City and County of San Francisco Tuesday, September 20, 2016
>> good afternoon everybody and welcome
to san francisco board of supervisors meeting of tuesday September 20, 2016. Madam Clerk please call the roll.
>> thank you Madam President. Avalos,
present. Breed, here. Campos,
present. Cohen, here. Farrell,
present. Kim, not present. Mar, not
present. Peskin, present.
Tang, not
present. Wiener, present.
Yee, present. Kim, present. Madam President yoi have a quorum.
>> thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, please join us for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic, for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all.
>> alright. Madam Clerk are there any communication? >> none to report.
>> okay. Can we goto regular agenda.
>> idem 1 is ordinance to order the conditional vacation of portions of
streets and public serveish
easementsthality exist within subphase
1 a and b of the park mur sefd development to receiver easement rights
in favor the sate eand third
partyuletilities to execute quit claim deeds and adopt the appropriate findings.
>> on the item, Madam Clerk call the roll.
>> supervisor yee, aye.
Avalos, aye.
Breed, aye. Campos, aye.
Cohen, aye.
Farrell, aye. Kim, aye. Mar, absent.
Peskin, aye. Tang, aye.
Wiener, aye. 10 aye's
>> the ord nance passedue naninously.
>> item 2 is levy property tax
of 1.18
on each 100 tax able for praument. The
unity college district u the bay
yauria rapid transit and air quality
and establish a rate of 8 cents for 100
dollars for residential tenants endsing June 30, 2017.
>> roll call.
>> yee, aye. Avalos, aye.
Breed, aye.
Campos, aye. Cohen, aye. Farrell,
aye. Kim, aye. Mar, aye.
Peskin,
aye. Tang, aye. Wiener, aye. There
are 11 aye's jrfx the ordinance passed
unanimously. Supervisor kim. Item number 3.
>> item 3 is ordinance to amend the administrative code to establish the san francisco city college enrollment fee assistance fund.
>> alright supervisor kim >> I want to thank the colleagues on the board for their strong support. We
are at the next stage where we are
establishing a fund for free city college tuition. When we first
introduce thd lexry real estate
transfer tax in December, we will still brainstorming ways to use a estimate according to the controls office of $44 million that we can spend down to help make san francisco more affordable for
our residents. While we look at the
crurgz and building affordable housing,
we were also approached by 2121 and san francisco labor counsel to consider how
to make community college free for san
francisco resident. This is something bernie sanders was talking
about and hillary clinton is talking about. This is something that is absolutely possible. Making city
college free for san francisco residents cost $12.9 million and hope
enrollment would go up so have to
spends more of the real estate transfer
tax dollars on city callurg.
We note
today student are make agchoice between
paying rents or tuition. Higher
education isn't a luxury but a
necessity and want san franciscan to compete in the workplace and market. One difference city college can make is
putting more pluny into the the pockets of san franciscans. We know a sitee college graduate with a associate
degree makes on average $11 thousand more than the same individual with a
high school diploma. Community college
is the foundation for households and individuals into the middle class and excited to have the funds put forward
by the board to insure new revenue
coming in if proposition w passed obnovember 8 will allow the sitdy to administer a fund that goes the the city college administration to make
city college free yet again until 1983 for all san francisco resident as well as employees of city college, city and county of san francisco and employees
oof of sfusd. This could vpt have
hap pened without the support of the
board and city college administrators [Inaudible] With your support we will
make city college free again in August of 2017 and that is wlie the fund we are passing today is so important. To
that end I'm introducing a supplemental appropriation nat will hold and reserve
$9 million contingents upon the real
istate transfer tax increase becoming effective after-the November election.
I do have one amendment to make to item
number 3, it is delation section d
page 4916 that dusinginated the department of children, youth and
families provided administrative support. We are continuing discussion
regarding a possible phase in approach to implementation and appropriate administrative support in the designation och the mandstory mou that will be developed between the city and
city college and I want to recognize cosponsor supervisor norman yee who is
working closely with us on this ordinance. Thank you. Colleagues I ask for your support.
>> thank you supervisor kim. Colleagues can we take this item same
house same call? Without objection the
ordinance passes unanimously on the first reading.
>> 4 resolution to authorize
the dist
rict to extend a? In-kind gift for
research support for project through
April 19, 2016. Twnts 18. >> same house same call? Without
objection the resolution is adopted unanimously. Madam Clerk item 5-7 please.
>> 5 is resolution to provide issuance
of $310 million in principle amounts of
city taxable and tax exism general
obigation ponds for affordable housing.
Item 6 is resolution to authderous $77
million of city taxable general
obligation bonds and ratify other
actions previously taken and certified
here in. Item 7 is appropriate
77 $77
million from housing bonds 2016 f to mares office of housing and community development for public housing low income housing, invest in mission neighborhoods and middle income housing and placing the funds on controller
reserve ending the sale of the baunthds.
Bonds. Same house same call? The
ordinance passes on the first reading. Item 8.
>> item aketd is resolution authorize
bonds not to exceed $52.5 million to
provide construction of 143 unit
housing praublgect as 6 26 mission bay boulevard. >> without objection the resolution is adopted. Next item.
>> item 9 is resolution to approve
authorize the acquisition of temporary construction easement and one permanent surface easement for sanitary sewer and
electrical lines from tse serramonte lp
for 23,000$23,000 and recovery project
and adopt had findings and approve the agreement and make modifications and
taking other actions. >> same house same call. Without
objection the resolution is adopted.
>> item 10 resolution to authorize
financing for portsmouth plaza
not to exceed 12.5 million and grant authority to take action necessary to implement the ruzlution.
>> same house same call. Without the
objection the resolution is adopted unanimously.
>> item 11 is ruzlution to altogethererize approximately 17
thousand square foot lease at 1360
mission street 3 August 17, 2020 for
base rent of $763 thousand. >> same house same call. The
resolution is adopted unanimously. Item 12. >> item 12 is rez lukez to approve the
5th amendment to thugrument with prwd service inc. For citation processes and support service for total contract not
to exceed $76.8 million through October 31, 2018. >> without objection the resolution is adopted. Madam Clerk can you please read item 13 and 14 together?
>> item 13 and 14 are two resolutions
that determine the type 48 on sale
premises license for 355 llc at 432 and
488 and pandora karaoke at 50 mason
street will serve the public
convenience or necessity.
>> same house same call? Without objection the resolutions are
adapted.
>> 14 is motion to conform
francesca vietor. >> item 16.
>> motion to confirm ann moller
caen to public utilities commission for 4 year
term ending August 1, 20s 20.
>> without objection approved. Item 17.
>> motion to conform the reappointment
of vince courtney to public utility
commission seat 5 for unexpired portion
endsing August 1, 2020 >> without objection the motion is approved.
>> item 18, motion approving the May
oral reapontment or appointment of sam
moss to had treasure islands development authority for unexpired of
4 year term ending April 28, 2018.
>> motion to appoint to the childcare
planning anded visery counsel both
burfbly mu lugen term ending manch 19,
2019 and graham dobson. >> same house same call. Without
objection the motion is
approved. Can
you call item number 20 first.
>> item 20 is motion to appoint katy
tang to children and family first commission.
>> motion by supervisor peskin and second by mar. Colleagues take this
without objection? Without objection supervisor tang is excused. Item 20 can you call the roll.
>> supervisor yee, aye.
Avalos, aye.
Breed, aye. Campos, aye.
Cohen, aye.
Farrell, aye. Kim, aye. Mar, aye.
Peskin, aye. Wiener, aye. There are 10 aye's
>> the motion is approved unanimously.
Can we entertain-Madam Clerk can you
call item 21, please?
>> item 21 is motion to appoint jarn
ablose to reintrentty counsel
>> entertain a motion to excuse
supervisor avalos. Colleagues take
this without objection? Supervisor
avalos is excudeed.
>> yee aye. Breed, aye.
Campos, aye.
Cohen, aye. Farrell, aye.
Kim, aye.
Mar, aye. Peskin, aye. Tang, aye.
Wiener, aye.
>> the motion is approved unanimously
and will skip over the 2:30 and 3 P.M. specialordser and go to roll call.
Actually Madam Clerk go to the
committee report.
Supervisor kim.
>> thank you President Breed.
In my exassignment I made motion to amend but
it wasn't sucded seconded so like to make the motion to item 3, have it seconded and passed. >> resend the vote first >> motion to resend.
>> motion to resend item 3 and second
by supervisor yee, take without objection. Without objection the motion to amend the vote on item number 3 passes unanimously. Supervisor kim. >> thank you, I did already make a
motion to delete section d, which is on
page 4, line 16. That designated department of children youth and
families provided admidge administrative support and it will be designated in the mou between the city
and city college.
>> supervisor kim made a motion to
amend seconded by supervisor yee. Take the amendment without objection?
Without objection the amendment passes. Item 3 can you please call the roll.
>> item 3 yee, aye. Avalos, aye.
Breed, aye. Campos, aye.
Cohen, aye.
Farrell, aye. Kim, aye. Mar, aye.
Peskin, aye. Tang, aye. Wiener, aye.
There are 11 aye's
>> the ordinance passed on the first reading. Madam Clerk go to committee reports.
>> item 28 is considered by the
government audit and oversight xhilty thursday saep 15 and forwarded as a committee report and recommended with
the a same title. Resolution to
respond to the judge on superior court
contained civil grand jury report
entitled maintenance funding. Findings and recommendations through his department heads and through the development of the annual budget.
>> alright colleagues take this same house same call. Without objection the
resolution is adopted. Let's go to
roll call for introduction.
>> supervisor yee the first to introduce new business.
>> thank you Madam Clerk. Colleagues
we have spent a great deal of time
discussing how pornts porpts important it is for san francisco to
invest in the urban forest. maintaining our trees should be a basic
public service t. While the charter amendment is in the hands the voters I believe we should prepare ourselves
should the tree take back come to frauition. This is something we
discussed prior to our recess
and we were working towards the agreement to put the measure on the ballot. I had also introduced language to say that we
should do something in the mean time.
This is why I am establishing the tree maintenance funds today and introducing
a supplemental request to gear up for the city's tree take back program. The is essential that the program is successful to insure that there is no-there are no gaps in service or
maintenance this year-next year. The
property owners have taken on the e responsibility for far too long and greater disservice if the city can not implement a promise effectively and sufficiently. The supplemental will help department of public works build
up staffing, infrasfruckture, support and equipment inventory to
prepare for the relinquishment of street trees back
to the city in June 2017 should the measure pass by the voters. I think it is important for us to do and hope I can garner your support for this
effort. I want to thank my cosponsors avalos and kim. I want to thank the friends of urban forest who works so hard to make this measure one that we
can not dismiss and want to thank department of public works staff in
working with my office to establish
what they think they can actually ramp
up in terms of staffing and so forth. The budget was created by that department. The rest I submit.
>> thank you supervisor yee. Supervisor avalos.
>> thank you. Just an announcement about a very big decision made by the mayors office of housing last week that
effected by district. Actually good
news. Very good news. Last year as
you recall the mayor prfs afs and my
office came out with a housing bonds. We met in the middle to get $310 million. The reason I was working on that is I know if we were to have a
larger bond that my district that is
passed over in the affords nl housing struggles in san francisco would not
get any funds. So, with that increase there was money available to award to a project that is just starting up on
mission street in the excelsior
at the
vulenta site in existence for maybe 50
years maybe longer but that funeral pauler is moving down the coleman under a different model and leaves a dead
space on mission street. With the
decision to award bridge housing, this development fund in district 11 we know
will have a project that will be there
that will span between mission street
and almany boulevard. By having
housing we can stop dumping by having better infrastructure for the community
and on the mission side about 114 units of family housing. I caents say quhautd is more important to serve the
commercial corridor but greater density and more people walk( Shopping and
getting their household needs there met
on mission street. I'm very very excited about the work that has been
put forward. I want to thank the
mayors office of housing for working
with excelsior district to put this forward. Communities for health and
justice came together on that. [Inaudible] Culmin advocates for
children and youth, [Inaudible]
Filipino community center and bruno
heights to get support for the project. Bridge housing is putting together the project and seeking to purchase the project. There will be not just housing but will have a childcare
center there or helths care center
there dependent on whether the [Inaudible] Will get certain type of development there as well. I want to say colleagues thank you for supporting
the housing bond last year. It made a
huge impact on the community development in district 11 neighborhood that has not seen such development happen in many many years if not decades.
>> thank you, supervisor avalos. President Breed.
>> I just have one in memoriam for the
late frank taylor. I like to adjourn
todays meeting in his honorment Mr.
Taylor passed September 13, 20s 16. He
was a beloved city employee in the city attorneys office. He began working for
the city of san francisco in 1962. He drove every muni line accept the cable
car. In 1990 became a claims investigator with the city attorneys office. We will be dearly missed by colleagues at the city attorneys office and his daughter, rachel. May he rest
in peace. The rest I submit.
>> for supervisor camp pose.
>> thank you Madam Clerk. Have a
couple items. The first item
is a very
important effort that is in the works
for quite some time and want to thank
supervisor avalos and cohen who both represent the geo graphic area that is part of the neighborhood or near the
neighborhood and that is presenting a
resolution to recognize the port la as the garden district. My office is
working closely with portlaleaders and stakeholders. I think some May be in
the audience. I see some of them and
want to thank them for being here.
There are many people who worked on this to make this possible and I want
to specifically thank the
portla garden tour. The [Inaudible] Neighbors group.
The portla neighborhood association.
Help mclaren park. The portla urban greening committee. [Inaudible] Green
house project. The branch library and all the schools in the neighborhood
that worked toorlth together on green
projects over the years. With the
zoning changes, the portla neighborhood
is divided between two districts and
time to time there is a sense this
neighborhood is overlooked. However,
not withstanding that this is a beloved place with a unique history and a very engage and active neighborhood.
The
portla was a prime or source
for cut flowerss for san francisco and known as san francisco garden with flowers grown
in open fields and in many family owned
commercial green houses that were throughout the neighborhood. It also
provided much needed aid after
the 1906
earthquake feeding survivors with locally sourceed vegetables and meats as well as new homes for many of those
who had to relocate. Some of these
green houses still remain on 770 wulsy street and they are historic treasures of the city. Our office together with
the portla stakeholders are collaborated with rec and parks to
insure that our city can
transform these places into urban agriculture spaces enjoyed by the public. Today we
also want to acknowledge an aseemed neighbor leader andm I don't
know if he
-she is here, ruth [Inaudible] Ruth and
her labor of love creating the portla
garden tour led the neighbor publicly
and proudly in rediscovering the garden
district. If you haven't taken the
portla gourdsen too tour I urge you to do that. Neighbors all over the neighborhood open their homes and their gardens, their amazing guardsens for a
day to celebrate this district. This
year the tour celebrates the 10th
consecutive anniversary, this saturday
sen September 24. The tour is joined
by other organizations. Again, we
congratulate the portla gordon tour and
grateful to ruth wallace for everything
she does. The community is devoteed
maintaining the urban agcurltural identity and think it is fitting we recognize those effort officially today by supporting this resolution when it
comes back to the board. Again, I'm
honored and proud to introduce that and
supervisorarve avalos and cohen for
their cosponsorship. The last piece is a resolution that will help insure that more businesses can benefit from our
legacy business program. As we know,
voters made it clear by passing prop j which passed last year they want to
protect our historic small businesses. The diversity of historic businesses is
what makes san francisco so special.
