

Colleagues, will you join me in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance?

Pledge allegiance is to the flag of the United States of America.

On behalf of our board, I want to acknowledge the staff at SFGov TV.

Today, that is especially Colina Mendoza.

They record each of our meetings and make the transcripts available to the public online.

Madam Clerk, do you have any communications?

Yes, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors welcomes you all to attend this meeting in person here in the board's legislative chamber within City Hall on the second floor in room two fifty.

Or if you're unable to make it to this meeting, you can watch the proceedings on SFGOVTV's Channel 26 or view the live stream at www.sfgovtv.org.

If you'd like to submit your public comment in writing, you can send an email to BOS at sfgov.org or use the Postal Service and address the envelope to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the number one, Dr.

Carlton B.

Goodlitt Place, City Hall, Room 244 in San Francisco, California, 94102.

If you need to make a future reasonable accommodation request under the Americans with Disability Act, or to request language assistance, you can contact the clerk's office at least two business days in advance by calling 415-554-5184.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Let's go to our consent agenda.

Please call items one and two together.

Items one and two are on consent.

These items are considered to be routine.

If a member objects, an item may be removed and considered separately.

Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

On items one and two, Supervisor Melgar.

Melgar I, Supervisor Sauter.

Sauter I, Supervisor Cheryl.

Cheryl I, Supervisor Walton, Walton, I, Supervisor Chan.

Chan I, Supervisor Chen, Chen I, Supervisor Dorsey, Dorsey, I, Supervisor Ringardio, Engario I, Supervisor Fielder, Fielder I, Supervisor Mahmoud, Mahmoud I, and Supervisor Mandelman.

I.

Mandelman I.

There are eleven ayes.

Without objection, the resolutions are adopted.

Madam Clerk, please go to unfinished business.

Uh, item three.

Item three, this is an ordinance to amend the planning code to waive certain development impact fees in the market and octavia area plan, and to amend the Van Ness and Market Residential Special Use District to provide that the market and Octavia Community Advisory Committee shall sunset six months after the effective date of this ordinance, and to make conforming amendments to some of the definitions in the planning code and to affirm the CEQA determination and to make the appropriate findings.

Please call the roll.

On item three, Supervisor Milgar.

Melgar I, Supervisor Sauter, Soder I, Supervisor Cheryl, Cheryl I, Supervisor Walton.

Walton, no, Supervisor Chan.

Chan I, Supervisor Chen, Chen I, Supervisor Dorsey, Dorsey I, Supervisor Ringardio.

Engartio I, Supervisor Fielder, Fielder, no, Supervisor Mahmoud, Mahmoud I, and Supervisor Mandelman.

Aye.

Mandelman I.

There are nine ayes and two no's with supervisors Walton and Fielder voting no.

The ordinance is finally passed.

Madam Clerk, please call item number four.

Item four, this is an ordinance to deappropriate 400,000 from the general city responsibility, and approximately 14,000 from the Department of Public Works.

And to appropriate for District 7 projects in the amount of approximately 164,000 to public works for median improvements in Monterey Heights, new curb ramps in the Westwood Park, sidewalk repair in Ingleside Terrace, and for Westwood Park Pillars, 100,000 to the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families for Playground Update in Black Top at West Portal Elementary School, and for a mural and signage updates at Commodore Slote Elementary.

50,000 to the Arts Commission for mural uh a mural on Monterey Boulevard, 50,000 to the Office of Economic and Workforce Development for a series of art pop-ups on Ocean Avenue, and 50,000 to the Municipal Transportation Agency for daylighting and bollards in Sunnyside in fiscal year 2025 through 2026.

Please call the rule.

On item four, Supervisor Melgar.

Melgar I, Supervisor Sauter, Sauter I, Supervisor Cheryl, Cheryl I, Supervisor Walton, Walton I, Supervisor Chan.

Chan I, Supervisor Chen, Chen I, Supervisor Dorsey, Dorsey I, Supervisor Ringardio, Engartio I, Supervisor Fielder, Fielder, I, Supervisor Mahmoud, Machmud I, and Supervisor Mandelman.

I.

Mandelman I.

There are 11 ayes.

Without objection, the ordinance is finally passed.

Madam Clerk, please call item number five.

Item five, this is an ordinance to amend the business and tax regulations code to reduce the tax rates on gross receipts from telecommunications business activities by moving those activities from category five to category four beginning January 1st, 2026, for purposes of the gross receipts tax and the homelessness gross receipts tax, and to retain taxpayers' eligibility to take the tax credit for opening a physical location in designated areas of the city as applied to gross receipts from telecommunications business activities and pursuant to the business and tax regulations code, amending section 2811 of Article 28 requires an approval by the supermajority vote of at least eight members of the Board of Supervisors.

And I think we can take this item, same house, same call without objection.

The ordinance is finally passed.

Madam Clerk, please call item number six.

Item six, this is an ordinance to amend the subdivision code to establish procedures pertaining to resale prices, capital improvement costs, marketing and sales, policies for conveyance through inheritance, title changes, owning, occupying, and refinancing below market rate condominium conversion units, also known as BMR units, and to clarify effective dates for requirements applicable to BMR units under subdivision code section 1344, purchased on or after October 1st, 2025.

And I think we can do this same house, same call without objection, the ordinance is finally passed.

Madam Clerk, please call item number seven.

