Board of Supervisors: roll-call outcomes, Nov. 25, 2008

San Francisco Board of Supervisors — The board took dozens of roll-call votes on ordinances and resolutions during its Nov. 25 meeting, approving several measures, rejecting others and continuing a number of items for further review. Key outcomes included passage of right-of-way parking and sign restrictions, adoption of planning-code amendments on air quality and advertising signs, and a mixed result for the Eastern Neighborhoods package after multiple technical and substantive amendments.

Among the votes: an ordinance to establish a public right-of-way occupancy assessment fee for driveway curb cuts (Item 15) was adopted (8 ayes, 3 noes). An ordinance restricting new general advertising signs on street furniture and on the exterior of city-owned buildings (Item 16) passed (7 ayes, 4 noes). An ordinance requiring air quality assessment and ventilation for certain urban infill residential projects (Item 18) passed unanimously (11 ayes). An ordinance addressing repeat violators of the general advertising sign rules (Item 19) passed (10 ayes, 1 no).

The board debated a package of Eastern Neighborhoods land‑use and implementation ordinances (Items 21–31). Multiple amendments were offered and approved, including technical corrections to the zoning maps and targeted height/bulk adjustments for two Mission Street parcels. Several amended measures were advanced on first reading as a consolidated package; two items (the Potrero Center mixed‑use special district and rezones of certain publicly owned parcels, Items 26 and 27) were continued to the Dec. 9 meeting for final reading.

A proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) relating to retrofit and closure planning for the Potrero Power Plant (Item 32) failed after motions to table and later roll-call actions left the measure without approval. The item’s chronology included an unsuccessful motion to table (3 ayes, 8 noes) and a subsequent vote that produced a majority of no votes and a final failure. (See the separate article on Item 32 for details.)

Other notable actions: an ordinance to provide for retiree health trust board elections (Item 33) passed (11 ayes); a campaign disclosure expansion for lobbyists who contact planning and public works staff (Item 34) passed (10 ayes, 1 no); a West Harbor berth-fee increase and related state loan for Marina Small Craft Harbor renovations were advanced on first reading and the loan resolution adopted (Items 35 and 37) (11 ayes); and an ordinance transferring taxi commission powers to the Municipal Transportation Agency (Item 43) passed on first reading (11 ayes).

A proposal limiting the use of city funds for nonprofit executive salaries (Item 40) failed on first presentation (3 ayes, 8 noes). The sponsors then moved to rescind and offer a narrowed reporting amendment; the amended version — requiring nonprofits receiving city funds to report executive compensation and the portion paid by city funds to the controller — passed on first reading as amended (6 ayes, 5 noes).

Several appointments, leases, procurement authorizations and contract items were advanced on consent or first reading in the course of the calendar. Items continued to Dec. 9 (for second and final reading or further consideration) included Items 21, 26, 27 and certain Eastern Neighborhoods-related items as noted above. Item 17 (sidewalk flower vendor regulations) failed in an initial vote (5 ayes, 6 noes) but later the vote was rescinded and the item continued to Dec. 9 for further work.

Votes are recorded in the official minutes and were taken by roll call on the floor. This roundup highlights formal outcomes recorded during the public meeting; the board’s minutes and clerk’s files carry full texts, roll‑call tallies and the ordinance/resolution language.