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Record of Proceedings

San Francisco Budget Committee Reviews FY2023-2025 Budgets and Policy Items – June 21, 2023

Budget and Appropriations Committee — Wednesday, June 21, 2023
BodySan Francisco, California
SessionBudget and Appropriations Committee
DateWednesday, June 21, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:06

Good morning.

0:06

The meeting will come to order.

0:08

Welcome to the June 21st, 2023 meeting of the budget and appropriation committee.

0:13

I'm Supervisor Connie Chan, Chair of the Committee.

0:16

I'm joined by Vice Chair Raphael Mendelman and Supervisors Hillary Ronin and Shaman Walton.

0:21

Our clerk is Brent Halipa.

0:23

I would like to thank uh Matthew Eight Nall and Suze Enos from SFGov TV for broadcasting this meeting.

0:34

Mr.

0:34

Clerk, do you have any announcement?

0:36

Yes, Madam Chair, just a friendly reminder for those in attendance to please make sure to silence all cell phones, hand electronic devices as to not interrupt our pre proceedings here in the chamber.

0:45

The Board of Supervisors and its committees are convening hybrid meetings that allow in-person attendance and public comment while still providing remote access and public comment via telephone.

0:54

Public comment on the proposed budget as items one and two will be taken on Monday, June 26th, starting at 10 a.m.

1:01

And public comment on uh balance of the items of the agenda will be taken before committee action.

1:07

Those attending in person will be allowed to speak first, and then we will take those who are waiting on the cell phone line.

1:12

However, for those uh watching remotely and streaming through sfgovtv.org, the public comment call in number is streaming across the screen.

1:19

Uh when connected, you will hear the meeting discussions, but you'll be muted and listening mode only.

1:24

Uh if your item of interest comes up and public comment is called, those joining us in person will line up to speak first.

1:30

And those on the cell phone should dial star three to be added to the speaker line.

1:34

If you're on your telephone, please remember to turn down your TV and all listening devices you may be using.

1:38

And each speaker will be allowed up to two minutes to speak unless otherwise stated.

1:42

Uh alternatively, you may submit public comment in writing in either of the following ways.

1:46

Email them to myself, the budget and appropriations committee clerk at brengt.j at sfgov.org.

1:56

If you submit public comment via email, it will be forwarded to the supervisors and also included as part of the official file.

2:03

You may also send your written comments via U.S.

2:05

Postal Service to our office in City Hall.

2:07

That's one, Dr.

2:08

Carlton B.

2:09

Good place, Haroon 244, San Francisco, California, 94102.

2:13

And Madam Chair, that completes my uh announcements.

2:15

Thank you, Mr.

2:16

Clerk.

2:16

And before we call any item, I would like to take a moment to explain how this week will proceed.

2:21

Last week we held our first round of hearing about departmental budgets.

2:25

This week, departments will be returning with their responses to our questions.

2:30

All the questions that were asked by this committee.

2:33

The committee will also be hearing from the budget and legislative analysts' office on their recommendations for further reductions based on some of the priorities we all have previously stated to scrutinize department spending, particularly around non-personal cost, contracts, travel budgets, and service delivery.

2:53

We will not, please note, we will not have public comments at the end of each day this week as we did last week.

3:02

But we will hear from the public after all departments have presented uh the public comment day will be on Monday, June 26th, starting at 10 a.m.

3:14

in this chamber.

3:15

Uh and will be the public's opportunity to weigh in on everything we discussed last week and again this actually uh that we discussed this week, I should say on this agenda.

3:27

The order of departments for each day is available on both our agendas as well as the board's budget webpage.

3:34

Finally, for our department's representatives, we hope that your presentation focused on answering any question committee members proposed to you last week.

3:44

If there were no questions for you last week, you accept the cuts or I should say reduction proposed by the budget and legislative analyst and members do not have any additional question, then we will get to you quickly to accept those reductions and on your way with the rest of your day.

4:02

Uh very similar to while I say there's no public comment at the end of each day.

4:09

Uh because again, the chairing legislation that we have on our agenda, those will require us to open for public comments.

4:19

However, the public comments only pertaining to the trailing legislation and not item uh one and two.

4:28

So with that, uh Mr.

4:29

Clerk, could you please call item six and seven together?

4:33

Yes, madam chair.

4:34

Item six is a resolution retroactively authorizing the Department of Public Health to accept an expended grant increase in the amount of approximately 1.2 million for from the centers for disease control and prevention for a total amount of approximately 2.2 million for participation in the program entitled National Human Immunodeficiency Virus Behavioral Surveillance, San Francisco for the period of January 1st, 2023 through December 31st, 2023.

5:05

And item number seven uh is an ordinance amending the health code to set patient rates and rates for other services provided uh by the Department of Public Health for fiscal years twenty twenty-three to twenty-four and twenty twenty-four to twenty-five.

5:20

Um Madam Chair.

5:21

Thank you, Mr.

5:22

Clerk.