Whether it is caf e denor to casa
sanchez to the cliff house, cafy
[Inaudible] Mitchells ice
cream.
Chinatown cdc and non-profits. We are giving legacy businesses a fighting chance to stay in san francisco.
Unfochinately because implementation of prop j by the small business and office of small businesses did not begin until
6 months after passage of the ballot measure, we want to make sure we extend
the time that people have to actually
benefit from this program. The original intent of the law is give the broadest spectrum of business owners a
chance to apply for this fund.
Especially during the first year. This delay in implementation has
meant that businesses haven't been able to form
aul apply until recently. My office is
correcting this issue by extending the
grant deadline by 2 and a half months
from September 30, which is the current deadline to December 15. We need to
insure that the legacy business program
and the grants remain relevant and accessible to the important local pz businesses that need help. My office will continue to work to make sure prop
j is implemented the way we wrote it and the law approved in a way that is manner consistent with the intent of the voters. I ask for your support and
again, I want to thank my staff for all
the work into these two resolutions especially the newest aadditional to the office, [Inaudible] Morales it is great to have your on board and thank you for everything you have done. The rest I submit.
>> thank you supervisor campos. Supervisor cohen.
>> thank you. Good afternoon colleagues. Two things I want to
discuss today. First, just want to bring to your attention last month I
introduced a request to discuss the
findings and recommendsations of the
blue ribbon panel report. [Applause]
Thank you. So today I'm introducing a
motion to sit as a committee of a whole
on October 4, 2016 at 3 P.M. Right here in this chamber so that the entire board of supervisor cz hear the findsings from this incredibly
thoughtful and detailed report. The
report was worked on by 7 law firms,
two policy firms and 3 well respethed
judges that collectively have over 75
years of experience between them. Most
importantly that they build a very
successful career on impartiality and
it also included members including the san francisco police department. The
blue ribbon report indicates bias can
be institutionalized when it promoted
or condoned by policy practice culture. With that said I believe that the
findings from the report and other studies that have been
conducted are of high importance such that I believe the entire board should pay attention and engaging and listening to the
recommendation squz working to implement them for the changes that we all I believe want to see in making san
francisco a safe place for everyone. I
want to insure san francisco is working
with-continue to work with residents for
effective policing in our streets. The second piece that I like to share
with you is, in memorial for wonderful
gentlemen by the name of john seary. I
like to ask that we close todays
meeting in memory. He passed September
5, 2016. Was a husband and father, but
to many of us he was the face and owner
of pick low pete. It is a caf e and restaurant operating for 29 years tmptd
is frankly a neighborhood institution
with a giants and 49er games bringing
customers on game days and other businesses down the street and husband
a phenomenal following. Known for the sandswitches. It was a garden vaerlt
deli where you get a big
sandwitch,
however, over time johns personalty
transformed from a in and out sandwitch point to a hang out in the neighborhood. Johns family and friends
describe him as a rough reverent
boisterous and little crude fun lubing
creative cuck pal passionate and generous to a fault, caring sensitive
and loving mam. Most of all, he wanted
all those fortunate to be around him to
love life the way he did and he loved
it like no other. John is survived by
his daughter and wife. I know he touched the liferbs of many and will be missed. I personally have come to know john and have come to love him. He was
also a play said in a band that would
perform at the viz valley streets fest
ival. Colleagues if we could moouv move to close the meeting in memory of john seary I appreciate it. The rest I submit.
>> thank you supervisor cohen. Supervisor kim.
>> thank you. I have one item for
introduction today which is a supplemental appropriation for our free
city college fram where for which we just established the fund. This is appropriate free sund f unding. The
total amount is $9 million with $6 million towards the program cost to begin free tuition August 2017 and 3
million to begin to grow reserve in the
funds for years we bring in less than anticipated. City college will be on track to implement the free city
college as well as protect the program
if there is volatility. The objective
is have one year funding cushion built into the fund that provide stubt to the students to making plans in the
educational pathd and assist with
program implementation. I
thank you supervisor campos, avalos, yee and
peskin. This is contingents on the
passage of prop w and excited to make san francisco the first sitee to make community college free.
>> thank you sfr visor kim. Supervisor mar.
>> colleagues I'm directing the budget
analyst office to work with my staff to
draft a report and along with our san francisco alcohol policy working group
that looks at quhaul related harms impacting especially low income communities and communities across san
francisco. I want to acknowledge the 10 years of work more like 15 years of
work of our youth led coalition public health coalition that the youth leadership institute and many others have been involved in. First passing a
law with supervisor maxwell 10 years
ago. It was in a wonky way
called the
deemed approved ordinance but I call it
our alcohol monitoring and reduction ordinance t. This is about public
health and equity for vulnerable communities. The coalition I'm work wg is youth led and I want to acknowledge
not only youth leadership institute,
but researchers like profesher
laura
smidth from ucs. Also include the japanese community youth
counsel, the
vietnamese. Asian youth. Horizon for
open recovery and excelsior beacon working towards building healthier communities. This budget analyst
report would help our city get a better
understanding of the call related harms in the city and responsibility of
departments and businesses for performance standards to keep the
neighborhoods safe and reduce nuisances
especially ijclose proximity to stores
that sell call and look whether san
franciscos 10 year old deemed approved ordinance why it isn't working like oakland and some of the other cities that passed similar measures. I want
to say the youth leadership institute
is amazing model of organizing and coalition building celebrating
their
25th anniversary this thursday at the
soma arts at 934 branen. I want to
give special props to inpower
young people to speak for them sevl squz development campaigns to help youth
become leeers and empower low income communities. I want to give a shout
out to not only the 15 years work on
the whaul reduction but also recently effort to prevent fast food chains and
other large chain stores from getting alcohol permits and I want to thank victor lim in addition to the alcohol policy working group on working on
those issues. The youth leadership
institute also formed tobacco reduce force from city college high schools and san francisco state many years goy that worked with my office. Supervisor
kims office and others to pass a major
policy a few years gow ethat I call our
tobacco sales reduction law which reduces the number of tobacco permits
and cuts it in half eerfb 10 year period. I think many know that san
francisco is so densely populated with
stores that sell cigarettes but also alcohol. I think for alcohol there is
one business selling alcohol per 200 residents. We are by far the most dense city with call permits in the
whole state and I just give props to
[Inaudible] For organizing around health
equity issues. Limiting e cigarettes
and preventing big tobacco hooking a
new generation on nicotine products including vaporizing and e cigarettes.
I want to thank you the youth
leadership institute. To help lift
our communities out of harm and into
more empowered states of public helths. Congratulations to youth leadership institute for 25 years of amazing work. The rest I submit.
>> thank you supervisor mar. Supervisor peskin.
>> thank you Madam Clerk. Colleagues, following the summer legislation that
we passed banning candidate control
general purpose committees I
reworked and reintroducing good government
ethics refornls. As you May recall and
introduced legislation to bring
commissioners under the payment reporting schemes that we and other
electeds have to adhere to. I want to thank lee helpner for months of working
with the ethics commission and their staff as well as representatives of a
number of different commissions who
raised a number of concerns and to that nds I think we have now a balanced
piece of legislation that will benefit the public by shedding additional
light, but not the overly budencome
with regard to report.
>> thank you supervisor peskin.
Supervisor wiener.
Seeing no other name that concludes new business.
>> thank you. Now we will go
to our
2:30 commendation. We have a
commendation from jane kim
>> thank you for taking a
moment to mow mooreium for san franciscan we know
so well. There are not many individuals that I cannot imagine san
francisco without and the individual
here today is one of those people.
Yesterday was the first morn g ing I
woke to a san francisco that was packed
and this is probably one of the hardest
in memoriams I will do on my timet time at the board of supervisors. I
met rose in 2001 at chinatown community gement centerment I met her at city
hall at a land use committee in a
committee room. Gourdsen chin asked me
to deliver her a message and I had not met rose before I heard much about her and nervously looked for her inside the
john taylor committee room and when I
saw her I ran up quickly delivered a message and ran to the back of the room
as fast as I could and avoided talking to rose probably over the next 6 or 7
years. I only knew of rose from what I
heard about her and so, it wasn't until many years later I finally got to know
the person behind the icon and image
that she is. She is often called a
force of nature and that is true. She woolded influence and power without any
money or any type of position elected
or not. What is most misunderstood is what I got to know over the
many years as I served on the city and county of board of education
and board supervisors. She loved politic and the sports and was very good at it. She
was tough as nails and as many knows
she was relentless in the advocacy.
What was most misunderstood about rose
is what drove her. As I got to know
her I realized she wasn't driv boon
thesport or politics she was driven by
her heart. She really loved the city
and she rely loved our community and
she loved chinatown. She fought every
day h every minute of her life for this community. She didn't have a family of her own, because she wanted to make
sure that could give everything of
herself. Each call, each curse word,
each zingger was routed from the deep
seated love in her body. For our
[Inaudible] To many immigrant families who work in the restaurants or small
businesses surviving on minimum wage,
to merchants on stockton corridor, she
fault for them every day. She fought
for beautiful parks for our children
and seniors to use as their livingrooms because so much of the housing stock in chinatown are single occupancy. She insureed a central subway for our residents, 90pert of the neighborhood
dont own cars. She fought for chine
ease hospital because she knows it was a institution that served the poorest
among us and weld the building
beam by bean. Recently, she successfully achieved the monumental task of bringing to the table the rebuilding of
the public housing in chinatown. The
only public housing in the community.
A task that was important to take on but no one thought could take on but it
is real discussion at the table and those left behind it is our task to continue the work. Not because rose wanted, it but the community need said ed and that is why she fought
for it.
Rose was also for me a mu turnl figure.
In many ways she was a political mom. She gave advice on negotiations on my
work and daily life. And I'm so grateful for the dinners and lunches
and trips we took. She and my mom got to know each other very well and the
dwo of them and sandra furor oare my mothers and as a asian american woman
I'm so lucky to have these really
strong women who kick ass every day and never take a day off fighting for their
families and the communities as my role models and as my care takers.
They are
passionate and in many ways seemingly
hard to achieve but so many of us have
to take on the work and roles they played to continue fighting for our
city and the city that we love. Rose represents part of the san francisco
whether you agree or disagree she represents the city that we love. She represents san francisco that I want to
be a part of. And so rose, she already rest in power. I don'ts center to wish that upon her because she doesn't know
any other way than to rest in powerment
. She left having dinner with friends
on saturday night at a favorite restz
raunt. She had tickets to vegas on
friday. She raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to build new quality affordable housing for our
seniors and families. I will Miss Rose tremendously, but I also know she rests
in love. She gave her heart completely
to the city and truly left her heart in san francisco. I know we have several
members of the community here today who
are representing rose's family.
[Inaudible] Cindy woo. Victor wong and [Inaudible] Thank you for being here. Portia you were a good friend to rose and know you were supposed to have lunch sunday and want to thank you for being there for her. Before I bring thup community to speak and want to acknowledge our board of supervisors member who also want to speak in her
honor and of course rose, was a
constituent of mine in district 6 and
in below market rate condo in rincon hill and move today the
community in supervisor peskins district so
hand over to supervisor peskin.
>> thank you Madam President and supervisor kim. Thank you for giving
us the time to honor a matriarch. I concur everything supervisor kim said
but it must be noted rose had a wicked
sense of humor. It is a rough couple days and want to acknowledge that her
friends and family are here both in the
chambers and outside of the chambers.
I see phil chin and cindy woo and
victor wong in the chambers. In fact,
we will be giving them the tribute rose got to receive here in the board chambers or was suppose today receive
in the board chambers. Earlier this year I dried to recognize her as the
district 3 api heritage honoree but she was recovering from health issues in
china mpt I think david lynn from the chinese hospital stand in for rose and if memory serves correctly,
there was a large protest that interrupted the proceedings that we didn't have the
opportunity to give her the proper due
she was warranted so this is bitter
sweet to honor this woman. As stated
before rose was born in 1947 in china
and grew up as a refugee. She carried the history of home land with her to
san francisco and the age of 17
accepted a scholarship in san
francisco. She was a trail blazer
eerfben as a teenager. Obtained master
of arts in journalism from columbia school of journalism in jew york which
gave her all that journalist insight
and served as the first asian female
journalist at the san francisco
chronicle which she lasted despite
sexism and surrounding by staff
comprised mostly of white guys where
she was the butt of jokes but rose never let anybody get the better of
her. Willie brown said on sunday when
we were at rose's house on jackson street maybe she was a little too
opinionated for the chronicle. She was
given story assignments. I recall once telling me that she was given an
assignment to cover a cat that was
stuck in a tree. Rose did a
exceptional job reporting and she would do the best job possibly and be
the best reporter possible and I see
portia lee who supervisor kim referred to and know you can relate and
understand the significance and
importance of what rose went through.
Rose pack was one of the smartest human
beings I ever met. She was one in a
million. She was a strategist and negotiateateer and well deserves to be
honored as the matriarch. Givethen
40 years of advocacy throughout
the
chooun r chinese american community. Leder efforts to rebuild the chinese hospital she was larger than
life, a
trusted advisor to many mayors and members of board of supervisors. It is
completely accurate to call her a trail
blazer as a woman who commanded
respect. She was a passionate advocate
for elevating asian americans in
political life and mentored leaders in
san francisco including supervisor kim. She helped steer and guide the
formation of a new democratic
club, the
modern api democrats known as mad. To
insure that chinese community voices
were not drowned out boy real estate
speculators and dark money that conducted campaigns in chinatown, viz valley, the richmond and beyond. She
was a tireless advoctd for preserving
china tune even in the face of a
changing city hit by intensifying
waveoffs gentrification. Rose cared about chinatown. You can never doubt
that t. Is a rosen that eerfben though chinatown's across the country are losing ground inch by inch, our
chinatown is a strong and vibrant. I remember her telling the story of the
struggle to get funding to field
chinese seniors living below the
poverty line. It is a different age now. She talked about the fact that
they were living off mush and how it broke her heart to see
#c3450u7b
members suffering. When city hall
refused to release the fund she vowed
to find it herself. You heard about
the effort to stop evictions of
176 low income chinatown 10 rnts and that was
the beginning of a move that didn't
just change tenants rights, that is the
low income protections that we have thood are a result of that battle, the battle of [Inaudible] She was involved in all that. This was her level of dedication not only the people of
chinatown, but the down trodden
throughout our city and county. Many
are familiar with her whit and have been caught in the cross hairs of her sometimes brutal sense of humor. As a
matter of fact, rose made one big
mistake is she supported my aopponent
15 years ago. I barely said a word but
we were at the annual district 3 chinatown clean up and there is a stage-I don't know if aiornl this
cindy, we were up on the stage and then
head of dpw, today ed lee gave all the
eke speaker as broon spray painted in
gold and when I was speaking rose
started hitting me with her gold
painted-it is true. After that we
became friends. We all-there is never
a chinese new year per aid where we are not worried about what she will say
when our car goes by. I just a few
minutes ago goty mail from a former san franciscan who made the mistake of
moving to texas who said he will never forget when we drove by and she said,
stop that car, stop that car! Aaron
peskin is jewish, his wife is irish
and the driver of his car is gay.
