Committee continues Embarcadero Plaza waiver and approves settlements; closed session nondisclosure upheld

At its Feb. 20, 2025 meeting the Government Audit and Oversight Committee took several procedural votes: it continued consideration of a proposed six-month solicitation waiver for Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park renovation work, approved a set of settlements listed on the agenda and voted not to disclose the content of closed-session deliberations.

Embarcadero Plaza waiver continued: Supervisor Sauter moved to continue Item 3 (a resolution authorizing the mayor and Recreation and Park Department officers to solicit donations for renovation of Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Parks) to the committee's March 6 meeting to finalize scope and language around mayor's office and Rec and Park involvement. The motion passed on a roll call vote of Sauter: aye; Member Cheryl: aye; Chair Jackie Fielder: aye (3–0).

Closed session and settlements (Items 4–15): The committee entered closed session to consider the litigation calendar covering items 4 through 15, described in the agenda as settlements ranging from $30,000 to approximately $2,900,000. After reconvening in open session the clerk reported no actions were taken during closed session and the committee voted not to disclose the closed-session discussions (Vice Chair Sauter: aye; Member Cheryl: aye; Chair Fielder: aye). The committee then moved to forward items 4–15 to the full Board (items described as ordinances and resolutions authorizing settlements) and the motion passed on roll call (3–0).

Votes at a glance (items 4–15): The agenda summary described items 4–15 as ordinances and resolutions authorizing settlements of lawsuits against the City and County of San Francisco, with settlement amounts listed in the agenda as ranging between $30,000 and approximately $2,900,000. The committee approved forwarding these items to the Board of Supervisors by a 3–0 vote; the clerk later noted that approving items 4–15 to forward to the full Board was on the record.

Why it matters: Continuing Item 3 allows additional stakeholder work to refine the scope and limits of solicitation authority for a high-profile downtown plaza renovation. Approving settlements for referral to the Board is a routine but material exercise of oversight of city litigation risk and fiscal exposure.

Next steps: Item 3 will return to the Government Audit and Oversight Committee on March 6, 2025. Items 4–15 will be presented to the full Board of Supervisors for final action as listed on the agenda.