September 20, 2021
A Message From The Supervisor:
Happy Monday District 11! We had such a busy week last week with the election and numerous in person events. One of my main priorities at this time is commercial rent relief. I held a hearing last week to understand the impacts of COVID-19 on our small businesses. So many of our small businesses are struggling with unpaid rent. I have personally spoken to many businesses in our community who are tens of thousands of dollars in debt. These businesses are the backbone of our community. They need grants NOT loans to help them pay back months of unpaid rent that is estimated to be a total of half a billion dollars across the city from the start of the pandemic to present day. I will host a press conference this Thursday, 9/23 at the corner of 16th and Mission starting at 12PM. If you operate or represent a small business and support this legislation – please feel free to meet me there and rally with other small business owners who are demanding relief.
Over the weekend the I attended the ribbon cutting of the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater along with other leaders in San Francisco. The renovated space was part of a $1.5 Million allocation of bond funds to increase ADA accessibility, add space for food trucks and much needed landscaping for on hill seating. The project was advocated for by community in hopes of attracting diverse events and audiences to McLaren Park’s hidden gem. The amphitheater is home to many events such as Shakespeare performances, musical performances, and its largest event – Jerry Day! I hope to see you at an event in the future enjoying the new improvements.
Last week, we had a great day on the Mission Street commercial corridor. In partnership with San Francisco’s Department of Public Works, we hosted a clean corridors event. Large street sweeping trucks cleaned the streets on Mission from Silver to Geneva while a team of workers thoroughly cleaned the sidewalks. This is an investment in this year's budget because I believe District 11 deserves the cleanest streets in San Francisco. Our corridors deserve a full investment from our city agencies and I will continue to fight for that investment.
As I close, I would like to remind everyone to check out the plethora of resources below in this mailing. There are a number of health, educational, and family fun activities that should not be missed.
Our office remains accessible to the public through telephone, email, virtual meeting or in person via appointment. 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. Stay safe and healthy.
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,
Supervisor Ahsha Safai
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Data Shows COVID-19 Cases Among San Francisco Children are Low and Schools Remain as Safe Settings.
- To date, our data show that cases among San Francisco residents under age 18 have remained low and stable throughout the pandemic and that schools are low-risk settings when the safety protocols are followed.
- SFDPH data on schools and children will be updated weekly to provide information and context to the COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco as it relates to the impact on children. Future weekly updates will be made public on the City’s COVID-19 data dashboard page.
- No COVID-19 outbreaks have been verified as having occurred at San Francisco schools (as of September 8). An outbreak is defined as three or more cases in non-related households in which the source of infection occurred at the school, and not another setting.
- Read the full statement here.
Required signs for businesses and government buildings.
- The Health Order requires businesses and government entities to post signs at public entrances and in employee-facing areas. All required signs are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Filipino, and available in multiple sizes.
- Come to any City Hall entrance between 8 am to 5 pm to pick up required signage, including the new Masking & Vaccination Required sign. Or you may choose to print on your own: Public-facing required sign & Employee-facing required sign
New Testing Site Opened in SOMA - 600 7th Street (7th and Brannon).
Have any questions? Contact the COVID Resource Center:
- Our COVID Resource Center connects SF residents to essential services and support for anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 or has been in close contact and needs to quarantine. Call (628) 217-6101 for assistance with quarantining, food delivery, cleaning supplies, and more.
- 211 offers assistance for a wide variety of services, including mental health support
San Francisco Opening Four New Vaccination Sites At SFUSD Schools
SFDPH announced that vaccination sites are launching this week at four schools in partnership with the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) in order to further support vaccination among eligible individuals in schools and the surrounding community.
The vaccination sites—located at located at Malcolm X Academy School in the Bayview; Balboa High School in the Excelsior; McCoppin Elementary School in the Inner Richmond; and Sunset Elementary School in the Outer Sunset—will initially administer doses once a week at each site, with several sites open on evenings and weekends to support working families. While these vaccination sites will prioritize staff and families with children at SFUSD, they will also serve the general community. Walk-ins are welcome, and documentation of identity is not required.