Isn't that a san francisco car, she
said. That is the san francisco that
we love. Rose, we will Miss You very
very much. With that, if I can ask
phil and cindy and victor and anybody
else who is here on behalf of rose to
accept our certificate of honor back
from May as well as a
certificate of
congressional recognition provided us
on that occasion.
>> thank you supervisor kim,
supervisor
peskin. I'm phil chin from the chinese
chamber of commerce and with me is
commissioner victor wong and former
commissioner cindy woo. We are here
with heavy hearts to accept this honor
on behalf of the family. We
want to thank you for recognizing her. As much as you recognize her, there will be
nothing that can replace her. We want
you to know that as we receive this
honor on behalf of the family and
chamber, this is a incredibly difficult
time for rose 's family, her immediate
family and larger extended family.
Want to acknowledge her sisters theresa
and joanna. Her brother in law,
joseph, nephew oliver and all the
extended family in chinatown. Media
stories the last few days have focused
on rose the personalty and have spoken
about a void in the community. We
should let you know that rose would not
allow that to happen. She would not
let anything divide the community and
she was a very for that. What she
has done for 40 years is bring people together and it is certainly our intent
to continue her work working with friends and people who are not our
friend alike to get our mission
accomplished. >> there were many who were not able to
be here today so I want today recognize
a number oaf them. Her old friend and
my mentor gordon chin. [Inaudible]
Malcolm young, david ho, norman fong.
I see jen low and want to recognize
windle lynn from the new ly formed mad
club and know noun as the ros pack
cluck. David chin from the chinese hospital. [Inaudible] Commissioner
allen low, edwin [Inaudible] Eddie
[Inaudible] And all the folks here
today to help us accepting this on
behalf of her family.
Thank you.
>> thank you very much everyone forbying here and know there are other members of the board who would like to say something so we will welcome you to stay. Supervisor kim. >> I just want to make a final comment.
I thought [Inaudible] On behalf of
chinese chamber of commerce and chaina town community development the rose pack democratic club the community will
make a request to rename the central
subway in chinatown after rose pack. >> thank you supervisor kim. With that
we have members of the board who like
to make comment s and will start with
supervisor yee.
>> um, thank you President Breed. Um,
there is a lot said and a lot printed
in the paper about rose. I like to say
that I have known her for a real long time but probably didn't know her. It
is where we started in community advocating and fighting for things at
the same time and have set the tracks.
It is interesting for me to watch as I
met her in the early 70's and
things she got into versing what I got into and it gave me a opportunity to see her
from afar and watching her one issue
after another seemed so successful in advocating and fighting for things she
believed in. It was interesting because when I was first elected into
office which was like 3 decades later,
I was on the school board and I guess
when you are elected they ask you to go
on the parade and ride in the parade and I have gone through the parade and
been aroun where she makes
announcements at the chinese new years
parade. The biggest thing is having to
ride in the parade and having to pass
rose pack afraid of what she would say.
You never know what she would say.
All joking aside, she is been a
remarkable person. I have also seen
how she mentored not just one
generation of folks but sev rg generations of younger folks to be
leaders and many ended up to be city leaders on commissions and now we have
a mayor. Not long-I would question what is going on with this person. I
knew she was a advocate, but I never
knew her motivation. I got drawn
closer to her I realized something
about her and think this is quh I had a
stop over on a trip earlier in the year
and the stop over was in [Inaudible] Where she was in the hospital there.
This is it first time I got a chance to
sit one on one with her. Usually there are like a million people around and
she would say norman why haven't you
done this. I sat 2 or 3 hours just her
and I talking and chatting. One of the
things I realized about her advocacy is
it is what others have said, basically
her advocacy is really pure. It comes
from her heart, what she believes to serve the community and that is it. I
was thinking is there other
motorivation motivation, and it wasn't cht it was about people she cared about, about the community she cared
and city she cared about. I'm glad I
had a chance to get to know her a lot
better and too bad I wasn't
able to further extend that relationship so
rest in peace. J thank you supervisor yee. Supervisor wiener.
>> thank you very much Madam President.
rose pack she was about the
whole
city, but was a intense fighter for
community and neighborhood and deeply
respectful of her decades and decades of relationships and really a family
with the chinatown community and just
want to express that respect and
admiration for this close nit fmly.
Fam. My relationship with
rose dozen
go back decade but someone I respected tremendously. We were not alwaysoon the same side. Rose supported me at
times and not at times. There were
times when we were on the same side and
times not on the same side. I got in
a knock down drag out and she beat me.
She tended to come out on top. But for
rose it was always about the city and
about her community and particularly
about low income resident of chinatown. The passion that rose always
had for the people in most need in the city and particularly in the chinese american community is something I alwaysa r admired. Rose got tarnished a lot in the press for and appellanted in a
certain way called the power broker or
whatever names she was called, but I think what was loss in the press
coverage is what motivated and that is fighting for her community and neediest
in the community. Rose, even when she
and I were not on the same side was
always gracious to me eve when she was
making fun of me. She did in a
gracious way. I don't know how do that
but rose managed to do that. Avenue
wn has their chinese new years parade
story. Every year I would brace for the worst and every year she said the
same thing, here comes the ger affand
will use it this year. I
texted her a
photo of our logo. She did want
respond but david [Inaudible] Told me
later I owe royalties. I was hoping
to take her out after the November election to pay my royalties and sad
not to be able to do thatism supervisor kim mentioned the central subway and it
is interesting rose is perhaps best
known in some ways at least in recent
history for her absolutely fight to bring the central subway in existence
and keep it on track. I was to say as someone who fights for more subways in
the city, it is something that I'm passionate about and a lot of us want
to happen and trying to make happen,
rose actually did it. We stop rolling
subways after the 1970's and ground to the halt that was unfortunate for the city because we are paying a price now.
Rose made a subway happen that will
open in a few years and be the highest ridership on the day it opens and I don't think it would have happened
without rose pack and she deserves all
the credit for doing that and look
forered with to support the effort to name the chinatown station after her.
Rose, rest in peace, you are missed and your legacy will live on for many many many years.
>> thank you sfr visor wiener. Supervisor mar.
>> it is nice to follow in. I'm trying
to think what rose would have
attributed animal to us after passing I
expressed great sadness being shocked by the suddenness of it. I know she
was close with angelina eu and victor
lynn. She cared about the
underdog in chinese american communities and
express condolances to her families and friends and people she touched
through her life. I like norman knew
her for other 30 years. I think orange
lynn was the first struggle I was
active in the chinese as a united front
to defend tenants and community
institutions. I have had a in some
ways a loveing relationship with her.
She is very motherly, that is the hidden side of her always asking by my
daughters welfare, my 91 year old
mother. She knew how to be
compassionate but she had her really mean side as well and I have been on
that side of her as supervisor wiener had over different periods. I honestly have done my best to keep my dist nls
at times as an elected official from
her to be independent and I'll esh
press that openly. She cared very
deeply about fighting racism and sexism
which I know she in her life had to deal with without her life and respected and appreciate td a lot of
her work to support the underdog and fight the risism and sexism that exists in our culture and san francisco. On the positive side working in the
[Inaudible] Campaign from the mid-80's it fts a great experience to work with
her and others from chinatown cdc but
coming on the bad side as I advocateed for workers rights and environments it
was a way of me challenging me the
policies she stood for while trying to understand and support the work she did
that I supported as well.
Public
helths policies and diabetes epidemic
and many others and anti-smoking policies too. The side of hoar her I will remember mostly and very pleased I had a positive relationship with her
over the past 2 years traveling with
her, seeing her gamble, seeing how she
spoke lovingly of chinese hospital and especially community tenants association and improvements
association and chinatown cdc leadership that developed over the
years and a lot of great recorders that
have come out of chinatown. It is
great portia is here. I will remember
the caring motherly person with a great
heart for the underdog and will really Miss Rose.
>> thank you supervisor mar. Supervisor avalos.
>> thank you. Tfs it was shocking to
get the news the other day of rose packs passing and realize how it would
impact me but I was shaken up. I'm not
very close to rose. I wasn't very close to rose but enjoyed every minute
I spent with her just her whit,
her
ability to just make farce out of everything but at the same time be
right and true in her analysis. I was
just so amazed at her presence and just her ability to do describe what was
going on in san francisco. I know of
very few people who actually set their
mind to do enormous things. We seour mind to accomplish things in our work,
but to think that of course with the
help of lot of people and organizing abilities was able to achieve the
central subway as well as work on
chinese hospital, incredible monuments
that are part of her legacy that will
live on for centuries. I was struck by
the work that she had done in the
election ofeds lee as mayor for the chinese community that was a huge thing
that no one expected would happen a
year before. No one had any idea that
would happen and that work of putting
ed lee before the board of supervisors
as a candidate for mayor, in the
interim seat of mayor, was one
that united entirely-I wouldn't say-close to entirely the chinese community in san
francisco and as a oorginizer to do
that thing was an amazing feat to see happen. There was a moment where I was trying to decide whether I was going to
support ed lee for mayor but it wasn't a question of doing that because I saw
how united the chinese community was
behind ed lee. We post poned the vote
from tuesday night to friday afternoon of that first week in 2011 and had a
conversation with Mr. Lee at that time
and we were talking with jane and jane
said john, you can't possible vote
againsteds ed lee. It is true.
It was impossible. To see that moment in time
in san francisco where the chinese
community had that sense of hope,
purpose, all put togethers
under his candacy for mayor I think is remarkable. I don't always agree with what ed lee has done but to know that
type of support and passion from the
community was amazing. I think rose
pack was a big part of that. I say that why that is so important because I
look at when I go to event in chinatown and see how many people can pack a room. That doesn't happen other places in san francisco and doesn't happen in the latino community. We don't have it
sense of unity. We can't get people
who disagree so much come together aunder the same way and know rose is a
big part of that. If we are able to
unit the communities, her heart
is huge and compassion she worked under and
what she quirked worked about and it
wants about her power but she May have
liked it but was a power to improve lives and building housing to make sure young people have after school programs, all the things she did is
super incredible and we can actually unit not just the chinese community but the entire community of working people
in san francisco under the same agenda.
We will make this transform the city
the way it serves working people immigrants and middle class people.
Let's continue that work to do more
for everything everyone in san francisco. She would like that too. >> have supervisor tang.
>> just want to send my condolens to
all of rose's immediate and extended family here. I think everything that everyone has said is beautiful and I
want to start off by saying I agree
with supervisor kim, that rose was often misunderstood in her motivations and so forth and over the years first
got to know her working for former supervisor carmen chiu. Over the years
grew to learn it really wasn't what all
the head lines and news stories write. It was about how to better
serve the
community. As I reflect what she has done in san francisco 3 things stand
out and one is she ignighted
the sieve
civic engagement. I would
never have
run for office or be so outspoken in my
views, she ignited how important it is
to be civicly engaged. Advocateed for the community needs. Understanding
what it is truly that our needs are and vising that and making sure you are heard. Of course the last thing is not being afraid to speak up. If you don't ask for it, you wont get it, right?
She had a direct style which is very effective. I think it is easy for us
to take for granted many things that
have been achieved over the years and I think it is more important I think i
hope that future news articles or other
writings about her focus on her accomplishments versus her personalty because what she left behind is huge.
I think that the last thing I'll say is rose is proof that you don't need to be an elected official to accomplish so
many positives thing for the community. Look at her history. Probably more
than I have done as a supervisors so
rose left a imprint in chinatown and
san francisco so for that we should be
grateful and want to extend by condolances to family members and friends here. >> thank you. Supervisor farrell.
>> thank you President Breed. To echo supervisor tang I want to
express my condolances for family members and
loved one. I first met rose and didn't know her before elected to
office, I
met about 2 weeks before we were sworn
in in 2010 and went to lunch at the hilton in chinatown. She was on a cell
phone when I arrived with ed lee and she stuck the cell phone in my ear and said yoi need to speak to this guy he
May be our next mayor. Years laitder I
think that wasn't a coincidence. We
got it know each other over the past
few years. She was a one of a kind personalty in the city of san francisco
and for that as a city that embraces personalty so well I think we will Miss
Her as a city so much and truly less
because she is not here with us. Just respect all the advocacy she had done
for our chinese. I know what a force
she was and was a pleasure working with
her. The one thing I will never
forget is how she treated my children.
With upmost respect. When she met my
son jack she said, you are so
much
better looking than your father. I put
my son front and center so she can't say anything bad and it worked. I will
never forget how find she was to my family and children and can tell the
love for children and think that was an
amazing trait. Nothing that was reported but the one thing I will remember the most about her. >> supervisor cohen. I like to take a
moment to express condolances to the family and the larger community, the
family up here local and
abroad. Very
difficult time for all of us. Struggle
to find my word. When I got the-I
wouldants say the call but the text
notifying me rose passed away it was a
moment that was probably you will remember forever. Where you were and
what you were doing and whom you were
with. In this moment and time and space I like to take a moment to
reflect on how a person had a
impact on
my life personally. All are two things
that come to mind. First is similar to
what supervisor tang said. Be confident and asking for what
you want.
I believe rose demonstrated that, the
level of confudense. The second is importance of organizing and how they
support each other organizing and asking for what you want and how they
go hand and hand. I'm grateful for the
many lesson taught by rose. When
she-whether she knew she was teaching
she is a always a inspiration and grateful for the legacy she leaves not
just for the chinatown neighborhood and community, but the leg acy she left for
all of us for those that paid attention
and took note on her style of leadership. Most importantly, the
coalition building that she demonstrated
when taking on massive projects.
Again, on behalf of the southeast community of district 10 want to express my condolances.
>> thank you. Supervisor campos.
>> thank you very much Madam President.
