San Francisco Government Audit and Oversight Committee Meeting - June 1, 2023
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San Francisco Government Audit and Oversight Committee Regular Meeting - June 1, 2023
The Government Audit and Oversight Committee met on June 1, 2023, chaired by Supervisor Dean Preston, with Vice Chair Catherine Stefani and Supervisor Connie Chan. The committee considered a contract amendment for HealthRIGHT 360, a hearing on community ambassador programs, a response to a civil grand jury report on the emergency firefighting water system, an airport parking contract, and multiple labor agreements. Key actions included forwarding items to the full Board of Supervisors and continuing the ambassador hearing.
Consent Calendar
- Item 1 (230537): Approved a resolution amending the contract with HealthRIGHT 360 for check-writing services, increasing the amount by $60.6 million to a total not-to-exceed $107,416,172, and extending the term through December 31, 2025. The contract is largely pass-through funds for behavioral health services, with only $35,000 annually for actual check-writing fees. The committee forwarded the item to the full board with a positive recommendation.
- Items 5-14: Approved a series of ordinances adopting and implementing memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with various unions, including the San Francisco Fire Fighters Union Local 798 (Units 1 and 2), Municipal Executives Association (Fire and Police), Service Employees International Union Local 1021 (Amendments 2, 3, and 4), and compensation for unrepresented employees. These agreements include a 10.75% general wage increase over three years, retention pay, and specific adjustments for 911 dispatchers and emergency response workers. The committee forwarded all items to the full board with positive recommendations.
- Items 15-35: Approved closed session litigation items, including settlements of lawsuits and unlitigated claims, and an authorization to expend funds for Yosemite Slough sediment studies. The committee recommended these items to the full board.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 1 (HealthRIGHT 360): One public commenter expressed skepticism about the large contract amount, questioning the lack of tangible proof of services. No other comments.
- Item 2 (Community Ambassadors): Numerous speakers testified in strong support of the community ambassador programs, including representatives from the Latino Task Force, Oasis for Girls, Mission Neighborhood Resource Center, Chinese Culture Center, Tenderloin Community Benefit District, and former ambassadors. They highlighted the programs' role in providing safety escorts, de-escalation, multilingual support, and workforce development. One commenter criticized the lack of standards and accountability, alleging drug dealing by ambassadors. Another caller supported the OCEA program and urged continued funding.
- Item 3 (Emergency Firefighting Water System): Two public commenters urged the committee not to accept the studies and to continue the item, citing discrepancies in cost estimates and the need for transparency. They questioned the transfer of the system to the SFPUC and rising cost estimates.
- Item 4 (Airport Parking): One commenter, the owner of SF Parking LLC (a local small business), spoke in favor of the contract, highlighting the benefits of the joint venture for small businesses.
Discussion Items
- Item 2 (Community Ambassadors): The committee held a comprehensive hearing on the city's community ambassador programs, with presentations from the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs (OCEIA), and others. Key points include:
- Inventory: 34 programs identified, 19 public agency-funded and 15 Community Benefit District (CBD) programs. 32 programs operate 7 days a week or weekdays, covering all supervisorial districts.
- Funding: Programs use city funds, grants, and special assessment revenue. OEWD funds six programs with $8.5 million annually; OCEIA's CAP program has a budget of $4.1 million for FY23-24, with a drop in FY24-25.
- Training: Common training includes de-escalation, Narcan, CPR, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed care. Some programs (e.g., Urban Alchemy) provide advanced scenario-based training.
- Accountability: Varies by program; OCEIA ambassadors are city employees with progressive discipline; CBD programs are overseen by their boards. Complaints are handled through program-specific channels.
- Geographic Deployment: Historically ad hoc, with new DEM coordinator role to improve coordination. Supervisor Preston noted gaps in coverage, e.g., in the Tenderloin, and called for a needs assessment.
- SFPD Ambassadors: Supervisor Preston expressed concern about the use of retired police officers under the
Meeting Transcript
You are unmuted. Good morning. This meeting will come to order. Welcome to the June 1, 2023 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 Catherine Stephanie and Supervisor Connie Chan. The committee clerk today is Brent Halipa, and we want to thank the team at SFGov TV for staffing this meeting. Mr. Clerk, any announcements? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a friendly reminder for those in attendance to please make sure to silence all cell phones and electronic devices as to not to interrupt our 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 will be taken on each item on the agenda. Those attending in person will be allowed to speak first, and we will uh take those who are waiting on telephone line and for those watching remotely and streaming through sfgovtv.org. Um the public comment call in numbers streaming across the screen and when connected, you will hear the meeting discussions, but you'll be muted and in listing mode only. When your item of interest comes up and public comment is called, those joining us in person should line up to speak, and those on telephone should dial star three to also 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. Alternatively, you may submit public comment in writing in either of the following ways. Email them to the government audit and oversight committee clerk at S T E P H A N I E. C A B R E R A at S F G O 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. That's one, Dr. Carlton B. Good look, place room 244, San Francisco, California 94102. And finally, Mr. Chair, items acted upon today are expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors' agenda of June 13th, unless otherwise stated. Mr. Chair. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. And uh let's call the first item. Uh yes, item number one is a resolution approving amendment number two to the agreement between Health Right 360 and the Department of Public Health for check writing services uh to increase the agreement by approximately 60.6 million for an amount not to exceed approximately 107.4 million to extend the term by two years and six months from June 30th, 2023 for a total agreement term of January 1st, 2021 through December 31st, 2025, and to authorize DPH to enter into amendments or modifications to the contract prior to its final execution by all parties that do not materially increase the obligations or liabilities to the city and are necessary to effectuate the purposes of the contract or this resolution and members of the public are joining us remotely in which the comments please call 415 65501 enter the meeting ID of 2596-640-2181. Then press pound twice and once connected. Press star three to enter the speaker line. Hey prompt will indicate that you'll raise your hand and when the system indicates you have been muted. That will be your signal to begin your comments. Mr. Chair. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. And uh on this item uh today we'll be hearing from uh Department of Public Health. Um Michelle Ruggles, uh Director of uh DPH's uh business office is here and uh to get us started. Floor is yours. Thank you. Chair Preston, Supervisors Chan and Stephanie, and first, thank you very much for squeezing us onto your calendar. That's super appreciated. Uh I'm joined here by my colleague Kelly Haramoto as well.
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