San Francisco Board of Supervisors Meeting - February 11, 2025

Muni Funding Crisis

• Muni facing $300+ million annual structural deficit
• Potential 4% service cuts planned for summer 2025
• Supervisor Melgar questioned Mayor about preventing service cuts
• Multiple public commenters urged Board to find funding solutions
• Current weekday ridership around 500,000 daily boardings

Police Department Matters

• New hospitality zone task force announced for downtown safety
• Discussion of police pursuit policy following recent crash incident
• Supervisor Fielder submitted inquiry about police chase that injured 6 people
Performance audit revealed concerns about overtime spending

Board Appointments

Several supervisors appointed to external boards:

• Supervisor Mahmoud - Bay Area Air Quality Management District Board
• Supervisor Chan - SF Bay Conservation & Development Commission
• Supervisor Sadr - Golden Gate Bridge Highway Transportation District Board
• Supervisor Melgar - Metropolitan Transportation Commission

Public Comment Themes

• Strong support for maintaining Muni service levels
• Concerns about taxi industry challenges
• Discussion of teen dating violence awareness
• Comments about homeless services and housing

Notable Actions

• Board approved $526,000 for free parking and transit during Lunar New Year
• Referred police equipment policy back to Rules Committee for amendments
• Approved multiple grant agreements for community programs
• Adjourned in memory of several community members including civil service commissioner F. X. Crowley

Muni Funding Crisis

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (Muni) is facing a severe financial crisis, with an annual structural deficit exceeding $300 million. During the Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Melgar highlighted the critical nature of this situation, noting that "nearly one third of san franciscans do not own a car and rely on public transportation to get to work to school and to complete daily errands."

The immediate threat includes a proposed 4% service reduction planned for summer 2025. According to public testimony, these cuts could result in significant service changes, including ending service hours earlier and increasing wait times up to 45 minutes on some routes. The city's Chief Economist Ted Egan emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that "if we don't have a solvent transit agency we will never have an economic recovery."

Despite the financial challenges, Muni maintains substantial ridership, with approximately 500,000 daily boardings on weekdays. Mayor Daniel Murray acknowledged Muni's vital role, noting that "over 60% of all regional transit trips start or end in san francisco."

The meeting saw significant public engagement on this issue, with multiple speakers urging the Board to find immediate funding solutions. One transit advocate pointed out that the agency has already implemented various cost-saving measures, including a hiring freeze, streamlined scheduling, and increased fare enforcement, but these measures alone cannot address the deficit. Several speakers emphasized that the cuts would disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including seniors, disabled residents, and low-income communities who rely heavily on public transportation.

The immediate challenge is finding $15-50 million to prevent this year's service cuts while developing a longer-term solution for the larger structural deficit. The Board and Mayor are considering multiple funding approaches, including potential local and regional revenue measures for the 2026 ballot, though no specific funding commitments were made during the meeting.

Police Department Matters

New hospitality zone task force announced for downtown safety

The Mayor announced a new San Francisco Police Department hospitality zone task force aimed at improving downtown safety and stimulating economic recovery. During his address to the Board of Supervisors, Mayor Daniel Murray emphasized that this initiative would extend beyond upcoming major events: "Last week supervisor dorsey and souder joined me to announce the san francisco police department hospitality zone task force which will main which will make downtown safe and kickstart our economy."

While the task force will support security during the NBA All-Star Game and Lunar New Year parade, the Mayor stressed its permanent nature: "The hospitality zone task force will be an important part of our public safety plan for this weekend nba all-star game and then lunar new year parade. But it will continue after those events are done."

The Mayor positioned this initiative as part of a broader strategy to revitalize the city, stating that "The hospitality zone task force will provide residents and visitors with the security they deserve 365 days a year." He further connected this to economic development, describing it as part of their "diversified strategy to get san franciscans back to work, clean up our streets and welcome more people to our city." The Mayor concluded by emphasizing that "San francisco is open for business conferences, tourism and the community events that make our city special."

The announcement reflects the administration's attempt to address both immediate security needs for major events while establishing a lasting presence to support downtown's recovery and safety initiatives.

Discussion of police pursuit policy following recent crash incident

The Board discussed concerns about police pursuit policies following a serious incident that occurred on Super Bowl Sunday (February 9, 2025). According to Supervisor Fielder, who represents the district where the crash occurred, a police chase that began at Stonestown ended in the Mission District when the pursued vehicle crashed into a parklet, injuring six people including "a mom and a child who were sent to SF General under a red code."

The incident raised significant questions about SFPD's pursuit policies, particularly in light of recent policy changes. As Fielder noted, "Voters passed Prop 8 last year which among other things expanded the criteria for vehicle pursuits to allow SFPD greater discretion in those decisions." She highlighted concerning statistics: "between 2018 and 2023, before this new policy was implemented, SFPD reported 150 police chases. 38% of these ended in a collision."

