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Ethics Commission unanimously grants waivers to former supervisor seeking Dogpatch GBD job
Summary
The San Francisco Ethics Commission granted former Supervisor Julianne Christiansen two post-employment waivers—allowing consideration for employment with a city-contracted nonprofit and permitting limited communications—after Christiansen and supporters argued operational needs and equities justified an exception; the vote was unanimous.
The San Francisco Ethics Commission on Monday unanimously approved waivers that clear the way for former Supervisor Julianne Christiansen to be considered for a part-time executive director role with the Dogpatch and Northwest Potrero Hill Green Benefits District.
Christiansen told the commission she had applied to be considered for the position and insisted she would not use confidential knowledge from her time as a supervisor to gain unfair advantage. "I do not plan to use the knowledge I gained as a supervisor in this position," she said during public comment, adding that the role is mostly organizational at the outset and that the district's base budget is fixed by agreement with the city.
Staff had recommended denying a one-year ban on communications with former city agencies while recommending that the commission not deny the request to waive the restriction on employment with a city contractor. Commissioners debated whether the communication ban would effectively prevent Christiansen from performing the job and whether equities justified an exception. Commissioner Keane, who led the motion to grant both waivers, said Christiansen's long neighborhood-service record and the small, start-up nature of the GBD weighed in favor of approval.
Bob Planthold of Friends of Ethics, who had testified earlier about polling showing public support for stricter ethics measures, urged consistency in staff reasoning and urged the commission either to grant both waivers or deny both. Commissioners weighed those concerns but ultimately concluded the specific facts of Christiansen's case — a 60%-supported draft ballot measure in public polling and the GBD's limited budget and staffing needs cited by proponents — justified the waivers.
The commission called for continued oversight of the new GBD structure and noted that the waivers are limited in duration and scope. The motion passed without recorded opposition.
The commission's action does not appoint Christiansen to the post; it only waives specified post-employment restrictions so she may be considered for the position. Any hiring decision remains with the Dogpatch/Northwest Potrero Hill Green Benefits District.
