SFPUC Rules of Order
Amended XXXXXX, 2022 Page 1
ATTACHMENT 1:
PROPOSED CHANGES
IN MARKED TEXT
[additions in underline,
deletions in strikethrough]
RULES OF ORDER
SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO
Adopted XXXXX, 2022
Adoption of Rules of Order
RULE 1. The adoption of the Rules of Order shall be by motion and shall require an affirmative recorded vote of a majority of the members of the Commission.
When adopted, such Rules of Order shall remain in effect, unless suspended or amended as provided in these Rules of Orderherein.
Rules indicated with an asterisk (*) are adopted in conformance with specific sections of the San Francisco Charter, San Francisco Administrative Code, or California Government Code.
Suspension of the Rules of Order
RULE 2. The Commission, by affirmative vote of the majority of the members of the Commission, may suspend any of the Rules of Order except this Rule 2 and any Rule that is required by Charter, Ordinance, Resolution, or other applicable law.Except for this rule and such other of these Rules of Order as are restatements of provisions of the charter, ordinances or resolutions of the Board of Supervisors, or other provisions of law, and are so designated in each case by an asterisk, any of these rules of order may be suspended by the affirmative vote of the majority of the members of the Commission,
Any provided that such suspension is shall be entered upon the minutes of the Commission.
A motion to suspend the rules is debatable.
Amendments to Rules of Order
RULE 3. The Commission, by affirmative vote of the majority of the members of the SFPUC Rules of Order
Amended XXXXXX, 2022 Page 2
Commission, may amend these Rules of Order following a duly noticed public hearing as provided under Charter Section 4.104(a)(1).An amendment to the Rules of Order may, after two weeks’ notice, be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Commission.
Quorum
*RULE 4. A quorum for the transaction of official business shall consist of a majority of all the members of the Public Utilities Commission;, or three (3) members thereofof the Commission constitutes a quorum. A smaller number may adjourn from time to time and provide for the attendance of absent members. [NOTE: LAST SENTENCE MOVED TO RULE 5, VOTE REQUIRED] [Charter Section 4.104(b)-3]
Vote Required
*RULE 5. The affirmative vote of a majority of the members shall be required for the approval of any matter, except that the Commission may act by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present for matters of procedure (such as adjournment).
Each member present at a regular or special meeting shall vote "yes" or "no" when a question is put to a vote, unless excused from voting by a motion adopted by a majority of the members present.Except as otherwise herein provided, an affirmative vote of at least three members of the Commission shall be required for the passage of any resolution, or for the passage of any other motion. [Charter Section 4.104-3(b)] The vote on all resolutions, on approval of the minutes, and on all other questions, shall be recorded in the minutes of the proceedings of the Commission. A roll call shall not be interrupted, but a member may, prior to the calling of the roll, explain the member’s own vote, or file in writing an explanation after the result of the roll call has been announced and recorded.
Organization and Election of Officers
RULE 6. At the first regular meeting of the Commission after the 1st day of October of each year, the members of the Commission shall elect from among their number a President and a Vice-President of the Commission, each to serve for a one-year term. An incumbent President or Vice-President who has served a full one-year term in the office is ineligible for a second, consecutive one-year term in the same office.
If the Presidency becomes vacant before expiration of the one-year term due to SFPUC Rules of Order
Amended XXXXXX, 2022 Page 3
resignation or other reasons, the following shall occur: (1) the Vice-President shall automatically assume the Presidency and serve out the reminder of the prior President’s term and (2) at the next regular meeting of the Commission after the vacancy occurs, the members of the commission shall elect a new Vice-President who shall serve out the remainder of the prior Vice President’s term. After the new President and Vice-President have served out the remainder of the terms of the vacated positions, they may each then be elected to serve a full one-year term the following October.
