Committee forwards Building Inspection Commission charter amendment to full board

SAN FRANCISCO — The Rules Committee voted Monday to forward a third-draft charter amendment adjusting the composition, appointment methods and oversight of the Building Inspection Commission to the full Board of Supervisors.

Chair Aaron Peskin and chief sponsor Supervisor Melgar framed the measure as part of ongoing reforms following problems in the Department of Building Inspection. Peskin said prior investigations and personnel changes — including the resignation of the department head and related indictments referenced in committee remarks — motivated the proposal.

Supervisor Melgar told the committee the amendment would change how members of the Building Inspection Commission are nominated and appointed and add civil-service protections for staff who report misconduct. Melgar asked colleagues for their support and said the change is intended to make the department more accountable and transparent.

Public commenters were split but many supported reform. Eileen Bokin (Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods) and others urged targeted changes; some callers argued for stronger board appointment power to prevent concentrated mayoral influence.

The committee voted to send the amendment to the full board as a committee report so that it will appear on the full-board agenda and sit for at least one week; the clerk recorded the motion passing without objection with Vice Chair Rafael Mandelmann absent.