San Francisco Rules Committee Meeting - November 27, 2023

The Rules Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors met on Monday, November 27, 2023, at approximately 10:00 AM (agenda time 6:15 PM). The meeting, chaired by Supervisor Matt Dorsey and joined by Vice Chair Shaman Walton and Supervisor Asha Safai, considered six items: an ordinance to standardize monitoring of nonprofit contracts, amendments to the police department's automatic license plate reader (ALPR) policy, surveillance technology policies for the Fine Arts Museums and multiple city departments, and two reappointments for Supervisor Rafael Mandelman. All items were forwarded to the full Board of Supervisors with positive recommendations.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar items were considered.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 1 (Nonprofit Monitoring): Speakers included Lucia Oregon (San Francisco Latino Parity and Equity Coalition) who supported the ordinance but urged collaborative performance goal-setting and cautioned against burdensome reporting. Debbie Lerman (San Francisco Human Services Network) noted that the ordinance echoes recommendations from a 2003 task force and supported accountability. Janice Canalan (Family Resource Center Alliance) and Hope Kmare (Compass Family Services) voiced support, emphasizing the need for co-created standards. Amanda Alvarado Ford (La Rasa Centro Legal) proposed edits to ensure legal aid expertise is consulted. Rami Tan, a local architect, supported the legislation and urged focus on metrics for administrative costs and service effectiveness. One speaker requested two-minute public comment time (not granted).
• Item 2 (ALPR Policy): Public commenters overwhelmingly supported the policy. Kevin Warrell (Police Officers Association) endorsed it. Other speakers argued that the technology is already used by SFMTA and by many other agencies, and that failing to adopt it would undermine public safety. One speaker criticized delays and accused Supervisor Safai of obstruction; Chair Dorsey directed the speaker to stay on topic.
• Item 3 (Fine Arts Museums Surveillance Policy): No public comment.
• Item 4 (Multi-Department Social Media Monitoring): No public comment.
• Items 5 & 6 (Reappointments): No public comment.

Discussion Items

• Item 1: Administrative Code – Monitoring of Nonprofits Contracting with the City (File 230973)

  • Supervisor Catherine Stefani, the sponsor, stated the ordinance implements recommendations from the City Controller's August 2022 audit, which found inconsistent performance measurement and lack of uniform guidelines for the city's 600+ nonprofit contracts (totaling over $1.7 billion).
  • Laura Marshall (Controller's Office) explained the ordinance would: (1) standardize programmatic monitoring, (2) update the corrective action policy, (3) increase transparency via annual reports and a public dashboard, and (4) require audited financial statements from nonprofits receiving at least $750,000 in city contracts.
  • Supervisors Walton and Safai raised questions about the $750,000 audit threshold, coordination across departments, potential costs to nonprofits, and the need to account for varying funding sources (federal, state, local). Marshall noted that the controller's office will develop implementation plans by September 1, 2024.
  • Supervisor Safai requested to be added as a co-sponsor, which was accepted.
  • The motion to forward to the full board with a positive recommendation passed 3-0.

• Item 2: Administrative Code – Surveillance Technology Policy – Police Department – Automatic License Plate Readers (File 231161)

  • Chief Bill Scott presented the policy amendments, which are needed to accept a $15.3 million state grant for 400 new ALPR cameras. The amendments would allow: (1) multiple vendors instead of a single specified vendor, (2) use of grant and other funding sources beyond the SFPD operational budget, and (3) flexible data formats as technology evolves.
  • Chief Scott noted that 70% of crimes involve a vehicle, and cited South San Francisco’s 80% reduction in car burglaries and 50% reduction in auto thefts after installing ALPR. He emphasized urgency due to recent organized retail theft incidents.
  • Supervisor Safai questioned the timeline from COIT approval (September 21) to the current hearing (November 27), and whether the legislative process could have been avoided. Deputy City Attorney Ann Pearson explained that the board must approve policy changes under Article 19B. Chief Scott noted that the 30-day hold was waived, and the companion accept-and-expend ordinance is scheduled for December 6, 2023, with final approval expected in January 2024.
  • Supervisor Walton asked about data storage (vendor-managed vs. local) and restrictions on vendor use of data. Chief Scott stated that vendors cannot sell data and must comply with CJIS, CLETS, and CORI requirements.
  • The motion to forward to the full board with a positive recommendation passed 3-0.

• Item 3: Administrative Code – Surveillance Technology Policy for Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (File 230918)

  • Paul Peterson (Fine Arts Museums) presented the policy for camera management and video monitoring systems at the de Young Museum and Legion of Honor. The policy defines authorized and restricted use to protect art collections and ensure public access.
  • No questions from committee members. Motion passed 3-0.

• Item 4: Administrative Code – Approval of Surveillance Technology Policy for Multiple City Departments (File 231109)

  • Gillian Johnson (COIT Director) presented a single policy covering 28 city departments using social media monitoring software. The policy standardizes authorized uses: publishing content, communicating with the public, and analyzing engagement. The policy was approved by PSAB and COIT in June 2023, with a non-substantive correction for the Department of the Environment.
  • Chair Dorsey praised the multi-department efficiency model. Motion passed 3-0.

• Items 5 & 6: Reappointment, California State Association of Counties (File 231209) and Reappointment, Association of Bay Area Governments Executive Board (File 231210)

  • Chair Dorsey read a statement from Supervisor Rafael Mandelman’s staff outlining his work on fentanyl overdose crisis, Proposition 1, and regional housing and climate efforts.
  • No questions or comments. Motion to forward both reappointments passed 3-0.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1: Approved 3-0 to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation.
• Item 2: Approved 3-0 to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation. The 30-day hold was waived; the companion grant acceptance ordinance is scheduled for December 6, 2023.
• Item 3: Approved 3-0 to the full Board of Supervisors.
• Item 4: Approved 3-0 to the full Board of Supervisors.
• Items 5 & 6: Approved 3-0 to the full Board of Supervisors.