Item seven, this is an ordinance to amend the building code to remove local requirements pertaining to commercial lighting, rooftop mechanical penthouses, driveway and sidewalk load limits, and the slope protection act to affirm the sequid determination and to make the appropriate findings.

And we can do this.

Same house, same call without objection.

The ordinance is finally passed.

Madam Clerk, please call item eight.

Item eight, this is an ordinance to amend the health code to clarify the city's enhanced ventilation standards by codifying the requirement that all new buildings and major renovations of buildings that contain a sensitive use certify that the building's ventilation system is capable of maintaining positive pressure, limiting applicability of the city's enhanced ventilation standard to single-family homes, effective January 1st, 2026, to align with state law and to make findings under the California Health and Safety Code to affirm the secret determination and to make the appropriate findings.

And we can do this.

Same house, same call.

Without objection, the ordinance is finally passed.

Madam Clerk, please call item nine.

Item nine, this is an ordinance to order summary vacation of a public service easement for public utility purposes at 112 Kensington Way to authorize the city to quit claim its interest in the vacation area.

That is also assessor's parcel block number 2923 and lot number 078 to Kevin Jenkins and Lalitha Chandrasker for 20,000 and to affirm the CEQA determination and to make the appropriate findings.

We'll do this, same house, same call.

Without objection, the ordinance is finally passed.

Madam Clerk, let's go to new business.

Please call item 10.

Item 10.

This is an ordinance to amend the administrative code and labor and employment codes to update city contract processes and requirements.

Okay, and I think we can do this.

Same house, same call.

Without objection, the ordinance is passed on first reading.

Madam Clerk, please call item 11.

Item 11.

This is a resolution to approve the 15th modification to an airport contract for project management support services for the Terminal 3 West Modernization Project with WCMEJV to increase the contract amount by $76 million for a new amount of $126 million and to extend the contract for services for an additional five years, a total term now of April 12th, 2016 through December 12th, 2030.

And same house, same call.

Without objection, the resolution is adopted.

Madam Clerk, please call item 12.

Item 12, this is a resolution to approve and authorize the Director of Property on behalf of the Fleet Management Department, known as Central Shops, to execute a lease agreement for 1908 through 1950 in its avenue for a six-year term through September 30th, 2031, with one five-year option to extend the term with Innis Group LC LLC at a base rent of approximately 632,000 per year with 3% annual rent increases.

Additionally, the city will contribute up to an approximate 349,000 for tenant improvements.

And we'll do this, same house, same call without objection.

The resolution is adopted.

Madam Clerk, please call item 13.

Item 13, resolution to levy property taxes at a combined rate of approximately one dollar on each 100 valuation of taxable property for the city and county, the unified school district, the county office of education, the community college district, the Bay Area Rapid Transit District, and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and to establish pass-through rates per 100 of assessed value for residential tenants and based on tenancy commencement dates pursuant to the administrative code chapter 37 for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2026.

Same house, same call.

Without objection, the resolution is adopted.

Madam Clerk, please call item 14.

Item 14, resolution to authorize the San Francisco Animal Care and Control to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Presidio Trust to provide animal control and welfare services for an addition an initial term of five years with an option to extend for an additional five years.

Madam Clerk, please call item 15.

Item 150.

Item 15 is a resolution to approve the second amendment to the agreement between the city and Edgewood Center for Children and Families to provide hospital diversion and crisis stabilization unit services to extend the term by four years and nine months for a total term of October 1st, 2023 through June 30th, 2030, and to increase the amount by approximately 22 million for a new total amount of approximately 31.6 million.

Same house, same call without objection.

The resolution is adopted.

Madam Clerk, please call item 16.

Item 16, resolution to authorize the Department of Public Health to enter into a grant agreement for a term commencing on execution of the grant agreement through June 30th, 2027, between the city and county and the California Department of Health Care Services and its third party administrator, advocates for human potential Inc.

Having anticipated revenue to the city of 10 million to include a permitted and restricted use to authorize DPH to accept and expand grant funds to authorize the grantor to apply for a receiver in the event of the city's default.

Same house, same call.

Without objection, the resolution is adopted.

Madam Clerk, please call item 17.

Item 17 resolution to authorize the Department of Homelessness in Support of Housing to execute a subgrant agreement with the Urban Institute for a total amount of 200,000 of just home cohort number one continuation funds to retroactively accept and expend those grants funds to support continued project management of the Just Home Program for costs incurred June 15th, 2025 through September 30th, 2026.

Same house, same call.

Without objection, the resolution is adopted.

Madam Clerk, please call item 18.

Item 18 resolution to approve and authorize the director of property to acquire certain real property located at 1660 and 1670 Mission Street to approve and authorize an agreement of purchase and sale for real estate for the acquisition of the property for the purchase price of approximately 18.5 million plus an estimated 30,000 for typical closing costs for a total amount of approximately 18.5 million from 290 division LLC, 1660 Mission LLC, and Skyline Capital, a Wyoming limited liability company, and to affirm the CECA determination and to make the appropriate findings.

Same house, same call without objection.

The resolution is adopted.

Madam Clerk, could you please call item 19?

Item 19 was referred without recommendation from the budget and finance committee.

This is a resolution to approve the third amendment to the grant agreement between Urban Alchemy and the Department of Homelessness and Support of Housing for Shelter Services and Operations at 7 Eleven Post Street to extend the term the grant term by six months for a new total term of March 21st, 2022 through March 31st, 2026, to increase the agreement amount by approximately 4.9 million for a new total amount of 27.6 million.

