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Fillmore CBD renewal wins committee support amid complaints about assessments and governance
Summary
The committee voted to forward a proposal to renew, expand and rename the Fillmore Jazz Community Benefit District to the Fillmore Community Benefit District for seven years after presenters reported petition support above 56%; residents and merchants voiced both support for services and concerns about assessment calculations, board composition, and transparency.
Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi sponsored a resolution of intent to renew, expand and rename the Fillmore Jazz Community Benefit District. Todd Claytor, chair of the renewal steering committee, described a management plan that emphasizes street cleaning, beautification, marketing, and public safety and said petition drives produced weighted support above 56% for renewal.
Reverend Floyd Trammell and renewal committee members described door‑to‑door outreach, three community meetings and direct petition collection that they said produced "right at 60%" positive responses among business owners approached. Claytor and others highlighted recent CBD initiatives including a marketing grant and plans for a street ambassador program to employ neighborhood residents.
Public testimony was mixed. Merchants such as Michelle Wilson (Gussey's Chicken and Waffles) and Agonofo Shefferau (Western Edition / business owner) described direct benefits from CBD marketing and events. Other speakers — including Charles Spencer (CBD treasurer) and several long‑time community members — urged greater transparency on assessment calculations, called for property owner meetings, and asked that the CBD hold fresh elections and provide clearer reports on how a roughly $300,000 annual budget has been used. Ace Washington and others raised broader grievances about inclusion and past governance.
Supervisor Mirkarimi and OEWD staff acknowledged the district's troubled early history but argued the CBD has improved in the last two years. President David Chu and other supervisors asked staff and the city attorney to explore whether compliance with the Sunshine Ordinance and clarifications to board composition and assessment methodology can be embedded before final Board action. The committee voted to forward the renewal with a positive recommendation to the full Board for consideration.
