Supervisors approve four Treasure Island Development Authority appointments amid resident representation dispute

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved four mayoral appointments to the Treasure Island Development Authority (TIDA) amid extended debate focused on representation for Treasure Island residents and the timing of the mayor’s nominations.

The board voted individually to approve the mayor’s reappointments and appointment: Claudine Chang (Item 29), John Elberling (Item 30), Linda Richardson (Item 31), and John Paul Samaha (Item 32). Each motion passed with seven ayes and four noes on the recorded roll calls.

Several supervisors, led by Supervisor Chris Daly, urged rejection or delay of the nominations, calling them “lame-duck” appointments that should allow for greater resident input and the incoming District 6 supervisor’s participation. Daly, and other speakers representing Treasure Island concerns, urged that at least one seat be filled by an island resident; they said the mayor had announced an application process for a resident seat but had not ensured that the current chair and resident representative would be reappointed.

Supporters of the nominations, including members of the Rules Committee, said that some of the nominees were already serving on the authority and that stopping the votes would interrupt TIDA’s work. Rules committee members noted that the mayor’s office had advertised for a resident appointment and expected to appoint an island resident to a designated seat once applicants are reviewed. The mayor’s office said applications were solicited and the deadline was November 15.

Supervisor Daly and others said the process left island residents feeling disenfranchised; committee chairs said that if the board rejected the nominations the current directors would remain until replacements were appointed and that a future mayor could always change appointments. After discussion, the board approved each nomination by recorded vote.

Votes by item (roll-call tallies as recorded): - Item 29 (Claudine Chang reappointment): 7 ayes, 4 noes — approved. - Item 30 (John Elberling reappointment): 7 ayes, 4 noes — approved. - Item 31 (Linda Richardson appointment): 7 ayes, 4 noes — approved. - Item 32 (John Paul Samaha reappointment): 7 ayes, 4 noes — approved.

Board members stressed the continuing need for resident input and said the mayor’s office had indicated it would appoint a Treasure Island resident to a designated seat through an advertised application process.