Each of the four school sites has the initial capacity to administer 62 doses each day and is prepared to expand to up to 200 a day, as needed. COVID-19 vaccines are currently FDA-approved for people 12 years and older. Details are as follows:
Malcolm X Academy School
350 Harbor Road in the Bayview
3:30 pm – 6:30 pm on Tuesdays starting 9/14
Balboa High School
1000 Cayuga Ave in the Excelsior
2:30 pm – 5:30 pm on Wednesdays starting 9/15
McCoppin Elementary School
651 6th Ave in the Richmond
10:30 am – 1:30 pm on Saturdays starting 9/18
Sunset Elementary School
1920 41st Ave in the Sunset
10:30 am – 1:30 pm on Sundays starting 9/19
Please visit SF.GOV/getvaccinated for a complete list of vaccination sites as well as days and hours of operation. People are encouraged to first seek vaccination through their health care provider, if they have one.
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What should Muni service look like in 2022? Now’s your chance to weigh in.
The SFMTA is increasing Muni service in early 2022. As we add more Muni service, what is the best way to do so? Should we restore the seven all-day bus routes that are not currently running (the 2 Clement, 3 Jackson, 6 Haight/Parnassus, 10 Townsend, 21 Hayes, 47 Van Ness and 28R 19th Avenue Rapid) just the way they were before the pandemic? Should we improve the frequency and capacity of buses on high-ridership lines? What could we do that will make Muni service better than it was?
That’s what they need your help to figure out.
Check out our StoryMap to view three alternatives for Muni service in 2022 and then take their survey to provide your feedback.
Or, attend a virtual event to see a presentation, speak to SFMTA staff and ask questions about the three different options.
The feedback gathered from the survey, combined with transit data, will be used to develop a proposal for the 2022 Muni Service Network. The proposal will then be presented to stakeholders for fine tuning before being brought to the SFMTA Board for consideration of approval later this year.
Virtual Open House (formal presentation and Q&A; interpretation available by request with 48-hours notice)
- September 18, 2021, 11 a.m.
- September 22, 2021, 6 p.m.
- September 23, 2021, 11 a.m.
Virtual Office Hours (no formal presentation, Q&A with SFMTA staff; interpretation available by request with 48-hours notice)
- September 20, 2021, 11 a.m.
- September 23, 2021, 6 p.m. **Youth-centered Office Hours**
Youth-centered Office hours
Youth are encouraged to join our Virtual Office Hours with SFMTA staff on Thursday, September 23 at 6 p.m. to find out how the three scenarios for Muni service would change how they get to school and to activities around San Francisco. Youth will be able to ask questions and get answers from SFMTA staff about what matters to them most about Muni service in 2022.
The SFMTA is bringing this information to the community and other stakeholders so that everyone can think about the choices and express their views. Staff will use this input to develop a proposals, and the SFMTA Board will use it to make a decision that reflects the values of San Francisco.
Find out details, event information, and take the survey (SFMTA.com/2022Network).
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Transit Month September 2021
Join San Francisco Transit Riders for Transit Month, September 1-30! Sign up for the Ride Contest to win fabulous prizes - each entry is eligible for our raffle, and prizes will be awarded for great transit photos, great transit stories, and folks with the most rides.
October 1: We’ll hold an outdoor edition of our Rider First Awards party. Join us in honoring people who have made a positive difference for transit riders this year - and nominate your own transit hero!
Together, let’s celebrate the central role public transit plays in San Francisco’s recovery, and in our lives every day. More information at transitmonth.org.
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Transit Month BART Fare Reduction
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is offering an automatic 50% reduction in fares for the month of September. This discount applies to already discounted fares for youth, seniors, students, qualifying low-income riders, and people with disabilities. BART's fare calculator and trip planner have all been updated to reflect the discounted fares. For more information please visit here. |
New Grant to Support Storefronts Impacted by Vandalism
The Storefront Vandalism Relief Grant program provides up to $2,000 in financial relief to restore and repair damages from vandalism at neighborhood storefronts. The program launches during a time when many small businesses are recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Storefront Vandalism Relief Grant provides financial relief to restore small businesses impacted by deliberate actions that result in the destruction or damages of storefronts. This program will offer either $1,000 or $2,000, depending on the total cost incurred to repair physical damages. The $1 million program is designed to serve more than 500 small businesses with gross revenue of less than $8 million that can provide proof of damages from vandalism incurred since July 1, 2020.
