Community Investment and Infrastructure, Commission - Regular Meeting

this is a regular meeting of the commission on community investment and infrastructure for tuesday may 19 2026. i'd like to welcome everyone everyone that's here today and then online that's joining us today's meeting is being held in hybrid format Members of the public can participate and provide comments both in person at City Hall and remotely by phone. Thank you to the staff and guests who will also be participating in today's meeting. Madam Secretary, will you please call the first item?

Thank you, Madam Chair. The first order of business is item one, roll call. Commission members, please respond when I call your name. Commissioner Hakimi.

Here.

Commissioner Hakimi is here. Commissioner Lim is absent. Commissioner Shaddix.

Here.

Vice Chair Miller?

Here.

And Chair Scott?

Present.

Commissioner Lim is absent, but all other members of the commission are present. Madam Chair, we have a quorum. The next order of business is item two, announcements. A, the next regular meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 1 p.m. in City Hall, room 416. B, announcement of prohibition of sound-producing electronic devices during the meeting. Please be advised that the ringing of and use of a cell phone, pager, and similar sound producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. Please be advised that the chair may order the removal from the meeting room of any persons responsible for the ringing of or use of a cell phone, pager, or other similar sound producing electronic device. C, announcement of public comment procedures. Please be advised, a member of the public has up to three minutes to make pertinent public comments on each agenda item, unless the commission adopts a shorter period on any item. During each public comment period, members of the public attending the meeting in person will first have an opportunity to provide their comments. It is strongly recommended that members of the public who wish to address the commission fill out a speaker card and submit the completed card to the commission secretary. members of the public who are joining remotely will be instructed to dial 415-655-0001 and when prompted enter the access code which is 2660-245-4701 followed by the pound or number sign, then the pound sign again to enter the call. When prompted, please press star 3 to submit your request to speak. When you dial star 3, you will hear the following message. You have raised your hand to ask a question. Please wait to speak until the host calls on you. When you hear your line has been unmuted, this is your opportunity to provide your public comment. You will have three minutes. Please speak clearly and slowly, and you will be placed back on mute once you are done speaking. You can stay on the line and continue to listen to the meeting. You can also choose to hang up. If you are planning to provide a public comment on any items on today's agenda, it is recommended that you call the public comment line ahead of time to allow you to listen to the meeting live and to prevent you from experiencing delays. Today's meeting materials are available on our website at sfocii.org under Commission, then the Public Meetings tab. The next order of business is item three, report on actions taken at a previous closed session meeting, if any. There are no reportable actions. The next order of business is item four, matters of unfinished business. There are no matters of unfinished business. The next order of business is item five, matters of new business consisting of consent and the regular agenda. First is the consent agenda, A, approval of minutes, regular meeting of April 21, 2026. Madam Chair.

Madam Secretary, do we have at this time anyone from the public who wishes to provide a comment?

At this time, we're inviting members of the public who wish to provide public comment on the minutes to call 415-655-0001, enter access code 26602454701, followed by the pound sign, then the pound sign again to enter the call. Please press star then three. to be placed in the queue. If you're already listening to us by phone, please press star three to be placed in the queue. And we'll begin by inviting members of the public here in person. If you'd like to comment on the minutes, you may come up to the podium at this time. Again, just for the minutes. Seeing none in person, moving to our remote callers. Madam Chair, it does not appear we have any members of the public wishing to comment on this item.

Hearing no request to speak on the item, I will close public comment. Commissioners, may I get a motion to approve the minutes?

Commissioner Hakimiso moved.

And may I get a second? Second. Madam Secretary, please take roll.

Sorry, could I confirm that? Was that Vice Chair Miller who seconded? Sorry. Yes. Thank you. Motion made by Commissioner Hakimi, seconded by Commissioner Shaddix. Commission members, please announce your vote when I call your name. Commissioner Hakimi?

Yes.

Commissioner Lim is absent. Commissioner Shaddix?

Yes.

Vice Chair Miller?

Yes.

And Chair Scott?

Aye.

Madam Chair, the vote is four ayes, one absent.

Madam Secretary, please call. Motion carries. I must say that. Motion carries. And Madam Secretary, please call the next item.

Next is the regular agenda. Agenda item number 5B is authorizing a fourth amendment to the personal services contract with Lynx Insights and Investigations Inc. A California corporation to increase the contract amount by $250,000 for an aggregate amount of $1,204,070 and to extend the term for an additional 12 months. Reporting on results achieved under phase four of the existing contract in searching for and contracting persons displaced by projects of the former redevelopment agency. Discussion and action resolution number 13-2026. Director Koslowski. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Secretary. Greetings, commissioners and members of the public who are here. Today's item is an amendment to the contract with Lynx Investigations to do additional work searching for and contacting persons displaced by the former redevelopment agency. These are persons that are eligible for a preference in renting or buying our affordable housing developments. The process for this housing preference is administered under our Certificate of Preference program and LINCS partners with New Community Leadership Foundation for outreach on this project and has been doing so since 2022. Under this contract, significant progress has been made in getting updated contact information for people who were displaced by the former redevelopment agency. And today, we'll also hear a progress report on LINC's latest efforts. And to present this item is Elizabeth Colamello from OCAI's Housing Division. Elizabeth.

Good afternoon, Chair Dr. Scott, Vice Chair Miller, commissioners. As Director Kozlowski stated, I'm Elizabeth Columello, Housing Program Manager. And I'm here today to request your authorization to enter into a fourth amendment to a personal services contract with Links Insight and Investigations, or LINCS, in partnership with New Community Leadership Foundation, or NCLF, for an amount not to exceed $250,000 to continue locating and confirming contact information for individuals displaced by former redevelopment agency action, and to provide the results achieved under the Third Amendment to date. First, here's some background info. A total of 5,829 San Francisco households, or over 12,200 individuals, from the Western Addition A2 and Hunters Point redevelopment project areas directly experienced displacement because of redevelopment activities. The contracting team began with the data that was gathered in 2009 and completed in 2010 by the Keene Group, which provided important familial information for the over 12,000 displacees. A decade after the completion of the Keene Report, OCII released a request for proposals for a consultant to locate and confirm current contact information for individuals displaced from Western Addition A2 and Hunters Point project areas. In 2021, the Commission authorized a contract with Lynx and NCLF to complete this work. Then in 2023, Lynx completed the work under the original contract, and Commission authorized a smaller scope of work and time to complete work under a first amendment to the original contract. Since that time, Commission has authorized two more amendments so Lynx could continue their work gathering information for original displaces. Initially, the LINCS team completed a database search for displacees with and without identifying information, specifically birth dates and social security numbers. Additionally, they created a press release and a website to engage with COP holders and individuals, and they hired trained investigators from the impacted communities. These investigators placed hundreds of calls in an effort to gather current contact information so displacees can receive updated affordable housing information. Finally, Lynx and NCLF prepared a report for OCII. Specific results include locating one quarter, or approximately 3,025, of the 12,200-plus displacies, which included contacting 456 individuals and confirming their contact information, 211 non-responsive individuals. And these are individuals whose contact information was identified, but they didn't respond to investigators' outreach efforts, and finally confirming that 2,358 individuals were deceased. A total of three quarters, or approximately 9,200 of the displaces were not located, which falls into three groups. 362 people could not be located after using various investigative tools and multiple attempts at outreach. For 2,124 individuals, investigative leads were identified, but time and budget ran out before contract information could be confirmed. And for another 4,261 individuals, further research was needed because there was insufficient data, such as the lack of either a date of birth or a social security number, And for 2,459 individuals, not enough data was provided on the site occupancy records to locate these individuals. What was an interesting and unanticipated, at the time, development was that the location of 617 descendants of originally displaced individuals. These descendants were instrumental in locating original displacies. During the shorter phase two, the team was able to continue working on the 2,124 individuals where investigative leads were identified, but they did not have the remaining time or budget to continue work on them. During this phase, the team located 592 original displaces, of which 161 were contacted and their contact information was confirmed. 170 people were located but non-responsive, so the contact information could not be confirmed, and another 261 were confirmed deceased. Importantly, the investigator's efficiency was increased and the time to locate contact information was reduced. During this phase, a review of the records found 128 new original displacies that were not included in the Keene report, and one investigator was dedicated solely to outreach in San Francisco. Also, 110 more descendants were located in an effort to find original displacies.

Elizabeth, could you speak just a little bit more slowly, please? Sure. Thanks.

In August 2024, Commission authorized a second amendment for phase three work, and the LINCS team worked to complete the files where leads had been identified, and they began work on the files that needed more extensive research to determine if there was even adequate documentation to locate these displacies. Also in phase three, outreach efforts were increased. During phase three, 375 additional displacies were contacted, and their contact information was confirmed. 307 were located but non-responsive to efforts to contact them, and 509 more were confirmed deceased. 552 more were not located after all of this investigation and outreach. During this phase, the team began collaborative work with the Japanese-American community in an effort to locate more displacies from the Western edition. And as part of their work with the records where further research was needed, they located 300 individuals that were not on original site occupancy records, but were members of displaced households. In this phase, 577 descendants were located in an effort to find original displaces. As I mentioned, outreach during this phase was increased with numerous presentations made in San Francisco, including engagement with churches and social equity nonprofits, along with prepared videos that were shared on social media. Also, public service announcements and an interview with NCLF played on Bay Area radio stations. All of this work resulted in over 200 direct contacts. In June 2025, Commission authorized a third amendment to the personal services contract with Links and NCLF for a fourth phase of work so the team could continue to locate and confirm contact information for displacees. In this phase, the team had a goal of locating contact information for approximately 1,700 displacees, and their work was expanded to include two additional project areas, Western Edition A1, including Japantown, and Yerba Buena Center, or YBC. Since the quality of data in these additional project areas was not as consistent as in the Western Edition A2 and Hunters Point Shipyard, the work in those areas mostly consisted of reviewing data and creating systems, both online and investigative, to locate these individuals. The team also continued their marketing and outreach efforts and expanded them to include Western Edition A1 and YBC. And they continue to collect contact information for descendants in an effort to contact original displacees. While the contract period isn't over yet, we are here today to present the results of phase four so far and request an additional amendment so the work can continue uninterrupted. As a reminder, work under the current contract will continue through June 30th, but so far this contract period, 225 new individuals have been contacted, and their contact information has been confirmed. Another 386 have been located, but so far have been unresponsive to attempts to contact them, and an additional 875 have been confirmed deceased. So far, 214 have not been located after attempts to locate them. The team also completed the transcription of 120,000 pages of scanned historical records related to YBC and identified an additional 3,100 displaced people. 273 descendants were located during this phase. Community outreach continued and was expanded through community engagement with organizations serving Japantown and the South of Market communities. Outreach to churches continued in the Fillmore, Bayview, and Visitation Valley. And before I discuss the proposed amendment before you today, I thought it would be helpful to show a summary of all the results so far. The team has completed work on over 7,000 records representing 58% of the total Western Edition A2 and Hunters Point Shipyard communities. Through that work, over 1,500 descendants have been identified. And while work on the Western Edition A1 and YBC records began this phase, the investigators are just now starting to reach out to those households using the newly transcribed and evaluated data. So we do expect to have more to report on that work next year. Which brings me to the request before you today, requesting your authorization of a fourth amendment to provide $250,000 for a fifth phase of work, which will allow the LINCS NCLF team to continue locating approximately 1,600 displacies and to provide additional training to investigators as the available data becomes more difficult to work with. Of course, the team will continue their marketing efforts and will contact descendants as part of their efforts to locate original displacies. And I just want to provide a reminder for what happens after the displaced and their descendants are located. They call the COP hotline and or visit the COP website for assistance. And as we have reported in recent years, the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development, or MOCD, has worked hard to make the COP application process much easier for people. These efforts include generally simplifying and reducing the number of documents needed to determine eligibility for a COP. And also, most CD can now directly obtain birth and death certificates from the city of San Francisco for folks that were born or deceased here at the request of applicants and provide step-by-step assistance with requesting school records. Finally, next steps for the proposed contract amendment, if approved. Work will begin on July 1st, 2026 and be completed next May. OCII will receive a report on Phase 5 findings next June and we expect to be back before Commission reporting on these findings next July. With that, my presentation is complete. But I just want to give a shout out, the first of many today, to Pam Sims. The work I'm presenting here today was prepared by her and is a reflection of her efforts over many years as the marketing and COP liaison at OCII. She's worked exhaustively with and the links NCLF teams to ensure that we find as many potential COP holders as possible, and as you will see in an upcoming presentation, to help make sure that they have access to affordable housing. To say that she will be missed is a huge understatement. Also here with me today are representatives from the LINCS and NCLF team, Giles Miller and Majid Crawford. And we are here to answer any questions you may have. Thank you.

