Supervisor Melgar asks for zoo audit, introduces homeowners' windows ordinance

Supervisor Melgar introduced a formal request directing the Budget and Legislative Analyst to conduct a comprehensive performance and management audit of the San Francisco Zoo, noting recent reporting and a unanimous joint zoo committee report recommending a formal audit. Melgar said the last formal performance audit was completed in 1999 and emphasized concerns for both animal safety and worker conditions represented by Teamsters members.

Melgar also introduced an ordinance intended to reduce costs for homeowners by allowing more flexibility in replacement windows while preserving historic qualities, arguing current rules force homeowners to make expensive replacements and cost San Franciscans millions annually. Melgar thanked planning staff and a co-sponsoring supervisor and said the ordinance will be refined through the legislative process.

Melgar framed the audit as a transparency and oversight measure and said the audit would be publicly available; the board took no immediate vote on the audit request during the special meeting, which will proceed through the committee and analyst process.