In the event that the Vice-Presidency becomes vacant before expiration of the one-year term, due to resignation or other reasons, the following shall occur: At at the next regular meeting of the Commission after the vacancy occurs, the members of the Commission shall elect a new Vice-President who shall serve out the remainder of the prior Vice-President’s term. After the new Vice-President has served out the remainder of the term, s/hethat Commissioner may then be elected to serve a full one-year term as Vice-President the following October.
Regular Meetings of the Commission
*RULE 7. The Commission shall hold a regular meeting in the chambers of the Public Utilities Commission in City Hall at 1:30 p.m. every second (2nd) and fourth (4th) Tuesday. [Government Code Section 54954(a); Administrative Code Section 67.6(a).] If a regular meeting would otherwise fall on a holiday, it shall instead be held on the next business day, unless otherwise rescheduled or canceled in advance. [Administrative Code Section 67.6(c).], unless it be a holiday, legal or by official proclamation, in which case the meeting shall be as held on the next business day unless otherwise rescheduled.
The Commission may hold special meetings from time to time at the SFPUC Administration Building, 525 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, California, and at such other locations that are properly noticed as Special Meetings pursuant to Rule 9. [NOTE: MOVED TO RULE 9, SPECIAL MEETINGS]
Temporary Meeting Place-Emergency
*RULE 8. In case of emergency, the Commission shall designate some other appropriate place location as its temporary meeting place. The change of meeting site shall be announced by the most rapid means of communication available at the time, in a notice to the local media outlets that have requested written notice of special meetings pursuant to Government Code SFPUC Rules of Order
Amended XXXXXX, 2022 Page 4
Section 54956. Reasonable attempts shall be made to contact others regarding the change in meeting location. [Government Code Section 54956; [Administrative Code Section 67.6(d).] Special Meetings of the Commission
*RULE 9. Special meetings of the Commission may be called at any time by the President or by a majority of the members of the Commission by delivering personally or by mail written notice to each member of the Commission and to each local newspaper of general circulation, radio or television station requesting notice in writing.
Such nNotice of a special meeting must be delivered personally or by mail at least 72 hours before the time of such meeting as specified in the notice.
The call and notice shall specify, the time and place of the special meeting and the business to be transacted. No other business shall be considered at such meetings by the Commission.
Such wWritten notice may be dispensed with as to any member who at or prior to the time the meeting convenes files with the Secretary of the Commission a written waiver of notice. Such waiver may be given by telegramelectronic written notice.
Such written notice may also be dispensed with as to any member who is actually present at the meeting at the time it convenes.
Each special meeting shall be held at the regular meeting place of the policy body(see Rule 7), except that the policy bodyCommission may designate an alternate meeting place provided that (a) such alternate location is specified in the call and notice of the special meeting and (b); further provided that the call and notice of the special meeting shall be given at least 15 days prior to saidbefore the special meeting being held at an alternate location. This provision shall not apply where the alternative meeting location is located within the same building as the regular meeting place. [Government Code Section 54956; Administrative Code Section 67.6(f).] Meetings for the Revision of Rates
*RULE 10. Before adopting or revising any schedule of retail rates, the Commission shall fix the time for a public hearing thereon and provide notice of said hearing on the SFPUC Website Homepage (www.sfwater.org) and at the Main Branch of the San Francisco Public Library, as more fully described in Administrative Code Section 2.98, and shall cause a summary of the notice to be published in the "Official Newspaper" as set forth in Administrative Code , SFPUC Rules of Order
Amended XXXXXX, 2022 Page 5
Chapter 2, Article IX, consistent with the Charter provisions Section 16.112 and Article XVII.Before adopting or revising any fees, rates, or charges which affect the public, the Commission shall hold a public hearing or hearings. [Charter Section 16.112.] Notice of the hearing shall be published at least ten days before the date of the hearing.