In response to the incident, Supervisor Fielder submitted a letter of inquiry to SFPD Chief Scott seeking clarification on multiple aspects of the pursuit, including "what were the circumstances surrounding this chase and what was the top speed of the police car or cars involved" and "how did this incident comply with current SFPD policy." She emphasized that "San Francisco's new vehicle pursuit policy loosens restrictions on vehicle chases beyond that of most other major American cities."

The supervisor expressed particular concern about whether the pursuit was warranted given the risk to public safety, noting that current policy "calls for police to safely apprehend a fleeing violator without unnecessarily endangering the public and/or officers." She stressed that "public safety requires holding all people accountable for the harm that they cause no matter who causes it."

Performance audit revealed concerns about overtime spending

The San Francisco Police Department's overtime spending came under scrutiny following a performance audit by the Budget and Legislative Analyst's office. In fiscal year 2022-2023, SFPD's overtime expenditures reached $108.4 million, with a notably disproportionate distribution among officers. The audit revealed that just 12% of officers accounted for 32% of all overtime hours worked.

The investigation uncovered several concerning patterns in overtime management and leave usage. Over a five-year period, there was a 77% increase in sick leave and injury-related leave among sworn staff, with patterns suggesting potential abuse of these systems. The department failed to properly enforce absenteeism policies and did not adequately monitor attendance.

The audit identified specific violations of the department's Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Police Officers Association, resulting in 51,000 ineligible "10B" overtime hours between 2020 and 2023. Documentation issues were prevalent, with 13% of overtime cards showing improper approval, including missing or duplicate signatures, and some cases where officers approved their own overtime.

A particularly troubling finding concerned special initiatives spending: "SFPD spent over 30.8 million in general fund dollars on 319,945 overtime hours for special initiatives without clear performance metrics or oversight." This lack of accountability in special initiative overtime spending highlighted systemic failures in financial management and oversight within the department.

These findings prompted Supervisor Walton to call for a hearing to address these systemic failures, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in how public safety dollars are spent. The audit's revelations come at a particularly sensitive time, as the city faces broader budget challenges and scrutiny over public safety spending.

Board Appointments

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors made several key appointments to external regional boards during their February 11, 2025 meeting. Each appointment required formal motions and separate votes, with the appointed supervisor being excused from voting on their own appointment.

Supervisor Belal Mahmoud was appointed to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District Board of Directors for a term ending February 1, 2029, or until the conclusion of his term as supervisor, whichever comes first.

Supervisor Connie Chan received two appointments: one to the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, and another to the Free City College Oversight Committee. Both appointments were for indefinite terms, contingent upon her continued service as a supervisor.

The Board appointed Supervisor Danny Sadr to the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District Board of Directors. His term will run until January 31, 2027, unless his supervisorial term ends before that date.

Lastly, Supervisor Myrna Melgar was appointed to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission with a term ending February 10, 2027, or at the conclusion of her term as supervisor. This appointment was particularly significant given her earlier questioning of the Mayor regarding Muni funding during the same meeting.

Each of these appointments strengthens San Francisco's representation on crucial regional bodies that oversee transportation, environmental protection, and educational initiatives throughout the Bay Area. The appointments were all approved with strong support from the Board, demonstrating a unified approach to regional governance participation.

Public Comment Themes

Strong support for maintaining Muni service levels

The public comment period revealed significant community concern about potential cuts to Muni service. Multiple speakers, including transit advocates and everyday riders, emphasized Muni's critical role in San Francisco's infrastructure. Cyrus Hall, speaking as part of the "Muni Now Muni Forever" campaign, highlighted that while Muni currently operates at 80-90% of pre-pandemic service levels, many routes are "bursting at the seams with riders." He specifically noted that proposed cuts would reduce the 36 Teresita line to one bus every 45 minutes.

Healthcare workers and patients expressed particular concern about access to medical facilities. Dr. Young, who works at various Sutter hospitals across the city, emphasized that many patients "either don't own a car or they can't drive and they rely on Muni to get to their doctor's appointments." This concern was echoed by senior citizens, with one resident, Natalia, noting that proposed cuts would eliminate bus service on Sutter Street, affecting elderly residents who need transportation to Kaiser Hospital and grocery stores.

The economic implications of service cuts were also highlighted. Sara Greenwald from 350 San Francisco noted that Muni serves "half a million" riders daily even after COVID. Lisa Platt, a District 2 resident, argued that "no viable system has trains that stop running at ten" and emphasized how reduced service affects small businesses: "I could have bought one more drink at the saloon but then it would have cost me $25 to get home."

