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Board debates multiple charter amendments — voters to decide PUC confirmations; other measures pass or fail
Summary
The Board of Supervisors took up multiple charter amendments on Tuesday, sending the confirmation requirement for mayoral Public Utilities Commission appointees to the ballot while rejecting a qualifications package for oversight bodies, approving a diversity‑appointment policy for the ballot, and continuing retiree‑healthcare changes for further review.
The Board of Supervisors considered several charter amendments and related ballot referrals in a single legislative block, advancing some measures, rejecting others, and deferring additional review on issues that supervisors said required more public vetting.
Item 12: The board voted to submit a charter amendment to the ballot that would amend Section 4.112 to require that the Board of Supervisors confirm mayoral appointments to the Public Utilities Commission. The roll call reflected nine ayes and two noes; the clerk announced that the charter amendment is submitted to the voters.
Item 13: A charter amendment to add minimum qualifications for members of city bodies that oversee and administer election, campaign finance, lobbying, conflict of interest, open meeting, and public records laws failed. The proposal, which would have barred people with certain convictions, license revocations, or recent political roles from service, was debated at length and was rejected by a 6–5 or 6–? vote (the clerk corrected the tally on the record), with the chair later announcing the item failed.
Item 14: A proposal to move several citywide offices — mayor, sheriff, district attorney, city attorney and treasurer — to even‑numbered years and therefore align them with presidential and statewide elections drew extended debate. Supporters argued it would increase turnout and save about $3.5 million per election; opponents warned it could dilute attention to the mayoral race and introduce “coattail” effects from higher‑profile contests. The measure did not receive the required support in committee and failed in committee of the whole.
Item 15: A charter amendment to adopt a city policy supporting the nomination and appointment of more women, minorities, and people with disabilities to appointed boards and commissions passed. The board voted unanimously in favor of submitting the amendment to the ballot; the clerk recorded 11 ayes and the amendment will be placed on the ballot.
Item 16: A charter amendment proposing improved retirement benefits for miscellaneous employees retiring on or after Jan. 10, 2009 — and related changes including increases to certain retirement caps — prompted substantial public comment from teachers and union representatives. Labor leaders and coalition members spoke in favor; some teachers expressed concern the proposal would accelerate reaching benefit caps without materially improving retirement income. Supervisor Scott Ellsburn moved to continue the item so actuary questions could be clarified; the board granted the continuance to Feb. 26.
Board members repeatedly stressed that substantive language changes to charter measures require committee-level vetting and public comment. Deputy City Attorney Adams repeatedly confirmed during the meeting that substantive changes require a continuance to allow for public input.
Collectively the actions set several charter questions for the ballot while sending other items back for further work or public hearings. Each item will follow statutory ballot‑referral procedures and, where continued, be scheduled for committee of the whole review ahead of final board action.
