Public commenters urge Arts Commission to oppose charter measure that would remove advisory commissions

President Collins opened public comment at the Aug. 5 meeting of the San Francisco Arts Commission, where two speakers told commissioners they should become informed and engaged about a proposed charter amendment on the November ballot.

Douglas Engman, who said he served 15 years as a planning commissioner and on the Board of Permit Appeals, told commissioners the measure would remove the Arts Commission and about a dozen other commissions from the city charter and leave them subject to reauthorization by the Board of Supervisors. "This ballot measure also eliminates the Health Commission, the Library Commission, the Public Works Commission, the Small Business Commission," Engman said, adding that the measure was drafted in secret and is affiliated with a mayoral candidate. He said the measure would “give the mayor supermajorities on all commissions” and reduce public participation in commission processes.

Margaret Brodkin, a former department head and current president of the juvenile probation commission who spoke as a private citizen, described the measure as "terrible public policy." Brodkin said the proposal is lengthy and was circulated without clear public notice; she urged commissioners to read the measure, sign ballot arguments as individuals if they choose, and assist with outreach to the arts community. Brodkin also said the mayor oes not prohibit commissioners from taking positions on the measure.

Neither speaker presented a formal legal analysis of the amendment at the meeting, and commissioners did not vote or direct staff to take a formal position during the session. The commission did accept public comment and heard the two speakers' requests that commissioners review the measure and consider public education or formal responses.

The commission may consider the matter at a future meeting or respond via written communications; no formal action was recorded on Aug. 5.