San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting (December 2, 2025)

The Board met in regular session on December 2, 2025 (all 11 Supervisors present). The Clerk announced Mayor Daniel Lurie’s December 1, 2025 appointment of Alan Wong to fill the District 4 vacancy; Supervisor Wong had taken the oath and joined the Board. The Board approved prior minutes, adopted a large consent calendar, took up multiple funding/contract and policy items, held a Committee of the Whole hearing on SFPD’s U.S. DOJ reform recommendations (272 total), and advanced major “Family Housing Zoning Program / Housing Choice San Francisco” ordinances from the Land Use Committee.

Consent Calendar

• Approved meeting minutes for:
  • October 28, 2025 Regular Board meeting
  • October 20, 2025 Land Use & Transportation Committee special meeting (constituting a Board quorum)
  • Vote: 11-0.
• Adopted Items 1–18 on consent (routine matters).
  • Vote: 11-0; ordinances passed (first reading/final as applicable) and resolutions adopted.

Discussion Items

• Item 19 — Department of Elections appropriation for statewide election costs
  • Ordinance appropriating ~$4.5 million in State cost reimbursement revenue to support the November 2025 statewide special election costs.
  • Required 2/3 vote (Charter §9.113C); passed on first reading without objection.
• Item 20 — DPH/Catholic Charities HIV services agreement amendment
  • Resolution approving Amendment No. 1 to extend services 5 years (through June 30, 2031) and increase funding by ~$7.3 million (to ~$13.4 million total).
  • Adopted without objection.
• Item 21 — SFPUC easements for underground water pipeline (Alameda County)
  • Acquisition of an ~4,000 sq ft permanent easement and ~35,000 sq ft temporary construction easement at 11601 Main Street for $35,000 plus $5,000 admin fee and up to $10,000 closing costs (total $50,000).
  • Adopted without objection.
• Item 22 — Fire Department training facility grant
  • Retroactively authorized acceptance/expenditure of ~$637,000 FEMA grant (via Cal OES) for a new training facility, performance period Aug. 1, 2024–Apr. 20, 2027, with indirect cost waiver.
  • Adopted without objection.
• Item 23 — Laguna Honda Hospital settlement
  • Ordinance authorizing settlement of litigation involving over 700 current/former Laguna Honda residents for ~$5.8 million (claims included elder-dependent adult abuse, invasion of privacy, negligence, and patients’ rights violations).
  • Passed on first reading without objection.

Behested Payments Waivers (Oversight and Revitalization)

• Item 24 — 6-month behested payments waiver (Mayor/OEWD) for economic revitalization
  • Supervisor Fielder (GAO Chair) stated she opposed due to lack of information from the Mayor’s Office about who was solicited and whether solicitations involved “interested parties,” despite advance questions and a same-day memo she said contained “zero answers.”
  • Supervisor Sherrill expressed support, describing downtown revitalization as critical to city revenues and citing tourism indicators (e.g., convention hotel rooms “up more than 60%” but still below pre-pandemic; air tourism “up 7.5%” year-over-year but still below pre-pandemic).
  • Supervisor Chan supported but emphasized stronger future scrutiny across all behested waivers and suggested reviewing best practices with the Ethics Commission and fiscal analysts.
  • Supervisor Sauter supported and suggested embedding oversight requirements into waiver legislation.
  • Vote: 8-3 (Ayes: Mahmood, Mandelman, Sauter, Sherrill, Wong, Chan, Chen, Dorsey; Noes: Fielder, Melgar, Walton). Resolution adopted.
• Item 25 — Behested payments waiver (HSH) to solicit donations for expanded shelter/homeless services
  • Supervisor Walton opposed, stating she would not support the Mayor soliciting resources she believed would “oversaturate” District 10 with homelessness impacts.
  • Supervisor Fielder supported, contrasting HSH’s responsiveness in committee with OEWD/Mayo’s Office on Item 24.
  • Vote: 10-1 (No: Walton). Resolution adopted.

Public Safety / Enforcement Policies

• Item 27 — Sideshow misdemeanor fines
  • Ordinance increasing maximum fine for sideshow misdemeanor convictions from $500 to $1,000.
  • Supervisor Walton supported for safety but cautioned about disproportionate impacts on people of color and unintended consequences.
  • Passed on first reading without objection.
• Item 28 — Vending permit enforcement for theft-targeted merchandise
  • Ordinance authorizing warnings/infractions/misdemeanors and fines up to $1,000 for vending certain theft-targeted merchandise without a permit; conforming Port Code.
  • Supervisor Fielder expressed support and credited collaboration with the Mission Street Vendors Association.
  • Passed on first reading without objection.
• Item 29 — Drug activity enforcement/intervention near youth-serving sites
  • Resolution urging SFPD to implement a plan to address drug use/suspected drug activity, especially within 250 feet of parks/playgrounds/schools/youth centers.
  • Supervisor Fielder supported amendments adding a “whole-of-government” response (DEM/DPH referrals to detox, crisis stabilization, treatment).
  • Adopted without objection.

