Rules Committee backs reappointments to planning, public works, building inspection and port panels

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee on Tuesday recommended several mayoral and board nominations to city commissions, forwarding all of them to the full Board with positive recommendations.

Chair Hillary Ronan and committee members Vice Chair Supervisor Shimon Walton and Supervisor Asha Safai voted unanimously to recommend the reappointment of Maria Teresa Imperial to the Planning Commission for a term beginning July 1, 2024, and ending July 1, 2028. The nominee, speaking as Theresa Imperial, highlighted her pandemic-era service and said she centers "racial and social equity" in planning decisions. Public commenter Calvin Welch urged the committee to reappoint Imperial, praising her community experience.

The committee also advanced two Public Works Commission appointments. Fady Zabi, who introduced himself as the commission's vice chair, described his community ties and work on hiring the department’s new director. Gerald DeMarcus Turner, who addressed the committee after arriving later in the meeting, cited reductions in Public Works’ vacancy rate and apprenticeship efforts. The committee voted to recommend both commissioners for terms ending July 2, 2028.

The committee recommended Lauren Post for reappointment as chair of the Public Works Commission. Post credited a national search that produced a permanent department director and described work to establish performance metrics across the department’s bureaus; she reported a 15.7% vacancy rate and said she would follow up with department HR for a more detailed breakdown.

Catherine Meng was recommended for the Building Inspection Commission. Meng, who identified herself as a licensed architect, said she would push for improved DBI accountability and more consistent enforcement and noted that she would work to preserve public safety while improving department efficiency. Steven Engblom (recorded in the transcript as the speaker for the port nomination) described waterfront resilience and economic-recovery priorities and was recommended for the Port Commission.

All nomination items considered by the committee were approved without objection and will be considered by the full Board of Supervisors. The committee recorded the votes by reading each member's name and voice vote during the meeting.

The committee adjourned after completing the agenda items and forwarding these recommendations to the Board.