The San Francisco Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting on August 25, 2020, addressing a range of issues including COVID-19 related ordinances, housing, and planning code amendments. The Board approved settlement of a lawsuit with Hastings College of Law, amended the planning code for Chinatown, and passed several resolutions, including those supporting the "Make Billionaires Pay Act" and urging support for ballpark workers and the United States Postal Service. There was also significant public comment, much of which related to the Association of Bay Area Governments.
President Yee acknowledged the 100th Anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote. Supervisors Stefani, Ronen, and Fewer, along with Assessor-Recorder Carmen Chu, shared in this commemoration, highlighting the historical significance of the amendment.
Clerk Calvillo announced the remote participation protocols for the meeting due to the COVID-19 health emergency. She explained how Board Members would participate via videoconference and provided instructions for the public to contribute live comments via telephone or submit written comments via email or U.S. Postal Service. She also stated that members of the public may contribute live comments for up to two minutes and clarified the procedure for joining the speaker queue (*3). Finally, she informed the board that an ADA accommodations request was received for a member of the public to provide public comment at the beginning of the meeting which was granted by President Yee.
Zach Karnazes expressed concerns regarding the censorship of public comment in the Board's Minutes and the inadequate platform used for remote meetings, which he believed needed additional features to allow easier and fuller public access.
The Board approved the July 15, 2020, Rescheduled Meeting Minutes at the Budget and Appropriations Committee, and the July 16, 2020, Special Meeting Minutes at the Budget and Finance Committee. Supervisor Mandelman made the motion, seconded by Supervisor Ronen, and it carried with all members voting in favor.
The Board FINALLY PASSED Ordinance No. 155-20 authorizing settlement of the lawsuit filed by Hastings College of the Law against the City and County of San Francisco for $0 and a Stipulated Injunction related to alleged civil rights violations, ADA violations, negligence, and nuisance. The vote was 7 Ayes (Fewer, Haney, Mandelman, Mar, Safai, Stefani, Yee) and 4 Noes (Peskin, Preston, Ronen, Walton).
The Board FINALLY PASSED Ordinance No. 157-20 amending the Planning Code to re-enact a provision permitting Non-Retail Professional Services above the first story in the Chinatown Community Business District Zoning Control Table, which was inadvertently deleted in recently enacted legislation. The vote was unanimous (11 Ayes).
The Board PASSED ON FIRST READING an ordinance amending the Administrative Code to designate the Northern California Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists as the nominating body for the journalist seat on the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force designated for a journalist from a racial/ethnic-minority-owned news organization and to modify the qualifications for that seat. The vote was unanimous (11 Ayes).
The Board APPROVED Motion No. M20-113 approving the Mayoral nomination for the reappointment of Susan Diamond to the Planning Commission, for a four-year term ending July 1, 2024. The vote was unanimous (11 Ayes).
The Board APPROVED Motion No. M20-114 approving the Mayoral nomination for the reappointment of Joel Koppel to the Planning Commission, for a four-year term ending July 1, 2024. The vote was unanimous (11 Ayes).
The Board APPROVED Motion No. M20-115 approving the President of the Board of Supervisors Norman Yee's nomination for the reappointment of Maria Theresa Imperial to the Planning Commission, for a four-year term ending July 1, 2024. The vote was unanimous (11 Ayes).
The Board APPROVED Motion No. M20-116 approving the Mayor's nomination for the appointment of Malia Cohen to the Police Commission, for a four-year term ending April 30, 2024. The vote was unanimous (11 Ayes).
President Yee suspended all commendations during the declaration of local health emergency.
The Board CONTINUED the hearing, and associated motions, regarding the appeal of the determination of exemption from environmental review for the proposed project at 66 Mountain Spring Avenue to the Board of Supervisors meeting of September 15, 2020. The motion carried unanimously. The motions regarding affirmation, conditional reversal, and preparation of findings to reverse the categorical exemption determination were also continued. The vote was unanimous (11 Ayes) for all.
