Imperium

The Board considered and passed on first reading ordinances authorizing settlements for various lawsuits. These included settlements for personal injury cases like David Timothy Rudolf ($120,000), Jonathan Garcia Valle ($850,000), Anthony Economus ($275,000), Oliver and Sofia Barcenas ($180,000), Erin Sheeran ($97,500), and Christian Miller ($750,000). A settlement was also approved regarding a challenge to the SFPD's procedures for producing incident reports in domestic violence cases for $49,000. Further, the board approved a settlement where the city would receive $1,200,000 from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Yerba Buena Arts & Events due to damage to the Crescent Pool. A settlement for Rashad Abdullah for alleged civil rights violations was also approved for $150,000. Also approved was Christopher Kurrle settlement for bicycle collision for $50,000. The board also approved resolutions settling unlitigated claims from Chez Maman West ($36,664.99 for sewer flooding), Francisco Rivero ($39,700 for property damage), GSW Arena LLC ($440,318 for a stadium operator admission tax refund), and San Francisco Fire Fighters Local 798 ($68,420.98 for a compensation dispute).

Two ordinances related to planning code in the Mission District were finally passed. The first ordinance prohibited most new office uses in the Mission Area Plan portion of the Urban Mixed Use District, except for certain professional services that are client-oriented on the ground floor. The second allowed for the continuation of a nonconforming parking lot on the site of a City landmark in the Mission Street Neighborhood Commercial Transit District. Both were found consistent with the General Plan and priority policies.

An ordinance amending the Administrative Code to introduce standards and goals for food purchasing by the Department of Public Health and Sheriff's Department in hospitals and jails was finally passed. The ordinance aimed to improve food quality and promote healthy eating within these institutions.

The Board considered an ordinance authorizing a settlement of $0 with Hastings College of the Law along with a stipulated injunction related to alleged civil rights violations. After discussion with Sophia Kittler (Mayor's Office), Anne Pearson (Office of the City Attorney), and Abigail Stewart-Kahn (Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing), the Board voted to continue the ordinance on first reading to a Closed Session on August 18, 2020.

The Board considered an ordinance amending the Public Works and Police Codes to authorize the Public Works Director to impose administrative penalties and fines for illegal dumping. The ordinance also expanded the definition of illegal dumping and clarified that each act of illegal dumping is a separate violation. The ordinance was finally passed.

The Board adopted a resolution supporting housing stability by indicating their intent to appropriate revenue generated by a November 2020 transfer tax ballot measure to a COVID-19 Rent Resolution and Relief Fund and a Social Housing Program Fund. Supervisors Ronen and Haney requested to be added as co-sponsors.

The Board adopted a resolution approving a maintenance agreement between the City and Caltrans for the City's maintenance of artwork at the Van Ness Avenue and Geary Street station, specifically on the north and south boarding platforms between Geary and O’Farrell Streets. The resolution also included the City's indemnification of Caltrans for any claims arising from the agreement.

The board considered an ordinance amending the Planning Code to allow extra height for 100% Affordable Housing and Educator Housing projects, and allow them to be constructed on larger parcels or surface parking lots without demolishing existing buildings. This ordinance requires a two-thirds vote for passage. The ordinance passed on first reading.

An ordinance amending the Planning Code to expedite the Conditional Use authorization review and approval process and reduce the application fee for certain uses of commercial space was passed on first reading. Supervisors Walton, Yee, and Safai requested to be added as co-sponsors.

An ordinance amending the Planning Code to allow Arts Activities, and Social Service or Philanthropic Facilities, and COVID-19 Recovery Activities as a temporary use in vacant ground-floor commercial space was passed on first reading. Supervisors Mandelman and Safai requested to be added as co-sponsors. There was a brief technical difficulty in the vote tallying where Supervisor Safai was offline, but the vote was rescinded, and re-voted with unanimous approval.

The Board adopted a resolution receiving and approving the bi-annual Housing Balance Report No. 10, dated April 1, 2020, as required by the Planning Code. There was a brief technical difficulty in the vote tallying where Supervisor Safai was offline, but the vote was rescinded, and re-voted with unanimous approval.

The Board adopted a resolution determining that the issuance of a Type-57 special on-sale general beer, wine, and distilled spirits liquor license to the 706 Mission Residences Owners Association, doing business as the Four Seasons Private Residences, would serve the public convenience and necessity.

The Board adopted a resolution declaring anti-Black racism as a human rights and public health crisis in San Francisco. The resolution also requested City departments and agencies to prioritize racial equity and advocated for anti-racist policies. Supervisor Yee requested to be added as a co-sponsor.

The Board held a hearing for an appeal of a determination of exemption from environmental review for a project at 1531-1581 Howard Street and 118-134 Kissling Street. The appellant withdrew their appeal. The public hearing was closed and filed. Related motions to affirm or reverse the Planning Department's determination were addressed, with a motion to affirm the Planning Department's determination being approved, and motions to reverse the determination being tabled.

