Rules Committee advances six Market and Octavia CAC nominees to full Board

The San Francisco Rules Committee on Feb. 26 advanced six nominees to the Market and Octavia Community Advisory Committee, sending the recommendations to the full Board of Supervisors for final appointment.

Supervisor Hillary Ronan, chair of the committee, and Vice Chair Shimon Walton moved the slate after hearing two-minute statements from each applicant. Candidates who will be recommended to the Board are Jesus (recorded in the public record as Jesus Yeng) for seat 1; Natalie Burdick for seat 2; Madeline Howie for seat 3 (reported as having submitted written materials); Nicholas Parker for seat 4; Sasha Ortega for seat 5; and Andrew Signer for seat 6. The clerk read the item as a hearing to consider six appointments with terms ending Dec. 16, 2024.

Each applicant summarized relevant neighborhood ties and experience. Jesus described long-term residency and advocacy for Latinx, immigrant, LGBTQ and disability communities; Natalie Burdick cited work on safer streets at Walk San Francisco and merchant advocacy; Nicholas Parker said he brings small-business perspective as owner of the Mercury Cafe in Hayes Valley; Sasha Ortega described long-term HVNA service and active-transportation advocacy; and Andrew Signer pointed to leadership in the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association and work on shared-space and affordable-housing advocacy. Leah Culver told the committee she is a homeowner and therefore not eligible for the renter-designated seat 1 listed on the agenda.

Supervisor Dean Preston, who said his office reviewed many applications, highlighted the advisory committee's role on development and transportation in the Market Octavia plan area and urged continued engagement from all applicants. Preston recommended the six nominees named above and told the committee the group would bring a diverse mix of experience and perspectives.

After Preston's remarks, Vice Chair Walton moved to forward the six candidates with a positive recommendation. The clerk called the roll; Walton and Chair Ronan voted Aye and the motion passed without objection with Supervisor Safaie absent.

The committee's positive recommendation will be transmitted to the full Board of Supervisors, which will take the final appointments on its calendar on March 5, 2024, unless otherwise noted.