The Board CONTINUED the hearing, and associated motions, regarding the appeal of the determination of exemption from environmental review for the proposed project at 1846 Grove Street to the Board of Supervisors meeting of September 29, 2020. A motion to do so, made by Supervisor Preston and seconded by Supervisor Mandelman, carried unanimously. Robert Sussman expressed concerns regarding the proposed continuance. The hearing and motions related to the conditional use authorization for the same project were also continued to the September 29th meeting, with unanimous support (11 Ayes).
The Board FINALLY PASSED Ordinance No. 159-20, reenacting an emergency ordinance temporarily creating a right to reemployment for certain employees laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The vote was 10 Ayes (Fewer, Haney, Mandelman, Mar, Peskin, Preston, Ronen, Safai, Walton, Yee) and 1 No (Stefani).
The Board PASSED ON FIRST READING an ordinance authorizing settlement of the lawsuit filed on behalf of the State of California, the City and County of San Francisco, and 189 other California governmental entities against Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility National Accounts LLC for a total settlement of $2,161,773 for alleged violations of the California False Claims Act. The vote was unanimous (11 Ayes).
The Board FINALLY PASSED Ordinance No. 156-20, reenacting an emergency ordinance to temporarily require grocery store, drug store, restaurant, and on-demand delivery service employers to provide health and scheduling protections to employees during the public health emergency related to COVID-19. Supervisors Preston and Safai were added as co-sponsors. The vote was unanimous (11 Ayes).
The Board ADOPTED Resolution No. 380-20 retroactively approving a third amendment to an emergency agreement between the Human Services Agency and 1231 Market Street Owner L.P., for the City's continued use of 459 hotel rooms and associated services. The contract amount was increased by $25,618,542 for a total amount not to exceed $35,608,542, and the booking period was extended for a potential total term of April 8, 2020, through July 1, 2021. The vote was unanimous (11 Ayes).
The Board FINALLY PASSED Ordinance No. 158-20, reenacting an emergency ordinance to temporarily prohibit rent increases that would otherwise be permitted under the Administrative Code, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Supervisors Walton, Preston, Safai, and Mandelman were added as co-sponsors. The vote was unanimous (11 Ayes).
Members of the public expressed support for resolutions regarding the "Make Billionaires Pay Act," the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment, Assembly Bill No. 2088 (Wealth Tax), and the need for affordable housing. Others voiced concerns regarding the "Defund the Police" campaign, funding allocations for the Public Library, and censorship during public comment. There was much opposition to the ABAG housing process.
The Board ADOPTED Resolution No. 381-20 supporting the "Make Billionaires Pay Act" proposed by United States Senator Bernie Sanders. Supervisors Yee, Mandelman, and Peskin requested to be added as co-sponsors.
The Board ADOPTED Resolution No. 382-20 supporting ballpark workers who are now unemployed due to COVID-19, and urging the San Francisco Giants to negotiate in good faith to support the well-being and future of ballpark workers. Supervisors Safai, Mar, Yee, Mandelman, and Peskin requested to be added as co-sponsors.
The Board ADOPTED Resolution No. 384-20 commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Supervisors Walton, Safai, Yee, Mandelman, Preston, Peskin, and Haney requested to be added as co-sponsors.
The Board ADOPTED Resolution No. 385-20 supporting California State Assembly Bill No. 2088, the Wealth Tax, authored by Assembly Member Rob Bonta. Supervisor Yee requested to be added as a co-sponsor.
The Board APPROVED Motion No. M20-117 approving Final Map No. 10118, a five residential unit condominium project, located at 3234 Washington Street.
The Board voted to CONTINUE consideration of a resolution urging the Association of Bay Area Governments to address San Francisco's unmet need for affordable housing until its next meeting on September 1, 2020. The resolution was originally on the consent agenda. The motion carried unanimously. A lot of public testimony was provided by various members of the public.
The Board ADOPTED Resolution No. 383-20 declaring the City and County of San Francisco's support for urgent funding for the United States Postal Service. Supervisors Preston, Safai, Yee, Mandelman, Peskin, Ronen, and Haney requested to be added as co-sponsors.
