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Committee forwards OEWD behested‑payment waiver for downtown recovery after debate over donor transparency
Summary
After questioning from supervisors about donor identities and ethics filings, the committee added reporting requirements and forwarded a six‑month behested‑payment waiver for the mayor’s office and OEWD to solicit donations for downtown economic recovery.
The Government Audit and Oversight Committee on Nov. 20 voted to forward a six‑month behested‑payment waiver allowing the mayor, the mayor’s office and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development to solicit private donations for downtown economic recovery, while adding reporting language requested by supervisors.
OEWD Chief Operating Officer (transcript identification varies: "Cresia Tano" and "Chrisia Tonno") described prior fundraising tied to downtown recovery and said that "Through the San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation, we have been able to raise more than $50,000,000 committed to advancing the city's downtown economic recovery." She also stated that "As of November 19, payments received under this waiver total $6,200,000" in instances where city staff were actively engaged.
Tonno outlined how funds have supported Market Street safety ambassadors, power washing around the Convention corridor, and downtown events aimed at increasing foot traffic. Supervisors pressed the presenter on which organizations or individuals were solicited under previous waivers and whether those solicited are "interested parties" under the behested‑payment ordinance. Tonno said the mayor’s ethics secretary tracks Form 803 filings and acknowledged some filings may lag behind donations.
Chair Jackie Fielder moved to continue the item until the mayor’s ethics officer could appear, but the motion failed when Vice Chair Janie Sauter and Member Sherrill voted no and Chair Fielder voted yes. Supervisor Sherrill then moved to forward the item as amended (including a 60‑day reporting requirement), and the committee approved that motion with two ayes and one no (Chair Fielder recorded as voting no).
The committee asked OEWD and the mayor's office to provide greater detail in the legislative file about the types or identities of interested parties the departments plan to solicit and the rationale for why they would be considered interested parties. OEWD said it would confer with the mayor's office and the ethics secretary about how and when to provide that information.
Next steps: the amended waiver will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for consideration; supervisors signaled they want public reporting and clearer documentation of solicitations and interested‑party relationships before the Board hears the item.