Supervisor Slaughter.

Yes, thank you, President Maneman.

Um just want to briefly speak on this item that was referred without recommendation from land use.

This is a uh extension of a contract for a homeless shelter in my district in Lower Knob Hill.

Um we're looking at a six-month extension here, and I will be supporting this, but I do have concerns about the practice of urban alchemy at this site in particular.

There's been um findings that uh there's been mismanagement of funds from this site in particular.

Um, and you know, I want to make sure that we are not rushing into any long-term agreement after the six month extension, so kind of putting this out uh to flag that I will be later at roll call introducing a hearing so that we have a measure of accountability to monitor uh the finances of this site in particular before we consider a longer term uh extension, but for now at the six month, six-month extension, I will be supporting it with those comments withstanding.

Thanks.

Supervisor Mahmoud.

Colleagues, I'd like to also speak on item 19 on the grant agreement amendment to urban alchemy.

And echoing uh Supervisor Sauders's comments.

Uh I agree accountability is key and rightfully so.

And there is concern about nonprofit management and fiscal sustainability here.

And it would be wise for us as a body to do our due diligence, and I support this need for improved financial prudence from groups with city contracts.

But I also want to elevate a broader point, irrespective to 7-Eleven posts, but more broadly on the timing and the impact of the work of urban alchemy and its importance to the community safety and neighborhood conditions.

And elevate that I hear almost daily from residents in the tenderloin that the value that UA provides is incalculable.

Their work is difficult.

These UA ambassadors are often in some of the most challenging public safety situations, and it's no secret that they operate in one of the most challenging neighborhoods in our city.

And yet they show up, smile on their face, bringing safety to our community and building relationships with neighbors.

No one's perfect, and that's why this program works.

What makes them so effective is their lived experience.

Urban Alchemy employs formerly incarcerated individuals, giving them a second chance and reducing rates of recidivism.

It's a win-win.

This model and its effectiveness embodies San Francisco's values.

This is a city that believes in uplifting those around us that believes in second chances and believes this is a city for all.

And for the supervisors on the board who may doubt or have limited experience with the neighborhood and the work of urban alchemy, I invite you to join me on a walk through the TL to ensure that we are making informed decisions related to their services as we are looking to have them made.

Thank you.

Thank you, Supervisor Mahmoud.

So I think we can take this same House, same call without objection, the resolution is adopted.

And Madam Clerk, can you please call items 20 through 22 together?

Items 20 through 22 are three resolutions that respond to the presiding judge of the Superior Court on the findings and recommendations contained in three 2024 through 2025 civil grand jury reports.

Item 20 is entitled Capacity to Serve: Setting Social Services Nonprofits Up for Success.

Item 22 entitled Tex in the City: Government Opportunity to Seize the AI Moment.

And item 22 is entitled Failed Vision, Revamping the Roadmap to Safer Streets, and for all three items to urge the mayor to cause the implementation of accepted findings and recommendations through his department heads and through the develop the development of the annual budget.

And I think we can take these items, same house, same call without objection.

The resolutions are adopted.

Madam Clerk, please call item 23.

Item 23, this is an ordinance to amend the public works code to authorize public works to perform graffiti abatement on private properties in commercial areas at no cost to the property owners, solely at the property owners' request and upon property owner's authorization and property owners' waiver of claims associated with the graffiti abatement and to affirm the CEQA determination.

We'll take this item, same house, same call.

Without objection, the ordinance is passed on first reading.

Madam Clerk, please call item 24.

Item 24, this is a resolution to express interest in forming an enhanced infrastructure financing district to support funding affordable housing in well-resourced neighborhoods, and to request the controller's office, the Office of Economic Workforce Development, and the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development to explore options for establishing an EIFT and other innovative financing options.

Thank you, President.

Colleagues, I hope I can count on your support for this resolution to explore options and interests in forming an EIFD to support affordable housing production on the West side and other neighborhoods in the state-defined well-resourced neighborhoods, as we are also deliberating the rezoning legislation.

The concept of an EIFD is not new.

It allows us to use the property tax growth and actually only part of that as per our city's policy to support financial infrastructure projects in the short term.

And affordable housing is something that the state allows us to consider infrastructure.

Affordable housing in San Francisco has always relied on the market to produce fees, and we do need to look at other financing models in addition to what we already have.

They are models that are counter-cyclical, that will work even if the market is down, so that we can continue to build affordable housing, which our communities rely on.

By voting on this resolution, it does not bind us to do any particular formation of EIFDs, but it simply urges the departments to put forward their thinking so that we can evaluate our options in the future.

I want to thank the controller's office, the mayor's office of economic and workforce development, the mayor's office of housing for their work in helping us determining options later this fall so that we can engage in discussion on what might work best to bring the essential affordable housing units we need on the West side.

One thing I know in all of our rezoning conversations and the conversations that we're having about the housing that we need in the future is that affordable housing financing is a must.

We need it, we need it on the west side, we need it all over San Francisco, and we need different mechanisms so that we can always guarantee that affordable housing production is part of what we're doing always in all areas of the city.

Thank you.

Thank you, Chair Melgar, Supervisor Chan.

Thank you, President Amendment, colleagues.

I will not be in support of this item today or this resolution today.

