San Francisco Rules Committee Meeting - April 7, 2025: Hearings on Alice Griffith Housing, Nonprofit Reporting, Appointments, and Military Equipment Policy
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San Francisco Rules Committee Meeting - April 7, 2025
The San Francisco Rules Committee, chaired by Supervisor Shamann Walton and joined by President Rafael Mandelman and Vice Chair Supervisor Catherine (Sherrill), held a regular meeting on April 7, 2025 at 6:15 PM UTC. The meeting addressed a hearing on mistreatment at Alice Griffith Apartments, an ordinance amending nonprofit reporting requirements, several board appointments, and the Sheriff's Office military equipment annual report.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Alice Griffith Hearing: Multiple residents and community advocates spoke about deplorable living conditions at Alice Griffith. Dwayne Gaines (Bayview Coordinating Council) described fire safety hazards, inoperable elevators, and allegations of developer lies. Sabrina Hall showed video of trash rooms and cited a letter expressing residents' disappointment after a March 20 DBI hearing focused on a light violation instead of broader issues. Lesonia Mansfield (Mansfield & Mansfield Construction) criticized McCormick Barron Salazar and John Stewart, citing a D rating, and called for firing both. Dennis Williams (Fillmore CDC) alleged soil contamination and that buildings should have been red-tagged. Micah Pinkston (Heart representing District 10) demanded community-led upkeep and economic inclusion under Section 3 of the HUD Act. Marie Visteau (resident since 2001) reported unmet reasonable accommodations for disabilities. Elisha Rochelle (Bayview Hunters Point Coordinating Council) spoke for two wheelchair-bound residents unable to leave their apartments due to broken elevators, and demanded enforcement of Section 3 and economic justice.
- Nonprofit Reporting Item: Laura Thomas (San Francisco AIDS Foundation) expressed appreciation for protections. Debbie Lerman and Rocio Molina (San Francisco Human Services Network) praised the legislation for streamlining and protecting board members' safety. A domestic violence advocate thanked Supervisor Mandelman for addressing risks to vulnerable populations.
Discussion Items
- Hearing on Alice Griffith Apartments (File 250132): Chair Walton opened, stating residents face slow maintenance, pest control, trash removal, and inoperable elevators. He called on multiple entities to report. Dr. Tanya Letaju (Housing Authority CEO) reported 191 leased units out of 226, 35 vacant, utilization rate 85.5%, monthly cap $148,000, and $1.7 million in HAP loss due to abatement over three years. 62 units abated in 2024; 42 currently. She explained life-threatening conditions (e.g., gas leaks, electrical hazards) require 24-hour fix; other issues 30 days. Jennifer Wood (John Stewart Company) stated the property performed well pre-COVID, paying $5.6 million cash flow, but post-COVID faced depletion of reserves, rent arrears, subsidy confusion, and increased costs. She noted they prioritized security and pest control, restructured staffing into two management teams, and assisted residents with $1 million in rental assistance. Claudia Brody (McCormick Barron Salazar) said they funded $2.7 million in deficits, including $50,000 for elevator repairs that the company did not complete. She acknowledged struggles with limited resources. Thor Kaslofski (OCII) gave background on redevelopment dating to 2007, with 75 million from Choice Neighborhoods grant. LaShawn Walker (Five Point) described $80 million in infrastructure, and maintenance of perimeter streets and security. Director Dan Adams (MOHCD) stated their loan committee approved $500,000 on February 7 for urgent repairs, with work underway to assess capital needs. Akisha Porter (Bayview Hunters Point Multi-Senior Services) reported serving over 400 residents with case management, meal distribution, and rental assistance. Mike Martin (Port) said they have no direct role but abate nuisances in the area. Chair Walton questioned MBS and John Stewart about accountability, noting they chose to work in the community. Supervisor Sherrill asked about financial gaps and city assistance. President Mandelman called the situation shameful and noted systemic under-resourcing.
- Nonprofit Reporting Ordinance (File 241209): Supervisor Mandelman presented amendments to limit reporting to organizations receiving over $1 million annually and permit redaction of information that could cause personal harm, following feedback from the City Administrator and community groups. He moved to forward with positive recommendation.
- Appointments to Sugary Drinks Distributor Tax Advisory Committee: Candidates presented for seats 3 and 15. Dr. John Ma (reappointment candidate) cited his role in the soda tax movement and health equity. Melinda Burris (current seat 3 holder) highlighted her work in Bayview and Treasure Island on nutrition and water access. Prashanti Patel (parent) emphasized school-based health and family voices. Chair Walton moved to appoint Burris and Patel, noting respect for Dr. Ma but desire to let a new member continue.
- Appointments to Citizens’ General Obligation Bond Oversight Committee: Continued to call of chair per Supervisor Sherrill.
- Appointments to Sheriff’s Department Oversight Board: Estella Natalie Ortiz (reappointment candidate) described her 15 years of community work and her goal to be an example. Neil Hallanan (new applicant) highlighted his 10 years as a public defender and private criminal defense practice, emphasizing the need for civilian oversight. Chair Walton moved to appoint both.
- Appointment to Bay Conservation and Development Commission: Motion by Supervisor Mandelman to appoint Supervisor Matt Dorsey.
