Board committee backs airing Ethics Commission hearings; Sunshine Task Force discussed

Chair David Campos introduced an ordinance to require the Ethics Commission to televise its hearings, saying televised sessions would provide added transparency and public oversight.

John St. Croix, Executive Director of the Ethics Commission, told the committee the commission had ratified a bylaw change to televise all meetings beginning in January 2012. St. Croix said staff had identified funding, worked with City Hall management and SFGovTV, and planned to move monthly meetings from the second to the fourth Monday and into a TV‑equipped room.

Several supervisors, including President David Chu and Supervisor Mark Farrell, praised the move but raised practical questions about costs and notice for scheduling changes. Supervisors also discussed whether the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force should be added; the city attorney’s office advised that adding the Task Force would require additional public notice and probably another committee hearing because it affects a different department.

Public commenters urged televising both the Ethics Commission and the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, saying video records help oversight and departmental transparency. Hope Johnson, chair of the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, and Douglas Yap said videotaping helped resolve missing segments in audio recordings and supported public access despite budget constraints.

President David Chu added his name as a co‑sponsor and moved to move the ordinance forward; the motion was taken without objection and will be forwarded in the board package.