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Rules Committee forwards PUC reappointments to full Board after lengthy testimony; committee takes no position
Summary
The Rules Committee forwarded reappointments for two San Francisco Public Utilities Commission members — Ryan Brooks and Richard Sklar — to the full Board, often without recommendation, after extended questioning and public testimony focused on fiscal oversight, a $4.3 billion seismic program and personnel questions. Brooks declined to discuss personnel matters about General Manager Susan Liao; Sklar’s reappointment was postponed so he may address the full Board while undergoing medical treatment.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee on Tuesday forwarded two Public Utilities Commission reappointments to the full Board after extended testimony from the nominees and dozens of public speakers.
Commissioner Ryan Brooks, appearing in person, described his background in environmental engineering, Department of Defense work and prior PUC votes, and defended the commission’s stewardship of major projects and public dollars. “We’re spending $4,300,000,000 on our WESIP program,” Brooks said, noting the scale of ongoing capital work and that policy decisions require concrete plans before votes.
Supervisors pressed Brooks about recent news coverage and whether the commission or staff had discussed possible payouts tied to any personnel changes at the PUC. Brooks repeatedly declined to discuss personnel matters in open session, saying those matters had not been brought to the commission and that any questions about contract payouts are for financial staff to answer. Deputy City Attorney Adams advised the committee that commenting on personnel matters in open session would be inappropriate.
Public comment on Brooks’s reappointment was divided. Community leaders, a wholesale‑agency executive and neighborhood representatives praised his experience and regional engagement; at least one speaker said Brooks’s contract and procurement decisions had favored contractors and harmed ratepayers. Art Jensen, CEO of a wholesale customer agency, urged support, calling Brooks thoughtful and attentive to regional impacts. One attendee criticized contract practices and said ratepayers were not adequately protected.
Richard Sklar’s reappointment generated similar, mostly supportive public testimony. Sklar was absent for the committee hearing because of medical treatment; his son, Eric Sklar, told the committee that his father is undergoing care for pancreatic cancer and will return to address the full Board on Feb. 12. Numerous speakers — including current and former commissioners, civic leaders and the PUC’s junior commissioner — testified in favor of Sklar’s experience and independence.
After hearing nominees and public comment, the committee agreed to forward the matters to the full Board. For Brooks’s reappointment the committee voted to forward item 11 as a recommendation of “no position” to the full Board. For Sklar the committee accepted public comment, postponed a final committee recommendation and scheduled his opportunity to speak at the full Board meeting on Feb. 12.
Next steps: the reappointments will be considered by the full Board of Supervisors, where a formal vote and any rejection would require the full Board’s action per charter rules. The Rules Committee record indicates that several related items were forwarded without recommendation so that the full Board may consider amendments or formal positions.
