Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Bond topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board pares $652M earthquake bond, removes forensic science center and advances amended ordinance to first reading
Summary
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 8-1 to pass first reading of an amended earthquake safety bond ordinance that removes funding for a proposed forensic science center and reduces the bond amount to $412,300,000; the measure was continued for further review and will be considered as a Committee of the Whole on Feb. 23.
President Chu, presiding officer of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, moved to amend the Earthquake Safety and Emergency Response General Obligation Bond on Feb. 9, asking the board to delete funding for a proposed forensic science center and lower the bond from $652,000,000 to $412,300,000. The board approved the amendment and passed the ordinance on first reading by a roll-call vote of 8-1.
The amendment, introduced by President Chu, narrows the bond’s scope “to focus our efforts on the seismic upgrade of our critical firefighting facilities and the relocation of our public safety headquarters,” Chu said. He cited seismic risk in San Francisco and urged prioritizing retrofits of emergency-response infrastructure. “There is a 62% probability of an earthquake of at least a 6.7 magnitude over the next 30 years,” Chu said during the discussion.
Supporters said the reduced package would concentrate limited capital resources on facilities that most directly protect lives and property. Supervisor Campos and others said they would support the motion to allow additional departmental review over the next two weeks, while Supervisor Ellsberg and others pressed for fuller vetting by the Capital Planning Committee before a final vote.
Ed Riskin, Director of Public Works, told the board the Capital Planning Committee had assembled the earlier package but that shifting the forensic sciences center into a larger justice facilities program was an option if it was removed from the bond. Riskin also committed his office to work with the board and staff to maximize opportunities for local businesses and resident participation in bond-funded projects.
After debate the board took the roll-call vote on the ordinance as amended. The vote tally recorded on the floor was: Campos, aye; President Chu, aye; Chu, aye; Daley, no; Dufty, aye; Ellsberg, aye; Marr, aye; Maxwell, aye; Mercarimi, aye — 8 ayes, 1 no. The ordinance was passed in first reading as amended and the board set a Committee of the Whole for Feb. 23 to consider the amended resolution and ordinance further.
The motion to amend was made by President Chu and seconded on the floor; the board agreed to continue final consideration while the Capital Planning Committee and staff provide additional briefing and analysis. No final bond authorization or placement on the June ballot was completed on Feb. 9; the board limited its action to amending the resolution and passing first reading of the ordinance as a procedural step toward a possible June ballot measure.
Background: The original package presented to the board would have asked voters to approve approximately $652 million in general obligation bonds to fund earthquake-safety and emergency-response projects across the city, including the forensic science center (1600 Owens) and seismic upgrades to fire stations, hospitals and other critical infrastructure. The board’s amendment removes the forensic science center from the bond question and lowers the proposed bond total to $412,300,000 pending further review.
The board’s next formal consideration of the amended items will be at a Committee of the Whole on Feb. 23; supervisors and staff said they expect additional briefings from the Capital Planning Committee and departmental representatives before the second reading vote.
