This resolution authorizes the construction and improvement of various public safety facilities, including the Emergency Firefighting Water System and police infrastructure, to enhance earthquake preparedness, with an estimated cost of $535 million. It also allows landlords to pass on 50% of any resulting property tax increase to residential tenants.
Resolution determining and declaring that the public interest and necessity demand the construction, acquisition, improvement, rehabilitation, expansion, renovation, and seismic retrofitting of the Emergency Firefighting Water System, Firefighting Facilities and Infrastructure, Police Facilities and Infrastructure, transportation facilities for the Municipal Railway Bus Storage and Maintenance Facility at Potrero Yard, and other Public Safety Facilities and Infrastructure for earthquake and public safety and related costs necessary or convenient for the foregoing purposes (collectively, the “ESER Facilities”); authorizing landlords to pass-through 50% of the resulting property tax increase, if any, to residential tenants in accordance with Chapter 37 of the Administrative Code; finding that the estimated cost of $535,000,000 for the proposed ESER Facilities is and will be too great to be paid out of the ordinary annual income and revenue of the City and County and will require expenditures greater than the amount allowed therefore by the annual tax levy; finding that portions of the bond proposal are not a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and adopting findings under CEQA for the remaining portion of the bond proposal; finding that the proposed bond is in conformity and consistent with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1(b); and waiving the time requirements specified in Section 2.34 of the Administrative Code.
How it got here
The legislation for the Earthquake Safety and Emergency Response (ESER) Bond originated from the need to enhance public safety infrastructure in San Francisco, particularly in light of seismic risks.
The Board approved the FY 2026-2035 Capital Plan, which included a schedule for planned debt and capital financing, setting the stage for the ESER Bond proposal.
The Capital Planning Committee approved an amended FY 2026-2035 Capital Plan, which included the ESER Bond proposal for $535 million, reflecting urgent public safety needs.
Mayor Lurie introduced the legislation for the ESER Bond, which included provisions for funding critical public safety facilities and infrastructure improvements.
The Department of Human Resources assessed the legislation for compliance with 'Meet and Confer' requirements, determining it was not applicable.
The Planning Department issued a CEQA determination, finding that portions of the bond proposal were not subject to CEQA review, facilitating the bond's progress.
The Budget and Finance Committee recommended the bond legislation for adoption, highlighting its importance for public safety.
The Board of Supervisors adopted the resolution for the ESER Bond, paving the way for a special election on June 2, 2026.
Reconstructed from attached documents & the official record
This resolution updates San Francisco's 10-year capital spending plan for 2026-2035 by changing the government bond program and combining funding for transportation projects. It aims to streamline financial resources for better management of transportation initiatives.
The ordinance calls for a special election on June 2, 2026, to ask San Francisco voters if the city can borrow up to $535 million for improvements to public safety facilities, including the Emergency Firefighting Water System and police infrastructure. It also allows landlords to pass on 50% of any resulting property tax increase to residential tenants.
The ordinance calls for a special election on June 2, 2026, to ask San Francisco voters if the city can borrow up to $535 million for improvements to public safety facilities, including the Emergency Firefighting Water System and police infrastructure. It also allows landlords to pass on 50% of any resulting property tax increase to residential tenants.
This resolution updates San Francisco's 10-year capital spending plan for 2026-2035 by changing the government bond program and combining funding for transportation projects. It aims to streamline financial resources for better management of transportation initiatives.