The halls were quieter. Wedding ceremonies were still going on. But it wasn’t just another day in City Hall. It was the last Board of Supervisors meeting of the year, and Mayor Daniel Lurie was there for his regularly scheduled policy discussion with them– and to thank the Supervisors for their work.
While there were plenty of agenda items to question, there were also some to applaud. The standout, though, was Mayor Lurie’s monthly address to the Board of Supervisors at the top of the 2 p.m. hour.
Mayor Lurie echoed a message he has repeated for several months. He expressed gratitude to the Board of Supervisors during this time of reflection. And emphasized their willingness to work together throughout the year. He mentioned his 62% approval rating, compared with Mayor Breed’s 28% approval rating at this time last year.
“We mark nearly one full year of working side by side in service to this city that I know we all love. Moments like this invite reflection and gratitude,” Lurie told the board. “I want to thank each of you for your dedication to the people of San Francisco and your willingness to work together.”
Up to this point in his short speech, everything felt like regular scheduled programming. But then Mayor Lurie hit his stride. Residents who have been following closely know Mayor Lurie has been stressing collaboration across the Board and that there will be disagreements, but that they’ll still work together.
In that spirit, Mayor Lurie went through the list one by one, expressing gratitude for something he and each District Supervisor had worked on and accomplished together:
- To Board President Rafael Mandelman for working alongside him and for the close partnership.
- To Finance Chair Connie Chan for working collaboratively on a balanced budget.
- To Supervisor Stephen Sherrill for leading efforts to cut red tape for small businesses.
- To Supervisor Danny Sauter for his work to increase fines for dangerous sideshows.
- To Supervisor Wong for his support of legislation to modernize outdated tree-permitting processes.
- To Supervisor Bilal Mahmood, for helping secure $3.4 million from the budget for immigration defense.
- To Supervisor Matt Dorsey for helping secure 500 treatment beds and for establishing San Francisco as a recovery-first city.
- To Supervisor Myrna Melgar for the late nights and for being the finalization of the Family Zoning Plan.
- To Supervisor Jackie Fielder for helping secure emergency services for food stamp recipients.
- To Supervisor Shamann Walton for securing approval of the Prologis Gateway Project, which will create jobs and deliver community benefits.
- To Supervisor Chyanne Chen for her work on the new tenant protections ordinance.
Lurie ended his gratitude session acknowledging that “the challenges facing San Francisco are real, but so is the progress we’ve made, and so is the strength of this partnership. If we continue to lead with collaboration, focus on results, and keep our eyes on the people that we serve, there is no doubt that our best days are still ahead of us.”
Supervisor Mahmood then asked Mayor Lurie to address successes stemming from his first initiative upon taking office, the fentanyl state of emergency ordinance.
Mayor Lurie cited the following:
- Unlocking of funding
- Expediting contracting
- Expansion of shelter capacity
- Accelerated hiring of public safety staff
- 31 contracts established
- 219 interim beds, 60 of which are recovery-focused
- 594 scattered site units
- 150 mental health and substance abuse beds
- DEM and HSH community safety ambassador programs
And described the fentanyl state of emergency ordinance as an example of “moving faster than our traditional systems” that continues to be a critical tool in City Hall’s efforts to combat homelessness and the drug crisis in San Francisco.
Shortly before Mayor Lurie met with the Supervisors, his press office announced the creation of 90 new behavioral health treatment beds, a little more than half of which will be locked beds for individuals requiring intensive stabilization and psychiatric care, as part of the city’s broader effort to enhance its homelessness and public health response. The new capacity includes secure, 24/7 care environments and is supported by state mental health funding.
In 2026, here’s hoping Mayor Lurie goes further– to be tougher on those who receive general assistance and permanent supportive housing, hold the non-profits accountable with more specific, data-oriented, measurable outcomes that are visible to the public, and remove sanctuary status for drug dealers.
As 2025 comes to a wrap, whether you’re frustrated, sad, happy, or excited about the current state and future of San Francisco. A statement that has always resonated with me is a reminder heading into next year, “we’re all in it together.”