The San Francisco County Transportation Authority Board on Jan. 28 adopted its 2024 annual report and elected Myrna Melgar as chair and Commissioner Cheryl Sauter as vice chair, approving each item by unanimous roll-call votes.

The annual report, presented by Executive Director Tilly Chang, documents the authority’s planning, funding and delivery activities in 2024 and outlines priorities for 2025, including continued work on Muni vehicle and subway renewal, grant-supported projects across the city, and delivery work on Yerba Buena and Treasure Island. Chang told the board, “We are so privileged to have had that, especially during the time of coming out of the pandemic and leading our Prop L reauthorization.”

The report matters because it summarizes how the authority intends to steward voter-approved local revenues and leverage state and federal grants at a time several speakers described as a looming fiscal shortfall for transit. Former Chair Rafael Mandelmann highlighted the voters’ support for the sales tax renewal, saying, “The sales tax renewal stands out to me,” and noted the authority will continue tracking investments’ benefits, including the Taylor Street safer-streets project backed with sales tax funds.

Key funding and project highlights cited in the presentation include federal RAISE grants awarded last month — a $25,000,000 award for BART train-control work and a $10,000,000 RAISE award for SFMTA site planning at Presidio Yard — and pending electric-vehicle charging grants reported as being under review by federal partners. Chang told the board that staff is awaiting guidance from federal agencies about those EV charging awards before implementation.

The presentation also reviewed the authority’s local funding programs: Prop L sales tax (the authority’s primary local fund), Proposition D (a fee on ride-hail trips, split between street projects and Muni), Prop AA (vehicle registration fees), and the Transportation Fund for Clean Air administered in coordination with regional air agencies. Chang said the authority generates about $108,000,000 a year in sales tax revenue and described continued efforts to match local funds with larger state and federal grants.

Chang summarized project delivery and oversight roles the authority plays, noting the agency directly leads some construction on Yerba Buena Island and funds or oversees projects delivered by partner agencies across the city, from neighborhood quick-build safety projects to larger regional investments such as Caltrain electrification and the downtown rail extension. The report flags ongoing planning studies, neighborhood capital projects, and major priorities such as Muni vehicle replacement and BART capacity projects.

Members of the public used the meeting to press the board on spending priorities. Multiple callers and in-person commenters urged the authority to prioritize Muni operations and to pause spending on projects they described as nonessential during a “fiscal cliff.” Marie Rabiel, who identified herself as executive director of Connected SF, said, “The general public doesn't really understand the difference between SFMTA and SFTA,” and urged the board and staff to focus on cutting costs and on measures that support economic recovery.

Other commenters criticized particular studies and projects referenced in the report — for example, a $100,000 study of a potential gondola from Laguna Honda to Forest Hill was cited by callers as an example of spending they would pause — and several speakers questioned the effectiveness of Vision Zero traffic-safety investments to date. The board took public comment before taking final action on the annual report.

Formal actions taken during the meeting included approval of the Dec. 17, 2024 minutes and the board’s election of officers: the board voted 11-0 to elect Commissioner Myrna Melgar as chair and Commissioner Cheryl Sauter as vice chair. The board then voted 11-0 to give final approval to the 2024 annual report.

Staff described next steps as continuing grant implementation and oversight, advancing planned construction and neighborhood projects in 2025, and reporting regularly to the board on fund stewardship and project delivery. Chang noted the authority will continue to coordinate with partner agencies and federal grantors as it implements projects in the report.

Votes at a glance

- Approve minutes of Dec. 17, 2024 — Moved by Commissioner Walton; seconded by Vice Chair Melgar. Vote: 11 ayes; outcome: approved.

- Elect Myrna Melgar as chair — Nominated by outgoing Chair Rafael Mandelmann; seconded by Commissioner Cheryl Sauter. Vote: 11 ayes; outcome: approved.

- Elect Cheryl Sauter as vice chair — Nominated by Chair Melgar; seconded by Commissioner Rafael Mandelmann. Vote: 11 ayes; outcome: approved.

- Adopt 2024 annual report (final approval) — Moved by Commissioner Rafael Mandelmann; seconded by Commissioner Walton. Vote: 11 ayes; outcome: approved.

What the board recorded and did not resolve

The board documented recent grant awards and projects it will support but did not adopt any new policy changes at the meeting. Several public commenters asked the authority to re-prioritize capital spending toward Muni operations and to pause or cancel specific planning studies; the board did not take formal action on those requests at the meeting. Staff said it is awaiting federal guidance before implementing certain EV charging grant awards and will continue to report back to the board.

Ending note

Board members thanked outgoing Chair Rafael Mandelmann for his service and staff for preparing the annual report. The report and related materials are posted on the authority’s website and staff indicated they will return with regular implementation updates and further details on grant administration and project milestones.