5:22

And before uh we go forward with these items, uh I would just want to do a reminder for everyone.

5:27

We're limiting the public comments to one minute, and these two items together will have public will have to require us to open for public comments.

5:35

We have verbal presentation uh by Miranda Tate, project coordinator from National HIV behavioral surveillance online.

5:46

Hello, yeah.

5:48

Um, yes, hi.

5:50

We are the um national HIV behavioral surveillance team where we've conducted surveillance for HIV since about 2003 for populations of high burden, um, such as men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, things of that nature.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Budget and Finance█████████████████████████████████████████████62%
Procedural████████11%
Public Works██████8%
Personnel Matters████5%
Public Comment███4%
Public Health██3%
Racial And Social Equity█2%
Human Resources█1%
Technology and Innovation█1%
Summary of Proceedings

San Francisco Budget Committee Reviews FY2023-2025 Budgets and Policy Items – June 21, 2023

The Budget and Appropriations Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors met on June 21, 2023, to consider the proposed FY2023-2024 and FY2024-2025 budgets, along with related policy items. Chair Connie Chan presided, joined by Vice Chair Rafael Mandelman and Supervisors Hillary Ronen, Shamann Walton, and Ahsha Safai. The meeting focused on departmental budget presentations and responses to the Budget and Legislative Analyst (BLA) recommendations, with public comment on the main budget items scheduled for June 26, 2023. The committee voted on several items and set the agenda for the next day.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 6 and 7 (HIV Grant and Patient Rates): The committee approved a resolution retroactively accepting a $1.2 million increase (total $2.2 million) from the CDC for HIV behavioral surveillance, and an ordinance setting patient rates for the Department of Public Health for FY2023-2025. Both were forwarded to the full board with a positive recommendation (5-0 vote).
  • Item 4 (Contract Certification): A resolution concurring with the controller's certification that certain services could be performed by private contractors was approved and forwarded (5-0 vote).
  • Item 5 (SB1 Road Project List): A resolution approving the list of projects funded by Senate Bill 1 (Road Repair and Accountability Act) for FY2023-2024 was approved and forwarded (5-0 vote).
  • Item 3 (Reporting Burdens Ordinance): An ordinance amending administrative and environment codes to reduce reporting burdens was amended by the committee (adding annual list of reports to the board) and then forwarded to the full board with a positive recommendation (5-0 vote on amendment, then 5-0 on final passage).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Item 4 (Contract Certification): One member of the public spoke, expressing confusion about the item and alleging that their rights were being violated. No other public comments were submitted.
  • Item 5 (SB1 Project List): One speaker again expressed confusion and frustration, claiming their rights were being lost. No other comments.
  • No public comments were taken on the main budget items (1 and 2) as per the chair's announcement; those will be heard on June 26, 2023.

Discussion Items

  • Department of Human Resources (DHR): Director Eisen agreed to BLA reductions totaling $85,491 in FY23-24 and $446,587 in FY24-25. Vice Chair Mandelman expressed concern about impacts on hiring improvements, but the BLA and director stated the cuts would not affect core hiring initiatives. The committee approved the reductions.
  • Department of Technology: Director Jarrell agreed to BLA reductions of $446,956 in FY23-24 and $226,857 in FY24-25. Approved.
  • Assessor-Recorder: Director Torres agreed to all BLA recommendations except one policy recommendation to upgrade a manager position (from 0923 to 0931) at an added cost of $16,008. The committee rejected the policy recommendation, aligning with the chair's focus on controlling manager-to-staff ratios. Revised BLA reductions: $236,250 in FY23-24 and $104,304 in FY24-25.
  • Planning Department: Director Hillis disagreed with a BLA policy recommendation to cut a vacant manager 2 position (0923) used for racial and social equity work. The committee sided with the department, retaining the position. BLA reductions: $572,863 in FY23-24 and $545,903 in FY24-25.
  • Department of Elections: Director John Arntz agreed to BLA reductions of $70,763 in FY23-24 and $60,337 in FY24-25. Approved.
  • Retirement Board: The board agreed to BLA reductions but disagreed with three policy recommendations to delete or reclassify manager positions (cybersecurity and investment roles, totaling $634,307 in FY23-24). The committee noted these positions do not affect the general fund and left the decision to the board. BLA reductions: $499,110 in FY23-24 and $693,982 in FY24-25, plus encumbrances.
  • General City Responsibility: The committee agreed to $500,000 in reductions and placed $10 million in reserve for the APEC conference, consistent with the mayor's request.
  • Controller's Office: Controller Ben Rosenfield opposed a BLA policy recommendation to delete a new manager 3 position ($199,480) for a budget academy training program. The committee supported the controller, citing the need for training given high staff turnover. BLA reductions: $195,917 in FY23-24 and $176,748 in FY24-25.
  • City Administrator's Office: Director Katie Petruccioni agreed to BLA reductions of $1,067,000 in FY23-24 and $872,528 in FY24-25. Approved.
  • Public Works: Director Carla Short disagreed with a BLA policy recommendation to convert a park area supervisor position (3464) to a manager 1 (0922) for $41,024 savings. The committee upheld the department's position, noting the conversion would change applicant qualifications. BLA reductions: $1,230,120 in FY23-24 and $863,127 in FY24-25 (non-general fund).
  • Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development: Director Benjamin McCloskey agreed to BLA reductions of $634,109 in FY23-24 and $204,323 in FY24-25. Approved.
  • Board of Supervisors: The committee rejected the BLA's recommended $6,000 reduction, with Chair Chan noting the board's lean operations. The BLA had also recommended closing encumbrances.

