Imperium

The Board approved Ordinance No. 227-24, sponsored by Supervisor Melgar, which de-appropriates $399,950 from General City Responsibility and $150,000 from the Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA). It re-appropriates the funds as follows: $50,000 to the Arts Commission for mural artwork in West Portal; $125,000 to Children, Youth and Their Families for picnic tables at Commodore Sloat Elementary, playground improvements and seating at Sunnyside Elementary, and a new playground at Jefferson Elementary; $162,750 to the Department of Public Works for maintenance of Westwood Park pillars, benches at Monterey and Gennessee, parklet planting in Inner Sunset, median planting on Marietta Drive, and fence repairs at Edgehill Way; $13,200 to the San Francisco Public Library for Digital Literacy courses; $49,000 to the Department of Recreation and Parks for renovation of the Marview Way Trail; and $150,000 to the Municipal Transportation Agency for traffic calming on Yerba Buena Avenue, Ulloa Street, Laguna Honda Boulevard, Rockaway Avenue, and Monterey Boulevard and a Public Parklet on Slow Hearst in Fiscal Year 2024-2025. The Board also approved Ordinance No. 226-24, authorizing the settlement of a lawsuit filed by David M. Schmitt against Build Group, Inc., which then filed a cross-complaint against the City and County of San Francisco, for $350,000. The lawsuit involved allegations of breach of contract arising from cost overruns and delay on the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital Building 5 Rehabilitation Department Relocation Project. A complete release of claims relating to the project, including any pass through claims from David M. Schmitt or other subcontractors of Build Group, Inc. The Board also approved Resolution No. 470-24, approving the settlement of an unlitigated claim filed by Lotus Bakeries North America, Inc. against the City and County of San Francisco for $160,195, involving a refund of gross receipts and homelessness gross receipts taxes. All items were approved unanimously.

The Board considered several items under New Business. They passed, on first reading, an ordinance authorizing the execution and delivery of Certificates of Participation not to exceed $61,395,000 to finance and refinance certain capital improvement projects. The Board also adopted Resolution No. 471-24, approving the use of $7,150,000 in Open Space Acquisition Funds to acquire property at 240-6th Street for park use. The Board approved Resolution No. 473-24, approving Modification No. 3 to Contract No. 50276 with SP Plus Corporation for the Curbside Management Program at the airport, increasing the contract amount by $21,264,800 to a new total not to exceed $41,364,800 and extending the term for two years. The Board also approved Resolution No. 474-24, authorizing payments totaling $754,141 to Oliver De Silva, Sunol AgPark, and Alameda County related to Utility User Taxes (UUT) collected on electric bills.

President Peskin requested that File Nos. 240809, 240810, 240811, and 240812 be called together. The Board approved Resolution No. 469-24, retroactively authorizing the Office of the District Attorney to accept and expend a grant of $160,451 from the State of California Department of Industrial Relations for the Workers’ Rights Enforcement Grant Program. The Board approved Resolution No. 468-24, retroactively authorizing the Office of the District Attorney to accept and expend a grant of $652,332 from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Elder Abuse Program. The Board approved Resolution No. 467-24, retroactively authorizing the Office of the District Attorney to accept and expend a grant of $2,986,360 from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Victim Witness Assistance Program. The Board approved Resolution No. 466-24, retroactively authorizing the Office of the District Attorney to accept and expend a grant of $590,718 from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Unserved/Underserved Victim Advocacy and Outreach Program. The Board approved Resolution No. 475-24, approving an agreement with WSP/PGH Wong Joint Venture for consulting services supporting the Communications-Based Train Control Upgrade Project for an initial five-year term, with five options to extend the term for an additional year, for a total of 10 years and an amount not to exceed $30,000,000 over the 10-year period.

The Board passed, on first reading, an ordinance amending the Park Code to allow dogs and certain types of athletic activities in Yerba Buena Gardens. The ordinance also clarifies the prohibition of bicycles and electric scooters in the Gardens. The Board adopted Resolution No. 472-24, adding the commemorative street name "Aubrey Abrakasa, Jr. Street" to the 1500 Block of Grove Street to honor the legacy and life of Aubrey Abrakasa, Jr., and to bring attention to his tragic death and the need for action against gun violence. Supervisor Engardio requested to be added as a co-sponsor.

