Supervisor Hillary Ronen - 11082021 Newsletter

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October/ November 2021
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Legislative Wins: Marvel in the Mission, First Year Free, Repairing Buena Vista Horace Mann, Paid Leave for Domestic Workers, and More

Dear Neighbors,

It is the start of the holiday season, and along with the usual festivities, we have many wins to celebrate! I have been busy this past month with legislation to help new and returning small businesses in San Francisco, getting one step closer to the Marvel in the Mission, securing funding for a beloved community public school, creating first-of-its-kind legislation to provide domestic workers with paid time off, and more. I am also excited that our City is now vaccinating 5-11 year olds! This past weekend, I took my daughter Maelle to get her first COVID shot. As we continue to rebuild, I am hopeful that our future will be bright. May we spend much time with our loved ones and continue to fight for justice.

In this newsletter, you’ll find the latest from our office on:

Marvel in the Mission
First Year Free for Small Businesses
Buena Vista Horace Mann School to Receive $40 Million for Health and Safety Repairs
Domestic Workers Equal Access to Paid Sick Leave
Street Crisis Response Teams
Expanding Street Cleaning
National Week of Action for Black Migrants
Women’s March for Reproductive Rights
COVID Vaccines for 5-11 Year Olds
Shop Portola
Resources for Small Businesses and Residents

We are available by email: ronenstaff@sfgov.org or by phone at 415-554-5144 (leave a message, and we will call you back-- we are checking voicemail frequently). Check for updates on my Twitter and Facebook.

The Marvel in the Mission

Last week, I cosponsored a resolution with Mayor Breed to allow the City to accept the 1979 Mission parcel for new construction of affordable housing, getting us one step closer to creating the Marvel in the Mission, with hundreds of new affordable units in the heart of the Mission.

The parcel that wraps around the BART Plaza at Mission and 16th Streets was the subject of a long and hard-fought effort by community activists and housing advocates to replace the project initially proposed by the developer with one that would respond directly to the community’s urgent need for affordable housing. Without question, it could not have happened without the community’s vision and the City all working together to make it happen.

This project will be one that the whole City can be proud of – it should be tall, dense, green, architecturally beautiful, and affordable. This project is proof that SF is leading the way and creating a 21st century response to our climate and affordability crisis.

The resolution is just the first step in the legal path to complete the transfer of this parcel. There will be time for exuberant celebration ahead, and I look forward to celebrating with everyone who played a part in allowing this to happen.

First Year Free for Small Businesses

In June, I introduced First Year Free -- legislation to create a one-year pilot to waive first-year permit, license, and business registration fees for new, small, storefront businesses.

First Year Free went into effect on November 1. It’s already being put to use -- on day two, the City enrolled the first business into the program, and by the time of this reporting, there are 60 new small businesses enrolled.

Saving small businesses is top priority for our economy, for our workforce, for our neighborhoods. San Franciscans agree and are stepping up to shop local and help keep beloved small businesses alive.

First Year Free is administered by the San Francisco Treasurer and Tax Collector’s Office (TTX). Learn more about the program and determine if you qualify: https://sftreasurer.org/first-year-free

Buena Vista Horace Mann School to Receive $40 Million for Health and Safety Repairs

In October, I held a hearing on the dangerous condition in our beloved Buena Vista Horace Mann's K-8 Community School's (BVHM) facilities . For years, BVHM faculty and parents have filed countless complaints regarding exposed radiators, rodent infestations, water-damaged floors, temperatures reaching 90 degrees in December, lack of toilet paper, ceiling tiles falling in classrooms, faulty wiring, and more.

Despite this record, in 2020, SFUSD rated Buena Vista Horace Mann’s facilities as “in good repair status” and “clean, safe and functional.” Yet three major life threatening safety incidents happened in this year alone, including a gas leak that was dismissed by the District and left unattended for more than a week until PG&E ordered a mandatory evacuation.

I have asked Public Works to do a facilities needs assessment of the school and introduced legislation to redirect funds so that can happen without delay. And, late last month, the San Francisco School Board unanimously approved School Board Commissioner Matt Alexander’s proposal to redirect $40 million in unspent bond funds to address these urgent health and life safety repairs.

Thank you to the Buena Vista Horace Mann community of parents, teachers, and students who advocated tirelessly and shined a light on school conditions.

Domestic Workers Equal Access to Paid Sick Leave

Last month, I introduced the Domestic Workers Equal Access to Paid Sick Leave Ordinance . This legislation -- drafted in close partnership with the California Domestic Workers and National Domestic Workers Alliance -- is the first of its kind in the nation and establishes a portable benefits system for domestic workers to easily access earned paid time off from multiple employers.

In 2013, I worked with powerful women of color to write and pass the California Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. This latest legislation will continue the fight for dignity and rights caregivers, nannies, and house cleaners -- the workers who make all other work possible.

Under current law, all San Francisco workers are entitled to paid sick time, which accrues based on hours worked. Most workers have one or two employers that track and distribute paid sick time as needed. Domestic workers, however, often work sporadic schedules for multiple individual employers, which makes it almost impossible for them to accrue enough paid sick time from any one employer. Although they have the right to paid sick leave, in reality, very few domestic workers are able to access this benefit.