For the reason because I see that the better venue to really uh invest in affordable housing is to continue to um figure out ways like affordable housing bond, which we have done successfully in the last few years.

Um I really think that the next step is actually build the momentum for a regional housing bond for the reason because I think again, uh we need affordable housing, we need affordable housing everywhere in San Francisco, to say that we will only be having uh in on the well-resourced neighborhoods and collecting um tax increments uh from the west side and only for the west side, instead of thinking about, you know, uh uh public dollars like the bond and being able to provide some flexibility to have different kinds of affordable housing depending on the needs and also locations, availability, all of those is really what I'm looking for, so I would not be in support of that today.

Thank you, Supervisor Chan.

Chair Mulgar.

Thank you.

I just wanted to point out in response to my colleague from District One that the formation of an EIFD in no way precludes a bond.

In fact, it should be both.

Uh, and in no way precludes uh the a regional Bay Area financing agency mechanism to fund affordable housing.

In fact, I think we need more than one, we need more than three, we need as many ways to finance affordable housing as possible all over San Francisco.

Uh Supervisor Chan.

Thank you, President Maneman.

I disagree.

I think the reality is that like when we have to look at our entire capacity, both in debt capacity uh as well as tax revenue generation.

I mean, you can shake your heads all you want, but the reality is that we actually want to evaluate.

We know that EIFD, when it actually collect tax increments, it does take some capacity away in terms of tax revenue generated for the entire city.

So I do not, I am, I I think we have a different approach.

Uh, and I really firmly believe that an EIFD uh at this moment uh for well-resource uh neighborhoods and dedicated only to affordable housing, and then to instead of being able to focus on affordable housing bond and talk about our bond capacity and re potentially even a regional bond, I think is taking resources away from developing that.

I really look forward to the energy and the capacity that we should really drive toward a 2028 regional housing bond.

We failed, you know, just now, like last year, that we couldn't actually have it together.

It actually is really hurting our ability to build more affordable housing.

We know that according to the mayor's office of housing and community development, that we are running out of money for affordable housing, and that to have to spend the time for EIFD proposal, which is actually gonna take so much longer.

As we all know, EIFD is gonna take uh two decades, three decades to really see the yielding any type of revenue uh coming back to the city.

We should spend the time and resources on a regional housing bond instead.

I sense that this conversation will continue.

Um I uh speaking last and seeing no one else on the in the queue.

I will just add, I am I am going to support this resolution today.

As a member of your capital, as a member of the Capital Planning Committee, I have concerns about the city's historic underinvestment in our capital needs, and going forward, I think there is a conversation we need to have, not just about housing, but about all of the capital needs that we're gonna have on the west side and throughout the city to support the significant housing development that we are contemplating.

And so um, but I am supporting this as it is an expression of interest, and I think the beginning, not the end of a conversation.

But as we go forward with that conversation, I think we need this is a little different from um some of the concerns that have been raised.

I think we need to think about the broader um array of infrastructure needs that we historically as a city have not invested enough in and are only going to grow.

And with that, Madam Clerk, can you call the roll?

On item 24, Supervisor Milgar.

Aye.

Milgar, I, Supervisor Sauter, Sauter, I, Supervisor Cheryl, Cheryl I, Supervisor Walton, Wilton, I, Supervisor Chan.

Chan, no, Supervisor Chen.

Chen, I, Supervisor Dorsey, Dorsey, I, Supervisor Ringardio, Engardio, I, Supervisor Fielder, Fielder, I, Supervisor Mahmoud.

Mahmoud, I, and Supervisor Mandelman.

Aye.

Mandelman I.

There are 10 ayes and one no, with Supervisor Chan voting no.

All right.

The resolution is adopted.

Um, Madam Clerk, let's go to our 230 special order.

Yes, the 230 special order is the recognition of commendations for meritorious service to the city and county of San Francisco.

And we're going to start off today with District 7, Supervisor Melgar.

Thank you, President.

Um, if uh Dr.

Diana Oliva Aroche could come up, please.

Oh my goodness, I can't believe how big your son is.

Colleagues are our kids went to preschool together.

So, oh my goodness.

Um, today I have the great honor to present a special commendation to someone I believe is a gift to our world and our city and county um in our community, Dr.

Diana Aroche.

Diana has dedicated over 25 years through her work in advancing equity center policy in public health, violence prevention, child and family well-being, and community empowerment.

Diana has always centered the work around equity and change, serving under four consecutive mayors.

She held roles at the Department of Public Health, the Department of Children, Youth and Families, and community-based organizations serving youth and immigrants.

Most recently, Diana served as the Director of Policy and Public Affairs for the San Francisco Police Department, where she supported former Chief Scott and historic reforms that have been recognized nationally.

As a daughter of immigrants and a fellow Salvadorreña, Diana carries with her a strong sense of responsibility to ensure that our lived experiences and our contributions to society are not erased, that we deserve a seat at the table.

If she was not already doing enough things in the world as a working mom, helping to guide massive reforms in our police.

She decided to pursue her PhD at the University of San Francisco in organization in leadership and graduated with honors, on top of already having a Masters of Public Health.

She is also the founder and CEO of AD Strategies, which is a firm that supports mission-driven leaders and organizations.

I am in awe of everything that you do and that you have achieved, Dr.

Arche.

And you do so much with grace and humility.

