Board approves opioid settlements, housing and health appropriations and other measures; rule change for remote public comment first fails then passes

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors adopted a series of ordinances and resolutions during a recessed session on April 12, approving settlements, budget appropriations and multiple first-reading ordinances and resolutions.

The board voted to accept two unlitigated settlement resolutions related to alleged improper dispensing of prescription opioids against Walmart Inc. and CVS Pharmacy (items 12 and 13). Supervisor Hillary Ronan asked that the city attorney meet the board in closed session on April 18 to discuss the use of opioid-settlement funds and related legal issues; Ronan’s statement was read into the record because she was at an MTC meeting (statement read by clerk). The resolutions were adopted during the meeting.

On land use and housing measures, the board passed an ordinance amending the Planning Code to implement state-mandated accessory dwelling unit (ADU) controls (item 14, final passage). The board approved a resolution to issue multifamily housing revenue notes for portions of the Hunters Point Shipyard (Block 52 through 504 at 151 and 351 Third Street) not to exceed $63,000,000 (item 21). The board also took initial votes or approvals on multiple housing and housing-related appropriations across the calendar.

On public health and related funding, the board passed on first reading an ordinance authorizing the Department of Public Health to accept and expend a California Department of Public Health grant of approximately $3,600,000 and amend the salary ordinance accordingly (item 17). The board approved an appropriation of $4,500,000 of California Public Utilities Commission revenue for CleanPowerSF capital improvements (item 18). An ordinance authorizing a one-time grant to Planned Parenthood of Northern California and waiving competitive solicitation requirements was passed on first reading (item 19).

The board approved two items related to the public defender’s office to amend the salary ordinance and appropriate $1,100,000 for immigration legal defense support (items 15 and 16), both passed on first reading.

A procedural measure to amend the board rules to create a new provision on in-person and remote public comment (item 28) produced an unusual sequence: the motion initially failed because it required eight votes and received seven ayes and one no; the president then moved to rescind that vote, and the roll call on the rescission produced an 8-0 vote in favor, after which the motion passed. The board president said department heads and relevant staff are expected to attend in person for items that require deliberation, while remote comment will remain available for members of the public who wish to comment remotely.

Other items adopted included an amendment to the Environment Code for safe drug disposal, administrative changes for shared spaces, reappointments and nominations to city boards, and several calendar adoptions and ceremonial recognitions. The full consent calendar (items 2–11) was approved unanimously.

Votes at a glance (selected items): - Items 2–11 (consent calendar ordinances): finally passed unanimously (8 ayes). - Items 12–13 (opioid settlement resolutions vs. Walmart Inc. and CVS): adopted (roll call recorded; item statements noted that a closed session to discuss use of settlement funds would be scheduled). - Item 14 (ADU Planning Code amendment): ordinance finally passed (roll call recorded; tally indicated passage). - Items 15–16 (Public Defender salary and $1,100,000 appropriation for immigration legal defense): passed on first reading (8 ayes recorded). - Item 17 (DPH grant ~ $3,600,000): passed on first reading. - Item 18 (CleanPowerSF capital appropriation $4,500,000): passed on first reading. - Item 19 (one-time grant to Planned Parenthood of Northern California; waiver of solicitation): passed on first reading. - Item 21 (multifamily housing revenue notes for Hunters Point Shipyard up to $63,000,000): resolution adopted. - Item 28 (Board rules amendment on in-person/remote public comment): initial vote failed (7–1); motion to rescind carried; final roll call approved the motion (8–0). - Item 32 (resolution of intent to designate the wild parrots as official animal of San Francisco): adopted as amended. - Item 33 (policy restricting payment to Twitter for blue check verification): adopted (the city attorney advised a resolution expresses board sentiment but is not legally binding policy; that advice was entered on the record). - Item 35 (resolution supporting Bay Area Housing Finance Agency general obligation bond for affordable housing, Nov. 2024): adopted as amended (clarifying changes to percentages were made and accepted without objection).

The actions recorded in the meeting were votes on ordinances, resolutions and motions; where the transcript shows roll-call tallies, those tallies are noted above. Several items were passed on first reading and will return to the board for final passage where required by law.

A number of items were informational introductions or hearings deferred because of the mayor’s absence; the mayor (London Breed) was not present in the recessed session because of scheduling conflicts and her office indicated she was unable to attend the remaining April meetings, according to remarks read at the dais.