The content of the notice shall include a general description of the hearing. Notice of the result of the hearing shall be published for ten days after the hearing. [Charter Section 16.112.] The Commission shall publish notice in advance of the hearing by: (1) posting the notice on (a) the City’s Official Website Homepage; (b) the SFPUC’s Website Homepage (www.sfpuc.org); and (c) at the Main Branch of the San Francisco Public Library [Administrative Code Section 2.98] and (2) causing a summary of the notice to be published in the City’s Official Newspaper as defined in Administrative Code Chapter 2, Article IX. [Administrative Code Chapter 2, Article XII, Section 2.97(d).] Open and Public Meetings
*RULE 11. All meetings of the Commission shall be open and public, and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting of the Commission. [Government Code Section 54950, et seq., Charter Section 4.104(a)(2), Administrative Code Sections 67.5.] The matters to be included on an agenda for a Commission meeting shall be determined by the Commission President, or the General Manager, or by motion of a Commissioner adopted by of a majority of all the membersmajority vote. All meetings shall be duly noticed as required by law. [Administrative Code Section 67.7-1.]
The Commission may, with appropriate notice, meet in executive closed session to consider and act upon matters authorized by the Ralph M. Brown Act ([Government Code Section 54950 et. seq.) .] and the San Francisco Sunshine Ordinance [Administrative Code Chapter 67]. The Secretary shall record any decisions made in the executive closed session.
Any action taken in executive closed session regarding real property negotiations or employee actions, and the roll call vote thereonon such matter, shall be announced as required by law.
After every closed session, the Commission must by motion and vote in open session elect either to disclose no information or to disclose part or all of the information discussed in the closed session. [Charter Section 4.104, Government Code Section 54950, et .seq., Administrative Code SFPUC Rules of Order
Amended XXXXXX, 2022 Page 6
Section 67.5, 67.12]
Adjournment of Meetings
RULE 12. The Commission may adjourn any regular, special , or adjourned special meeting to a time and place specified in the order of adjournment. Less than a quorum may so adjourn from time to time.
Attendance at Meetings
RULE 13. Unless excused, all members of the Commission shall be in their respective seats at the hour appointed for each regular, special, or adjourned meeting of the Commission. No member shall leave the Commission meeting while in session without permission of the presiding officer.
Powers and Duties of the President
RULE 14. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Commission, shall preserve order and decorum, shall decide all questions of order subject to appeal to the Commission by any member, and shall appoint any and all committees of the Commission. The President shall appoint or replace, subject to the approval of the Commission, members of the Commission as its representatives to various organizations or agencies. The President shall have the right to participate in the proceedings of the Commission, including the right to make and second any resolution or other motion, and may speak to points of order in preference to the other members. In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall preside, and in the absence of both the President and the Vice-President the senior member of the Commission in point of continued service shall preside.
Call to Order and Roll Call
RULE 15. The President shall call each regular, adjourned, recessed, or special meeting to order at the appointed hour. Immediately after the call to order the Secretary of the Commission shall call the roll of the members of the Commission and shall record those present and those absent and shall cause to be entered upon the Minutes minutes the names of those members present at the first roll call as well as the names and time of appearance of those members who arrive subsequent to the first roll call.
Order of Business
RULE 16. The regular order of business shall be as follows, unless the presiding SFPUC Rules of Order
Amended XXXXXX, 2022 Page 7
officer elects to proceed in a different order pursuant to the authority granted under Rule 14:
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Minutes
4. General Public Comments
5. Communications
6. New Commission Business
7. Report of the General Manager
8. Report of the BAWSCA General Manager (monthly)
9. Consent Calendar
10. Regular Business
4. Report of the General Manager
5. Report of the BAWSCA General Manager (monthly)
6. Consent Calendar
7. Regular Calendar
8. Communications [information only]
9. General Public Comment
10. Items Initiated by Commissioners
11. Closed Session, and related Announcements, if any, and Motions Rules of Debate
RULE 17. When aA member who desires to address the Commission, the member shall seek recognition, by addressing the presiding officer, and when recognized, shall proceed to speak, confining comments, except for items 5 and 6 of Rule 16, to the question before the Commission, unless addressing Items Initiated by Commissioners (Rule 16). No discussion shall take place until a calendared item has been introduced, or a resolution or other motion has been moved and seconded, as appropriate to the item. No vote shall be taken until the item has been moved and seconded and an opportunity for public comment has been provided.
