Trustees Push for Action on Paused Downtown Center as Pressure Mounts

City College of San Francisco's Downtown Center has had no classes since March, and on Nov. 5, 2026, seven public speakers and most of the Board of Trustees made clear they are running out of patience. Acting Chancellor David Yee outlined a grant-and-partnership path, but trustees pressed for a formal action item before three of them leave the Board in January. The Board also adopted an El Niño emergency resolution and authorized up to $200M in bonds, both by 8-0 votes.

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• Downtown Center reopening demands mount as seven speakers and trustees seek an action item and timeline
• Free City College costs $10.5M a year, not $9.3M, district says ahead of city negotiations
• El Niño emergency resolution passes 8-0 after trustees unanimously reject an earlier March 31 sunset
• Up to $200M in 2020 bond Series C approved 8-0, as a speaker says 750 Eddy remains shuttered

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Downtown Center: A Grant Plan Meets a Demand for Classes

Why it matters: Downtown classes have been paused since March. Trustees warn the center could drift without a formal decision, just as the Board is about to turn over.

Where things stand: In May, the Board directed that the building not be sold and that its programming be revitalized. Acting Chancellor David Yee reported that the district passed the first round of a Boundless SF grant. The money would fund a possible middle college, certificate and associate degree programming, and adult workforce services. "The award amount is up to $50 million," said Yee. Grant decisions are expected around May.

Yee said the district is exploring partnerships with community-based organizations, including programs for justice-impacted students. He plans to take a downtown-focused, transparent input process through collegial consultation with the Academic Senate president and to bring something back around January. He committed to meeting at least once or twice a semester.

The other side: All seven public commenters pushed for faster action and more say. Lydia Hernandez, a public commenter, asked the Board to "establish an immediate plan to restore essential non-credit ESL and workforce training classes to the Downtown Center starting this coming January," citing the accreditor ACCJC's equity standards and long commutes for students.

Christa Lewis, an ESL instructor and former Downtown ESL coordinator, said the district's data was incomplete and dialogue was lacking. She argued classes could resume while planning continues. Nikki Trasvina, a former CCSF advisor and instructor, asked the Board to bring back ESL and culinary classes for students who are essential workers.

Merrilee Hearn compared the situation to the Fort Mason closure. She said the Academic Senate's resolution calling for an open process had been ignored and that a $214,000 WestEd report has gone unused. Madeline Mueller of the Department Chairs Council said arts programming has historically revitalized downtown and suggested hosting performances at the center next semester.

Michael Adams warned about gentrification and the risks of partnerships, and asked where bond money had gone. "If we own the land, we need to control the programs and not just be a landlord," said Adams.

Trustees' turn: Trustees Susan Solomon, Vick Van Chung, Anita Martinez, Ruth Ferguson and Luis Zamora, along with Student Trustee Ian Wong, asked for several commitments:

• A representative task force
• A December action item
• Quarterly meetings and a timeline
• A contingency plan if the grant fails
• Continued services for immigrant and ESL students

"It feels like there's a possibility that the downtown center will be forever forgotten," said Trustee Vick Van Chung.

Trustee Anita Martinez tied noncredit centers to enrollment strategy. "We have our own feeder, but we have to feed our feeder," she said. Chung also raised a possible legislative fix to the FTES threshold, the full-time equivalent student count that drives state funding. That question went unanswered.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: No vote was taken. Noncredit ESL and workforce students remain without downtown classes. Faculty and the Academic Senate still want a voice in the process, and outside partners could gain a role if the grant comes through.

What's next: The item is expected to return. Under item 14, Chung renewed her request for a visible list of future agenda items, saying downtown has never been an action item.

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Free City Price Tag Rises to $10.5M

Why it matters: Free City College covers tuition and provides cash grants for San Francisco students. The district wants cost certainty in a revised memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the city before negotiations open.

Where things stand: Vice Chancellor Clint Cowden said enrollment fee waivers and cash grants together cost more than the figure previously cited. "That realistic cost is not $9.3 million. It's $10.5 million," said Cowden. He added that the district would need a 12- to 18-month transition reserve if city funding ends.

Board President Aliya Chisti drew firm lines for the talks. "The program design must stay as is," said Chisti. She said the cost baseline should be written into the revised MOU. She also wants the city to commit to at least one year of funding if it pulls back, and asked the district to consider approaches to student debt, which runs about $1M a year.

