San Francisco Board of Supervisors marks 100th anniversary of legislative chamber; three commemorative resolutions adopted unanimously

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors convened a special meeting on Oct. 18, 2016, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its legislative chamber and unanimously adopted three ceremonial resolutions recognizing the chamber's centennial, fiscal actions surrounding its rebuild, and the service of former and current board members.

President Breed opened the session by calling the assembly "a very special centennial meeting of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors," and invited elected officials, former supervisors and city leaders to the dais for remarks. The meeting included extended historical remarks and commendations from U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Mayor Edwin Lee, state lawmakers and numerous former supervisors who recounted the chamber's history and the policy work conducted there over the past century.

Nut graf: The board's formal business at the ceremony was limited to ceremonial and historic items: a resolution designating Oct. 18, 2016, as the official centennial date for the legislative chamber; a second resolution acknowledging fiscal actions and contractors involved in rebuilding City Hall and the chamber; and a third resolution honoring the service of past and present supervisors. Each resolution was adopted unanimously by roll call or by unanimous consent.

Most important actions and votes

The board took three recorded or consensus actions related to the centennial: the centennial designation, an acknowledgement of fiscal and contracting actions tied to City Hall's reconstruction, and a resolution honoring the service of former and current supervisors. The declaration of the centennial was adopted by a roll-call vote (11–0). The two other resolutions were adopted unanimously without objection after brief remarks and historical presentations.

Speakers and remarks: Senator Dianne Feinstein, Mayor Edwin Lee and several former supervisors delivered historical reflections and commendations. Feinstein said she "cannot recall any greater pleasure and satisfaction than the work in which we were engaged" during her time presiding over the board. City historian and other presenters highlighted the chamber's architecture and the 1916 inaugural meeting that established the space as the board's legislative chamber.

Public comment: Three members of the public spoke during the general comment period. Andrew Yip of Chinatown delivered remarks of a religious character; Neil Malek, a historian with the California Heritage Council, urged recognition of architect Arthur Brown Jr.; a third speaker identified as a private citizen offered brief remarks of thanks. Public comment did not include requests for policy action tied to the resolutions.

Context and background: Speakers traced the chamber's origins to the April 1906 earthquake and the subsequent rebuilding of City Hall. Officials and former supervisors described the civic and legislative work carried out in the chamber over decades, citing examples of local policy innovation that originated in the board's proceedings.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution designating Oct. 18, 2016, as the centennial of the Board of Supervisors legislative chamber — adopted by roll-call vote: 11 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain. (All members present voted aye.) - Resolution acknowledging fiscal actions and contractors involved in the rebuilding of City Hall and the chamber — adopted unanimously without objection after a presentation by a city historian. (Vote: unanimous.) - Resolution recognizing and honoring the faithful service of former and present members of the Board of Supervisors — adopted unanimously without objection. (Vote: unanimous.)

The meeting concluded with a brief acknowledgement of event organizers, an invitation for honored guests to participate in a signing ceremony, and an announcement that the board was adjourned.