Privilege of Floor and Public Participation
*RULE 18. The privilege of the floor shall be granted to any member of the public or officers of the City and County of San Francisco, or their duly authorized representatives, for the SFPUC Rules of Order
Amended XXXXXX, 2022 Page 8
purpose of commenting on any question before the Commission. Each person wishing to speak on an item at a regular or special meeting shall be permitted to be heard once per item for up to three (3) minutes; time limits shall be applied uniformly to members of the public wishing to testify. The presiding officer shall be the judge of the pertinence of such comments. The presiding officer has, and have the power to limit this the privilege if, in the presiding officer's opinion, the comments are not pertinent to the question before the Commission or the comments are merely reiterative of points made by previous speakers. [Administrative Code Section
67.15(c).]
The Commission, upon consent of three members, may also extend the privilege of the floor by waiver of this Rule with consent of at least three (3) Commissioners.
Every agenda for regular meetings shall provide an opportunity for members of the public to directly address the Commission on items of interest to the public that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission.
Voting
Rule 19. The vote on all resolutions shall be by ayes and noes. The vote by ayes and noes on all resolutions, on approval of the minutes and on all other questions, shall be recorded in the minutes of the proceedings of the Commission. A roll call shall not be interrupted, but a member may, prior to the calling of the roll, explain his or her vote, or file in writing an explanation thereof after the result of the roll call has been announced and recorded. [NOTE: COMBINED WITH RULE 5, VOTE REQUIRED]
Minutes of Proceedings
*RULE 19. The Secretary of the Commission shall audio record each regular and special meeting. The recording may not be erased or destroyed at any time. [Administrative Code Section 67.14(b).] The Commission Secretary must record the minutes of each meeting and a draft of the minutes must be available for inspection and copying no later than ten working days after the meeting. The officially adopted minutes must be available for inspection and copying no later than 10 working days after the meeting at which the minutes are adopted. [Administrative Code Section 67.16]
Excused from Voting
*Rule 21. Each member present at a meeting of this Commission when a question is SFPUC Rules of Order
Amended XXXXXX, 2022 Page 9
put shall vote for or against it, unless the member is excused from voting by a motion adopted by a majority of the members present. [Charter Section 4.104-3]. [NOTE: COMBINED WITH RULE 5, VOTE REQUIRED]
Recordings of Closed Sessions
*RULE 20. Access to audio recordings of closed session meetings shall be restricted as follows, unless approved by the President of the Commission after consultation with the General Manager and the City Attorney’s Office:
• No copies shall be made of closed session recordings. • No recordings shall be released or loaned to any person. • Recordings of closed sessions may only be played at a closed session scheduled for the subject matter of the tape.
Recordings shall be retained for at least 10 years or permanently if possible. [Administrative Code Section 67.8-1.]
Commissioner Training on Code of ConductStandards
RULE 21. Each member of the Commission shall act in a manner as prescribed by the Charter and applicable laws. To ensure compliance with this RuleTo promote a high standard of conduct, each Commissioner shall receive training within 15 days following confirmation of initial appointment with respect to the following:
• San Francisco Charter
• San Francisco Campaign and Government Conduct Code
• Mayor's Policy on Commissioner Attendance and Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 502-06
• San Francisco Administrative Code, Chapter 67, Sunshine Ordinance • California Fair Political Practices Act and Statement of Economic Interest Obligations
• Commission Policies, including notification as to the following policies:
o Each member shall notify the Commission Secretary whenever that member is contacted by a party having business pending before the Commission if the communication concerns that business matter; and
o Each member, when commenting publicly or to the media from the perspective of SFPUC Rules of Order
Amended XXXXXX, 2022 Page 10
that member's individual capacity on a matter within the Commission's jurisdiction, preface any communication with the statement that the comments are an individual expression of opinion, and do not necessarily reflect the position of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.
o Competitive Selection Process Restricted Communications Policy (Resolution No. 21-0022).
o Parental Leave Policy (see Rule 22).
