Audit committee forwards settlement items to full board, continues solar and pension pay reviews

SAN FRANCISCO — The Government Audit and Oversight Committee on Thursday continued two agenda items and, after meeting in closed session, unanimously recommended that the Board of Supervisors consider several pending litigation and settlement matters.

Chair Supervisor Aaron Peskin opened the Jan. 19 meeting and, after the clerk read Item 1, said the committee would accept a request from the Public Utilities Commission to delay consideration. John Scarpulla, identified as representing the commission, asked the committee to “continue to the call of the chair,” and Peskin said, “If there's no objection, we will continue this item to the call of the chair.” No members of the public testified on Item 1. Item 1 is described on the agenda as an ordinance amending the Environment Code to adjust incentives in the solar energy incentive program and to revise program requirements; consideration was continued.

The committee also read a resolution urging the San Francisco Employees' Retirement System board to review executive compensation, evaluate best practices, hold a public hearing and issue a report. The item’s sponsor, Supervisor Kim, requested that the resolution be continued; Peskin closed public comment and continued the matter to the chair’s call.

Items 3 through 8 were described on the agenda as various ordinances authorizing settlement of lawsuits and unlawful detainers and a resolution approving the settlement of an unlitigated claim against the City and County of San Francisco. The committee moved into closed session to discuss those litigation and settlement matters. Upon return to open session, Deputy City Attorney Givner reported that the committee “voted unanimously to forward items 3 through 8 to the full board with positive recommendation.” The committee also adopted a motion — moved by Supervisor London Bridal and carried without objection — not to disclose the closed‑session discussion.

The clerk noted that items acted upon at the committee generally appear on the Board of Supervisors agenda (the clerk cited a Jan. 31 board agenda date for items acted upon today). The committee adjourned after the report out.

Next steps: the forwarded settlement and litigation items (3–8) will be scheduled for consideration by the full Board of Supervisors; the continued items (the Environment Code amendment concerning solar incentives and the retirement‑system compensation resolution) remain on the committee’s calendar and were continued to the chair’s call.