San Francisco Rules Committee Meeting - March 18, 2024
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San Francisco Rules Committee Meeting - March 18, 2024
The Rules Committee, chaired by Vice Chair Shiman Walton (acting for Supervisor Ronan) and joined by Supervisors Safai and Engardio, met on March 18, 2024. The committee considered three agenda items: a mayoral appointment to the Entertainment Commission, an ordinance to codify the Homeward Bound program, and a hearing on UCSF's proposed acquisition of Dignity Health's St. Mary's and St. Francis hospitals. Key decisions included approving the appointment, amending and forwarding the Homeward Bound ordinance, and filing the hearing.
Consent Calendar
- Motion to excuse Supervisor Ronan passed unanimously (3-0).
Discussion Items
1. Mayoral Appointment to Entertainment Commission
Lieutenant Leonard Poggio, a 22-year SFPD veteran, presented his qualifications for the law enforcement representative seat. Supervisor Safai raised concerns about nightclub violence and asked about safety enforcement. Poggio emphasized a measured approach and plans to improve coordination between SFPD and the commission. Public comment from three speakers (including a fellow lieutenant and a childhood friend) strongly endorsed Poggio's integrity and experience. The committee voted 3-0 to approve the appointment and send it to the full Board with a positive recommendation.
2. Permanent Homeward Bound Program (Ordinance 231226)
Deputy Director Emily Cohen (HSH) presented the program, which has served over 11,000 households since 2005. The ordinance would codify relocation assistance for homeless or at-risk individuals. Discussion focused on the eligibility reuse period: originally set at five years. Supervisor Safai moved to amend it to two years after feedback from the Human Services Agency, and the amendment passed without objection (3-0). Public comment included one speaker who opposed including permanent supportive housing tenants and expressed concerns about coercion and lack of safeguards for LGBTQ+ individuals. The committee then voted 3-0 to send the amended ordinance as a committee report to the full Board.
3. UCSF Acquisition of Dignity Health Hospitals (Hearing 240099)
UCSF Vice President Shay Strawn outlined plans to acquire St. Mary's Medical Center and St. Francis Memorial Hospital, committing to maintain all services, retain staff, invest $75–100 million in deferred maintenance, and honor collective bargaining agreements. She noted the hospitals lose over $10 million monthly and are at risk of closure without the acquisition. Claire Altman (DPH) reported that the Health Commission found the acquisition would not be detrimental if UCSF meets its commitments, and will require six-month updates through 2027. Nurses and CNA representatives (Albina Guerrero, Amy Preble, Matt Jones, Mike Rayburn) testified about critical services: 27% of unhoused patient care, 50% of psychiatric discharges, 42% of rehab discharges, and the only burn center. They criticized UCSF's lack of transparency and cited concerns from the Children's Hospital Oakland acquisition. Public comment was mixed: some supported the acquisition for expanding reproductive health access, others demanded stronger commitments and oversight. Supervisor Safai queried UCSF about ownership structure, staffing, and charity care commitments. The committee voted 3-0 to file the hearing.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to excuse Supervisor Ronan: passed.
- Appointment of Lieutenant Leonard Poggio to the Entertainment Commission: approved and recommended to full Board.
- Homeward Bound ordinance (231226): amended (reuse period changed from 5 to 2 years) and sent to full Board as committee report with positive recommendation.
- UCSF acquisition hearing: filed.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning and welcome to the March 18th Rules Committee meeting of the Board of Supervisors. I am Supervisor Shimon Walton, acting chair for Supervisor Ronan, and I'm joined by Supervisor Safai and Supervisor Engardio. Thank you so much for filling in today. Uh Mr. Clerk, I would like to first of all uh hear if you have any announcements. Uh yes, public comment. We'll be taking on each item on this agenda when your item of interest comes up and public comment is called. Please line up to speak at your right. Alternatively, you may submit public comment in writing in either of the following ways. Email them to myself at VICTOR dot Y O U N G at SFgov.org. If you submit public comment via email, it will be forwarded to the supervisors and included in the file. You may also send your written comment via US mail to our office in City Hall at one Dr. Carlton B. Goodlit Place, room 244, San Francisco, California 94102. Please make sure to silence all cell phones and electronic devices. Items acted upon today will are expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors' agenda on March 26, 2024, unless otherwise state it. That completes my initial announcements. Thank you so much, Mr. Clerk. And I'd like to make a motion to excuse Supervisor Ronan for today's meeting. Yes, on that motion. Supervisor and Guardio. And Guardio I. Supervisor Safai. Aye. Safai. Vice Chair Walt Walton. Aye. Walton I. The motion passes without objection. Thank you. Would you please call item number one? Yes, item number one is motion approving rejecting the mayor's nomination of Lieutenant Leonard Poggio to the Entertainment Commission, term ending July 1st, 2026. Thank you so much. And I believe Mr. Poggio is here. You have the floor. Thank you. Good morning, Vice Chair Walton, Supervisor Safai, Supervisor Engardio, and members of the public. My name is Leonard Poggio. I want to first begin today by expressing my sincere thanks to the mayor for nominating me to the entertainment commission's law enforcement representative seat. I also want to express my sincere hope today that I can receive this committee's approval as part of this important confirmation process. You have copies of my professional resume that detail my 22 years and counting with the San Francisco Police Department. I believe I have had a truly diverse and rewarding career. And most importantly, I believe that I would be able to directly apply this experience on the to the commission to serve the people of San Francisco. I want to share just a little bit more about myself as well as my goals and vision if I am seated on this commission. First, I am born raised and still living in San Francisco. I am a proud product of the San Francisco public school system. Small business and certainly the nightlife and entertainment industry relies on a safe environment to truly thrive and prosper. My goal on this commission would be to maintain this balance as well as communication and partnership.
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