Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee Meeting - June 8, 2023
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Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee Meeting - June 8, 2023
This regular meeting of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors' Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee was held on June 8, 2023, at 6:15 PM. Chair Supervisor Catherine Stefani, Vice Chair Supervisor Joel Engardio, and Supervisor Matt Dorsey were present. The committee considered two routine liquor license applications and held a combined hearing on Sheriff's Department staffing levels (Item 3) and a resolution to enhance recruitment bonuses for law enforcement (Item 4).
Consent Calendar
- Item 1 – Liquor License Issuance (Arena SF, 2565 Mission Street): The committee unanimously approved a resolution finding that issuance of a Type 90 on-sale general music venue liquor license to Qualia Entertainment dba Arena SF would serve public convenience. The applicant noted the venue serves a young college-educated Asian American crowd. SFPD recommended approval with conditions including active monitoring, noise control, and uniformed security between 7 PM and 2 AM. No public comment.
- Item 2 – Liquor License Transfer (Epicurean Trader, 2240 Market Street): The committee unanimously approved a resolution finding that the person-to-person, premises-to-premises transfer of a Type 21 off-sale general license to The Epicurean Trader would serve public convenience. SFPD recommended approval with a condition to prevent loitering. No public comment.
Public Comments & Testimony
- A former sheriff's cadet urged faster hiring for San Francisco natives, noting his own background check took 10 months.
- Ken Lomba, President of the Deputy Sheriff's Association, criticized the slow hiring process (6–10 months) and argued the Sheriff's Department is treated unequally. He recommended hiring outside services for background checks to reduce time to 3–4 months.
- Attorney Yolanda Huang described harmful conditions in jails due to staffing shortages, including excessive lockdowns causing mental health deterioration. She alleged Sheriff Miyamoto's policies moved deputies out of custody positions, exacerbating shortages.
- A caller (name not given) supported Sheriff Miyamoto, called for a new jail and full funding of staffing, and argued retention bonuses should be offered to sheriff's deputies as they are to police and fire.
- Social work student Ryan Tackett encouraged promoting alternative response units and public service roles to attract younger generations.
- Another caller criticized the "patch and release" program and expressed frustration with crime.
Discussion Items
- Hearing on Sheriff's Department Staffing Levels (Item 3): Chair Stefani opened the hearing, noting the importance of adequate staffing for rehabilitation programs. Sheriff Paul Miyamoto reported 178 unfilled sworn positions (72% staffing out of 978 authorized). He stated that the department is committed to programs like RSVP, Roads to Recovery, and Five Keys Charter School, but staffing shortages limit movement of inmates to programs. He said the department has 18 rehabilitation coordinators and is working to reopen dorm spaces. The committee discussed the impact of shortages on AA/NA meetings, the One Family program, and recreation time. Sheriff Miyamoto noted that the state is currently auditing compliance with Title 15. Supervisor Dorsey highlighted the need to improve hiring processes and asked about inefficiencies. DHR representatives Artis Graham and Dave Johnson described efforts to streamline hiring, including continuous testing, one-day testing events, and proactive communication with applicants. They acknowledged DHR's own staffing shortages (only one 1241 analyst) and said the department is requesting additional analysts in the budget.
- Resolution Urging Enhanced Recruitment Bonuses and Staffing Plans (Item 4): Supervisor Dorsey presented the resolution, co-sponsored by Chair Stefani, Vice Chair Engardio, and Supervisor Mandelman. It urges DHR to explore policies to match top recruitment bonuses offered by other Northern California agencies (e.g., Alameda offers $75,000 vs. SF's $5,000). It also urges the Police Commission and Sheriff's Department Oversight Board to develop full-duty staffing plans. The resolution was amended to correct a numbering error (page 6 line 23: "7" corrected to "73") and to split a final clause into two separate clauses for clarity.
Key Outcomes
- Item 3: The committee voted unanimously (3-0) to continue the hearing to the call of the chair. Chair Stefani stated she would follow up with a letter of inquiry.
- Item 4: The committee voted unanimously (3-0) to approve the amendments as proposed by Supervisor Dorsey. Then the committee voted unanimously (3-0) to forward the amended resolution to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation.
Meeting Transcript
The June 8th, 2023 regular meeting of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee. I am Supervisor Catherine Stephanie, Chair of the Committee. To my right is Vice Chair Engardio, and to my left is Supervisor Dorsey. The clerk is Miss Erica Major, and I'd like to thank Jaime Echeveri at SFGov TV for staffing this meeting. Madam Clerk, do you have any announcements? Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. The Board of Supervisors and its committees are convening hybrid meetings that allow in-person attendance and public comment while still providing remote access and public comment via telephone. The board recognizes that equitable public access is essential and we'll be taking comment as follows. Public comment will be taken on each item on this agenda. Those attending in person will be allowed to speak first, and then we'll move to a remote call-in line. 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 and public comment is called, those joining us in person should line up to their right near the curtain wall. And those on the telephone line should press star three to be added to the queue. If you're on your telephone, please remember to turn down your television and all listening devices you may be using. Alternatively, you may submit written comment to the clerk of public safety and neighborhood services at John.carroll at sfgo v dot org. You may also send your written comments via U.S. Postal Service to our office at City Hall. The address is one Dr. Carlton B. Goodlit Place, room 244, San Francisco, California, 94102. Finally, items acted upon today are expected to appear on the June 27th, 2023 agenda, unless otherwise stated. Madam Chair. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Will you please call the first item? Yes, item number one is a hearing to consider the issuance of a type 90 on sale general music venue liquor license to qualia entertainment to do business as Arena SF located at 2565 Mission Street in District 9. Members of the public who wish to provide public comment. Now is your time to press star three, and you'll hear the system indicate you have raised your hand in confirmation. Madam Chair. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I'd like to welcome Officer Salmuson from the SFPD ABC Liaison Unit. Good to see you again. Good morning. Thank you. Okay. Uh you have before you PCN for Qualia Entertainment Inc. They've applied for type 90 license, and if approved, this would allow them to operate an on-sale general music venue. There is one letter of protest, uh, zero letters of support. They're located in plot 444, which is considered a high crime area. They're in census track 20801, which is considered high saturation. Mission station has no opposition, and alcohol liaison unit recommends approval with the following conditions. Uh number one, that the petitioner shall actively monitor the area under their control in an effort to prevent the loitering of persons on any property adjacent to the licensed premise is depicted on ABC2 uh 253 form. Uh number two, that entertainment provided shall not be audible at any nearby residence or consideration point. And uh number three, between the hours of 7 p.m. and 2 a.m. or at any time the premise premises are providing entertainment. The petitioner shall provide at least one uniform security guard on the premise and shall maintain order therein and prevent any activity which would interfere with the quiet enjoyment of their property by nearby residents or the surrounding community. The licensed uniform security guard must be licensed by the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs. Thank you. Thank you. Seeing nobody on the roster, Madam Clerk, are there representatives of the applicant present?
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