Parental Leave
*RULE 22. Under Administrative Code Chapter 67B, members of the Commission may take parental leave in certain circumstances. The terms of the parental leave policy are set forth in Administrative Code Section 67B.1. That section is incorporated by reference into these Rules of Order. The Commission Secretary shall provide a copy of Section 67B.1 to each member of the Commission when the member assumes office. Any member who intends to take parental leave under this policy must inform the Commission President, the General Manager, and the Commission Secretary in writing. To the extent feasible, the member’s written notice shall state the beginning and end dates of the leave and whether the member intends to participate in Commission meetings remotely during the leave. The notice is not binding on the member and does not limit the member’s rights under the parental leave policy, but rather is intended to aid the Commission Secretary and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission department personnel in planning the work and the meetings of the Commission while the member is on parental leave.
* Indicates rules that were adopted pursuant to requirements of specific sections of the Charter, Administrative Code or Government Code.[NOTE: SEE RULE 1]
SFPUC Rules of Order
Amended XXXXXX, 2022 Page 1 of 9
ATTACHMENT 2:
PROPOSED AS AMENDED
RULES OF ORDER
SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO
Adopted XXXXX, 2022
Adoption of Rules of Order
RULE 1. The adoption of the Rules of Order shall be by motion and shall require an affirmative recorded vote of a majority of the members of the Commission.
When adopted, such Rules of Order shall remain in effect, unless suspended or amended as provided in these Rules of Order.
Rules indicated with an asterisk (*) are adopted in conformance with specific sections of the San Francisco Charter, San Francisco Administrative Code, or California Government Code.
Suspension of the Rules of Order
RULE 2. The Commission, by affirmative vote of the majority of the members of the Commission, may suspend any of the Rules of Order except this Rule 2 and any Rule that is required by Charter, Ordinance, Resolution, or other applicable law.
Any suspension shall be entered upon the minutes of the Commission.
A motion to suspend the rules is debatable.
Amendments to Rules of Order
RULE 3. The Commission, by affirmative vote of the majority of the members of the Commission, may amend these Rules of Order following a duly noticed public hearing as provided under Charter Section 4.104(a)(1).
Quorum
*RULE 4. A quorum for the transaction of official business shall consist of a majority of all the members of the Commission; three members of the Commission constitutes a quorum. [Charter Section 4.104(b)]
Vote Required
SFPUC Rules of Order
Amended XXXXXX, 2022 Page 2 of 9
*RULE 5. The affirmative vote of a majority of the members shall be required for the approval of any matter, except that the Commission may act by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present for matters of procedure (such as adjournment).
Each member present at a regular or special meeting shall vote "yes" or "no" when a question is put to a vote, unless excused from voting by a motion adopted by a majority of the members present. [Charter Section 4.104(b)]
The vote on all resolutions, on approval of the minutes, and on all other questions, shall be recorded in the minutes of the proceedings of the Commission. A roll call shall not be interrupted, but a member may, prior to the calling of the roll, explain the member’s own vote, or file in writing an explanation after the result of the roll call has been announced and recorded.
Organization and Election of Officers
RULE 6. At the first regular meeting of the Commission after the 1st day of October of each year, the members of the Commission shall elect from among their number a President and a Vice-President of the Commission, each to serve for a one-year term. An incumbent President or Vice-President who has served a full one-year term in the office is ineligible for a second, consecutive one-year term in the same office.
If the Presidency becomes vacant before expiration of the one-year term, the following shall occur: (1) the Vice-President shall automatically assume the Presidency and serve out the reminder of the prior President’s term and (2) at the next regular meeting of the Commission after the vacancy occurs, the members of the commission shall elect a new Vice-President who shall serve out the remainder of the prior Vice President’s term. After the new President and Vice-President have served out the remainder of the terms of the vacated positions, they may each then be elected to serve a full one-year term the following October.
