SF Government Audit & Oversight Committee Meeting - October 19, 2023
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San Francisco Government Audit and Oversight Committee Meeting - October 19, 2023
On October 19, 2023, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors' Government Audit and Oversight Committee convened a regular meeting, chaired by Supervisor Dean Preston. The committee addressed the UN Plaza Activation Project and the relocation of the Heart of the City Farmers Market, continued a resolution on taxi dispatch, and held a closed session to discuss litigation settlements. Supervisor Mandelman filled in for Vice Chair Stephanie, and Supervisor Connie Chan joined later.
Consent Calendar
- None
Public Comments & Testimony
- UN Plaza Activation Project (Item 1):
- David Elliott Lewis (Co-chair, Tenderloin People's Congress) refuted claims of public input, stating the community was not consulted and that the farmers market was misled about the project being a six-month pilot.
- Carrie Barnes (President, Noe Valley Democratic Club) expressed support for the UN Plaza makeover, emphasizing the need for revitalization and criticizing the 'eviction' framing.
- Hillary Brown (PROSAC representative, District 5) raised concerns about disabled access at the new farmers market location.
- Adele Framer (SF Farmers Market shopper) stated that community is site-specific and that the farmers market was a stakeholder in the Civic Center Public Realm Plan but not this new plan.
- Jim (lifelong skateboarder) spoke in support of the skateboard activation area, citing cultural and mental health benefits.
- Simon Vloya (Tenderloin resident) criticized the lack of community engagement and the quick implementation, arguing it contradicts the Civic Center Public Realm Plan.
- Beck Trebesh (San Francisco Parks Alliance) expressed support for the activation plans, highlighting diverse uses and potential for downtown revitalization.
- Casey Rios (Tenderloin People's Congress) called the presentation 'spin,' citing a 30-degree temperature differential between UN Plaza and the new market location, exceeding OSHA break points.
- Tess Wellbourne supported previous comments about problems with the plans, calling for portable bathrooms and questioning the removal of seating.
- Francisco Leon (ambassador for UN Plaza) shared positive comments from customers about the new skate park and workout areas, as well as improved accessibility for disabled persons.
- Trader Jeff (long-term market patron) reported that some farmers are struggling and missing from the new location.
- Susan Bryan (resident) questioned the skate park's safety and potential lawsuits, supporting the farmers market.
- Jackson Nutyers (San Francisco Chamber of Commerce) expressed support for the UN Plaza Activation Project, citing seven days of activation and downtown reimagining.
Discussion Items
-
UN Plaza Activation Project and Heart of the City Farmers Market (Item 1):
- Sarah Madlin (Recreation and Parks Department) presented the UN Plaza Activation Project, emphasizing the Civic Center Public Realm Plan as its basis. She cited 545 overdose calls in the last year and 33 overdose deaths within one block of UN Plaza since January 1, 2020. The project includes skate elements, chess tables, ping pong, fitness equipment, and a fountain, with a budget of $2 million from Rec Park's capital funds. Construction is expected to be complete by mid-November, with a two-year pilot and data tracking via Placer AI.
- Eline Satou (Civic Center Community Benefit District) detailed technical assistance for the relocated farmers market, including new layout planning, free 90-minute parking, and vendor permits. She reported that stall fees increased by 11% in September 2023 compared to September 2022, and EBT transactions increased by 7.6% per market day.
- Supervisor Preston expressed disappointment over the lack of transparency and community engagement, noting that the initial information indicated a six-month pilot, but later it was revealed to be a two-year project. He questioned the lack of a plan B if the farmers market does not thrive, and highlighted the heat from new asphalt affecting produce, bathroom access, and the need for longer-term permits.
- Supervisor Chan argued that the farmers market was effectively evicted from its space, and questioned the design process that excluded it.
- Supervisor Mandelman praised Rec Park's work on Civic Center Plaza but acknowledged the need for support for the farmers market, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the crisis at UN Plaza.
- The committee moved to continue the item to the call of the chair.