You bring people in, you build a wider tent, you never discount or discourage others.

You always treat everyone with respect.

I hope that many young people out there will see you and see themselves, that they too can be agents of change, and then be limitless in achieving their dreams.

I am so excited that our mayor has selected Diana to lead the Department of the Status of Women into its next chapter.

Thank you for everything you have done, and I am so proud of you.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

But hold up because other supervisors want to pile on.

Supervisor Dorsey.

Thank you, Supervisor Melgar.

Great choice.

And I just want to say, Deanna, as a colleague of yours, only because it's there's so many people to honor today.

I'm gonna be very brief, but it has meant the world to me to be a colleague, colleague of yours in the police department when we have the opportunity to work on police reform for the couple years that I was there, and then being here having an opportunity to work with you and seeing what your next the next things you're gonna do as a department head.

So I just want to say congratulations.

Thank you so much.

Supervisor Walton.

Thank you, President Melman.

I'm gonna be brief.

I was not gonna say anything, but then with Supervisor Dorsey timed in, I had to make sure you knew and understood how much I appreciate all of your work over the years.

I mean, we go back to our days at Department of Children, Youth and Families, but it's been amazing to watch your work, and I'm just excited you're still with the city family, and this recognition is well deserved.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

I will echo my colleagues.

Congratulations, Dr.

Arroche, and the floor is yours.

Thank you so much.

Um, well, first of all, I just want to say good afternoon, President Mandelman, Supervisor Melgar, and the members of the Board of Supervisors.

Um obviously I have to make sure that I hold on to, you know, the formality that I held on for years.

Uh, but more than anything, I want to just say thank you so much for your support.

Um, Supervisor Malgar.

We also have worked together for many, many decades.

Um, and I absolutely want to thank you for this incredible honor to stand in front of you and to be honored in this month in particular.

Um, it means the world to me to stand in front of the community in front of my family, in front of everybody that I've worked with for decades.

Um, and so I just want to thank you as another fellow Salvadoreña, too, and tell you that I am here dedicated, ready to roll up my sleeves and want to make sure that I continue doing the work that we do to strive uh for women, girls, and non-billionary communities, but also for the community at large here in San Francisco.

Very excited off of the new role, and I do want to thank the mayor and the mayor's office for all the work and believing and trusting in me to continue moving forward the work that I so passionately believe in.

Um, I also want to sincerely thank my husband, my best friend, my life partner, who's actually in ox start right now, uh, with my son in another son in a national boxing tournament.

Um, I obviously want to thank my children that are here present.

Um, Joaquin, Kali, who's in the audience, um, Ketzali and Alex who couldn't join us today.

Um, we have a big family, and I just want to thank every single one of my children for allowing me to be a mom, for allowing me to learn about life, and most importantly, for allowing me to be able to work for this city.

Um I also want to honor my mother and father.

Um, I wouldn't be here without them and with without the strong lineage of Salvadorian roots.

Uh, as Supervisor Melgar said, I stand in front of you today with a long lineage of sacrifice.

My family were war refugees that came and aspired one day to actually build a life of safety, a life of prosperity here in the United States, and they sought asylum and they had four daughters, including myself.

I'm the eldest of four, and uh I'm proud to say that I am one of four daughters that are all graduated, have a doctorate, um, and my sisters are pursuing their dreams, and so I do want to acknowledge them and all the hard work that they've done.

Um, and finally, I just want to say um it would be remiss if I didn't mention that today is the actual day, the National Day of Remembrance for the US Indian boarding schools and the harsh history that our nation faced.

And so while I am honored, deeply honored to be recognized today, I have to acknowledge the day of today and some of the harsh history for us to continue making sure that we don't repeat the same history that this nation has sometimes uh unfortunately tragically moved forward.

And so for those children that were forced into boarding schools, there are parallels today with children in the Latino community that are also being separated by their with separated from their mothers, from their families, from their fathers, from their caretakers.

And I ask you, um, I wouldn't be me if I didn't plead and say at the end of this to say thank you, but I also ask you to roll up your sleeves and continue defending all the values that we stand for here in San Francisco for the Latino community.

So thank you.

And it's an honor, and I look forward to what we're with you.

It's not very congratulations again, Dr.

Ocean.

District 9, Supervisor Fielder.

Thank you, President Manelman.

Uh, quiero perdir, por favor, que las y los líderes de fe en acción, suben al podio.

I today, in honor of Latino Heritage Month, I am deeply honored today to present a commendation for the leaders of Faith in Action Bay Area, San Francisco, who are based in the heart of District 9.

This group represents newcomer and immigrant families, many of whom are homeless and living in shelters.

Some of whom have had to sleep with their kids on the streets of San Francisco.

They've had to lead their countries to protect their families and build a life here in our city, a sanctuary city that welcomes all and thrives precisely because of our immigrant communities.

We're all belong and all are welcome.

They are primarily moms who have become powerful community leaders who are advocating tirelessly for homeless families so that no child is left to sleep on the streets.

As you know, this year alone, faith in action leaders have helped change our family shelter length of stay policy to one that is much more sensible and just and perhaps more importantly, their advocacy led to protecting and increasing housing subsidies for families in this year's budget in order to expand viable exits from homelessness.

And with that I'm going to address the rest of my remarks in Spanish to honor this inspiring group.

Uncomfortable entre si con la communidad de familias immigrantes para sus familias andestas santuaria.

