Government Audit and Oversight Committee Meeting - April 7, 2022
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Government Audit and Oversight Committee Meeting – April 7, 2022
The Government Audit and Oversight Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors met on April 7, 2022, chaired by Supervisor Dean Preston, with Vice Chair Connie Chan and Supervisor Rafael Mandelman present. The committee considered two items: an ordinance to codify the Shelter Grievance Policy and a resolution authorizing the mayor to vote in favor of forming the Excelsior Community Benefit District.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 1 (Shelter Grievance Policy): Numerous members of the public testified in support, including Paul Bowden (Western Regional Advocacy Project), Ian James (Coalition on Homelessness), Bishop Jorge Garcia (spiritual leader), Tyler Kaiser (Coalition on Homelessness), Jennifer Friedenbach (Coalition on Homelessness), Toro Costano (human rights intern), Christopher (formerly homeless), Ben Bakowski and Uballo Campos Spinoza (shelter client advocates), Tyler Rougeau (resident), Marisela Anaya (mother of three, via interpreter), Jordan Davis, Terry Bora (Shelter Grievance Advisory Committee chair), Aliana Binder (Glyde), Anoxal Rama (HomeRise), Alejandro Nunio (Division Circle Navigation Center), Kristen Evans (volunteer), Elizabeth (via interpreter), Leon Ting Collins (case manager), Rhode Kill Johnson (formerly homeless advocate), Megan Fallon (Five Keys Schools), Yosenia (Lawrence Street Community Services), Seneza Revelow (formerly homeless), and Mari McKeever (public interest attorney). All urged codification, noting the policy’s 30-year success, the need for due process, and negative consequences when suspended during the pandemic. No speakers opposed.
- Item 2 (Excelsior Community Benefit District): No public comments.
Discussion Items
- Item 1 – Administrative Code – Shelter Grievance Advisory Committee and Shelter Grievance Policy (File 220090): President Shamann Walton introduced the ordinance to codify the shelter grievance policy, which has existed since 1992 but was never in the municipal code. The policy provides a two-stage appeals process for shelter clients facing denial of service, helping prevent exits to the street. Walton emphasized that due process must not be suspended, even during emergencies. Supervisor Mandelman expressed concerns that codification could hinder rapid shelter expansion and that the policy might need suspension in future emergencies; he voted no. Chair Preston and Vice Chair Chan strongly supported the ordinance, arguing that regulation and due process do not impede service delivery and that transparency is essential. The motion passed 2–1.
- Item 2 – Resolution – Excelsior Community Benefit District (File 220303): Bill Barnes from Supervisor Safai’s office explained that the resolution authorizes the mayor to sign petitions supporting formation of the Excelsior Community Benefit District, which would allow property owners to assess themselves for improvements. Three city-owned parcels (library, former DPH site) would be assessed about $7,000 annually. Chris Corgus from OEWD answered technical questions. The committee approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Item 1: Approved by the committee with a 2–1 vote (Preston and Chan in favor, Mandelman opposed). The ordinance will be forwarded to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation.
- Item 2: Approved unanimously by the committee. The resolution will be forwarded to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation.
Meeting Transcript
And we'll be ready. Good morning. This meeting will come to order. Welcome to the April 7th, uh, 2022 regular meeting of the Government Audit and Oversight Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. I am Supervisor Dean Preston, Chair of the Committee, joined by Vice Chair Connie Chan and Supervisor Raphael Mandelman. The committee clerk today is Victor Young. And also want to thank uh the team at SFGov TV for staffing this meeting. Mr. Clerk, do you have any announcements? Uh yes. The Board of Supervisors and its committees are now convening hybrid meetings that allow in-person attendance and public comment while still providing remote access and public comment via telephone. The board recognizes that equitable public access is essential and will 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 who are waiting on the telephone line. For those watching either channel 26, 78 or 99 and sfgovtv.org. Public comment and call in number is streaming across the screen. The number is 415-655-0001. Again, that's 415-655-0001. Then enter the meeting ID of 2488-337-7338. Then press pound and pound again. When connected, you will hear the meeting discussion, but you unmute it and in listening mode only. When your item of interest comes up, public comment is called. Those joining us in person should line up to speak, and those on the telephone should dial star three to be added to the speaker line. If you are on the telephone, please remember to turn down your TV or listening devices you may be using. As already indicated, we will take public comment from those already intending in person first, then we will go to our public comment telephone line. Alternatively, you may submit public comment in writing in either of the following ways. Email them to the GAO Clerk, Government Audits and Oversight Committee Clerk at John Carroll at SFgov.org. That's J-O-H-N dot C-A-R-R-O-L-L at SFGO V dot or G. If you submit public comment via email, it will be forwarded to the supervisors and included in the file. You may also send your written comment via US mail to City Hall 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlit Place, Room 244, San Francisco, California, 94102. Finally, items acted upon today are expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors agenda on April 19th, 2022, unless otherwise stated. In addition, I believe we have made arrangements for uh translation services for item number one in Spanish. Uh, I would like to turn it over to the uh Miss Uh Villa Mara to make some initial statements. Thank you. Buenos días at all. Bienvenidos a la Junta de Oyda 7 de April del 2022. Estaremos proveendo interpretation al English y Al Spaniol para su beneficio. But I can deserve commentarios publicos. Luego tecle el numero de la Junta que is el 2487-7338. O prima il symbolo de Libra those bases. Luego espera ser connectado y marque l'estrella 3. Thank you. Uh that completes the initial announcements. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. And before we call the first item, I want to um thank the clerk's office. Thank you, Mr. Clerk, for uh Mr.
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