This ordinance will provide domestic workers with the same access to sick leave other workers have. Through this ordinance, domestic workers will earn their paid time off benefits as they move between jobs and will accumulate paid time off with contributions from all of their multiple employers, tracked and easily accessible.

Each employer who hires a domestic worker will make contributions to a centralized account that will aggregate the paid sick time and make it available when it is needed. Many thanks to cosponsors Supervisors Melgar, Walton, Preston, Chan, Safai, Haney, and Gordon Mar.

Street Crisis Response Teams

Last month, I spent an afternoon riding with one of our Street Crisis Response Teams. The Street Crisis Response Team was created as a part of Mental Health SF, legislation that I authored in 2019 to get people who are mentally ill or suffering from addiction into shelter or treatment.

Currently, there are six Street Crisis Response Teams providing 24/7 citywide coverage to people in crisis. Each team covers a different district so that response times are quick. When they receive a call via 911 regarding a person in distress, they immediately respond and engage with that person in an attempt to provide help or services.

These teams are made up of a clinician who will link a person on the street with shelter or treatment, a peer who can help build trust during the interaction, and a paramedic in case there are immediate medical needs.

During my ride-along, we received a call regarding an older man who was on the sidewalk, screaming at people as they walked by. The team immediately drove there and engaged with him. They gave him water and spoke to him for a while before learning that he had wandered away from his senior treatment facility. They were able to get him off of the sidewalk and back home.

These teams are truly helping these people get off of the streets and into shelter or treatment. By going directly to the person, these teams have a higher success rate of getting people engaged. The work they do is heroic and makes me proud of our city.

Expanded Street Cleaning

This budget cycle, my office fought to fund Downtown Streets -- a nonprofit organization that offers work experience to people who are experiencing homelessness -- to help clean the streets in the Mission. This month, we secured additional funds to expand the Downtown Streets team with an additional 4 crews with a specific focus on the areas around 16th and Mission. We are also working to establish safe zones around schools with existing community ambassadors, to make sure our children are going to school safely without encampments blocking the entrance or pathways.

National Week of Action for Black Migrants

In October, I stood with refugees and activists during this National Week of Action for Black Migrants to say enough with racism and xenophobia! San Francisco welcomes people fleeing violence and natural disasters.

We demand that President Biden lift all Title 42 restrictions and allow migrants seeking asylum to safely enter the country. Thank you to the African Advocacy Network, Black Alliance for Just Immigration, California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, San Francisco Immigrant Legal Defense Collaborative, SFILEN - San Francisco Immigrant Legal and Education Network, Haiti Action Committee, CARECEN SF -- all extraordinary organizations providing support for refugees and important immigration policy direction and advocacy.

Women’s March for Reproductive Rights

Last month, I joined Women’s March San Francisco for a community-organized March for Reproductive Justice.

We're making it clear we are going to hold the line and we are going to do it together. However, marching alone isn’t enough. We can continue to show up by supporting organizations that are fighting for reproductive justice.

You can help by donating, volunteering, being a clinic escort, showing up to their events, simply sharing their postings and keep learning and growing. You can donate to Fund Texas Choice to help provide travel assistance to Texas residents or volunteer to be a clinic escort to Planned Parenthood Northern California here.

COVID Vaccines for 5-11 Year Olds

Big news-- San Francisco is ready to roll out COVID-19 vaccines for 5 to 11 year olds. Appointments for COVID-19 vaccines are opening up to accommodate 44,000 newly eligible San Francisco children. I recently took my own daughter to get her vaccine this past weekend, and I am looking forward to when all our San Francisco young ones are vaccinated!

We anticipate every child to have access to a vaccination over the next several weeks as we enter the busy holiday season. Parents and caregivers can make appointments using their health system’s instructions, or pharmacy websites. Other sources for vaccine appointments include the state’s vaccine booking website, myturn.ca.gov and the City’s website, sf.gov/getvaccinated , which will be updated with local information about appointments as it becomes available across the network of sites in San Francisco.

Shop Portola

Nov 1 - Nov 30

Spend $5 at 5 different Portola businesses for a chance to win $50 Shop at 5 different Portola businesses located between Felton and Bacon Streets! Find more information here.

Walk SF Chinese language event

全市粤语如何开办步行学校网络研讨会

日期：2021 年 11 月 16 日，星期二
下午 5:30 - 下午 6:30
Zoom注册链接

了解有關重要資源的更多信息，以及您和您的家人如何開始更安全地步行上學！加入“安全上學之路”的教育者，參加舊金山安全上學合作夥伴組織為家長、看護人、學校工作人員和社區組織組織的培訓*本研討會將全場以中文進行。

走出戶外

星期四，11 月 18 日
下午12pm - 下午1pm
登記

家長和照護者，聽聽專家分享如何讓家人安全上下學的方法。歡迎參加我們以中文進行的網上研討會，和衛生、安全及戶外教育專家共同討論如何安全地走路、騎自行車、共乘以及搭乘公交車上下學。來自公共衛生局、社區安全與正義聯盟（社區青年中心）和市政交通協助計劃（簡稱MTAP）的專家將接受您的提問並分享最新的健康指引、建議與提示。*本研討會將全場以中文進行。

Resources and Announcements

Floodwater Grant Program
The Floodwater Grant program allows property owners and businesses to minimize risk of damage due to heavy rains, and can reimburse them up to $100k for flood-proofing projects.