President Peskin requested File Nos. 240058 and 240330 be called together. The Board passed, on first reading, an ordinance rescinding the sunset provision of Ordinance No. 205-22 and approving the Police Department’s continued use of Non-City Entity surveillance cameras consistent with the Department’s Surveillance Technology Policy. Supervisor Engardio requested to be added as a co-sponsor. The Board passed, on first reading, an ordinance approving a Surveillance Technology Policy for the Department of Emergency Management’s use of ShotSpotter, a gunfire detection technology. Supervisor Mandelman requested to be added as a co-sponsor.

The Board passed, on first reading, an ordinance amending the Administrative Code to exempt the Legacy Business Assistance Program from the grantmaking requirements under Administrative Code, Chapter 21G, and all other provisions in the Administrative, Labor and Employment, Environment, and Police Codes imposing obligations or other restrictions on contractors. The Board approved Motion No. M24-082, approving the Treasurer’s nomination of Jackie Chen to the Treasury Oversight Committee, for a term ending June 17, 2026. The Board approved Motion No. M24-083, appointing Katherine Jackson and Noriko Lim-Tepper to the Food Security Task Force.

Supervisor Stefani presented a Certificate of Honor to Michael Blecker, Executive Director of Swords to Plowshares, on the occasion of his retirement and in recognition of his advocacy of the veterans community. President Peskin presented a Certificate of Honor to Joen Madonna, Executive Director of ArtSpan, on the occasion of her departure after more than 10 years with ArtSpan and in recognition her many accomplishments being a visionary for artists and creating artistic spaces, supported by Supervisor Safai. Supervisor Safai presented a Certificate of Honor to the Hispanic Childhood Education Collaborative in recognition of their accomplishments influencing childhood educational policies and practices.

The Board considered the Police Department's inventory and policy relating to the use of unassisted aerial vehicles, or drones. Supervisors Ronen and Walton voted No on First Reading. Supervisors Mandelman and Engardio requested to be added as co-sponsors. Supervisor Melgar, seconded by Supervisor Dorsey, moved to AMEND the ‘Unassisted Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Policy,’ on Pages 2-3, by adding ‘Prohibitions and Restrictions’ and ‘Data Retention’ policies. The motion carried. Brad Russi (Office of the City Attorney) responded to questions raised throughout the discussion. The Board PASSED ON FIRST READING, after accepting amendments to the 'Unassisted Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Policy,' by a vote of 9 Ayes and 2 Noes.

The Board considered an ordinance requiring that the new Public Library branch serving the Oceanview, Merced Heights, Ingleside, and Lakeview neighborhoods be built on the City-owned parcel of land at 100 Orizaba Avenue. Supervisor Safai, seconded by Supervisor Walton, moved that this Ordinance be RE-REFERRED to the Rules Committee. The motion carried.

Members of the public expressed concerns regarding happiness, unintelligence, artificial intelligence, and safety, unsolved homicides, public corruption, the City’s use of the ONE System, litigation with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, working conditions for Clinical Social Workers at UCSF, the war in the Middle East, the plight of the unhoused, policies and procedures, religious views, the Dream Keepers Initiative, and defunding the police.

The Board adopted Resolution No. 477-24, recognizing the week of September 21 through September 27, 2024, as United Against Hate Week in the City and County of San Francisco. The Board adopted Resolution No. 476-24, declaring September 16, 2024, as "Mahsa Amini Day" in the City and County of San Francisco.

