The San Francisco Board of Supervisors meeting on October 3, 2023, addressed a range of issues, including approving settlements in various lawsuits, amending planning codes related to housing and land use, and receiving updates on law enforcement reform. Key actions included approving settlements for multiple lawsuits and unlitigated claims, finalizing an ordinance to reduce inclusionary housing requirements, and discussing progress on law enforcement reforms as a Committee of the Whole. New legislation introduced covered planning code amendments, tax bonds, emergency funding for repairs, and support for cultural districts. The board also heard public comments on a variety of city issues.
Consent Agenda
The Board of Supervisors approved several settlements related to lawsuits and unlitigated claims against the City and County of San Francisco.
The Board approved several consent agenda items, all of which were related to settlements of lawsuits and unlitigated claims. These included settlements for lawsuits related to personal injuries sustained on sidewalks (Cheri Pierce, Bi Jun Zhang, Debra Crismani, Tatiana Umnov and Anatoly Umnov), accidents involving police cars (Wayne Kha, Ike Ohannesyan, Duk Soon Lee), an employment dispute (Akashni Bhan), medical negligence (Breon Johnson), and a breach of contract relating to the renovation of the Maxine Hall Health Center (Build Group, Inc.). There was also approval for settlements of unlitigated claims related to property damage from water main ruptures (Cincinnati Insurance Company, Arthur Villegas, Ronghan Guan, Bing Situ, Yaol Oenn Wong, Jessica Middleton), and refunds for gross receipts and payroll expense taxes (Glencore Ltd., Niantic, Inc.). The consent agenda also included the final passage of an ordinance designating the Colombo Market Arch as a landmark and an ordinance amending the Administrative Code to provide that tenants may elect to be accompanied by a tenant association representative at meetings with their landlord.
Unfinished Business
The Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance amending the Planning Code to reduce Inclusionary Housing Program requirements and development impact fees for certain projects.
The Board of Supervisors revisited and ultimately passed Ordinance No. 201-23, which amends the Planning Code to reduce Inclusionary Housing Program requirements and Article 4 development impact fees for projects approved before specific dates and receiving construction documents within certain timeframes. The ordinance includes adjustments for Housing Opportunities Means Equity - San Francisco (HOME-SF) program projects and modifies the Inclusionary Housing Program effective November 1, 2026, to further reduce fees and unit requirements. Supervisor Preston was the sole dissenting vote.
New Business
The Board of Supervisors approved several resolutions related to grant funding for adult probation, CleanPowerSF, and District Attorney programs, as well as a maintenance agreement with Caltrans.
The board approved several resolutions. The Adult Probation Department got two retroactive grants from the Board of State and Community Corrections for the Mobile Probation Service Centers Grant Program and from the California Emergency Management Agency for Probation Specialized Supervision Program. They approved CleanPowerSF's participation costs for a Joint Powers Authority. The Public Utilities Commission got a maintenance agreement with Caltrans for the Southern Skyline Boulevard Ridge Trail Extension Project. The District Attorney got a retroactive grant from the California Department of Insurance for the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Program, renewing an agreement with the California Victim Compensation Board for an emergency fund for crime victims, a grant from the California Victim Compensation Board for the Criminal Restitution Compact program. The Department of Public Health got a grant increase from the National Institutes of Health through Oregon Health & Science University for the “Western States Node of the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network” and the Adult Probation Department got a grant from the California Emergency Management Agency for Probation Specialized Supervision Program. They approved a resolution to get the Recreation and Park Department to publicly share information regarding pilot activation of UN Plaza and mitigate impact on the Farmers’ Market.
Remarks
The Board of Supervisors recognized the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California and Bill Hirsh for their contributions to the community.
Supervisor Preston presented a Certificate of Honor to the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California on their 50th Anniversary and Supervisor Ronen, along with Supervisors Peskin and Dorsey, presented a Certificate of Honor to Bill Hirsh, Executive Director of the AIDS Legal Referral Panel, on his retirement.
Committee of the Whole
The Board of Supervisors, sitting as a Committee of the Whole, received an update on findings and recommendations regarding law enforcement practices and continued the hearing to a later date.
The Board of Supervisors convened as a Committee of the Whole to receive updates on the progress and implementation status of the United States Department of Justice recommendations regarding reforms within the Police Department. Chief William Scott, Catherine McGuire, and Debra Kirby provided overviews and answered questions. Public comment was heard. Supervisor Walton moved to continue the hearing to the Board of Supervisors meeting of May 21, 2024.
Committee Reports
The Board of Supervisors approved a sublease agreement for the Bayview Vehicle Triage Center at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area.
Acting on a report from the Homelessness and Behavioral Health Select Committee, the Board approved a resolution authorizing the Director of Property to enter into a sublease agreement for the City’s continued use of the Bayview Vehicle Triage Center at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area. The sublease covers 312,000 square feet of property and runs for two years, commencing on or about January 13, 2024, through January 12, 2026, for a base rent of $312,000 per year.
Public Testimony
Members of the public shared comments on a variety of topics, including technology, religion, surveillance, transportation, transgender rights, and violence.
Members of the public gave testimony. There were concerns about technology, emotional disorders, and personal fulfillment. Others shared religious views, concerns regarding stingray surveillance technology, the plight of taxi medallion holders, transgender rights, and a motion to remove remote public comment. The police department got thanked for work done and addressed concerns about violent robberies of businesses. Condolences got shared for the late Senator Dianne Feinstein, as well as concerns regarding the City’s Reparation Plan. Videos got shared of City staff knocking over a food vendor’s cart and cleaning up street vendors’ illegal goods. A need for leadership to address the closures of businesses and the increase of violent incidents got expressed. Concerns got expressed regarding the Vehicle Triage Center and support expressed for the Resolution urging the Municipal Transportation Agency to prohibit right turns on red.
New Business
The Board of Supervisors adopted resolutions recognizing Filipino American History Month, supporting the Mayor’s letters of support for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund applications, and urging the MTA to prohibit right turns on red.
The Board adopted several resolutions without committee reference, including a resolution recognizing October 2023 as "Filipino American History Month", a resolution supporting Mayor London N. Breed’s letters of support to coalitions applying for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and urging City departments to prepare for the creation and implementation of a green bank, and a resolution urging the Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA) to develop and implement a plan for No Turn On Red (NTOR) at every signalized intersection in San Francisco.
Legislation Introduced
The Board of Supervisors introduced legislation related to planning code amendments, special tax bonds, emergency declarations, contract amendments, cultural district street name designations, and requests for hearings on various topics.
Various pieces of legislation were introduced. Ordinances included those amending the Planning Code to prohibit Parcel Delivery Service activities at Fleet Charging locations and to exempt from the limitations on conversion of certain Production, Distribution and Repair uses in Eastern Neighborhood Plans Areas. Resolutions included those for the issuance of special tax bonds for Special Tax District No. 2020-1 (Mission Rock Facilities and Services), approval of documents related to a Pledge Agreement by City and County of San Francisco (CCSF) Infrastructure Financing District No. 2 (Port of San Francisco), emergency declarations for the Trocadero Clubhouse Repairs and Winter Storm Debris Removal, a contract amendment for Five Keys Schools and Programs for the 685 Ellis Semi-Congregate Shelter, acceptance and expenditure of a grant for the renovation of Jackson Playground, and cultural district street name designations for the "LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District". Requests for hearings included those on Treatment on Demand, Working Conditions for Women in the SFPD, Daylighting Policy, and UN Plaza Activation Project and Heart of the City Farmers' Market.