Rules Committee forwards Mike Chen nomination to SFMTA board with positive recommendation

The Rules Committee voted Sept. 16 to forward Mike Chens nomination to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Board to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation.

Mike Chen described meeting with Chinatown merchant and community groups and committed to working with transit operators, merchants and community stakeholders on issues including parking, loading, customer access, public safety and restoring service. He told supervisors he believes policy changes that affect people living in vehicles should include notice, consultation and credible alternatives such as voucher programs and safe parking.

Acting Chair Supervisor Asha Safaei asked whether proposed MTA policy changes granting the director authority to impose overnight-sleeping restrictions would eliminate public hearings; Chen said he believes changes should come with notice and consultation and he would work to ensure processes include appropriate hearings or engineering public hearings where needed.

Public comment was mixed: transit and safety advocates (Kidsafe SF, Sierra Club, individual advocates) supported Chens nomination, while other public commenters opposed the appointment as a political pick. The committee voted to amend language removing "reject" and instead recommend approval; the motion passed without objection (Peskin and Safaei, ayes) and the nomination will go to the full Board of Supervisors.