Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee Regular Meeting - February 24, 2022
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Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee Regular Meeting - February 24, 2022
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee met remotely on Thursday, February 24, 2022, chaired by Supervisor Gordon Mar, with members Catherine Stefani and Matt Haney. The committee considered two agenda items: a liquor license transfer for Pacific Cocktail Haven and the annual submission of departmental overdose prevention policies. Both items were approved with positive recommendations to the full Board.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 1 (Liquor License Transfer): No public comments were received after a brief technical recess to correct the call-in number. The applicant, Andy Chan, partner at Pacific Cocktail Haven, testified about the business's history, a fire that destroyed their previous location, and their commitment to the neighborhood. He noted letters of support from Supervisor Peskin's office and the Union Square Merchant Association.
- Item 2 (Overdose Prevention Policies): Multiple callers testified. Laura Thomas from SF AIDS Foundation thanked departments for collaboration but urged the city to implement supervised consumption services (safe consumption sites) in housing and shelters. Paul Aguilar (HIV Advocacy Network) described losing his partner to a fentanyl overdose and called for safe consumption sites, noting New York City prevented 15 overdose deaths in its first week. Andy Stone (SF AIDS Foundation) shared a personal story and emphasized harm reduction. Wesley Saver (Glide, Safer Inside Coalition) praised collaboration but criticized the Tenderloin emergency declaration process and HSOC operations that confiscate harm reduction supplies. Laura Guzman (DOE Project) stressed the need for resources beyond online training, including funding for naloxone and implementation support.
Discussion Items
- Liquor License Transfer (Item 1): The SFPD ABC Liaison Unit presented conditions for the type-48 license for Pacific Cocktail Haven at 550 Sutter Street (formerly at 580 Sutter). Conditions include monitoring for loitering, no audible noise, supervision of the outdoor patio, and alcohol service only between 12 p.m. and 10 p.m. The area is in a high crime (plot 158) and high saturation (census tract 121) zone, but Central Station had no opposition. Supervisor Mar noted Supervisor Peskin's support and moved to forward a positive recommendation.
- Overdose Prevention Policies (Item 2): Supervisor Haney, sponsor of the 2021 legislation requiring annual reports, led the item. He noted that nearly 700 people died from drug overdoses in each of the last two years, with 46 deaths in January 2022. Presentations came from the Department of Public Health (Eileen Loughran), Homelessness and Supportive Housing (Dylan Schneider), Human Services Agency (Susie Smith), and Department of Emergency Management (Sam Dodge). They described interdepartmental collaboration, development of overdose prevention policies, online training modules (targeted for late summer 2022), a naloxone clearinghouse, and expanded harm reduction resources. Supervisor Stefani raised concerns about metrics for success, noting 71.4 million dollars spent on overdose prevention and treatment last fiscal year, yet the crisis worsens. She questioned how DPH tracks outcomes (e.g., connections to treatment or abstinence-based recovery) and whether detox beds are sufficient. She also raised issues about bias against uniformed responders. Supervisor Haney asked about tracking overdose incidents in housing, requiring training for all staff, and fentanyl test strip distribution. Supervisor Mar highlighted the need for budget resources.
Key Outcomes
- Item 1: Motion to direct the clerk to prepare a resolution determining that the liquor license transfer serves public convenience and necessity and forward it to the full Board with a positive recommendation. Passed unanimously (3-0).
- Item 2: Motion to forward the resolution receiving the 2021 overdose prevention policies to the full Board with a positive recommendation. Passed unanimously (3-0). The resolution acknowledges the annual submissions from DPH, HSH, HSA, and DEM and encourages continued implementation and reporting.
Both items are expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors agenda of March 8, 2022.
Meeting Transcript
Thursday, February 24th, 2022 meeting of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee. Um, Supervisor Gordon Maher, the chair of this committee, and I'm joined by committee members Catherine Stephanie and Matt Haney. Uh, I want to thank this committee's clerk, Alisa Samara, and I'd also like to thank SFGov TB for staffing this meeting. Madam Clerk, do you have any announcements? Yes, Mr. Chair. Uh, the minutes will reflect that committee members participated in this meeting remotely through video conference to the same extent as though physically present. The board recognizes that public access to city services is essential and invite public participation in the following ways. First, public comment will be available on each item on this agenda, either channel 26, 78, or 99 and sfgovtv.org are streaming the public comment call-in number across the screen. Comments or opportunities to speak during the public comment period are available via phone by calling 415 65501 again, 415 65501. Then enter the meeting ID 2492 457 6123, then pound and then pound again. When connected, you will hear the meeting discussions, but you will be muted and in listening mode only. When your item of interest comes up, please dial star three to be added to the speaker line. Best practices are to call from a quiet location, speak clearly and slowly and turn down your television or listening device. Alternatively, you may submit public comment in writing in either of the following ways. Email them to myself, the clerk at Elisa Samara, A-L-I-SA.org. If you submit public comment via email, it will be forwarded to the supervisors and included as part of the official file. You may also send your written comments via US U.S. Postal Service to our office at City Hall One. Dr. Carlton be good look place. Room 244, San Francisco, California, 94102. Finally, items acted upon today are expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors Agenda of March 8th, 2022, unless otherwise stated. Mr. Chair. Thank you so much, Madam Clerk. Can you please call item number one? Yes, item number one is a hearing to consider that the transfer of a type 48 on sale general public premise liquor license to Pacific Cocktail Haven at 550 Sutter Street and District 3 will serve the public convenience or necessity of the city and county of San Francisco. Members of the public who wish to provide public comment on this hearing should call the public comment number now, 415-655-0001. Enter the meeting ID 2492457 6123, then pound and pound again. Once connected to the meeting, you will hear you'll need to press star three to enter the queue to speak. A system prompt will indicate that you have raised your hand. Please wait until we take public comment on this item. And when the system indicates you have been unmuted, that will be your cue to begin your comments. Mr. Chair. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Um, so I think, or first up, we're we're going to hear from the SFPD uh ABC liaison unit, and we have Officer Salmanson here once again to present uh the ALU report. Officer Salmanson. Yeah, good morning. Morning. So if Cocktail Haven, they've applied for a type 48 license and approved. This would allow them to operate an off an on-filled general public premise. I have zero letters of protest and zero letters of support. They're located in plot 158, which is considered a high crime area. They're in census track 121, which is considered a high saturation area. Central station has no opposition. And Alcalayazon unit approves with the following conditions. Number one, petitioners shall actively monitor the area under their control and effort to prevent the loyal persons on any property adjacent to the license is depicted on the ABC 253 form. Number two, no noise shall be audible at any nearby resident.
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