March 16, 2023
A Message From The Supervisor:
This week, I announced that I am drafting legislation to reform the site permit process. The proposed ordinance would make site permit processes more predictable, require simultaneous review of all site permits, and reduce bureaucratic delay by simplifying the review process. In order for San Francisco to recover, we need to make it easier to open a business, fix your home, and build 82,000 new units as required by our Housing Element. We have been speaking with small business leaders, design professionals, homeowners and home builders who have all asked for the City to fix the site permit process.
The Site Permit is submitted to the Department of Building Inspection, then reviewed by the Planning Department, Fire Department and other departments. However, my office discovered that City staff are not reviewing the site permit as a preliminary permit. Instead, they subject it to the same review as the final building permit with no benefit to the applicant or the public. Site permits for small business improvements, home expansion, or small and mid-sized housing projects take up to 18 months to be issued. These projects are reviewed by up to 10 different City stations and often sit in the backlog queue. In addition, the delay in communication between City staff and the applicant can add months to an approval process. The result is the median time for securing approval to build in San Francisco is 627 days — which puts 50% of projects at risk of losing funding due to delays – as the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Thank you to Supervisor Myrna Melgar for co-sponsoring this legislation.
In addition, the Balboa Baseball Program is holding a fundraiser to expand their Freshman/Sophmore program. The proceeds would sponsor scholar-athletes who present an economic need by covering associated personal costs of playing baseball (i.e. purchase of glove, cleats, etc.) and fund the purchase of quality training equipment required for effective skill development. Please click HERE to learn more.
Lastly, please join me next Friday, March 24 between 12:00-3:00PM for the San Francisco City Hall Hafsin Display at the North Light Court. For a little background, Haft-sin or Haft-seen (Persian: هفتسین) is an arrangement of seven symbolic items whose names start with the letter "س" pronounced as "seen" the 15th letter in the Persian alphabet; haft (هفت) is Persian for seven. It is traditionally displayed at Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which is celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox, marking the beginning of spring on the Northern Hemisphere. There will be light refreshments and sweets provided. Please RSVP by clicking HERE.
We are available by email: safaistaff@sfgov.org or by phone 415-554-6976 (leave a message and we will call you back). You can also check for updates on my Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Please note - if you miss my weekly newsletter, you may find it later on the Board of Supervisor’s website. Click HERE to read past newsletters.
Sincerely,
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Remember to remove your COVID-19 emergency signage
San Francisco ended the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration in February 2023. While the threat from COVID-19 is not over, San Francisco is now in a significantly better position today than at any prior time in the pandemic. We recommend that businesses take down outdated signage from the pandemic, including blue flyers about social distancing, mask requirements, and vaccine verification.
Switch to reusable foodware and receive grant to reduce trash and save money
San Francisco Environment Department is offering up to $500 to help restaurants and cafes make the switch from disposable to reusable foodware for dine-in services. Business owners will receive free consultation and assistance to make the transition easier. Over 85 businesses in San Francisco are already participating in this program, saving an average of $3,000 - $21,000 annually while reducing trash and improving customer dining experience.
Schedule your free consultation today by filling out the form at SFReuse.org or call 415-355-3700.
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Get Ready For the Rain
The forecast shows moderate to heavy rain in the San Francisco Bay Area for the next few days. We would like to remind you of some steps you can take to prepare for the rain and available resources.
SFPUC operations and maintenance crews will continue inspecting and cleaning our sewers and catch basins and respond to service calls throughout the City.
Visit sfpuc.org/rainreadysf to find out what steps you can take to get rain ready:
- Apply for the Floodwater Grant to flood-proof your property with up to $100k reimbursement. For example, if you have sewer backups on your property when it rains, install a backflow preventer eligible through the Grant.
- Purchase low-cost flood insurance.
- Pick-up free sandbags from the San Francisco Department of Public Works.
- Report sewer emergencies or service problems such as clogged storm drains, street flooding, or wastewater odors to the City’s 311 Customer Service Center – to avoid longer wait times over the phone, the best way is to submit online at sf311.org or by using the free mobile app; and if you prefer by phone at 311.
- Elevate belongings in your garage and any low-lying areas on your property and store emergency items, such as first aid kits, flashlights and portable radios in a safe, high place as well.
- Protect your property: regularly inspect and maintain your sewer lateral (the connection from your building to the city sewer). Tree roots, wipes and grease poured down the drain can clog your sewer pipes and cause backups.
- If a backup or flooding does occur, learn what you can do - with health & safety tips - during and after.
- Avoid going into flooded areas & keep children & pets away. If you must go: wear waterproof boots, gloves, eye protection & water-resistant clothes. Report flooding, sewer issues and clogged drains to 311.
- Apply for a Green Infrastructure Grant Program.
- Adopt a Drain and become a Rain Guardian.
