Cow Palace legislation scrutinized

But in the new legislation introduced this year and approved by two Senate committees so far, Wiener is hoping to put in place locally-controlled governing body for the venue to make it more responsive to community needs. That’s in addition to a ban on gun and ammunition sales. Though the bill has garnered the support of Daly City officials and San Francisco supervisors, it has also sparked concerns among members of the Cow Palace’s board and event coordinators who believe the bill signals the demolition of the venue to make way for housing.

Currently governed by the 1-A District Agricultural Association within the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the site would be transferred to a district comprised of three Daly City officials, two officials from the city and county of San Francisco and two San Mateo County supervisors, according to the most recent version of the bill.

County Manager Mike Callagy said his office would be working with Wiener’s office to work through any amendments to the bill and concerns county officials might have about it, and noted Daly City officials have expressed interest in increasing their membership on the proposed authority to four and taking one of the two seats currently pegged for San Mateo County supervisors.

Supervisor Don Horsley was among several supervisors who expressed concern about San Francisco supervisors having one more seat than San Mateo supervisors, especially since the entire property lies within San Mateo County.

“I don’t believe that San Francisco supervisors should be making decisions in another county, in San Mateo County,” he said, according to a video of the meeting.

Supervisor David Canepa, who introduced a resolution in support of the bill, acknowledged Horsley’s concern and noted San Francisco currently owns 2 acres of the 68-acre site, while Daly City owns the remainder of the property. Canepa noted the composition of the governance structure is currently weighted in San Mateo County and Daly City’s favor and that the proposed governance structure is aimed in part at recognizing San Francisco owns acreage on the property. He emphasized the bill would give those living near the Cow Palace a chance to weigh in on its future.

“It’s about local control, it’s about the people who live in that area having their voice[s] heard,” he said.

Canepa said he planned to discuss with San Francisco supervisors Shamann Walton and Ahsha Safai the possibility of having one member represent San Mateo County and one member represent the city and county of San Francisco, leaving five seats for Daly City officials.

Though supervisors agreed to hold off on a vote to support the bill until the composition was solidified, Horsley was joined by board Chair Carole Groom in voicing support for a composition in which San Mateo County maintains two seats on the authority, Daly City is assigned four seats and the city and county of San Francisco is represented by one person.

Supervisor Dave Pine wondered whether the county had any legal concerns about the current proposal, and County Counsel John Beiers said he was focused on making sure the constituent agencies in the authority are not financially liable for the Cow Palace’s debts and obligations.

Though Beiers said he believed it was the intent of the bill to ensure the agencies involved are not liable for the site’s debts, he said he would monitor the bill’s amendments to ensure there is language making it clear the agencies would not be held liable.

Supervisor Warren Slocum also expressed concern about the growing number of districts, joint powers authorities and commissions in the region and asked Beiers if there is any other way to structure the arrangement that wouldn’t create a new district as is proposed in the bill. Beiers said he would look into whether another arrangement could be considered.

anna@smdailyjournal.com

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