Committee advances $195 million San Francisco parks bond after amendment preserving $4 million for trails

At a special meeting of the Government Audit and Oversight Committee, members advanced an ordinance and a companion resolution calling a $195,000,000 general-obligation bond election for the "San Francisco Clean And Safe Neighborhood Parks" package after adopting an amendment intended to preserve and target $4,000,000 in trail funding.

Supervisor Scott Wiener told the committee he was offering an amendment to "fully preserve 100% of the $4,000,000 in trail money" in the proposed bond and to dedicate that money to "repair and reconstruct park nature trails, pathways, and connectivity in Golden Gate Park and John McLaren Park." He said the change was aimed at building broader support for the bond and delinking debate about the Natural Areas Program from the ballot measure. "The only question is how that money would be allocated to build maximum support," Wiener said, and he warned that without the change "there will be organized opposition to this bond."

Wiener also described a technical correction to the resolution to add referral report dates ("05/31/2012 and 06/20/2012") and noted that "after identification and development of specific projects, environmental review required under CEQA will be contemplated." He reported that the Recreation and Parks Department had worked with him on the amendment and supported it.

Members of the public spoke extensively during the comment period. Supporters of the amendment and the bond included park volunteers, neighborhood association representatives and members of groups such as the San Francisco Forest Alliance and Friends of the Oak Woodlands. Robert Bakewell, steward for the Oak Woodlands Natural Area, said prior bond investments had helped restore previously neglected areas and expressed support for both the bond and the amendment. Jake Zig, a former Rec and Park staff gardener and longtime volunteer, urged spending the trail funds to address erosion problems in Golden Gate Park and McLaren Park.

Several speakers said they support the bond but remain concerned about the Natural Areas Program (NAP). Commenters including Felicia Zieger, Kathy Baer and Carolyn Johnston criticized some NAP practices (citing tree removal, herbicide use and restricted access) and said voters should understand how bond funds would — or would not — be used. Kathy Baer said the amendment was "a needed first step in acknowledging the legitimate public concerns about the activities of the Natural Areas Program." Several other speakers said the amended language clarified what projects would be prioritized and that clarification made them more likely to back the bond.

Following public comment, Chair Supervisor Mark Farrell recorded a motion by "Supervisor Ellsgren" to amend item 1 to incorporate Supervisor Wieners changes; the committee adopted the amendment and moved item 1 forward with recommendation "without objection." The committee also moved item 2 (the bond resolution) forward with recommendation after a similar motion, again without objection. No roll-call vote or tally was recorded in the transcript; the actions were advanced by unanimous consent.

Per the clerk's opening announcement, items acted on at the committee will appear on the Board of Supervisors' July 10 agenda. The meeting record shows the committee adjourned after taking the motions forward.

What remains procedural: the ordinance and resolution will proceed to the full Board on July 10 for further consideration. The amendment preserves the $4,000,000 trail allocation in the bond language and ties that allocation to projects in Golden Gate Park and John McLaren Park; specific projects and CEQA review will be determined later.