Board adopts package of ordinances, resolutions; several contested items draw debate

SAN FRANCISCO — The Board of Supervisors adopted a group of ordinances and resolutions on Nov. 7, 2006, approving changes to transit-shelter advertising contracts, temporary budget adjustments for the sheriff's department, a contract increase for city refuse-hauling services, and amendments to the residential rent ordinance, among other measures.

The bundle of routine and consent items (items 1–11) passed without objections. Several higher-profile items drew discussion before final votes. Notable outcomes included:

• Advertising transit-shelter amendments (Items 14 and 15): The board approved ordinances to amend the city's transit shelter advertising agreement to permit advertising on additional light-rail platforms and to extend the contract for six months. Supervisor Chris Daley said he would "be casting a no vote" on item 15 over concerns about delay in the contracting process at Municipal Railway (Muni). Following procedural motions to revisit the earlier failure, the ordinance ultimately passed on a later roll call.

• Sheriff overtime appropriation (Item 16): The board appropriated $433,881 in federal revenue, $181,609 in state revenue and used $635,451 in general fund reserves to retroactively support overtime costs related to staffing an additional inmate pod at the San Bruno jail and increased boarding of prisoners in the sheriff's department for FY 2006–2007. The item passed first reading (8 ayes, 1 no).

• Sunset Scavenger contract (Item 17): The board adopted a resolution approving the fifth amendment to the hauling services agreement with Sunset Scavenger Company, increasing anticipated expenditures and extending the contract term. The resolution passed.

• Residential Rent Ordinance amendment (Item 19): The board amended Chapter 37 of the Administrative Code to expand coverage to units where tax credits were reserved under the federal low-income housing tax credit program under certain conditions. The ordinance passed first reading (8 ayes, 1 no).

• Zoning and General Plan map changes (Items 20–21): The board passed ordinances amending zoning and the general plan land-use designation for the project site referenced at 1001 Franklin Street (and related parcels), changing some districts to allow increased height and bulk in the downtown area. These measures passed on first reading (10 ayes).

• Appointments and reappointments (Items 22–24): The board confirmed the reappointment of Leroy King to the Redevelopment Agency board (term ending 09/03/2010) and moved related appointments and recusals where noted. A resolution appointing Supervisor Jake McGoldrick to the California State Association of Counties Board of Directors included a recusal for Supervisor McGoldrick during the vote.

What this means: The actions adjust near-term budgeting for sheriff staffing, extend and alter advertising rights on transit property (with attendant debate about lost city revenue and Muni contracting delays), and broaden rent-ordinance coverage in specified low-income housing situations. Other routine and ceremonial resolutions were adopted as listed on the consent calendar.

Votes at a glance (selected items): - Item 14 (ordinance, advertising transit shelters): passed on first reading (roll call recorded in meeting). - Item 15 (ordinance, extend advertising transit shelter agreement six months): initially failed; after a motion to rescind the earlier vote, the item was re-voted and passed on first reading (final roll-call recorded in meeting). - Item 16 (ordinance, appropriation for sheriff overtime): passed on first reading (8 ayes, 1 no). - Item 17 (resolution, fifth amendment to Sunset Scavenger contract): resolution adopted. - Item 19 (ordinance, residential rent ordinance amendment, Chapter 37): ordinance passed on first reading (8 ayes, 1 no). - Items 20–21 (planning code and general plan amendments for downtown parcels): passed on first reading (10 ayes). - Item 22 (resolution, reappointment to Redevelopment Agency): adopted. - Item 23 (resolution appointing Supervisor McGoldrick to CSAC board): adopted with recusal noted. - Item 13 (ordinance defining massage establishments as conditional uses per health-code definitions): passed on first reading (9 ayes, 1 no).

Quotes and board remarks: During debate on the advertising-shelter extension, Supervisor Chris Daley said he would "be casting a no vote" to express frustration with Muni's contracting timetable. (Comments occurred during discussion of item 15.)

Background and next steps: Most ordinances passed on first reading; several will return for final passage per the council's normal ordinance process. The advertising-shelter agreement amendments will affect where private advertising may be placed on transit property and include retroactive consent to earlier assignment of rights. The sheriff overtime appropriation will be placed on financial committee reserve for review of actual overtime expenditures.

Ending note: The board also adopted a range of ceremonial resolutions and proclamations as part of the day's business; additional contested or higher-profile items (including development appeals and a major general-plan amendment) were handled separately during the meeting.