Supervisors approve series of ordinances and resolutions on hospital funding, housing disclosure, traffic and film permitting; several items continued or re-re‑

San Francisco — The Board of Supervisors voted on a package of ordinances and resolutions on March 11, 2008 covering fiscal appropriations, tenant disclosures, hospital capital upgrades, traffic and transportation code changes, film‑permitting measures and several landmark designations.

The board approved a number of measures on the consent and adoption calendars and acted on contested items after committee reports and floor debate. Several items were re‑referred to committee or continued for future meetings.

Why it matters: The measures include City spending and policy changes that affect public health services, tenant disclosure at property sales, hotel conversion rules, and how the city regulates streets and parking. A handful of items were set aside for further review, including proposed changes to film rebate rules and a rules change concerning mayoral appearances before the board.

Votes at a glance

- Item 13 — Ordinance appropriating approximately $2,300,000 from the general fund reserve to cover unanticipated indigent defense costs in People v. Bell (Superior Court of California) for FY 2007–08. Outcome: Ordinance finally passed. Vote tally (as read): 8 ayes, 2 nos. (roll call recorded on the transcript.)

- Item 14 — Ordinance amending Administrative Code chapter 37.9 (residential rent stabilization and arbitration) to add a subsection requiring written disclosure of specified tenant rights by sellers and purchasers before and after sale. Outcome: Ordinance finally passed. Vote tally (as read): 9 ayes (roll call recorded on the transcript).

- Item 15 — Ordinance appropriating approximately $4,300,000 of general fund savings/incentive reserve for capital improvements at San Francisco General Hospital (central services seismic upgrades and electrical power distribution) in the Department of Public Health for FY 2007–08. Outcome: Ordinance passed on first reading. Vote tally (as read): 10 ayes.

- Item 16 — Ordinance appropriating $246,000 from the General Fund Reserve to the Human Resources Department to fund the workers’ compensation clinic at San Francisco General Hospital for FY 2007–08. Outcome: Ordinance passed on first reading. Vote tally (as read): 7 ayes, 3 nos. (roll call recorded on the transcript.) See separate article for floor debate on this item.

- Items 17–20 — Ordinances/resolution designating specific trees as landmark trees (blue elderberry in Bernal Heights natural area; Bay Fig at 3555 Cesar Chavez; flowering ash trees in front of Bernal Heights Library/Bridal Heights Library). Outcome: Ordinances/resolution passed on first reading. Vote tally (as read): 10 ayes.

- Item 21 — Resolution endorsing Health Care Action Team recommendations for procedures on hospital discharge planning for homeless patients. Supervisors adopted the resolution as amended (an amendment was introduced by Supervisor Ammiano and accepted). Outcome: Resolution adopted as amended (vote by same house/same call as recorded).

- Item 22 — Ordinance amending the Administrative Code to limit conversions of large tourist hotels into condominiums (allowing the Planning Commission to approve conversions of up to 500 units before March 2010 and establishing an annual lottery thereafter). Outcome: Ordinance passed on first reading. Vote tally (as read): 10 ayes.

- Item 23 — Ordinance amending Administrative Code section 57 (film rebate program) — an amendment of the whole was proposed that would place a limit on the rebate amount for individual productions; the maker asked the item be re‑referred to committee for full review. Outcome: Motion to re‑refer approved; item re‑referred to committee.

- Item 24 — Resolution directing city departments and urging other public entities to cooperate with the Film Commission to streamline film permitting procedures (single use agreement, single insurance policy, consistent fee structures). The board debated amendments to remove language that would restrict rental fees for city property; the author offered and the board accepted amendments and adopted the resolution as amended. Outcome: Resolution adopted as amended (roll call recorded; motion carried without objection after amendment).

- Item 25 — Ordinance amending San Francisco Health Code sections to require chain restaurants to disclose calories and certain nutrition information on menus/menu boards; the author moved an amendment raising the threshold for covered chains to 20 or more restaurants. Outcome: Ordinance passed on first reading as amended (same house/same call on the floor).

- Item 26 — Motion amending Board rules of order to repeal Rule 3.91 (mayor’s appearance before the board). The board debated at length; the item was later tabled (motion to table made and seconded, and the item was tabled without objection). Outcome: Item tabled to a later time.

- Item 31 — Ordinance repealing the San Francisco Traffic Code and enacting division 1 of a new San Francisco Transportation Code (regulation of transit, traffic, streets, parking under the board’s jurisdiction). Outcome: Ordinance passed on first reading. Vote tally (as read): 10 ayes.

- Items 34–35 — Closed‑session items concerning Chambers v. City and County of San Francisco (existing litigation) and a proposed settlement ordinance. The board went into closed session; Item 35 (settlement ordinance) was continued two weeks (to March 25). Outcome: Item 34 (closed session) convened; Item 35 continued to March 25.

- Adoption without committee reference (items 36–42) — A set of resolutions and final map approvals were adopted without objection, including funding for HIV research activities, a stop‑sign installation request, declaration of February primary results, a 30‑day extension for Planning Commission review on a landmark nomination, and two final map approvals. Outcome: Resolutions adopted and motions approved (roll call recorded; 10 ayes where recorded).

What the transcript shows

The transcript contains roll calls for each of the items above and floor statements where supervisors explained amendments and motives. Several items were passed on first reading rather than final adoption, per the board’s stated procedure. A few items were re‑referred or tabled for further committee review (notably the film rebate amendment and the proposed repeal of Rule 3.91 concerning mayoral appearances).

Next steps and public impact

Measures that passed on first reading will return for final action as required by the board’s rules. Appropriations (items 13, 15, 16) will be implemented by the departments named in each ordinance if the final reading/administrative steps are completed. Items re‑referred or tabled will return to committee or a future board calendar for additional review.