Committee approves limited behest-payment waiver to solicit private funds for Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park

The Government Audit and Oversight Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors on March 6 voted to approve an amended resolution authorizing specified mayoral and Recreation and Park Department staff to solicit private donations for a proposed $27 million to $32 million renovation of Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park, and forwarded the item to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation.

The amendment, introduced by Vice Chair Sauter, narrows the waiver’s scope to named positions in the Recreation and Park Department and the mayor’s office and requires the department or office to submit reports to the Board within 60 days after the six-month waiver expires. The committee recorded three ayes on both the amendment and the final motion to send the amended legislation to the full board.

The resolution asks the Board to waive the city’s behest-payment ordinance for six months so the mayor’s office and specified Rec and Park staff may assist private fundraising for a public–private partnership to renovate the two waterfront parks. "This project is critical to the city's recovery," Lisa Branson, director of…