In the event that the Vice-Presidency becomes vacant before expiration of the one-year term, at the next regular meeting of the Commission after the vacancy occurs, the members of the Commission shall elect a new Vice-President who shall serve out the remainder of the prior Vice-President’s term. After the new Vice-President has served out the remainder of the term, that Commissioner may then be elected to serve a full one-year term as Vice-President the following October.
SFPUC Rules of Order
Amended XXXXXX, 2022 Page 3 of 9
Regular Meetings of the Commission
*RULE 7. The Commission shall hold a regular meeting in the chambers of the Public Utilities Commission in City Hall at 1:30 p.m. every second and fourth Tuesday. [Government Code Section 54954(a); Administrative Code Section 67.6(a).] If a regular meeting would otherwise fall on a holiday, it shall instead be held on the next business day, unless otherwise rescheduled or canceled in advance. [Administrative Code Section 67.6(c).]
Temporary Meeting Place-Emergency
*RULE 8. In case of emergency, the Commission shall designate some other appropriate location as its temporary meeting place. The change of meeting site shall be announced by the most rapid means of communication available at the time, in a notice to the local media outlets that have requested written notice of special meetings pursuant to Government Code Section 54956. Reasonable attempts shall be made to contact others regarding the change in meeting location. [Government Code Section 54956; Administrative Code Section 67.6(d).] Special Meetings of the Commission
*RULE 9. Special meetings of the Commission may be called at any time by the President or by a majority of the members of the Commission by delivering personally or by mail written notice to each member of the Commission and to each local newspaper of general circulation, radio or television station requesting notice in writing.
Notice of a special meeting must be delivered personally or by mail at least 72 hours before the time of such meeting as specified in the notice.
The call and notice shall specify, the time and place of the special meeting and the business to be transacted. No other business shall be considered at such meetings by the Commission.
Written notice may be dispensed with as to any member who at or prior to the time the meeting convenes files with the Secretary of the Commission a written waiver of notice. Such waiver may be given by electronic written notice.
Such written notice may also be dispensed with as to any member who is actually present at the meeting at the time it convenes.
SFPUC Rules of Order
Amended XXXXXX, 2022 Page 4 of 9
Each special meeting shall be held at the regular meeting place (see Rule 7), except that the Commission may designate an alternate meeting place provided that (a) such alternate location is specified in the call and notice of the special meeting and (b) notice of the special meeting shall be given at least 15 days before the special meeting being held at an alternate location. This provision shall not apply where the alternative meeting location is located within the same building as the regular meeting place. [Government Code Section 54956; Administrative Code Section 67.6(f).]
Meetings for the Revision of Rates
*RULE 10. Before adopting or revising any fees, rates, or charges which affect the public, the Commission shall hold a public hearing or hearings. [Charter Section 16.112.] Notice of the hearing shall be published at least ten days before the date of the hearing.
The content of the notice shall include a general description of the hearing. Notice of the result of the hearing shall be published for ten days after the hearing. [Charter Section 16.112.] The Commission shall publish notice in advance of the hearing by: (1) posting the notice on (a) the City’s Official Website Homepage; (b) the SFPUC’s Website Homepage (www.sfpuc.org); and (c) at the Main Branch of the San Francisco Public Library [Administrative Code Section 2.98] and (2) causing a summary of the notice to be published in the City’s Official Newspaper as defined in Administrative Code Chapter 2, Article IX. [Administrative Code Chapter 2, Article XII, Section 2.97(d).] Open and Public Meetings
*RULE 11. All meetings of the Commission shall be open and public, and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting of the Commission. [Government Code Section 54950, et seq., Charter Section 4.104(a)(2), Administrative Code Sections 67.5.] The matters to be included on an agenda for a Commission meeting shall be determined by the Commission President, or the General Manager, or by motion of a Commissioner adopted by of a majority of all the members. All meetings shall be duly noticed as required by law. [Administrative Code Section 67.7-1.]