- Military Equipment Use Policy (File 250017): Ronnie Singh (Sheriff's Office) presented the 2024 annual report and requested approval for a pepper ball launcher as new equipment, noting it is more targeted than previous items. She stated the investigation into the San Bruno incident is complete and settlement is pending. Chair Walton expressed philosophical concerns and moved to refer without recommendation, pending final report.
Key Outcomes
- Alice Griffith Hearing: Continued to the call of the chair (unanimous motion by Chair Walton, seconded by Vice Chair Sherrill, ayes all). The committee will hold periodic oversight.
- Nonprofit Reporting Ordinance: Forwarded to the full Board of Supervisors with positive recommendation (unanimous).
- Sugary Drinks Distributor Tax Advisory Committee: Melinda Burris appointed to seat 3 and Prashanti Patel to seat 15 (unanimous).
- Citizens’ General Obligation Bond Oversight Committee: Continued to the call of the chair (unanimous).
- Sheriff’s Department Oversight Board: Estella Natalie Ortiz to seat 2 and Neil Hallanan to seat 4 appointed (unanimous).
- BCDC Appointment: Supervisor Matt Dorsey appointed (unanimous).
- Military Equipment Use Policy: Referred to the full board without recommendation (unanimous). Chair Walton indicated he awaits the final investigation report before taking a position.
Meeting Transcript
All right, good morning, everybody, and welcome to the April 7th, 2025 Rules Committee meeting. I am the Chair of the Rules Committee, Supervisor Shimon Walton, joined by President Rafael Mandelman, and soon to be joined by Vice Chair Supervisor Sherrill. Our clerk today is Victor Young, and I would also like to thank Eugene Labadia with SFGov TV for making sure that this meeting is televised and available to the public. Mr. Clerk, do you have any announcements? Yes, public comment will be taken on each item on this agenda. When your items of interest come up and public comment is called, please line up to speak on your right. Alternatively, you may submit public comment in writing in either the following ways. Email them to myself, the rules committee clerk at VICTOR dot Y O U N G at SFgov.org. If you submit public comment via email, it will be included as part of the file. May also send your written comment via U.S. mail to our office at City Hall 1, Dr. Carleton B. Goodlett Place, room 244, San Francisco, California 94102. Please make sure the silence all cell phones and electronic devices. Documents we include as part of the file should be submitted to the clerk. Items acted upon today are expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors' agenda of April 15th, 2025, unless otherwise stated. That completes my initial announcements. Thank you so much, Mr. Clerk. Would you please call item number one? Item number one is a hearing on the treatment of residents at Alice Griffith Housing by McCormick, Barron, Salazar, and the quality of service provided, mistreatments of residents and oversight responsibilities and requests the San Francisco Housing Authority, John Stewart Company, McCormick Barron Salazar, Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure, Five Point, Bayview Hunters Point Senior Services, and the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development to report. Thank you so much, Mr. Clerk. Uh colleagues, as stated, we do have a hearing this morning. Residents at Alice Griffith have been fighting to ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect in their housing community. They have had to deal with slow response to maintenance requests, pest control issues, slow trash removal response, and inoperable elevators at times for months at a time. This mistreatment of residents by property owner McCormick-Barron Salazar and property management company John Stewart has to cease. Promises were made to the community by McCormick-Bair and Salazar, and they need to be fulfilled. In fact, the representative from McCormick Barron Salazar defended poor service, and there has to be more urgency and maintenance response. Trash removal, pest control, and addressing the safety of Alice Griffith residents. Today, we are here to make sure that everyone responsible for addressing the needs of Alice Griffith residents understands that they are be to be treated with dignity, respect, and the common courtesy that they deserve. Today we're going to hear from the San Francisco Housing Authority, John Stewart, McCormick Barron Salazar, the Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure, Five Point, Bayview Hunters Point Multi-Senior Services, and the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development, as well as the port. Each of these entities at some level are responsible for ensuring Alice Griffith residents receive quality services. After everyone reports, then we will hold time for questions from this committee and go on to public comment. Each representative will have a few minutes to report on their role in Alice Griffith and how they work to ensure residents receive quality services. And so I'm just going to give you the order of how we go. And again, everyone has a few minutes to report on services provided in Alice Griffith. And we'll go on starting with the Housing Authority, John Stewart Company, McCormick Barron Salazar, the Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure, and Five Point, Baby Hunters Point Multi Senior Services, the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development, and then we'll hear from the port. So let's start with the Housing Authority. And I see we have Director Letaju coming up. Good morning, President Walton and Supervisors. My name is Dr. Tanya Letajou, and I'm the CEO of the Housing Authority. And so our responsibility is limited to being the leasor under the ground lease, providing operating subsidies for all the replacement units. And currently we are under contract for 226 units, of which 191 are leased, and a total of 35 vacant units as of 1024. We've provided 200 referrals there. Currently, the utilization rate is about 85.5%. The monthly cap is 148,000, and historically it's generally between 3 to 400 K, but falling due to abatement and lower occupancy rate. In the year of 2024, which we've just gotten out of, there were 62 abated units.
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