Supervisors vote 7-2 to call police-staffing charter amendment from Rules Committee after chair resigns

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 7-2 on July 23 to call a proposed charter amendment on police staffing and a voluntary deferred retirement option program (file no. 240544) from the Rules Committee for consideration by the full board at a special 9:05 a.m. session.

Supervisor Ronan, who said he had resigned as chair of the Rules Committee, urged colleagues to reconsider placing the measure before the full board. "When I first got the DROP proposal ... I wasn't against it," Ronan said, but after consulting with the controller’s office, retirement, and human resources he concluded "this is a very mistaken policy" and announced, "I will be voting no on this motion." Ronan said his resignation reflected concerns about committee integrity and members signing onto measures without understanding consequences.

Supporters of calling the item to the full board defended the committee process and the need for a full-board decision. The presiding officer observed that while committees are where amendments and public comment are taken, "ultimately the full board" has decided ballot measures in the past. Supervisor Chan said board rules provide a mechanism for calling special meetings and noted the committee system exists for a reason, adding, "I will be in support of it." Deputy City Attorney Anne Pearson told the board she could not speak to the full historical record but recalled at least one instance of a ballot measure being tabled in committee and explained that the process for returning a tabled item differs from calling an item from committee.

The board took several procedural votes during the session. Members excused two absent supervisors after a roll call that resulted in a 7-2 vote, with Supervisors Preston and Ronan voting no. After public comment, the board rescinded a prior vote and then conducted the roll call on Item 1. On the final roll call on the motion to call the charter amendment from committee, Supervisors Preston and Ronan voted no; Supervisors Safaie, Stephanie, Chan, Dorsey, Engadio, Mandelmann, and Peskin voted yes. The clerk recorded the outcome as 7 ayes and 2 nos.

Public commenters sharply criticized the proposal and the board's priorities. An unnamed commenter called the proposal a "rip off" and claimed police would be "asking $300,000 a year" for some officers and supervisors when placed on the ballot. Leah McGeever, a District 6 resident who identified herself in public comment, asked why the board was focused on the police measure rather than racial disparities in maternal mortality, saying, "half of all maternal deaths in San Francisco each year are Black women even though they only make up 4 percent of births." McGeever also criticized cancellations of programs she said helped transgender people and Pacific Islander mothers.

The clerk had earlier read a written communication from board president Aaron Peskin announcing the two special sessions and referencing file no. 240544. If approved at the special 9:05 a.m. meeting, the charter amendment would be placed on the Nov. 5, 2024 ballot after the board follows the timing rules in the city’s board rules referenced in the clerk’s reading.

The board adjourned the first morning meeting after the vote; the charter amendment will be considered at the scheduled 9:05 a.m. special session.