The Storefront Vandalism Relief Grant is one tool in preventing crime and improving safety in neighborhood commercial corridors. The Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) also funds programs to help small businesses and neighborhood organizations improve safety through ambassadors and activations to increase foot traffic and community patrols. The fund is not meant to replace the loss of stolen goods and does not include damage to shared spaces.
To apply, eligible businesses are asked to provide receipts, photos of damages and furnish a report from the San Francisco Police Department or from 311 in the case of graffiti. Applications can be found by visiting oewd.org/VandalismRelief. |
Road to Recovery for Women-Owned Small Businesses
Union Bank is putting on a virtual panel with audience Q&A to support women small business owners. Would you be interested in attending OR helping us spread the word to your constituents? Social links to repost below, event flyer attached, and here are more details:
- What: panel and audience Q&A event for women-owned small business owners
- When: 9-10:30am on Wednesday, September 29
- Who:
- Moderator: Claudine Wong (KTVU Fox 2 anchor)
- Gabriela Sapp (California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce)
- Allie Lopez (Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center)
- Laura Schoolcraft (Fraiche Catering)
- Devon Barrack (Union Bank)
- Where: the panel will be meeting in person in Campbell, but the audience will tune in and ask questions virtually; registration link: https://mufg.swoogo.com/RoadtorecoveryforWomenOwnedBusinessesSept
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Small Business Summit
We invite you to join us October 5-6 for the City Administrator’s Small Business Summit, a virtual event that aims to demystify doing business with the City & County of San Francisco for local small businesses and suppliers. We recognize that successfully securing opportunities with the City is a complex process that can be difficult to navigate for small businesses. At this virtual Summit, small businesses will learn how the City procures goods and services, where to find upcoming opportunities, and about compliance requirements for contractors and suppliers. The Summit will also feature tailored technical assistance workshops, including responding effectively to solicitations and how to become a certified Local Business Enterprise (LBE). Register for free at: www.sf.gov/2021bizsummit
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ArtSpan presents SF Wide-Open Studios (SFOS)
This fall, ArtSpan’s SF Wide-Open Studios invites you to discover, explore, and be inspired by the creative power of SF Bay Area artists! From September 16 through November 21, 2021, experience a festival season of free artful happenings across the San Francisco Bay Area with opportunities to build your collection while supporting local artists.
From receptions and exhibitions, to happy hours and virtual happenings, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
- Visit artist-hosted open studio events 09/16-10/17; then the SFOS Exhibition at SOMArts Cultural Center from 10/21-11/21
- Discover unique artful events while out and about during the SFOS season by using the SFOS web app to “see art near you”
- Purchase art directly from open studio artists knowing that you’re investing in their livelihood⠀
- Begin or build your art collection while supporting active artists⠀
Visit artspan.org/sfos to learn more.
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| Mission St got a deep clean last week! I was happy to advocate for the #CleanCorridors program in the budget this year. Our district can expect to see this event on a regular basis. Thanks to Acting Director Carla Short and the whole team for meeting me out there! |
| Together with Board President Shamann Walton, SF Office of Economic and Workforce Development and many community stakeholders I visited a turn key site that could stand as an empowerment market. My legislation calls for food empowerment markets to be dignified access to food for vulnerable San Franciscans. |
Amazing ribbon cutting this past weekend at the newly renovated Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park. This $1.5 Million improvement was made possible by bond funding and brings ADA access, space for food trucks and improved green space seating.
Thank you to San Francisco Recreation and Park Department. Mayor London Breed, Assessor Recorder Joaquin Torres, Asm. David Chiu, Tom Murphy, Linda D'Avirro and Linda Stark Litehiser for supporting this renovation. |
| Stopped by the Mission Cultural Center to visit the Low Rider Art Exhibit. |
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