Key Outcomes

  • Votes and Forwarding: Items 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 were forwarded to the full board (July 11, 2023) with positive recommendations. All votes were 5-0.
  • Technical Adjustments: Director of Budget Dumene announced technical adjustments to be submitted, including shifting $500,000 for the board's legislative management system to FY23-24.
  • Continuation: The committee recessed at the end of the meeting and will reconvene on June 22, 2023, at 10:00 AM to consider items 1, 2, and 8-17 (remaining budget and policy items). The motion to recess passed 5-0.
  • Public Comment Schedule: Public comment on the main budget (items 1 and 2) will be held on Monday, June 26, 2023, at 10:00 AM in the chamber.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning. The meeting will come to order. Welcome to the June 21st, 2023 meeting of the budget and appropriation committee. I'm Supervisor Connie Chan, Chair of the Committee. I'm joined by Vice Chair Raphael Mendelman and Supervisors Hillary Ronin and Shaman Walton. Our clerk is Brent Halipa. I would like to thank uh Matthew Eight Nall and Suze Enos from SFGov TV for broadcasting this meeting. Mr. Clerk, do you have any announcement? Yes, Madam Chair, just a friendly reminder for those in attendance to please make sure to silence all cell phones, hand electronic devices as to not interrupt our pre proceedings here in the chamber. The Board of Supervisors and its committees are convening hybrid meetings that allow in-person attendance and public comment while still providing remote access and public comment via telephone. Public comment on the proposed budget as items one and two will be taken on Monday, June 26th, starting at 10 a.m. And public comment on uh balance of the items of the agenda will be taken before committee action. Those attending in person will be allowed to speak first, and then we will take those who are waiting on the cell phone line. However, for those uh watching remotely and streaming through sfgovtv.org, the public comment call in number is streaming across the screen. Uh when connected, you will hear the meeting discussions, but you'll be muted and listening mode only. Uh if your item of interest comes up and public comment is called, those joining us in person will line up to speak first. And those on the cell phone should dial star three to be added to the speaker line. If you're on your telephone, please remember to turn down your TV and all listening devices you may be using. And each speaker will be allowed up to two minutes to speak unless otherwise stated. Uh alternatively, you may submit public comment in writing in either of the following ways. Email them to myself, the budget and appropriations committee clerk at brengt.j at sfgov.org. If you submit public comment via email, it will be forwarded to the supervisors and also included as part of the official file. You may also send your written comments via U.S. Postal Service to our office in City Hall. That's one, Dr. Carlton B. Good place, Haroon 244, San Francisco, California, 94102. And Madam Chair, that completes my uh announcements. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. And before we call any item, I would like to take a moment to explain how this week will proceed. Last week we held our first round of hearing about departmental budgets. This week, departments will be returning with their responses to our questions. All the questions that were asked by this committee. The committee will also be hearing from the budget and legislative analysts' office on their recommendations for further reductions based on some of the priorities we all have previously stated to scrutinize department spending, particularly around non-personal cost, contracts, travel budgets, and service delivery. We will not, please note, we will not have public comments at the end of each day this week as we did last week. But we will hear from the public after all departments have presented uh the public comment day will be on Monday, June 26th, starting at 10 a.m. in this chamber. Uh and will be the public's opportunity to weigh in on everything we discussed last week and again this actually uh that we discussed this week, I should say on this agenda. The order of departments for each day is available on both our agendas as well as the board's budget webpage. Finally, for our department's representatives, we hope that your presentation focused on answering any question committee members proposed to you last week. If there were no questions for you last week, you accept the cuts or I should say reduction proposed by the budget and legislative analyst and members do not have any additional question, then we will get to you quickly to accept those reductions and on your way with the rest of your day. Uh very similar to while I say there's no public comment at the end of each day. Uh because again, the chairing legislation that we have on our agenda, those will require us to open for public comments. However, the public comments only pertaining to the trailing legislation and not item uh one and two. So with that, uh Mr. Clerk, could you please call item six and seven together? Yes, madam chair. Item six is a resolution retroactively authorizing the Department of Public Health to accept an expended grant increase in the amount of approximately 1.2 million for from the centers for disease control and prevention for a total amount of approximately 2.2 million for participation in the program entitled National Human Immunodeficiency Virus Behavioral Surveillance, San Francisco for the period of January 1st, 2023 through December 31st, 2023.

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