Supervisors continue Urban Shield grant item after debate over fiscal-agent role and policing concerns

The Board of Supervisors agreed to continue consideration of a resolution authorizing designated city officials to apply for and accept federal and state homeland security grants after renewed debate over San Francisco—s role as a fiscal agent for funds that can support Urban Shield, a regional law-enforcement training and exposition.

Why it matters: The item raised policy questions about whether and how the city should accept and then pass through grant funds to other counties that use them for training programs that critics say contribute to police militarization. Supervisors and community members pressed for clarity on the city—s legal authority to influence how other jurisdictions spend their share of grant funds.

Supervisor Malia Cohen, who led the item—s committee discussion, described a series of amendments added in committee intended to limit the city—s exposure and to urge regional partners to prioritize non-militarized, preventive emergency management services. She told the board she needed additional time to consult stakeholders. "We have had a long and robust conversation about this item in committee," Cohen said. "The main concern was regarding San Francisco's ability to withhold funding from other counties, particularly those employing a program called Urban Shield." Cohen asked for a continuance so she could finish outreach to stakeholders, including Alameda County officials.

Office of the City Attorney advice: Deputy City Attorney John Givner advised the board that as fiscal agent the city—s legal authority to direct other counties— use of funds is limited; the city cannot unilaterally tell other counties how to spend grant dollars administered through San Francisco as the fiscal agent.

Amendments and direction: Cohen said committee amendments require that the Department of Emergency Management return to the board with an "accept and expend" recommendation if the funds are awarded, providing supervisors another opportunity to review how the dollars would be used. The amendments also urge partner counties to emphasize planning, medical and public-health emergency management rather than militarized training and call for enhanced reporting and transparency about use of funds.

Board action: Supervisor Cohen moved to continue the item to the board meeting on Feb. 28; Supervisor Kim seconded. The board took the continuance without objection and set the item for February 28.

Context: Urban Shield is a multi-agency exercise and trade exposition that critics have labeled as promoting militarized policing; supporters call it an important preparedness exercise. San Francisco previously served as fiscal agent for regional grant distributions; the budget and legislative committee had prompted added scrutiny and amendments after public comment and testimony.

Next steps: The Department of Emergency Management will be expected to return with detailed accept-and-expend recommendations if the grant is awarded, at which point the board will have formal acceptance and expenditure action to consider.

Vote: motion to continue to Feb. 28, 2017 (no roll-call recorded in transcript); continuance taken without objection.