Thank you so much, Elizabeth. Great, huge thank you, Pam Sims. Thank you so much. Very clear, concise, simplified, and easy to follow and understand greatly the work from the beginning of phase one to phase four and how hard it's been done. Thank you both so much. And Majid, thank you and your team. Madam Secretary. Do we have anyone from the public that wishes to comment, question, or share a concern?

We'd like to invite members of the public who wish to provide public comment on this item to call 415-655-0001, enter access code 2660-245-4701, followed by the pound sign, then the pound sign again to enter the call. Please press star 3 to be placed in the queue. And an automated voice will let you know when it is your turn. If you're already listening to us by phone, please press star 3 if you'd like to provide a comment. And we'll begin by inviting members of the public who are here in person, starting with Mr. James.

Thank you to commissioners, staff, and to the community. My name is Oscar James. I'm a native resident of the Baywood Hunters, born and raised there, and also affiliated with the old field mall. First of all, I would like for this proposal to be approved. And the reason why is a lot of people from Bayview Hunters Point and also Western Edition that have really not been informed about that. Even though Lincoln is doing the best that they can, I still run across peoples that haven't had or didn't know about the certificate of preference, especially grandkids. Another thing, for over 40 years plus, I've been asking for a summer. SOMA to be recognized as certificate holders. I know I used to work for the Veterans Administration, and there was a lot of businesses down there and a lot of people who were living in apartments and what have you. They were never really recognized as being certificate holders. I was pleased to hear on the TV that you guys are now recognizing the SOMA persons, being that they didn't keep a record of the people who are being displaced there. You can find a lot of those business records on Older Street, the permit building. You can find a lot of the persons who were going to those grammar schools around that area who were living there to notify them that way. But my concern is making sure. that all persons, including persons with grandkids certificate holders, be notified in some kind of way, be in contact with them. Some people were saying put them on muni signs and what have you. I got a thing in the mail. I'm always getting, every time you guys put out a new building, I always get mail. Matter of fact, I got seven letters coming to my house with certificate of preference persons because I make sure all of my kids and family members mail will come to my house, both for voters and for certificate of preference. They all receive those certificates. So they are doing a good job. But there's still a lot of people that don't know anything about those certificates. And my concern is for those persons in what we call the old South Park from South Park all the way down to 11th Street, Soma. You call it Soma now. But those persons should be recognized as being persons who have been displaced also. So thank you very much, and God bless you.

Thank you, Mr. James.

Next is Susie Kagame.

Good afternoon, commissioners. Thank you so much for hearing this item. My name is Susie Kagame. I run Koho. We are an arts and culture nonprofit in San Francisco, Japan town. We are a community hub. We are a place, a second home for a lot of those folks that were displaced, for the descendants of those families that were displaced both for World War II incarceration, but as well as redevelopment. And in this place, and I'm inviting you to all join me in Japantown, we create space. We create a second home. We create nurturing and belonging. And I was approached by Rich Hashimoto, who's been very much involved in the certificate of preference program as his family was displaced during redevelopment. He is still a community leader. He's still active and an executive director in our community. And he kind of looked to me as the next generation of leadership to kind of steward this work through. He put me in touch with Majid and Lynx Insight. And we started initial conversations last year. And we had a community forum. in our space. And the Japantown community, we don't have generational wealth. We don't own property. We don't live there because we were displaced twice. And so this work is so important to our families. It's so important to the preservation of Japantown for the future. And so the work that we do, working with this program, it's really opened my eyes to see how we can support the descendants of these folks that were displaced. My mother-in-law was displaced. She lived on Bush Street for incarceration. And so the work that we do is super important. I really hope that you approve this amendment for us. Because of the records, and because the records were not as informative as A2, A1, we still have a lot of work to do. churches, school records. We're starting to get that information now of people who might have that information just by doing outreach within our community. So with your help, we can reach so many more people that are not on the list. I think for our community, this is vital to the preservation of what we do. So thank you so much for your time. And this is a community process. Majid has been amazing in bringing the Western Edition and Japantown back together again. We're working on other projects as well. We really want to see solidarity come back together. And so this is a model of what community working together looks like, especially today in this generation. So thank you so much.

Thank you, Miss Susie.

Pam Sims.

Good afternoon, commissioners. I'm Pam Sims, I guess retiree. So I just wanted to say something in favor of this amendment. And I wanted to thank the commission for actually taking a chance. on this type of investigative work and to affirm contact information. This is kind of a breakthrough project, one of a kind that hasn't been done, at least to our knowledge, in the country. I'd also like to thank Jim Morales, General Counsel, Sally Orth, former employee, and Jeff White, former employee, because together, the three of us, four of us, five of us, worked together to create the RFP to find a group that had the knowledge but also had the heart to do this work. And so we selected links in NCLF. And it hasn't been easy. And it hasn't been linear. It's been a lot of stop and starts. But the learning is constant. And the collaboration is definitely there, like Susie was saying. And who I really want to thank are the investigators. The investigators are amazing people. They have learned investigative techniques, but they also have heart. And they understand the trauma that people have gone through. If people may not want to talk to them, they'll put them in touch with another family member. But it's working. And that's why I would say please approve the amendment. And thank you.

Thank you, Pam.

Are there any other members of the public in person who would like to provide a comment on this item? You may come up to the podium at this time if you'd like to speak.

Right on time. Good afternoon. My name's Lynette Mackey, and I am one of the COP investigators. And I just wanted to speak on how important this work is that's being done. First of all, I want to start out with I was one of the ones that was address and name was all messed up. I wasn't on, but my brothers were on. And I went through everything. It took almost 10 months to get me on. I was a sibling in that household. I lived there. And it just took forever. And that's part of the reason why what I do is the field investigation. And in doing that, I'm finding so many families that redevelopment did not put on their list. And I'll just share one family. It was the Lane family, really large family in San Francisco. And they owned three or four properties. And they had been back and forth, back and forth with mayor's office, with other organizations trying to help. And they kept getting, you're not on the list. You're not on the list. Well, one of the Lane family members had a letter from COP back in 1980. And he said, I'm going to find this letter. I said, if you find that letter, that's it. He found the letter, but it was just not that was it. It was not that simple. Here's the letter. You're good to go. We still had to do the footwork, the paperwork, and everything. But today, it took almost two years, thank God, for the mayor's office of housing that helped. We worked together. Almost a year and a half, two years later, the whole family got their certificates. But they were really entitled to these years ago. And three of the family members were homeless. So they were happy. that the footwork was done, that they can get it. And I just wanted to share that it's working for the community. There's so many more stories, so many more people in the community that somehow, as we humans, we might have left an address off or put the wrong address or the wrong last name. Because at that time, it wasn't like how it is now, putting stuff in the computer. And that's part of the work that I do is finding those problems. And I just want to thank you guys for allowing me to do that and being able to help our community. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Mackey.

Do we have any other speakers who are here in person?

I'll be really quick. I just want to thank the commission again for the opportunity and this consideration. Welcome all the new commissioners. I also want to thank Oscar Grant for his work just historically and advocating for certificate of preference. But I just wanted to just take this time Pam, we're going to miss you. She has been so incredible. And she's kept us in line, too. She had to keep us in line. But we're really going to miss you. It's going to be different not working with you, but we're going to make you proud. We're going to continue pushing. And so yeah, that's all I had to say. Just thank you for this consideration. Thank you for everybody. The investigators, of course, they're the heartbeat of this work. They are the work. But it really is a community effort. Commissioner Scott, she's in the community all the time. And it really feels like a community effort. Thor, just everybody had been a part of this effort to find people and house people. So just thank you for your consideration.

Thank you, Mitrid.

Do we have any other members of the public wishing to speak? Seeing none in person and on our web callers, Madam Chair, it does not appear we have any other members wishing to comment.

Thank you. Hearing no further requests to speak on the item, I'm closing public comment and will turn to my fellow commissioners for your comments, questions, or concerns. Commissioner Hakimi.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I wanted to start off by saying thank you for this incredible report. I'm newer on this commission, so while I had some background information on this project, this really helped me. You gave all of the answers to me, and that is quite a bit of accomplishment because this has so much history and so many different phases and budget and money. So everything I had a question on, I found the answer. So I want to thank you for the quality of the work. And I also had one question. I have actually two questions on the report. So the original displacement number of 12,1200, I just wanted to know, is that a final number? Or would that change? Is that possibly going to change? And I'm going to ask you a second question so you can answer both at the same time. The non-responsive group that you have, which I think at the moment is 1,074 as of this moment, would that be pushed back and become less of a priority? And then you move on to what happens with them? The ones that are not responsive.

