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Rules panel advances Farrell park-funding charter amendment after amendments, sends it to follow-up hearing
Summary
Supervisors debated and amended a charter amendment to create a baseline appropriation and equity metrics for the Recreation & Park Department, hearing extensive public testimony. A motion to adopt language as presented passed 2–1 and the item was continued for further drafting and review.
Supervisor Mark Farrell introduced a charter amendment the Rules Committee discussed Jan. 14 that would require an annual baseline appropriation for the City and County of San Francisco—s Parks, Recreation and Open Space Fund based on FY2015—16 spending and add equity and planning obligations for the Recreation and Park Department.
Farrell told the committee the amendments would force the department and commission to "develop a set of equity metrics" to establish a baseline of services and resources in low-income and disadvantaged neighborhoods, require those metrics and related operational, strategic and capital plans be submitted for review, and authorize a voluntary private "equity fund" to accept donations aimed at addressing documented disparities. He said the changes are intended to stabilize funding and address disparities that a controller—s report had highlighted.
The proposal drew wide public support from parks groups and neighborhood organizations. Matt O—Grady, CEO of the San Francisco Parks Alliance, said the amendment would "strengthen our parks" by protecting the department from disproportionate cuts during future downturns. Testimony from the Parks Alliance, former Rec & Park staff and neighborhood advocates stressed equity, maintenance needs and long-term stability. Several speakers urged clearer direction on how the added baseline would be spent; one speaker said the department—s deferred maintenance backlog was "on the books" at a number cited in testimony.
Supervisor John Avalos said he supports the goal but pressed for added specificity and stronger oversight language to ensure the Board can act on the equity reports. Deputy City Attorney John Givner identified numbering and typographical corrections the city attorney would incorporate into the ordinance file.
On a procedural roll-call, a motion offered earlier by Supervisor Avalos did not pass. Supervisor Farrell then moved to adopt his submitted amendments and to continue the item to the next Rules Committee meeting for additional drafting; Supervisors Katie Tang and Farrell voted aye and Avalos voted no, and the motion carried. The committee continued the charter amendment and will take it up again after staff prepares the final amended language and technical corrections.
The Rules Committee did not finalize the ballot language on Jan. 14; sponsors and the city attorney said additional committee work is required before sending a final charter amendment to the full Board of Supervisors and ultimately to voters. The item was continued to the next Rules Committee meeting.
