Board approves lease to Juma Ventures for limited cafe and youth training space in City Hall

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on May 13 approved a lease of approximately 2,400 square feet in City Hall's North Light Court to Juma Ventures, Inc. The agreement authorizes a limited-service cafe intended as a youth workforce development program and includes city funding to support the first year of operations.

The board discussed rent, program funding, wages and operator experience during a lengthy question-and-answer session. John Updike of the Real Estate Division explained the proposed rent would be $200 per month. The budget analyst summarized a package of city contributions totaling $219,092 for the first year, including $180,000 in general fund dollars allocated for operating costs and $35,000 from the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families (DCYF) as a one-time startup grant.

Supervisor McGoldrick asked whether the $9.36 hourly wage for youth trainees met the city's minimum standards; board staff confirmed $9.36 was the San Francisco minimum wage at the time. Members pressed whether prevailing wage or benefits would be required; city staff and the deputy city attorney said prevailing wage was not required for this subsidized youth training program and noted the program structure differed from a typical city contractor arrangement.

Margaret Brodkin of DCYF described Juma Ventures as a long-time grantee that "specializes in development of youth primarily by providing employment opportunities for them and mentoring through corporate, stepping stone to additional employment opportunities." Brodkin said Juma has operated concessions at AT&T Park and other venues and tracks participants after completion; she said 97% of program participants were employed after the program. Brian Chu of the mayor's Office of Community Development said MOCD and DCYF felt comfortable funding Juma because of its record reaching underserved youth.

Supervisors also sought details about the program's food offerings and the limited kitchen facilities in North Light Court. Real Estate staff said the site lacks kitchen access for food preparation beyond beverage service, so the operation would rely primarily on prepackaged food items and on-site coffee beverage preparation. Updike said the lease ties performance to the operator's business plan and noted the contract would permit future renegotiation of terms and market-rate adjustments at extensions.

The board adopted the lease authorization; supervisors said they would monitor the program and its youth-training outcomes. Several supervisors who had initial reservations said city staff and Juma representatives'answers convinced them the program merited approval.