OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

San Francisco Budget and Finance Committee Meeting - July 22, 2026

Budget and Finance Committee — Wednesday, July 22, 2026
BodySan Francisco, California
SessionBudget and Finance Committee
DateWednesday, July 22, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:15:19

Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

This meeting will come to order.

0:05

I would like to welcome everyone to the July 22nd, 2026 meeting of the Budget and Finance Committee.

0:11

I am Supervisor Matt Dorsey, Vice Chair of this committee, and I am joined today by Supervisors Danny Sauter and Cheyenne Chen.

0:18

Our clerk is Mr.

0:19

Brent Halipa, whom we thank in advance for staffing and keeping us on track today as well.

0:24

We are appreciative for the entire team at SFGov TV for facilitating and broadcasting today's meeting, and that's especially true for our producer today, Mr.

0:32

Jaime Eschevery.

0:33

Mr.

0:33

Clerk, do you have any announcements?

0:35

Thank you, Mr.

0:36

Vice Chair, and just a friendly reminder uh reminder to those in attendance to please to make sure to silence all cell phones and electronic devices to prevent interruptions to our proceedings.

0:45

And should you have any documents to be included as part of the file, it should be submitted to myself, the clerk.

0:50

Public comment will be taken on each item on this agenda.

0:53

When your item of interest comes up and public comment is called.

0:56

Please line up to speak on the west side of the chamber to your right, my left along those curtains, and while not required to provide public comment.

1:03

We do invite you to fill out a comment card and leave them on the trade by the television to your left by the doors.

1:08

If you wish for your name to be accurately recorded for the minutes, alternatively, you may submit public comment in writing in either of the following ways.

1:15

Email them to myself, the budget and finance uh committee clerk at B R E N Tot J A L I P A at SFGO V dot O R G.

1:26

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

1:32

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

1:35

Postal Service to our office in City Hall at one.

1:38

Dr.

1:38

Carlton be good at the place.

1:40

Room 244, San Francisco, California, 941 and 2.

1:44

And finally, items acted upon today are expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors' agenda of July 28th, unless otherwise stated.

1:52

Mr.

1:52

Vice Chair.

1:53

Thank you, Mr.

1:54

Clerk.

1:55

Before we go to item number one, I would like to just remind our viewers and attendees that we have budget and legislative analyst reports for items number uh two, four, five, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, and eleven on today's agenda.

2:10

For those items, we will hear the department presentation first, followed by the budget and legislative analyst.

2:15

We will then facilitate questions from the committee and then invite up public comment.

2:20

However, before I ask Mr.

2:21

Halipa to call item number one, I need to make a motion, excusing Chair Connie Chan from today's meeting.

2:26

Uh Mr.

2:27

Clerk, may we have a roll call on that motion.

2:29

And on that motion, uh, do we excuse Chair Chant from attending today's meeting?

2:34

Member Sauter.

2:36

Sauter, aye.

2:37

Member Chen.

2:38

Chen, aye.

2:39

Um Vice Chair Dorsey.

2:41

Aye.

2:42

Dorsey, aye.

2:42

We have three ayes.

2:43

Thank you, Mr.

2:44

Clerk.

2:44

The motion passes.

2:46

Mr.

2:47

Clerk, would you please call item number one?

2:49

Yes, item number one is a motion ordering submitted to the voters at an election to be held on November third, 2026.

2:55

An ordinance amending the business and tax regulations code to beginning March first, 2027.

3:01

Eliminate the real property transfer tax for foreclosure exemption for the transfer of all properties other than the transfer of residential and mixed-use properties with fewer than five residential units.

3:14

And to make other non-substantive clarifications to the real property transfer tax and increasing the city's appropriations limit by the amount of real property transfer tax collected for four years from November third, twenty twenty six.

3:27

Mr.

3:28

Vice Chair.

3:29

Thank you, Mr.

3:29

Clerk.

3:30

Um colleagues, we heard this and amended this item last week, and this was continued to allow the amendments to sit as they were substantive.