Sure, sure. I will start with the 12,000 number. So the 12,000 number is just individuals in the Western Edition A2 and Hunters Point Shipyard. And even there, as I mentioned, during the first phases of this investigation, the investigators and links found that there were additional family members that hadn't been included in the records. So through the work that we did, we didn't necessarily add the number of households, but we added number of people in the household. So there were several hundred people added to that 12,000 number. The displaces we are discussing now that we're moving to other project areas, such as Western Addition A1 and YBC, those are in addition to the 12,000 number, if that makes sense.

Thank you.

And the second, on the people who have not been located, those folks, and I can have Giles maybe speak a little bit more to this, but my understanding of those folks is that while they still might get in contact after some of the efforts to contact them, we have kind of exhausted all of our investigative work. Now, if other leads were to develop or if other information were to become available, of course we would follow up on it. But those records are deemed worked. So they've done all the things that they could possibly do on those records to generate contact information. So I don't see us necessarily going back to them. But if new information were provided or those folks were to materialize, we would absolutely follow up.

Thank you. And may I just follow up? So on the household, so let's say if there's four children, you find out somebody passed away, and now there's four children. All four of them get, if I'm understanding correctly, all four of them will be added

That's right. Anyone in the original household is considered an original displacee. Thank you. Yes. Thank you.

So on to, I wanted to, this is on a personal note. Thank you. You answered my question. This is beautiful. I wanted to do a shout out to Majid. I learned about this a couple of years ago because of his advocacy. And I just wanted to thank you because it wasn't in the context of his own community, but it was outside of his own community. And even I was impacted by your advocacy. I want to thank you for doing that. And I'm proud to be in community with you. So thank you. That's all.

Vice Chair Miller?

Thank you, Dr. Scott. Thank you, Pam, Elizabeth, investigators, and all the staff that worked on this, Jim, Thor. It's so good to see the results of this hard work. It's so hard to do this investigation after so many years and the chase they have to go down, the black hole of records keeping. I really appreciate it. I think it's money well spent continuing this contract. And if you see later on the agenda, we have an item that shows some of the success of the COP program and the Oscar James and the Doris Vincent and how many COP holders were contacted. That's so rewarding. So thank you all for the work. Commissioner Shaddix.

Thank you. I just want to make sure everybody knows how much your work is appreciated. And I know it's hard work, and I see it. And I'm definitely signaling my support for continuing this for another year. And good to see you again, Pam.

Well, I too would like to thank you all. And Pam, again, you'll just hear your name over and over. Elizabeth, and I feel for you, and Maria, and the team that's going to have to jump into these shoes and ride this wagon through. I cannot thank the investigators, Majid, your team, and your thoughtfulness with it, and all of the hard work. And 12,000 was a number that we saw, but it wasn't the number, because as we're hearing, so many were not counted as a part of that number. but had their COP papers and knew their parents were. So there still is work to be done. And as you've gotten to phase four of this, I look forward to Pam's oversight and your work with doing so much more, the hard work, the boots on the ground, Lynette. your team, Majid, and the work now with the computers, we're grateful. We're so grateful. And so I, too, I'm for this. And I just look forward to even greater ways of doing this. I'm so grateful for the flexibility of the team. When I came aboard in 2018, And we were talking about it, and it was like there's still more because we knew so many more. And just being open to that and not locked in to what you could only see. And so teamwork is the dream work. And I thank this team for all of the work that you've done together to get us to this point of phase four. And to take us even further. So with that being said, we're going to move with a motion.

Commissioner Hakimi, so moved.

May I get a second?

I'll second that motion.

Thank you. It's been moved and second. Madam Secretary, would you please call roll?

Motion made by Commissioner Hakimi, seconded by Vice Chair Miller. Commission members, please announce your vote when I call your name. Commissioner Hakimi. Yes. Commissioner Lim is absent. Commissioner Shattuck. Yes. Vice Chair Miller. Yes. And Chair Scott. Aye. Madam Chair, the vote is four ayes, one absent.

Motion carries. Madam Secretary. Next. Please call the next item.

Next is agenda item number 5C, approving a sixth amendment to the Mission Bay South signage master plan increasing character heights and flexibility of awning signs for mixed-use retail uses and for the event center sign program at the Golden State Warriors Event Center and mixed-use development on blocks 29 through 32 in Mission Bay South. Mission Bay South redevelopment project area, Discussion and action resolution number 14-2026. Director Kozlowski.

Thank you, Madam Secretary. Greetings, commissioners, members of the public on this item. This is an amendment to the Mission Bay South signage master plan. The signage plan governs the planning type rules for signage all around Mission Bay. It also has specific signage rules for the Chase Centers, where the championship Warriors play. Go Warriors. As this is a special area of entertainment within the Mission Bay project area. This amendment will bring forward and clarify the mission-based signage rules and allow for current signage that is envisioned for the master-planned area. And presenting this item is Jacek, who has the distinction of having a name as difficult as mine. So I'm going to pronounce it phonetically for all of you, and then I'm going to ask him to introduce himself so he can say it. But it's B-O-O Brodowski. I said that a little mashed up. But anyway, Jacek and our planning division. Jacek.

Thank you, Director Kozlowski. Good afternoon, Chair, Dr. Scott, and commissioners. My name is Jacek Białobrodzki, and I am an associate planner in the OCII design review team. Today I'm here to present the agency's proposed amendments to the Mission Bay South master signage plan. The changes mostly pertain to the mixed-use retail and event center sections of the signage master plan. To give you some background, the mixed-use retail section of the signage master plan applies to all ground floor commercial businesses throughout the project area, including within the multipurpose Chase Center premises at blocks 29 through 32, otherwise known as the event center. As such, all ground floor commercial sign permits are required to comply with these controls. Additionally, the event center sign program is a supplemental code section that augments and revises the mixed-use retail controls for the event center itself. Today's commission action will approve a sixth amendment to the Mission Bay South signage master plan, increasing character heights and flexibility of awning signs for mixed-use retail project area wide and for the event center sign program at the Golden State Warriors Event Center and mixed-use development. As you can see in the images from around the project area, build-out of mixed-use retail storefronts, such as along 3rd and 4th streets, has established a pattern of horizontal, metal-framed, awning-like projections supporting signage over ground floor business entries. While the San Francisco Planning Code limits awning sign areas to 20 to 40 square feet in mixed-use zones, the Signage Master Plan calls for sign areas of no more than 50% of the area of the vertical face of the awning. This tends to work on canvas awnings with sloping faces. However, since the contemporary metal awnings featured in the project area are predominantly horizontal in their expression, the resulting signs rarely comply with the 50% limitation. You can see in the example at the bottom left corner here, a 31 square foot sign is mounted to an awning with a roughly 47 square foot vertical face. A compliance sign would need to be no more than 23.5 square feet to meet the 50% awning sign area limitation. The signage master plan calls for 12-inch tall maximum text or character heights on awning signs. There is no similar constraint in the San Francisco Planning Code. On the other hand, the 2025 California Building Code suggests that 12-inch characters become harder to read beyond a 93-foot viewing distance. Although business names and logos are exempt from ADA requirements, the signs that conform to the 12-inch control are hard to read where streets exceed 93 feet in width. Staff frequently receive signage proposals with characters up to 18 inches for awning signs area-wide and even larger signs within the event center. Furthermore, applicants mentioned visibility and conformance to identical business signs at other locations as justification for larger signs. Awning signs at Mission Bay South appear to be non-conforming based on staff review of 2025 street view data in that their characters appear to be larger than 12 inches and closer to 18. In response to these findings and concerns for signs outside the event center, the current amendment seeks to increase the character height limitation from 12 to 18 inches to meet the demands of future tenants while bringing non-conforming existing signs closer, if not entirely, into conformance. Additionally, replacing the 50% area limitation tied to vertical face of awning with a 40 square feet overall area limitation would allow the increased sign size to also work on predominantly horizontal awnings. Due to the increased scale, unique character, and bold dynamic nature of the concentration of entertainment uses located within the Events Center, staff believe that allowing taller awning signs for businesses located within the Events Center is appropriate. Within the event center, the amendment would allow signs with most characters up to 18 inches tall and less than half of the characters up to 26 inches tall, as shown in the sign example at the top. This would bring previously approved signs with characters greater than 12 inches into conformance and to allow future tenants greater flexibility in keeping with the unique character of the event center. Lastly, limiting the overall sign size to 80 square feet rather than 40 square feet or 50% of vertical face of awning will help keep the event center's largest signs in conformance while allowing flexibility for future equally festive signs. The following are proposed changes that would affect the entire project area. For even greater flexibility, where storefronts have neither solid wall nor protruding awnings to mount signage to, an awning zone following awning sign controls over the business's entry would be allowed. Meanwhile, expanding the definition of awning to include contemporary awning types and canopies with vertical walls that wander both sides, such as those that occur at the event center, would serve to conform most signs in the project area. And finally, a cleanup of miscellaneous typos and inaccuracies would be conducted. On May 14, 2026, the proposed changes to the Mission Bay South Signage Master Plan were presented to the Mission Bay Citizens Advisory Committee and approved unanimously. This concludes the presentation. I'm available to answer any questions and comments. Thank you.

Madam Secretary, is there anyone that would have a comment, question, or concern?

We'd like to invite members of the public who wish to provide any public comment on this item to call 415-655-0001, enter access code 2660-245-4701, followed by the pound sign, then the pound sign again to enter the call, then press star 3 to be placed in the queue. We'll begin by inviting members of the public who are here in person and who would like to speak on this item to come up to the podium, starting with Mr. James.

Good afternoon again, Oscar James. I want to recognize Mr. Kulowski, Thor, and Jim Morales. I didn't recognize you guys at first when I first came up here, but I want to show my Appreciate you for both of you. But what I came up for, I was a Model Cities Commission. I don't know if you guys knew about Model Cities or the commission, where we represented from Crocker Amazon all the way down to the Lift Your Door Bridge. That means Beebe Hunters Point, Patrol Hill, Dogpatch, the whole nine yards. We had a district change where they re-zoned the districts. That is still our area. Even though we don't get the resources that the persons down by Chase get because they signed us off, our certificates still are being honored there. I, as a Native American from Bayview, Hunters Point, from that area, born and raised, I will not let them receive what they're receiving in my community do not get any of the proceeds or the gifts that they're getting. I haven't been to one of their meetings in quite some time, which I will be going to their PAC meeting and let them know how I feel and what I feel. Our persons, and I support this. Whatever they do, I support them 100% because I want to make sure that that part of the city thrives just like downtown and every place else. But I want them to know those new tenants that's coming in, that weren't there when my grandfather and other men were not allowed to be in their homes with their families, had to stay in those boxcars. That is still our area. So I don't care what they do. We were there. And our persons, our people suffered. And they didn't get any benefits then. And every time something comes up where money is coming in, third world peoples are left out. And I'm not going to let that happen. I'm just letting you know that. But that community, I support you 100%. But remember, you're standing on our backs. And now we're standing on yours. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. James.

