Supervisors continue debate on $185 million neighborhood parks bond after hour-long presentation and public comments

The Budget & Finance Committee continued its review of a proposed $185 million general obligation bond for parks, recreation and open space after a multi-hour presentation by Recreation and Park staff and the Port of San Francisco and extensive public comment from neighborhood and environmental groups.

Dawn Kamalanathan, planning director for the Recreation & Parks Department, outlined the bond’s purpose and the department’s prioritization criteria: seismic life-safety work, physical condition, service to high-density neighborhoods, and projects that provide a broad set of recreational uses. Kamalanathan presented the bond breakdown: $117 million for neighborhood parks; $33.5 million for waterfront parks; $11.4 million for freestanding restrooms; $5 million for a community opportunity grants program; $5 million for park forestry (including an initial needs assessment); $5 million for trail restoration; $8.5 million for an athletic fields partnership; and $200,000 for a citizens’ general obligation bond oversight committee audit.

Dan Hodap of the Port described waterfront projects—including a Pier 43 promenade extension, Brannan Street Wharf improvements, Mission Bay Bayfront Park, Crane Cove Park at Pier 70, Heron’s Head Park and Blue Greenway planning—stressing that several sites are currently fenced off and have failing seawalls that the bond could make safe and publicly accessible.

Committee members pressed staff on implementation details. Supervisor Bevan Dufty asked how restroom renovations would be delivered; Rec & Park general manager (Gumbayati) said the department expects to use job order contracting and a bench of qualified contractors and estimated that, if the bond passes in February 2008, some restroom projects could begin in FY2008–09 and be underway by the end of that year. Members also raised Camp Mather’s deferred capital needs (electrical work, dining hall foundation, leach field); speakers representing Camp Mather asked the committee to ensure sufficient capital budget allocations to fully complete those repairs.

Budget staff explained tax implications: a homeowner with an assessed value of $500,000 would pay approximately $60.40 per year if voters approve the bond by a two-thirds majority, and departments estimate total indebtedness (principal plus interest at a conservative 6% over about 23 years) of roughly $636 million including interest of about $133 million. Staff also said the financing plan aims to redeem existing bonded indebtedness to avoid a net tax increase.

The public comment period drew multiple speakers. Residents and neighborhood groups from Districts 6 and 11 said their parks were underrepresented on the project list and asked for reconsideration; environmental and trail advocates urged preserving natural areas and keeping the $5 million trails allocation; park advocates urged stronger oversight, secure operations after construction, and increased park-ranger staffing to ensure the new and renovated facilities are maintained and safe.

Supervisor Peskin said the bond used objective scoring and conservative budgeting to prioritize deliverable projects and announced an amendment of the whole to include clarifying language (including CEQA compliance references). Deputy City Attorney Cheryl Adams confirmed the proposed amendments. The committee adopted the amendment of the whole and continued the item for one week to allow additional public review and to publish the amendments.