San Francisco Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting – March 24, 2026

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors held its regular meeting on March 24, 2026, commencing at 10:15 AM. The meeting included a roll call, excusal of Supervisor Fielder, passage of multiple ordinances and resolutions, a lengthy discussion on surveillance technology, a series of commendations for Women's History Month, a debate on the Petrero Yard Modernization Project, and several new business introductions. Key votes included approval of an electronic location tracking device policy (9–1) and adoption of a resolution for the Petrero Yard project with amendments urging funding for affordable housing (10–0).

Consent Calendar

• Item 1: Ordinance requiring notaries to provide information on free or low‑cost immigration legal services – finally passed (10–0).
• Items 2 & 3: Zoning map amendments for 2245 Post Street SUD and Mission & 9th Street SUD – finally passed without objection.
• Item 4: Ordinance enhancing sidewalk flower stand permit program – finally passed.
• Item 5: Ordinance ordering conditional vacation of portions of Christmas Tree Point Road and Twin Peaks Boulevard for the Twin Peaks Promenade Project – finally passed.
• Item 6: Ordinance modifying five downtown activation locations – finally passed.
• Items 8–12: Various ordinances (mobile food facility definitions, police overtime appropriation of $34.36 million, gift acceptance of $100,000 for animal care, two lease amendments for Human Services Agency) – all passed on first reading or adopted without objection.
• Items 15–19: Port commission lease, budget process motion, commemorative street name, mechanical street sweeping evaluation ordinance, appointments to Sheriff’s Department Oversight Board – all passed/adopted without objection.
• Items 20–37: 18 resolutions initiating landmark designations for properties including the Century Club, Inverness Garage, Presidio Theater, and others – adopted without objection.
• Items 40–42, 45–46: Resolutions for adoption without committee reference (unanimous) – adopted.
• Item 43: Resolution recognizing March 2026 as Endometriosis Awareness Month – adopted.
• Item 44: Resolution recognizing March 29–April 5, 2026 as Community‑Based Doula Week – adopted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment (Items 40–46 and other matters):
  • A speaker condemned the fentanyl crisis, stating that a two‑year‑old recently died from an overdose and that between 2019 and 2026 approximately 5,000 people have died from fentanyl in San Francisco. The speaker blamed far‑left Democrats and corrupt nonprofits for enabling chaos.
  • Another speaker recited headlines from March 2026, including the deportation of a six‑year‑old deaf boy, a scuffle involving Mayor Lurie’s security, and an ICE agent seen “terrorizing” a woman and child at SFO. The speaker urged the board to pass resolutions supporting the return of the deported child and dropping charges against a homeless man involved in the altercation.
  • Richard Johnson, co‑founder of HV Safe, criticized the process behind the potential permanent closure of Hayes Street, alleging that Supervisor Mahmud’s office initiated and directed the closure study without proper public process and used transportation funds intended for Octavia improvements.
  • One speaker suggested a rules change to hold commendation ceremonies on a separate day.
  • A final speaker noted the complexity of city issues and cautioned against hyperbole from previous commenters.

Discussion Items

Item 7 – Surveillance Technology Policy (Electronic Location Tracking Devices)

Supervisor Chan requested a continuance to obtain answers from SFPD regarding use of tracking devices (Star Chase) and automated license plate readers (Flock ALPR) in light of a 2012 Supreme Court ruling. An SFPD representative explained that GPS tracking is a search requiring a warrant unless an exception (e.g., exigent circumstances) applies; Flock captures images in public view where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. The department’s policy includes safeguards, audit logs, and oversight. Supervisor Walton spoke against the technology, citing privacy concerns, disproportionate impact on people of color, and erosion of trust. He argued for a pause. Supervisor Wong spoke in support, emphasizing the tool’s value in reducing dangerous vehicle pursuits and noting the policy’s strict guardrails. The vote was 9–1, with Supervisor Walton casting the only no vote.

Item 14 – Petrero Yard Modernization Project

Supervisor Chan introduced non‑binding amendments to urge the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) to identify funding sources for future affordable housing and to urge SFMTA to deliver the originally intended 465 affordable housing units at other sites. The original project had been scaled back from 465 affordable units (part of an entitlement approved in March 2024) to 100 units after a $70 million podium cost increase made the larger housing component infeasible. Judson True (SFMTA) explained the history, noting that the podium would cost about $70 million and that building housing above a bus yard would be extremely expensive (roughly $191,000 per unit in land‑acquisition cost) and unfunded. Supervisor Melgar supported the amendments as they did not delay the project. Supervisor Sherrill expressed concern about urging the city to spend money on something that might reduce overall affordable housing production. Supervisor Mandelman voted no on the amendment. The amendment passed 9–1, and the item as amended passed 10–0.

Commendations (Women’s History Month and Other Recognitions)

• Misha Olivis (District 6, Supervisor Dorsey): Co‑founder of United Players; recognized for 30+ years of youth mentorship, including pandemic‑era support through the SOMA Youth Collaborative. Praised for her motto “It takes the hood to save the hood.”
• Britt Alexandria Benton (District 7, Supervisor Melgar): Government Affairs Coordinator at the California Academy of Sciences; honored for connecting communities to science and civics, and for her resilience and grace.
• Sharice Dorsey Smith (Supervisor Walton): Executive Director of the Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families (DCYF); recognized for leading the Community Hubs Initiative, $115 million investment in community‑based organizations, and her calm strategic leadership.
• Lynn Davis (District 2, Supervisor Sherrill): Outgoing President of the Opera Plaza HOA; honored for decades of community service, including volunteering with Bread & Roses, the Tenderloin Community School, and the SFPD Northern Station Community Police Advisory Board.
• Bree Mann (District 3, Supervisor Sauter): Executive Director of Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District; recognized for revitalizing the Wharf with new events, a public plaza, and the SkyStar Ferris Wheel.
• American Red Cross, Bay Area Chapter (District 4, Supervisor Wong): Marking the 120th anniversary of partnership with San Francisco; recognized for responding to 860+ disaster events, collecting 150,000 units of blood, and training 100,000 people in first aid/CPR in the past year.
• Tatiana Alabosi (District 5, Supervisor Mahood): Manager of the Safe Passage Program in the Tenderloin; honored for nearly a decade of ensuring children’s safety on their way to school and for community advocacy that led to street improvements.
• Women’s Housing Coalition (District 1, Supervisor Chan): Recognized for advocating for over 3,000 unhoused women in San Francisco; coalition of 22 organizations pushing for shelter, affordable housing, and wraparound services for survivors of domestic violence and trafficking.
• Dr. Edwards (District 11, Supervisor Chen): Principal of Sheridan Elementary School; honored for fostering a safe space that has become a multigenerational community anchor.

Key Outcomes

• Item 7 (Ordinance approving SFPD electronic location tracking device policy) – Passed 9–1, with one no vote (Supervisor Walton).
• Item 14 (Resolution approving Petrero Yard Modernization Project agreement) – Amendment passed 9–1 (Supervisor Mandelman no); the resolution as amended passed 10–0.
• All other items on the consent calendar and regular agenda were passed without objection or with unanimous votes.
• New business introduced includes a resolution condemning ICE actions at SFO, a resolution in support of SB 1292 (curb management), an ordinance raising the grant approval threshold from $100,000 to $1 million, and initiation of 15 historic landmarks in District 3.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 2:50 PM after the in‑memoriam for José de Jesús García.