Do we have any other members of the public who would like to come up to the podium to provide a comment? Seeing none in person, moving over to our remote callers. Madam Chair, it does not appear we have any members of the public wishing to comment further.

Hearing no further requests to speak on the item, I will close public comment and open it to my fellow commissioners. Commissioner Shaddix.

Thank you, and yes, I'm going to just point to you. I have a couple questions for you. Increasing the size of the characters from 12 to 18 inches, do you expect a deluge of permits? Everybody's going to change their signs to larger signs, or is this going to roll in slow?

I don't expect that. I think a lot of the signs are already larger.

Got it.

No.

Sorry, it's my DBI background going in. Lighting. So these signs are lit already. That's correct. I have a neighbor in the audience who has the same view I have. We look down Third Street, down towards the Chase Arena and the ballpark areas and stuff. So we're starting to see larger and larger signage lit down that area. Are we going to start seeing brighter and brighter lighting? Is that also included in the code, the amendment on this increasing the size? Is there a, what do you call it, a stipulation on the lighting part of it?

I don't believe so. We're not changing anything regarding the lighting in this amendment.

OK. I agree. I mean, I know the area well. I walk it all the time, and there's some signages that don't pop very well. So yeah, I'm just curious. Thank you.

Thank you.

Director Keselowski?

Madam Chair, yes, I can answer the question. Thank you so much.

Thank you.

And Vice Chair Miller. Thank you, Chair Scott. Thank you, Yossi. Not so much a question, but an observation that the Warriors Event Center is really doing more than sports events. It's really helping the community and the neighborhood. Lots of good things for the neighbors, and I appreciate that. And wayfinding signs are so important. I've seen this in retail for years. So I appreciate what you're doing. And I believe the signage does comply with the planning department's rules. So it's not changing what's done in other parts of the city. It's more focused on just this area, improving the viability of some of these businesses. That's correct. I would support this. Thank you. Thank you, Yossi. Thank you. Commissioner Akemi.

Thank you for your report and I too am for this and I see all of the changes from the very beginning. I'm so proud of what you're becoming and you're not just staying still and keeping it as is and leaving people wandering around and wondering where is what. But you're moving forward and a bright light and allowing people to know. So thank you. I will need, thank you very much, Mr. Jacek Bialobrowski. Thank you so much. But Madam Secretary, I'm going to ask my fellow commissioners to give me a comment on the motion.

We'll need a motion and a second?

Yes. The motion first and a second, please.

Commissioner Hakimi is so moved. May I get it?

Moved and second by Commissioner Hakimi and Commissioner Shaddix.

Commission members.

Please take a roll.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Commission members, please announce your vote when I call your name. Commissioner Hakimi. Yes. Commissioner Lim is absent. Commissioner Shaddix.

Yes.

Vice Chair Miller.

Yes.

And Chair Scott.

Aye.

Madam Chair, the vote is four ayes, one absent. Aye.

Motion carries. Madam Secretary, please call the next item.

The next order of business is item six, public comment on non-agenda items. At this time, we'll invite members of the public who wishes to provide comments on non-agenda items to call 415-655-0001, entering access code 2660-245-4701, followed by the pound sign, then the pound sign again to enter the call. Press star, then three to be placed in the queue. We'll begin by inviting members of the public in person, starting with Mr. James.

Good afternoon again, Oscar James. I just want to public comments. I just want to, first of all, recognize you commissioners for doing a wonderful job watching out for my community and the city as a whole. My community first. The other thing I want to get up publicly and thank Pam. Where's she at? Thank Pam for all the things she has done for this agency. She's not just the only one. At redevelopment, the OCI, who does a wonderful job, all of them do. I sat as a spy for over 40 years working for redevelopment. I was a spy. I was a worker. I was getting a check. I did my job. But I was making sure that they benefited the community. My community was an addition in every place else that OCI redevelopment agency. And when they didn't, when they first came, We had our $40 million with HUD. And when they wouldn't do something right, I went to HUD. I was also on joint housing. We went to HUD and put our complaints. The little things that I seen while working there, I would go to joint housing and complaint, and we'd go to HUD. So I picked up that torch the whole while I was there. This agency has the best staff because they're committed to the communities that they work for. and the city and county of San Francisco. And each one of them should be appalled with what they do, watching out for this. And they have eyes like I have eyes. And when something's wrong, they tell them. And we told way before Thor came, I mean, when he first came, all the directors, we told. If they didn't work for the communities, as a community, we got rid of them. And that started from way back in 1968, when I first started with the Redevelopment Agency. So Pam, and who's picked up the torch. I'm bad on names. But the lady who's taking the torch from Pam, she's just as good as Pam. Elizabeth. So we're not leaving in bad hands. We're not leaving in bad hands. So staff, keep up your good work. And God bless each and every one of you.

Thank you.

Amen.

Thank you, Mr. James.

Do we have any other members of the public wishing to comment on non-agenda items? Seeing none, moving over to our remote callers. It does not look like we have any other members wishing to comment, Madam Chair.

Hearing no further requests to speak on the item, I'll close public comment. Madam Secretary, please call the next item.

The next order of business is item 7, report of the chair. Madam Chair?

And I have no report at this time to make. So we can go to our next item.

The next order of business is item 8, report of the executive director. Item 8A is marketing outcomes report for 52 Kirkwood Avenue, block 52. Nine for sale inclusion area below market rate units, affordable at 80% area medium income. 275 Coleman, which is in Hunters Point Shipyard Block 56, a 73-unit affordable multifamily rental development, affordable at 50% area median income and below, including one manager's unit. 151 to 351 Freidel, which is also in Hunters Point Shipyard, Block 5254, a 110-unit affordable multifamily rental development, affordable at 50% area median income, and below, including two managers' units, Hunters Point Shipyard, Project Area, Discussion. Item 8B is Commending and Expressing Appreciation to Pamela Sims for her dedicated service upon her retirement from the successor agency to the Redevelopment Agency of San Francisco. Discussion. Item 8C is commending and expressing appreciation to George Bridges for his dedicated service upon his retirement from the successor agency to the Redevelopment Agency of San Francisco. Discussion? Director Kozlowski.

Thank you, Madam Secretary, commissioners, and members of the public. As Madam Secretary explained, we have three items under the director's report. And as we go through this, we'll cover each of the items. And after each item, we'll hold a moment for public comment and for commissioners' questions as well. So we'll do each of them as if they're separate items. And this first item is a report, as was described, on the marketing, leasing, and sales for three development projects in Hunters Point Shipyard. When you saw these items before you for their schematic design approval or their loan approvals, they were known as Blocks 52 and 54 and Block 56. Blocks 52 and 54 were developed by the Jonathan Rose Company and the Bayview Multipurpose Senior Center. And Block 56 was developed by Mercy and the San Francisco Housing Development Corporation. And annually, we report on the marketing, leasing, and sales for our certificate of preference holders. And we did so just recently in March 26 of this year. But we also, whenever we complete the occupancy of a project, we provide a report to the commission within 90 days of the occupancy of that building. And so to present this item is once again that lady, Elizabeth Columello from OCIA's Housing Division. Elizabeth.

Thanks, Director Kozlowski. Good afternoon again, Chair Dr. Scott, Vice Chair Miller, commissioners. As Executive Director Kozlowski stated, today's item is an informational presentation on the marketing outcomes reports for three affordable housing projects in the Hunters Point Shipyard Phase 1. And these three projects include nine for sale inclusionary units at 52 Kirkwood Avenue. And those were affordable to households up to 80% AMI. And the 73 unit development at 275 Coleman, block 56, affordable at 50% AMI. And a 110 unit rental development at 151 and 351 Fridell, blocks 52 and 54, affordable at 50% AMI. As you may remember, pursuant to the memorandum of understanding between OCII and MOCD, MOCD implements marketing of OCII's housing projects and provides reports on marketing outcomes after full lease up or sale of each project. OCII and MOCD collaborated closely with the development partners to conduct early outreach to certificate of preference holders, host workshops, mail postcards, hold open houses, and support applicants through the Dahlia housing portal. I think it's fitting that we're here presenting these reports on the same day we shared the LINCS contract and investigation results. In many ways, the two rental projects before you represent the culmination of extensive efforts by both MOCD and OCII to identify potential COP households and ensure that housing opportunities are accessible through a process that is as straightforward as possible. In these projects, we're seeing a significant increase in COP applicants, including many descendants, and a much higher percentage of COP applicants ultimately moving in. This progress has also been supported by the availability of project-based Section 8 vouchers, which provides deeper affordability for many of the units. This afternoon, I am pleased to introduce Maria Benjamin, Deputy Director at the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development, Homeownership, and Below Market Rate Programs. Maria will walk through the detailed findings of each marketing report. And also today from OCD here is Andy Nelson, Preferences Manager, Sonia Delgado-Schomberg, Director of Rental Programs, and Tuan Phan, Lottery Preferences Coordinator. I also saw Brooke Barber here earlier, the rental programs manager. So with that, I'll turn it over to Maria.

Thank you, Elizabeth. And good afternoon, commissioners. Maria Benjamin, Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development. I'm going to refrain from talking about Pam's exodus because I just don't want to cry. I want to give you this report.

Oh, here? Yeah.