3:38

We have Sam Logan from Supervisor Machmood's office as well as representatives from OEWD if there are any outstanding questions.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████29%
Public Health██████████████14%
Parks and Recreation██████████10%
Public Comment██████████10%
Affordable Housing██████████10%
Homelessness██████████10%
Budget and Finance███████7%
Pending Litigation███3%
Public Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

San Francisco Budget and Finance Committee Meeting - July 22, 2026

The Budget and Finance Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors met on July 22, 2026, at 10:00 AM (estimated) to consider 19 agenda items, including resolutions, ordinances, and hearings. The committee voted on all items, forwarding most to the full board with positive recommendations. Key discussions included a ban on retail nitrous oxide sales, emergency dredging at the Marina Yacht Harbor, and a major affordable housing development in Chinatown.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Item 4 (Nitrous Oxide Ban): Jack Pereira expressed concern about spending $600,000 without local data, urging a study first. Carolyn Gusin (Public Defender's Office) opposed criminal enforcement, citing existing state laws and suggesting civil tools. Elya Romero, a lifelong resident, argued the funds should go to existing public health programs like maternal/child health, not new enforcement.
  • Items 9-10 (Pacific Avenue Housing): Several speakers supported the rent forgiveness and project, including Sydney Yi Siou (Chinatown Media Arts Collaborative), Jenny Lung (Chinese Cultural Center), Dixon Lee (on behalf of Housing Authority Commissioner Sharon Lai), Sharon Ng (Chinatown CDC), and Jeremy Lee (Rose Pack Asian American Club). They emphasized the cultural importance of New Asia Banquet Hall and the need for community gathering spaces.
  • Item 11 (Youth Center Lease): Michelle Roberts (Third Street Youth Center and Clinic) supported the lease expansion, describing plans for therapy rooms, a wellness center, barbershop, and computer lab.

Discussion Items

  • Item 1 (Foreclosure Exemption): Unanimously approved without discussion. The ordinance would eliminate the real property transfer tax foreclosure exemption for most properties and increase the city's appropriations limit for four years. It was moved to the full board with a positive recommendation.
  • Item 2 (Marina Dredging Emergency): The Recreation and Park Department reported that the initial contractor (Marineship LLC) failed to complete dredging, leading to an emergency declaration. The second bidder, Dutra, completed the work by June 30, 2026, at a cost of $1.8 million (of the $2.5 million estimate). The budget legislative analyst (BLA) recommended approval. Supervisor Chen asked about preventing future contractor failures; the department mentioned considering best-value contracting and long-term agreements.
  • Item 3 (Sunset Dunes Grant): The Recreation and Park Department presented a $200,000 state grant for striping and signage to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. The project aims to clarify multi-use zones and reduce conflicts. Approved unanimously.
  • Item 4 (Nitrous Oxide Ban): Supervisor Sauter introduced substantive amendments (circulated) to clarify the display of nitrous oxide and make clerical improvements. The BLA estimated enforcement costs at $600,000/year and recommended data collection before implementation. Supervisor Sauter declined to delay, citing similar bans in other cities and state/federal efforts. The committee voted to amend and continue the item to the next meeting (September 2, 2026).
  • Item 5 (Sheriff's Office Reserve Funds): The Sheriff's Office requested release of $1.125 million in reserve funds for rent ($25,000), body-worn camera software ($93,000), and salary/fringe ($1 million) to cover increased hiring and service expansions. Approved.
  • Item 6 (Juror Per Diem Grant): The Treasurer's Office accepted a $250,000 grant from the Jane Trevetti Fund to increase juror pay to $100/day for low-income jurors, but noted the program would need to reduce to $75/day due to funding shortfall. Approved.
  • Items 7-8 (Furniture Contracts): Two contract amendments with Resource Design Interiors were approved, extending terms through 2029 and increasing totals to $10.63 million and $17.75 million, based on historical spending.
  • Items 9-10 (Pacific Avenue Affordable Housing): The Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) presented a plan to acquire 758 Pacific Avenue and develop 100% affordable senior housing. The BLA raised concerns about the tenant (New Asia) not paying rent since March 2020 and recommended a competitive process for future commercial tenants. MOHCD accepted two of three BLA recommendations, including filing a notice with the clerk and reporting back by January 15, 2027. The committee approved both resolutions with amendments.
  • Item 11 (Youth Center Lease): A $1/year lease for two floors at 888 Post Street to expand the Lower Polk Transitional Aged Youth Navigation Center, funded by over $1 million in private donations. Approved.
  • Item 12 (HUD Continuum of Care Grant): The Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) will apply for up to $56.1 million in federal funding for homeless services. The 2026 competition is more competitive, with tier one limited to 60% of renewal demand. Approved.
  • Item 13 (Sexual Health Grant): A $250,000 state grant for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, retroactively authorized. Approved.
  • Item 14 (STD Prevention Grant): A $1.1 million increase from the CDC for STD prevention and control, retroactively authorized. Approved.
  • Items 15-17 (Epic Systems Gifts): Three gifts from Epic Systems Corporation totaling $12.7 million, $115,000, and $37,500 for training, user group meetings, and materials. Approved.
  • Items 18-19 (Closed Session Settlements): The committee went into closed session to discuss two employment-related settlements (Local 21 and SEIU 1021) totaling approximately $382,000. After closed session, the committee voted to forward both settlements to the full board and not disclose deliberations.