President Peskin requested that File Nos. 240875 and 240889 be severed so that they may be considered separately. The Board approved as amended Motion No. M24-084, scheduling the Board of Supervisors to sit as a Committee of the Whole, as the Budget and Finance Committee, on October 22, 2024, to hold a public hearing to consider 1) an Ordinance for the proposed Amendment to the Redevelopment Plan for the Bayview Hunters Point Redevelopment Project Area; 2) an Ordinance for the proposed Amendment to the Redevelopment Plan for the Hunters Point Shipyard Redevelopment Project Area; and 3) a Resolution for the proposed Amendment to the Tax Increment Allocation Pledge Agreement for the Candlestick Point and Phase 2 of the Hunters Point Shipyard Project. The Board approved as amended Motion No. M24-085, convening in closed session on September 24, 2024, at 2:30 p.m., for the purpose of conferring with, or receiving advice from, the City Attorney regarding existing litigation in which the City is a party: City and County of San Francisco v. United States Environmental Protection Agency (United States Supreme Court) Case No. 23-753.

Several Ordinances were introduced at Roll Call, starting with the Mayor introducing an ordinance approving an amendment to a Development Agreement for the 3333 California Street project between the City and Laurel Heights Partners, LLC. The Mayor also introduced an ordinance amending the Building Code to excuse the requirement for professionally prepared architectural drawings for building permits to change certain use designations. The Mayor, along with Supervisor Chan, introduced an ordinance amending the Administrative Code to authorize the Department of Human Resources to carry out various functions in the administration of the T.J. Anthony Employee Catastrophic Illness Program for City employees and the Catastrophic Illness Program for Family Members of City employees.

Several ordinances were introduced including one by the Mayor amending the Planning Code to eliminate impact fees for changes of use from Production, Distribution, and Repair (PDR) to other Non-Residential Uses. Another ordinance introduced by the Mayor, with Supervisor Stefani, amending the Administrative Code to require some nonprofit grantees to disclose shared resources with 501(c)(4) organizations; increase accounting requirements for City contractors and grantees engaging in political activity; add restrictions on using City funds for lobbying and litigation purposes; institute quiet periods for certain contract and grant procurements; and add illegal engagement in political activity, lobbying, or litigation to a list of offenses that may trigger debarment. Supervisor Melgar introduced an ordinance amending the Planning Code to permit certain Health Service Uses up to 5,000 gross square feet without a conditional use permit in the West Portal Neighborhood Commercial District. Supervisor Peskin introduced an ordinance amending the Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code to update the Conflict of Interest Code’s Form 700 (Statement of Economic Interests) filing requirements.

Supervisor Ronen, with Supervisors Walton, Peskin and Preston, introduced an ordinance amending the Administrative Code to establish the Worker Justice Fund to provide financial restitution and timely payment to workers. Supervisor Safai introduced an ordinance approving funding and an offer of dedication and grant deed for real property from the Bay Area Rapid Transportation District for De Long Street. The Mayor, joined by Supervisor Stefani, introduced a resolution of Intention to establish San Francisco Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District No. 3 (3333/3700 California Street). The Mayor, alongside Supervisor Preston, introduced a resolution authorizing the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (“HSH”) to execute a Standard Agreement with the California Department of Housing and Community Development having anticipated revenue to the City in a total amount not to exceed $18,226,702 of Project Homekey grant funds.

Several Resolutions were introduced. Supervisor Melgar, alongside multiple colleagues, introduced a resolution declaring September 15, 2024, through October 15, 2024, as “Latinx Heritage Month.” Supervisor Peskin, joined by Supervisors Chan and Melgar, introduced a resolution adding the Commemorative Street Name “Joe Rosenthal Way” to the 600 block of Sutter Street. Supervisor Peskin, with Supervisors Chan, Preston, Walton, Ronen and Melgar, introduced a resolution imposing interim zoning controls for an 18-month period to require conditional use authorization prior to replacing a Legacy Business.

Supervisor Ronen, with multiple colleagues, introduced a resolution urging the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) to address the wage, benefit, and advancement inequities between their Clinical Social Workers. Supervisor Stefani, joined by several colleagues, introduced a resolution urging the Secretary of the Navy to christen a ship as the “U.S.S. Dianne Feinstein".

The Department Heads also introduced multiple resolutions. These included resolutions for Real Property Lease for 950 Grant Ave, Settlement of Claims for Stolen Property - Brian McSharry, and Agreement Amendment - ARAMARK Correctional Services, Inc. - Jail Food Services and also Contract Amendments with Recology San Francisco, Golden Gate Petroleum and Mansfield Oil Company.