San Francisco Government Audit and Oversight Committee Regular Meeting – July 17, 2025

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Government Audit and Oversight Committee met on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 18:15 UTC (morning local time). The committee, chaired by Supervisor Jackie Fielder and joined by Vice Chair Janie Sauter and Supervisor Steven Sherrill, considered eleven agenda items including a contested hearing on the fiscal mismanagement of the San Francisco Parks Alliance (SFPA). The meeting lasted several hours, with extensive testimony from former SFPA officials and public comment from dozens of affected community groups.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1 – Resolution retroactively authorizing the Port of San Francisco to accept and expend a $200,000 Parking Management Capital Grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) for multi-space pay stations (September 30, 2024 – January 29, 2027). Passed unanimously.
• Item 2 – Resolution retroactively authorizing the Director of Health to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the California Department of State Hospitals and California Mental Health Services Authority for state hospital beds, not to exceed $10 million (October 1, 2023 – June 30, 2025). Passed unanimously.
• Item 3 – Resolution authorizing solicitation of donations for cancer screening for SF Fire Department employees – continued to the call of the chair. Passed unanimously.
• Item 4 – Resolution approving the San Francisco Police Department’s 2024 Use of Equipment Policy (AB 481) annual report. Presented by Captain James Ahern; included details on 17 unmanned ground vehicles, 1 MRAP (Bearcat), 150 flashbang grenades, 63 drones, and other equipment. The department seeks to purchase a new Bearcat ($350,000) and 24 additional drones. Passed unanimously.
• Items 5–9 – Resolutions accepting the Sheriff’s Department Oversight Board’s first, second, third, fourth quarter, and annual reports for calendar year 2024. Presented by board president Julie D. Sue. Discussed limitations due to lack of an inspector general since January 2025, reliance on Department of Police Accountability, and food quality improvements in jails. Passed unanimously.
• Item 10 – Resolution designating current city officers (treasurer, controller, city attorney) to accept tobacco settlement funds, updating a 2000 resolution. Passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Item 4 (Police Equipment): Anna Brady War argued that brandishing weapons constitutes use of force and should be recorded. Aronde Sterling (Bayview Hunter’s Point Coordinating Council) called for better police training and less lethal force. Alan Buradell suggested funding to help students understand compliance with officer commands.
• On Item 11 (Parks Alliance): Dozens of community members and representatives from affected park groups testified. Many reported losing thousands of dollars in restricted funds (e.g., Tompkins Stairway Garden, Tunnel Top Park, A. Philip Randolph Institute, Buena Vista Neighborhood Association, Lakeside Village, Detroit Steps Project). Speakers expressed frustration that former SFPA leaders did not notify them of the financial crisis and that funds were used for operations. The newly formed Community Partner Network (65+ groups) was highlighted as a coalition seeking restitution and a new fiscal sponsor.

Discussion Items

• Item 11 – Hearing on Allegations of Fiscal Mismanagement by the San Francisco Parks Alliance (SFPA):
  • Opening Statements: Supervisor Shamann Walton led the hearing, noting that at least $3.8 million intended for community use were misappropriated. He stated that SFPA dissolved and hired Jigsaw Advisors for liquidation. The city attorney and district attorney have launched investigations.
  • Testimony of Rick Hutchinson (former SFPA Treasurer, 2020–2025): Hutchinson claimed he first learned of restricted funds being used for unrestricted purposes in June 2024. He said the board immediately locked down funds and hired outside consultants (BTQ, Metis Partners). He stated that restricted funds coming in after June 2024 were preserved, but was unable to name any specific groups compensated. He estimated remaining assets at $600,000–700,000 and believed the organization owed “a couple hundred thousand” to fiscally sponsored groups, but acknowledged the deficit could be larger. He denied personal knowledge of the misuse until June 2024.
  • Testimony of Drew Becker (former CEO, 2017–February 2025): Becker stated he was unaware of restricted fund misuse until May–June 2024. He blamed former CFO Justin Probert, who was fired in February 2024. Becker admitted he did not have direct access to bank accounts or the financial system. He said the organization implemented new controls (e.g., finance committee chair signed off on payments over $7,500). He claimed he informed Rec and Park Department on June 27, 2024, but did not disclose the full extent of restricted fund misuse. He said community partners were not notified because the plan was to first inform major donors to secure funding. He resigned in February 2025 after the organization’s financial situation worsened.
  • Testimony of Robert Ogilvie (interim CEO, February–June 2025): Ogilvie took over after Becker’s resignation. He stated that upon joining, he learned of the true financial deficit (approximately $5.4 million owed to partners) and that restricted funds had been used for operations. He prioritized transparency, meeting with Rec and Park and the Port in April–May 2025. He said the board voted to dissolve in late May 2025 to protect remaining restricted funds. At dissolution, the organization had about $1.1 million in cash ($800,000 restricted, $300,000 unrestricted). He estimated directors and officers insurance coverage at “a few million dollars.”
  • Testimony of Elaine Forbes (Port Director): Forbes confirmed that the Port had not been informed of the financial crisis until learning through the media. The Port was owed $1.54 million for Crane Cove Park improvements, which the Port had to cover from its own funds.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1 – Forwarded to full board with positive recommendation (3-0).
• Item 2 – Forwarded to full board with positive recommendation (3-0).
• Item 3 – Continued to call of the chair (3-0).
• Item 4 – Forwarded to full board with positive recommendation (3-0).
• Items 5–9 – Forwarded to full board with positive recommendation (3-0).
• Item 10 – Forwarded to full board with positive recommendation (3-0).
• Item 11 – Hearing continued to the call of the chair to allow for further testimony from city departments, Jigsaw Advisors, and other parties. The committee committed to seeking restitution for affected community groups and holding SFPA officials accountable.
• Items 12–26 – Approved as committee reports for full board consideration on July 22, 2025 (3-0).
• Items 27–31 – Approved as committee reports (3-0).