Board passes first reading of $368 million Safe Streets bond with local-hiring reporting amendment

The Board of Supervisors passed in first reading an ordinance calling a special election on Nov. 3, 2009, to ask voters to authorize the city to incur bonded indebtedness of $368,000,000 for resurfacing roads, repairing sidewalks and redesigning streetscapes, including pedestrian safety features.

President Chu introduced and moved an amendment designed to ensure proceeds support workforce development and local hiring. The amendment would require that contracts funded with bond proceeds “maximize employment opportunities for economically disadvantaged individuals through the City's employment referral program” where allowed by law, and would require the Mayor's Office on Economic and Workforce Development to submit semiannual written reports to the Board showing data on local hiring resulting from projects funded by the bond.

Supervisor Campos and other supporters said the amendment addressed earlier committee concerns and would ensure the bond proceeds benefit local residents. The board approved the amended ordinance on first reading; the item will “sit” for a week and return for a committee of the whole and public comment on the amended portion.

Why it matters: The bond would fund major street and sidewalk repairs and pedestrian-safety redesigns across the city; the amendment ties those investments to local workforce development goals and to reporting requirements intended to increase transparency on hiring outcomes.

Votes and next steps: The amendment and first reading passed by roll call (9 ayes, 2 noes). The ordinance will return for a second reading and public comment on the amended language before final passage and placement on the Nov. 3, 2009 ballot if adopted in full.