Had a great time at SCRAP-SF's "RePurposeful" show. This partnership with our beloved Randall Museum highlighted the results of SCRAP's work to provide affordable access to arts and crafts supplies. Learn more about SCRAP at www.scrap-sf.org
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City Hall, and my office, are open so stop by and say hello! We are also accessible by email and voicemail every day at mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org and (415) 554-6968.
Now that we've reopened to the public, we are looking for amazing volunteers and interns for the District 8 office. If you, or someone you know, would be a great addition, please email jackie.thornhill@sfgov.org for more info! |
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As COVID case rates continue to decline in San Francisco and more residents get vaccinated every day, we are moving forward on our roadmap to recovery. Below are important updates on the latest mask guidance and vaccine/testing availability.
MASK GUIDANCE
Beginning Friday, October 15, San Francisco will begin easing mask requirements in indoor settings where stable cohorts of fully vaccinated people gather. This includes offices, gyms, college classes, and other organized gatherings of fully vaccinated people who meet regularly.
This is an important step forward because it will allow offices to return to more normal routines and interactions. More information about current mask guidance is available at sf.gov/Masks
VACCINE AVAILABILITY
All San Francisco residents and workers 12+ are eligible for the vaccine. For more information on where to get the vaccine and how to make an appointment, visit sf.gov/GetVaccinated.
Currently 88% of San Franciscans 12+ have received at least one vaccine dose and 83% have completed a vaccine series. Getting these numbers as close to 100% as possible is the single most important thing we can do to put the pandemic behind us, so please encourage everyone you can to get their shot today.
TESTING AVAILABILITY
If you feel sick, get tested right away, even if you're vaccinated. If you are unvaccinated and have a known exposure but no symptoms, get tested on or after day 6.
If you have health insurance, schedule a test with your doctor. If you have symptoms or a known exposure, your healthcare provider is required by law to get you a test.
Find out about your COVID-19 testing options: https://sf.gov/find-out-about-your-covid-19-testing-options.
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Have questions or concerns for the District 8 Office? Our next Office Hours will be Saturday October 16th at SPRO, 500 Church St, from 11am to 1pm.
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WHAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON
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Last month I joined Senator Wiener, Mayor Breed, and community leaders to urge Governor Newsom to sign SB 110, Senator Wiener's bill to expand access to contingency management, a proven treatment for methamphetamine addiction.
PRESERVING RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES: If we are serious about ending homelessness for seniors and people with disabilities, we need to do everything we can to support residential care facilities, often called assisted living facilities or board and cares. On September 15th, the Board unanimously passed my ordinance that amended our zoning controls to discourage the further loss of existing facilities while also making it easier to add new residential care beds in San Francisco. These facilities provide stable housing and essential care for elderly San Franciscans and those living with disabilities and chronic illness, including mental illness and addiction.
DEFENDING LGBTQ LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENTS: In July, the State of California Third District Court of Appeals invalidated key provision of State Senate Bill 219, the LGBT Senior Bill of Rights which protected seniors living long-term care facilities in California. Their decision will allow nursing home staff to intentionally misgender and use the improper pronouns of transgender and nonbinary seniors and people living with disabilites. In response, I authored a resolution calling on the California Supreme Court to review this ruling and restore all of the critical anti-harassment protections in SB 219. My colleagues passed this resolution unanimously, putting the Board of Supervisors on record along with Attorney General Rob Bonta, Equality California and Senator Scott Wiener in demanding that the court right this wrong.
EXPANDING WATER REUSE AND RECYCLING: On September 21st, my colleagues voted unanimously to approve my water reuse and recycling ordinance. The ordinance will more than double the amount of water that new large buildings are required to collect and re-use on site and direct the SFPUC to come up with a plan for expanding the City's supply and use of recycled water. This summer of intense drought and terrible wildfires reminds us that the climate crisis is now, and it is not going away on its own. We must dramatically and quickly reduce carbon emissions, but even as we pursue zero carbon emissions goals for our city and our world, water reuse and recycling will be increasingly necessary for our survival. Find more about the City’s climate action efforts here.
