Rules Committee forwards two citizen appointments: ballot simplification and bond oversight

At the Nov. 4, 2019 Rules Committee meeting, Supervisor Hillary Ronan opened nominations and the committee advanced multiple citizen appointments.

Lauren Girardin, a Bernal Heights resident and communications consultant, introduced herself and said her "goal as a ballot simplification committee member will be to provide the people of San Francisco with ballot measure information they can understand and then use to decide how to vote." Betty Packard, chair of the Ballot Simplification Committee, endorsed Girardin and described her prior service and commitment. Supervisor Shamone Walton moved to forward Girardin’s nomination for seat 3 to the full Board; the motion passed without objection.

On Item 3, Kristen Chu — the current chair of the General Obligation Bond Oversight Committee — described her roughly 15 years of service and the committee’s role in reviewing bond-funded projects for whether they are on time, on budget and meeting voter needs. Timothy Matthews introduced himself as an applicant for seat 2, described experience working with unions and capital programs, and cited the committee’s role in maintaining public trust. Supervisor Ronan moved to forward Kristen Chu to seat 3 and Timothy Matthews to seat 2; the motion passed without objection.

Procedural note: Item 2 (a Park, Recreation and Open Space advisory committee appointment) was continued to the next Rules Committee meeting on Nov. 18 at Supervisor Ronan's request because neither applicant nor District 5 representation was present.