San Francisco Planning Commission holds closed personnel session and unanimously withholds disclosure of deliberations

The San Francisco Planning Commission convened a closed-session review of the planning director's performance and then voted unanimously not to disclose the content of that closed-session discussion.

During the open meeting, Diane Ruiz, co-founder of independent media outlet People Power Media, urged commissioners to consider the city's record on displacement and gentrification as part of the director's evaluation. Ruiz summarized findings published earlier the same day, saying San Francisco "has become the cautionary tale for how not to develop a city in the 21st century," and citing rising rents, the predominance of luxury units among recent construction, losses of rent-controlled units, and thousands of longstanding business closures.

WDC City Attorney Susan Cleveland Knowles advised the commission that while a direct personnel evaluation of the director is properly conducted in closed session, any new or general discussion of the criteria used to evaluate personnel must take place in open session. Cleveland Knowles said that if the commission intends to rely on publicly available criteria ' for example, an appraisal form or a five-year plan ' there would be no need to add new criteria in closed session.

After public comment the commission cited its personnel authority, noted that the closed session audio recording would be retained (SFGovTV would not broadcast the closed session), and moved into closed session. Commissioner Wu moved to go into closed session on the personnel matter; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote with Commissioners Antonini, Hillis, Johnson, Moore, Richards, Wu and President Fong each voting "Aye." The commission later reconvened the open session.

Following the closed session, Commissioner Wu moved that the commission not disclose the deliberations that had occurred; the motion was seconded and again passed 7-0 on roll-call. Commissioner Wu said the commission would not disclose the discussion, and Commissioner Fong said she and Commissioner Wu would follow up directly with Director Ram about the matter.

No formal disciplinary action, personnel terms, or other outcomes were disclosed on the public record at the meeting. The commission recorded that an audio recording of the closed session would be retained for the period specified by local rules and that SFGovTV would not broadcast the closed deliberations.

The commission adjourned after the vote. Additional follow-up between Commissioners Fong and Wu and Director Ram was announced but no public timeline for that contact was specified.