The Commission may, with appropriate notice, meet in closed session to consider and act upon matters authorized by the Ralph M. Brown Act [Government Code Section 54950 et. seq.]
SFPUC Rules of Order
Amended XXXXXX, 2022 Page 5 of 9
and the San Francisco Sunshine Ordinance [Administrative Code Chapter 67]. The Secretary shall record any decisions made in the closed session. Any action taken in closed session regarding real property negotiations or employee actions, and the roll call vote on such matter, shall be announced as required by law. After every closed session, the Commission must by motion and vote in open session elect either to disclose no information or to disclose part or all of the information discussed in the closed session. [Charter Section 4.104, Government Code Section 54950, et seq., Administrative Code Section 67.5, 67.12] Adjournment of Meetings
RULE 12. The Commission may adjourn any regular, special, or adjourned special meeting to a time and place specified in the order of adjournment. Less than a quorum may so adjourn from time to time.
Attendance at Meetings
RULE 13. Unless excused, all members of the Commission shall be in their respective seats at the hour appointed for each regular, special, or adjourned meeting of the Commission. No member shall leave the Commission meeting while in session without permission of the presiding officer.
Powers and Duties of the President
RULE 14. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Commission, shall preserve order and decorum, shall decide all questions of order subject to appeal to the Commission by any member, and shall appoint any and all committees of the Commission. The President shall appoint or replace, subject to the approval of the Commission, members of the Commission as its representatives to various organizations or agencies. The President shall have the right to participate in the proceedings of the Commission, including the right to make and second any resolution or other motion, and may speak to points of order in preference to the other members. In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall preside, and in the absence of both the President and the Vice-President the senior member of the Commission in point of continued service shall preside.
SFPUC Rules of Order
Amended XXXXXX, 2022 Page 6 of 9
Call to Order and Roll Call
RULE 15. The President shall call each regular, adjourned, recessed, or special meeting to order at the appointed hour. Immediately after the call to order the Secretary of the Commission shall call the roll of the members of the Commission and shall record those present and those absent and shall cause to be entered upon the minutes the names of those members present at the first roll call as well as the names and time of appearance of those members who arrive subsequent to the first roll call.
Order of Business
RULE 16. The regular order of business shall be as follows, unless the presiding officer elects to proceed in a different order pursuant to the authority granted under Rule 14:
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Minutes
4. Report of the General Manager
5. Report of the BAWSCA General Manager (monthly)
6. Consent Calendar
7. Regular Calendar
8. Communications [information only]
9. General Public Comment
10. Items Initiated by Commissioners
11. Closed Session, and related Announcements, if any, and Motions Rules of Debate
RULE 17. A member who desires to address the Commission shall seek recognition by addressing the presiding officer, and when recognized, shall proceed to speak, confining comments to the question before the Commission, unless addressing Items Initiated by Commissioners (see Rule 16). No discussion shall take place until a calendared item has been introduced, or a resolution or other motion has been moved and seconded, as appropriate to the item. No vote shall be taken until the item has been moved and seconded and an opportunity for public comment has been provided.
SFPUC Rules of Order
Amended XXXXXX, 2022 Page 7 of 9
Privilege of Floor and Public Participation
*RULE 18. The privilege of the floor shall be granted to any member of the public or officers of the City and County of San Francisco, or their duly authorized representatives, for the purpose of commenting on any question before the Commission. Each person wishing to speak on an item at a regular or special meeting shall be permitted to be heard once per item for up to three minutes; time limits shall be applied uniformly to members of the public wishing to testify.
The presiding officer shall be the judge of the pertinence of such comments. The presiding officer has the power to limit the privilege if, in the presiding officer's opinion, the comments are not pertinent to the question before the Commission or the comments are merely reiterative of points made by previous speakers. [Administrative Code Section 67.15(c).] The Commission, upon consent of three members, may extend the privilege of the floor by waiver of this Rule.
