San Francisco Rules Committee Meeting, May 20, 2024

The San Francisco Rules Committee met on May 20, 2024, at 10:00 AM, chaired by Supervisor Hillary Ronin, with Vice Chair Supervisor Shamann Walton and member Supervisor Asha Safai. The committee considered five items: reappointments, a surveillance technology policy for automated speed enforcement, a hearing on the quality of services by Eugene Burger Management Corporation at Hope SF sites, and a hearing on the implementation of Proposition C (homelessness oversight). All items were acted upon, with unanimous votes for the first three, a continuation of the fourth, and a filing of the fifth.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1 (240433): Motion to reappoint Supervisor Catherine Stefani to the Reentry Council for a term ending June 1, 2026. Passed unanimously to the full Board with positive recommendation.
• Item 2 (240404): Motion to approve the mayoral reappointment of Mark Dunlop to the Treasure Island Development Authority Board of Directors for a term ending February 26, 2028. Passed unanimously after amending to remove the word "rejecting" from the motion.
• Item 3 (240367): Ordinance approving the surveillance technology policy for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency's use of an automated speed enforcement system, authorized by California Assembly Bill 645. The system captures rear license plate images of speeding vehicles, with data retained for 5–120 days depending on violation status. Passed unanimously to the full Board.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 4 (Hope SF Hearing): Multiple residents and advocates testified about poor conditions at Sunnydale and Potrero Hill. Kywa Smith, a resident of 1101 Connecticut, stated she was interrogated by property manager Sonny Patel after reporting a flood and later received an email threatening her housing. Edward Hatter, executive director of Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, described dog feces, trash chutes, and long-unrepaired leaks. Tanika Blue, a resident, expressed safety concerns and said residents are uncomfortable bringing issues to management. Siobhan Hunter, a community organizer, said the Hope SF initiative is not thriving and called for more oversight. A speaker named Jordan criticized the implementation of Proposition C, saying the commission lacks tenant representation and fails to address evictions and scattered-site supportive housing.

Discussion Items

• Item 4 (230614): Hearing on SFHA's Report of Quality of Services by Eugene Burger Management Corp – Supervisor Walton, the hearing author, highlighted ongoing issues: illegal leasing of vacant units by Eugene Burger staff, excessive trash, and unresponsive maintenance. The San Francisco Housing Authority (SFHA) Director Dr. Letter You reported that 133 units at Sunnydale and 231 at Potrero are slated for demolition, with daily monitoring of vacant units. She noted that the housing authority has only two housing officers on site (down from 16) and that proposals for 24/7 armed security ($100,000/month) are under review. Eugene Burger representative Teresa Pegler defended the company's efforts, including a vacant unit monitoring plan and increased trash pickup, but could not comment on the ongoing investigation into illegal rentals. Bridge Housing and Mercy Housing provided updates on redevelopment and resident services. Supervisor Walton expressed frustration, noting that the housing authority is responsible for Eugene Burger's actions and that illegally rented tenants become the city's responsibility. He requested quarterly reports from SFHA and MOCD on property management performance.

• Item 5 (230148): Hearing on Status of Proposition C Implementation – Supervisor Safai, the hearing author, reviewed the progress of the Homelessness Oversight Commission, established in May 2023. Director Shireen McSpadden reported that the commission has held 14 meetings, approved 52 contracts, and appointed 10 members to advisory bodies. The vacancy rate for permanent supportive housing has dropped from about 1,100 to 640 units (7% vacancy). The commission reviews monthly data on housing placements, shelter vacancies, outreach, and evictions. City Controller Greg Wagner outlined upcoming audits, including an assessment of the shelter system in fiscal year 2024-25. Commissioner Kristen Evans highlighted racial disparities in eviction data and denial-of-service rates at shelters (as high as 15%). Supervisor Safai noted that the mayor's family homelessness plan will be presented to the commission after the budget process. The hearing was filed.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1, 2, 3: All passed unanimously with positive recommendation to the full Board of Supervisors (scheduled for June 4, 2024).
• Item 4: Motion to continue the hearing to the call of the chair passed unanimously. Supervisor Walton requested quarterly reports from SFHA and MOCD on Eugene Burger and Bridge Housing performance, and directed that the housing authority explore contract termination options if violations are confirmed.
• Item 5: Motion to file the hearing passed unanimously. The committee will reconvene in one year for a follow-up on Proposition C implementation.

Note: The meeting minutes were not available; summary is based on the agenda and raw transcript.