Finding Aid to the San Francisco Select Committee on Charter Reform Records, 1978-1996 (bulk 1994-1995)

Finding aid prepared by Tami Suzuki
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
February 2009


Title: San Francisco Select Committee on Charter Reform Records
Date (inclusive): 1978-1996
Date (bulk): 1994-1995
Collection Identifier: SFH 32
Creator: San Francisco (Calif.). Board of Supervisors. Select Committee on Charter Reform.
Physical Description: 2 boxes (2.0 cubic feet)
Contributing Institution: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
Abstract: Documents the work of Supervisor Barbara Kaufman pertaining to the 1994 and 1995 charter reform committees. The records cover work leading up to the new charter measure, Proposition E, which voters approved on November 7, 1995. Materials include charter history, drafts and final text, reports, surveys, minutes and hearing summaries, public comments, a speakers manual, legal opinions, campaign materials, press releases, and newspaper clippings.
Physical Location: The collection is stored offsite.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in English.

Access

The collection is open for research. A minimum of 2 working days' notice is required for use.

Publication Rights

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], San Francisco Select Committee on Charter Reform Records (SFH 32), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Provenance

The San Francisco Select Committee on Charter Reform Records were transferred to the San Francisco Public Library by then-Supervisor Barbara Kaufman in 1996.

Related Materials

Researchers are encouraged to see also the San Francisco Citizens Charter Revision Committee Records (SFH 33); San Francisco Charter Commission Records (SFH 25); Jack Morrison Papers (SFH 24); and the San Francisco History Center's subject and card files for related materials.

Biographical/Historical note

The charter is San Francisco's constitution. The first city charter was adopted in 1898, creating a "strong mayor" form of government. Reformers in the 1920s succeeded in voter adoption of a new charter in 1932, establishing a chief administrative officer to direct most of the city's departments. Over time, numerous incremental charter changes made governing arrangements more complex. Eventually, charter revision was attempted several times, resulting in little change. Charter reform was undertaken in 1994 and 1995 by the Board of Supervisors, resulting in the 1996 charter.
Earlier, three charter committees failed to provide recommendations for revision. A fourth committee made recommendations that appeared on the November 1969 ballot (Proposition E) but was defeated, 37 to 63 per cent. A reconstituted committee then rearranged charter sections more logically, with no substantive changes. This recodification passed in November 1971 (Proposition R).
In 1980, an elected charter commission proposed a new, simplified charter to replace the existing charter that had been amended over 500 times. The proposed charter would have given more authority to the mayor, reduced the chief administrative officer's term from 10 to 4 years, reduced the controller's term from life to 6 years, required that women be included on each commission and board, and gave greater status to the Human Rights Commission. Proposition A failed, 46 percent to 54 percent, on Nov. 4, 1980.
In 1993, voters again mandated (through Proposition N) a thorough review and revision of the Charter. In 1994, the Citizens' Advisory Committee on Charter Reform was established. The San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR), which supported Proposition N, was instrumental in the process. Several proposals were floated. Using the 1980 proposed charter as a starting point, Supervisor Barbara Kaufman and Mayor Frank Jordan's proposals were merged into one document. However, the Board of Supervisors declined to place a charter reform measure on the Fall 1994 ballot.
A new group was created by the Board of Supervisors in 1995, the Select Committee on Charter Reform, chaired by Supervisor Kaufman. Kaufman’s legislative aide, T.J. Anthony, was significantly involved in the activities, as was SPUR. Like the 1994 proposal, the 1995 document was based on the 1980 proposed charter. Reform highlights included: shortening the 370-page document to 88 pages; modernizing the charter by eliminating sexist language, guaranteeing diversity and inclusion in city government, and protecting civil rights; merging the recorder and assessor functions; increasing government accountability; and giving some of the chief administrative officer's (CAO's) authority to the mayor while replacing the CAO with a city administrator with diminished authority. The measure, Proposition E, passed on Nov. 7, 1995, 58 percent to 42 percent, and the new charter became effective July 1, 1996.

Scope and Contents

This collection documents the work of Supervisor Barbara Kaufman and the 1994 and 1995 charter reform committees. The records cover work leading up to the new charter measure, Proposition E, which voters approved on November 7, 1995; and the implementation of the new charter, which took effect on July 1, 1996. Materials include charter history, drafts and final text, reports, surveys, minutes and hearing summaries, public comments, a speakers manual, legal opinions, campaign materials, press releases, and newspaper clippings.