If you have other questions on how to get ready, please contact SFPUC at RainReadySF@sfwater.org or 415-554-3289 (this phone is monitored daily while we're on hybrid schedule). And remember, 311 is the best venue to submit sewer (or water and power) issues to dispatch crews. |
2023 Extreme Weather Equipment Program: Apply Today!
The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management (SFDEM) is proud to announce the Extreme Weather Resilience Program’s CBO Equipment Project. The goal of this project is to provide community serving organizations with streamlined access to equipment that will help them protect the health and well-being of their staff and clients during extreme weather events.
Wildfires and extreme heat events in California have increased significantly over the past several years, causing negative impacts to vulnerable populations in San Francisco. SFDEM has gained access to regional and state funding to purchase and deploy air filters, air conditioners and solar powered charging stations to community-serving organizations so they can protect the health and well-being of clients, staff, and guests during severe weather events.
Program Benefits:
- Streamlined access to air cleaning and cooling equipment at no cost*
- Technical guidance on how to protect the health and well-being of clients and staff during extreme weather events
- Increased connectivity to the City’s emergency response operations during extreme weather and other emergencies impacting San Francisco
*NOTE: Participating agencies are eligible to receive equipment at no cost based on the terms and conditions of the program, however costs related to operation, maintenance and replacement parts are the participating agency’s responsibility.
To learn more about the program, apply, or sign up for a program briefing - please visit their website. The application deadline is Friday, March 17.
If you have any questions, please contact the SF DEM Extreme Weather Resilience Program Team at DEM-SFWR@sfgov.org. |
Help out our local baseball team!! Go bucs!!!
Fundraiser by Travis Porter: Balboa Baseball Program (gofundme.com)
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Free Prom Dress Giveaway
The Princess Project is pleased to announce they will be hosting prom dress giveaways every Saturday and Sunday starting March 11 and running until May 28 at their boutique located at 455 Market Street. All teens in the Bay Area who are currently enrolled in high school are welcome to make an appointment to receive one free prom dress and one free accessory.
Please reserve a spot before showing up. Register HERE!
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Excelsior Works! Technology Workshop
The Excelsior Works Employment Support Team is excited to invite you to our first Workforce Development Workshop of 2023, Technology and Job Searching! Join us in-person March 17th, 2023 where we will introduce basic skills to search for jobs online.
Estamos emocionados por invitarlos al primer taller de desarrollo laboral del año 2023 por parte del equipo de asistencia de empleo de Excelsior Works! Únase a nuestro taller de la "Tecnología y Búsqueda de Trabajo" en persona el 17 de marzo del 2023, donde discutiremos habilidades básicas para navegar la búsqueda de trabajo en línea.
Excelsior Works 就業支持團隊很高興邀請你來參加我們2023年第一個勞動力發展研討會，2023 年 3 月 17 日參加線下技術和尋找職業研討會，我们将介绍在线搜索工作的基本技能.
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Outer Mission/Cayuga Neighborhood Clean Up
Saturday, March 18, 10am-12 noon
Location: Alemany & Ottowa
With Cayuga Neighborhood Improvement Association (CNIA), TogetherSF, RefuseRefuseSF.org, & SF Public Works
Advance registration (not required) at: https://bit.ly/cayuga03
Info for this and other SF clean ups: https://refuserefusesf.org/cleanups
& https://www.steveindigpr.com/cleanup
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/168452095996235
VOLUNTEERS: Please meet starting 10am at Alemany & Ottowa, on corner in front of Bethel church. We will pick up trash on sidewalks in the area. Equipment will be provided; bring work gloves if you have them. We will finish no later than 12 noon, when all trash needs to be bagged for pickup.
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| Please register HERE to join us for this important update event and community dialogue as together we help solve issues and ultimately shape a more safe and vibrant San Francisco for everyone. |
Opening of community hub in Excelsior District and continuation of tablet classes in Excelsior District
The Community Youth Center now has a permanent community hub within Excelsior District! The location of the new hub is 35 San Juan Avenue, right next to Excelsior Action Group (many thanks for temporarily sharing the office space for us as we are establishing the community hub!). Our community hubs offers a variety of services, including translation, referrals, community workshops, and more!
Speaking of workshops, our tablet classes, which we have been partnering with the San Francisco Public Library, will now be consolidated into our community hubs starting April!
The flyers above are for the tablet classes; the classes will be instructed in Chinese for the first three Tuesday of each month, and the class on the 4th Tuesday of the month will be instructed in English.
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Come celebrate art, neighborhood legacy, and your community in San Francisco District 11!
This community festival celebrates the historically-Black Lakeview/OMI neighborhood in San Francisco District 11, the power of community legacy, the importance of getting outside, creating connections with the community around you, and most of all, celebrating the 173rd birthday and incorporation of San Francisco (April 15th, 1850). Featuring local artists and vendors, activities for kids and adults, DJ, food trucks, live music and performances, and resource stations from community organizations: this family friendly event has something for everyone!
415 Day: Lakeview will be held on Saturday, April 15th, 2023 from 12PM - 3PM. As always, this event is free to the public. In order to have your community-based organization or business logo on the flyer, you must RSVP no later than noon on March 15th, 2023. NO EXCEPTIONS.
For more information, please visit www.omi-cpp.org
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