Good morning, everybody, and welcome to the July twenty first, twenty twenty five Rules Committee meeting.

I am the Chair Supervisor Shaman Walton, joined by Supervisor Cheryl, who's our Vice Chair, and our President, Supervisor Mendelman.

Today's clerk is Victor Young, and I want to thank Kalina Mendoza for advertising today's meeting on SFGov TV and making sure that this committee is available to the public.

All right.

We are back to our regularly scheduled rules committee meeting and want to thank our tech people for making sure that we got this back on track, and I also want to thank our clerk Victor Young.

And Mr.

Clerk, do we have any announcements for today's meeting?

Yes, public comment will be taken on each item on this agenda when your item of interest comes up and public comment is called.

Email them to myself, the rules committee clerk at VICTOR.org.

Documents to be included as part of the file should be submitted.

Items act upon today are expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors Agenda of July twenty eighth, two thousand twenty-five, unless otherwise stated.

And EMS Behavioral Health Foundation to the list of organizations to which city officers and employees may make donations by payroll deduction.

There is requested to be sent out as a committee report.

Supervisor Mendelman.

Thank you, Chair Walton.

Colleagues, Chapter 16, Article 5 of the Administrative Code allows employees of the city and county of San Francisco to donate a portion of their paychecks to the designated organizations.

These include credit unions, employee associations, and local charitable funds that support San Francisco's firefighters, police officers, and city workers.

Through this program, employees can choose to contribute money, pay dues, or purchase shares to support financial services, benefits, and community programs.

The legislation before us today would add the San Francisco Firefighter and EMS Behavioral Health Foundation to the list of eligible payroll deduction organizations.

Every year, more of our firefighters face behavioral health challenges.

This foundation working in partnership with San Francisco Firefighters Local 798 and other Bay Bay Area organizations provides emergency financial assistance to active and retired firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

The assistance they offer goes beyond what standards city employee benefits cover.

It can help pay for travel, fuel, food, lodging, time off work, child care, elder care, pet care, clothing, and short-term counseling support, bridging the gap between a moment of crisis and longer term care.

The foundation works works closely with the fire department's behavioral health unit and loved ones to identify members in need and respond quickly.

While small, this organization is doing life-saving work, adding it to the city's payroll deduction program as a simple but meaningful way to support the health and well-being of the people who put their lives on the line for San Francisco every day.

I want to thank former Chief Sandy Tong, who uh brought this idea to us.

I also want to thank uh Walter Villa Vicencio from the San Francisco Firefighter and EMS Foundation for all of his work and advocacy on behalf of our firefighters.

I want to thank Melanie Matthewson in my office, Brad Russian in the city attorney's office.

Of course, of course, I want to thank Local 798, which is uh here, and uh current Chief Crispin, who's been very supportive of this as well.

Um, and I think that's all I got.

Thank you, colleagues.

I uh would ask that you forward this to the full board with positive recommendation.

Thank you, Supervisor Mandelman and Supervisor Shiro.

Uh Mr.

Clerk, can you have me as a co-sponsor to this item?

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mr.

Clerk, please add me as a co-sponsor as well.

And we will go to public comment on this item.

Yes, members of the public wish to speak on this item.

She'd like them to speak at this time.

Each speaker will be allowed two minutes.

How are you doing?

Good morning.

Uh President Mendelman, uh Supervisor Cheryl, and Supervisor Walton.

My name is Walter Vicencio.

I am a retired San Francisco firefighter and currently serve as president of the San Francisco Firefighter and EMS Behavioral Health Foundation.

You've all received an information packet concerning our foundation.

I want to highlight a few points that are important to us.

Our mission is simple.

We're here to bridge a financial gap through emergency grants to any SFFD member retired or active in a behavioral health crisis who wants to get help and but cannot afford the necessary resources for that help.

Two, our foundation's strength is our board, 16 active and retired SFFD members and one mental health clinician.

They are dedicated and thoughtful volunteers who know how to listen, treat our SFFD community with respect and dignity, and uh understand the importance of confidentiality.

Three, since uh our foundation in April of 2023 became was recognized by uh the IRS as a 501c3 foundation nonprofit, and since then we have assisted 13 members with emergency financial grants and eight others, we guided them to uh the support they needed.

Uh, can I continue or I heard about uh still have 23 seconds?

Okay, great, thank you.

In closing, I would like to express my gratitude to you, President Manelman, for your willingness to sponsor the legislation to amend the administration code for payroll deduction, allowing SFFD membership to donate to our foundation and to the rules committee.

