Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee Meeting, October 8, 2020
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Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee Meeting, October 8, 2020
The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors met remotely on Thursday, October 8, 2020, at 6:00 PM (UTC). The meeting was chaired by Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, with Vice Chair Catherine Stefani and Supervisor Shamann Walton present. The committee considered five agenda items, including a liquor license transfer, an ordinance prohibiting discriminatory 911 calls, amendments to regulations on third-party food delivery services, a hearing on the conditions of essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and an ordinance targeting motor vehicle stunt driving (sideshows). All votes were unanimous (3-0) on actions taken.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Agenda Item 3 (Third-Party Food Delivery Services): Multiple callers expressed support for capping delivery fees. Brent Webcott (DoorDash policy advisor) urged clarifications to allow optional marketing programs and exclude formula retail. A representative from the Golden Gate Restaurant Association endorsed the 15% cap and two-year sunset. Ben Blyman and a District 5 resident (Peter) strongly supported the legislation, criticizing delivery app companies' practices.
- Agenda Item 4 (Essential Workers Hearing): One public commenter, Francisco da Costa, criticized the city's distribution of masks and called for better logistical support from the Department of Public Health (DPH).
- Agenda Item 5 (Stunt Driving Ordinance): Callers were divided. Opponents (Keegan Madrano of District 10, Peter of District 5, Michael Garcia of District 11, and Judy of District 11) argued the ordinance would over-police, criminalize, and wrongly punish without due process. Supporters (William Martin of District 11 and Theodore Randolph of Excelsior) emphasized the danger, noise, and obstruction caused by sideshows, urging passage.
Discussion Items
- Item 1: Liquor License Transfer (1859 Market Street) – Officer Salmonson from the Alcohol Licensing Unit reported that the applicant signed all conditions on October 1, 2020. The applicant confirmed agreement. No public comment. The committee moved to forward a resolution finding public convenience and necessity to the full board.
- Item 2: Discriminatory Reports to Law Enforcement (CAREN Act) – Supervisor Walton introduced the amended ordinance. Yurio Salvador (Legislative Aide to Assemblymember Rob Bonta) spoke in support, noting the passage of similar state legislation (AB 1775). No public comment. The committee voted to forward to the full board.
- Item 3: Third-Party Food Delivery Services (Ordinance Amendment) – Lee Hefner (Legislative Aide to Supervisor Peskin) presented substantial amendments: raising the commission cap from 10% to 15%, allowing a 3% point-of-sale processing fee, requiring written consent before listing restaurants, allowing termination within 72 hours, and adding a two-year sunset. Liza Dikandrizi (Small Business Commission) supported the amendments. After public comment, the committee accepted the amendments and continued the item to October 22, 2020.
- Item 4: Hearing on Essential Workers and Their Conditions During COVID-19 – Supervisor Safai convened the hearing. Presentations were made by:
- Pat Mulligan (Director, Office of Labor Standards Enforcement) – Reviewed OLSE's role in enforcing labor laws, noting complaint-based enforcement and outreach during the pandemic.
- Dr. Jessica Bloom (UCSF/DPH) – Described the Community Mitigation Branch's workplace response: identifying exposures, following up on outbreaks (defined as 3+ cases in 14 days), and providing guidance. She noted that construction and restaurants had the most outbreaks since July.
- Terrence Hong (Principal Environmental Health Inspector, DPH) – Detailed inspections of food facilities, SROs, and distribution of masks; emphasized education and enforcement, though acknowledged challenges in verifying PPE supplies.
- Labor and worker representatives:
- Olga Miranda (President, SEIU Local 87, janitors) – Reported 10 member deaths; criticized building owners and contractors for inadequate PPE, gloves, and masks, and for prioritizing shirts over safety.
- Jim Araby (UFCW Local 5, grocery workers) – Noted ~200 local members contracted COVID-19 and 5 deaths; cited mental health issues and inconsistent enforcement of mask policies; highlighted the need for public education on sick leave benefits.
- Kayla Sanborn Hum (on behalf of Fight for 15 worker Christabel Ayala) – Described unsafe conditions at Carl's Jr. (e.g., lack of PPE, intimidation of sick workers, retaliation).
- Daisy MacArthur (SEIU Local 2015, in-home support worker) – Requested easier access to COVID-19 testing, cab vouchers, and strengthened protections for home care workers.
- Mikila Edwards (gig driver, We Drive Progress) – Criticized Uber/Lyft for closing Green Light hubs, failing to provide cleaning supplies, and spending $180 million on Proposition 22 to deny employee status.
