Statement: Prioritize Municipal Affairs

Statement by Supervisor Joel Engardio

We have a lot to fix in San Francisco. Residents are concerned about public safety, housing affordability, and the survival of small businesses.

City supervisors are responsible for working with the mayor to find solutions. Yet the residents of San Francisco are not happy with how the Board of Supervisors spends its time. Polls consistently show that up to 70 percent of San Franciscans do not approve of our job performance.

That’s why I introduced a resolution for the Board of Supervisors to prioritize local issues and municipal affairs. As local elected leaders, we need residents to know we are committed to working on the local issues we have jurisdiction over.

When the Board of Supervisors passes statements on issues outside our jurisdiction, the statements are non-binding and can take away time needed for the binding legislation we must consider. 

My resolution simply asks supervisors to avoid spending too much of our committee time debating an issue that’s outside our city borders and control.

As city supervisors, our primary job is to focus on city issues like street cleaning and housing. Yet there are times we are called to comment on issues outside our jurisdiction — because city supervisors are much more accessible to people than a state or federal office.

This matters when people are in distress and need to be heard. While city supervisors can only act on local issues, residents may want us to represent their views to higher levels of government.

For example, I voted for a Gaza ceasefire resolution in January and my vote shows my support for that international human rights issue.

Under my municipal affairs resolution, the Board of Supervisors would still be able to vote on international human rights issues like Gaza. And supervisors may still opine on matters beyond our jurisdiction.

I wanted my resolution to bring the board together and acknowledge our core duty to municipal affairs. That’s why I worked collaboratively on the resolution. I drafted the language with President Peskin. And I spoke to every board member in person about it. I want to thank co-sponsors President Peskin and Supervisors Melgar, Dorsey, and Safai. The resolution passed with a 10-1 vote.