Thank you for your support and consideration in amending the administrative code.

Please feel free to not hesitate to uh reach out uh for any questions you may have.

Thank you again.

Good morning, supervisors.

My name's Adam Wood.

I'm the vice president of the San Francisco Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation.

And as you know, the most common use of the payroll deduction form is for employee membership organizations to collect voluntary dues from their members.

Prior to 2023, our foundation used a different tool to solicit and collect charitable contributions from the workforce, which was the city's annual combined charities program.

If that program were still up and running, I'm sure that's what the Behavioral Health Foundation would also be using for the same purpose.

But when that was discontinued, our foundation came to you, the rules committee, and ultimately the full board to ask for authorization to use the payroll deduction as a tool for members who had previously been contributing through payroll deduction through combined charities and for members in the future who would wish to do the same.

In the years that have followed, we've been able to come close to the annual dollar amount we were previously collecting through combined charities.

We're not there yet, but we're making progress, and I'm optimistic that the behavioral health foundation will be able to do the same as we have.

Another point I want to make is a commitment we made in the years we've been using payroll deduction, is to work closely with the payroll department at the fire department headquarters to make sure we're not creating any additional unnecessary work for them.

All the forms go through our foundation.

We make sure they're filled out correctly.

If there's any clarification needed from the members, we do the legwork so that the payroll department can just get this from a single source, and after a quick review, move it on to the controller's office.

And our board will commit to work with Walter and his team to make sure they can do the same so we're not overburdening the payroll department.

Uh, just ultimately the thing to remember is the money involved here does not come from any city source other than the paychecks of firefighters voluntarily contributing through these foundations to their fellow firefighters as they face threats that impact them at a greater level than the general public.

In our case, cancer, and in Walter and his team's case, behavioral health.

So thank you for your support on this.

Good morning, supervisors, Supervisor Walton, Supervisor Cheryl, President Mandelin.

My name is Alec Calf, and I'm proud to serve as the president of San Francisco Firefighters Local 798.

And it really is an honor to speak here today on the good work of the San Francisco Firefighters and EMS Behavioral Health Foundation.

I've known Walter for a long time.

His nickname when we worked together at Station One was St.

Walter, and I think this speaks volumes as to why.

This foundation really does a lot of good work for our members.

Uh I know personally that uh they have no bounds that they that they overlook and they take everybody's individual case very seriously uh and have only only wish to fill the void the financial burden on our members that are going through difficult times.

Uh and like Adam said this is just to allow our members to contribute finances to continue his foundation, their foundation, and uh help our members in the future.

I appreciate you guys' consideration, uh, your diligent work and hope that you guys continue this uh and allow our members to support the San Francisco Firefighters and EMS Behavioral Health Foundation.

Thank you very much.

Good morning, supervisor.

My name's Stan Lee.

I'm a former president of the Asian Firefighter Association, and also presently on executive board with Walter.

Uh I'd like to speak about the impact something like this could have on someone like me, for example.

I have been here before talking to supervisors about my history where I had had numerous injuries.

During those injuries, I did have basically clinical depression, and which almost ended my career, almost ended my family.

Something like this would make dealing with a crisis, especially in behavioral health, manageable because then you know you don't have to worry about where the money's gonna come for traveling, taking care of your family and stuff like that.

So I am thankful for you guys for supporting this amendment, and I appreciate you guys.

Thank you very much.

Good morning, supervisors.

Thank you for your time this morning.

My name is Heather Buren.

I am in my 28th year as a proud member of the San Francisco Fire Department.

Uh, until recently, I served as the captain of the department's behavioral health unit, and I currently am the vice president of the San Francisco Firefighter and EMS Behavioral Foundation, which is a mouthful, and from here on out, I'm just gonna call the Behavioral Health Foundation if we're cool with that.

Um let me just back up and tell you what the behavioral health unit for the San Francisco Fire Department, the purpose of it is to provide confidential peer support and clinical navigation for all of our members, active, retired, and their families who are in or are experiencing mental health challenges, uh, trauma, addiction, or personal crisis.

In addition to ensuring the access to meaningful and timely care, the behavioral health unit also prioritize the development and implementation of mental health education throughout the San Francisco Fire Department um training curriculum.

Very important.

Um, the BHU is what we call the behavioral health unit.

Um, we often meet our members when they're barely hanging on, so clinging really on the edge of a cliff with a fingernail.