Very difficult day for me. I'm not
really sure that I have all the words to say everything that I want to say
about rose. I don't know why
it is that
this gay guy from and china connected
but we did. We were in many respects
kindred spirits and I don't know why
that happened. I think some respects maybe it had to do with the fact quh
when I first talked to rose and I did knonet who rose was, I wasn't trying to
impress her. I really was just being myself and in many respects maybe she
wasn't used to that because so many people would want to kiss her ass and I
never tried to do that. I think that
rose in the end appreciated that about people, people who were not afraid to
be themselves. Ulate have so many
stories to tell and one of the saddest
thing about rose's passing is so many
of us at different times tried to get
her to write a book or put all the
stories that you told us, write them down so that they don't get lost and
that is something I think we need to
remember about this tragic loss. The
fact there are people that you think are going to live forever and rose was one of those people I thought rose pack
will live to be 100 and whatever years old and in some respects you take
people like that for granted. I think
that is one of the first lesson about
rose pack that she taught me even in her death she taught me something, that
we should not take people for granted. I think that is something that we have
to think about because having survived
a transprant and survived every medical procedure under the sun you would think
that she was invensival invincible and
she wasn't. People referred to rose as
a power broker and as rose noted if she
were a white male she would have been a civic leader. The treatment from the chronicle early on continued from the
chronicle and other media outlets as
she grew into the the civic leader we
loved and respected. The fact
that chinese woman immigrant of her
generation was willing to-able to do so much is a testament to her and also a testament to san francisco. Only san
francisco could have given us a rose pack t. When you think about it, where
else in the country can you imagine
someone like rose rising to prominence and to be able to do all the things
that she did? People talk about rose
and her commitment to the chinese community and that is a given but i
want to talk about how rose ultimately
was not just about the chinese community but she was about any
community that needed help. Rose pack would call me from time to time and ask
me for things but in every instance it
was to ask me to help someone else. It was to call me about the school in my
district where she urd heard they ran
out of lunch and that could I call someone at the school district so that
they could send more food so that those families and kids could eat for that
day. It was about the dilapidated building where there was no water that
she heard about, was there something
that I could do. Now, that I think is ultimately her legacy is the fact that she ultimately lived her life to serve
other people. She was not a saint but in many respects she lived the life of a
monk. If you went to her house and
saw the humble simple way in which she
lived, someone who had so much power
and influence and yet was really living a simple life as anyone can live in the
city and county of san francisco. I look forward to the calls that we would
have every few days and I remember rose saying, make a long story short, which
is something that she could never ever
do and never did. Those stories were never short rose, but they were amazing stories. So, I will close
today with a
poem by mary lee hall which is how I will think of rose as we celebrate her
life. If I should die and leave you
here a while, be not like me others
undone who keep long individualual by
the dilns dust. For my sake, turn
again to life and smile. Nerving they
heart and trembling hand, to do
something to comfort other hearts then
mine. Complete these dear unfunshed
tasks of mine, and I for chance May therein comfort you. Turn again to life. >> thank you supervisor campos and
before we turn this commendation back
to supervisor kim, I just want to say
a few word. I want to thank everyone
for coming here today. Most people may
not know that I have known rose for
over 20 years. We had a up and down relationship and what I appreciate most
is she was direct, she was honest, she
told you how she felt and if she needed
to curse you out every now and then she
did that well too. The last time that
we met and talked about seniors and
chinatown she told me the story that
not only did she tear up in the story
but I got really emotional and upset that be were not doing better for our seniors in san francisco which is one of the main reasons I supported the
dignity fund. When she got back to the
united states and she visited a friend
and that friend had no refrejerator in
a sro, a senior who had meals on wheels
delivered, some were frozen and some unfrozen but they never the less needed
to be refrigerated. And she
had no
refrigerator. And no way to really
heat up and eat these meals being
delivered to her. And, the agony and
pain in her voice in describing
that experience of her friend and what so many seniors in city go through on a daily basis without no one to look after them and care for them and to
have to live like that, was one of the really unfortunate things that we
talked about and made it clear to me
where her heart was and why she fights
for what she fights for. And I
appreciate that fight. And I
appreciate how she talked about her
respect and love for the african
american community and how she really feels that a lot of the work that was
done in the past in the city on the
backs of the african american community
have a lot to do with why she as a leader oof the chinese community is
able to do so much for the chinese community and she will always be grateful and always remember and always
try to do what she can to make sure that the relationship between the
chinese and african american communities are better improved. I
think that is why we continue to talk,
we continue to meet and we continue to
try and strategy how we can improve on the relationship t. Is still work in
progress and hope that many of the
people that she had the chance to
mentor and support in the chinese community will not only carry on her
legacy but will also carry on her passion for wanting to bring people together. That's what she was about,
that is what she had done in the city and county of san francisco. So many different people all coming together
for a common purpose of doing something
great to help someone else. No one else could bring the kinds of people together that someone like rose is able
to bring together and she really did it
her way. With that, without objection
I would like to adjourn today's meeting
in honor of rose pack on behalf of the
entire board per supervisor kim's request. Colleagues can we do that without objection? Without objection
that will go through for today. With that, condolances to the family, to the
friends, to all the people who
had the fortunate pleasure of having just a
opportunity to interact with rose, May
she rest and peace. I turn it back over it supervisor kim.
>> thank you President Breed. I had failed to mention that one of
my first
conversations with rose I was about to jump into the race for the board of
supervisors in 2009 and heard a rumor
I was pressureed to run in district 10.
The first thing she said when I sat down is you, as a asian american will not take the last african american seat
in san francisco. She said we owe african americans for their wurkt and civil right movements they fought for all of us and it is important to stick together as a coalition. She is like
I'm supporting malia cohen. Supervisor peskin failed to mention the end of the story about the cat with the tree. She
went to cover the story as she was told because she sfailed to do the duties
and orders incumbent as a reporter. she got to site and before the fire
department came she throw a rock at the
tree and the cat came down. She went
back to san francisco chronicle and said there wasn't a story to write because there were no cat in
the tree.
There will be memorials and want to
invite you to our annual dinner on
October 7 and rose was the honoree and will be a huge memorial and parlty to
her legacy and work. I was reading a
stor san francisco magazine did the
famous cover of rose with the cigar and
endsed with a story of where I lost something at the board of supervisor jz saw her the next day and she said, she
told me to keep my head up and never let the people that beat me see me with
my head down. What the magazine failed to mention is I lost to her the
previous day. But, I walked in the
room and she told me to keep my head up
and continue our work together. Rest
in poweringb rest in love rks rest in peace rose pack. Thank you to the
boretd of supervisors for this
memoriam. Thank you for vireer supervisor kim and everything wn here today and colleagues for your kind words. With that we'll continue with
our regular agenda. Okay, Madam Clerk.
We will go to our item 26 and 27.
>> item 26 and 27. Resolution 288-16
adopted July 26, 2016. The boardual convene as a committee as a whole to consider assessment proceeding to consider modifying the management district plan and engineer report. The subject och item 27. Remove the
district wide cap on annual assessment revenues in the business improvement
district xeen as central market
community benefit dist rict. 27
contains the plan and engineers report. >> thank you the purpose of this
hearing is to hear testimony on the
propose d mods fiication and inginal
ears report for the central market community district pursuant to board of supervisors resolution of intention
adopted July 26, 2016. As described in
the plan the district contains
approximatey 806 identify
parcel ons approximately 42 whole or parcel blocks. Details of the covered area
are in the file. The proposed chain eliminates the district wide cap, the
formula and inflammatory increase
remains the same. Eliminating the cap
will allow the city to collect higher
assessments from parcels who's pargt characteristics have changed over time.
If development on a parcel cause a
increase in building square footage or
contained in the land use or other
specific character stckzs istics. The parcel characteristic can increase by
more than 3 percent annually. At the conclusion of the public hearing the department of elections will tabulate the ballot and report to the board of supervisors. Members of the public May
view the ballot tabulation by
department of election only on the
basement level in city hall. Never levy assessment or approve the establishment orphthe district if there is majority protest. Without
objection the public testimony will be as
follows: up to 2 minutes per speaker
in support of the aess ement
dist rict. During the hearing the property owner wishing to change his or
her
voted or not voted May speak with department of election staff as a table
outside of the board chambers. They will provide with a affidavit and
ballot. After the hearing closes the
ballots will be counted. Supervisor kim would you like to make opening
remarks? Okay. The office of econom recollect and workforce development
have any comments?
>> thank you President Breed,
supervisors. Richard krillo the legacy business program manager. Formally
project manager with office of economic and workforce development. I worked on
the central market cbd project prior to accepting the position at legacy business program. I agreed to present
this today on behalf of colleague chris corgish who is not able tabe here. Today you are hearing a resolution to modfay the district plan and engineering report for the central
market community benefit district.
Testimony will be in regards to the proposed modifications. The
department of elections will tabulate
the results. If no majority protest is
found the board votes to
resolution to
modify. The central market engineer
report includes a formula for assessing
parcels in the district. Includes the linear street frontage, thraut square
footage and building square footage.
The plan allows assessments district
wide to be increased each year if
approved by 3 percent or consumer price index, which ever is less. The management district plan includes a
table and ref erence the total maximum
revenue referred to as the cap. The
cap is a amount based on the status tfs
founded in 13-14. Individual assessment on parcels May increase due
to parcel development. For example,
preplacing a two story building with 20
story will increase the square footage. The formula in the assessment
report remains the same. The
modifications are enabled to [Inaudible] Accommodate development within the boundaries of the district.
All assessments will still be
calculated according to the same
formula. The assess ments are uneffected by the change.
Lastly, oewd
will use central markets modified
document for future cbd. I have a
thank you. Chris cargs wanted to thank you people for their support.
Supervisor kim and staff. Staff and
board members of the central market
including tracy everwhine. Project director [Inaudible] Board member david harrison. Staff from clerks office and
department of elections kwon quatch and
regen wong, [Inaudible] Erica major. For the city attorneys office thank you to [Inaudible] For his assistance. If you have any questions.
>> thank you very much. Now, we will
open this up to public comment for speakers who are in support of the modification to the management plan and engineer report. You have up
to two
minutes.
>> good afternoon. Tracy everwhine
executive director of central market
cbd and in full support. Our services
are inteneded to grow with the development in the district and it is essential the cleaning maintenance and
public safety efforts increase alongside the two million square feet of development happening now. Thank you. >> thank you. Next speaker, please.
>> good afternoon President Breed and supervisors. Tim [Inaudible] With the
company of nbs and worked on the management plan and injourn ears report. We support the modifications
to this and the proceedings this afternoon. Significant development was anticipated in the area and this was
part the plan that 234 creased services increased development that go hand and
hands. The formula was predicated on
the as built characteristic so
as richard mentioned 2 story weplaced with
20 story there is more going on there.
This is in line with lower polk
and
central civic center so support the resolution.
>> I am oversee property that is in the
district and support that. The
chaichck is good thing. If we
were to redevelopment and make it larger we
would have the cbd has the ability to
take in changed assessment from that property. Thank you.
>> thank you very much. Any other additional speakerss in support of the
modification to the management plan and
engineer report? Seeing none, that
portion of public comment is
closed.
We entertain speakers who oppose.
Please come forward. Anyone in opposition, please line up to
my left.
>> members of the board, rea heart
director of san francisco open government. As a advocate for open government I question the concept of community benefit districts. As a example when the san francisco public library passed a resolution to join the civic center community benefit district
I questioned what benefit the library
would receive after committing a quarter million dollar over a
10 year period. The san francisco library or library commission would respond with
specifics. After being a member for a number of years there is still unable to clearly state any benefit that the
san francisco public library receives
in return for the contribution of
taxpayers fund. The library commissioners when asked-
>> I'm pausing your time. Please bring your comments back to this specific community benefit district. Thank you.
I'll run your time now.
>> this relates to all community benefits district including
this one. The library commissioners would ask sit
in what I consider to be dumb silence.
In fact when it comes to most questions
raised by the public and other meetings related to community benefit dist rblth
anyone who attends on a regular basis will understand they have little or no knowledge about many of the things
placed before them for approval. They just willfully blindply accept it. I feel sorry for a lot of the people not here, small business owners you are always talkic about protecting who
probably have no say or control over the increased taxes that will be waged upon them and believe in some cases it
will drive them out of business. We
have it grocery takes which is a soda tax. The community benefit districts
are nothing but a unlawful tax on
businesses who have no choice but to
either join or sucom.
>> thank you very much. Are there any
speakers oppose today the modification
or to the management plan and engineer report? Seeing none that portion of
pub lic comment is closed and this
hearing is held and now closed. At
this time the tab ylshz ulation of the ballots will begin and we'll continue with the regular business of the board
agend a. Madam Clerk let's go to our
next 3 P.M. Specialordser.
>> iletm 22-dwoiv compize the special order. Pub lb hearing of persons
interested in the planning department certification of conditional use
authorization dated July 14, 2016 at
twaivathy 5 an bruno to demolish a single family dwelling and construct 4
story mixed use building at 2785 san
bruno. Item 23 is motion to approval the conditional use. Item 24 is motion
to disapprove the conditional use authorization and 25 is motion to
direct the preparation of findings. >> colleagues we have before us the
appeal of the conditional use authorization for this project
at 2785
san bruno avenue in district 9. Madam Clerk for this hearing we will consider
whether or not to approve the planning commission conditional use
authorization to demolish a one story
single family dwelling within with unauthorized unit and construct a 4
story mished mixed use and 40 x height and bulk district. Without
objection we will proceed as follows.
Up to 10 minutes for preezen taishz for
appellate or representative. Up to 2
minutes for speaker for support. Unto 10 minutes from the planning commission. Up to 10 minutes
for the project sponsor or representative. Tupe 2 minutes for speaker in opposition
>> student to the appeal and 3 minutes for rebuttal or representative and with
that, we will nowope open up the hearing for the appellate you have up
to 10 minutes. Please come
forward. >> thank you. Good afternoon. My name
is stephen williams I wrept represent
the appellates. The planings commission approval for demolition at
twa785 san bruno. As specified in the
motion and findsings and board agenda that contains two unit. At least that has been the fact of the matter for the
last 2 years. The building contains a single family home and unauthorized
unit which the board informs us falls under the protection of the ordinance. The planning department recommendation
of approval of the conditional use to
dw demolish was approvaled by the
planning commission on July 14, 2016.
There is over whelming neighborhood opposition to the project. We
qualified this appeal with more than 56 percent of the signatures of the
property owners within 300 feet of the
site. That is a asronomical number
since you only need 20 to qualify the
appeal. Let's start with the discussion of fair synchronize and due process thmpt developers and department cannot change the basic facts of the application and this approval for the
first time as the appeal. The
application was filed in 2014 and during all that time for the past 1 and
a half or 2 years the new evidence was
never brought forward. No explanation offered by the department or the
developers as to the sudden change of
the facts of the units and appeal before the board. Why? Because it is
a fraud. It is obvious there is a in-law unit for years and perhaps
decade. We submitted a letter from the former tenant who live said there 5
years with family and son in a severate
unit with a full kitchen t. Is occupied. Why do I call it a fraud? The developers project plan label the
bedroom in the in-law unit as a workshop. If you look at exist one you
see their plan submitted and still submitted claim it is a workshop not a
bedroom. That's our exhibit one to my supplemental bruf. Mr. Silverman calls
the second unit a workshop and claims
the department agrees. More fraud. Look at the photo's we submitted. These were taken a week ago by a
neighbor. Thrlt sl the tenant who lives there, that is exhibit 2. This
is the entrance, the independent side
infrance. Entrance. That is exhibit
two. This is supplemental brief.
There is the kitchen. You can still
see the [Inaudible]. There is the gas hook up with the stains of years of
cooking. The workshop has a bed in it
covered with clothing. There
is the bedroom that is labeled a workshop.
