Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee: Liquor Licenses, Animal Activist Resolution, COVID-19 Hearing (May 28, 2020)
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Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee: Liquor Licenses, Animal Activist Resolution, COVID-19 Hearing (May 28, 2020)
The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors met on Thursday, May 28, 2020, at 10:15 AM via remote conferencing due to the COVID-19 health emergency. Chair Raphael Mandelman presided, joined by Vice Chair Catherine Stefani and Supervisor Shamann Walton. The committee considered four agenda items: two liquor license transfers, a resolution supporting animal rights activists facing prosecution in Sonoma County, and a hearing on suicide and domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Consent Calendar
- Item 1 (Liquor License Transfer – East Cut Traders, 301 Howard Street): The committee heard from ALU Officer Sammonson, who reported zero letters of protest, location in a high crime and high saturation area, but Southern Station had no opposition. ALU recommended approval with a condition to prevent loitering. The applicant, Mr. Mana, stated the business has operated since 2006 and this is their third location. The committee voted unanimously to forward a resolution finding public convenience or necessity to the full Board.
- Item 2 (Liquor License Transfer – Andronico’s Community Market, 375-32nd Avenue/3132 Clement Street): ALU reported one letter of protest, location in low crime but high saturation area, Richmond Station had no opposition. ALU recommended approval with the same condition. Applicant attorney Justin Zucker stated the addition of alcohol sales would ensure long-term viability of the grocery store. The committee voted unanimously to forward a resolution finding public convenience or necessity. Chair Mandelman noted appreciation for a union grocery store returning to the space.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 3 (Resolution Supporting Activists Facing Prosecution in Sonoma County): One caller, Jordan Davis (D6 resident, activist with Direct Action Everywhere), spoke in support, arguing the activists were acting morally and under state law affirmative defense. They urged passage and further policy initiatives to end animal abuse.
Discussion Items
- Item 3 (Resolution Supporting Activists): Supervisor Haney’s office (Ms. McDonald) presented, noting the Animal Control and Welfare Commission passed the resolution, and a similar resolution was passed by the Berkeley City Council earlier in 2020. The resolution urges the Sonoma County District Attorney to dismiss charges against nonviolent activists who investigated factory farm conditions. No questions from committee.
- Item 4 (Hearing on Suicide, Domestic Abuse, and Family Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic): Vice Chair Stefani introduced the hearing, expressing concern about mental health, isolation, and domestic violence. Presentations included:
- Lina Sheth (Interim Director, San Francisco Suicide Prevention/Felton Institute): Reported an 82,000 call volume in 2019 (up from 56,000). During COVID, call volume declined but acuity increased from 1-3 per month to 1-3 per week of callers requiring emergency intervention. 22% of callers were first-time callers. She highlighted social isolation as a risk factor and the need for expanded mental health services.
- Beverly Upton (Executive Director, San Francisco Domestic Violence Consortium): Reported a 130% increase in crisis line calls in the first weeks of shelter-in-place, then leveling off. Only 14% of police-reported cases are presented to the district attorney. Noted a 44% increase in armed assailants and panic gun buying. Discussed housing insecurity and potential budget cuts of ~$1 million to direct services.
- Emberly Cross (Cooperative Restraining Order Clinic): Described continued legal services, including in-person restraining order hearings with safety precautions. Noted archaic signature requirements and challenges for survivors sheltering with abusers. The court has remained open for restraining orders.
- Committee members asked questions about risk factors, economic distress, isolation, and systemic issues. Chair Mandelman raised concerns about domestic violence, homelessness, and potential consequences of early jail releases due to COVID-19.
Key Outcomes
- Item 3: The committee voted unanimously to forward the resolution to the full Board with a positive recommendation.
- Item 4: The committee voted unanimously to file the hearing (motion by Vice Chair Stefani).
Meeting Transcript
SFGAL TV, please prepare to start the meeting going live on the silent zero at three. Sorry, five. Four. Three. Two. What morning everyone. The meeting will come to order. Welcome to the May 28th, 2020 regular meeting of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee. I am Supervisor Raphael Mandelman, the chair of the committee. We're joined by Vice Chair Catherine Stephanie and Supervisor Shimon Walton. Our clerk is John Carroll. I want to thank Corwin Cooley at SFGTV for staffing this meeting, as well as Board of Supervisors Operations and IT for lending their support to today's meeting for all that you're doing to keep the Board of Supervisors running smoothly in these strange virtual times. Mr. Clerk, do you have any announcements? Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. In order to protect board members, city employees, and the public during the COVID-19 health emergency, the Board of Supervisors Legislative Chamber and Committee Room are closed. However, members of the committee will be participating in the meeting remotely at the same extent as if they were physically present. Public comment will be available for each item on this agenda. Both San Francisco Cable Channel 26 and sfgovtv.org are streaming the are streaming a public comment call-in number across the screen. Each speaker will be allowed two minutes to speak. Comments or opportunities to speak during the public comment period are available via phone by calling 415 65501. Once connected and prompted, enter the access code. Today's access code is 9261635. Then press the pound symbol and then press the pound symbol a second time to be connected to the meeting. You'll hear a beep. After you hear the beep, stop and listen to the meeting. Wait for public comment to be announced on your item of interest. When public comment is called for your item of interest, dial the star button, followed by a nine to be added to the speaker line. When you press star and then nine, you will hear quote, you have raised your hand to ask a question. Please wait to speak until the host calls on you. End quote. Following this, you should wait for your turn to speak. When it is your turn to address the committee, you will hear, quote, your line has been unmuted, end quote. This is your opportunity to provide your public comment. When your time ends, you'll be muted again. Everyone must account for time delays and speaking discrepancies between live coverage and streaming. Best practices are to call from a quiet location, speak clearly and slowly, and turn down your television, your radio, or your streaming device. Alternatively, you may submit public comment in either of the following ways. You can email me. My name is John Carroll. I'm the clerk of the Public Safety Neighborhood Services Committee. My email address is J O H N period. C A R R O L L at SFGO V dot O R G. If you submit public comment via email, it will be included in the legislative file as part of the matter. Your written comments may also be sent by U.S. Postal Service to our office in San Francisco City Hall. The address there is one Dr. Carlton B. Goodlit Place, room 244, San Francisco, California 94102.
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