But the mas bonito de su manera de organizar is que no solo and presentando que también ofrece soluciones.

Good afternoon, my name is Lorena Cotto.

Veronica Cotto, apologies.

She is one of the leaders of Faith in Action, and she's here to want to first and foremost, she wants to appreciate the recommendation today by Supervisor Jackie Fielder.

Pero simple yes, continuamos en la lucha.

Una invitation para quienes no son nuestros aliados que los niños y una meta in community.

Alright, so I'm going to summarize what she's saying is that we know that we're here together, and I'm speaking for her.

We know that we're here together, and we know that we're being recognized.

But we want to know, want you all to know that the fight doesn't stop here.

Our fight doesn't stop.

We want to be able to reach the faces, the ears, the minds of those who are not with us who don't know the fight and the struggle that we pursue, but we reach out to them to let them know that our fight and our goal overall to not let children be out on the street doesn't stop, and it'll continue, and we hope with their support.

She has done now.

Of the directive table, and leader of faith and action.

As was spoken before, we want to be appreciative of the command commendation done today.

We want to echo the voice that the struggle is not done.

We want to continue the fight to make sure there are no more children on the streets, but also to be caring for the elderly.

Thank you.

But it is now my honor today to present a special commendation to someone whose life work has been a blueprint for service, leadership, and community transformation, Miss Ruth Barajas.

Ruth is a proud San Francisco native whose journey and community work began when she was just 16 years old as one of the first young people in the chalk program.

By seventeen, she knew her calling was to become the director of chalk, and by 21, she had achieved that dream.

That early determination is a thread that has carried through every chapter of her career.

For nearly 25 years, Ruth serves as the director of workforce and re-entry at the Bay Area Community Resources, growing programs across Alameda and Contra Costa counties while keeping strong roots in San Francisco.

She built reentry services, expanded into housing, and created workforce programs for undocumented youth and young people living in Hope and Service communities in District 10.

Ruth is also a visionary collaborator.

She helped launch the roadmap to Peace Initiative and the Reset Justice Collaborative.

She co-founded the city's My Brother and Sisters Keeper Youth Council and later the Barber Pathway Program and the City's first Barber Expo, opening new doors for entrepreneurs and the formerly incarcerated alike.

When COVID-19 pandemic began, Ruth's leadership was indispensable.

She helped launch the Latino Task Force Resource Hubs, first in the mission, the Excelsior, then Bayview, and Visitation Valley.

These hubs served entire families from small children to seniors.

Her commitment to building across the life course of individuals has strengthened our city in profound ways.

In recent years, Ruth was critical to supporting SALT and the Pacific Islander community to launch the nation's first Pacific Islander Cultural District, a landmark achievement that spans across districts 9, 10, and 11.

Beyond San Francisco, Ruth has made an impact statewide and nationally, serving on the board of National Youth Employment Coalition, contributing to the California Opportunity Youth Network, and serving on the city's workforce alignment committee.

Her academic path reflects the resilience and determination she instills in others, starting at community college, then advancing to Mills, where she earned degrees in sociology and urban education.

Today she continues her journey as the executive director of the Latino Task Force at Mission Language Vocational School.

But perhaps her proudest title is not director or executive, it is mother and grandmother.

She is the mother of Kali and Carlos and the grandmother of three-year-old Junior, who no doubt will inherit her strength and compassion.

Ruth is a testament to what happens when passion meets purpose.

She has lifted up countless young people, families, and communities, and has done so with grace, determination, and love.

Congratulations, Ruth, and thank you for everything you have given to our city and communities.

So Ruth, you can speak in a moment, but Supervisor Melgar also wants to speak.

So go ahead, Supervisor.

First, Supervisor Walton, excellent choice.

Ruth, you are one of these unsung angels of our world.

In addition to all the wonderful things that Supervisor Walton just said, I uh have had the pleasure of working with you and the honor of watching you change the lives of countless generations of young people in San Francisco.

Your dedication to the development of our youth, to the love that you bring in these interactions, to supporting our community as they grow and to keep them safe and with access to opportunity.

It's been breathtaking.

You are truly just a rock star.

And I am so glad that we're honoring you today.

Just you are a beacon of hope.

And I'm so glad that you have, you know, you're keeping it going.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And Supervisor Fielder.

Thank you, President Maneman.

I just wanted to echo my colleagues and say that your impact on District 9 is immeasurable, as evidenced by the amazing level of applause in the room today.

My feats like all the mission is here.

Um great choice supervisor.

And just wanted to thank you for your commitment to the youth, for your work on violence prevention, job development, supporting our immigrant communities.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Now it's your turn.

Yeah.

First, I want to say that I'm joined by my son Gali.

Thank you, Supervisor Walton and the D10 office.

Special shout out to D10 legislative aid and community leader, Tracy Brown Gallardo.

A true com a true community warrior and someone I'm lucky enough to have as a mentor.

If you know me, you know I have a lot to say, but I tend to get a little tongue-tied when I talk about myself or when I'm getting acknowledgements, but this means a lot to me.

Thank you to the full board.

And it literally saved my life.

I knew then at that young age that this was my purpose, that I was meant to be a tool for the creator to use to help other people, to support my community.

It's been almost 30 years, but I know that I have more to do.

But I also know that I don't do this by myself.

Not only do I stand on the shoulders of ancestors, but I stand on the shoulders of my friends, my family, and my community, many of whom are in the room.