An ordinance accepting certain public infrastructure improvements in the Mission Bay South Redevelopment Plan, declaring City property as open public right-of-way, dedicating public infrastructure, establishing official public right-of-way widths and street grades, amending sidewalk width regulations, renaming Channel Street, and adopting related findings was substituted and assigned to the Land Use and Transportation Committee.
A resolution authorizing the execution and delivery of a multifamily housing revenue note not to exceed $50,000,000 for financing the construction of a 130-unit multifamily rental housing project at 681 Florida Street was received and assigned to the Budget and Finance Committee.
A resolution approving and authorizing a loan agreement not to exceed $35,076,507 for financing the construction of a 100% affordable, 130-unit multifamily rental housing development at 681 Florida Street and a ground lease to 681 Florida Housing Associates, L.P. was received and assigned to the Budget and Finance Committee.
A resolution confirming the annexation of property to the City and County of San Francisco Community Facilities District No. 2016-1 (Treasure Island) as Improvement Area No. 2 was received and assigned to the Budget and Finance Committee.
A resolution authorizing the issuance of Special Tax Bonds for City and County of San Francisco Community Facilities District No. 2016-1 (Treasure Island) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $17,990,000 was received and assigned to the Budget and Finance Committee.
A resolution retroactively authorizing the Office of the District Attorney to accept and expend an in-kind gift estimated at $40,000 from Deloitte Consulting LLP for strategic planning sessions was received and assigned to the Budget and Finance Committee.
A resolution supporting the hiring of healthcare or other essential workers amidst an unprecedented global pandemic was received and assigned to the Budget and Finance Committee.
A resolution condemning the arrests of peaceful protesters in Belarus and declaring support for the Belarusian community across the San Francisco Bay Area was referred for adoption without committee reference at the next board meeting.
A resolution imposing interim zoning controls limiting off-street parking for new development projects in portions of the "Hub" area was assigned to the Land Use and Transportation Committee.
A resolution proclaiming September 15, 2020, through September 22, 2020, as the Fifth Annual San Francisco Affordable Housing Week was referred for adoption without committee reference at the next board meeting.
A resolution urging the Department of Public Health and San Francisco-based public and private hospitals to not apply for any State waivers granting a reduction in existing patient-to-nurse ratios was referred for adoption without committee reference at the next board meeting.
A resolution approving an amendment to the agreement between Cross Country Staffing, Inc. and the Department of Public Health for registry personnel services was received and assigned to the Budget and Finance Committee.
A resolution authorizing the General Manager of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission to execute an amendment to the New Headworks Facility Construction Management Staff Augmentation Services Agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc. was received and assigned to the Budget and Finance Committee.
A resolution retroactively approving a first amendment to the contract between the City and County of San Francisco and Allied Universal Security for unarmed security services was received and assigned to the Budget and Finance Committee.
A resolution authorizing the Office of Contract Administration to enter into a Second Amendment for Technology Marketplace purchases between the City and County of San Francisco and CCT Technologies, Inc. was received and assigned to the Budget and Finance Committee.
A resolution authorizing the Office of Contract Administration to enter into a First Amendment for Technology Marketplace purchases between the City and County of San Francisco and Cornerstone Technology Partners II JV 241 was received and assigned to the Budget and Finance Committee.
A resolution authorizing the Office of Contract Administration to enter into a First Amendment for Technology Marketplace purchases between the City and County of San Francisco and Insight Public Sector Inc. was received and assigned to the Budget and Finance Committee.
A resolution authorizing the Office of Contract Administration to enter into a First Amendment for Technology Marketplace purchases between the City and County of San Francisco and InterVision Systems, LLC was received and assigned to the Budget and Finance Committee.
A resolution authorizing the Office of Contract Administration to enter into a Second Amendment for Technology Marketplace purchases between the City and County of San Francisco and XTech JV was received and assigned to the Budget and Finance Committee.