Imperium

The Board approved a series of settlements under the recommendations of the Government Audit and Oversight Committee. These included settlements for lawsuits filed by Small Property Owners of San Francisco Institute ($110,000), Susan Garduno ($105,000), Winfield International, Inc. ($500,000 to be paid to the city), N.C., a Minor ($45,000), and Rocio Guarniz Palacios ($50,000), as well as an unlitigated claim filed by Sambou Makalou ($124,523.97). Additionally, under the recommendations of the Land Use and Transportation Committee, the Board approved ordinances related to Planning Code amendments for landmark designations, zoning map changes, and commemorative plaques. These included the designation of Theodore Roosevelt Middle School and Sunshine School as landmarks, rezoning a portion of Valencia Street, and waiving fees for a commemorative plaque for Salina Lam. An ordinance related to conversion of Medical Cannabis Dispensary uses to Cannabis Retail Uses was also approved. Finally, the Board approved an ordinance amending the Police Code to rescind authorization for the Police Department to be a member of the National Rifle Association.

The Board discussed and approved the establishment of the SoMa West Community Benefit District. Chris Corgas and Jon Givner were present to answer questions. Amendments to the supporting documents, specifically the Management Plan and Engineer’s Report, were accepted without objection. These amendments included defining board of directors composition that meets both City and State law and insures representation from non-profit housing entities, cultural organizations/districts, education institutions, small business owners, residents (both property owners and bib-property owners). and indicating non-profit owned parcels do not benefit from the marketing and communications service area and the 7.56% ascribed to this area were deducted from their assessment payment, the amount was taken from the budget section to ensure added costs were not put on other property owners, the Steering Committee agreed to a 40% reduction for non-profit housing parcels, and the Community Benefit District will fundraise the 40% reductions for these parcels. The final vote was unanimous.

The Board approved an ordinance amending the Administrative Code to prohibit police officers from questioning persons 17 years of age or younger, in custody, unless certain conditions are met. The ordinance provides for legal representation of the youth and mandates that responsible adults be given access to youth while police officers question youth. The vote was unanimous.

The Board approved an ordinance retroactively authorizing the Department on the Status of Women to accept and expend a grant from the Blue Shield of California Foundation for Leveraging Collaboration to End Domestic Violence Program. The ordinance also amended the Annual Salary Ordinance to provide for the addition of one grant-funded part-time Junior Administrative Analyst position. Ben Rosenfield and Dr. Emily Murase were present to answer questions. Supervisor Walton was excused from voting on this item due to a possible conflict of interest.

The Board approved two ordinances related to a short-term loan program for federal employees in the event of a government shutdown. One ordinance authorized the Treasurer to secure a line of credit or partner with financial institutions for the program. The other ordinance appropriated funds to the Treasurer’s and Tax Collector’s Office to administer individual loans for eligible Federal employees impacted by a future shutdown. Supervisor Safai requested to be added as a co-sponsor to both ordinances.

The Board approved three resolutions related to lease agreements for food and beverage concessions at Terminal 1 of the San Francisco International Airport. These included agreements with Host International, Inc., Lady Luck Gourmet, LLC, and SF Foodways, LLC. All resolutions were adopted unanimously.

The Board approved a resolution retroactively authorizing the Office of Economic and Workforce Development to accept and expend a grant from the Humboldt State University Program Foundation to expand the capacity of the San Francisco Small Business Development Center. Additionally, the Board approved a resolution approving an amendment to the agreement between Westside Community Mental Health Center, Inc. and the Department of Public Health for behavioral health services.

The Board approved resolutions related to financing for two affordable housing projects. These included loan agreements and multifamily housing revenue notes for projects at 735 Davis Street and 88 Broadway. All resolutions were adopted unanimously.

The Board approved resolutions authorizing the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development to apply for county noncompetitive and competitive allocation awards under the California Department of Housing and Community Development No Place Like Home Program.

The Board approved resolutions retroactively authorizing the San Francisco Department of Public Health to accept and expend a grant from the California Department of Public Health to participate in the HIV Prevention State Grant program. Additionally, the Board approved a resolution authorizing the Department of Public Health to accept and expend a grant from the California Department of Rehabilitation to participate in the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program.

The Board approved an ordinance amending the Administrative Code to establish the Our City, Our Home Oversight Committee as an advisory committee to monitor the City’s use of tax revenue received under the Homelessness Gross Receipts Tax established by Proposition C.

The Board approved a resolution authorizing the Fire Department to donate a retired ambulance to the San Francisco Unified School District’s Health Academy at John O’Connell High School.

The Board approved an ordinance ordering the summary street vacation of portions of Bradford Street, Ogden Avenue, and Crescent Avenue within the perimeter of the Alemany Farmers’ Market. The ordinance also approved jurisdictional transfers of property at the site of the Market.

The Board approved an ordinance amending the Building Code to require vacant or abandoned commercial storefront owners to pay annual registration fees, require annual inspections of registered vacant or abandoned storefronts, and update the penalty for violations of the requirement to register vacant or abandoned commercial storefronts.

