Rules Committee

SFPD StarChase GPS Pursuit-Alternative Heads to Full Board After Civil Rights Questioning

Committee forwards SFPD's surveillance policy for GPS tracking devices and the StarChase vehicle pursuit alternative to the full Board after questioning on data security and civil rights protections.

Why it matters: StarChase has been deployed 17 times since December 2024 as a high-speed pursuit alternative; this policy sets legally required guardrails under Administrative Code 19B governing who can access location data and prohibiting use for immigration enforcement or reproductive-care monitoring.

ALJ With Real Estate Background Appointed to Tax Assessment Appeals Board

Rules Committee unanimously appoints administrative law judge Elena Rifkin to Assessment Appeals Board #3 with a residency waiver.

Why it matters: Assessment Appeals Boards hear property tax disputes from residents and businesses; Rifkin's combined experience as an ALJ and real estate litigator addresses the board's need for qualified adjudicators.

Mayoral Appointment of Allison Warner to OCII Oversight Board

The committee heard and confirmed Mayor Lurie's appointment of Allison Warner to the Redevelopment Successor Agency (OCII) Oversight Board for a term ending January 24, 2028. Warner presented her qualifications including nearly two decades of real estate experience, a civil engineering background, and construction advisory work at KPMG for major Bay Area projects including UCSF Mission Bay and Sutter Health CPMC. She expressed particular interest in overseeing development at Candlestick, Hunter's Point, and Mission Yard. The OCII Executive Director endorsed the appointment, noting the seat had been vacant for some time. One public commenter, Jonathan Fern, spoke in strong support. The committee voted 3-0 to forward the confirmation to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation.

City Property Use Restrictions and Sanctuary City Protections Against Federal Immigration Enforcement

Supervisor Bilal Mahmoud presented an ordinance governing the use of city property, explicitly stating that civil immigration enforcement is not a city purpose. The ordinance prohibits unauthorized use of city property, bars city officials from authorizing uses that disrupt operations or discourage access to services, and gives the City Attorney authority to act against unauthorized property use. Mahmoud framed it as protecting trust between immigrant communities and city services, citing chilling effects on medical appointments, school attendance, benefit applications, and crime reporting. The legislation was developed with the Public Defender's Office, SF Rising, Chinese for Affirmative Action, SF Latino Parity and Equity Coalition, and Arab Resource and Organizing Center. Multiple public commenters spoke in support, including representatives from the SF Latino Parity and Equity Coalition, the Public Defender's Office, and Chinese for Affirmative Action, emphasizing community fear, the value of immigrant residents, and the importance of trust in public institutions. The measure has inspired similar actions across the Bay Area in Santa Clara County, San Jose, Oakland, and Richmond. Co-sponsors include Walton, Chen, Melgar, Sauter, Fielder, and Mandelman. Passed 3-0 as a committee report.

Appointment of Keante Clark to IHSS Public Authority

The committee considered and approved the appointment of Keante Clark to Seat 9 of the In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority for a term ending March 1, 2028. Clark, a San Francisco native, currently serves on the Mayor's Disability Council and expressed a desire to give more service to their community and city. Passed 3-0 with no public comment.

Fisherman's Wharf Entertainment Zone Creation

Supervisor Danny Sauter's office (represented by Chief of Staff Tita Bell) introduced an ordinance creating the Fisherman's Wharf Entertainment Zone spanning multiple streets from Powell to Larkin. The zone would allow the Fisherman's Wharf Community Benefit District and partners to program events including Wharf Fest, concert series, night markets, bar crawls, and farmers markets with to-go alcoholic beverages. The CBD's Executive Director Bre Ma testified that while visitorship has returned to pre-pandemic levels, revenue for small businesses has not recovered, and entertainment zones citywide have proven to be economic drivers. The CBD has engaged in outreach and has support from the Port, SFPD Central Station, SF Chamber of Commerce, and the fishing community. All three committee members requested to be added as co-sponsors. Passed 3-0.

Fire Department Administrative Code Changes: Deputy Chief Qualifications and Department Physician Selection

Fire Chief Dean Crispin presented two proposed changes to the Administrative Code. First, the ordinance broadens the qualifications for the Deputy Chief of EMS and Community Paramedicine position (vacated by retired Deputy Chief Simon Pang) to include battalion chiefs who have served as paramedics in the department, expanding the applicant pool beyond the current restriction to rescue captains and other chiefs in the EMS division. The rationale includes the need for command experience in succession planning and integration of suppression and EMS functions. Second, the ordinance removes the Fire Commission's authority to appoint the department physician, aligning practice with the City Charter which grants that authority to the department head. The Fire Commission will create rules of order for a panel interview process should the position become vacant. Supervisors Mandelman and Sherrill asked probing questions about the history of the three-deputy-chief structure and whether the qualification broadening was driven by immediate recruitment needs (it was). The item passed 3-0 with no public comment.

Our City, Our Home Oversight Committee appointment (Seat 4)

The committee considered candidates and voted to recommend Lashanti Woods for Seat 4 on the Our City, Our Home Oversight Committee.