- Supervisor Safai and Chair Mandelman questioned DPH and OLSE about enforcement of PPE requirements, sick leave compliance, and complaint processes. DPH acknowledged gaps in verifying PPE supplies but committed to improving inspections.
- Item 5: Motor Vehicle Stunt Driving Ordinance – Supervisor Safai and Chief of Police William Scott presented the ordinance to combat sideshows. They described recent incidents: a September 7 sideshow in Excelsior with gunfire that killed a 21-year-old, a September 20 Bayview event with 70+ shell casings, and numerous large gatherings blocking streets and endangering residents. The ordinance would impound vehicles for at least 14 days (first offense), 15 days (second), and 29 days (third), with a maximum of 30 days. Chief Scott noted improved police response but stressed the need for stronger penalties. Supervisors Walton, Stefani, and Mandelman expressed support, emphasizing the danger to communities and rejecting claims that the ordinance was racially motivated. Public comment was divided. A clerical amendment (font correction) was adopted. The committee voted to forward the ordinance to the full board with a positive recommendation.
Key Outcomes
- Item 1: Motion passed 3-0 to forward a resolution finding public convenience and necessity to the Board of Supervisors (October 20, 2020 agenda).
- Item 2: Ordinance as amended (at the September 24, 2020 meeting) was forwarded to the full board with a 3-0 vote.
- Item 3: Substantive amendments were accepted (3-0), and the item was continued to the October 22, 2020 regular meeting of this committee.
- Item 4: The hearing was continued to the call of the chair (3-0). Supervisor Safai's office will follow up with worker groups and DPH on complaint processes and PPE enforcement.
- Item 5: A clerical amendment was adopted (3-0), then the ordinance was forwarded to the full board with a positive recommendation (3-0).
Meeting Transcript
Uh the meeting will come to order. Welcome to the October 8th, 2020 regular meeting of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee. I am Supervisor Raphael Mandelman. I am the chair of this committee, and I am joined by our Vice Chair Catherine Stephanie and Supervisor Shimon Walton. Our clerk is John Carroll. And as usual, I would like to thank folks at SFG TV for staffing the meeting as well as Board of Supervisors Operations and IT for lending their support. Mr. Clerk, do you have any announcements? Yes, I have. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. In order to protect the public board members and city employees during the COVID 19 health emergency, the Board of Supervisors Legislative Chamber and Committee Room are closed. This precaution is taken pursuant to all various local, state, and federal orders, declarations, and directives. Committee members will attend the meeting through video conference and participate in the meeting to 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 a public comment call-in number across your screen. Your opportunity to speak and provide public comments during the public comment period is available via phone by calling 415 65501. Once you're connected and prompted, enter the meeting ID of 146928582. Then press pound twice to be connected to the meeting. When connected to the meeting, you will hear the meeting discussion, but you will be muted and your line will be in a listening mode only. When your item of interest comes up, dial star, followed by three to be added to the speaker line. A system prompt will indicate that you have raised your hand. Please wait until the system indicates that you've been unmuted and you may then begin your comments. Best practices are to call from a quiet location, to speak clearly and slowly, and to turn down your television, your radio, or your streaming device. Everyone should account for potential time delays and speaking discrepancies that we may experience between the live coverage and the streaming. Alternatively, you may submit public comment in either of the following ways. You may email me. My name is John Carroll, and 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 at SFGO V.org. If you submit public comment by email, I will include your commentary as part of the legislative file for whichever matter you're commenting on. Your written comments may also be sent to our office by U.S. Postal Service. Our office is in City Hall, and the address is one Dr. Carlton B. Goodlit Place, room 244, San Francisco, California, 94102. And finally, Mr. Chair, items acted upon today will appear on the Board of Supervisors Agenda of October 20th, 2020, unless otherwise stated. Great. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Can you call our first item? I can. Agenda item number one is a hearing to consider that the transfer of a type 21 off-sale general beer, wine, and distilled spirits liquor license to Golden State Food and Liquor Incorporated, located at 1859 Market, will serve the public convenience and necessity of the city and county. Members of the public who wish to provide public comment on this hearing should call the public comment number now. That number is 415-655-0001. Enter the meeting ID. It is 146-932-8582. Press the pound symbol twice to connect to the meeting and then press the star key followed by the number three to enter the queue to speak. Assistant prompts will indicate that you have raised your hand. Please wait until the system indicates that your line has been unmuted, and that will be your opportunity to provide your comments, Mr.
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