Board approves grant and contract packages, refers sheriff's equipment policy back to rules

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved a series of resolutions, amendments and appointments on Feb. 11 while referring the Sheriff's Office 2024 military equipment-use policy back to the rules committee for further changes.

Key votes included: final passage (by unanimous "same house, same call") of an amendment to the business and tax regulations code concerning a commercial vacancy tax exemption (item 6); final passage of an administrative code ordinance creating core initiatives to strengthen city responses to homelessness, drug abuse and mental health needs (item 7) on a recorded 10–1 vote with Supervisor Walton voting no; an appropriation of $526,000 from the general reserve to SFMTA to support two‑hour free parking at the Portsmouth Square garage and transit fares for Lunar New Year events (item 8) passed on first reading by recorded vote; and adoption of a resolution authorizing the Human Services Agency to apply for roughly $4.2 million in transitional housing funds plus $630,000 for housing navigation and maintenance (item 9).

Other adopted items included a five‑year, $12.4 million retroactive grant agreement with Young Community Developers (item 10) for the Black to the Future and school site mentoring programs (Supervisor Walton was excused from participation and the vote), a $1.5 million increase to Bay Area Community Resources contracts (item 11), and a $80 million, 10‑year water capital program management contract with HDR Stantec JV for the Public Utilities Commission (item 12). A rent‑credit arrangement in support of BART's next‑generation fare gates project (~$3.15M) (item 13) and a fourth amendment to a Catholic Charities grant for SF Home Rapid Rehousing (adding ~$4.7M, new total ~$14.5M) (item 14) were also approved.

Item 24—acceptance of the Sheriff's Office 2024 military equipment use policy report and approval of additional equipment purchases consistent with state law—was moved back to rules for amendments by Supervisor Chen. Chen described proposed amendments to usage guidelines and manufacturer recommendations for pepper-ball launchers and other munitions; Supervisor Walton and others raised safety concerns and alleged prior harms from testing and training. Chief John Ramirez of the Sheriff's Office said the office had no objection to sending the item back to rules. The referral passed by roll call (11 ayes).

Ending: The board closed the agenda after adopting the remaining items and reading in memoriams; many adopted measures were taken "same house, same call" or without objection, and the referred sheriff policy will return to the rules committee for amendment.