The department says they are basing the
change of the facts based on leases
they are renting out the waurkshop. If
you look at the leases, the workshop is
rented out as bedroom number 4. At the
same time they erant out the bedroom I back units for human occupation they
are labeling them as a workshop uninhabited and submitting that to the
planning department. Our photograph evidence and testimony from the neighbors should put the issue of the kipen to rest. The second unit has h a
stove and full kitchen many years and one until recently. The cooking stains are all there. Approval in this case under these circumstances jeopardize thousands of these units city wide. If all you center to do is remove a stove
and sign a lease. The department
analysis was wrong on every aspect. Even when the department conceded that
thrfs there was a second unit it faild
it note it was rent controlled and
failed to deal with new findings under
317 for removal of the unit. They are improperly trying to change the
department still has it wrong rchlt you cant find this project to be necessary and desirable in a city starved for affordable rent controlled
units. There is a overwellming policy
and mandate created by the affordsability crisis in the city such
that the board must deny the project
and preserve the affordable rent controlled unit. These are not my
words, these are departments conclusion in numerous similar cases in
the recent past involving request for
merger or demolition. The mayors,
extev directive 1301 the policy paper on 8 ways to make san francisco more
affordable and countless other cases
make clear retaining existing house sg
the highest priority for everyone. As policy makers I hope the board can see
one cannot sime ultaneously claim to support the rent control cyst squm
fight the affordability crisis and
allowing the demolition of this kind of
sound and affordableerant rent controlled unit. Every demolition is a
direct attack on the tenants right. It
attacks the integrity and what
it represents. Enforce the policy and
protect the units is a root
cause of
the affordability crisis. The controller office tells us we have lost
more than a thousand of these in-law unit in the past 2 years, all most all
attached to single family homes like
this one. Every supervirez here at one
time or another has rightly talked to
talk of wanting to fight the affordsability crisis and talked the talk of supporting the rent control
system wanting to keep the poor and
less aflew want in our city. Well, this is where the rubber meets the road and where you walk the walk and show the talk that is made is more than just
empty words. That you care get
displacement and you our board of supervisors will do what is right and and are the check and balance against
what is a unchecked real estate
speculation in our residential
neighborhoods. The departments new
analysis is wrong and full of excuses.
It offers incorrect legal analysis, the
removal of a stove and signing of a
lease does not alter the
characteristics of the unit. If the units are rent controlled, if the units have been occupied for years, pulling
out the cuchen and signing a lease
doesn't change that. If that were
true, that will be in front of you over
and over again. These are only excuses to put this project through and allow
the destruction of the existing housing
and more profit for developers. These
excuses are not policy. If you think about these excuses they are always present. The development community
will squamble to sign leases and
recharacterize units and get letters
from the tenants and say we are not displaced and agree to leave and don'ts mind you take away our housing. There
are 4 bedrooms currently occupied in
this unit. If you remove the kitchen
on a whim and suddenly say well, that
unit never existed, the photographs
clearly show that's not true. If you
allow these excuses to sway your decision than you support the
exkoos
excuse and exception that doesn't exist and that will swallow the policy and
that is for the retention long term
retention of this kind of sound naturally affordable rent
controlled
housing. The purpsh of these policies
is to conserve and protect existing housing and the general plan says that over and over again. There is no exception for creating additional
units. There is no exception for
creating active commercial. If there is a conflict in the policy the existing units have to be preserved and maintained to preserve the cultural and
economic diversity of our city. That
is what this case before uis is about
and that is what our appeal is about and ask you to spirit the community and
neighbors and support the appeal. Thank you.
>> thank you Mr. Williams. Any
questions for Mr. Williams? Supervisor campos.
>> thank you Mr. Chair. Mr. William just a follow up question on the issue
of the in-law unit and can you talk
about from your perspective
what is the relevance of the question of whether
there was a kipen kitchen and there
are pictures. Can you address what the
point thatia that you were making earlier? >> certainly. The new definition of
what comprises a independent unit requires it have a kitchen so the stove
here has obviously been removed. We
submitted letters from former tenant in the unit and said yes there was a stove
I cooked on it and lived there independently. You can see that this
is your typical in-law in the garage
attached to the building and fully
built out. I dont think there is
significance as the department was
swayed by the disappearance of the stove. That is common. If you want to make a unit disappear you pull out the
kitchen. This is so clumpy they didn't
take out the range hood and the gas hook up. The stains from cooking are
still on the wall. The board should
look and say, was this a viable unit and was this a viable unit used for
many years. The answer is obviously
yes. The long term owners had a elderly tenant before they moved out and that is what these units are for.
>> in terms of the analysis Mr. Williams, what is the time period you
look at in terms of whether or mot there was a kitsch thrn and whether it
was a in-law unit? Was it before or now or does it not matter?
>> I don't think that is
particularly relevant that-they are renting this out
at a thousand dollars a bedroom on craig's lest they are not trying to cover the amount thatd they paid for
the building. They are biding their
time. It isn't relevant when that came out because it came out without a
permit. You cant remove the kitchen anymore than you can put it in without a proper purnlt. Permit. >> thank you. >> supervisor tang.
>> thank you. In your remarks you stated the rent board said the home is subject to the the rent ordinance is that correct? >> yes. >> I read in the packet something different so wondering if anyone is here from the rent board to clarify
that? My understanding was that is still under potential investigation.
>> the department can see if there is a second unit that it is covered by the rent board. >> can I ask someone from the rent
board to speak to that matter?
>> robert collins acting at the rent
board. The jm gentlemen May have interacted with the rent board have no
putension or fipeding finding so don't have communication by the rent board so
maybe what he is referring to is
communication but I'm not away of finelding or letter he received from
us. Maybe he called the counsel line or got information what will happen but not aware there is a determination by us.
>> I mean just for the record, how
would one go about getting conformation
about whether this property is subject
toerant control? I dopet want us to-I
know this is-there is conflicting
nrfgds so information so don't want to mischaracterize what this is subject to.
>> well, assumes everything is covered
by rent control unless someone proves
it is not. Having a petition filed by
the landlord or 10 wantant which has
not occurred and have a hearing where people present testimony and
documentary evidence and then the administrative judge will weigh the evidence and make a determination. That is the process. The rent board for a decision and jurisdiction.
>> okay. So, that process hasn't started for that formal determination.
>> the developer is-it sup to the developer. We call thd rent board and
said yes single family home is covered
under the ren ordinance. If you look in the department materials that is what it says and what he just said is
that the they assume it is under the rent ordinance unless the developer files a putension to take it out from
under the rent ordinance.
>> I think the issue here is yes, you
are at the rent board. At the rent board the administrator by the rent
board. The only people who have
standing to file a petition is the
landlord or tenant. If it is concerned neighbors they don't have standing so
maybe that is they called the rent board to figure out the rules which is
different than making a determinationism such a determination hasn't been made. I can try to answer general questions but have no determinations specific to this property.
>> I think there is also one slight
distinction, which is, a rent board
ruling that says single family
developing with illegal unit consstutes
a two unit building and is not exemp from rent control unless both are rented together as a single tenancy.
>> that is correct. What he said as
far as the information from the rent board is correct. If there are two
units regardless of legal status that would be two units and therefore they
would not be exempt from price controls
per sunt to the cost of housing act.
It doesn't matter whether both are
legal and one is illegal and one is legal, if there is more than at one
unit the unit rented-if it doesn't
have a separate title to any other unit
it doesn't injie the exemption:
>> just to clarify were the units rented separately or individual? >> our individual is they were and submitted
>> they are separate or together?
>> the appear tonight rented together
to the lease that was signed after the application fimeed. The letter we submitted from former tenant shows it was rented separately when it had a
full kitchen.
>> okay, May second question is regarding the kitchen issue. I know
that you had said there is a focus
whether the kitchen stove was remiveed
in the planning packet material it says the criteria the planning department used are based on 2, the whether the living or sleeping space is used as a separate sleeping space andologist it
dependent on the physical character whether there was a separate entry to
the unit. So, I maybe center to getd
to this when yee we talk to planning department but want to make sure we are
clear if this is hinging on the kitchen
stove or 3 criteria that the planning department used for evaluation.
>> we believe all the factors necessary are present to establish as a separate unit.
>> okay. Supervisor peskin we I move to supervisor mar.
>> thank you Mr. Williams for providing
the photo's and what looks like the
removal of a stove and of that housing
unit in the back. I know as planning comes to the presentation I know I'll
have a number of questions about why planning were not able to figure that out and in some ways what the
responsibility of planning is to in
their analysis. I want to say Mr. Williams you're representing the san
francisco community empowment center
and thank you to theresa decay and
others. You represented a number of
residents in the richmond two years ago
in 2014 around conditional use appeal
of 395, 26th avenue and was the proposed demolition I believe one and a
half units of housing and a small
business space in a similar structure.
I wonder what is the relevance
of our boards support of that appeal to this case?
>> the situation is identical
in my
estimation. The destruction of the rent controlled housing in favor of
constructing 4 stories of new housing
is on opinion. Point. It is also in a commercial district and think degoes to the point housing is protected in
the commercial and residential districts. The neighbors tell me there are 20 other building like this on san
bruno avenue wait toog be demolished if this is.
>> I was going to wait till the departments presentation to ask questions asked by supervisor tang but since those issues were raised I want
to go back to the rent board. My
understanding is that you have at some
point you did have several leases here and maybe before I ask the rent board
maybe I can ask the planning department. My understanding is there are multiple leases to the property at
some point and are in the
record.
>> good afternoon. Ann marie rogers planning department staff and didn't have benefit to review the lease at the
planning commission hearing got leases
from the project sponsor. When the appellate provides information about
the craig's list adit looks thrike the
posting fs employing was
rented together. We didn't call this into question until after the hearing and requested more information from the project sponsor and they praided the lease in [Inaudible]
>> how many leases do we have?
>> one from 2014, one from twnt 15
and one from 2016. 3. Sorry, there is
a 4th lease from 2015, 2016 as well.
>> thank you. Going back to the rent
board, do you have any-just clarify,
different leases for different tenants, is that-I want to clarify that from the
planning department? Separate leases for seperal tenant?
>> the leases-this is one the critical issues for the board to consider is
when you try to figure out how important the existing housing and the benefit it provides the public versus the housing provided in a new project
and in this case whether it is or is
not a unauthorized unit is not in my opinion the most important thing
because if it is a unauthrise unit that affords the highest protection which is
how the plans xhilgz reviewed it. You only need to change the findings if you
felt the unit was not an unauthorized.
Can you remind your question? >> my understanding is there is a lease
in 2014 that there are two looses in
2014 2015?
>> the leasing and part of our replays
talk about it being rented as a single
family house. It is not the most compelling bit of nrgz but it is different information than we had when
we said that we were considering it a unauthorized unit. Between the lease
and rental it looks like there was
shared use. The bedroom said were
labeled not outside unit but bedroom 1
bedroom 2 and bed 3 and 4. >> so, there was separate leases for separate tenants?
>> yes, there were separate
leases for
separate tenants at time. It appeared to be rented together. We don't know if we have access
>> student all the leases mptd
>> I think that is a challenge here.
Going back to the the rent
board, in
your experience how do you-we
have a
single family home with separate leases, how do you treat that in terms whether it is rent control or not?
>> thank you supervisor campos. We do
have a number of cases where the issue
is whether a property that would be
covered byerant control broadly
speaking meaning a single family home
built before 197 9 but the issue in this petition is whether it is exempt
from price increases due to the
cost of hawken's rental housing act. What we
are trying to fish out is whether this
space is separately aminiable for any
other dwelling unit because the exemption applies in situations where the property-the dwelling units has a
separate title to any other dwelling
unit. If we found-it could be the
rooms were rented with separate leases.
The ordinance regardless of legal or
zoning status is trying to
cover
illegal unit. We do make the findings
often and say if we found separate leases that is a strong indicator it is
used as separate units and therefore it is not from the title to another
dwelling unit. So I say
generally that is strong piece of evident that shows it is separate. >> final question because I think part the challenge here is that there is as
you noted the neighbors don't have standing to go to the rent
board to ask
for a determination, it is the
landlord and tenant. Has that acured
here? Has the land lord own tenants
asks the rent board for determination?
>> no, I just checked before I left the
office. One hof the problems for the rent board is the parties before us here don't have standing to file such a
petition and so that goes both ways. We are not speaking individually to the
property and trying to give general answers but nothing is filed that I'm
aware of what so ever. No eviction
notice or anything. >> for purpose of rent control you said the general approach from the rent
board is that thereis a presumption it
is subject to rent control unless it is proven otherwise? >> that is correct. >> thank you.
>> thank you very much. Okay. We will open it up to public comment for any members of the public who like to speak
only in support of the appeal. Can you
please line up too my left, your right if you cht to speak in support of the
appeal.
>> rea [Inaudible] As it is my
intention to attend board of supervisor meetings when given a opportunity such as this, I will comment as I feel appropriate. Looking at the documents posted on the website associate would
this agenda item, I noticed the planning department seems to have spent
the last weekend shorting upen the
case. The facts present thood to the board today are different from those presented to the planning commission
when it approved the project. Several
documents listed on the agenda
items as
post packet material. This was
proneted after the packet was indicated and as a result the appellates didn't have a opportunity to deal with any of
those which were [Inaudible] By the planning commission to late to get into
the packet. Instead of being impartial
the planning department became participants on behalf of the
developer. I question both the
propiety and legalality of using city resources. I'm having it God
government guide quoted to me as the
city policy and it basically says bodies have to give the appearance orphfairness. You are considering dunlts that the appellates never got a
chance to see ton untul one was dated today. One was dated yesterday. Basically how can the appellates do a fair presentation and get a fair hearing if they are dealing with documents that they center never seen?
Basically what this person said
representing them verifies that
fact. I believe this should be supported and
it basically is as many of the members
have said, going to come up again.
>> thank you. Next speaker, please.
>> good afternoon supervisors.
>> please speak directly into hadthe mic.
>> michael wrong. I am a
practicing e
[Inaudible] Since 2003. Next to the
building on 2785 san bruno avenue. The
building is like 4 stories 40 feet
mixed use and the buildings on that
street are usually one story, two
story, 3 story building only. And the
new building will be 4 story qu will not blend in the neighborhood and stick
out like a sore thumb. The
neighborhood is mostly blue caller
families. It is ethnic diverse
neighborhood. The propose project is more affluent resident and display
lower income families. The existing
building is single family. It
sufordable rent control unit. Once rent control building is lost it is
gone forever. We in san francisco need more affordable housing, not less.
Therefore we should oppose the proposed
building on 2785 san bruno avenue. I would like to mention that I
met my
neighbors emily bradley and sons bob
and [Inaudible] From 2005. Emmy and
son live in the main house and older
son lives and sleeps in the illegal unit. Thank you.
>> thank you. Next speaker, please.
>> good afternoon. My name is paul
[Inaudible] I live in the por toly district. I have a business on san bruno avenue directly across the street
from the building in question. The
affordable housing issue is critical
for most people that are struggling
along in the city. I think we really
need to keep what we have. I noted-I
have been in business since 1970 on
san bruno at 2780 so have seen the
changes and I share the
feelings of my
neighbors about wanting to keep housing, affordable housing that we
have. I think we run into a real
critical question of presidents and as
we speaker that began this talked about
this, maybe we have 25 other single family dwelling that certainly
will be
subject to removal. So, I
support the
idea that in this particular case the
housing is very affordable and we really
need it and it really lend a lot of
character to our neighborhood and we want to hang on tathat. Thank you. >> thank you. Next speaker, please.
>> hello. My name is emelia bradley.
[Inaudible] For 5 years. I moved in
2005 and moved out 2010 and my son is
my second oldest son moved into the unit in the back the same time I move
in. That's it. [Inaudible] One
bedroom, one mini kitchen and one
shower room in the back unit. Myosin paid $500 for that but the front house
where I lived occupied for $1
thousand. Thank you.
>> thank you. Next speaker, please.
>> good afternoon. My name is sherman
lee, I live in the neighborhood for all
most 50 years. I have seen the
neighborhood changing here and there.