We're giving you three different reports, as Elizabeth said, all in one presentation. We're going to talk about, and as has been said, these came to you as blocks. And they don't ever end as blocks, block 52, block You know all the block language. They get actual names for the streets that they're on, as well as the buildings themselves. We're going to talk about the Madison, which is on Kirkwood Avenue. We're going to talk about Doris M. Vincent Apartments, which is on Coleman. And we're going to talk about Oscar James residences, with Oscar James in the room. The Madison was sponsored by Lenar. It's an ownership opportunity, ownership project, 77 total units. There were nine BMR condominiums priced at between $155,000 and $246,000, serving people at around between $70,000 a year in income and $80,000 a year in income. They are studios and one bedrooms and two bedrooms. There were a total of 65 applicants for the nine affordable units. There were no certificate of preference applicants for this particular property. But seven of the nine homebuyers were from San Francisco and three from District 10 in the neighborhood. The average income of the owners was $78,000. It was a very long application period. These first units became available right in the pandemic. And so it was challenging with the market conditions to sell units. But it got done and successfully. And all nine homeowners are, as I said, seven out of the nine are from San Francisco. I'll talk to you about one in particular, San Francisco resident, D10 resident, who used the preference to purchase a two-bedroom condo. And they live and provide in-home care for her 84-year-old mother. She's a self-employed bookkeeper and previously was experiencing financial challenges to support her mother in her home. And now she's an owner of a two-bedroom condo where she doesn't have to worry about prices of things and not having a place to be and watch over her mom. So I think that's not a unique story. There are many stories of home buyers who've gotten that stability. I'm going to move on to Doris M. Vincent Apartments. The sponsor of Doris M. Vincent Apartments is Mercy Housing with San Francisco Housing Development Corporation. This was 72 affordable rental units. 54 of those 72 went through the lottery system. Rents ranged from about $1,000 a month to $2,000 a month, a little over two, depending upon your household size and the size of the unit that was selected. There are studios to five bedrooms. at Doris M. Vincent Apartments. There were 4,768 applicants for 72 units of affordable housing. 18 of those units were subsidized with San Francisco Housing Authority project-based vouchers. These vouchers are where the tenant pays 30% of their income. They don't pay that $2,000 rent. They pay 30% of their own income in rent. It's a very rare opportunity to have that many subsidized units. And we're delighted that we were able to fill those units with people that really needed them, very low-income families, to stabilize. The outreach that we were talking about earlier with LINCS and NCLF that they conduct is evident in the number of COP holders that applied at Doris M. Vincent. 81 COP holders applied there. There were 11 originally displaced households And then 69 descendants of households displaced applied at Doris M. Vincent. 780 neighborhood residents applied at Doris Vincent. And partly due to the LINCS research and people knowing that these were coming, and also the outreach that was done targeted to COP holders and District 10 residents. There were in-person workshops held and virtual sessions and social media sessions, social media endeavors happening along the way. Of the people of the 81 COP households that applied that didn't move forward with an application, 44 withdrew their application. Oftentimes, people will apply. and then look at the fine print of actually what they're applying for after they've applied. And so there's many reasons why they might not have decided to move forward. 16 folks asked to be added to the wait list so that they could have the option of furthering an application later on. Maybe they weren't ready to move just then. Eight of the 81. were over income, meaning they did not meet the income requirements, the maximum income requirements for the opportunity. And five COP holders actually moved into a place-based voucher unit instead of taking a lottery unit. A lot of households at Doris M. Vincent withdrew their application because Right around the corner, Oscar James Apartments were beginning to be advertised. So you'll see when I start talking about Oscar James Apartments that there were a lot of people that applied there instead. There were 20, a total of 20 COP holders that are living currently at Doris M. Vincent Apartments. 18 descendants, so two original displaced and 18 descendants. 43 of the total households at Doris M. were from D10. Almost half of the households have children in them. There are 53 children living at Doris M. Vincent. And 24 of the households include seniors. So it is definitely a multi-generational housing opportunity. All of the households there are below 50% AMI. I told you there were 18 place-based voucher units. 12 of the 18 were filled by certificate of preference holders. So we were really able to get COP holders in. One COP resident was a descendant of a family displaced from Hunters Point. And they moved into a place-based voucher unit. A single dad who relocated to San Francisco from Sacramento. And he was seeking stability and opportunity and wanting to return to San Francisco. And a fresh start. And that's exactly what he got, was a fresh start at Doris M. Vincent Apartments. He says, here's a quote, Bayview resources and transit improve daily life without a car. Community is welcoming, safe, and supportive. And now Oscar James Residences. This project was sponsored by Jonathan Rose Companies and Bayview Hunters Point Multipurpose Senior Services. There were 100 affordable housing rental opportunities here and 82 lottery units, 28 San Francisco Housing Authority project-based vouchers, so more vouchers at this project. And their unit sizes were one to five bedrooms as well. The five bedrooms is very rare in affordable housing in San Francisco. Four bedrooms, very rare. Heck, three bedrooms are very rare. So this was a huge opportunity for families that need housing in our community. The rents range from around $770 a month to $1,700 a month, so fully affordable. There were, drum roll, 6,012 applicants for the 100 units at Oscar James Residences. 92, this is the record, 92 certificate of preference holders applied for Oscar James Apartments, the highest number to date, highest number on record that we can find. There were 18 originally displaced households, 74 COP descendants, and 924 neighborhood applicants. The Oscar James residences absolutely did benefit from the momentum of Doris M. Vincent apartments. People that might have found out after Doris M. Vincent had closed the application period, they found out. And so they also then applied at Oscar James. So there was a lot of word of mouth and community workshops that garnered all that energy around it. There was a total of, as I said, 92 COP applicants. 55 withdrew their application for the same kind of reasons at Doris M. Vincent. A couple of them joined the wait list. Some of them moved to place-based units. Nine of the 92 were over income at Oscar James residences. And three were under income. but that the place-based vouchers had run out. We only had 28, so we were not able to offer them a unit because they needed it. They required a subsidy to be able to live there. So a total of 31 COP holders housed there at Oscar James residences, 23 descendants. 44 of the total residents there are from D10. And there are 88 children that live at Oscar James. Sorry. All of the households income below 50% area median income. And 22 of the 28 vouchers went to certificate of preference holders. One COP holder, who's a descendant of a displaced Hunters Point family, moved with their family into the four bedroom unit. They moved from Las Vegas. They went to Las Vegas because they couldn't afford San Francisco. They ran into financial difficulties in Las Vegas and needed stable housing, wanted to come back where their family was. And one of the parents is now attending San Francisco State University. And the couple has five children. They were able to have a place for their five children. with family around to help support that return to San Francisco. A very happy ending. Not an ending, new beginning for that family. I said I wasn't going to say anything about Pam, but I'm going to now that I'm done with the reports. I just want to express my gratitude for her partnership and commitment to the Certificate of Preference community. her stamina for the fight, that little lady boy, and for the rights of displaced people. She's kept me going because it's easy. And she will keep us all going forward. All of her leadership and role modeling will keep us all going forward as we continue the work. And I'm going to make sure of that. So thank you, Pam.

Thank you. Thank you so much, Maria. Thank you. Another clear report. Wonderful and encouraging and hopeful. So Madam Secretary, do we have anyone from the public that wishes to provide comment, question, or concern? It looks like you can see now what we're up for.

ONE SECOND. WE'RE INVITING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM 8A TO CALL 415-655-0001 AND TO ENTER ACCESS CODE 2660-245-4701 FOLLOWED BY THE POUND SIGN. THEN THE POUND SIGN AGAIN TO ENTER THE CALL. THEN PRESS STAR 3 TO BE PLACED IN OUR QUEUE. We'll begin by inviting members of the public in person to comment on 8A, starting with Mr. James.

Sorry, Pam.

Thank you. I just didn't want to honor Pam, but I want to honor George Bridges, a person who made sure community benefit on jobs and contracting opportunities. George, you're going to be missed, my brother. You're going to be missed. I didn't have to stay on George like I did a lot of the other compliant officers. George was on his job. And I just wish, and I know the young lady, I hope she gets George's position, be as faithful and dedicated as George has been. George, God bless you. And I'm going to miss you, but I'm going to see you somewhere. You're going to be in the city, right? I'm going to see you somewhere. So keep up your good work wherever you go. Whoever gets him, they're going to be blessed. Thank you, Mr. James.

Pam Sims.

Thank you. Again, Pam Sims, retiree. So I just wanted to say real quick about the marketing reports, how fantastic it is that we actually got 51 COP holders in these two developments. And one of the reasons why is because of the project-based Section 8s, but also because of most CD staff working so well with the housing authority staff. It's not always easy. The communication isn't always easy. But we set up weekly meetings. There was communication when paperwork couldn't be found. There was assistance to individuals who were really interested in living there. we didn't get all the COP holders, project-based Section 8s, is because of the unit sizes. The subsidies went to specific units, specific bedroom sizes, and it wasn't always a match. But that said, the reason that it was so successful is really because of the communication and the hard work and dedication by Housing Authority and OCD staff. Thank you. Thank you, Pam.

Do we have any other members of the public wishing to speak on item 8A? Madam Chair, it does not appear we have any other members of the public wishing to speak in person or online.

Hearing no further requests to speak on the item, I'll close public comment for this item. And fellow commissioners, do you have any questions, comments, or concerns? Vice Chair Miller.

Thank you, staff and Maria and Mosey and CD. It's great to see all these, well, it's a start on the COP housing. And I love to see almost 1,000 COP holders were outreached with direct mail, which is great. Everybody likes the new media, but direct mail I really think is effective. Great, great success, and thanks to all of you for your work.

And I would just like to say what I failed to say a little earlier with links and NCLF. is I would like to see the flyers that went to the churches and businesses, nonprofits, the outreach organizations to help them to know what is available, what's going on, the opportunities at hand for housing. And perhaps there's something we could do and letting others know that there is access to those flyers for reaching their congregants and community resource places. So if it's at all possible, I'd like to make that a record request that we could see those flyers and the information that's being handed out. Director Kozlowski.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yeah, we can compile a list of those documents and prepare them for distribution to the Commission.

Thank you, sir. And are there any other comments, questions, or concerns?

If I may, I just wanted to say it was wonderful to see the first part of the project and the second and see the actual impact on the ground and communities. Congratulations. What an accomplishment to have that many people actually get the opportunity for these housing. So thank you for all the amazing reporting. Thank you.

I'm just proud of the progress. We didn't have stories like this eight years ago, six years ago, five years ago during the pandemic. We were challenged, but you all withstood the storm, and I'm so proud of you. Thank you.

Commissioner. Thank you. Reports tell the whole story, so congratulations again, Pam, and all of the staff. That certainly does show the outcome of the works. Not to be the only Debbie Downer in the room, But 6,000 applicants for affordable housing, that just, you know, we got to get more housing. You know, a lot of work to do. But I appreciate all that you've done to get what we have done. And it's really interesting being on this commission a year. And I know both. with Oscar James and Doris Vincent was my original board member who hired me 10 years ago or so. So it's fun to see these projects. So thank you again.