Arrangement

The collection is organized in five series: Series 1: Citizens' Advisory Committee Reports and Proposed Charter Text; Series 2: Select Committee Reports and Proposed Charter Text; Series 3: Ballot Measure Campaign; Series 4: Implementation; and Series 5: Reference materials. Within series, materials are arranged chronologically.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

San Francisco (Calif.). Board of Supervisors. Advisory Committee on Charter Reform -- Archives
County charters--California--San Francisco
Municipal charters--California--San Francisco

 

Series 1 Citizens' Advisory Committee Reports and Proposed Charter Text, 1993-1994

Physical Description: 0.6 cubic feet

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Scope and Contents

Includes minutes and agendas, surveys, reports, and draft and final proposed charter text.
Box 1, Folder 1

Resolutions Establishing Charter Reform Committee, 1993-1994

Box 1, Folder 2

Kaufman's (5th) Draft Proposed Charter, July 20, 1993

Box 1, Folder 3

Chief Administrative Officer's Discussion Paper, January 24, 1994

Box 1, Folder 4

Request to City Attorney from Supervisor Kaufman, February 17, 1994

Box 1, Folder 5

Review of 1980 Proposal and 1994 Goals, March 1994

Box 1, Folder 6

Mayor's Statement, March 16, 1994

Box 1, Folder 7

Charter Amendments Since 1980, March 30, 1994

Box 1, Folder 8

Fourth Draft [Mayor's?], April 11, 1994

Box 1, Folder 9

Organizational Chart of Hongisto's Proposal, [April 1994?]

Box 1, Folder 10

City Departments' and Community Groups' Comments, April - May 1994

Box 1, Folder 11

Minutes, May 1994

Box 1, Folder 12

Memoranda, May 1994

Box 1, Folder 13

Summary of Draft Charter Provisions, Kaufman, May 4, 1994

Box 1, Folder 14

Comparison of Major Proposals, [May 1994?]

Box 1, Folder 15

Major Issues, May 27, 1994

Box 1, Folder 16

Agendas and Minutes, June 1994

Box 1, Folder 17

Draft Charter Text, Notes, and Revisions, [June 1994?]

Box 1, Folder 18

Charter Amendment Discussion, June 1994

Box 1, Folder 19

City Attorney's Input, June 1994

Box 1, Folder 20

Press Releases, June 1994

Box 1, Folder 21

Summary of Draft Proposal, Jordan/Kaufman, June 8, 1994

Box 1, Folder 22

Proposed Charter, Second Draft, June 12, 1994

Box 1, Folder 23

Introduction of Charter Overhaul to Board, June 13, 1994

Box 1, Folder 24

Major Issues, June 16, 1994

Box 1, Folder 25

Comparison of Current Proposed Charters, June 17, 1994

Box 1, Folder 26

Departmental Comments on Second Draft, June 1994

Box 1, Folder 27

Statements to Board by Kaufman and Committee, [June 21, 1994?]

Box 1, Folder 28

Memoranda including Ballot Simplification, June 1994

Box 1, Folder 29

Supervisors' Rules Committee Review of Third Draft, July 1, 1994

Box 1, Folder 30

Proposed Charter, Fourth Draft, July 5, 1994

Box 1, Folder 31

Proposed Charter, Fifth Draft, July 12, 1994

Box 1, Folder 32

Proposed Charter, Sixth Draft, July 12, 1994

Box 1, Folder 33

Comments on Sixth Draft, July - August 1994

Box 1, Folder 34

Changes to Sixth Draft, July 14-22, 1994

Box 1, Folder 35

Draft Ballot Digest, July 20, 1994

Box 1, Folder 36

Press Releases, July 15-24, 1994

Box 1, Folder 37

Comparison of Key Features, July 22, 1994

Box 1, Folder 38

Draft Analysis of Proposed 1994 Charter, [1994]

Box 1, Folder 39

Analysis of 1932 and Proposed Charters, [July 1994?]

Box 1, Folder 40

Kaufman's Statement to Board, [July 25, 1994?]

Box 1, Folder 41

Commendation by Kaufman, July 30, 1994

Box 1, Folder 42

Opinion Pieces, August 1994

Box 1, Folder 43

Press Coverage, March - August 1994

Box 1, Folder 44

First Draft, August 1, 1994

Box 1, Folder 45

Resolution Extending Committee's Term, August 8, 1994

Box 1, Folder 46

T.J. Anthony's Notes, September - December 1994

 

Series 2 Select Committee Reports and Proposed Chrter Text, 1994-1995

Physical Description: 0.8 cubic feet

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Scope and Contents

Includes minutes and agendas, surveys, reports, and draft and final proposed charter text.
Box 1, Folder 47

Creation of Select Committee, [1994]

Box 1, Folder 48

First Meeting, Kaufman's Comments, December 8, 1994

Box 1, Folder 49

Miscellaneous Issues, [1994-1995]

Box 1, Folder 50

Minutes and Proposed Charter, Second Draft, January 19, 1995

Box 1, Folder 51

Legal Opinions on Text, January - August 1995

Box 1, Folder 52

Changes to Text, [1995?]

