PUC asserts attorney-client privilege; Board of Supervisors votes not to disclose closed-session deliberations

At a joint special meeting of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the PUC voted to assert the attorney-client privilege for matters described as "conference with legal counsel," and the Board of Supervisors later voted not to disclose the closed-session deliberations.

The PUC motion to assert attorney-client privilege was moved and seconded and passed on a roll-call vote of five ayes: President Maxwell; Vice President Moran; Commissioner Paulson; Commissioner Harrington; and Commissioner Ajami. The commission then convened in a joint closed session for matters described in the agenda as conference with legal counsel.

After the closed session, the Board of Supervisors considered whether to disclose deliberations. A motion not to disclose closed-session discussions carried on a roll-call vote recorded as 11 ayes. Supervisors recorded as voting aye during the disclosure vote included Mandelmann; Mar; Melgar; Peskin; Preston; Ronan; Safaie; Stephanie; Walton; and others present for the quorum call earlier in the meeting. The board announced "Without objection, we will not disclose our closed session deliberations." The official record reflected that closed-session deliberations would remain confidential.

No specifics of the legal matters discussed in closed session were disclosed on the public record at the conclusion of the meeting.

The meeting returned to open session and the board chair announced there was no further business; the joint meeting was then adjourned.