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Supervisors press controller and city attorney after retroactive $39.6M youth program grant
Summary
Supervisors criticized the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families and city contracting processes after a retroactive amendment increased a grant to the Japanese Community Youth Council to nearly $39.6 million, raising compliance concerns under Charter section 9.118.
The Board of Supervisors on Nov. 2 approved a retroactive amendment to a grant for the Japanese Community Youth Council (JCYC) that raised the award for the mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program to about $39.6 million, prompting multiple supervisors to question why the contract amendments were not routed to the board before execution as required by the charter.
Supervisor Aaron Peskin led the floor discussion, saying he was “troubled” by the retroactive approval not because of the service provider’s work but because section 9.118 of the city charter requires board approval for agreements in excess of $10,000,000. Peskin said the error reflected “an absolute failure and a violation of law” and asked Controller Ben Rosenfield to describe steps to prevent future misses. Rosenfield said his office would convene central agencies to scope technical fixes and that the city’s new financial system could improve reporting and adherence within about 30 days.
Supervisor Ahsha Safaie and Deputy City Attorney Anne Pearson confirmed committee‑level follow up. Pearson told the board that the Budget and Legislative Analyst recommended DCYF work with the City Attorney’s Office to review grants and confirm which require board approval; she said DCYF had identified at least one other past grant that had not come to the board and had committed to bringing it forward.
Supervisor Matt Haney and others also pressed for internal departmental training and clarified that the city attorney’s office advises departments but does not substitute for their responsibility to present agreements to the board. Controller Rosenfield described emergency contracting flexibilities used during the COVID‑19 pandemic that had allowed departments to adapt scope and may have contributed to confusion, while promising improved central reporting and follow up.
The board voted to adopt the retroactive authorization unanimously. Supervisors stressed they supported the program’s goals but emphasized the need for systemic controls and cross‑agency fixes so future board‑level approvals are not missed.