-
Taxi Upfront Fare Pilot (Item 2):
- Supervisor Chan requested a continuance to November 16, 2023, explaining that SFMTA is collecting a third quarter of data, which would provide nearly a year's worth for a more complete analysis. SFMTA agreed with this timeline.
-
Closed Session (Items 3-8):
- The committee convened closed session to discuss six settlement ordinances and resolutions, totaling over $21 million. The committee voted to not disclose the matters.
Key Outcomes
- Item 1 continued to the call of the chair (motion passed 3-0).
- Item 2 continued to November 16, 2023 (motion passed 3-0).
- Closed session items (3-8) approved, with matters not disclosed (motion passed 3-0).
- Motion to excuse Supervisor Stephanie passed 2-0 (Supervisor Chan absent).
Note: The meeting began with an announcement that the Board of Supervisors had changed rules to end remote public comment due to misuse, but this agenda included the option as originally noticed.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. This meeting will come to order. Welcome to the October 19th, 2023 regular meeting of the Government Audit and Oversight Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. I'm Supervisor Dean Preston, Chair of the Committee. Welcome back to GAO, Supervisor Mandelman, and thank you for filling in today for Vice Chair Stephanie. And we will soon be joined by Supervisor Connie Chan. Our committee clerk today is Alisa Sumera. Also want to thank Kalina Mendoza from SFGov TV for staffing the meeting. Madam Clerk, before we turn to you for uh announcements, uh I understand we are joined by our board clerk, uh Angela Calvio. Welcome, Madam Clerk. I understand you have some uh information to share. Good morning, members of the committee. Uh Chair Preston, I do appreciate the privilege of the floor just to briefly address you on the remote system for public comment today. As you're already aware, Tuesday saw the Board of Supervisors amend their board rules to uh effectively uh end the use of the remote public comment system for the board meetings and the committee meetings due to the ease of the anonymous individuals that use it for harassing and discriminatory uh comments. The board left one option to use the system, and that is for ADA requests for accommodations to make public comment. For individuals who are interested in making that um uh request, you can call the clerk's office at 415-554-5184. But with regards to today's GAO agenda, this agenda was originally published last Thursday and inherent had the opportunity for remote public comment. So uh in consultation with our DCA Ann Pearson, we would like to continue to provide that opportunity for the public as originally noticed on this agenda. Uh despite the rule change, which will uh when we are scheduling all of our agendas going forward, will not contain that same language. Uh so thank you so much. We just wanted to make sure that there were no uh there were there wasn't any confusion on behalf of the public. May they call in or not. The language is posted on the agenda uh and the telephone number for individuals to access. I do trust that you're in good hands. If any of the callers make harassing or discriminatory remarks, they will be released from the line as you're in good hands with Clerk Samara. So thank you kindly. Thank you very much. Uh Madam Clerk, uh, and now uh Ms. Somera, do you have some additional announcements? Yes, for this meeting, 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. When your item of interest comes up and public comment is called, those joining us in person should line up to speak to your right, and those on the telephone should dial star three to be added to the speakers queue. If you are on the telephone, please remember to turn down your TV and all listening devices that you may be using. Alternatively, you may submit written public comment to myself, the government audit and oversight clerk at ALISA.so-m E R A at SFGO V dot org. You may also send your written comments via U.S. Postal Service to our office at City Hall 1. Dr. Carlton B. Goodlock Place, room 244, San Francisco, California, 94102. If you submit public comment in writing, it will be forwarded to the supervisors and included as part of the official file. Finally, items acted upon today are expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors agenda of October 31st, 2023, unless otherwise stated. Thank you, Madam Clerk, and please call item one. Um Mr. Chair. Oh, thank you. Uh you I'm sure are going to advise me that we should do a motion to excuse uh Vice Chair Catherine Stephanie from today's meeting. Please call the roll on that motion. On the motion to excuse Supervisor Stephanie from attending today's meeting. Uh Supervisor Chan. Chan absent.
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