Ethics Commission holds closed labor negotiations on ballot measure, votes to withhold disclosure; chair to issue statement

The San Francisco Ethics Commission voted June 10 to go into closed session for labor negotiations over the commission’s proposed November 2022 ballot measure and later approved a motion not to disclose what was discussed.

During the open meeting the commission identified the subject for closed session as labor negotiations with the San Francisco Municipal Executives Association concerning the Ethics Commission’s proposed ballot measure and related regulation amendments. After a period of public comment, a motion to move into closed session was made and carried by roll call, with five votes in the affirmative and none opposed.

When the panel reconvened in public, Commissioner (speaker 6) moved that the commission not disclose the content of the closed-session deliberations. The motion passed with three votes in the affirmative and none opposed; staff noted that some members had technical issues and could not participate in the vote.

Chair Lee said she intends to work with Executive Director Pelham to prepare a public statement updating the city on the commission’s work related to the ballot measure. Lee described the goal as keeping the public informed while complying with legal constraints on disclosure. Lee said the commission has issued similar statements following prior closed sessions and that timing made it important to move quickly: “I will be working with the executive director to look for the best way to get the information out to the public,” she said.

Some commissioners asked that any statement issued "on behalf of the commission" be circulated for review before publication. Commissioner Finliff said she would want to see any statement that bore the language of the commissioners’ names before it was released. Legal counsel and staff noted the commission bylaws designate the chair as a media liaison; staff also said some personnel who would support rapid distribution were out of pocket, which limited options for same‑day release.

Public comment before the closed session included remarks from Charles Head, president of the Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods, who urged the commission to advance the ballot measure and referenced the recent passage of Proposition E. "Prop E passed," Head said, arguing the commission should move forward with ethics reform.

The vote to withhold disclosure means the public will not receive details of the closed-session labor negotiation; the commission recorded the formal action in its minutes and the chair said she would provide a public-facing update consistent with legal constraints. No further procedural actions on the ballot measure were announced at the June 10 meeting.

The commission adjourned after brief discussion of future meeting items.