I'm disabled and if this goes through,
that means the rent will go sky rocket,
so to save low income can't live there
anymore. I moved to san francisco
lived on [Inaudible] At the corner of
wayland and san bruno for all most 50
years and that is pretty much what I
have to say. Thank you.
>> thank you. Next speaker.
>> my name is tiffany [Inaudible]
Located on 2798 san bruno avenue. Low
income families apply for housing and support the future. Thank you.
>> thank you. Next speaker please.
>> [Inaudible] I live in san
bruno.
>> tom I live in san francisco
community [Inaudible] I will
betranslating for him. I will
be the
interpreter.
I support the appeal.
>> thank you, sir. Next speaker, please.
>> hi. My name is [Inaudible] I
support the appeal.
>> thank you. Next speaker,
please.
>> good afternoon. My name is lisa
[Inaudible] And [Inaudible] My name is
[Inaudible] I live in the san bruno
district and I support for this building.
>> thank you. Thank you both.
. I'm done right here. Thank you.
>> [Inaudible] My name is eugene tong
and I hope we remain this type of
affordable renting control
housing.
Tlt st. High priority. Once this kind
of housing is gone we want to
ask you
supervisors [Inaudible] And save this
unit. [Inaudible] Two units affordable rent controlled unit. Thank you.
>> thank you. Next speaker, please.
>> good afternoon. My name is
[Inaudible] I'm the [Inaudible] In san francisco and [Inaudible] For all most
10 years. I have been around the neighborhood for a long time and I saw
the single house been there a long
time. I'm coming tupe the support the neighborhood and [Inaudible] And make
the neighborhood more problems and
accord toog the mayors on announcement
on February 2014 and the mayor say he would like to restore building for
lower income for housing for
low income people. [Inaudible] Tried to help a
lot of seniors to get the housing and
affordable housing and get into like a affordable housing to live. Right now
I do not agree that build never higher
cost and luxury expensive building for
that neighborhood. We would like to
keep the neighborhood the same as now
and make the people affordable to live
in the area and then I'm coming here to
ask donot agree to let the house go
and keep the tenant have more place to live. Thank you.
>> thank you. Next speaker, please.
>> good afternoon. So, my name is
jeffrey and I liveen the neighborhood
all most 20 years. I'm going to
opponent out the most direct problem we
have in the neighborhood. It is parking space for the pest 20 years I
have been living there and people just
can't find a place to park, so building
a story that tall like 4 story high, it
will create like more problems for
parking. I really in my opinion city
is sfozeed supposed to build a parking
lot in our neighborhood like other neighborhoods have a parking lot. I don't like a building that tall. Maybe 3 stories May be okay.
>> thank you. Next speaker, please.
>> hi. My name is theresa [Inaudible]
I'm a executive director for [Inaudible] I think a lot of people
come out today is that we feel
that we
[Inaudible] Have been working for the low income family and 30 people low
income family every day come here to
look to houses and apply for houses. I
think it is a crisis now and everyone
knows about it. What happens if this-I
know that planning department two
months ago we asked to talk
with the
developer. We delay two weeks and the planning department knows it is too
late. Yes, last week just last week the lender, the developer e-mailed to me saying I want to have a meetic with
you. I say okay, but it was on friday
and friday we already have plans, so
she say 4 o'clock. I say 4 o'clock we
can meet and ask the people so that we
can have a meeting but she say she
works. So, it is only for 445. How about monday? Monday cannot because I
have to work. Can you think of the
characters of this? Did she list toon
us and really want to listen to us?
This is what I want other supervisor vote this time with your heart and
really support us, not to build any big buildings in our neighborhood. Thank you so much.
>> thank you. Are there any other members of the public who have not spoken that like to speak in support of
the appeal? Please come
forward. Seeing none, public comment is closed. Now, we will up to 10 minute for a presentation by the planning commission.
>> thank you. [Inaudible] I'm joined by jeffrey spears who is project
planner and robert collin who is the
acting director of the rent board. The decision before you is whether to
uphold or overturn the planning
commissions aprubl of
condition use to
demolish and construct a new 4 story mixed use building with 3 dwelling units and two commercial units. The appellate raising 3 issues. Does the property contain unauthorized unit. Is
the praurnt subject to rent control and were the appropriate findings made. The 4th issue is policy issue that is
the heart of the projects is the
proposed project better for the neighborhood? The question is central
to every conditional use authorization.
Let's review those questions. First,
is the rear space an unauthorized unit?
This is tricky issue because it is difficult to establish the facts and
because city law has done a 180 since
this application was filed.
Entitlement was filed 2014 city law
required the demolition of unauthorized yunlts, now the city encourages the
unit retained. City law doesn't prohibit the removal of the units it requires any proposed removal is considered through conditional youth authorization and that is what the commission did thmpt commission found the rear structure was unauthorized and
then they approved the dim ligz along
with the main structure. Demolition of
unit May be approved as long as the
body considers all the demolition
criteria in section 317 and then finds
the now project to be necessary or
desirable for the community and compatible with the
neighborhood. As the board considers the appropriate
findings let's revee review. Since the
new laz became effective protections
are afford able for a unit established
as independent and it needs to be independent boleth in the physical
characters and in the use. Meant to
insure unauthorized unit don't
use protection because cooking units are
removed and these corrections are not time sensitive they will be invoked at any time in which the space were to be
established as independent. Determining independent use at
any
point in time is very tricky. The
departments tool is affidavit signed
under penalty of perjury. The project sponsor signed a affdaichbt pledging to
the best of their knowledge a unauthorized unit isn't on the property. In this case however, staff was concerned about the rear structure
and so we also conducted a site visit and the viz lt confirmed the rear space is physically independent. The first criteria. It can be entered from the
street. Staff observed used as sleeping quarters and for these reasons
staff determines the space is a unauthorized unit. Since the planning commission hearing there have been new facts called into question whether this space is truly independent in the use.
These new facts include the craig's
list ad and lease which seem to the
tenants had access to the space. The
cooking facilities seem to be removed
in the past, cooking facilities are not prohibited in a single family home are
no longer part the criteria of the independent. Again, the commission fully considered the rear unit to be an unauthorized unit and wnt to approve
the demolition of the main structure.
If the board disagrees with the
commission, and if the board believers
the rear structures functions with the primary structure and not independent use the board May alter the findings. After determining if the rear structure is independent, the main question
remains, should this be grant frd the demolition the structures so the new
project May be built? If that wasn't hard let's go to question 2, does rent control apply? This is a important consideration weighed to remove the
existing dwelling unit and inf the board believes the outdoor space is unauthorized the pelshz application of
rent control should apply to this unit
as well. This question can only be answered by the rent board and while at times the application of rent control
May seem obvious as we have heard under circumstances it isn't intuitive. Rent control as it is commonly understood is
a powerful tool to remain affordable. price protection is set tomarket rate
when the unit is vacant. These factors
need to be cr considered and commission approve the project where the rent
control does notd apply. If the board
believe the it does apply they can
alter the findings. If board wants to
approve or des approve should respond
to the the planning code requirement considering whether rent
control
applies. Let's talk about the findings. Did the commission make the
appropriate findings to approve the removal of the dwelling unit and rear unauthorized unit? This is a bit of a red herring. Whether it comes to the number of units the commission approved the most expansive possibility that the
existing building contains a dwelling
unit and unauthorized unit. The commission made the appropriate finding
to enable the demolition of both and
the new construction. All finding are in the first response and incorrect
what is necessary and qu can give more details if you like t. Is important to note whatever finding the berd determine said are appropriate can be
made in relation to approval disapproval. The the board believers
there are different facts and believes
more desire frbl the community.
Discuss the policy question, is the new project necessary or desirable? This
quegds was at the heart of the commissions deliberation and focus of
public comment at that hearing. It is
in the zoning district to produce 2 to
4 stories building. This kwibes the existing san bruno avenue. The
commission found on this block a 4 story building will compliment the
cairbt as there are many 3 stories
building in a nearby 4 story. The building was well designed and fit into the context. While 1 commissioner did feel parking should by added to the project, the majority of the commission felt the ground floor retail
was a better aadditional to the neighborhood.
The commission found an attractive mished use building will add to the the vibrancy of the street. On the issue
of the benefits of the existing housing verses proposed housing t is appropriate to weigh affordability, the potential application of rent control
and quality of both existing and
proposed dwelling units. This project incruseing the number of housing units
and number of bedrooms and adds store front to the neighborhood. For these reasons the commission approved the project and asked staff to leave the question in the hand of the board.
>> thank you Mrs. Rogers and spl supervisor campos.
>> thank you I don't want to belabor a lot of this. I know there May be other
questions from colleagues but I just go
back to a couple of points. Can you
explain how it is that the planning commission could on one hand say that
this was essentially a unauthorized
unit and then say rent control did not
apply? >> yes, I'll answer that quelgz. I
think this is a case in the very
awkward circumstance where the planning
code requires staff to advise and the planning commission to make findings on something that is both beyond our
expertise and beyond the authority
granted by the rent ordinance. As we heard today only the rent board with make the definitive call and it is not
always clear.
>> in light of that, in light of the
fact there is-you are asked to ask
something not within your expertise,
why would the planning commission air
on the side of aing, no application of
rent control opposed to application of
rent control? That's for the rent
board how they approach it. Rent
control appliesinous it is otherwise proven
>> baits oden what we heard today I
recommend you a-mind those findings.
>> how is it you have a process for determining that it was a separate unit
and now saying it is a single family
dwelling? How did that happen
and what prompted planning staff to make
that
determination and what is the process
you follow because you have something here where it is very confusing for us
on the board of supervisors. You have staff at some point questioning what
the commission concluded, the commission concluded it isn't a single
family home and staff changing its original questioning of the commission.
It is really haven't seen that before.
>> yes. In this case we do have new
information that is provided they called into question the use and will
go back to my original comments which
is new law that came into effect April this year and previously there was much more emphasis on the existence orpha
kitchen. If there is a kitchen you require removal and this permit would
have been legalizing what the city previously would have required which is
remuchbl removal the kipen kitchen
and unit. It looked like they were trying to comply with the law. As the
law changed the construct we reviewed
them was unfamiliar and not intuitive, so in looking at it, our staff was very concerned because it looks like sleeping quarters and so that was a recommendation that in fact the unit
should be considered an unauthrazzed unit and that is how the commission
considered. Now this caiz being raised
we had zoning with the administration
and down and appellate provided new information and it became clear there
are two criteria under the existing code and the ones I described so we
need to not only focus on is the structure independent physically but has it been used independent as a main
structure I that is where there is conflicting information. At any point you have evident before you that they
were used completely independently, then it meets the definition under the code and the law of the day of the
independent unit and should be afforded those protections. >> which is why I'm asking why you are
saying it is not. >> because the evident we have seen in
the craig's list cals it into question. I would say it is unclear and there is
no evident provided it has been
operated independently that you get the information coming in very late. That
is how the response was very late so
May have new information you that
indicates there was ainate use and if there was that is the determining factor.
>> what about the lady who talked about
how she lived in that unit in the back
and there was a kitchen there, how do
you see that?
>> how do I see that? I see that as
the lady who had the son who use it?
That was non definitive. If it was leased separately I believe she said it
was and never heard this testimony
before but that would lead to us believe to say it rfs independent and the commission was correct considering
it to be a unauthorized and independently function and structure
unit. >> just-maybe we can get more clarity
when the project sponsor comes but one
thing I found very confusing and wonder
what your thoughts are is that
on one
hand there-I guess I'm not sure what is
accurate but at some point the project
sponsor labeled the room a workshop so can you tell us what you make of that
because I'm confused what is fact or not.
>> that was the first indication that drewtuse have concern so
because it was labeled workshop but appeared separate
and a bathroom that is what drove staff
to confirm is this at this time a unauthorized unit that should be
removed or is this some part of the
existing house. That is
confusing and
seems misleading. Even though we had a affidavit which is another piece of
evidence from the project sponsor
saying no unauthorized unit staff
believed there was evidence that it
was. We had this conflicting information and it is a struggle for staff and commission and now the board.
>> thank you.
>> thank you sfr visors campos. With
that, we will low up to 10 minutes for the project sponsor or representative
to come forward at this time.
>> thank you. I'm david silverman
appearing on behalf of the wang family who owned the house for the last 2 years mptd they bought the house vacant. At the time they bought it
when they viewed the separate building
in the back it looked to them to be a
workshop. That is why workshop was put on the plans. At that time no one was
living there in the house. I want to oppose the appeal and I
appreciate the questions asked by spl visor
cam
campos and hope I can answer all your
questions. The approved projwill add housing and ground floor commercial space in a neighborhood commercial
dirsricate that abuts the 101 freeway. I don'ts think there is a fear of gentrification on this particular street do the the procimity of the
freeway. This is a extremely positive
contribution to the neighborhood. The
paept raised rent control as a issue.
We ininvestigated that came with the
rent board. The compliance officer in
the office name josh fineman. He advised single family homeerize not
subject to rent control ordinance. On further investigation we turned up the
rent board bulletin submitted to the
board and that bulletin
provides that
even if you can show there is a
unauthorized unit and legal unit
connected with a single family house or
on the same property that is exempt from rent control so long as there is
one house holds. There is one house
confirmed by ann marie. The wangerize
here and can testify and will tell you the first lease fsh a single lease. It
was signed by a group of college students. Anyone who has been to
college or in a group housing situation knows when you move in there is one lease whether there are 4 or 5 students
there are, everch wale people start to
leave when they leave they are replaced
by their friends or by the other roommates friend. Each of those people signs a lease. But the original lease was a single house lease and that is a important point which the planning
staff confirmed. In terms of the illegal unit or claimed illegal unit at the property, we have investigated with the current and former tenant of the
wang's who owned the property since
2014 and found no evidence of illegal
unit. There is a bedroom that is been
in use fairly continuous use but it
doesn't have a kitchen. There was a kitchen or May have been a kitchen 6 years goy. There is no kitchen there now. I reviewed a letter today I
believe submitted by Mr. Williams from
a tenant who lived there in 2010. That
tenant claims there was a kitchen in
the garage. So, let's assume that is true for the sake of argument, there
was a kitchen there. At that
time time
2010, any owner who left a kitchen in their garage chs subject to a penalty
of $500 a day under the planning code
for maintaining an illegal unit. That owner was mandated by the planning code to remove the illegal unit thmpt reway
you remove a unit is get rid of the kitchen. That is what that prior owner
did. It isn't my clients, the wangs it sutin waited and further owner who took
out the kitchen. They took ouz the kitchen because it was required by law
at the time. Under current law,
adopt
in the last year the city encourages illegal unit. That is well and good. No legal education is necessary to know
that a law adopted in 2016 couldn't
have applied in 2010. So, that owner
at that time was obligated by law under severe penalty to remove that kitchen
and they removed it years prior, years prior to the wang's purchase of the
property. I'd like to also address the
claim by Mr. Williams that we need to
keep someone living in the garage
because this affordable housing. It
is not. The lease submitted to the
planning department, which ann marie
has shows the currents rents is $3780 a
month or. This is not affordable by
any measure. There is no affordable
housing being lost. So, in conclusion,
the rent boards bulletin says
that a
single household even with a illegal
unit is not subject to rent coal control. The kitchen was removed. I think we can all agree there
was a kitchen in the garage at some point. A
prior owner removed it required by law
at the time. Had they not done so ann
#34u marie could have lev aeds
a fine
of $500 a day so they did what they had
do and no one ever presented evidence
the wang family did anything wrong. They bought a vacant house and rented
it out and the garage was used as a
bedroom. That's the end of it. There
is no kitchen. There hasn't been a
kitchen for a long time. Happy to answer questions.