Please visit sfpuc.org/RainReadySF to find out what steps you can take to get rain ready. Pick up free sandbags from SF Public Works.

How would YOU spend San Francisco’s transportation sales tax? Take the survey here: https://www.sfcta.org/ExpenditurePlan

FINANCIAL RELIEF

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
In response to the COVID-19, small business owners can apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) to meet financial obligations and operating expenses. The loan amount can be up to $500,000 with a 3.75% fixed interest rate in a 30-year term. There are no prepayment penalties or fees. Learn more about the EIDL.

The California Venues Grant
This program supports eligible independent live events venues that have been affected by COVID-19. Businesses can start applying for this financial relief beginning 10/29. Learn more about the California Venues Grant Program.

SF Small Business Recovery Loan Fund
SF small businesses can apply for 0% interest loans of up to $100,000. The program is administered through the California Rebuilding Fund in partnership with KIVA and local Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). Learn more about the SF Small Business Recovery Loan Fund.

Storefront Vandalism Relief Grant
Get up to $2,000 in financial relief to restore and repair damages from vandalism for your storefront business. The program launches during a time when many small businesses are recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, 106 small businesses have been awarded through this program. Learn more about the Storefront Vandalism Relief Grant.

Shared Spaces Equity Grant
Small businesses with shared spaces can get reimbursed up to $2,500 as they work to get to bring their space into compliance. The deadline to apply is 11/30/21. Learn more about the Shared Space Equity Grant.

The Commercial Eviction Moratorium
The moratorium expired on September 30, 2021. Here's what you need to know:

Businesses must pay rent that is due after September 30, 2021.
Businesses that did not pay rent due on October 2021 or later may face eviction.
You may still have more time to pay rent that was missed before September 30, 2021, depending on your number of employees.

Communication is crucial to saving and protecting your business. To reduce time, money, and stress, landlords and businesses should work together. Learn more at oewd.org/EvictionHelp and consult our FREE legal resources below to get expert advice on mediation and help with unpaid rent or lease issues.

Legal Services for Entrepreneurs
415-543-9444 x217
lse@lccrsf.org

SF Bar Association
415-782-8940
cis@sfbar.org

Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC)
The ERTC is a refundable tax credit that rewards businesses up to $33,000 per employee. This means that you'll get a check from the IRS, not just a discount. This can be HUGE for small businesses. We strongly recommend that you speak to your CPA to help your business maximize the value of the ERTC. Learn more at oewd.org/ERTC.

The SF Small Business Development Center Entrepreneurs and businesses can attend virtual webinars and in-person training on a range of topics to help develop their businesses. Learn more about upcoming events.

JobsNOW!
Small businesses can get reimbursed for the salaries of hired employees.
Learn more about JobsNOW!

MED-Project has an active program in San Francisco City & County for the collection and disposal of unwanted medicine from households. If you would like more information regarding the MED-Project program for unwanted household medicine collection and disposal, please visit www.med-project.org.

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Got an upcoming event or opportunity to include in this newsletter? Email Jennifer.Li-D9@sfgov.org

Our mailing address is:
Hillary Ronen, District 9 Supervisor
San Francisco City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244
San Francisco, CA 94102-4689

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Supervisor Hillary Ronen - 11082021 Newsletter

Legislative Wins: Marvel in the Mission, First Year Free, Repairing Buena Vista Horace Mann, Paid Leave for Domestic Workers, and More

The Marvel in the Mission

First Year Free for Small Businesses

Buena Vista Horace Mann School to Receive $40 Million for Health and Safety Repairs

Domestic Workers Equal Access to Paid Sick Leave

Street Crisis Response Teams

Expanded Street Cleaning

National Week of Action for Black Migrants

Women’s March for Reproductive Rights

COVID Vaccines for 5-11 Year Olds

Shop Portola

Walk SF Chinese language event

Resources and Announcements

Supervisor Hillary Ronen - 11082021 Newsletter

Legislative Wins: Marvel in the Mission, First Year Free, Repairing Buena Vista Horace Mann, Paid Leave for Domestic Workers, and More

The Marvel in the Mission

First Year Free for Small Businesses

Buena Vista Horace Mann School to Receive $40 Million for Health and Safety Repairs

Domestic Workers Equal Access to Paid Sick Leave

Street Crisis Response Teams

Expanded Street Cleaning

National Week of Action for Black Migrants

Women’s March for Reproductive Rights

COVID Vaccines for 5-11 Year Olds

Shop Portola

Walk SF Chinese language event

Resources and Announcements

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