Several speakers urged the Board to find immediate solutions to prevent the proposed 4% service cuts this summer. Hymie Viloria from the Muni Now Muni Forever campaign pointed out that Muni has a "73% approval rating, the highest in 23 years" and argued that allowing the transit system to deteriorate would result in problems similar to those facing housing and drug crisis management in the city.

Concerns about taxi industry challenges

The taxi industry's struggles emerged as a significant concern during public comment, with drivers describing severe financial hardships and systemic challenges. Multiple speakers highlighted the devastating impact of ride-sharing companies and regulatory policies on their livelihoods.

One driver detailed the financial burden of medallions, explaining that he paid $250,000 for his medallion while others had previously obtained theirs for $125,000. This price disparity has created significant inequity among drivers, with some paying substantially higher interest rates and carrying heavier debt loads for the same operating rights.

The speakers portrayed an industry in crisis, with one driver emotionally stating, "We're worried how to feed our families. We're worried how to pay our bills and we are stressed all the time." The same speaker emphasized how the industry's decline has shattered the American Dream for many immigrant drivers: "We don't have future. We don't have a dream to come to America. Even our families, I mean like our kids, nobody has that dream - is killed and is killed by you city and is killed by MTA."

The drivers described extremely difficult working conditions, with one noting that they might "sit for six hours at the airport and get somebody from there and just to trip is not going to be good enough to pay your bills and feed your kids." They called for immediate intervention from the Board of Supervisors, requesting consideration of medallion price adjustments and broader industry reforms to address what they characterized as unsustainable operating conditions.

The drivers' testimonies painted a picture of an industry that feels abandoned by city leadership, with one speaker explicitly stating that while other states have taken action to help taxi drivers, San Francisco has left them in an untenable position of "slavery" to their medallion debt and operating costs.

Discussion of teen dating violence awareness

The Board received testimony about Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, with Taylor, a youth prevention coordinator from Revolt Against Domestic Violence, providing key statistics and context. According to the CDC data shared during public comment, the issue significantly impacts high school students, with "1 in 12 dating high school students will experience sexual violence and 1 in 12 will experience physical violence" from a dating partner within a 12-month period. Some students experience both forms of violence, leading to a total of approximately one-third of high school students experiencing dating violence by graduation.

The initiative represents a collaborative effort between multiple organizations, including the San Francisco Youth Commission, Asian Women's Shelter, and the San Francisco Unified School District. The partnership aims to promote healthy relationship skills in accordance with the California Healthy Youth Act while raising awareness about intervention resources for youth aged 12-24 who are either experiencing or perpetrating dating violence.

Director Wonder School Garcia from the San Francisco Youth Commission highlighted ongoing challenges, including cuts to legal aid for youth facing domestic violence and concerns about Title IX modifications that could affect local youth. The Commission expressed its commitment to continue working with partners like Asian Woman Shelter and Black Women Revolt to advise both the Board of Supervisors and the mayor on these issues.

This marks the second year of the city's official recognition of Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, with Supervisor Shamann Walton credited for supporting its inaugural presentation to the Youth Commission. The resolution received broad support, with participants wearing orange in solidarity with the cause during the meeting.

Comments about homeless services and housing

During public comment, significant concerns were raised about the treatment of homeless individuals and families in San Francisco. One speaker, Liam McKeever, highlighted a particularly urgent situation involving disabled homeless people living in RVs in the Bayview district who were facing imminent eviction by police. McKeever criticized the city's response, noting that "$15.5 million have been wasted on this experiment" and suggested the money would have been better distributed directly to those in need.

The speaker also shared concerning details about conditions at the Hamilton Family Shelter, recounting a meeting where homeless families expressed their struggles. According to McKeever, families were facing dire circumstances, with some children experiencing depression and contemplating suicide due to their housing situation. He emphasized the need for "real shelter to stable housing solutions" so families wouldn't have to "exit onto the streets with their kids."

The critique extended to city leadership's approach to understanding homelessness. McKeever quoted a city official who said he "couldn't imagine what these families are going through," using this to argue that perhaps those who have experienced homelessness should be given more authority in decision-making, as they would "act with the urgency this requires." A powerful quote from one of the affected individuals emphasized the psychological toll of homelessness: "every day is like a year."

The speaker also pointed out potential ADA compliance issues, mentioning that "residents at the site have also complained about the failures to accommodate people with disabilities, prompting investigation by HUD." This suggests systemic issues in how the city's homeless services accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Notable Actions

Board approved $526,000 for free parking and transit during Lunar New Year

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance to appropriate $526,000 from the general reserve to support two Lunar New Year initiatives. The first component provides free two-hour parking at the Portsmouth Square parking garage from January 28th through February 28th, 2025. The second component covers transit fares during the Lunar New Year parade weekend, specifically February 15th and 16th, 2025.