>> thank you. Supervisor peskin.
>> I would refer to the district supervisor but just like to say for the
record that I appreciate if counsel
would rerf to sit a staff not by their
first name but my Mrs. Roger. >> thaurng thank you.
>> thank you, with that we will-supervisor campos.
>> thank you supervisor peskin for pointing that out. Just a quick
question. Why not-given the issue oof
whether it is rent control and findings
by the rent board is so central to a
lot of the discussion that keeps coming
back. Why didn't you go to the rent
board and get a determination since
only the landlord or tenant has standing because that can resolve many
questions raised?
>> first of all, we have a very clear rent board bulletin that covers the
situation and have submitded to the clerk and supervisor peskin quoted it earlier.
>> the bulletin covers this specific property?
>> it covers the specific fact situation.
>> what does the bulletin say?
>> singm family dwelling unit
with a illegal in-law unit also constitutes a
two unit building and not exempt from
rent control unless both units are
rented together as a single tenancy. That's what-
>> for someone to determine around the case. There is a general statement
buzz r dut doesn't say we reviewed the iscaand believe that that the facts of
the case meet this bulletin.
>> there has been no prime aphasia case
presented by Mr. Williams. I don't think there is reliable evidence that will lead to the conclusion this is ever rent control. >> that is for us to determine. Why
didn't yoi you go to the the rent board if knrou feel strongly that
applies to this case why nat go to the rent board?
>> to us there was never a case for any
rent control here. It is a single
family home, which is not subject
toerant control or single family home with a bedroom in the garage which is still not subject to rent control. I
don't think there is anything to query
the rent board about. There st.
Nothing there. I think Mr. Williams
very skillfully took a lot of half bake
spaghetti and throw it against the wall to see if it will stick. I don't think anything stuck. Anything further? >> no more questions. Thank you. >> thank you supervisor campos. With
that we will open up to public comment
to members of the public who want to
speak in opposition of the appeal. Are
there any members of the public who would like to speak in opposition
please come forward? Seeing none,
public comment is closed. Okay, the appellate has up to 3 minutes for
rebuttal. >> thank you President Breed. Thank
you members of the board of supervisors
for listening to our appeal. There is
lot to cover here. This is a time and
day for brand new arguments at the hearings and papers handed to you just minutes before the hearing. What you
heard from Mr. Silverman is new that the prior owner took out the kitchen.
That is now where in the brief or in the record. Where is the permit to
remove the kitchen? It isn't vaguely referred to in any of the materials he
submitted. He just submitted a brief saying there is no kitchen and never
was a kitchen and this was never a unit
and it was a workshop. We know that
isn't true because at the same time the
clients subcommitted plans they were
renting it out for habitation. The
presentation by the city was equally
filled with all new material. The
planning commission was never advised
and never came up in any way shape or form regarding rent control.
There is
no findings in the material in front of you from the planning commission on rent control accept for a single sentence which says, there is noerant
controlled unit. It is single family home. I didn't represent these
neighbors at the planning commission, but when I was handed this file and
said a single family home is prime
aphasia under the rent troll ordinance until someone says it isn't. I call thd rent board and conformed that and so if the planning commission had been
told this is a potentially rent
controlled building I think their decision would have been much different. They were not told that and wasn't mentioned in a hearing, I
watched it couple times and there were no findings anywhere in the material.
Necessary and desirable you heard from the community they want this building retained and want to keep the cairblth character of the neighborhood
and keep this inexpensive rental. There are
folks across the street that are ready
to rent it. The new facts clearly this
independent unit existed. The summary in the department and developers would
have you disbelieve your eyes. You can
see there was a stove removed. We
provided the photo's. There is no telling what the stories would have been if a neighbor walked in a week ago
and taken the photo's including the photoof the tenant who are there now.
The evidence is clear, this is
two unit of separate housing and has been for decades probable and needs to be retained.
>> thank you very much. Okay. Colleagues this hearing has been held
and is now closed. This matter is in
the hands of the board of supervisors. With that I like to recognize some visor david campos. >> thank you Madam President and thank
you colleagues for the listening to this item and I want to thank our staff
both from the planning department and
the rent board for being here. I'll
keep this veer very brief. The thing
about this project that became clear
from the moment that I began to review
the record is that even though this is
not a large project relative to what
usually comes before the board, where believer the issues in the appeal are
issues that can have a impact
on city
policy. Specifically on the issue of
rent control and the demolition of controlled unit. To me that is a very
serious issue and have to be careful in
how we handle these issues. To be honest, one of the questions that qu
asked myself when I look at a decision by the planning commission is is there
a way to cure some infurmety in terms of the decision and for me
there are so many questions about how this decision came about. So many questions about how planning, the planning commission,
the planning staff they do good work
with all due respects I think are
questions how they addressed the issues
raised. I'm not convinced that we hand
lds it the way that we needed to handle
these type of issues. I believe that
there is enough evidence in the record here that actually confirms what the planning commission said, which is
there is a second unit here. I think
they actually got that right. I don't
think they got the issue of the rent
control applying correct. I dont think
as a matter of policy and principle we in this board should approve a project
that leads to the demolition of rent control unit. I think we have
to bow
be careful how we street treat those. i don't believe the project sponsor has
met the burden of giving a green light
it is okay to proceed with that
demolition and it disturbs me that the project sponsor could have gone to the
rent board and gotten a determination
if they feel strongly the bulletin covers the fact of the case that is
what they should have kun. I feel bad for the sponsor because I feel counsel
should have done that. With that in
mine rbs I believe the findings show that the planning commission got it
wrong, I do believe this isn't a
single family home and is rent control
and don't believe it is in the
interest to proceed with this project
so make a motion to move table item 23
and move item 24 and 25 forward thereby
disapproving the conditional use authorization and preparing findings
along the lines I explained.
>> supervisor campos made a motion to
approve item 24 and 25 and table 23 and
seconded by supervisor mar rchlt colleagues Madam Clerk could shd
should I do roll call vote on this? >> yes.
>> john gibbener, since I'm the person
work ing with the clerk if the motion
passes just to confirm or clarify the
board will consider the written findings when I come back to you. The conclusion st. The project isn't
necessary or desirable under section
303 based in part on consideration of the various section 317 factors that
the rent board-planning commission
considered but specifically that this
building is subject to rent
control and
flipping that finding in the planning commissions motion and based on the factors including the rent control determination it was a unauthorized unit the project isn't necessary or desirable? >> that correct. >> thank you.
>> okay. With that, on supervisor campos's motion, Madam Clerk can you call the roll.
>> yee, aye. Avalos, aye.
Breed, aye.
Campos, aye. Cohen, aye. Farrell,
aye. Kim, aye. Mar, aye. Peskin,
aye. Tang, aye. Wiener, aye.
>> this is disapproved. Madam Clerk
can we go to back too the central market community business district please?
>> yes. The returned ballots voting
for the modification of the management
district plan and the engineers report
for the stl market is saerfb 1.75
percent and returned gaerns the modification oof the management district plan and engineer rortd for the central market community benefit
district was 28.25 percent. Indicated
there is no majority protest.
>> there is no majority protest can
you please call the roll on
item 27 the resolution modifying the district plan
and modifying the management district plan and engineering report.
>> yee, aye. Avalos, aye.
Breed, aye.
Campos, aye. Cohen rsh aye.
Farrell,
aye. Kim, aye. Mar, aye. Peskin,
aye. Tang, aye. Wiener, aye.
>> the resolution is adopted. Madam
Clerk let's go to jenroom general public comment.
>> the public May comment on items within the subject matter jurisdiction of the board to include the items on the without reference to committee calendar. Public comment is not
allowed knh a item is
previously subiect to public comment. Direct remark tooz
the board as a whole and not individuals and to the audience.
Speakers uses translation or
interpretation assist nss are allowed twice the amounts of time and
fou if
you like to display your document say such and remove the document when the screen returns to live coverage of the meetding.
>> first speaker, please.
>> [Inaudible]
Today I want toshow you
for the last two months our newspapers
doesn't give us nice news. Only like
what you see in [Inaudible] The young
lady [Inaudible] That scandal in oakland
in san francisco and richmond
and
other. [Inaudible] Police
officers doesn't [Inaudible] Who waiting for him
in his home. [Inaudible] For me or you
who [Inaudible] They dopet don't care
about the badge. [Inaudible] Ladies and gentlemen, I have [Inaudible] To
tell to the the mayor ed lee,
[Inaudible]
We need to see where the
money [Inaudible] From our city and
other city. [Inaudible]
How many police officers we have after them?
Let us know what we do and [Inaudible]
>> thank you. Next speaker,
please.
>> good afternoon supervisors. All 6
of you remaining here, 7. I'm peter
warfield executive director of library
users association and glad to see supervisors avalos and yee in
particular. On August the 2 ugaisk a sweetheart deal to friends of san
francisco public library lasting as
much as 25 years. This is a same
friend that we have sfounds keep more
than 90 percent of what they take in
for their expenses and 6 figure salaries. It is the same friends that
take heavy subsidies from the library such as book collection locations at
every branch and mine library. Store
space for a dollar a day and prime
space at the main library. Step sales
that are made from free materials and
other things. Largely this was accomplished I believe through the concealment of what the library was doing with this sweetheart deal for the
friend. What is the rosen we are
taking free space at brocks
hall and
substitute [Inaudible] With 35 year extensions that is more than $26
million. Supervisor yee and committee
asked is there a reason for leaving
brooks hall as it is free and
luis huh
rarea replayed brooks hall isn't
subject to practical alterication. I believe it st. Sig cnts increase the rent has to play on the van ness locationment there was nothing in the discussion that indicated they also
have to book sales and also have the their book collection there and it was never approved by the library and never
commission and never openingly discussed. Please reconsider.
>> thank you. Next speaker, please.
>> I will use a number of slides and
request sfgtv leave the slides on until
I take all of them off. I agroogree
with the prior speaker. This is the
one I showed was a prior year and got
this from the library. Couple days
ago. So, in the lease you agreed to
last week I spoke regarding a fraud perpetrating on the city of san
francisco in the citizen. This
approved a lease [Inaudible] For gift
of $720 thousand in realty this was a
much smaller, 410 $410 thousand.
Contributions from downers totaling
309, 800 falsely creded to the friend.
If you take the contribution
and divide
the estimated spendsing over the year
basically 6.8 percent of what they
raising goes to the library and 94
percent is going to the friends. Basically what I said before is the library commission many times is what
we get for cont bushzs to the friends
is the friends. If you just take a
example like this a basic membership
othe froned is $60 a year.
That $60 if I contribute to the friends by
buying a membership, 4.08 conets to the library and 52.90 cents goes to the the friends
to raise funds. And sue blackman
library commission stated the srf
library or library commission had any responsibility for the deal.
>> thank you Mr. Heart. Next
speaker.
>> [Inaudible]
>> thank you. Next speaker.
>> [Inaudible] We should ban them from america because america is for the people by the people. Another is [Inaudible] Santa rosa 13 years old, check it out. Here is the deal, there
are two realm I'm living in [Inaudible] I got here 2530 years ago
and have a real God and wait for real riches. After 20 years of homeless you
took my sleeping bag and wouldn't give
it back for 2 years. I went on the top
of twin peaks and I lived for 5 years
but I I got up there God said you didn't are a break in here I rose you
above the city. You have lowered me
physically and socially. I'm the one
who rose up God rose me and will be risen so if you hear this you mayp to rerise me.
>> thank you.
next speaker, please.
>> caren [Inaudible] San franciscan for police accountability and speak in support of supervisor cohens motion to
have a hearing before the full board on
the blue ribbon panel transparency accountability and fairness in law enforcement. Earlier today justice for
mario woods and joined by alex nietos
family and [Inaudible] Jessica williams
and san franciscan for police accountability visited offices for urge
your support. San francisco has a long
history of terrible crisis in our
police department followed by studies
and reports that then gathered dust on
a shelf until the next crisis emerges
and it is time to end that pattern. Justice for mario woods continue tooz request a civil rights pattern
and
practice investigation and sfpd
officers charged with murder for mario
woods but can tell we will goat a pattern or investigation any time soon
so in the interim we have a detailed blue print what needs to change. There
is so much racism at sfpd this
report
is 249 pages long. My friend [Inaudible] 81 recommendations
into a
mament matrix of what is heezy and
moderate and dif cut butd need the political will from your attention to
this matter to make sure that these
recommendations actually get
limpmented. We are hosting on saturday at the library. I urge you at
home all you to join us 10 A.M. So we
can discuss this blue print and strat
jz how to get- >> thank you.
Next speaker, please.
>> thank you President Breed and all
the little conspirators. Christopher
doll rr and live at christopher and
howard. I wish to comment on diesel exhaust. That is the fuel of
price for heavy loads. The trucking industry is dependent to deliver those goods which
make our lives so convenient. Our
public transit system dependent on it
to deliver or cherished sevls to the
destinations and the mercedes for high torque and low cost. That ignores
the fuel and environmental cost. Between the pollution from nitrogen
oxide squz car kingynic pollution
diesel is a disaster
[Inaudible]
Openingly exposed her glut ening which
she asked to developer a mu sadeies. I dont think she was joking anymore than
I I didn't think donald trump is
joking. Betairl of district and our city. When the rest simply vote for
diesel powered google buses or tour
buses or muni buses you betray your district and city that any of you claim
the title of environmental champion
however is a joke. Accept the joke is
on us. Thank you for your time.
>> thank you, next speaker,
please.
>> good evening. Mike bouleer prezden of san francisco heritage to speak in
support of supervisor peskins for mta
retaining the van ness avenue street
lamps. The vanness street lamperize the third and last of the street light designs in san francisco after the pass
of light standards both protected as
san francisco city land marks. The van
ness area plan which is adopted as part
the general plan states the street lamps maintains and enhanced to
contribute to the special identity and
the eir for the project conclude that the support poles and street lighterize
the only notable infrastructure element
occurring along van ness that displays
dephrine and esthetic intent. Heritage
is first priority is insure the feasibility of retaining street lamps is evaluated before any
decision are
made. Well, recognizing their significance the eir doesn't include a single preservation
alternative. All alternatives evaluated frathe process propose said removal of the street
lamps. Only now after the historic preservation commission raised issues
regarding the sivic civic center street
lamp is that taking place. The eir is very clear regarding replacement design
should the street lamps be replaced.
The eir acknowledges there is a potential significant visual and
esthetic impact by removing this one feeching that units all van
ness avenue
and prescribes mittgration measure m-ae 2 requiring the replacement support poles and street lights retain the
stite oof the support pole and street lights.
>> thank you. Next speaker,
please.
>> good afternoon supervisors. I'm
speaking in support of item 34.