Every agenda for regular meetings shall provide an opportunity for members of the public to directly address the Commission on items of interest to the public that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission.
Minutes of Proceedings
*RULE 19. The Secretary of the Commission shall audio record each regular and special meeting. The recording may not be erased or destroyed at any time. [Administrative Code Section 67.14(b).] The Commission Secretary must record the minutes of each meeting and a draft of the minutes must be available for inspection and copying no later than ten working days after the meeting. The officially adopted minutes must be available for inspection and copying no later than 10 working days after the meeting at which the minutes are adopted. [Administrative Code Section 67.16]
Recordings of Closed Sessions
*RULE 20. Access to audio recordings of closed session meetings shall be restricted as follows, unless approved by the President of the Commission after consultation with the General Manager and the City Attorney’s Office:
• No copies shall be made of closed session recordings. • No recordings shall be released or loaned to any person.
SFPUC Rules of Order
Amended XXXXXX, 2022 Page 8 of 9
• Recordings of closed sessions may only be played at a closed session scheduled for the subject matter of the tape.
Recordings shall be retained for at least 10 years or permanently if possible. [Administrative Code Section 67.8-1.]
Commissioner Standards
RULE 21. Each member of the Commission shall act in a manner as prescribed by the Charter and applicable laws. To promote a high standard of conduct, each Commissioner shall receive training within 15 days following confirmation of initial appointment with respect to the following:
• San Francisco Charter
• San Francisco Campaign and Government Conduct Code
• Mayor's Policy on Commissioner Attendance and Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 502-06
• San Francisco Administrative Code, Chapter 67, Sunshine Ordinance • California Fair Political Practices Act and Statement of Economic Interest Obligations
• Commission Policies, including the following policies:
o Each member shall notify the Commission Secretary whenever that member is contacted by a party having business pending before the Commission if the communication concerns that business matter; and
o Each member, when commenting publicly or to the media from the perspective of that member's individual capacity on a matter within the Commission's jurisdiction, preface any communication with the statement that the comments are an individual expression of opinion, and do not necessarily reflect the position of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.
o Competitive Selection Process Restricted Communications Policy (Resolution No. 21-0022).
o Parental Leave Policy (see Rule 22).
SFPUC Rules of Order
Amended XXXXXX, 2022 Page 9 of 9
Parental Leave
*RULE 22. Under Administrative Code Chapter 67B, members of the Commission may take parental leave in certain circumstances. The terms of the parental leave policy are set forth in Administrative Code Section 67B.1. That section is incorporated by reference into these Rules of Order. The Commission Secretary shall provide a copy of Section 67B.1 to each member of the Commission when the member assumes office. Any member who intends to take parental leave under this policy must inform the Commission President, the General Manager, and the Commission Secretary in writing. To the extent feasible, the member’s written notice shall state the beginning and end dates of the leave and whether the member intends to participate in Commission meetings remotely during the leave. The notice is not binding on the member and does not limit the member’s rights under the parental leave policy, but rather is intended to aid the Commission Secretary and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission department personnel in planning the work and the meetings of the Commission while the member is on parental leave.
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
City and County of San Francisco
RESOLUTION NO.
WHEREAS, The Rules of Order outline the governance of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and set the standards and procedures for its Commission meetings as required under state and local law; and
WHEREAS, Changes in state and local law necessitate that the Rules of Order be revised and updated; and
WHEREAS, In conformance with Charter Section 4.104, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission published notice of the hearing on November 21, 2022, held a public hearing on December 13, 2022, and considered public comment on the proposed revision; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Commission hereby adopts the Rules of Order of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission as appended to this Resolution, which Rules of Order shall supersede all prior Rules of Order.
I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the Public Utilities Commission at its meeting of December 13, 2022.
Secretary, Public Utilities Commission