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 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 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 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 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