I'm
lynn [Inaudible] President Of pacific
heights resident we support anded
supported the rt. We hosted and attended community meetings presented
bay mta and reviewed design altturnatives from brt and heard no
hint the 200 plus historic street lamps
would be destroyed. Mta's plan for the
lamps went under there radar. As cities go san francisco husband a short urban history but evidence in the
beautiful room in this beautiful
building we treasure our public architecture. That's why it is ironic
that a city that saves historic street
lamps in other areas and rep ricus on
streets like dolores, deviz dareo and
octaveia that was a freeway is
considering destroying over 2 miles of
north of market history on van ness.
It is also ironic and a eliteest the
only section of van ness where the
destruction of the street lamps is discussed here thip civic center where the street lamps are icing on
the cake.
The only induring element of beauty and pride on the rest of van ness are
the historic street lamps. Please
support the resolution before you and help preserve this part of our beauty
and civic pride for generation s of
visor its and san franciscan to come.
>> thank you, next speaker, please.
>> God evening. For those who dopet know what is san francisco buft is it
is a organization founded in 1947 to
stop the demolition of our iconic cable
cars. Since that time we have started
a city wide-we were the first
organization to have a sate wide tree
planting program. We saved the wind
mills on ocean beach and lit the palace
of fine art and also fath fought to preserve the lights along market street. I come before you to urge you
to support supervisor peskins resolution on the historic lamps on van
ness boulevard. The unique beauty of
these lamps are just one of several geo
graphic markers that sep rate san francisco from other cities around the
world and those types of geographic
marks like the lamps and cable cars
show up in pictures that is they are in
san francisco and something recognized
world wide. Van ness is undergoing
massive change. These historic lamps
enhance the street by created a history
to the new concept for van ness. A
beautiful marriage of past and future. We urge you to respect san francisco history by saving the lamps on van ness
and do reuse and recycle instead of throwing them away.
>> thank you Mrs. Brown and before we go to the the next speaker I want to recognize supervisor campos.
>> thank you. Just want to thank the
district of portla wait toog speak and thank you for being here and the support means a great deal and you
don't have to all speak if you want to
limit that but I want to say thauchck for thank you for waiting.
>> thank you very much. Next speaker.
>> hi. [Inaudible] And I'm here
representing the san francisco
victorian alliance. [Inaudible] Our
organization supports the preservation
of these street lamps. The beauty not
only today but for the future
generations. So, these iconic features
are important to the identity
of our
city and we would like to see them continue in their grand
fashion. Thank you.
>> thank you. Next speaker, please.
>> good evening. I'm greg scott.
Today I'm speaking as the treasurer of coalition for san francisco neighborhood who voted 92 endorse and support supervisor peskins resolution
to preserve and keep these histtoric
street lights. They are a important
part of character and should be
maintained. The very modern light
fixtures the mta is proposing to
replace is inappropriate and it is
[Inaudible] Please keep in mind the coalitions support for this as well. Thank you.
>> thank you. Next speaker, please.
>> my name is joan keeny and I'm a
member of the justice for mario woods
coalition and I would like to try to
emphasize and remind you or at least
bring something to mind that
has to do
with the true murder and this was a
murder of mario woods. Many of you
have already seen the video on television and what is clear from the
view of the video and from the
newspaper that there were a semi circle
of 5 policeman facing him against a
wall or building and behind him were a
larger gathering of san
francisco
policeman. And unfortunately whether
mario woods had a knife in his pocket
or knife in his hand, he was shot and
killed by the 5 policeman who put 20
bullets in him and I just want to tell
you how emoral and unnecessary,
unnecessary that was. How could a
group of 10, 15, 20 policeman -thank you.
>> you have 28 seconds.
>> how could they not subdo this man? thank you very much.
>> thank you. Next speaker, please.
>> good evening. Dan weaver and
speaking about the van ness avenue
light standards. Trying to landmark
them in the past after the golden triangle lights were marked
with san
-I
find out the eir which is the policy
for this project is no longer relevant
which is a very puculiar process of
city government in eir life I must say.
Want to mention that the report
observes that the street light standards are at their best in front of
city hall on van ness avenue because
the architecture and lack of signage,
but also because it demonstrates the connection between the building of the
civic center and the light standards
and also reflects the history
of the
1915 exposition. They go on to say they shouldn't be moved but
could be changed the changes are add 5 feet to
the height of the pole and sidewalk
light and street light on the pole. Rebuilding it completely so they look
like they do now with those additions
would fine. I also support supervisor peskins motion. Thank you.
>> thank you. Next speaker,
please.
>> my name is mojumeal and [Inaudible] Chair of middle polk neighborhood association. Speak in favor of
the
this resolution supporting street lamps
of van ness. All of us supporting this are in support of the project. We are not trying to delay the project or shut it down. We cht it to go forward
however with the care and thoughtfulness about our
history. We
have a tonight opportunity to fix a oversight. I think it is a easy fix.
For our neighbor jz have 7 muni routes.
People use transit and want better
transtd but don't need to throw
our
history under the bus so urge the supervisors to support it today.
>> thank you. Next speaker please. >> david [Inaudible] Resident of the
[Inaudible] Southeast. Here to show my support and that can the board for their consideration for the naming of
the portla. Thank you very much. As
a resident I say there is a deep
history, rich history of garden
identity and I think as you can see from the support there is a growing emergence of a idea that
celebrates the history both in current features of the
neighborhood as well as vision for the future. Thank you for your consideration. >> thank you. Next speaker recollect please.
>> bona bridges and I am a resident the
port ladistrict. I am here to
and and
for your support naming the district a
garden district. I love happening in the neighborhood with all the gardening
and have a robust garden to ur.
Our garden is on it 3 times so I wanted to
just say thank you supervisor campos for bringing this to the table and I strongly encourage you to spirit support this. J >> thank you. Next speaker, please.
>> hi. My name is alisa [Inaudible]
Also a resident hof it portla district
for 8 years and I think a lot of people
will talk about the history of the neighborhood so I want to talk about the people who are there now and all the groups and effort that have been going on for years there including the
annual garden tour, the neighbors group that transformed a hill side and
maintained it ever since. The
[Inaudible] Bee farm along a strip along the freeway thmpt green house
project represented here today. There
is help mclaren park and greening committee who created a greening plan
for the portla which includes planting
and art and other structural impacts.
On behalf of all the other neighborhood organizations we are thrilled about the resolution, thank you supervisor campos and we are excited to see the city
support for the port la district which
is long over looked in civic investment.
>> hi. My name is shay england and
coowner of [Inaudible] With my husband
kevin. We have a small brewly on san
bruno avenue and bustling corridor. In a short time we have been there we have grown to love the neighborhood and the
local resident who reside their. They
take such pride forming the committee
mpt I heard long time members
of the
portla neighborhood lument how beautiful it was known as san francisco
garen. With 80 with 101 built it is separated from the greater part enough
city. I center customers who ask where
am I? Is this still san francisco?
And see little green space and in
support of designated the portla as the garden dirsricate. It attracts teepal
people to stop and frequent and fall in love with it just as we have. Thank you. >> thank you. Next speaker, please.
>> good afternoon. Tom hayden, I'm a
resident of the portla and delighted to
be here with neighbors tonight. My
family and I live on wailened street a
block is a half from the gran house
plot. Wuns our neighborhood was
covered with green houses. My block
before my house was built in 1948 was a block. To this day when I work the garden with my young children we find
remanence of the history. Shards of
glass left from a green house. Water pipes that carried water down to the
crops and flowers that beautifulide san
francisco. The portla changed a lot
ovthe last 70 years but a
neighborhood
of gardeners. Quh quh when I look
out the window and see a secret garden,
is sea of green. You can't see from
the street but all our neighbors
garden. We have the original lemon
tree. The neighbors are loquat trees.
I grow [Inaudible] And beans along
with parsley and sage and carats. Our neighborhood is changing with the rest
of the city it will change
more but one think has not changed but
we are gardeners and the garden district and appreciate you recognizing that fact. >> thank you.
>> good eechb evening. Thank you for the opportunity. Cell a [Inaudible] A second generation san franciscan in the
sec generation port lowen. My father
and siblings all 13 of them were born
and raised in a house on dredge street
at man slfelt growing up we lived next door on brussel street and spent a lot
of time at my grandmothers house. It
is a much different neighbor now than
it was back then. There is a majority
of the vacant lots and green housing
are filled with housing. In the city
that provides itself on diversity incredible architecture and fabulous
open spaces I am here today
push for
revitalivation our roles as neighborhood steward curbing infill and
revibeing our identity as the garden district. Our area no longer feeds the
cityicize as in the past, but the idea
of feeding our families from public fward garden space is exciting.
We
believe firmly as neighborhood care takers. Caring for our place provides examples for the young people the
neighborhood and beyond. Port luare interest in neighborhood pride and have
the desire and ability to transform
open space into vibrant color ful
garden that combine beauty and utility. Many have the education to care for
the public spaces. We can do it, we
already have. We are not buno heights or the mission or bayview, we are the
port luand support this measure. Give
the porta back the identity as the guardsen district. Thank you.
>> thank you. Next speaker, please. >> my name is barbara [Inaudible] A 40
year resident of san francisco. Been
in the port lusince 1999 after evicted
from apartment in the first dot com
boom. All I grow in my yards is weeds about greatly appreciate the garden district designation for the port
lubecause it will get us recognition,
it will help with our economic
development and it might get us included in the map up in the tower of
the [Inaudible] You May recognize we are part the city. Thank you.
>> thank you. Next speaker, please. >> ceb [Inaudible] Resident of the port
lu. A new transplant from the castro
[Inaudible] When I moved to the port
luit was a nerve-wracking because I did chbt know that was a neighborhood to be
honest. What I noticed was there was
very few trees so I jumped in and
raised fund. I got spote from neighbors and raise funds for 12 trees planted in the neighborhood. From that
I was invited to join the portia urban
greening committee and we have been
wurbic diligently to add elements of
buty and greening in the neighborhood and excited to be a part hof it neighborhood that is so devoteed to its
identity and I really urge you to pass
this resolution. Thank you.
>> thank you. Next speaker recollect.
>> hello, my name is robin hui. My family are long time resident of inport
lu. My dad grew up on
[Inaudible] And grandma would grow lemons and apples.
It does speak to identity of the
neighborhood. We relied on the fruits.
I grew up next to [Inaudible] Family
and [Inaudible] Green houses. I am a few resident in the neighborhood lucky to grow up within the history of the
gren housing and to learn from folks quhoo cultivated the neighborhood and originally lived in the neighborhood and built it up. I support this
resolution because it is the next step strengthening the neighborhood and honoring the histly and legacy to the
city. I studied landscape architecture in college and just graduated and a lot the neighborhood is
a part of me so I'm fully in support of
the resolution and hope it is something help future generation learn about the
history and be active in the garden identity. Thank you.
>> thank you, next speaker please.
>> alisha bishop. Thaumg for hearing
us. I am a supporter of the garden
district. I live in the port luand have a 9 year old boy and speaking of
the trees we were lucky to plant one
of the trees. This is a tree.
He is on wailened street. If you want to
check it out. I'm from iowa and we
grow a lot of things there, but I
didn't become interested into garening
until I muchbed to this area. we live close the green houses and the history
of the neighborhood is fascinating and beautiful getting to know the residents
there a long time and finding whout is there and want my son to learn about that and love the diversity we have
there and hope that you do pass the
measure and we are the garden
district. J thank you.
>> alex hobs a resident of the port lu.
I had a speech but I'll skip that and
speak from the heart. My partner moved to the the port luabout two yoors gow eand priced out of the cast row. We didn't know whut we were getting into but connect would our neighbors so
quickly through events like the port
lugarden tour and the garden at the end
of the street and spen more time hanging out in the port luthan we do on castro street which is a surprise. It
all came through gardening and we have
our next do neighbor susan 75 years old and chinese and doesn't speak english
and I speak no cantonese butd we connect in the garden. It is rare to
live in a community that is a vaiberant
working class community with roots
deeply in the agriculture past. We
support it and since I'm up here put a
shout frup the lights on van ness. When friends come to visit I opponent
out the loilths and think they are cool so please save them. It is what makes san francisco san francisco the same as the garden district.
>> thank you.
>> May name is [Inaudible] And I'm the
program manager otthe green house
project and want to give a thanks to supervisor campos introducing the resolution. There are so many community members out here today that she this as a key step to build thg neighborhood and recognizing not only
its rich deeply rooted history but aults the contemporary culture taking
on a new life so want to saw they think
again and I urge the board to sporetd
support the resolution and to the team,
we will take a photooutside after we are done. Thank you so much.
>> thank you. Next speaker, please.
>> tom gillbirty. Two minute to influence change the direction the city seems like it is a green party day
today. Happy to be involved with it myself. Global warming the city plans
to issue bon bonds in 30 years. Take
care oof that problem. Police issues.
Police officers. Involved with
community involvement. How about
police men and women living in the
city, their kids going to school and becoming friends with our kid rchlt
peace officers, how about casual light
police belts? Starting some
experimental shifts gun less. You walk into a naibd and the neighborhood knows
you are not going shoot them. How
about local san francisco neighborhood
recruiting? We need kids to be police
people. Be agpolice person can be a
cool job. You can be a cool person.
Fact, sugar creates tooth decay. In
housing market rate apartments are
neighborhood decays. They cavity in
the tooth and void in the neighborhood. We need rent control for
the entire city. Renters need dividend
with the property is sold. Housing
needs to go to dedicated housing for
the people in the neighborhood. New housing and condo ownership should be a
city ren register. Know who lives where. I'm running out of time. Have
a good day y'all.
>> thank you. Any other members who like to provide public comment at this time? Seeing none, public comment is
closed. Madam Clerk, can you please read the without reference to committee
items.
>> 31-37 being considered for adoption without committee reference. A single
roll call May enact, a mb member May object. >> item 34.
>> anybody else? Alright. 46.
Supervisor campos?
>> 37. >> remaining items call the
roll.
>> 31, 32, 33 and 35. Yee,
aye.
Avalos, aye. Breed, aye.
Campos, aye.
Cohen, aye. Farrell, aye. Kim, aye.
Mar, aye. Peskin, aye. Tang, aye.
Wiener, aye.
>> iletms are adopted. Please call
item number 34.
>> item 34 is urge the san
francisco municipal transportation agency to
preserve the character of the vanness
corridor street lamps. >> supervisor peskin.
>> thank you. Firs of all I want to
thank you the coalition to save the street lampoffs van ness avenue and members including san francisco beautiful, san francisco heritage victorian alliance, coalition for san francisco neighborhoods, particularly
lynn newhouse siegel. This is not a
effort to halt the van ness brt but preserve the history and character of
san francisco. As renew things we can save the past and do new things. These concepterize not exclusivement if you
look in the eir so many diagrams so the
historic street poles. This is a
resolution calls upon the mta and those
representatives here I know you can
figure it out. This is the satey that
goes how. With a little ingenuity it
isn't tee too late. We can speed up
buses and have light-rail brt and
preserve a little of our patrimony and
history. Those thingerize s are not
excluse ive and I have a few very brief amendments I passed out to all of you
that are just technical in nature
changing the number of street lamps moving-changing bay treat street to north point street. They are small technical in naich rb so like to move those amendments before you. >> supervisor peskin made a motion to amend seconded by avalos. Can we take the amendments without objection the without objection the
