Rules Committee advances multiple appointments, continues one to call of the chair

At its Feb. 4, 2019 meeting, the San Francisco Rules Committee advanced a series of appointments to advisory bodies and commissions and continued one vacancy to the call of the chair.

The committee approved Michael Pappas for seat 7 on the San Francisco In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Public Authority. Pappas, who described 12 years as executive director of the San Francisco Interfaith Council and work expanding winter shelter services for seniors, received an endorsement from Rita Semmel of the Human Services Commission. "I'm a big fan of Michael's," Semmel said. The nomination was forwarded with a positive recommendation "without objection."

The committee also moved forward appointments recommended by supervisors: Kasai Enriquez (Bicycle Advisory Committee, seat 9) was advanced on a letter of support after the applicant was unable to attend; Karen Rhodes (Parks, Recreation & Open Space Advisory Committee, seat 2) was appointed after introducing her volunteer work in Bernal Heights; Cindy Baqueer was appointed to the Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee (seat 4) after the committee cited her Geary BRT experience; and a reappointment to the Elections Commission was approved for the commissioner listed in the record as Chris (appearing in the transcript as 'Chris' and various renderings) to seat 1 following multiple public endorsements emphasizing open‑source paper ballot work.

One appointment — for the Shelter Monitoring Committee (Mr. Summers) — was continued to the call of the chair after Summers did not appear; Howard Chen, policy analyst with the Shelter Monitoring Committee, said he had not been notified of Summers' absence.

All of the cleared appointments were forwarded "without objection," and will appear on the Board of Supervisors agenda according to the clerk’s announcement. Public testimony for the Elections Commission focused on continued funding for the city's open‑source paper ballot effort; Greg Pennington of the California Clean Money Campaign told the committee, "This project is critical not only for San Francisco, but for the nation," while other supporters urged reappointment to keep the project on track.

What happens next: Forwarded nominations will be placed on the Board of Supervisors agenda (per the clerk) for final action; the Shelter Monitoring Committee seat remains pending until the applicant appears or the chair acts.