San Francisco Planning Commission goes into closed session, unanimously votes not to disclose discussions

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Planning Commission held a special closed session on Jan. 26, 2023, voting unanimously to assert attorney-client privilege, enter closed session and to withhold disclosure of the closed-session discussions.

Commissioner Diamond moved that the commission enter closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding matters listed for conference with legal counsel, saying, “I make a motion that we enter into closed session.” The motion passed on a roll-call vote recorded as 7 to 0.

After the closed session, the commission in open session took a separate motion proposed by Commissioner Imperial that no part of the closed-session discussions be disclosed. That motion was seconded and likewise passed unanimously, 7 to 0. Roll-call aye votes were recorded for Commissioner Braun, Commissioner Ruiz, Commissioner Diamond, Commissioner Imperial, Commissioner Coppell, Commissioner Moore and Commission President Tanner.

The host reported that the commission scheduled a second closed session for Feb. 9 and said the body would reconvene at 1:45 p.m. following a lunch break. The meeting opened public comment on closed-session matters but received no requests to speak before moving into closed session.

The meeting packet and agenda identified the subject as a conference with legal counsel and a motion to assert attorney-client privilege; the commission adhered to established public-participation procedures for the session, including a three-minute time limit for public comment and remote call-in instructions.

The commission will report in open session any actions taken during closed session and will consider whether to disclose any portion of the discussions, consistent with the Brown Act and relevant privilege rules.