And Director Keselowski, please continue.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to continue with my report. And we've already begun accolades for Pam and George. And we're going to really get into it now. If you guys are ready, I don't know what time it is, 2.30. Get your coffees. I have the distinct honor of helping to offer a commendation through this commission to both Pam and George. I'm going to start with Pam. We're going to take public comment after I read into the record. the commendation. And then we'll take comments from the commission. We'll start with Pam, but then move on to George. So we've got both of them here, and their families are here. And I see a lot of folks who want to speak on their behalf. So I'll keep my comments minimal and read into the record the report. beginning with commending and expressing appreciation to Pam, Pamela Sims, for her dedicated service upon her retirement from the successor agency to the redevelopment agency of San Francisco. Whereas before joining the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, Pam Sims built a strong foundation in public service through more than a decade of work in community development, including her tenure for the city of Pasadena, where she earned her master's degree in public administration and advanced to lead the city's community development block grant program, contributing to affordable housing, small business development, neighborhood revitalization, adaptive reuse of historic structures, and the establishment of community health services. Whereas Ms. Sims joined redevelopment in 1995 and went on to serve the people of San Francisco for over 30 years, serving under six mayors and eight executive directors, consistently demonstrating professionalism, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to equitable community development. Whereas Ms. Sims played an instrumental role in launching the city's Housing Opportunities for Persons Living with AIDS, HOPWA, program establishing licensed residential care facilities, developing independent and affordable units, and administering tenant-based rental subsidies for hundreds of San Francisco residents. Whereas Ms. Sims was also central to the successful launch of the direct access to housing program at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, securing four residential hotels that became the foundation of San Francisco's supportive housing system. Whereas during her years of redevelopment, Ms. Sims provided essential leadership in the development of transformative, affordable housing communities, including 1 Church Street for 200 units, Providence Senior Apartments for 50 units, Armstrong Place, 124 units, Bayview Commons for 30 units, Mission Creek Senior, 139 units, Crescent Cove, 236 units, 588 Mission Bay Boulevard North, 200 units, And whereas, 30 years, sorry. Whereas her tenure with the Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure, OCII, Ms. Simms advanced major redevelopment projects, including Hunter's View Phase 107 units, Pacific Point 60 units, Dr. George W. Davis Senior Housing 121 units, and 400 China Basin 148 units, and further strengthening housing equity through the Certificate of Preference program, helping to house more than 300 Certificate of Preference holders, and overseeing the marketing of more than 2,300 units. Whereas Ms. Simms' decades of service, deep expertise, collaborative leadership, and steadfast commitment to the idea that everyone should have access to high-quality, affordable housing have left an enduring legacy improving the lives of countless families and strengthening communities throughout San Francisco. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the successor agency to the Redevelopment Agency of San Francisco on behalf of its past and present commissioners and staff and of the people of San Francisco, and this commendation is presented to Ms. Sims as a token of our deepest gratitude and appreciation for her extraordinary service, her unwavering dedication, and her lasting contributions to the city and county of San Francisco. So hold your applause if you felt the urge to applaud because I wanted to applaud suddenly. So just hold that thought. We're going to go to public comment, I believe, Madam Chair.

Madam Secretary, is there anyone in the public that would like to come forth and speak? Words of expression?

At this time, we'd like to invite members of the public who wish to provide public comment on item 5, oh, excuse me, 8B to call 415-655-0001 to enter access code 2660-245-4701, followed by the pound sign, then the pound sign again to enter the call. Press star 3 to be placed in the online queue. And we'll start by inviting members of the public here in person to come up to the podium for item 8B.

One thing about me, I don't want to get tired of coming up here.

You're welcome, sir.

One of the projects that's dear to my heart is Ms. Doris Vincent. If you guys had known her, you would pick up a torch and start being a community person to do community work. That was a lady after my own heart. She always was after me about writing a book, putting a book together, which I don't know. One day I will, Ms. Vincent. I know she's looking down from heaven. But I know Pam had something to do with that. because she knew Mrs. Vinson, and a lot of people knew Mrs. Doris Vinson. But I just wish we'd get an applause from the audience on Pam. She deserved more than an applause. And I hope, Pam, you're somewhere in the city, and I'll see you every now and then. But if I don't see you, you know my heart is with you for all your work you've done to this community and to this city. Thank you. I'll be back up for George.

Thank you, Mr. James.

Next speaker? Anyone else would like to come up?

Staff or anyone? It's open. Yes. Yes.

I'll keep it short. You've heard from me a few times already. But I just wanted to say a huge personal and professional thank you to Pam Sims, who was here when I started and taught me just about everything I know about housing. And she will be hugely missed by me and our whole team. But I just wanted to say thank you publicly.

Hi, commissioners. My name is Philip Wong. I am a part of the OCI housing team. And Pam Sims, she came into my life when I really needed her to be there. I think she was kind of in the background when I was at the Office of Economic and Workforce Development. And she told me that I should consider this opportunity. And you meet so many people in your life that define the trajectory of it, but then they're the ones that really stand out. And Pam has been the most exemplary example of what it's like to be a whole person in a job, to show up, to stand behind the actions that you commit yourself to and follow through with them, and then to guide folks who may be lost in their way to help them find theirs. And I found that on the OCI housing team. I often think about what my voice should be like in any setting. And I think about how Pam would approach a problem, how Elizabeth will approach a problem, how Kim Obstfeld will approach a problem, how Jasmine Kuo will approach a problem, how Natasha Jones will approach a problem, how Lisa Andrews will approach a problem, how Channing Jackson will approach a problem. Jane Suskin, Marie Munson, other folks on the housing team that I have had the greatest privilege to meet. But the person that stands out most for me is Pam, because she's the reason I get to be here. And I'm so grateful to her for her time. And I always know that she's available to me. She's always said, come see me when you have a problem and you need an answer. And she's always stood behind that. And I've never hesitated to reach out to her. I have all this gratitude, and I will continue to hold that for Pam. Thank you.

Thank you, Phil. Anyone else?

Hello, good afternoon, commissioners. My name is Channing Jackson. And I just want to say about Pam, Pam is just Awesome. I've been at OCII less than two years. And she has helped me learn the system of OCII, has helped me develop professionally, and learning how to work in a public agency. Definitely a mentor, a wonderful mother, has given me so much advice, even provided her son from Michigan to tutor my son. in geometry. Thank you, Harry. Saving him. Thank the Lord. So Pam, I just thank you for our talks, our phone calls, our texts. I sincerely appreciate you for mentoring me, for guiding me, and for helping me as a woman, as a mother. And thank you so much for all the work that you have done for OCII and passing the torch for me. And I hope that I'm able to do you justice and help Housing team continues to do great and awesome things. So thank you.

Thank you so much, Janine.

Do we have any other members of the public wishing to speak? None?

And we do not have any callers online, Madam Chair.

Fellow commissioners, do you have any comments on item 8B?

Commissioner Hakimi, Pam, I am unlucky that I get to sit over here while you have left or you're leaving. But ever since I've joined, I have heard nothing but amazing leadership from you. And it seems like the tone that you have left is leading the future of this organization. And personally, I'm grateful for you, so I get to work with that moving forward. Thank you.

Vice Chair Miller. Pam, thank you. The numbers speak for themselves. All the San Franciscans that you've helped find housing in one of the toughest cities in the world to find housing. But that's only part of the story. I think you've made San Francisco more just in treatment of its citizens. And for that, we'll be so grateful. Thank you, Pam. And best of luck in retirement. It's not a bad place to be. Commissioner Shattucks.

Thank you. And one more time, Pam. I'm, you know, I started thinking, I wonder what she's doing in retirement. And I thought, I hope you have a lake house somewhere you're fishing or you got a boat or I don't know what you do in retirement. But it sounds like you've earned it. And I wish you all the best. And I'm sure our paths will cross again. It's been a great year getting to know you. And congratulations on all everything.

And for myself and on behalf of the Commission I'm gonna do like my director 30 years is a long time and it's nothing I would want to just say thank you very much and put a period Exclamation mark Question mark But I know it's a new chapter that you're going to. So I am going to give you this message from us. And I'm going to be like everyone. This has become like family to me. And I would tell Pam over to the side, little sidebar, you're a little piece of leather, but you well put together. Pam, don't mess with Pam. She's gracious and kind enough and with humility. But when you watch her and she starts steaming, she's going to stand for the policy. may not be able to do it, but it's because of the policy. And then she's going to work to see what we can do about that. But she is not going to go against and do something inappropriate. And I honor that, Pam. through the struggles and the hard times. And I thank you, because you did figure it out. and you're getting us there. So dear Pam Sims, our senior housing development division specialist at the San Francisco Successor Redevelopment Agency will be greatly missing you, just like George Bridges. You have been a beacon of hope in our communities all these years. Often, going beyond the call of duty to help our seniors and mostly the people at risk in this city to find housing, to navigate through the city's complex bureaucracy. You're very thorough. a worker bee, and always willing to go the extra mile. It's too much for me today and the OCII to lose to retirement two of our beloved staff people. I know your colleagues feel the same. Under your leadership, Pam, and efforts, things are coming together. and our numbers are increasing within the certificate of preference COP affordable housing program. I would also here for the records like to say thank you to our executive director, for making this project a priority for the agency. Without his help and stand, you couldn't have done all that you did. So the teamwork caused the dream work. This work has undoubtedly challenged. It was challenging. and tedious because of the past injustices that led to the gentrification of mostly African Americans in the San Francisco City due to redevelopment. The stakeholders also have high expectations for the COP program. They demand equity and justice. However, Pam, you remained receptive to discovering better methods. to mend what was fractured and broken, ensuring that deserving COP holders were not only reached, but that the complex system was simplified particularly for those in programs that were intended to be served. You have continued to diligently strive to improve the processes in discovering and locating COP holders who wished to stay or return to San Francisco while working very closely with our partner agencies and the community at large to make things better. This is a remarkable achievement by all measures. Well done, Pam. Your staff, your efforts have contributed significantly to the numerous housing opportunities across this city. this world-class city. You've done it. Your retirement from OCII is a great loss, especially at this time when there's still more work to do. We hope that your successors... I'll pause there. We hope that your successors will emulate your hard work, innovative ways, and with commitment. Thank you for your comprehensive final report which has enriched our understanding of this important COP and housing program and the next steps moving forward. Pam, your legacy here will endure well beyond your departure. Your overall contributions will never be forgotten. On behalf of my fellow commissioners and our beloved executive director, Thor Keselowski, Pam, We wish you continued life's fulfillment. We wish you joy. We wish you rest and spontaneous road trips. Please stay in touch, Pam, when possible. But take your time. Take care and may divine blessings continue to accompany your next endeavor with your life's journey. Pam, thank you so much.

Thank you, commissioners, for those words. And I want to invite Pam to come up and speak. And I want to invite Monica to join you for a minute before you begin. Monica Davis-Steen, director of HR and administration, has something to present to you.

Point of privilege. Pam, there's so much that I could say. You are a force of nature. Your spirit, your dedication, your passion for what you do and the care and the heart in that you operate in this world is a sight to behold. So we are going to miss you, but I am so, so happy for you and so happy for your family. And so there's a tradition that we have when folks retire from the agency. We take their nameplate and we presented them as a memento and a thank you for your years of service with the agency. So thank you, Pam.

So due to the length of time, we've cut everybody's time to one minute. I'm just joking.

