Commissioners agree to participate in Chapter 41 discussions after Peskin press release

Commissioners discussed how the Building Inspection Commission should engage with a newly announced effort by Supervisor Peskin to update Chapter 41 of the Administrative Code, which governs permits to convert residential hotels. Staff noted a press release from Supervisor Peskin indicating an intent to convene stakeholders and that a moratorium had been discussed in some venues, but DBI staff read the release as announcing an inquiry rather than formal moratorium legislation. City Attorney John Malmurn advised the Commission that forming a BIC subcommittee would create a public body subject to noticing and Brown Act requirements and that no more than three commissioners may serve on such a subcommittee without creating a quorum. Following the discussion, commissioners tentatively identified three commissioners (Commissioner Gilman, Commissioner Malgar, and Commissioner Walker) to participate in discussions with the supervisor's office and staff, with the requirement that any formal positions would return to the full Commission for a vote. Commissioners asked the supervisor's office to clarify whether the office intends legislation, a moratorium or a stakeholder process; staff said they would request clarification and report back at a future meeting.