The San Francisco Board of Supervisors met remotely on May 5, 2020, addressing various issues related to COVID-19, housing, and municipal operations. The Board approved resolutions concerning the pandemic, including measures for unsheltered people and a plan for the Latinx community. Several housing-related items were discussed and approved, including ordinances and resolutions for special tax districts. The Board also considered appointments to community committees and addressed settlement of lawsuits. Multiple resolutions were adopted without committee reference, including measures supporting the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act and virtual visits for children of incarcerated parents. Finally, it recognized Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and implemented statewide election reforms. Also introduced were updates to the Airport, the city's Hazard Mitigation Plan, and a lawsuit settlement for Alonda Austin.
Angela Calvillo, Clerk of the Board, explained remote participation due to COVID-19, emphasizing remote public comment via phone with interpretation services in Spanish, Chinese, and Filipino, and written comments via email or mail. Adrienne Pon was thanked for providing multi-lingual staff to assist with interpretation services for members of the public.
Supervisor Mar, the lead for the Board Liaison Team, provided an EOC update, reporting that confirmed cases increased from 1,517 to 1,728, related deaths increased from 27 to 31, hospitalizations slightly declined from 89 to 86, and ICU patients declined from 28 to 26 between April 27 and May 3, 2020. They mentioned the extension of the Shelter in Place Order to the end of May and the transition to Phase 2 of the state reopening plan. EOC priorities include testing expansion, support to housing and sheltering partners, face covering distribution, a Tenderloin assessment, and a public-facing COVID-19 alternative housing data tracker. Mar thanked Mary Ellen Carroll and disaster service workers and said he would provide the next update at the next meeting.
The board approved the March 17, 2020 Board Meeting Minutes as presented with no corrections and after hearing general public comments. Supervisor Fewer seconded by Supervisor Preston, moved to approve.
The Board adopted a resolution declaring the results of the special election and directing recordation of the notice of special tax lien for the City and County of San Francisco Special Tax District No. 2020-1 (Mission Rock Facilities and Services), sponsored by the Mayor.
The Board adopted a resolution authorizing and ratifying the issuance and sale of bonded indebtedness and other debt in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $3,700,000,000 for the City and County of San Francisco Special Tax District No. 2020-1 (Mission Rock Facilities and Services), sponsored by the Mayor.
The Board passed on first reading an ordinance levying special taxes within the City and County of San Francisco Special Tax District No. 2020-1 (Mission Rock Facilities and Services), sponsored by the Mayor.
The Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance authorizing the settlement of lawsuits filed against the City and County of San Francisco and associated related and consolidated litigation. The lawsuits were Laura S. Lehman, et al. v. Transbay Joint Powers Authority, et al., and associated cases involving the settlement and tilt of the Millennium Tower, with the City's contribution being the conveyance of an easement for a seismic upgrade. The ordinance was FINALLY PASSED.
The Board adopted a resolution approving the levy on the secured roll of ad valorem and special taxes on possessory interests in Sub-Project Areas G-2 through G-4 and Sub-Project Areas I-1 through I-13 of City and County of San Francisco Infrastructure Financing District No. 2, Special Tax District No. 2019-2 (Pier 70), and Special Tax District No. 2020-1 (Mission Rock Facilities and Services), finding consistency with CEQA.
The Board continued a motion approving the Mayor's nomination for reappointment of Cristina Rubke to the Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors to May 12, 2020. Walton, seconded by Supervisor Preston, made the motion to continue. Stefani was the only vote against the motion.
The Board adopted a resolution approving a fifth amendment to the agreement between the Sheriff’s Office and the San Francisco Pretrial Diversion Project, Inc., extending the agreement by one year to June 30, 2021, and increasing the agreement amount by $5,905,402 for a total amount not to exceed $15,864,317. Stefani voted against this resolution.
The Board adopted a resolution retroactively authorizing the Department of Emergency Management, as fiscal agent for the Bay Area Urban Areas Security Initiative, to accept and expend an increase to FY2019 UASI grant funds in the amount of $602,500, totaling $24,742,500, from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the California Office of Emergency Services for the period September 1, 2019, through May 31, 2022.
The Board adopted a resolution retroactively authorizing the Department of Public Health to accept and expend a grant of $87,675 from the California State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality Beach Safety Program, for the "Public Beach Safety Grant Program," for the period of July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2022.
The board adopted a resolution urging City Departments to authorize additional funds and support to their contracted non-profit homeless service providers, including guaranteed free testing and incentive pay through increased contract amounts and flexible contract spending. The item was referred without recommendation from the Budget and Finance Committee.
The Board passed on first reading an ordinance amending the Planning Code to create the Intermediate Length Occupancy residential use characteristic, amending the Administrative Code to clarify existing law regarding the enforceability of fixed-term leases, prohibit temporary occupancies by non-tenants, require landlord disclosures, and authorize enforcement through penalties, and requiring a study to analyze the impacts of new Intermediate Length Occupancy units. Supervisors Ronen and Safai requested to be added as co-sponsors.
The Board approved the appointments of Christian Martin, Janetta Johnson, Carolyn Caldwell, Gina Rosales, Conny Ford, and Kris Romasanta, to the SOMA Community Stabilization Fund Community Advisory Committee. Residency requirement was waived for Christian Martin.
