Skip to main content
Politics & Policy

Supes roundup: Housing, a new police commissioner, Irving Street toxins and ragging on Recology

Pedestrians walk past a group of items, laid out for sale on Mission Street in San Francisco, Calif. The sidewalk above the 24th Street Bart Station has become of hub for street vendors in recent months. | Camille Cohen/The Standard

The Board of Supervisors ended up halving their docket as local lawmakers deferred several items at Tuesday’s meeting, including those related to the budget deal with Mayor London Breed and a number of measures for the November ballot. 

Concerns over toxic contamination in the Sunset, an apparently still-misbehaving Recology, and public safety issues prevailed, as the board also introduced new legislation to approve new rules for street vendors and deal with other issues. (As always, wonks looking for the full kit and caboodle can check out the complete agenda.)

Housing Measure Amendments

Speaking of agenda, the supervisors ended up continuing much of Tuesday’s business— consisting of items related to the pending approval of the city budget, as well as a number of charter amendments destined for the November ballot—to future meetings. But before they sent off District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan’s Affordable Housing Production Act, she announced some amendments to the measure.

    Walker Wins Police Commissioner Seat

    Mayor Breed’s nomination of Mission artist Debra Walker to the Police Commission was confirmed by an 8-3 vote. Chan, who reiterated her objections from committee, along with District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston and District 9 Supervisor Hillary Ronen, voted against the nomination. 

    All three praised Walker’s record of activism, but noted their preference for a candidate with policy experience in criminal justice reform. 

    District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman spoke in favor of Walker. 

        Cleaning Up the Sunset—Or NIMBY Sideshow?

        Toxic contamination in the Inner Sunset was also a prevailing issue at Tuesday’s meeting. The board unanimously approved a resolution by District 4 Supervisor Gordon Mar urging state and local agencies to “provide a comprehensive, coordinated response” to toxic contamination on the 2500 block of Irving Street. An affordable housing development, which has proven controversial with neighbors, is planned for the site. 

            Ragging on Recology

            Two items on Tuesday’s agenda allowed for Supervisors, led by District 3 rep Aaron Peskin and District 11 member Ahsha Safai, to air continuing gripes about everyone’s favorite recalcitrant refuse removal provider, Recology. 

              Roll Call: New Rules for Street Vendors, Transbay Housing, Monkeypox and Early Child Care

              Supervisors introduced significant new legislation at the meeting, including:

                Sarah Wright contributed to this report.