Box 1, Folder 53

Hearing Agenda and Kaufman's Comments, February 9, 1995

Box 1, Folder 54

Organizing Memoranda, February 1995

Box 1, Folder 55

Calendars, February - June 1995

Box 1, Folder 56

Possible Amendments to Second Draft, March - April 1995

Box 1, Folder 57

Draft Comparison of 1994/95 (Second Draft) and 1980 Proposals with Current Charter, [March 1995?]

Box 1, Folder 58

Second Draft and Comparison with 1932 Charter, March 1995

Box 1, Folder 59

Minutes, April 26, 1995

Box 1, Folder 60

Neighborhood Meeting Comments by Kaufman, May 2, 1995

Box 1, Folder 61

Selected Comments on Second Draft, March - May 1995

Box 1, Folder 62

Public Comments on Second Draft, March - June 1995

Box 1, Folder 63

Board and Departmental Comments on Second Draft, April - June 1995

Box 1, Folder 64

Inventory of Issues, Sue Hestor, May 4, 1995

Box 1, Folder 65

Working Draft, May 18, 1995

Box 1, Folder 66

Special Meeting on Amendments Proposed by Public, May 31 - June 1, 1995

Box 1, Folder 67

Special Meeting on Amendments, June 15, 1995

Box 2, Folder 1

Amendments 1-50, June 1995

Box 2, Folder 2

Amendments 51-97, June 1995

Box 2, Folder 3

Communications with SF Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR), June - July 1995

Box 2, Folder 4

Outreach Activities Plan and Summary, June - July 1995

Box 2, Folder 5

Third Draft and Comparison with 1932 Charter, June 19-23, 1995

Box 2, Folder 6

Comments on Third Draft, July 1995

Box 2, Folder 7

Third Draft, as Amended, and Comparison with 1932 Charter, July 11-19, 1995

Box 2, Folder 8

Charter Summary Binder with Third Draft Proposal, July 1995

Box 2, Folder 9

Support Letters to the Board, June - July 1995

Box 2, Folder 10

Press Clips, July 1995

Box 2, Folder 11

Kaufman's Remarks to Board on Proposed Charter, [July 24, 1995]

Box 2, Folder 12

Fourth Draft, July 24, 1995

Box 2, Folder 13

[Fourth Draft?], Appendix A, [July 24, 1995?]

Box 1, Folder 14

Comparison of 1932 and Fourth Draft Proposed Charters, September 1, 1995

Box 2, Folder 15

T.J. Anthony's Notes, [1995?]

 

Series 3 Ballot Measure Campaign, 1995

Physical Description: 0.3 cubic feet

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Scope and Contents

Includes press releases, direct mail planning, and ballot arguments.
Box 2, Folder 16

"A Better Charter, A Better City": Handout, March 1995

Box 2, Folder 17

Ballot Simplification, July - September 1995

Box 2, Folder 18

Ordinance Authorizing the Measure, September 5, 1995

Box 2, Folder 19

Campaign Management, August - November 1995

Box 2, Folder 20

Press Releases and Fact Sheets, August - October 1995

Box 2, Folder 21

Press Clippings, August - December 1995

Box 2, Folder 22

Editorial Boards and Broadcast Interviews, August – November 1995

Box 2, Folder 23

Poll, August - October 1995

Box 2, Folder 24

Direct Mail Campaign, August - October 1995

Box 2, Folder 25

Direct Mail Pieces, [October] 1995

Box 2, Folder 26

Talking Points, [October 1995]

Box 2, Folder 27

Miscellaneous Endorsements, October 1995

Box 2, Folder 28

Sample Ballot, [October] 1995

Box 2, Folder 29

Text of Appendices A, B, C, and D, [October 1995]

 

Series 4 Implementation, 1996

Physical Description: 5.0 folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Scope and Contents

Includes amendments.
Box 2, Folders 30-33

Amendments, May - November 1996

Box 2, Folder 34

Commendations for James Haas and T.J. Anthony, July 1, 1996

 

Series 5 Reference Materials, 1978-1995

Physical Description: 8.0 folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Scope and Contents

Includes articles on previous (San Francisco) charter revision efforts and other charter amendments.
Box 2, Folder 35

SF Charter Revision: Constitutional Power and Political Limitations (Student Paper), 1978

Box 2, Folder 36

Proposition A Articles and Text, October 1980

Box 2, Folder 37

Why Charter Reform Has Failed in San Francisco (Student Paper) 1987

Box 2, Folder 38

Proposition L, Human Resources Department, July 1993

Box 2, Folder 39

Sample Ballot, [May] 1994

Box 2, Folder 40

Voters Guide (League of Women Voters), [Oct.] 1994

Box 2, Folder 41

Text of Propositions E, F, G, and H, [Oct.] 1994

Box 2, Folder 42

Charter Amendments, Los Angeles, April 1995