The other side: Alisa Messer, a public commenter who participates in the MOU subcommittee, praised staff's cost estimates. She urged the district to define a sustainable baseline that includes cash grants, to justify continued city support.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: No vote was taken, but the Board reached consensus on the district's negotiating position. Students who plan around tuition-free enrollment have the most at stake. Martinez suggested giving legislators evidence from Free City, citing the governor-elect's support for free college. Chung asked about timelines and whether fundraising could bridge any gaps.

What's next: MOU subcommittee meetings are set for Nov. 6 and Nov. 9, 2026, and an advisory committee meets Dec. 4, 2026.

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El Niño Emergency Declared; March Sunset Rejected

Why it matters: The resolution lets administrators buy sandbags, make storm repairs and order closures without prior Board approval. It also positions the district for emergency reimbursement.

Where things stand: Yee described the resolution as a proactive step that aligns the district with emergency declarations already made by the governor and the mayor. Staff said it speeds up procurement. Trustees raised a range of concerns:

• "Storms have an impact on people too," said Martinez, asking about effects on students and employees.
• Vice President Luis Zamora asked for communication templates and an accounting of spending after the emergency ends.
• Chung asked about people who could be stranded on campus.

Trustee Susan Solomon moved to adopt the resolution immediately because the next meeting is Dec. 5, 2026. "I don't think El Niño cares when our next meeting is, so I think we should pass it tonight," said Solomon.

The other side: Chung moved to end the emergency authority on March 31, 2027, instead of June 30. "Can you help me understand why the deadline is in June instead?" she asked. Staff answered that June 30 allows time to reconcile invoices. Trustee Heather McCarty opposed the amendment. Solomon noted the resolution's final clause already requires Board review by March 31.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The amendment failed. (For: 0, Against: 8, Absent: 0)

The resolution then passed. (For: 8, Against: 0, Absent: 0; Wong, Chisti, Chung, Ferguson, Martinez, McCarty, Solomon and Zamora)

A preparedness presenter described several related efforts:

• The RAVE mass notification system, which reaches about 70,000 contacts
• Tree and storm drain mitigation
• Campuses serving as possible evacuation sites

What's next: The Board is scheduled for National Incident Management System (NIMS) training in January.

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$200M in Bonds Approved as Old Promises Questioned

Why it matters: Rising construction costs and new projects are driving more borrowing, while speakers question whether earlier voter-approved projects were delivered.

Where things stand: Shannon Carter, Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration, said construction cost escalation and new projects, including a parking structure, require more financing. The sale is planned for spring 2027, and advisers from Piper Sandler and Keygent attended.

The other side: "750 Eddy has stayed closed and deteriorating for 6 years since the 2020 bond passed," said Hernandez, referring to the Alemany Center. She noted the project had state matching funds and urged the Board to put bond campuses back on facilities agendas, including access to the Southeast Campus.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Martinez moved the item and Chung seconded. The Board authorized issuance of up to $200M in Election of 2020 General Obligation Bonds, Series C. (For: 8, Against: 0, Absent: 0)

Separately, the consent agenda passed by acclamation without discussion. It included construction contract extensions and a resolution committing the district to pursue a 2028 parcel tax ballot measure.

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• SEIU Local 1021 chapter President Maria Salazar Colon said proposed layoffs lack a fact-based justification: "Setting aside only 30 minutes to meet and confer over decisions that could eliminate someone's job is not meaningful engagement."
• AFT Local 2121 President Robin Pugh sought raises, cited 20% rent increases, pushed for noncredit-credit parity and noted full-time faculty are down 25% over five years.
• Student Chancellor Sophia Flores Guevara raised a delayed food pantry MOU, students dropped from classes and unclear lab aid postings.
• Public commenter Leslie Smith questioned why spring offers 56 fewer credit and 34 fewer noncredit sections.
• Martinez urged charter reform so the Board, not the mayor, fills trustee vacancies; the meeting adjourned at 11:43 p.m. in memory of Dolores Huerta.

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Looking ahead: The Board next meets Dec. 5, 2026. Yee agreed to bring back a follow-up report on the EASE evaluation that Solomon requested. Three trustees depart in January, leaving the downtown question to a reshaped Board.