Community & Governance Items

• Item 26 — Dogpatch & NW Potrero Hill Green Benefit District administration agreement
  • Term Jan. 1, 2026–Dec. 31, 2040.
  • Vote: 11-0; adopted.
• Item 30 — Roxy Theater liquor license (Type 69)
  • Resolution finding “public convenience or necessity” for a beer & wine theater license at 3117 16th Street, requesting ABC conditions.
  • Adopted without objection.
• Items 31–33 — Assessment Appeals Board appointments
  • AAB #1: Appointed Jeffrey Jonathan Morris and Nicholas Goldman (terms ending Sept. 4, 2028).
  • AAB #2: Reappointed John Lee, Mervyn Conlon, Susan Elizabeth Miller (terms ending Sept. 4, 2028).
  • AAB #3: Appointed Franco Sorelli, James Reynolds, Christine Nelson (terms ending Sept. 4, 2028).
  • Approved without objection.

Special Order (2:30 PM) — Commendations

• Commendation: Dr. Jian Zhang (Chinese Hospital)
  • Presented by Supervisor Chen recognizing Dr. Zhang’s ~3+ decades at Chinese Hospital (joined in 1991; CEO since 2017).
  • Speakers highlighted Dr. Zhang’s leadership during COVID-19 and culturally competent, multilingual community health response; Dr. Zhang noted Chinese Hospital’s 126-year history and emphasized access for uninsured/low-income patients.
  • Former Mayor Willie Brown and DPH Director Daniel Tsai spoke in support.
  • Dr. Zhang stated December 2 was declared “Dr. Jian Zhang Day” (as stated during remarks).
• Commendation: Mark Mazza (Department of Emergency Management), Neighborhood Street Team Manager
  • Presented by Supervisor Dorsey; speakers described his extensive on-street engagement (including “sometimes 50 miles a week” walking) and post–Tenderloin Lincoln Center closure reorganization into four zones with 7-day coverage.
  • Mark Mazza emphasized coordinated work with social services and law enforcement and the motto: meeting people where they are, but “we can no longer leave them where they are.”

Special Order (3:00 PM) — Committee of the Whole Hearing (Item 34): DOJ Police Reform Update

• Purpose: Update on implementation of 272 U.S. DOJ recommendations (2016 report) for SFPD reforms.
• SFPD presentation (Aja Steeves, Policy Development Division Manager; with Deputy Chief Nicole Jones):
  • Reported 263 recommendations in “substantial compliance,” with 9 pending.
  • Stated 8 of the 9 pending items directly depend on implementing a data dashboard (performance evaluations, supervisory accountability, metrics/trends, supervisor training; one indirectly related).
  • Described actions/needs:
    • Centralized SFPD data teams under Director of Crime Strategies (July/August 2025).
    • Drafting a new Data Management Department General Order (DGO) to codify data lifecycle standards; noted policy update timelines of ~225–445 business days plus possible 90-day community engagement cycle.
    • Recruiting a CIO; stated a new job posting was expected “in the next couple of weeks” with nationwide recruitment.
    • Seeking a new dashboard vendor after determining the prior vendor could not meet department needs.
• Supervisor questions and concerns:
  • Supervisor Walton asked about racial disproportionality in stops; SFPD discussed enhanced data collection and QADR reporting but did not provide updated disproportionality figures during the hearing.
  • Supervisor Fielder asked about data integrity and prior incidents of inaccurate stop reporting; SFPD said the prior case had consequences and described auditing and adding an incident report checkbox to reinforce documentation.
  • Supervisor Dorsey asked about automating traffic enforcement; SFPD discussed potential expansions (beyond red light and speed cameras) but noted California’s constraints.
• Public testimony (two speakers):
  • One speaker alleged broad governmental misconduct unrelated to the specific reform dashboard/content.
  • Another speaker suggested exploring selling downtown property to the Ohlone tribe for a casino; framed as commentary connected to the land acknowledgment.
• Action:
  • Motion to continue the hearing to May 12, 2026.
  • Vote: 11-0; continued.

Committee Reports — Land Use & Transportation Committee

• Item 35 — Large Residence SUD changes (Central Neighborhoods/Corona Heights)
  • Ordinance expanding Central Neighborhoods Large Residence SUD boundaries; deleting Corona Heights Large Residence SUD and merging it.
  • Vote: 11-0; passed on first reading.