I first became passionate about helping young people find and use their voice because I know what using mine did for me.

I became passionate about creating economic opportunity for young people because I know what it was like to grow up with a single mom who struggled to provide for her children.

I'm a proud daughter of an immigrant father, rest in peace, and I carry the value of immigrants with me every day.

I became passionate about re-entry because I supported my brother through multiple prison sentences and two strikes.

He now owns his own moving company and is a homeowner in D10.

Yeah, give it up.

They are all part of my purpose, and it keeps me grounded in why I have dedicated my life to service.

Thank you to my sons.

They spent their entire childhood sharing me with so many other young people, and I thank them for that.

I know it wasn't always easy.

And I need to give a special thank you to Marty Weinstein, who couldn't make it today, a two-decade mentor of mine who taught me so many lessons about service, how to treat others, and how to be a leader.

And I need to thank my mother, who's in the room.

She's the strongest woman I know, and her strength lives in me.

And last but not least, there's a handful of young people in the room, as well as some amazing adults who were young people in programs I managed over the years, who I've been blessed to support in one way or another.

I don't know that you understand how much you guys have given back to me.

Thank you for trusting me.

At Chalk, we have a few core values.

At Chalk, we have a few core values we follow.

I'd like to share two with you as I close.

First, that this is a lifestyle, not a job.

And second, that we utilize our life experiences to positively affect the community.

Thank you for seeing me.

Thank you, President uh Mendelman.

Alma.

And I to begin, I also want to thank Supervisor Feuder and Supervisor Melgar, and also Tracy Brown from D10.

This is like beautiful.

Like all this immigrant stars are beautiful.

And uh my honor today, it's also beautiful.

Uh I am so proud to honor Alma Castellanos, a San Francisco native.

Thank you for those clapping.

She's amazing.

Who she also spent her entire life deeply rooted in the Excelsior neighborhood.

She has lived and worked in District 11 for the past 17 years.

She's a proud mother, grandmother, and committed community leaders, uplifting the neighborhood that her family calls home.

As the director of operation at Kletra and the vice president of the executive of the Excelsior Action Group CBD board, she is tirelessly advocating for small business in underserved communities like District 11.

She is also tirelessly advocating for small business and also play an instrumental role in helping small business that thrives with technical assistance and community center initiatives.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Alma served as the executive resources top coordinator for the Latino Task Force, Casa de Apollo.

At a time when most was sheltering in place and step, she stepped up supporting food distributions, personally deliver food boxes to family in need, and also supporting testing at VAC and vaccination at Quacker Amazon Park.

Thank you for that.

Elma's commitment extends far beyond emergency response.

She has supported critical projects aimed at economic empowerment, including her work with Mission Street vendors during the temporary vending ban.

She assisted multiple vendors to secure store fund space spaces to continue their small business operation, preserving their likelihood and honoring the cultural vibrancy of the corridor.

Through her dedication, compassion, and strategic leadership, Alma Castanianos continue to shape a more resilient, inclusive and thriving future for San Francisco and the Excelsior.

Thank you for everything that you have done and that you will do.

Thank you, Alma.

So honored to honor you today.

And before you speak, Supervisor Fielder.

Thank you, President.

Great choice, Roger Chen, once again.

Alma, it's been great to get to know you in this new job, and your love for the community is so clear.

Um every time you're out talking to small business owners, talking to vendors, talking with city administration.

It's just so clear your dedication goes above and beyond what anyone could really have for this particular role that you hold in San Francisco and for especially for a Latino immigrant community.

Um your compassion is just really beautiful, and it's um we're really lucky to have you serving District 11 and District 9 and really the whole city.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Two more.

Supervisor Melgar.

Thank you.

Alma, thank you so much for everything you've done.

Um, it has been uh really breathtaking to watch you step up uh in leadership uh through your work at BACR and um taking on this role at Gletcha, uh supporting our small businesses, our folks who are vending.

Um all of this just shows what a wonderful generous person you are, but also that you're putting your skills, you know, to uh the use of the community that needs you.

Not everyone puts themselves out there when they're needed, and so thank you so much for everything you do.

An excellent choice, Supervisor Chen.

Supervisor Walton.

Obviously, there are a lot of people being honored today that I would love, of course, to just say some some words about, but I really just want to appreciate you for being someone who not just focuses on empowerment, but you also understand the importance of working cross-culturally and providing opportunities for everyone.

So I just want you to know we see you, appreciate you, and this is well deserved.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

The floor is yours.

Um thank you, supervisors.

Thank you, Supervisor Chen.

Thank you, um, to the whole board of supervisors.

Um, first and foremost, I'd like to start by saying I stand before you as a proud Mexicana Salvadorea, daughter of immigrants.

I say that with pride because as the first granddaughter, firstborn daughter, I have been a community member since I could speak.

For the simple fact that I have been a translator for my grandparents, translator for the family, translator for the community, um, advocating for for my family, community, my friends, my colleagues.

Um, this work never stops.

I say it with pride because I represent my abuelitos, my mother who is here with me, my uncle Joe, my children, my grandchild, my entire family, my friends, and my colleagues.

I couldn't have done this, and I wouldn't be here without them and without you guys.

I am honored to be here as a San Francisco native.

To be recognized by the very city that raised me is a big accomplishment.

I am so thankful to have been a part of history in San Francisco.

