Rules Committee advances five mayoral appointments, including downtown financing board seats

At a September meeting, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee voted unanimously to forward five mayoral nominations to the full Board of Supervisors with positive recommendations.

The committee advanced the nomination of Jordan Wilson to the Entertainment Commission, reappointment of Bianca Newman to the Building Inspection Commission, appointments of Antonio (Tony) Tolentino and Christie Wong to the newly created Downtown Revitalization and Economic Recovery Financing District Board of Directors, and Amanda Pyle to the Children's and Families First Commission. Each motion to replace language rejecting the nomination with language recommending approval passed without objection.

The nominations drew short statements from candidates and public support from community members. Jordan Wilson told the committee he was "privileged to be considered for the Entertainment Commission" and said he wants "the city to remain the greatest place for everyone who calls it home," citing his background in city service and recent work with Bay FC. Danielle Adams, executive director of San Francisco Achievers, said Wilson has helped the organization expand programs and "has been able to outreach and be able to support over 2,500 young men in San Francisco," and she urged the committee to confirm him.

Bianca Newman, who asked to be reappointed to the Building Inspection Commission, described more than 20 years working in affordable housing and said her experience overseeing large housing budgets helps her oversight work on the commission. There was no public comment on Newman's nomination.

On the Downtown Revitalization and Economic Recovery Financing District Board, President Rafael Mandelman summarized AB 2488 — state legislation passed in 2024 that authorizes San Francisco to create a financing district using commercial-to-residential property tax increment for up to 30 years — and introduced Tony Tolentino and Christie Wong as the mayor's nominees for the two public seats on the five-member governing board. Tolentino described his work at JPMorgan Chase overseeing philanthropic investments in downtown recovery and said he lives near City Hall at 100 Van Ness, an example of office-to-residential conversion he cited as a model for downtown housing growth. Christie Wong said she has worked on downtown planning and housing policy, including time at SPUR, and described a planning and real-estate background she said would inform board decisions.

Jacob Mintliff of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development offered the office's "wholehearted support" for both candidates and urged the committee to approve the nominations.

Amanda Pyle introduced herself as associate executive director at Golden Gate Regional Center and outlined three decades of experience supporting people with developmental disabilities and their families. Committee members noted that Pyle's appointment will likely require a residency waiver for Seat 9; the motion forwarding her nomination included that recommendation.

Votes at a glance - Item 1 — Jordan Wilson, Entertainment Commission (term ending 07/01/2029): Motion to strike "rejecting" and recommend approval; mover not specified on the record; vote: Matt Dorsey — aye; Rafael Mandelman — aye; Shamann Walton — aye. Outcome: forwarded with positive recommendation. - Item 2 — Bianca Newman, Building Inspection Commission (reappointment, term ending 07/01/2027): Motion to strike "rejecting" and recommend approval; vote: Dorsey — aye; Mandelman — aye; Walton — aye. Outcome: forwarded with positive recommendation. - Items 3 & 4 — Antonio Tolentino (term ending 07/22/2027) and Christie Wong (term ending 07/22/2029), Downtown Revitalization and Economic Recovery Financing District Board: Joint motion to strike "rejecting" and recommend approval; vote: Dorsey — aye; Mandelman — aye; Walton — aye. Outcome: forwarded with positive recommendation. - Item 5 — Amanda Pyle, Children's and Families First Commission (term ending 10/08/2026): Motion to forward with a positive recommendation and note that a residency waiver is likely required for Seat 9; vote: Dorsey — aye; Mandelman — aye; Walton — aye. Outcome: forwarded with positive recommendation and residency-waiver recommendation.

Why it matters The nominations fill seats on advisory and oversight bodies that shape city policy in areas including entertainment and nightlife, building inspections and housing development oversight, downtown economic recovery and financing of office-to-residential conversions, and services for children and families. The Downtown Revitalization and Economic Recovery Financing District board in particular will oversee use of property tax increment linked to AB 2488 and could influence incentives for residential conversions and downtown land use over a multi-decade horizon.

What's next Each nomination will appear on the full Board of Supervisors agenda for consideration. The committee record and its recommendation are advisory; the full board will take final action on each appointment.