Supervisors amend Sunshine Ordinance Task Force appointment; motion to replace Veterans Affairs commissioner fails on tie

The Board of Supervisors on June 17 handled several personnel items: an amendment to a consent-calendar appointment to the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force and a contested Veterans Affairs Commission appointment that failed on a tie vote.

Sunshine Ordinance Task Force

Supervisor Elsberg moved to amend the consent-calendar motion that had proposed appointing David Wagner to the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force and instead move the appointment of James Nober, citing the Rules Committee hearing where Mr. Nober had testified in support of his candidacy. The amendment motion was seconded by Supervisor Ammiano and carried in the roll call recorded at the meeting; the clerk noted the amendment was adopted with Supervisor Daly recorded in dissent during the vote to rescind and re-roll part of the consent calendar.

Veterans Affairs Commission

A later contested vote on the Veterans Affairs Commission drew extended debate. Supervisor Dufty moved to substitute Wallace Levin for another candidate. Dufty and several supporters described Levin's long record organizing Memorial Day events and his institutional role in the veterans community. Supervisor Dufty said, "There would be no Memorial Day at The Presidio if not for Wallace Levin. He is Memorial Day."

The motion to substitute Levin was defeated in roll call (4 ayes, 7 nos). A subsequent roll call on the underlying appointment resulted in a 5-5 tie, which the clerk recorded as a failed item under board rules. The tie left the seat unfilled at the close of the meeting; the clerk indicated the appointment will be re-noticed as required by board rules.

Procedure note: The board used standard roll-call procedures for appointments and, where a supervisor was recused (as noted on other agenda items), the clerk recorded the recusal and the member stepped off the floor. Where appointments failed, the clerk advised re-notice for future consideration.