San Francisco Budget and Appropriations Committee Meeting - June 10, 2022
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San Francisco Budget and Appropriations Committee Meeting - June 10, 2022
On June 10, 2022, the San Francisco Budget and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Supervisor Hilary Ronan and joined by Supervisors Chan, Marr, President Walton, and later Vice Chair Safai, convened a special meeting. The committee considered two sets of items: the routine interim budget ordinances (Items 1-3) for fiscal years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, and a hearing on the Shared Schoolyard Program (Item 4). The interim budget items were approved unanimously, while the shared schoolyard hearing sparked concern over the proposed elimination of its $600,000 annual city funding.
Interim Budget Items (Items 1-3)
- Risa Sandler from the Controller's Office presented the proposed Interim Annual Appropriation Ordinance (AAO) and Interim Annual Salary Ordinance (ASO), explaining they are standard items to allow city operations to continue while the Board deliberates the full budget. The interim budget authorizes expenditures at the levels proposed in the Mayor's budget, with exceptions for new capital projects and equipment.
- Public comment: David Pilpel expressed support for the interim ordinances but requested clarity on funding sources for non-general fund positions. He noted the absence of a Budget and Legislative Analyst (BLA) report on the interim exceptions.
- The committee voted unanimously (5-0) to forward Items 2 and 3 to the full Board with a positive recommendation as committee reports. Item 1 (the hearing) was also filed unanimously.
Shared Schoolyard Program Hearing (Item 4)
- Supervisor Chan introduced the hearing, emphasizing the program's importance for outdoor recreation, especially during the pandemic and for families unable to afford camps. She noted the program's value in the Richmond district and citywide.
- Don Cumlin Advan (Head of Facilities, SFUSD) and Katie Poyle (Executive Director of Facilities, SFUSD) presented. They explained that the program, initially established in 2007, is now 100% city-funded through the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families (DCYF) at $600,000 annually. It operates 45 schoolyards on weekends and holidays, opening 36 acres of play space and 24 playgrounds. In the last 12 months, free programming served 2,600 children. They highlighted the "Shared Schoolyards 2.0" initiative launched during the pandemic, which added docents, restrooms, and free programming at 15 sites. The program costs less than $150 per week per site ($8,000/year) and $500 per weekend for enhanced programming. They noted that the existing budget could support an additional 10 schoolyards by 2023, but they were informed the funding was not included in the Mayor's proposed budget for the coming year.
- Public comment: Multiple speakers advocated for restoration of funding. Radoslav Stefanov (Street Soccer USA) described running programs at several schoolyards and the positive impact on children. Wes Graves (Super Soccer Stars) emphasized the need for enrichment during the pandemic. Matt Dove (YMCA of San Francisco) urged full restoration of $600,000 baseline, noting the program's reach. David Pilpel supported continued funding, calling it a cheap investment with substantial benefits.
- Supervisors expressed disappointment and concern. President Walton recalled the program's origins and highlighted the importance of safe recreational spaces. Supervisor Safai noted the program's benefits for children, seniors, and families, and expressed confidence that the Mayor's Office could find funding. Chair Ronan called the program the most efficient use of city dollars and land. Supervisor Chan said she hoped to restore the funding.
- The committee voted unanimously (5-0) to hear and file the item, with the understanding that efforts would be made to restore the funding.
Key Outcomes
- Items 2 and 3 (Interim AAO and ASO) were forwarded to the full Board with a positive recommendation (vote: 5-0).
- Item 1 (hearing on interim budget) was filed (vote: 5-0).
- Item 4 (Shared Schoolyard Program hearing) was heard and filed (vote: 5-0). Supervisors expressed intent to work with the Mayor's Office to restore the $600,000 funding for the program.
- The committee adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, welcome. Sorry, I always do that. Good afternoon. The meeting will come to order. Welcome to the June 10th Special Budget and Appropriations Committee meeting. My name is Hilary Ronan. I'm chair of the budget and finance committee. I am we are in budget and appropriations committee, which I'm also the chair of. I am joined by Supervisors Chan and Marr as well as President Walton. And we should be joined by Supervisor Safai shortly. Our clerk is Brent Halipa. And I would like to thank uh Jason Goldamer from SFGov TV for broadcasting this meeting. Mr. Clerk, do you have any announcements? Thank you, Madam Chair. With our return to the chamber, just a friendly reminder for those in attendance to please make sure to silence all cell phones and electronic devices. The Board of Supervisors and its committees are now convening hybrid meetings that allow in-person attendance and public comment while still providing uh remote access and public comment via telephone. The board recognizes that equitable public access is essential and we'll be taking public comment as follows. First public comment will be taken on each item on this agenda. Those attending in person will be allowed to speak first, and then we will take those waiting on the telephone line. For those wait watching either channels 26, 78, or 99, and sfgovtv.org. Uh the public comment call-in number is streaming across the screen. That number is 415-655-0001. Again, that's 415-655-0001. And enter the meeting ID of 2491 324-6017, then pound and pound again. Uh when connected, you will hear the meeting discussions, but you will be muted hand in listening mode only when your item of interest comes up and public comment is called. Uh those joining us in person should line up to speak. Those on the telephone should dial star three to be added to the speaker line. Uh, if you're on your telephone, please remember to turn down your TV and all listening devices you may be using. Um alternatively, you may submit public comment and uh writing in either of the following ways. Email them to myself, the budget and appropriations. Committee clerk at B R E N T dot J A L I P A HET SF G O V dot or G. If you submit public comment via email, it will be forwarded to the supervisors and also included as part of the official file. Uh, you may also send your written comments via U.S. Postal Service to our office and city hall. That's one Dr. Carlton B. Goodlit Place, Room 244, San Francisco, California, 94102. And uh thank you, madam chair. That concludes my announcements. Thank you so much. Mr. Clerk, can you please read items one, two, and three together? Yes, items. Uh item numbers one through three are items involving the mayor's proposed interim budget for the departments of the city and county uh for fiscal years 2022 to 2023 and 2023 to 2024. Item one is the hearing to consider the proposed budget. Item two is the proposed interim budget and appropriation ordinance, appropriating all estimated receipts and all estimated expenditures for departments uh of the city and county uh as of June 1st, 2022 for the fiscal years ending June 30th, 2023 and June 30th, 2024. Item three is a proposed interim annual salary ordinance, enumerating positions in the annual budget and appropriation ordinance for the fiscal years ending June 30th, 2023 and June 30th, 2024, continuing creating or establishing these positions, enumerating and including therein whole positions created by the charter or state law for which compensations are paid from the city and county funds and appropriated in the annual appropriation ordinance, authorizing appointments or continuation of appointments there too, specifying and fixing the compensations and work schedules thereof and authorizing appointments to temporary positions, positions and fixing compensations. Members of the public who wish to provide public comment on these items should call 415-65501. The meeting ID is 2491 324-6017.
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