Ethics Commission holds closed-door labor discussion, votes 4-1 to withhold disclosure

The San Francisco Ethics Commission on April 8 voted to meet in closed session for an update with the labor negotiator about meet-and-confer with the San Francisco Municipal Executives Association concerning the commission’s proposed June 2022 ballot measure and related regulation amendments.

After reconvening in open session, Commissioner Finlave moved "to not disclose the content of our discussions about the labor negotiations," a motion seconded by Commissioner Romano. The motion carried in a roll call vote, 4–1, with Commissioner Bush voting no. Chair Lee and Commissioners Flores Vang, Finlave and Romano voted to withhold disclosure.

The commission had framed the closed-session sequence in four steps: public comment on whether to meet in closed session; a vote to meet in closed session under cited legal authorities; the closed session itself with a labor negotiator; and a post-session vote on whether to disclose any actions or discussions. During the open-session briefing staff reiterated the timeline pressure tied to an August 5 deadline to meet the November ballot placement schedule.

Before the closed session, public commenters raised concerns about public integrity and allegations involving Recology and recent resignations reported in local media; Commissioner Busch urged the commission to forward a letter to the City Controller describing the issues raised and to request further inquiry. The chair directed staff to submit the suggested letter to the Controller’s office.

What happens next: the commission’s public materials record only the formal votes to enter closed session and to withhold disclosure; no additional deliberations from the closed session were released.