Committee forwards Excelsior Community Benefit District management contract to full Board

On March 7, 2024 the San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ Government Audit and Oversight Committee voted unanimously to forward to the full Board a resolution authorizing a management contract between the city and the Excelsior Action Group to administer the newly established Excelsior Community Benefit District (CBD). The contract term would run from its effective date through Dec. 31, 2033, and—if approved by the Board—would allow disbursement of assessment funds as early as late April, OEWD staff said.

The item was presented by Jeff Buckley, legislative aide to the sponsoring supervisor, and Jackie Hazelwood of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD). Hazelwood told the committee the contract uses an updated CBD template prepared by the Deputy City Attorney and includes a specific prohibition on using assessment revenue for lobbying (section 3.13 of the contract). She also described a formal benchmarking process under which OEWD will review CBD budget categories and service delivery against each district’s management plan.

"Establishing the Outer Mission–Excelsior CBD was one of his top priorities," Jeff Buckley said, describing the multi-year effort that led to the district’s formation.

Maribel Ramirez, executive director of the Excelsior Action Group, said the nonprofit is prepared to deliver services to the corridor and support small businesses. "We're just really excited to bring these funds and this opportunity to the Excelsior and the Outer Mission," Ramirez said.

The contract requires the owners association to restructure its board to meet state and local governance rules (a majority of property-owner seats, 20% non-property-owning business seats, and the remainder invested community members), Hazelwood said. OEWD also noted the contract language and benchmarking process are intended to ensure assessment dollars are spent in accordance with each CBD’s management plan.

Chair Dean Preston moved to forward the resolution with a positive recommendation. The clerk recorded three ayes and the motion passed. The committee recorded no public comment on the item.

Next steps: the resolution will appear on the full Board of Supervisors agenda for consideration; if the Board approves the contract, OEWD anticipates assessment funds could be dispersed later in April.