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Rules Committee holds required hearing on advertising initiative; Chamber warns of lost revenue
Summary
The committee held the charter-mandated hearing for an initiative to prohibit new advertising on street furniture and exteriors of city-owned buildings; Rob Black of the Chamber of Commerce warned the measure would cut a revenue stream used to fund city projects.
The Rules Committee conducted a charter-required hearing on a proposed initiative ordinance that would bar new general advertising signs on street furniture above existing authorizations and prohibit new advertising visible on the exterior of city-owned buildings.
Rob Black, representing the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, testified against the proposal, saying the measure would eliminate a revenue source the city could use for services and projects. "In these budget times where we need as much revenue as the city can get ... we are cutting off avenues for revenue," Black said, and cautioned about impacts on future projects such as bike-rental plans and street beautification efforts. The committee opened public comment, heard Black, and then closed public comment.
Committee members asked procedural questions about the initiative’s origin and whether it could be withdrawn. The deputy secretary (Anderson) explained that successors to the original sponsors occupying those seats can withdraw the item and offered assistance with the process. A representative, Rick Galbraith, spoke on behalf of Supervisor Mercarini and said former Supervisor Mike Goldberg plans to run the campaign for the measure.
The hearing fulfilled the charter requirement for initiatives submitted by four or more supervisors; no formal Board action on the initiative was taken at the Rules Committee beyond the required hearing and the record of public comment.