Major Housing/Zoning Package — “Family Housing Zoning Program” / “Housing Choice San Francisco” (Items 36–38)

• Package description (as read into the record):
  • Item 36: General Plan amendments across multiple area plans/elements to implement family housing zoning guidance (heights, density, design, etc.).
  • Item 37: Zoning map amendments to implement family zoning plan (use districts, height/bulk changes, adding parcels to SFMTA SUD; LCP changes).
  • Item 38: Planning Code amendments creating the Housing Choice San Francisco program, a new Residential Transit-Oriented Commercial District, revised parking/curb cuts, SFMTA SUD, senior housing open space/bike parking reductions, and other changes.
• Key Supervisor positions (selected):
  • Chair Melgar supported as a corrective to the 1978 downzoning, describing equity impacts and the need to meet state compliance.
  • Supervisor Sauter supported; opposed late amendments; argued the plan pairs tenant protections with housing growth and warned of builders’ remedy impacts.
  • Supervisor Mahmood strongly opposed last-minute amendments as risking state compliance; cited Planning Department warning that HCD found the plan “just above” capacity requirements and that changes reducing capacity or adding constraints risk decertification.
  • Supervisor Chan offered a last-minute amendment to extend demolition protections to all rent-controlled units (not only buildings with 3+ rent-controlled units), stated he still could not support the overall package even if amended.
  • Supervisor Walton opposed the overall plan, calling it state-driven “bullying,” arguing it lacked financing/project specificity, and warning of displacement risk.
  • Supervisor Chen opposed, stating he supported housing but believed equity/affordability amendments were not sufficiently adopted; cited constituent opposition and concerns about family-sized unit production.
  • Supervisor Wong supported, emphasizing need for west-side housing options and avoiding Sacramento dictating zoning.
  • Supervisor Fielder supported Chan’s amendment and stated she would vote no if it failed, citing concerns about rent-controlled tenants and displacement dynamics.
• Chan amendment vote (to Item 38)
  • Outcome: Failed 4-7.
  • Ayes: Fielder, Walton, Chan, Chen.
  • Noes: Mahmood, Mandelman, Melgar, Sauter, Sherrill, Wong, Dorsey.
• Final vote on Items 36–38 (first reading)
  • Passed 7-4.
  • Ayes: Mahmood, Mandelman, Melgar, Sauter, Sherrill, Wong, Dorsey.
  • Noes: Fielder, Walton, Chan, Chen.

Rules Committee Reports

• Item 39 — Entertainment Zone change
  • Ordinance eliminating the Folsom Street Entertainment Zone and creating the West SoMa Entertainment Zone; affirming CEQA determination.
  • Vote: 11-0; passed on first reading.
• Item 40 — Board of Appeals appointment
  • Motion approving Board President Mandelman’s nomination of Robin Abad Acabello to the Board of Appeals (term ending July 1, 2026).
  • Approved without objection.

Public Comments & Testimony (General)

• Comments included:
  • A speaker criticized the Family Zoning plan and distributed printed materials alleging severe misconduct (claims were not substantiated in the meeting record).
  • Library Users Association (Peter Warfield) promoted the film The Librarians (opening Dec. 4 at the Roxy) and criticized SFPL as insufficiently critical of tech/AI and overly focused on electronic materials.
  • A resident expressed safety concerns about access to their building and unwanted entry (no specific Board action requested).
  • Additional speakers included a proposal for enhanced QR-code-based visitor information for major events and individual statements on personal hardship/safety.

Adoption Without Committee Reference (Items 43–47)

• Items 43, 45, 46 adopted on first appearance (unanimous): vote 11-0.
• Item 44 (Stop Ballroom Bribery Act resolution) was severed then adopted without objection after remarks by Supervisor Chan supporting federal restrictions/transparency to prevent pay-to-play.
• Item 47 sent to committee at Supervisor Walton’s request.

Key Outcomes

• Supervisor seating/appointment recognized: Alan Wong appointed to District 4 (Mayor Lurie communication dated Dec. 1, 2025).
• Appropriations/contract actions:
  • ~$4.5M elections appropriation (Nov. 2025 special election) passed (Item 19).
  • HIV services agreement extended to June 30, 2031 with ~$13.4M total (Item 20).
  • $50,000 total for SFPUC easements (Item 21).
  • ~$637,000 FEMA grant accepted retroactively (Item 22).
  • ~$5.8M Laguna Honda settlement authorized (Item 23).
• Behested payments waivers:
  • Downtown revitalization waiver adopted 8-3 (Item 24).
  • HSH shelter/homeless services solicitation waiver adopted 10-1 (Item 25).
• Policy changes advanced:
  • Sideshow fine maximum increased to $1,000 (first reading).
  • Vending enforcement/fines up to $1,000 for specified merchandise without permits (first reading).
• SFPD reform oversight: reported 263/272 DOJ recommendations in substantial compliance; remaining 9 tied to data dashboard/CIO/vendor/data governance work; hearing continued to May 12, 2026 (vote 11-0).
• Housing/Zoning: Major Family Housing Zoning/Housing Choice SF ordinances (Items 36–38) passed on first reading 7-4; late amendment to expand rent-control demolition exclusion failed 4-7.
• Entertainment Zone: Folsom Street EZ eliminated; West SoMa EZ created (Item 39) passed 11-0.
• Adjournments in memoriam:
  • Wathana Sop (passed Nov. 5, born Jan. 25, 1970).
  • Claude, the albino alligator (California Academy of Sciences).