Rules Committee recommends multiple advisory appointments, including seven to Sunshine Ordinance Task Force

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee on April 28 forwarded a slate of advisory-board appointments to the full Board, approving individual nominees and recommending seven candidates for the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force.

Chair Katie Tang opened the meeting and introduced the first applicant, Miguel Rodas, who sought appointment to the Commission on Aging Advisory Council. Rodas, who said he works at Bethany Center Senior Housing in the Mission District, told the committee he aims to expand affordable housing services and build an arts-and-wellness facility for seniors. Supervisor Malia Cohen moved to recommend his appointment, a motion seconded by Supervisor Eric Marr; the roll call returned Marr, Cohen and Tang in support and the committee approved the recommendation.

The committee also approved Devin Warner for the Bicycle Advisory Committee. Warner described decades of bicycling experience and local organizing, including coordinating the Ride of Silence; Supervisor Marr moved approval and the measure was taken without objection.

Item 4, filling seven seats on the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, drew the most discussion and public testimony. Applicants included incumbent media-seat commissioner Josh Wolf and a range of candidates with experience in journalism, civil-rights advocacy and neighborhood organizing. Several public speakers praised candidates such as Bruce Wolf, Josh Wolf and Tracy Rosenberg for watchdog roles; others urged new energy and greater diversity on the task force.

The committee moved positive recommendations for Josh Wolf (Seat 3), Luam (Seat 5), David Pilpel (Seat 6), Dave Moss (Seat 7), Frank Cannata (Seat 8), Chris Hyland (Seat 9) and Luis Fisher (Seat 10). The appointment of David Pilpel prompted particular attention: public commenters opposed his reappointment, calling him disruptive, while other speakers and some supervisors defended his experience. Supervisor Malia Cohen moved Pilpel's recommendation and the motion passed by roll call with Cohen and Tang in favor and Marr opposed; supervisors said continued participation would be conditioned on collaborative behavior going forward.

Chair Tang summarized the committee's recommendations and the committee sent the slate to the full Board for final action.

The committee's actions on appointments were taken under the committee's authority to forward nominations with positive recommendations; final confirmations occur at the full Board meeting.

The meeting adjourned after subsequent agenda items were taken up.