Rules Committee rejects Robert Pattersonappointment to Small Business Commission

The Rules Committee on Nov. 4 voted to move forward a committee report rejecting Mayor Gavin Newsom's appointment of Robert (Bob) Patterson to the Small Business Commission (item 4). Supervisor Eric Marr moved to table the approval and support the rejection; the motion passed on a roll-call vote: Marr and Chair David Campos voted Aye; Supervisor Mikael Alliota Pier voted No.

Committee questioning focused on whether Patterson met the specific eligibility rules for the enumerated seat on the Small Business Commission. President David Chu asked which seat Patterson was nominated to and whether the nominee was currently an owner, operator or officer of a San Francisco small business as the commission's rules require. Patterson described a long career in the wine and spirits industry and detailed management experience at restaurants, hotels and distribution firms, but he did not demonstrate current San Francisco small-business ownership.

Public commenters spoke in Patterson's favor. Jerry Gianni said he had known Patterson for 35 years and described Patterson's work with small businesses; Chris Schulman, a Small Business Commission staffer, said the commission's director was impressed by Patterson's knowledge of small-business finance. Nevertheless, supervisors concluded Patterson did not clearly fit the enumerated seat's requirements and voted to send the rejection to the full Board.

The clerk recorded the roll call and the committee's action will go to the full Board for final consideration on Nov. 16.