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Rules Committee advances Anson Moran nomination to SFPUC despite watershed objections
Summary
The Rules Committee voted 2–1 to forward Anson Moran’s appointment to the full Board after public commenters, including the Alameda Creek Alliance, opposed the nomination over past SFPUC watershed and quarry decisions; Moran defended prior mitigation efforts and said he would bring stakeholders together.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee voted 2–1 to send Mayor’s nominee Anson Moran to the full Board with a positive recommendation on Item 1, while tabling the corresponding rejection motion. Supervisor Carmen Chu moved to advance the nomination; she voted aye, Supervisor David Campos voted no, and Chair Chris Daley voted aye.
The committee heard public opposition from Jeff Miller of the Alameda Creek Alliance, who said that during Moran’s tenure as SFPUC general manager the agency “opposed and obstructed the restoration of steelhead trout to Alameda Creek” and approved an Alameda Watershed Management Plan that expanded quarrying in the Sunol area over community objections. Miller said those processes “alienat[ed] stakeholders and ignor[ed] community input” and stated his organizations opposed the nomination.
Moran, who responded to questions from supervisors, described efforts to mitigate quarry impacts while he was at the SFPUC and emphasized coordination. "The quarry we are on a path, if you will," he said, describing past attempts at berms, landscaping and noise-and-dust isolation and acknowledging community dissatisfaction at the time. Moran said his approach would be to “get people together and talk” and to avoid letting conflict “fester.”
Supervisor Campos said he had received strong recommendations for Moran but remained unconvinced based on events during Moran’s prior tenure; Campos said he was not prepared to support the nomination but did not block its advance. Other supervisors and public speakers noted Moran’s qualifications across water and sewer issues and his familiarity with SFPUC structure.
The committee’s action forwards the nomination to the full Board for a final decision. No date for a full-Board confirmation vote was specified in the committee discussion.
The committee also closed public comment on the item after hearing supporters and opponents and proceeded to the next agenda items.
