Supervisors forward two Treasure Island Development Authority nominees amid public calls for moratorium on development

The Neighborhood Services and Safety (Roos) Committee on April 3 forwarded two nominees to the Treasure Island Development Authority for confirmation by the full Board of Supervisors.

Jean Paul Samaha, a five‑year TIDA board member and a private‑sector real estate professional, told the committee he hopes to help ensure development on Treasure Island is affordable and supported by public infrastructure. "We are undergoing a very sensitive process of community building the next few years as the Navy transitions the island over, to the city," Samaha said, describing coordination among the Navy, state health agencies and the local health department on cleanup and resident notification.

During questioning, Chair Supervisor Norman Yee asked what role the board and staff take in overseeing cleanup and protecting residents. Samaha named staff working on day‑to‑day operations and said the board provides oversight to ensure a comprehensive cleanup and that residents receive necessary information.

At public comment Eric Brooks of the San Francisco Green Party urged the committee to press nominees to support an immediate moratorium on development activities until the Navy completes its studies and a full cleanup to residential standards is done. "It's absolutely vital that you make sure that these appointees ... are willing to put a moratorium on activities on that island until the Navy gets done with its studies," Brooks said, and added that evacuation of current residents should be considered.

The committee accepted Supervisor Katie Tang’s recommendation to forward Samaha’s reappointment to the full Board with a positive recommendation; there were no objections.

Faye Sen (listed in committee materials as Vivien Fei Sen), who said she was appointed to finish a prior term last November, also discussed her urban‑planning background and experience with Brownfields redevelopment. The committee asked whether lease agreements for dock users required insurance following a referenced dock fire; Sen said insurance provisions should exist in lease agreements and she would check whether verification procedures are sufficiently strong. After discussion Supervisor Tang moved to forward Sen’s reappointment; with no objections the motion passed.

What’s next: Both nominations will appear on the April 15 Board of Supervisors agenda for final confirmation. The committee did not take formal action on a moratorium request; the transcript shows the public call for a moratorium and evacuation but no board direction to implement one.