Building Inspection Commission says it selected DBI director candidate; announcement pending HR review

The San Francisco Building Inspection Commission met in a special session on Jan. 21, 2022, and moved into closed session to consider a public employee appointment for the Department of Building Inspection (DBI). After reconvening, the commission disclosed it had chosen a candidate for the DBI director job but said the official announcement would follow completion of the human resources process.

The meeting opened with roll call and a land acknowledgment for the indigenous peoples of the San Francisco Peninsula. The commission then announced agenda item 2 as a closed session to consider a public employee appointment for the director of the Department of Building Inspection and asked whether any members of the public wished to comment; none did.

An unnamed commissioner moved to convene a closed session; the motion was seconded and carried on a unanimous roll call. The transcript records the closed session as beginning at 1:40 p.m. The meeting later reconvened in open session at 4:44 p.m., when a motion not to disclose any or all discussions held in closed session was made and seconded. That motion passed in roll call with five recorded yes votes and two commissioners (Alexander Toot and Moss) excused.

President McCarthy said, “The commission has decided, on a a candidate for the direct position at DBI. The announcement of the appointment will be after the completion of the HR process, which will start immediately.” The statement indicates the commission completed its internal selection during closed session but will wait for HR processes before making the selection public.

No public comment was recorded on the closed-session item. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn and an adjournment time recorded at 4:46 p.m.

What happens next: the commission indicated the HR process to finalize the appointment will begin immediately; no timeline for public announcement was specified in the meeting record.