This allocation drew criticism during public comment, particularly from transit advocates who contrasted it with Muni's broader funding crisis. One speaker, Ethan Adler, pointedly noted: "As the mayor said, we have a real budget crisis and we have a real and muni has a real budget crisis that's going to lead to service cuts. Yet in the hour and a half that I was sitting here... I already found $526,000 that we could have used to solve the budget."

Another commenter, Lisa Platt, highlighted the perceived misalignment of priorities: "We just transferred a half million dollars to cover free parking for a month and transit for two days. So that's that's one of the messages that we're sending and how we're thinking about spending our dollars."

The ordinance passed on first reading with unanimous support from the Board, despite these public concerns about the allocation of funds during a period of significant transit budget constraints.

Referred police equipment policy back to Rules Committee for amendments

The Board of Supervisors discussed Item 24, which concerned the San Francisco Sheriff's Office's military equipment use policy and inventory for 2024. The item specifically dealt with approving requests for additional equipment purchases. Supervisor Chan proposed sending the item back to the Rules Committee for amendments, particularly regarding the acquisition and usage guidelines for pepper ball launchers.

The proposed amendments would add four specific safety requirements to the policy:

1. Never point or discharge the launcher at anything not intended as a target
2. Acknowledge that increasing velocity raises the risk of death and injury
3. Never discharge the launcher at others' personal property
4. Keep all pepper ball projectiles and launchers out of children's reach

Supervisor Walton supported sending the item back to committee, citing existing concerns about chemical weapons usage. He specifically referenced an incident where children at a San Mateo County school located near the jail were affected by chemical agents during testing and training at the San Bruno County jail site. As Walton stated: "There continues to be an ongoing investigation of the harms of these chemical weapons used by the department and so this is always been a red flag for me."

When questioned by the Board, Chief John Ramirez of the Sheriff's Office indicated they had no objection to the Rules Committee reviewing the matter further. The motion to send the item back to committee passed unanimously with 11 votes in favor.

Approved multiple grant agreements for community programs

The Board of Supervisors approved several significant grant agreements to support community programs in San Francisco. The largest was a $12.4 million, five-year grant agreement with Young Community Developers (YCD) running from July 2024 through June 2029. This grant supports two key programs: Black to the Future and the School Site Mentoring Program. Supervisor Walton, who previously worked for YCD, recused himself from this vote to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest.

Additionally, the Board approved a $10.4 million agreement with Bay Area Community Resources for multiple youth-focused initiatives, including the Sunset Media Wave, Reset Justice Collaborative, the Youth Line Technology Pathway, and Career Pathways for Undocumented Youth. This represented a $1.5 million increase to the existing contract, maintaining the original five-year term through June 2030.

The Board also approved a grant agreement modification with Catholic Charities for their SF Home Rapid Rehousing Program for Families. This amendment extended the grant term by 16 months and increased funding by approximately $4.7 million, bringing the total to $14.5 million. The program's term now runs from July 2018 through June 2026.

These approvals demonstrate a significant investment in community programs focusing on youth development, career preparation, and housing support for vulnerable populations. All grants passed with strong support from the Board, reflecting their alignment with the city's priorities for community development and social services.

Adjourned in memory of several community members including civil service commissioner F. X. Crowley

The Board of Supervisors paid tribute to F.X. Crowley, a prominent San Francisco civic leader who passed away on the morning of February 11, 2025. Multiple supervisors offered remembrances, with Supervisor Dorsey noting that Crowley was "a true son of San Francisco, a long-time labor leader, a conscientious civil service commissioner, and an admired and beloved leader of San Francisco's Irish-American and Roman Catholic communities."

Supervisor Melgar provided detailed context about Crowley's labor contributions, noting that he began his career in 1982 as a stagehand with the San Francisco Opera before rising through union leadership. He joined IATSE Local 16 as a union member and was elected president in 1994, before becoming business manager in 1997 - a position to which he was elected for seven consecutive terms.

His public service extended beyond labor leadership. Crowley served as Port Commissioner from 2010 to 2012 and on various other civic bodies, including the San Francisco Travel Board of Directors and the San Francisco-Cork Sister City Committee. He was also noted for his work as a skilled labor negotiator and mediator through his own consulting firm.

The impact of his passing was evident in the chamber, with Supervisor Dorsey acknowledging that many were still processing the news: "For those of us who knew F.X. as a friend, I think we still have some processing and grieving to do before we can collaborate on an in memoriam that is fully worthy of F.X.'s remarkable legacy to the city he loved." The Board extended condolences to his wife Nancy and his children Jill, Robbie, Carrie, and Meg.