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Committee welcomes new member Billy Lemon; public commenters and members praise former member Friedenbach
Summary
The committee welcomed appointee Billy Lemon, who described lived experience with homelessness and nonprofit work; public commenters sought event-space funding and praised the committee's work; members paid tribute to outgoing member Jennifer Friedenbach and her role in Proposition C.
Chair Williams introduced Billy Lemon at the start of the meeting; Lemon said he comes to the seat ‘‘with lived experience, having been unhoused,’’ and described 11 years running a nonprofit that helps people find sobriety. He thanked Board President Mandelmann and the Board of Supervisors for his appointment and said he had spent weeks reviewing the committee’s prior meetings to prepare for his first session.
During the public-comment period Elizabeth Bland, an event organizer, described efforts to activate underused San Francisco spaces for community events and asked for $85,000 to cover a deposit and the first month’s rent to stabilize operations and meet compliance costs for entertainment events. Committee members directed her to staff, the posted bulletin information and other resources for follow-up; the board noted the funding request may fall outside the committee’s direct purview.
Members also took a point of privilege to honor outgoing member Jennifer Friedenbach. Chair Williams and several members praised Friedenbach as ‘‘the architect of Prop C’’ who helped generate ‘‘millions of dollars’’ for city services and credited her long-term advocacy on homelessness and behavioral-health issues. Friedenbach called in separately during the meeting to thank members and pledged continued advocacy and public-comment participation.
The committee adjourned at 11:20 a.m.
