Rules Committee forwards tenant-harassment ordinance to ballot with recommendation after contested public hearing

The Rules Committee held a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the city’s residential rent ordinance that would order anti-harassment protections to the Nov. 4, 2008 ballot. After extensive public testimony and discussion, the committee voted to forward the ordinance to the full Board with a committee recommendation.

Peter Wright of the Small Property Owners of San Francisco opposed the measure, arguing there is already ‘‘plenty of recourse that tenants have when harassment occurs’’ and warning the proposal could further discourage small landlords from renting units. The Tenants Union's Ted Gullickson urged the Board to place the measure on the ballot, saying harassment ‘‘has become a disturbing national and statewide trend’’ and that San Francisco lacks a specific anti-harassment law.

Other public speakers raised legal and drafting concerns. Keith Bernstein urged safeguards to prevent frivolous claims and said the ordinance as written ‘‘invites abuse’’ because it removes certain matters from the judicial system and places them under administrative adjudication. Supporters countered that cities such as New York, Santa Monica and Los Angeles had enacted anti-harassment protections and argued San Francisco tenants need similar tools.

Supervisor Tom Ammiano moved to forward the ordinance with recommendation as a committee report. The clerk called the roll; the record shows Supervisor Daley voted "Aye," Supervisor Amiano voted "Aye," and another roll-call entry recorded a "No" vote by the member identified in the transcript as "deputy" (the transcript does not unambiguously identify that speaker). The motion carried and the item was forwarded to the full Board.