From starting with the Latino Task Force to help start the heart of the Excelsior, Casa de Apoyo, to now director of operations at Gletcha.

I thank you and I humbly accept this opportunity and wonderful acknowledgement.

I really want to thank uh Ruth Barajas, who actually gave me my opportunity at Latino Task Force and BACR.

To be recognized today alongside her, Omar de Real as well from Latino Task Force, it is truly truly everything.

I also want to say a special thank you to William Ortiz Cartagena for also seeing me and giving me the opportunity to take in this role of Director of Operations at Gletsch as well.

I want to thank my partner.

Again, community work is 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Thank you for giving me patience and giving me grace and allowing me to be for the community like I am for them at home.

Everything I do, I do with the love that I have for them and for the love I have for the community.

We're the ones that are standing here day and night advocating for not just ourselves, but for everybody in our communities.

So again, I thank you all very much.

Gracias to all the community, thank you to everybody.

Um, I'm not sure.

District one, Supervisor Chan.

Thank you, President Mendelman.

Um, colleagues, today I have the honor to uh recognize Jose Aguello, um, who is the owner of uh Baboa Produce in the Outer Balboa.

Uh Baba Wai Produce was established approximately 45 years ago on a unique block of the Outer Richmond.

Um Jose and his wife Maria began operating the grocery store in 2014 and they've been established uh their business there.

Um not only that um they are truly a unique immigrant story in the Richmond and in San Francisco, you should meet this amazing family.

Um I want your entire family to come up and because I think once I introduce them and as they tell their story, you will know why.

Um that this is a family that um why Latino Heritage Month uh is really why we do what we do.

This is a family that uh parents who work really hard, dedicated their life raising three amazing children, and I think that when they continue to grow, they will be one of these leaders that coming back in this chamber and that we will honor them again and that they will be the next generation of leaders in San Francisco.

But I'm gonna have Jose to really tell his story and uh you know what what an amazing man, but I know he can't do it alone if it weren't for his wife Maria.

But um his kids are here, uh, also Jose, who's a uh student now, a freshman University of Santa Clara, um, and uh daughter uh Giselle uh is a pediatric oncologist, uh on tocologist, and it's just amazing.

Uh and then also David, who is a high school student, um senior uh at Sacred Heart High School, just amazing family.

We're so grateful to have them in the Richmond uh in San Francisco.

Um we we visit them often, but um Jose as a dad and as a neighbor and a small business owner, really been a pillar of our community uh and really contributed a lot on that block and in our neighborhood.

Um but he truly brings uh the culture and the heritage uh not just to our community but also uh through his family.

So Jose, the floor is yours.

Um, I couldn't already and everyone here, uh, to celebrate the Latino Heritage Month.

I will say something about me and my business and Spanish and my son will translate in English.

Uh in Spanish, my hijo Jose lo traducirá in English.

Comenzó mi carrera in el mercado de las frutas y las verduras atrás oficien años ando que llegué a los Estados Unidos.

Uh tiendas comestibles, donde tuve la opportunidad de aprender todos mis abilidades, essenciales que me ayudaron a dirigir con exito my negocio, Balboa Produce.

Antes de Balboa Produce, uh yo trabajé in different tiendas comestibles, más pequeños.

Donde solo tenía el area del produce y el groceries, el área de la carnicería era de otro dueño.

Fue in San Francisco también.

Including the negotiation that I have in the Balboa Produce.

Balboa Produce not also, but we presencired the crecimento and the transformation of the continual desarroll of my negotiation.

My family and yours agree the appointment of San Francisco, especially the district of Richmond, and our supervisor Connie Chan for the reconnaissance and negotiation familiar.

So I'm Jose's son, I'll be reiterating what he studied in English.

I began my career in the produce market business at the age of 19, right when I arrived in America.

I worked in several different grocery stores where I had the opportunity to learn essential skills, which helped me to successfully run Balbao produce today.

Simultaneously I was delivering produce to various markets and restaurants, including one of those being Balboa Produce.

Not easy, but worth it.

Balboa produce allowed me to be close to my children's school, St.

Thomas, create lifelong relationships with surrounding businesses, owners, and families.

Balboa produce was not the only source of income but our livelihood livelihood.

We have taken pride in having the privilege of witnessing the growth and transformation of our neighborhood, as well as the development, the continued development of our business within it.

My family and I just want to take a moment to thank the support of San Francisco Community, especially the Out of Richmond District, and Connie Chan for the recognition and appreciation of our family business Belvaro Produce.

Before I close, I actually like wrote a note for my parents.

Um I want to give someone to thank my mom and dad for everything that you have done for our family.

You have provided us with everything we needed to see to succeed in this world, and have taught us the true meaning of sacrifice, putting the needs of those you love above your own, leaving one life behind and building a new one from the ground up was the greatest gift you have could have given us for that and so much more we love you and for we're ever grateful.

Thank you, Mom and Dad.

Thank you, President Mandelman.

Um is Balam here.

Come on up.

Javier was born in Mexico City in 1974 and raised by hard working parents who instilled in him the values of discipline, family, and community.

And in the mid nineteen nineties, he came to the United States in pursuit of the American dream.

And in San Francisco, he and his family built a life rooted in perseverance and service.

Opening Lenore's was Javier's way of honoring his mother's memory while also creating a place that celebrates Mexican culinary traditions