And by the time they come to us, they're usually exhausted, they're exhausted by everything, their health and is in crisis.

Um, addiction might be long withstanding.

Um, they've lost their home, maybe their family.

Um, they might also be on the verge of losing their job and potentially their lives.

They have no sick time left when they come to us.

They usually have no money in the bank, and very often um they carry quite a deep shame for simply needing help.

That's the culture that we're trying to change.

First responders, myself included, um, we're trained to be strong and to be helpers, but asking for help is something that we're not good at, and that's not healthy.

Um, speaker time has elapsed.

Is that keep going okay?

No, actually, your time is up, but we thank you so much for being here.

Okay.

One quick question.

Um, I have a letter that I submitted to all three of you from a member who couldn't be here that we that the behavioral health unit, uh, I'm sorry, that the um San Francisco Firefighter and EMS Behavioral Health Foundation helped.

May I read that for in her or we actually cannot do that, but we do have the letter and we appreciate you so much for okay being here to speak and for sending that letter forward to us.

Thank you.

No, thank you so much.

And seeing no additional speakers, public comment is now closed.

Uh, and again, I do want to thank um all of our firefighters, retired firefighters, and everyone for coming in and speaking on this important item.

Uh obviously, this is something that all three of us are excited to support, and so thank you so much for being here.

With that said, uh President Mandelman did make a motion to send this forward to the full board with a positive recommendation, but I want to make sure we also do that as a committee report.

Yes, on the motion to recommend as a committee report on that motion.

Rice Chair Cheryl.

Aye.

Cheryl, I.

Member Manelman, Madam and I.

Chair Walton.

Aye.

Walton Aye.

That motion passes without objection.

Thank you.

Motion carries without objection.

Mr.

Clerk, please call item number two.

Yes, item number two.

Is ordinance waiving the competitive solicitation requirement under Chapter 14B and 21 of the administrative code for the police department's procurement of equipment technology and services for support to support the department's real-time investigation center using gift funds received from the San Francisco Police Community Foundation.

Thank you so much.

And I believe we have a presentation this morning.

Hey, good morning, President Mandelman, Supervisor Walton, Supervisor Cheryl.

My name is Tom McGuire.

I'm the commander of the San Francisco Police Department Investigations Bureau.

I'm going to give you an overview of the real-time investigation center known as RTIC.

In March of 2024, San Francisco voters passed proposition E, allowing the police department to use technology to enhance public safety.

Since our inception, RTIC has helped and assisted in over 500 arrests in 2024.

The RTIC is helping officers safely manage and prevent vehicle pursuits.

We're assisting in locating missing persons quickly and effectively.

The success of the RTC revives heavily on access to modern technology.

And unfortunately, the RTIC currently located at the Hall of Justice 850 Bryant is hindering the hindered by the outdated infrastructure and facilities, and it's limiting our full potential.

The GIFs provided to RTIC with modern resources and workspace needs carry out its critical public safety mission more effectively.

A contemporary office environment equipped with upgraded technological systems and designed to meet the logistical demands of real-time operations.

At this center, all technological installations will be designed as non-permanent, ensuring flexibility and adaptability once our lease concludes.

Currently, the site at Montgomery, there's a sublease that's valid from April 30th, 2025 to December 31st, 2026.

The official move-in date for Arctic is currently planned to be August of 2025.

And a permanent facility housing Arctic and the Investigations Bureau is planned for January 1st of 2027.

And I'll talk a little bit more about that timeline in one minute.

The occupancy of the real-time investigation center currently for this Montgomery site is intended to house 40 members.

That includes the operators at the Arctic, the Strategic Investigations Unit, and the Phoenix Drone Drone is first responder operators.

The long-term facility, which is not yet identified, the goal is to relocate the entire investigations bureau and the target operational date of January 1st, 2027.

Real estate and San Francisco Police Department search will begin now.

And I'll talk a little bit about that timeline.

By January of 2026, the police department must define its space and programming needs for a new location.

That will include space that will serve as the RTC, the number of full-time employees that will be required to move, the required space, the parking needs, and other operational considerations.

By March of 2026, the police department will decide whether to move forward with relocating to a new site.

By June of 2026, the police department will work with the mayor's office to identify funding sources, and the real estate division will identify and assess locations that meet the department's needs and coordinate site tours with the police department.

And by July of 2026, the real estate division will submit the final negotiated lease to the Board of Supervisors for approval.

That concludes the presentation.

I have uh time for any questions.

Thank you so much, Commander.

