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Rules Committee forwards Board of Appeals and SFMTA nominees after hearings and public comment
Summary
The Rules Committee recommended confirmation of three Board of Appeals reappointments and two SFMTA board nominees (Jane Natoli and Sharon Lai) to the full Board after hearings and extensive public comment; the committee unanimously adopted motions to remove 'rejecting' language and forward nominations with positive recommendations.
The Rules Committee on Aug. 10 heard a sequence of nominations for City boards and forwarded all to the full Board with positive recommendations.
Board of Appeals: The committee considered three nominations to the Board of Appeals — Eduardo Santanacan Santacana, Richard Swigg and Daryl Honda. Each nominee described qualifications and experience resolving permit disputes and planning issues. Eduardo Santanacan Santacana said his work as a trial lawyer and prior board service helped him avoid conflicts and prepare for appeals work. After brief questions the committee moved and unanimously voted to forward all three nominees to the full Board with positive recommendations and to remove the word "rejecting" from the motions.
SFMTA board: The committee next heard mayoral nominations for Jane Natoli and Sharon Lai to the Municipal Transportation Agency board. Jane Natoli described her background in safe-streets advocacy and nonprofit governance and said her advocacy is driven by personal experience: "I myself have been hit 3 times in the last 4 years while riding on our streets," she told the committee, framing her interest in bicycle, pedestrian and Vision Zero safety.
Sharon Lai, a planner and Treasure Island Development Authority commissioner, told the committee she sees transit as a basic right and urged the Board to explore alternative revenue sources rather than relying on fare increases. Lai said moving away from farebox recovery was an urgent priority in the current recession, noting farebox recovery historically covered about 20% of Muni revenue.
The committee conducted extended questioning on transit funding, line restorations during COVID, rider and driver safety, taxi medallion issues and TNCs. The SFMTA nominations drew heavy public comment (dozens of callers representing transit, neighborhood, equity and labor interests). After discussion the committee voted unanimously to forward both Natoli and Lai to the full Board with positive recommendations.
What happens next: the nominated individuals will appear before the full Board of Supervisors, which will take the final vote on confirmation.
