Rules Committee forwards Lynn Newhouse Siegel nomination to full Board after title amendment

The Rules Committee of the San Francisco County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to recommend the mayor’s nominee, Lynn Newhouse Siegel, for appointment to the newly created Public Works Commission. Chair Aaron Peskin moved an amendment to remove the word “reject” from the motion title; the committee approved the amendment and then forwarded the nomination to the full Board with recommendation.

Rachel Alonzo, project director in the City Administrator’s Office, told the committee the commission’s kickoff meeting is planned for July 28 and staff training begins next week. Alonzo said roughly 150 staff across the department will need to prepare materials and that there is about a seven-week lead time for items to be ready for commission consideration (for example, items for a Sept. 2 meeting would need submittal by mid‑July). Bob Fuller, Commission Affairs Manager for the Public Works Commission, introduced himself and summarized onboarding work.

Lynn Newhouse Siegel, the nominee, described her civic experience and emphasized infrastructure’s importance, saying, “infrastructure, that's what holds the city up and holds the city together.” Chair Peskin and other members cited her role on the Van Ness BRT lighting work as evidence of her ability to advance public‑realm projects that cross agency lines.

No members of the public spoke on the item. The committee recorded unanimous “Aye” votes from the three members present on both the amendment and the motion to forward the nomination; the committee record shows Supervisor Connie Chan and Chair Aaron Peskin voting with the vice chair (transcript label: Madeline). The committee’s recommendation will go to the full Board of Supervisors for final action.