Committee backs amendment to Dogpatch, Northwest Potrero Hill Green Benefit District plan

The Government Audit & Oversight Committee on April 21 approved amendments to a resolution that would modify the Dogpatch and Northwest Potrero Hill Green Benefit District's management plan so the district can combine its maintenance and capital improvement budgets.

President Shaman Walton, sponsor of the resolution, told the committee the plan change will give the Green Benefit District more flexibility to respond to changing operational needs without imposing new or higher assessments on property owners. "This change will not impose a new or increased assessment on the residents in the district," Walton said.

Ramses Alvarez of San Francisco Public Works said the district covers about 70 acres and 200 blocks and that current mandated percentages limit the district's ability to direct funds where immediate maintenance needs arise. Alvarez said the change was crafted with the city attorney and the engineer who prepared the founding documents and that the merged category would remain subject to the same restrictions as the original components.

The committee unanimously adopted Walton’s two amendments—one to make the Board hearing date explicit and one to simplify the resolution title—and sent the amended item to the full Board with a positive recommendation. "The motion to adopt the amendments passes without objection," the clerk recorded after a roll call vote.

During public comment, Dennis Williams of the grassroots group No Racism No Hate urged the city to coordinate with community-led proposals to help with graffiti removal, street cleaning and employment for local youth, calling for equipment and partnership with Public Works.

The item is expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors agenda; the committee endorsed the amended resolution for full Board consideration.

What’s next: the Board will hear the amended resolution on the date listed in the resolution, and the committee’s positive recommendation moves the measure toward final action at the full Board meeting.