Board of Supervisors approves hurricane relief funds, transit ad deal and upholds environmental finding for 700 Valencia; charter amendment fails to advance

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Oct. 23 approved several funding and contract measures, affirmed the Planning Department’s environmental determination for a proposed development at 700 Valencia Street and left a proposed charter amendment on minimum qualifications for city oversight bodies without submission after a late series of votes.

The board voted to appropriate $100,000 from the General Fund Reserve for hurricane relief in Nicaragua; to approve a transit-shelter advertising agreement with Clear Channel Outdoor Inc.; and to adopt multiple Municipal Transportation Agency resolutions accepting Federal Transit Administration capital grants. In a separate action the board voted to affirm the Planning Department’s final mitigated negative declaration for the 700 Valencia Street project after a public hearing and a motion to table related items. The board also re-referred to committee proposed local rules to require point-of-sale warnings for cough and cold medicines intended for young children.

Why it matters: the votes move city resources and contracts forward (including federal transit funds and a city advertising contract) and uphold a Planning Department environmental finding that allows the Valencia Street project to proceed further in the land-use process. The late-stage votes on the charter amendment left that measure in limbo and illustrate the board’s divided stance on strengthening candidate and ethics-related qualifications.

Most important votes and actions

- Hurricane relief: The board adopted Ordinance…