Pam, please. I'm quick. Thank you all so much for your really kind words. It's a lot, your love and outpouring wonderful things, and some of them true, some of them not so true. But I did want to just kind of hone in on one of the items that Chair Scott said, and that we're a family. And we've been through a lot together. We've been through marriages. We've been through births. We've supported each other through major illnesses. And we mourn when we lose one of our former colleagues. And I just kind of want to say one of the most intense things that we weathered, some of us including George, was when we went through dissolution. That was one of the hardest things that I've ever gone through professionally. I'm one of those people that really believe that redevelopment could do really wonderful things. You don't look at a project just as a project. You look at it as an opportunity to create jobs. You look at it as an opportunity for people to live in these beautiful units. You look at it as an opportunity to remove blight. And I think we were doing that in San Francisco. Maybe not all the jurisdictions throughout California were doing that. But we were. And when the governor dissolved redevelopment, that really hit hard. And some of you may know, remember that My son decided to say a few words to the oversight board when he was nine-ish. And we were kind of left in flux. None of us knew who we were going to retain our jobs or not. And so he pleaded with the oversight board to let staff know, and especially the people who weren't going to continue, because they needed to make plans. But we kind of came through that. George and I refer to ourselves as survivors, and so does Elizabeth. Then we had this new world with OCII. And that was really interesting and tough, because a lot of our housing assets were assumed by MOSI-D. And MOSI-D was happy, mostly. But they were also a little bitter, because they weren't getting more staff. They were just getting more stuff. But Elizabeth and I tried to help as much as possible and we had to put together housing asset transfer lists and that included us and most ED staff and late night pizza and lots of hard work. And it brought us to where we are today because it helped us all work together and be patient and thoughtful with each other and always do our work with heart. And so to the commissioners, I'd like to thank you all and previous commissioners. mostly, for your steadfast leadership and for granting me the honor of receiving this accommodation. It's a recognition I share in spirit with everyone who helped to make our vision a reality. And to my colleagues and friends, you are some of the most talented, resilient, beautiful minds I've ever known. Your humor and warm smiles and daily camaraderie are what I'll miss the most. Thank you for your support and brilliant collaboration and irreplaceable friendships we have cultivated throughout the decades. And to my family, thank you for being my anchor and sounding board and constant source of strength through it all. I couldn't have completed this marathon without you. And thank you for your kind words, Harry, at the oversight board. So with endless gratitude, love, and warm wishes, I thank you.

Thank you. Pam and Thor, just looking at your staff, it just warms my heart. And it literally reflects the diversity of this city so that you have interpreters, people that know and understand the language of this city, and you can help each other. I cannot thank you enough when Sonia McDaniel left, you gave us another interpreter for our African American culture. She is a gift. Cora is amazing. She's amazing. It's like she was made for the position. I didn't think. I thought, can she do this? Does she know what she's stepping into? And she has been absolutely amazing. I've turned churches over to her, individuals, leaders, and she's just accepted it graciously and moved and helped each person. So thank you, Thor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Pam. Next. We have Mr. George Bridges. And thank you for your patience, for being here. We've heard a lot about Pam. Pam worked on these two items in addition to her being on this agenda for a commendation. You, Mr. George Bridges, are going to close it out. And so Mr. Bridges, commissioners, if you'll allow me the pleasure of reading into the record a commendation for George Bridges commending and expressing appreciation to George Bridges for his dedicated service upon his retirement from the successor agency to the Redevelopment Agency of San Francisco. Whereas George Bridges began his career at the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency on April 14, 1998, following 13 years of public service with the Ohio Department of Development, During his 28 years with the agency, Mr. Bridges played an instrumental role in the contract compliance division, establishing himself as a leader and trusted authority in economic development, including small business contracting and workforce programs. Whereas Mr. George Bridges has devoted the majorities of his career to serving the people of San Francisco, exemplifying dedication, integrity, and a profound commitment to the community. Whereas Mr. Bridges has actively engaged with the developers, contractors, and consultants to ensure they provide opportunities for San Francisco workers and small local businesses. Whereas his tireless efforts, Mr. Bridges has improved the lives and livelihoods of local workers and small businesses. I'm going to read this part really slowly and emphasize this for the specifics that it provides to everyone here. For example, in spite of the dissolution of the former agency in 2012, Mr. Bridges and his contract compliance colleagues have overseen the award of nearly $6 billion in contracts. with nearly $2 billion of contracts credited to small business enterprises. Of this amount, just over $1 billion is credited to San Francisco-based small businesses, San Francisco businesses. Minority-owned and women-owned businesses have also participated in a significant manner, with slightly over $1 billion in contracts awarded towards them, reflecting the ethnic and gender diversity of the region. Whereas Mr. Bridge's unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for the local workforce and small businesses has not gone unnoticed, as he has inspired many through his examples of selfless service. Whereas Mr. Bridge's leadership as a colleague, mentor, and supervisor has fostered a spirit of collaboration and inclusivity that has allowed others at the agency and OCII to thrive in their own careers. Whereas his compassion and dedication has left a lasting impact on the city and county of San Francisco, building a stronger, more resilient local workforce and small business community. Whereas on this memorable day, celebrating Mr. Bridges' retirement, OCII recognizes his excellent and dedicated public service, hereby commends Mr. George Bridges for his exemplary public stewardship, acknowledging his outstanding contributions and the meaningful impact he has had on many businesses and lives, and now, therefore be it resolved by the successor agency to the redevelopment agency of San Francisco on behalf of its past and present commissioners and staff and of the people of San Francisco that this commendation be presented to Mr. Bridges as a token of our deepest gratitude and appreciation for his commitment to our community and his lasting legacy of service. And for both Pam and George, we have signed resolutions here that we're going to present to you. But before we move on, I'd like to turn it back over to you, Madam Chair, to call for public comment.

So do we have anyone in the public that would like to come forth and speak? Words of expression?

We'd like to invite members of the public who wish to provide public comment on item 8C to please call 415-655-0001 to enter access code 26602454701, followed by the pound sign, then the pound sign again to enter the call, then press star 3 to be placed in the queue. We'll begin by inviting members of the public in person to come up to the podium to provide their comments, starting with Mr. James.

Thank you again. We just got finished with Pam. I got a bobble head. But everything that's been said, shaking my head. George has been a special person to this agency. You guys got to get a new speaker, because he has been a special person to this agency. Like I said before, he helped a lot of people's contractors and employers, the workforce, be able to take care of their families. Where he's going, if he's going to be another compliant officer, that he does as good a work as he's done for this agency. And whoever pick up that torch, be able to do what George has done. I'm going to be watching him. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. James.

Do we have another speaker who would like to come up?

Sorry, this is the last you'll see of me. I just didn't want to let the moment pass without saying a few words about George Bridges. He's also been here for my entire career here. He's been a wonderful colleague and role model. Deeply admired him. He stands firmly for what matters while always treating others with respect, even when it isn't reciprocated. His integrity has helped create jobs and careers and successful businesses for many San Francisco's. And I just wanted to say, George, I will miss you. And I'm grateful for the example that you've set and the kindness you've shown to me and so many others.

Thank you, Elizabeth.

Do we have any other speakers?

Good afternoon. My name is Channing Jackson. I just want to say to George, more like a big brother. I thought he was like my age when I got here. And I said, you about to retire? I thought you looked like so young, right? And so I've had so many conversations and so much great advice from George. I can go into his office and be like, George, what is this? And what is that? And so I just thank you for keeping your door open, for giving me so much knowledge and understanding, and just being a really big brother to me. And I cannot thank you so much. And your wonderful cookies. Can I just get the recipe? I hope you have a wonderful vacation, and all the trips you're going to be taking. And I hope that you definitely come. Don't be a stranger, and let's keep in touch. And I love you very much. All right.

Thank you, Ms. Channing.

Good afternoon, commissioners, general counsel, executive director. My name is Maria Paco. And I've worked in the contract compliance unit for the last 10 years. And so for the last 10 years, I've had the pleasure of working with George Bridges as a supervisor, a colleague. and a mentor. I want to echo what Dr. Scott said in terms of being able to express the impact of 28 years. There's not really words that you can express, but I'll try in this very short public comment. You heard a little bit about the numbers in terms of since dissolution, the contract compliant unit with the leadership of George Bridges has been able to bring $2 billion in contracts to small businesses and $1 billion to San Francisco businesses. So you've heard those numbers. But behind those numbers, when you think about our policies, George really speaks to the heart of our economic opportunity programs. He has been super instrumental in making sure that San Franciscans are able to enjoy business contracts and workforce opportunities within the city, especially within the OCI project areas. And it's more than just the jobs and the contracts. It really allows people to be able to stay in their communities, to be a part of building those communities. It just really speaks to the heart of the work. I'm just so grateful that I've had the opportunity to work underneath him, to have his mentorship and advice, even with just our policies in the last 28 years. He's been instrumental in actually informing those policies. It's a really big loss. I'm going to miss going to his office and being able to ask him questions because there's always something else that you may not have considered. And so, yeah, it's a really big loss to the agency. I think it's a really, you know... Big loss to our department. But at the same time, I just feel very grateful to have had the experience working with him. And so I really want to thank George for all of your hard work. I'm also very excited to see what he's going to do in the community. Because as you know, as people comment, George looks very young. He has a lot of youth left in him. And I feel like this isn't the last we're going to see of him and the last impact that he's going to make on the community. So I'm super sad for us, but happy to see what's next for him. And so thank you, George. You will be missed, but hopefully you won't be too far.

Thank you, Maria Pico.

I'll go fast. Oh, that Maria. That happens all the time. Our paths didn't cross in the way of work as much as in the way of the fifth floor. And when I found out George was retiring, I was like, dang. Another brother is gone from a leadership role in San Francisco. And I just wanted to say, public record, thank you, George, for your presence in leadership in local government. You don't know, but you might not know, you might not realize, but your presence has been inspirational to a lot of people. So thank you, and that's all.

Thank you, Maria Benjamin.

Hello, commissioners. My name is Julia Hernandez, and I've had the great pleasure of being on George's team on the compliance department. So unlike the two retirees, I'm a millennial, so that means I've had many jobs up until now. But I have never, ever had a boss like George. And I think maybe for the first birthday I had with him, I gifted him this picture of a framed quote by Angela Davis that said, you have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world, and you have to do it all the time. And I tell you, when I saw that picture, the only person I thought of was George. And I say that he's the best boss I've ever had because I've had a few jobs in public service. And the idealist in me that graduated from the College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State was a little disappointed. But when I met George, I was completely inspired and so happy that I chose this career. And I think I didn't know what I was in for until I sat in a workforce compliance meeting with him. And the way he spoke, it's funny now because all our meetings are virtual, so we're all in little boxes. And he unmutes himself and just he fights for the community and for what they deserve. And the faces all across the board of the developers and everybody who's there, the folks that are not meeting the policy, they look pressed. But me, I was trying to hold back a smile because it was just so, I was so happy. I knew I was in good hands with somebody that really, really cared and really, really fought. And not only was his passion super inspiring and made me feel like I finally had someone to try and emulate and be like, I was reviewing my notebook with all the guidance that he gave me throughout these last two years. And on the side, I'd see little scribble notes of his, like just quoting things like, you can't focus if you're doing something else or you can't really absorb something if you're multitasking. Multitasking is a farce. And I was like, wow, you're right. And so I'd write it down. But anyways, I just want to say thank you, George. You showed up, like I think Philip said about Pam, as a whole person, truly. And I think that contributed to the power that you had in all the work that you do and the impact on us. And not only did he show up as a whole person, but he saw me as a whole person and believed in me and my abilities to do work. well, hopefully, what he's been able to do. So thanks, George.