The Board held a hearing for an appeal of a Revised Final Mitigated Negative Declaration for the 3516 and 3526 Folsom Street Project. Supervisor Ronen made a motion to continue the appeal hearing and related motions to the Board of Supervisors meeting on September 1, 2020. The motion carried, and public comment was taken on the proposed continuance. Supervisor Safai was excused from voting due to a potential conflict of interest.

The Board held a hearing regarding the certification of a Final Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Balboa Reservoir Project, related to the construction of up to approximately 1,800,000 gross square feet of uses, including residential space, community space, retail, and parking. Public comment was extensive, with speakers both supporting and opposing the appeal. Ultimately, the Board approved a motion affirming the Planning Commission's certification of the Final Environmental Impact Report. Motions to conditionally reverse the certification and to prepare findings to reverse the certification were tabled.

The Board passed on first reading an ordinance amending the General Plan to revise the Balboa Park Station Area Plan, the Recreation and Open Space Element, and the Land Use Index to reflect the Balboa Reservoir Project; amending the Housing Element in regard to the design of housing for families with children.

The Board amended and passed on first reading an ordinance amending the Planning Code and Zoning Map to create the Balboa Reservoir Special Use District. This amendment included reducing the maximum allowed height of Block G, amending exemptions for rooftop features, and adding guidelines for elevator penthouse locations. Key points included a maximum height reduction for Block G and specific limitations on rooftop elements to ensure minimal visibility and aesthetic integration.

The Board amended and passed on first reading an ordinance approving a Development Agreement between the City and Reservoir Community Partners, LLC, for the Balboa Reservoir Project. The key amendments incorporated developer commitments to City College; ensured the deeding back of affordable housing parcels to the City; extended affordability agreement for the Affordable Educator Housing parcel; refined average median income levels; broadened neighborhood preference; prevented developer delay; included a City repurchase option; prevented retail use under the agreement; set child care center's rent at $1; ensured equitable management of open space; clarified construction coordination; included mention of City transit investment; and updated the TDM Plan. Key public benefits include 50% affordable housing and approximately four acres of publicly accessible parks and open space.

The Board approved the sale of real estate for the conveyance by the City to Reservoir Community Partners, LLC, of approximately 16.4 acres of real property for $11,400,000 for the Balboa Reservoir Project. All supervisors voted in favor except Supervisor Mar.

The Board passed on first reading an ordinance amending the Planning Code to require that in Educator Housing projects at least 10% of residential units have three or more bedrooms. This amendment aims to address the housing needs of families with children.

The Planning Department introduced an ordinance amending the Planning Code and Zoning Map to rezone certain parcels in Industrial Use Districts to Production, Distribution, and Repair and other Use Districts. The ordinance was assigned to the Land Use and Transportation Committee.

The City Attorney introduced several ordinances authorizing settlements for lawsuits. These included settlements for Bradley Novak ($247,000 for an employment dispute), Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility (the City to receive $2,161,773 for alleged violations of the California False Claims Act), Dennis Caruso ($70,000 for an alleged injury from hitting a pothole), Thaïs Yafet ($110,000 for an alleged injury from tripping on a sidewalk), and various partial settlements related to inverse condemnation arising from flooding damage in 2014.

The Sheriff Department introduced a Resolution approving the Sheriff Office’s home detention and electronic monitoring program rules and regulations; and approving evidence of financial responsibility demonstrated by program administrator, Sentinel Offender Services, LLC, for FY2020-2021. Resolution was assigned to Budget and Finance Committee.

A resolution authorizing the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing to apply for Homekey grant funds in an amount not to exceed $45,000,000 from the California Department of Housing and Community Development on behalf of the City and County of San Francisco was ADOPTED.

A resolution urging the City and County of San Francisco to declare the month of August as Black Business Month, and to recognize the 17th Annual National Black Business Month beginning on August 1, 2020 was ADOPTED.

A Motion scheduling the Board of Supervisors to sit as a Committee of the Whole on September 22, 2020, at 3:00 p.m., to hold a public hearing to consider amendments to the Redevelopment Plan for the Mission Bay South Redevelopment Project in regard to Block 1 (also known as the site of SOMA Hotel) at the intersection of Third Street and Channel Street was APPROVED.

A Motion approving Final Map No. 9216, a 180 residential unit and one commercial unit, mixed-use condominium project, located at 390 First Street, being a subdivision of Assessor’s Parcel Block No. 3749, Lot No. 058; and adopting findings pursuant to the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1. (Public Works) was APPROVED

A Motion approving Final Map 9802, comprised of an 11 unit residential condominium project in each of lots 1 and 2, located at 25 and 37 Grace Street, being a merger and re-subdivision of Assessor’s Parcel Block No. 3509, Lot Nos. 024 through 026; and adopting findings pursuant to the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1. (Public Works) was APPROVED.