I don't see any questions or anything from colleagues.

Uh, I do want to state that Rule 14B was put in place to make it better for small businesses to conduct business successfully here in San Francisco and also hold larger businesses accountable in supporting our small businesses here in the city.

That would also include the city and county of San Francisco.

I don't believe we need to weigh 14B requirements in order for the department to be able to procure equipment and want to always make sure that our local businesses have opportunities to survive and provide services.

I have my office has spoken with the mayor's office as well as members of the police department.

So I'm asking that we amend this legislation to ensure compliance with 14B requirements and strike ERS 14B and on line 5, page 11, to read the competitive solicitation requirements of administrative code chapter 21 shall not apply.

And it strikes out the 14B reference.

And we do have agreement from the mayor's office as well as members of the police department.

Thank you, Chair Walden.

I'm supportive of that amendment.

Um Mr.

Clerk, I'd like to be added as a co-sponsor to this item uh as well.

And uh Chair Walton, thank you for your um work on this with supporting our LBEs as well.

Thank you.

And with that said, Mr.

Clerk, can we go to public comment?

Thank you, Commander.

Thank you.

Yes, members of the public who should speak on this item should I speak at this time.

Each speaker will be allowed two minutes.

Are there any members of the public who would like to speak on this matter?

There are no speakers on this matter.

Thank you so much.

See no speakers.

Public comment is now closed.

And I'd like to first make a motion to accept the amendments as described.

Yes, on the motion to amend.

Vice Chair Cheryl.

Cheryl I.

Member Madaman, Madam Man, aye.

Chair Walton.

Aye.

Walton aye.

That motion passes without objection.

Motion to amend passes without objection.

Just want to hear from city attorney to make sure that we do not have to continue because of the amendment.

Yeah, good morning, supervisors, deputy city attorney Brad Russell.

These amendments are not substantive, and the board can or the committee can move forward with them today.

Thank you so much.

I'd like to move this item forward without recommendation to the full board as a committee report.

Yes, the motion is to refer without recommendation as a committee report.

Refer without recommendation as a committee report.

On that motion, Vice Chair Cheryl.

Cheryl Aye.

Member Manelman.

Madam and I.

Chair Walton.

Aye.

Walton aye.

That motion is adopted without objection.

Thank you.

Motion carries.

Mr.

Clerk, please call item number three.

Item number three is an ordinance waivering the competitive solicitation requirements under chapters 14B and 21 of the Administrative Code for the Police Department's procurement of equipment technology and services for regional vehicle interdiction desks using grant funds from the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance.

Thank you so much.

And I believe we have a presentation by Director Kara Lacy.

Good morning, Chair Walton, President Mandelman, and Supervisor Sherrill.

My name is Kara Lasey.

I am the director of constitutional policing for the San Francisco Police Department.

I am here today to seek a similar waiver as uh this board or this committee just heard on line two as it relates to a grant that the police department received from the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance.

It's a almost one million dollar grant that is meant to support the work that we do at the real-time investigation center through the use of technology as well as another crime analyst that this committee might have.

Thank you so much.

I don't believe we have any questions, and we will go to public comment on this item.

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.

Are there any members of the public who would like me to comment on this matter?

There are no speakers on this matter.

Thank you.

Seeing no speakers.

Public comment is now closed.

And without giving the same speech, uh, I did pass around amendments, did get agreement from the mayor's team as well as members of the department to strike on page three line one of the reference to 14B, exactly duplicating the amendments we made to the last piece of legislation.

And so with that, Mr.

Clerk, I'd like to make a motion to amend the item to reflect those amendments.

Yes, on a motion to amend.

Vice Chair Cheryl.

Aye.

Cheryl, I, Member Madelman.

Aye.

Madam and I, Chair Walton.

Aye.

Walton aye.

That motion passes without objection.

Thank you.

Motion to amend carries without objection.

And Mr.

Clerk, I'd like to move this item forward to the full board without recommendation as a committee report.

Yes, on the motion to refer the matter without it.

As amended, uh yes, the refer uh without recommendation as amended on that motion as a committee report.

Uh Vice Chair Cheryl.

Aye.

Cheryl, aye.

Member Manelman.

Aye.

Madeline aye.

Chair Walton.

Aye.

Walton aye.

That motion passes without objection.

Thank you.

Motion carries without objection.

Mr.

Clerk, do we have any more business before us?

There are no additional items on today's agenda.

Thank you so much.

We are adjourned.

Thank you.