Imperium

The Board considered recommendations from the Government Audit and Oversight Committee and the Rules Committee. They authorized a $207,500 settlement for Katy Sullivan's employment dispute lawsuit, and a $130,401.66 settlement for Adam Smith, et al.'s lawsuit regarding the Expedited Conversion Program fee. They also approved settlements for unlitigated claims filed by Macquarie Holdings (U.S.A.) Inc. ($252,526.71), The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. ($1,355,943.09), and PFP Holdings, Inc. ($1,039,237.26), all involving tax refunds. From the Rules Committee, the Board passed ordinances establishing the Library Laureate Programs, authorizing remote and hybrid remote hearings for the Assessment Appeals Board, and establishing the Graffiti Advisory Board.

The Board addressed unfinished business, specifically an ordinance amending the Planning Code to exclude Article 10 Landmark buildings from use size limitations and allow Nighttime Entertainment with a Conditional Use authorization on the second floor in the Castro Street Neighborhood Commercial District, which ultimately passed with Supervisor Peskin dissenting. They also passed an ordinance amending the Administrative Code to remove the authorization for cash revolving funds for several city departments (Fire, Medical Examiner, Public Works, Recreation and Park, Sheriff, San Francisco Employees’ Retirement System, and War Memorial) and reduce the maximum amount of the cash revolving fund for the Port of San Francisco.

The Board considered new business items, including a retroactive grant amendment for the YMCA Urban Services - Truancy Assessment and Resource Center (TARC) Program. They approved an emergency declaration for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission to contract resources for sewer main, water main, and street repairs related to the Fillmore and Green Street water main break. They also accepted a gift of design documents from the Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza for the redesign of Harvey Milk Plaza. The Board also considered resolutions supplementing the authorization for the issuance of Special Tax Bonds for City and County of San Francisco Special Tax District No. 2020-1 (Mission Rock Facilities and Services) and approving documents related to a Pledge Agreement by City and County of San Francisco (CCSF) Infrastructure Financing District No. 2 (Port of San Francisco) and Development Special Tax Bonds for CCSF Special Tax District No. 2020-1 (Mission Rock Facilities and Services).

Continuing with new business, the Board approved a grant amendment for the Japanese Community Youth Council, Opportunities for All Intermediary Program, between the Japanese Community Youth Council and the City and County of San Francisco. They also passed an ordinance authorizing settlement of the lawsuit filed by Twilio Inc. against the City and County of San Francisco, involving a claim for refund of telephone users taxes and access line taxes.

The Board discussed charter amendments related to mayoral authority to disapprove certain SFMTA budget proposals and establishing the Department of Emergency Management in the Charter. However, both items were CONTINUED to the Board of Supervisors meeting of November 7, 2023.

Supervisor Mandelman introduced, welcomed, and presented a Certificate of Honor to Dr. Gina Fromer, Ph.D, former Chief Executive Officer of the Children’s Council, in recognition of her many accomplishments and devotion to social service, community advocacy, volunteerism, and family life. Supervisors Melgar, Walton, and Safai shared in this commendation.

The Board took up committee reports, including an ordinance amending the Public Works Code to streamline and authorize the approval of certain neighborhood amenities in sidewalks and other public right-of-ways. They also considered an ordinance amending the Administrative Code to require the Chief of Police to adopt a foot and bike patrol strategy for the Police Department, and to require the Police Commission to hold annual hearings regarding community policing and foot and bike patrols which passed on first reading.

The supervisors also discussed a charter amendment to establish minimum staffing levels for sworn officers of the Police Department, requiring funding to meet staffing levels, establishing a Police Full Staffing Fund for a period of five years for purposes of facilitating minimum police staffing, and allowing for a temporary freeze of appropriations to the Police Full Staffing Fund in a budget or economic emergency. No action was taken.

Members of the public voiced a variety of concerns, including the need for unity in humanities, issues in education and technology, misgendering of transgender individuals, attacks on trans individuals, the state of the City and ballot measures, law enforcement staffing needs, behavioral health programs, time limits for public comment, personal experiences with property confiscation during detention, homelessness, inflation, gratitude for the Police Department, and concerns about the CDC's quarantine stations.

The Board adopted a resolution urging the San Francisco Department of Elections to report back on the implementation of Assembly Bill No. 57 (Low) for the 2024 elections.

Multiple pieces of legislation were introduced, including an ordinance appropriating tax increment revenue bond proceeds in the Treasure Island Infrastructure and Revitalization Financing District, an ordinance extending the sunset date of contracting waivers for homeless services, and an ordinance requiring supplemental inspections for tall buildings. There was also a resolution supplementing a resolution to authorize the issuance of bonds by the Treasure Island Financing District, a resolution authorizing an agreement for Mission Bay Parks maintenance and operations, a resolution related to a loan amendment for the Sunnydale HOPE SF Development, and resolutions related to accepting and expending grants for various programs. Furthermore, a resolution transmitting an amendment to the Local Coastal Program for the Wawona Street and 45th Avenue Cultural Center Special Use District was introduced. The supervisors also introduced legislation addressing "United Against Hate Week" and the Lower Polk Community Benefit District Annual Report.

Additional items included a resolution urging an emergency hiring plan for behavioral healthcare workers and a hearing to request information on health insurance rate trends. Finally, several proposed ordinances were introduced regarding settlements of lawsuits and an ordinance approving a surveillance technology policy for multiple City departments.