Key Outcomes

  • Item 1: Approved (3-0) and forwarded to full board.
  • Item 2: Approved (3-0) and forwarded.
  • Item 3: Approved (3-0) and forwarded.
  • Item 4: Amended and continued to September 2, 2026 (3-0).
  • Item 5: Approved (3-0) and heard and filed.
  • Item 6: Approved (3-0) and forwarded.
  • Items 7-8: Approved (3-0) and forwarded.
  • Items 9-10: Approved as amended (3-0) and forwarded.
  • Item 11: Approved (3-0) and forwarded.
  • Item 12: Approved (3-0) and forwarded.
  • Item 13: Approved (3-0) and forwarded.
  • Item 14: Approved (3-0) and forwarded.
  • Items 15-17: Approved (3-0) and forwarded.
  • Items 18-19: Approved (3-0) and forwarded; closed session deliberations not disclosed.

Meeting Transcript

This meeting will come to order. I would like to welcome everyone to the July 22nd, 2026 meeting of the Budget and Finance Committee. I am Supervisor Matt Dorsey, Vice Chair of this committee, and I am joined today by Supervisors Danny Sauter and Cheyenne Chen. Our clerk is Mr. Brent Halipa, whom we thank in advance for staffing and keeping us on track today as well. We are appreciative for the entire team at SFGov TV for facilitating and broadcasting today's meeting, and that's especially true for our producer today, Mr. Jaime Eschevery. Mr. Clerk, do you have any announcements? Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair, and just a friendly reminder uh reminder to those in attendance to please to make sure to silence all cell phones and electronic devices to prevent interruptions to our proceedings. And should you have any documents to be included as part of the file, it should be submitted to myself, the clerk. Public comment will be taken on each item on this agenda. When your item of interest comes up and public comment is called. Please line up to speak on the west side of the chamber to your right, my left along those curtains, and while not required to provide public comment. We do invite you to fill out a comment card and leave them on the trade by the television to your left by the doors. If you wish for your name to be accurately recorded for the minutes, alternatively, you may submit public comment in writing in either of the following ways. Email them to myself, the budget and finance uh committee clerk at B R E N Tot J A L I P A at SFGO V dot O R G. 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 at one. Dr. Carlton be good at the place. Room 244, San Francisco, California, 941 and 2. And finally, items acted upon today are expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors' agenda of July 28th, unless otherwise stated. Mr. Vice Chair. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Before we go to item number one, I would like to just remind our viewers and attendees that we have budget and legislative analyst reports for items number uh two, four, five, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, and eleven on today's agenda. For those items, we will hear the department presentation first, followed by the budget and legislative analyst. We will then facilitate questions from the committee and then invite up public comment. However, before I ask Mr. Halipa to call item number one, I need to make a motion, excusing Chair Connie Chan from today's meeting. Uh Mr. Clerk, may we have a roll call on that motion. And on that motion, uh, do we excuse Chair Chant from attending today's meeting? Member Sauter. Sauter, aye. Member Chen. Chen, aye. Um Vice Chair Dorsey. Aye. Dorsey, aye. We have three ayes. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. The motion passes. Mr. Clerk, would you please call item number one?

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