The San Francisco City Commission convened to discuss a significant waiver request from Joanne Lee, the current Deputy Director of Programs with the Arts Commission. Lee is seeking permission to accept a position as Executive Director of the Chinatown Media Arts Collaborative (CMAC) for its new Edge of the Square project. This request arises from the city's campaign and governmental conduct code, which prohibits city officials from accepting employment with entities they have recently contracted with, in this case, CMAC, due to Lee's involvement in awarding two grants to the organization.

During the meeting, staff member Mr. Kenning outlined the background of Lee's request, noting that she had applied for the CMAC position after being made aware of it in December 2024. The grants in question, the storm relief grant and the NIS grant, were awarded within the last year, necessitating the waiver for Lee to proceed with her new role.

The commission has the authority to grant this waiver if it determines that not doing so would cause "extreme hardship" for Lee. However, the staff recommendation advised against granting the waiver, citing a narrow interpretation of what constitutes extreme hardship. They argued that Lee has not demonstrated an imminent financial crisis and has other employment options available, either within the city or elsewhere.

While acknowledging the minimal risk of undue influence or unfair advantage in this case, the staff emphasized that the decision hinges on the definition of extreme hardship, which is not clearly defined in the code. If the waiver is granted, staff recommended it be limited strictly to the position with CMAC and not extend to any future employment opportunities that may also conflict with the code.

The meeting highlighted the complexities of navigating employment restrictions for city officials and the balance between ethical governance and individual career opportunities. The commission's decision on Lee's waiver request will be pivotal in determining her future with CMAC and may set a precedent for similar cases in the future.