Votes at a glance: San Francisco supervisors approve settlements, bond measure placement, procurement and contracts

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Nov. 7 adopted a range of ordinances, resolutions and procurement actions, including settlements, procurement authorizations, contract amendments and a ballot measure placing a $300 million affordable housing bond before voters on March 5, 2024.

Major votes and outcomes recorded at the meeting (summary):

- Settlements (Items 1–3): The board finally passed ordinances authorizing settlements in three lawsuits: (1) Katie Sullivan — settlement of $207,000 (employment dispute); (2) Twilio Inc. — settlement for $18,000,000 involving telephone-user tax and related penalties/interest; (3) Adam Smith — return of an expedited conversion program fee for approximately $130,000 and waiver of city litigation costs. Outcome: ordinances finally passed (same house, same call).

- Foot and bike patrol strategy (Item 4): Ordinance amending the Administrative Code to require the chief of police to adopt a foot and bike patrol strategy for SFPD. Outcome: finally passed (same house, same call).

- Purchase of CNG transit buses for SFO (Item 7): Ordinance waiving competitive bidding and authorizing the Airport Commission to procure up to 14 used compressed natural gas buses from the City of Phoenix for an amount not to exceed $350,000; authorized airport director to negotiate terms consistent with that cap. Outcome: passed on first reading (same house, same call).

- Affordable housing general obligation bond (Items 8 & 9): A combined resolution and ordinance that (1) declares necessity for construction, development, acquisition and rehabilitation of rental affordable housing financed through up to $300,000,000 in bond debt with independent citizen oversight, and (2) calls a special election on March 5, 2024 to submit the proposition to voters. Roll call on items 8 & 9 together recorded nine ayes; the items were approved for placement on the ballot.

- Administrative and service fees, grants and leases (Items 10, 12, 13): Item 10 (increase reproduction and notary service fees) passed on first reading; Item 12 (lease of portion of property at 2789–20 Fifth Street to the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation for an initial 27-year term at $0 annual base rent with extension options) was approved; Item 13 (Recreation and Park Department to accept and expend grants from Friends of Jackson Park valued at approximately $12,400,000 for renovation) was approved.

- Contracts and amendments (Items 14–15, 18): Contracts for radiation detection badges (Item 14) and an amendment to Western States Oil contract for fuel purchases (Item 15) were adopted. Item 18 authorized a first amendment to a contract between 5 Keys Schools & Programs and the Department of Homelessness & Supportive Housing to extend the term for supportive services at 685 Ellis through June 30, 2026.

- Emergency declarations for Recreation & Parks (Items 16–17): Two emergency declarations — repairs to the Truckerado (Truckadero) clubhouse (estimated not to exceed $1.8 million) and winter storm cleanup and repairs (estimated not to exceed $2.1 million) — were approved. The board approved the resolutions despite a committee report noting the Recreation & Park Department had not complied with the requirement to submit the declaration within 60 days; the department committed to remedying its procedures and submitting required documentation within 30 days.

- Liquor license transfer (Item 20): Resolution determining the Fig & Thistle (313 Ivy St.) transfer would serve the public convenience and requesting ABC impose conditions; adopted (same house, same call).

- Committee reports, audits and introductions (Item 21 and new business): The board adopted a resolution responding to the civil grand jury report on small-business supports. Supervisors introduced letters of inquiry and resolutions on potential projects including a survivors’ garden near Oracle Park and an impact-fee waiver for projects in the Downtown/portal tunnel zone.

Procedure notes: Many routine items were adopted “same house, same call” as recorded by the clerk. Items requiring recorded roll calls (for example, the $300 million bond placement) were voted by name and recorded in the minutes.

What’s next: A number of items (notably the charter amendment for SFMTA authority and the duplicated file for the specimen-collection ordinance) were continued to committee or scheduled for further consideration; the $300 million bond will appear on the March 5, 2024 special election ballot if subsequent procedural steps are completed.