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Rules Committee advances parks open‑space charter amendment with equity and long‑term baseline
Summary
The committee accepted amendments to a charter amendment extending a baseline appropriation to the Park, Recreation and Open Space Fund, including added equity analysis and a longer funding horizon; the item was continued to Jan. 28 and slated for the Feb. 2 Board agenda.
The Rules Committee reviewed the third draft of a charter amendment Jan. 21 that would require an annual baseline appropriation for the Park, Recreation and Open Space Fund based on city spending for park and recreation purposes in fiscal year 2015–16 and would add equity analysis requirements to Recreation and Park Department planning. Supervisors and public supporters, including Matt O'Grady, CEO of the San Francisco Parks Alliance, described the proposed change as a way to stabilize long‑term funding and address open‑space deficiencies in underserved neighborhoods.
Supervisor Farrell presented three amendment sets: extending the baseline set‑aside for an additional 15 years, strengthening equity mitigation strategies within department plans, and requiring the Board to take up-or‑down votes on capital and strategic plans to enhance oversight. Public testimony was uniformly supportive; speakers praised the longer timeframe and the accountability measures.
The committee accepted the amendments, moved to continue the item to the Rules Committee meeting on Jan. 28 for further consideration, and the clerk noted items acted on this day will appear on the Feb. 2 Board of Supervisors agenda unless otherwise stated. No final ballot placement or voter materials were decided at the hearing; the charter amendment as described was identified for consideration on the June 7, 2016 ballot.
Next steps: the item was continued to Jan. 28 for final committee action and subsequent placement on the Feb. 2 Board agenda.