The Board approved an ordinance amending the Administrative Code to expand eligibility for assistance under the Personal Assistance Employment Services (PAES) Program, the Cash Assistance Linked to Medi-Cal (CALM) Program, and the Supplemental Security Income Pending (SSIP) Program, to adults who are ineligible for assistance under the CalWORKs Program.

The Board approved motions appointing Vanessa Bohm, John Maa, Joi Jackson-Morgan, Roberto Ariel Vargas, Johnathan Butler, Janna Cordeiro and Derik Aoki to the Sugary Drinks Distributor Tax Advisory Committee. Also, approved appointments and reappointments to Assessment Appeals Boards No. 1, 2, and 3.

The Board approved motions reappointing Wendy Aragon to the Park, Recreation and Open Space Advisory Committee. In addition, Kristin Tieche and Elbert Hill were appointed to the Bicycle Advisory Committee, and Cindy Elias was reappointed to the Police Commission.

The Board suspended the rules to grant privilege of the floor to several guests. Supervisor Stefani introduced and presented a Certificate of Honor to first responders and community members who assisted during and after the Geary Boulevard gas line explosion in February 2019. Supervisor Fewer shared in this commendation. Chief Hayes-White provided additional commending remarks and acknowledgements. Also, Supervisor Mandelman presented a Certificate of Honor to the Castro Art Walk.

The Board opened a public hearing regarding an appeal of a Tentative Map Approval for a three-unit condominium project at 630 Natoma Street. Supervisor Haney provided opening remarks and the President inquired whether any individual wished to address the Board. With the appeal withdrawn, Supervisor Haney then moved to approve the Tentative Map. A speaker spoke in support of the project and in opposition to the appeal. The board then heard and filed the hearing.

The Board approved the decision of Public Works and approved the Tentative Map for a three-unit condominium project at 630 Natoma Street after the appeal was withdrawn. The associated motions to conditionally disapprove and to prepare findings related to the Tentative Map were tabled.

The Board opened a public hearing regarding an appeal of a determination of exemption from environmental review for the proposed project at 2831-2833 Pierce Street. Genevieve Anderson (Appellant) provided an overview of the appeal. Stephanie Cisneros and Debra Dweyer (Planning Department) provided an overview of the decision of the Planning Department. Tara Sullivan, Reuben, Junius & Rose LLP (on behalf of Project Sponsor), provided an overview of the project and the Board then heard and filed the hearing.

The Board affirmed the determination by the Planning Department that the proposed project at 2831-2833 Pierce Street is categorically exempt from further environmental review. The associated motions to conditionally reverse the determination and to prepare findings to reverse the determination were tabled.

The Board considered a recommendation from the Land Use and Transportation Committee, passing on first reading an ordinance to revise Map 1 of the Downtown Area Plan to include 175 Golden Gate Avenue, Assessor's Parcel Block No. 0349, Lot No. 11, in the C-3-G (Downtown General Commercial District) area.

The Board considered a recommendation from the Land Use and Transportation Committee, to amend the Planning Code and Zoning Map to rezone the building at 175 Golden Gate Avenue (De Marillac Academy). This was approved on the first reading, along with an amendment which removed a section detailing what the Historic Preservation Commission adopted for findings, and instead adding "A Copy" to the findings.

The board reviewed and approved recommendations from the Rules Committee on motion, regarding the nominations of Richard Johns, Kate Black and Andrew Wolfram for reappointments to the Historic Preservation Commission. Each was unanimously approved.

The board opened floor for public comment and heard from Richard Hack, about residential density, from Cecile Castillo, regarding Title X family planning, and from Charles Pitts regarding Director of Homelessness. Katherine Howard and another speaker spoke fondly about Mary Anne Miller.

The board moved to continue a closed session from an earlier date to March 12, 2019, to convene with the mayor's office and department of human resources. The purpose was to consider labor union contract negotiations for city employees.

Without committee reference the board reviewed and approved resolutions related to retroactive extensions for planning review on accessory dwelling units. Also, the board moved to approve Final Map 9359 for a six residential unit condominium project located at 830 Broderick Street.

Severed from the consent agenda was a resolution supporting a permanent memorial in San Francisco for victims and survivors of the Irish Famine. The board moved to approve the item with the change of the word "criminally" to "shamefully" with all approving. It was then immediately moved to continue the resolution to March 19, 2019.

After being severed from the consent agenda, the board approved a resolution supporting California State Assembly Bill No. 1611, an amendment which would extend consumer protections to privately insured patients at San Francisco General Hospital. The amendment included language asserting insurance companies bear the responsibilities for trauma care, and that continued deliberations and study would be conducted to fairly define "Reasonable Charges" in order to ease burden on taxpayers.

Severed from the consent agenda was a resolution supporting senate bill 281, and it was moved to continue that approval on March 12, 2019. It regarded prohibiting firearm and ammunition sales at the Cow Palace in Daly City. There was also a hearing urging good faith negotiations from Walgreens, and approving a closed session on Municipal Elections on April 2, 2019.

The board conducted a roll call for introductions to the record. Some of the proposed resolutions included contracting for homelessness services, streamling certain programs like those in the Administrative and Planning Codes, business and tax regulations for gift credits to combat homelessness, an ordinance for streamlining contracting of homelessness services, waiving the Banner fee, and a resolution for HIV Prevention. All of these were referred for committee review.