The San Francisco Board of Supervisors convened on July 7, 2020, focusing on the city's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recovery efforts, and support for local initiatives. The Board approved an emergency ordinance to establish cleaning and disease prevention standards in tourist hotels and large commercial office buildings. They also approved an emergency ordinance to temporarily prohibit rent increases due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Other key items included resolutions supporting California State Senate Bill No. 793 regarding flavored tobacco products and urging the reduction of the prison population at San Quentin State Prison to protect against COVID-19. Finally, the Board discussed and adopted resolutions supporting the restoration of the Aquatic Park Pier and urging San Francisco to participate in Multiplying Good's "One Million Awards" Campaign.
The Board approved an ordinance amending the Business and Tax Regulations Code to allow the City Attorney, with the County Recorder's consent, to settle real property transfer tax claims and lawsuits exceeding $25,000, up to the amount of transfer tax, penalties, and interest paid, if it exceeds the amount due when calculated using the value of the real property determined by the Assessment Appeals Board.
The Board approved an ordinance granting an easement to the Millennium Tower Association for surface and subsurface rights on Mission and Fremont Streets to allow a structural upgrade of the Millennium Tower. The agreement is contingent on court approval of a class-action settlement of the Millennium Tower Litigation. The requirements of Administrative Code, Chapter 23 were waived.
The Board approved an ordinance amending the Administrative Code to mandate that bidders or proposers on Public Works or Improvement projects demonstrate a record of safe performance on construction projects to be considered "Responsible." Construction contract awards for all project-delivery methods will only be made to Responsible construction contractors.
The Board approved an emergency ordinance establishing cleaning and disease prevention standards in tourist hotels and large commercial office buildings to help contain COVID-19. The ordinance requires related training for employees on paid time, protections to employees as they perform cleaning duties, prohibits retaliation against employees, and provides for administrative enforcement by the Department of Public Health and financial penalties. An amendment was made to strike a section prohibiting the use of shared beverage and food equipment, such as coffee machines and microwave ovens, in public areas and employee breakrooms (except for designated refrigerators used for storing breast milk).
The Board approved reenactment of an emergency ordinance (Ordinance No. 68-20) to temporarily prohibit rent increases that would otherwise be permitted under the Administrative Code due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Members of the public commented on various issues including the resolution urging participation in Multiplying Good's "One Million Awards" campaign, limitations of those without internet service, support for the restoration of the Aquatic Park Pier, concerns regarding hotel workers and unsafe conditions in large commercial buildings, inefficiencies of the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force and the Ethics Commission, a leak of information and data from the Police Department, the creation of the Public Advocate, tenant policies, legislation addressing false police calls against African Americans, the plight of taxi medallion holders, and the homeless population during the health emergency.
The Board adopted a resolution supporting California State Senate Bill No. 793, which restricts sales of flavored e-cigarettes and all other flavored tobacco products to combat use by youths.
The Board approved a motion concurring in actions taken by the Mayor in the Twenty-First Supplement to the Proclamation of Emergency, released on June 29, 2020, to meet the ongoing local emergency related to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
The Board approved a motion adopting findings in support of the Board of Supervisors’ disapproval of Planning Commission Motion No. 20602, approving a Conditional Use Authorization, identified as Planning Case No. 2018-015554CUA, for a proposed project at 95 Nordhoff Street; and the Board’s approval of a Conditional Use Authorization for the same Planning Case and property with different conditions; and adopting findings of consistency with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1.
The Board adopted an amended resolution urging Governor Gavin Newsom, Secretary Ralph Diaz of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and Acting Warden Ron Broomfield to take immediate measures, including reducing prison population, to protect people incarcerated and staff at San Quentin State Prison from COVID-19. An amendment was added to include the word 'free' in the recommendation.
The Board adopted a resolution declaring the City and County of San Francisco’s support for the restoration of the Aquatic Park Pier and urging the Federal Government to prioritize that National Park Service project for funding through the Great Outdoors Act of 2020 or through some other means.
The Board adopted an amended resolution urging the City and County of San Francisco to actively participate in nominating individuals, businesses, and organizations for Multiplying Good’s “One in a Million” Recognition Awards Campaign to highlight the everyday unsung heroes making a difference through public service and to commend the work of Multiplying Good for their efforts in bringing communities together through recognizing and amplifying positive stories. An amendment was added to encourage using an equity lens when calling for nominations, to recognize those on the frontlines of movements for transformative change and racial justice, and mention recent racial injustice events.
An ordinance was proposed to authorize the settlement of the lawsuit filed by Lina Lu, Alexandra Anderson, and Stella Osborne against the City and County of San Francisco for $49,000. The lawsuit, filed on May 6, 2019, in San Francisco Superior Court, Case No. CPF-19-516659, involves a challenge to the San Francisco Police Department’s procedures for producing incident reports in domestic violence cases. Other material terms of the settlement are the adoption of changes in City protocols for producing domestic violence incident reports.
An ordinance was proposed to authorize the settlement of the lawsuit filed by Erin Sheeran, as Conservator for Cara Sheeran, against the City and County of San Francisco for $97,500; the lawsuit was filed on July 25, 2018, in San Francisco Superior Court, Case No. CGC-18-568392; entitled Erin Sheeran, as Conservator for Cara Sheeran v. City and County of San Francisco, et al.; the lawsuit involves alleged personal injury by San Francisco Fire Department employees.
An ordinance was proposed to authorize settlement of the lawsuit brought by the City and County of San Francisco against San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Yerba Buena Arts & Events for $1,200,000; the lawsuit was filed on April 27, 2017, in San Francisco Superior Court, Case No. CGC-17-558438; entitled Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the City and County of San Francisco, commonly known as the Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure (OCII) v. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Yerba Buena Arts & Events, and Does 1-20; the lawsuit involves damage to the Crescent Pool at the Yerba Buena Gardens Plaza allegedly caused by an SFMOMA fundraiser.
An ordinance was proposed to authorize settlement of the lawsuit filed by Rashad Abdullah, individually and as the guardian for minor T.A.; and T.A., a minor, by and through her guardian against the City and County of San Francisco for $150,000; the lawsuit was filed on September 3, 2019, in the United States District Court, Northern District of California, Case No. 19-cv-05526-LB; entitled Rashad Abdullah, et al. v. City and County of San Francisco, et al.; the lawsuit involves alleged civil rights violations.
Resolution approving the settlement of the unlitigated claim filed by GSW Arena LLC against the City and County of San Francisco for $440,318; the claim seeks a refund of stadium operator admission tax (“Tax”) paid for events occurring in September and October 2019; additional material terms of the settlement are an agreement by GSW Arena LLC to file and pay the Tax for all events on or after November 1, 2019, and a waiver of penalties and a portion of the interest for late-filed returns for events in November 2019 through March 2020.
Resolution approving settlement of the grievance by the San Francisco Fire Fighters, Local 798, against the City and County of San Francisco for $68,420.98; the grievance was filed on August 27, 2017; the grievance involves a compensation dispute under the Memorandum of Understanding.
A resolution was proposed to approve a Professional Services Agreement (Contract No. 50195) between BEUMER Lifecycle Management, LLC, and the City and County of San Francisco, acting through its Airport Commission, for the operations and maintenance of the baggage handling system in the Harvey Milk Terminal. The agreement has a total amount not to exceed $21,000,000 for a term of two years and eleven months, commencing August 1, 2020, through June 30, 2023, pursuant to Charter, Section 9.118(b).