San Francisco Rules Committee Meeting - April 24, 2023
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee Meeting - April 24, 2023
The Rules Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors met on Monday, April 24, 2023, at 10:15 AM. Chaired by Supervisor Matt Dorsey, the committee considered two items: a mayoral appointment to the Successor Agency Commission (OCII) and an ordinance to regulate the Sheriff's Department's use of certain equipment under Assembly Bill 481. Both items were unanimously approved and forwarded to the full Board of Supervisors for consideration on May 2, 2023.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 1 (Appointment of Vanessa Aquino): No public comment was offered.
- Item 2 (Sheriff’s Equipment Policy): One in-person speaker thanked the sheriff’s office for a community event. Two callers from the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) – Jennifer Two and John Lindy Colland – spoke in support of the policy, noting that it is more compliant with state law and incorporates better practices after multiple iterations. They recommended forwarding the ordinance to the full board and suggested further improvements, such as phasing out submachine guns not authorized for deployment and ensuring consideration of vulnerable populations (e.g., children, non-English speakers, people in mental health crisis) in deployment decisions.
Discussion Items
- Item 1: Mayoral Appointment of Vanessa Aquino to the Successor Agency Commission (OCII) – Vanessa Aquino, a native San Franciscan and Dogpatch resident, introduced herself, highlighting her community involvement and commitment to smart, sustainable development that benefits local communities through small business contracting, local hiring, and neighborhood preference for affordable housing. Supervisors Walton and Dorsey expressed support, noting the importance of OCII to their districts and praising her community outreach experience. The committee voted unanimously to recommend her appointment to the full board.
- Item 2: Ordinance Amending Administrative Code – Sheriff’s Department Equipment Policy (AB 481) – Ronnie Singh from the Sheriff’s Office presented the ordinance, detailing extensive collaboration with the American Friends Service Committee and other stakeholders, including over 17 meetings and a dozen edits. The policy was initially heard in January 2023 and passed unanimously by the previous committee, but a 30-day waiting period was required after a substantive amendment (deleting a sentence on chemical agent use for crowd control). The committee heard public comment and then voted unanimously to forward the ordinance to the full board with a positive recommendation.
Key Outcomes
- Item 1: Motion to strike “reject” from the motion and recommend Vanessa Aquino’s appointment passed unanimously (Vice Chair Walton, Supervisor Safai, Chair Dorsey all aye). The appointment will be considered by the full Board of Supervisors on May 2, 2023.
- Item 2: Motion to recommend the ordinance to the full board passed unanimously (all aye). The ordinance will appear on the Board of Supervisors’ agenda on May 2, 2023.
Meeting Transcript
Okay. You're unmuted. Good morning. This meeting will come to order and good morning, everyone, and welcome to the Monday, April 24th, 2023 meeting of the Rules Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. I'm Supervisor Matt Dorsey, Chair of this committee, and I'm joined today by my colleague, Vice Chair Shimon Walton and Committee Member Asha Safai. On behalf of my colleagues, I want to express our gratitude to our committee clerk, Mr. Victor Young. Thanks also to the team at SFGov TV for facilitating and broadcasting today's meeting, in particular our producer today, which is Ms. Colina Mandora. Mr. Clerk, do you have any announcements? Yes, the board the Board of Supervisors and his committee are now convening hybrid meetings to allow in-person attendance and public comment while still providing remote access and public comment via telephone. Public comment will be taken on each item on the agenda. Those attending in person will be allowed to speak first, and then we will take those who are waiting on the telephone line. The public comment call-in number is streaming across the screen. When connected, you'll hear the meeting discussion, but you will be muted and in listening mode only. We are when your item of interest comes up and public comment is called. Those joining us person should line up to speak, and those on the telephone should star three to be added to the speaker line. If you're on the telephone, please remember to turn down your television and all other listening devices you may be using. Alternatively, you may submit public comment in writing in either of the following ways. Email them to myself, the rules committee clerk at VICTOR dot Y O U N G at SFgov.org. You may also send your written comments via US mail to our office in City Hall when Dr. Carlton B. Goodlit Place, room 244, San Francisco, California, 94102. Finally, items acted upon today are expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors' agenda on May 2nd, 2023, unless otherwise stated. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Would you please call item number one? Yes, item number one is motion approving or rejecting the mayor's nomination for the appointment of Vanessa Aquino to the successor agency commission. Term ending November 3rd, 2024. Great. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Ms. Aquino is joining us today in person. Ms. Aquino, welcome to the rules committee. The floor is yours. Good morning. Thank you, Chair and Rules Committee Supervisors, Shimon Walton, Matt Dorsey, and Asha Safayi. Thank you for allowing me to speak this morning. I'm a native of San Francisco, a resident of Dogpatch, an active member of my community. I have lived in this community for 20 years, and during that time I've seen the importance and impact that redevelopment can have on a community. I'm I am proud to have received two certificate of honors recognition of the Board of Supervisors in 2015 for Doc Patch Block Party, which honors the work I have done to improve social interaction in Dogpatch and in 2016 for my leadership in community service and working to improve the conditions of Angel Alley and beautifying our neighborhoods. It is important to have projects benefit the local community through small local business contracting, local hiring, and as well as having a neighborhood preference for the affordable housing we built. I believe that smart sustainable development can improve the quality of life for all residents and preserve the unique character of our city. I am committed to working on the OCI commission to ensure that our city continues to thrive and evolve in a way that benefits everyone. I thank you for considering my candidacy. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to collaborating along with my skills and experience to the commission. I also brought with me two letters of recommendations if you need it, and have an amazing day and go warriors.
openpublica.com