The Board approved the appointments of John Elberling, C. Heather Phillips, and Jane Weil, to the South of Market Community Planning Advisory Committee.
The Board of Supervisors FINALLY PASSED AS AMENDED an emergency ordinance to limit the spread of COVID-19 by requiring the City, through service agreements with third parties, to provide, staff, and maintain restrooms equipped with toilets and hand washing facilities. The emergency ordinance was amended to state facilities were to be concentrated in areas with greatest need and located within 1,000 feet of encampments, except at existing locations, and the agency in charge of the rollout was changed to the Department of Public Works.
The Board passed on first reading an ordinance amending the Administrative Code to require the City to close County Jail No. 4 by November 1, 2020, and require the Sentencing Commission to establish a Safety and Justice Challenge Subcommittee to plan for jail population reduction. There was discussion and the privilege of the floor was granted to Shakira Simley and Sheriff Paul Miyamoto to respond to questions. Amendments were made to allow the Sheriff to use the 7th Floor of the Hall of Justice for administrative, kitchen, and laundry purposes and modify membership composition of Safety and Justice Challenge Subcommittee. Stefani voted against the ordinance.
Members of the public shared concerns about increased drug dealing, lack of transparency during the health emergency, homeless veterans, a rise in domestic violence, the need for election reforms, the establishment of an American Indian Cultural District, isolation of SRO tenants, the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act, high levels of COVID-19 in the Latinx community, safe housing sites for isolation of homeless individuals, safe tent sites for the homeless, access to cell phones, the extension of library services and hours, the need for the Police Commission to meet, and the need for personal protective equipment. They also expressed support for the Resolution recognizing A.P. Giannini Day and for recognizing every May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
The Board adopted a resolution urging the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education to take action and demonstrate partnership with the Committee of Interns and Residents/SEIU to protect Resident Physicians during COVID-19.
The Board adopted a resolution supporting the federal Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act of 2020 and calling on San Francisco’s federal legislators to vote in support of the bill.
The Board adopted a resolution urging the Mayor and City Departments to develop a plan to address high levels of COVID-19 cases in the Latinx community, including an extensive education and outreach effort, a robust basic-needs security program, the development of a rapid response system for confirmed cases, increased testing capacity, and a plan to relocate unhoused Mission residents and those living in congregate settings to hotel rooms.
The Board adopted a resolution urging the Sheriff’s Department to implement virtual visits for children with incarcerated parents in an effort to maintain the established parent-child relationship.
The Board adopted a resolution urging the Department of Public Health to implement additional health provisions to address social and health inequities exacerbated due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Board approved a motion concurring in actions taken by the Mayor in the Eleventh Supplement to the Proclamation of Emergency, released on April 23, 2020, to meet the ongoing local emergency related to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
The Board continued a resolution opposing California State Assembly Bill No. 2261, authored by Assembly Member Edwin Chau, which would preempt San Francisco’s prohibition on government acquisition and use of facial recognition technology. Stefani seconded by Peskin moved to continue to May 12, 2020.
The Board adopted a resolution recognizing A. P. Giannini on the occasion of his 150th birthday for his substantial contributions to San Francisco history, Italian American culture, and declaring May 6, 2020, as A. P. Giannini Day in the City and County of San Francisco.
The Board adopted an amended resolution reopening the City Hall in-person property tax payment location of the Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector for regular business hours on May 15, 2020, on the condition that either the City Administrator provides for the opening of the Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place entrance to City Hall or City staff are available at that entrance to direct members of the public to the appropriate entrance. Two other smaller amendments were made related to the date.
The Board adopted a resolution supporting Assembly Constitution Amendment No. 5, introduced by Assembly Members Shirley Weber and Mike Gipson, to repeal Proposition 209 and reinstate affirmative action in public contracting, hiring, and public education.
The Board adopted a resolution urging Governor Gavin Newsom and Secretary of State Alex Padilla to adopt and implement statewide election reforms for the November Presidential Election that includes Vote-By-Mail ballots for every registered voter, in addition to providing equitable alternatives to cast a ballot in person safely; and affirming the principles of protecting voter access, ensuring mass public education on how to vote, and centering equity when serving the most disenfranchised voters.
The Board adopted an amended resolution recognizing and celebrating every May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in the City and County of San Francisco and honoring the countless contributions of the Asian Pacific American community. Board extended the highest commendation to the 2020 honorees of the APA Heritage Celebration Committee for their remarkable impact serving the Asian Pacific community in San Francisco, including the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), Community Youth Center of San Francisco (CYC), Japanese Community Youth Center (JCYC), and the San Francisco - Ho Chi Minh Sister City Committee.
The city attorney is introducing legislation to authorize the payment of 240,000 for a lawsuit filed by Alonda Austin regarding an employment dispute. The case was filed on July 26, 2018. Assigned to Government Audit and Oversight Committee.
The airport commission is introducing legislation to increase the project amount for the Airport, Courtyard 3 Connector Project with PGH Wong & Partners JV by $7,500,000. The new project total will now not exceed $17,250,000. Assigned to Budget and Finance Committee.
The city administrator is introducing legislation to update San Francisco's 2014 Hazard Mitigation Plan. Assigned to Land Use and Transportation Committee.