San Francisco Rules Committee Regular Meeting - July 22, 2024
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San Francisco Rules Committee Regular Meeting - July 22, 2024
The Rules Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors met on July 22, 2024, to consider several items including a charter amendment for firefighter pensions, an initiative ordinance for first responder student loan forgiveness, and multiple appointments to city commissions and councils. The committee voted on most items, with one nomination continued for further community engagement.
Charter Amendment: Fire Department Service Retirement Pension (Item 1)
- The committee considered a charter amendment to lower the age at which firefighters hired after January 7, 2012, reach the highest age factor for pension from 58 to 55.
- Public Comment: One speaker opposed the amendment, arguing it burdens vulnerable populations. Floyd Rollins, president of San Francisco Firefighters Local 798, expressed strong support, citing cancer as the number one killer of firefighters.
- Discussion: Chair Safai noted the updated controller report showing a first-year fiscal impact of $3.7 million, down from over $10 million. He emphasized long-term savings from reduced cancer claims. Supervisor Peskin supported the compromise.
- Key Outcome: The committee voted unanimously to send the charter amendment to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation.
Initiative Ordinance: First Responder Student Loan Forgiveness Fund (Item 2)
- Supervisor Safai introduced an ordinance to create a fund for student loan forgiveness and job-related education expenses for first responders, including police, fire, sheriff, paramedics, nurses, and 911 dispatchers. The goal is a $25 million fund forgiving up to $25,000 per employee.
- Discussion: Supervisor Peskin opposed putting the ordinance on the ballot, arguing it could be passed by the Board of Supervisors directly. Supervisor Walton supported it, citing federal student loan forgiveness examples.
- Key Outcome: The committee voted 2-1 (Walton and Safai aye, Peskin no) to send the initiative ordinance to the full board with a positive recommendation.
Appointment: Ballot Simplification Committee (Item 3)
- Pamela Troy was appointed to Seat 1 for a term ending November 30, 2024. The committee voted unanimously to send the appointment to the full board.
Appointments: Reentry Council (Items 4)
- Five of 18 applicants were appointed: Billy Hong Lee (Seat 1), Anthony Parti (Seat 2), Joanna Polito (Seat 3), Lorenzo Castaneda (Seat 4), and David Maroff (Seat 6). The committee emphasized preference for San Francisco residents. Vote was unanimous.
Reappointment: Board of Appeals - Jose Lopez (Item 5)
- The committee unanimously approved the reappointment of Jose Lopez for a four-year term, removing language rejecting the nomination.
Reappointment: Building Inspection Commission - Kevin Williams (Item 6)
- The committee unanimously approved the reappointment of Kevin Williams for a two-year term, removing language rejecting the nomination.
Appointment: Planning Commission - Sean McGarry (Item 7)
- Sean McGarry, a 30-year construction professional and union representative, was nominated. Public comment in support from labor representatives. Committee discussed his approach to housing element, transit corridors, and community engagement. Vote was unanimous to send to full board.
Appointment: Planning Commission - Amy Campbell (Item 8)
- Amy Campbell was unable to attend due to a pre-planned vacation. Her written statement was read. Committee approved sending her nomination to the full board with a positive recommendation, despite her absence. Vote was unanimous.
Appointment: Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors - Mike Chen (Item 9)
- Mike Chen, a 10-year resident and former chair of the SFMTA Citizens Advisory Council, was nominated. Extensive discussion on community outreach, especially in Chinatown, and concerns about the agency's engagement. Supervisor Peskin requested a continuance to allow Chen to meet with Chinatown Trip and other transit advocates.
- Key Outcome: The committee voted unanimously to continue the item to the call of the chair.
Key Outcomes
- The committee forwarded most items to the full Board of Supervisors with positive recommendations, except the MTA appointment which was continued.
- All votes were unanimous except for the first responder loan forgiveness ordinance (2-1).
- The committee emphasized the importance of community engagement, cultural competency, and representation in appointments.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, everyone. This meeting will come to order. Welcome to the July 22nd, 24th regular meeting of the rules committee. I'm Supervisor Safai, Chair of the Rules Committee. I'm joined by Vice Chair Supervisor Walton and our and Supervisor Aaron Peskin. The clerk is Victor Young. I'd also like to thank Eugene Labidia at SFGov TV for broadcasting this meeting. Mr. Clerk, do you have any announcements this morning? Uh yes, public comment will be taken on each item on this agenda. When your item of interest comes up and public comment is called. Peace line up to speak. Alternatively, you may submit public comment in writing in either of the following ways. Email them to myself, the rules committee clerk at VIC T O R 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 as part of the file. You may also send your written comments via US mail to our office in City Hall when Dr. Carlton Begill at place, room 244, San Francisco, California, 94102. Please make sure to silence all cell phones and electronic devices. Items acted upon today are expected to appear on the board of supervisors' agenda on July 30th, unless otherwise stated. Thank you, Ms. Clerk. Please call item number one. Item number one is a charter amendment third draft amend the charter of the city and county of San Francisco to change the age factor percentage for benefit calculations such that persons who have or will become members of the fire department on and after January 7, 2012 reach a higher age factor percentage at an earlier age, lowered from 58 to 55, their retirement age, at which persons who have or will become members of the fire department on and after January 7, 2012 reached the highest age factor percentage at an election to be held on November 5th, 2024. There was a request that this matter be sent out as a committee report. 100%. Yes, members of the public who wishes to speak on this item should line up to speak at this time. Each speaker will be allowed two minutes. There'll be a soft chime when you have 30 seconds left and a louder chime when your time has expired. What's the time? Two minutes. Oh, a lot of time. Uh folks, uh, I want to talk to the public directly here. Uh what happened here? First of all, I'm here this morning to defend Supervisor Ronan, who made the right decision. Uh I'd like to pause your time and interrupt you. As a reminder, any political activities are prohibited in this chamber. You may not advocate or speak against any candidate or ballot measure. We are speaking on this ballot measure, but you cannot speak against a specific supervisor during this meeting. I was supporting the supervisor. On the bat on this ballot measure. You can speak on the ballot measure. Okay. Uh I uh would love to see the cops and firefighters get all kinds of money. And uh, but the problem is I don't want to see them to get it on the backs of the cripple, blind, and crazy. That's what they're doing here. They had a consultant came to them, and the consultant said, hey, what the hell you want this year? We can get you anything, because everybody's running for a higher officer to hold on to their own office. I'll get you Aaron, I'll get you the head of the board of supervisors to support this. I'll I'll get you the the most liberal Asian to support this because they're running for something and they can't afford to say no. But again, I'm all for giving more money to the safety services, but not on the back of cripple blind and crazy.
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