Thank you, Ms. Hernandez.

Hi, I'm Philip Wong. Just like Pam Sims, George Bridges, being able to walk in the footsteps of giants in terms of stature, expertise, care, and support. I think it's all in George's name, Bridges. He is someone who has, and I'm sure that folks are thinking that as well, as trite and as potentially corny as it might be to say, he formed relationships with folks who from so many different backgrounds and agendas. And he has helped me walk those bridges to connect with others and achieve the things that we want to achieve. And much like Pam, fiercely holding on to the values that underlie our policies. So I am eternally grateful to have had this time with George and with Pam. Thank you.

Thank you, Phil.

Do we have any other speakers? Madam Chair, it does not appear we have any speakers in person or online.

I'm sorry. This is getting emotional, and I think I've lost my place.

If you want to call for any comments from the commissioners at this moment, it would be great.

OK. Just helping out. I didn't know we were done with everyone in online as well. If we're done with everyone in online, fellow commissioners, if you'd like words of expression.

Commissioner Shaddocks. George, congratulations on your retirement. When I saw George's retirement on the agenda, I was like, That guy? You do look so young. And I've kind of known you for a while. So it was really interesting to see you here, or see me here, for that matter, a year ago. And just hearing what I just heard, you must have been quite a leader. So congratulations. I'd love to know what retirement looks like. I know my neighbor who's sitting next to you, I know what his retirement looks like. But I'll be curious to know what you do in retirement. And congratulations again to you for your long career. And it's good to see you.

Commissioner. Oh. You're on this side. Vice chair.

George, thank you for all the work that you've done, an amazing legacy you've left. I think I was most impressed by the passion you have for young people being trained and being part of what we need to move this country and this city forward. It's remarkable to see that. And I really want to know your secret on how comes you have no gray hair and you look so young after $6 billion of a contractor's work? But I appreciate all the work you've done and the legacy you've left here with OCII. Thank you. Commissioner Hakeem.

Thank you, Commissioner. George, I have never had the opportunity to talk to you or meet you, but I want to tell you that I don't know what your power was to have a young generation give such inspiring story about your leadership and your mentorship. That is what we need in this world more of. And thank you for doing that, because I'm sure she will be doing the same thing. So thank you for your legacy. And good luck with retirement. You're going to have a good time.

George, you don't get away without. A few words of expressions from the heart. When I met George, in our first really interaction, it was at one of our celebrations, a Christmas party. And he became my favorite party friend, those cookies. It's like, who made these? And when I saw George, I thought, him? Really? I said, he's the cookie man. He's in the wrong business. Amazing. Such a gentle giant, yet he looked like, don't push him over, you know. But another... team member, another employee that stayed with the ethics, good morals, strong, loving. And he was so kind. He just kind of slipped me a bundle of cookies at the end of that meeting. But George, you've been one in the community. that would show up, you and Maria. You just did so much role modeling with her. And then it wouldn't be where one would sit in one place and the other. They came in together. They'd sit together. And they were just that quiet presence. And then they'd come back behind doors and do the work. And so I want to thank you, and I'd like to just share these words on behalf of the commission. Again, this is like family. And so I'm thinking, George, like a son, I retired in 94, but you still look too young. So dear George Bridges, I had a lot of things in my mind to say today. given the significance of this occasion. Last day at the OCII. For me, it's bittersweet. You are Senior Contract Compliance Manager. You're our remarkable Mr. Workforce Development Manager with a heart that carries heavy things. I regret your departure because today is your last day at the agency. For me, this is, as I said, bittersweet. You have made so many wonderful accomplishments and contributions all these years at the OCII and in the various capacities we have been privileged to know about you in the communities and citywide. Your work has impacted so many lives and will continue to do so. Your colleagues have already shown their heartwarming appreciation, a testament to their admiration to your work. You truly deserve the recognition and commendations. George, we appreciate your commitment and conviction to ensure that the disadvantaged members of the society have equal opportunities in workforce training, employment, and local hiring. We certainly need more people like you in our governments and the private sectors everywhere. In your absence, the OCII will continue to place a high priority in your area of work to ensure fairness and equal opportunities for all as you modeled. This is the legacy, George, that you have left behind. and must continue to be cherished. Thank you for your presence, George, during our community meetings. Thank you, George, for so much of your contributions to the city build and OCII projects. In closing, George, when you called to inform me of your retirement, tears welled up in my eyes I do not want you to leave, but I sincerely wish you success on your life's journey. George, you seem too young again for this step. However, we know your work in the community will continue. On the behalf of my fellow commissioners, my director, and our counselor, And our beloved Executive Director Kozlowski, I want to say again, may God continue, George, to bless you as you proceed on the new paths and endeavors ahead. Thank you so much, Mr. Bridges.

I'd like to, if Madam Chair, if I may, I'd love to invite Mr. Bridges up. And hearing about all of this with George and Pam, I want to first, before you begin, George, if you don't mind, Monica David Steen, would you please, I think she has something to present to you and also some remarks she wants to make.

Okay. Okay.

Thank you. I will keep this brief because both of us are criers. But George Bridges, a note to dear Philip Wong, I'm going to piggyback on Bridges. It's a blessing to see you live up to your name. You've heard this at our are a little social, but I want to put it in the record. George serves as a bridge to the community in the workforce work that he does. He serves as a bridge to the community of San Francisco through his work with Glide Memorial, walking as a man of faith that strengthens him in everything that he does. And he is a bridge to us as colleagues, the care, compassion, fortitude in which you do your work and hold us accountable to what we are charged with doing. In many ways, like Pam, she's a force of nature in a very forceful, outright, direct way. George has a quiet power that he operates in this world. And we need both of that. So I am proud of you, dear public servant. for what you've done. You're just down the street, so I expect to see you. But on that, I want to give you this momentum for your 28 years of service to the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency and the successor agency and to all that you have done in service to San Francisco. I love you.

I love you. Thank you. Good afternoon, commissioners.

Good afternoon, sir.

Chair Dr. Scott, Vice Chair Miller, such a pleasure to see all of you today. Director, my supervisor, General Counsel Morales. Well, first I would like to say, Pam, thank you for sharing this day with me. Yeah. In your words, I just want to echo your words. We're the fortunate ones. First, I'd like to thank my mom, 89-year-old mom in a care facility. Can't wait for her to see this beautiful meeting that we had today. Give thanks to my brothers, Ron and his wife, Pam, and Gary and Red. I'm very fortunate to have a great extended family. Lots of relatives that have helped shape me into the man that I've become. My Glide family, Julius and Reggie, are here with me today. Faith is very important, but it's something that I didn't have a lot of. OCII, with all the challenges, have really helped me to grow stronger in my faith. There's nothing like working for an agency that does the right thing. And then you get all the opportunities to watch people move into new housing facilities and have new neighbors and have that great dream. As Pam and I, we're 31 in 28 years. we began to really understand community. And I want to thank all those folks from the community-based organizations and nonprofit housing development companies that helped us to understand the population that we serve. But it wasn't that alone. It was having co-workers at OCII, before that the redevelopment agency, contract compliance staff that I worked with when I started, Ben Haddam, Chrissy Glaces, Josephine Lee, Sylvester McGuire, Juanita Johnson. Those are the people that helped shape me to really understand we're the lucky ones. But by being blessed, now let's spread that. And here at the agency, in the early days, watching Mr. Morales do his thing as the most knowledgeable man in San Francisco. Oh, my God, yes. And the wise one, you know. That's where I learned how to show up. And then watching Thor, when he's a project manager, learn how to see how he works with community. Then I began to have even a stronger commitment. In the last four years, with your energy you bring, Thor, I think staff would all agree that it's a great place to be. And that's what I wish for the agency as they continue. to thrive and do the right thing for the folks of the city and county of San Francisco. I want to thank Julia and Maria. I didn't always think I was that good of a manager, but I certainly appreciate the words. I had good students. And together, we really learned to appreciate each other. And I think that Thor and Jim and the agency is in good hands. I know they'll continue to do great success. I think the only thing that I would say is the last six months, when you decide you're going to retire, you go through all kinds of emotions. And I am of age. I won't say how old Pam is, but we are the same. I think six months apart. And we've celebrated for 25 years now our birthdays. But one of the things you do learn as you get older and you make that decision to retire, I was able to be more present with my coworkers. And I never thought I would love so many people so deeply. And we had a great party, lots of sweet desserts, and looking forward to Pam's party tonight. But I just want to say thank you all for this. This means the world to me. I never thought I would. People would be saying thank you and congratulations. I thought they'd be saying, be gone. Thank you much.

Thank you, George. Thank you, Mr. Bridges. We applaud you both, Pam and George.

Madam Chair, that concludes the director's report. Thank you.

Yes, sir.

We'll call the next item. Oh, yes.

Oh, that concludes is what I thought you asked. Could you conclude? And I thought you were finished. May I conclude? OK. Madam Secretary, please call the next item.

The next order of business is item nine, commissioners' questions and matters. Madam Chair.

Commissioners, do you have any questions or matters that you would like to discuss? Okay. And I think so. I only have one thing to bring up, which I failed to bring up. with non-agenda. And I'll talk more about it once they have all the plans set for services. But we lost, from Temple Emanuel, Rita Simmel. And Rita was one When I got the announcement and the notice, the San Francisco Interfaith Council, which I was a part of for some years, she was a force. She started that council and just celebrating and bringing together cross denominations and religions throughout the city for justice, for fairness, for the health and wellness equality. equity for this whole city and never seemed to stop. She was a journalist, and there's so much more. And I'll share that with you at another time. But just for a moment of silence, her family service was, I believe, last Friday. And there will be a memorial service for the city that will come forth. And we'll give you more information with the announcements. But if we could just have a moment of silence in honor of Rita and for the support of her family. Thank you. OCII is a model of much of what she believed in. And I thank you. And I could see from her congregational members that I know and have met, Thor, you are one, that you model the justice she sought for, I'll say it that way, righteousness, equality, unity, and strength that would promote this city, the county, and the world. Thank you. Madam Secretary, please call the next item.

The next order of business is item 10, closed session. There are no closed session items. Next order of business is item 11, adjournment. Madam Chair.

Fellow Commissioners. I will need a motion and a second to adjourn our meeting. May I have a second? I'll second that. Thank you. Moved and second. The meeting is adjourned.

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