Rules Committee recommends two SoMa Community Stabilization Fund appointments

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee on May 11 forwarded positive recommendations to the full Board to appoint Mark Bishke to Seat 12 and Lorenzo Listana to Seat 13 of the SoMa Community Stabilization Fund Advisory Committee.

The committee read Item 1, which seeks to fill three advisory-seat terms ending Dec. 1, 2023. Abby Rivermonte Mesa, speaking for Supervisor Matt Haney, summarized the fund’s mission — created in February 2005 — to stabilize SoMa and mitigate impacts of development. She said Haney recommended Bishke and Listana and suggested holding Seat 8 open for an applicant who meets the senior-or-disabled requirement.

Two applicants spoke to the committee. Lorenzo Listana described long-standing neighborhood ties, work with TNDC since 2010 and experience organizing resident-led groups to address affordable housing, public safety and community events. Mark Bishke (who said he is known locally as “Marky B”) described his decades of involvement in SoMa nightlife and small-business advocacy and said he would represent small businesses and neighborhood culture.

Chair Supervisor Hillary Ronan moved to forward the recommendations with a positive recommendation. The clerk called a roll call vote; Supervisors Stephanie, Marr and Ronan each voted aye and the motion passed. The committee’s recommendation will be reflected on the Board of Supervisors agenda on May 19.

Public testimony in support of the nominees included statements from neighborhood business owners and community leaders who cited local advocacy and leadership experience. No formal amendments to the appointments were made during the committee meeting.

The committee kept Seat 8 open to allow for a future applicant who meets the senior-or-disabled requirement.