SUPPORTING PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS: Our public school students are already struggling to recover from year-long remote learning and are adapting to the challenges of in-person instruction during COVID. The costs of a potential school board recall election should not be borne by students. I have formally requested that the Controller and City Attorney draft a supplemental appropriation to have the City cover election costs that would otherwise be the responsibility of SFUSD so that these millions of dollars can stay in the classroom.
SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY DATA: Last month my colleagues on the Rules Committee unanimously supported the legislation I introduced to allow the City to collect Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) data on existing City employees as well as future applicants for City employment. By collecting this data, we can better track our Citywide employment equity goals, address any gaps, and identify strategies to recruit LGBTQ employees interested in public service.
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MUNI SERVICE UPDATES: On October 2nd, late night Muni rail service returned with trains now running until midnight Monday - Saturday, and until 10:00 pm on Sundays. In addition scheduled frequency on the J Church was increased to a weekday frequency of every 10 minutes, and every 12 minutes on the weekend. See the current Muni service plan here.
2022 MUNI SERVICE PLAN: MTA is currently conducting outreach and developing options for its 2022 service plan, which would start in February. This planning effort will also include options for several District 8 routes that are currently running on modified routes, including the J Church, 48 Quintara, and 35 Eureka. Find out how to provide input about these routes and learn more about the service plan here.
COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY: On September 14, my colleagues and I allocated $1.3 million for safe and sustainable transportation investments across the city, including new traffic signals, neighborhood traffic calming installations like speed bumps, street lighting, and planning for citywide bike network improvements.
I was also pleased to approve plans for the next phase of the Downtown Rail Extension project, which will eventually bring Caltrain and California High Speed Rail service into the heart of downtown.
We have a long way to go to achieve this vision, but I am encouraged by the increasing level of regional commitment to this project and commend staff for identifying ways to defer and reduce $400 million in cost for the next phase of work while ensuring the Transbay Transit Center will be deigned to connect with possible future BART extensions for a second bay crossing.
VAN NESS BRT HEARING: Last week I led a hearing on the debacle that has been the Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit project, which has been delayed by at least three years and is currently $50 million over budget. This is the kind of major transit investment we need if San Francisco is going to live up to our Transit First policy and meet our climate action goals.
Unfortunately, the Civil Grand Jury investigation that we reviewed details the myriad ways our City bureaucracy struggles to manage these major transportation project effectively. I am encouraged that City agencies acknowledged the need to improve and have already implemented some of the Grand Jury's recommendations, but we still have a lot more work to do.
In the hearing, my colleagues and I initiated important changes to how major contracts like this are awarded and managed to ensure we live up to San Franciscans' expectations and get this right on future transit projects.
SLOW STREETS: The Slow Streets program has been a popular way to get outside during the pandemic. In September, MTA approved the Sanchez Slow Street as one of the first streets to be included in a permanent Slow Streets network, along with a slate of safety and pedestrian improvements along Sanchez. Meanwhile, the Duncan Slow Street has been removed and MTA is now evaluating whether to keep or remove the remaining District 8 Slow Streets on Noe, Arlington, and Chenery. Find out more about the Slow Street program here.
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It was a pleasure celebrating the opening of the new and improved Glen Park Greenway trail, for which I was proud to secure funding in the City budget.
Thanks to the Friends of the Glen Park Greenway, Glen Park Association, SF Parks Alliance, Public Works, and all the community volunteers who made this delightful addition to the neighborhood a reality.
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Thanks to the SF Fleet Week Association, Office of Economic and Workforce Development, Recreation and Parks, and the SF Council of District Merchants for coordinating with Leslie Crawford and Debra Niemann of the Noe Valley Association Community Benefit District to bring the Navy Band Southwest Brass Quintet to the Noe Valley Town Square!
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UPCOMING NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS:
Eureka Valley Neighborhood Association. Thursday, November 18 at 7pm
More info: https://evna.org/
SFPD STATION COMMUNITY MEETINGS: District 8 has five different SFPD Stations whose jurisdictions are within our borders and our office works very closely with the Captains from each of those stations on specific issues impacting each neighborhood.
Each Captain hosts a monthly community meeting that you can join to share your concerns and ask questions. I encourage you to attend these meetings and find out more on the SFPD website.
NOE VALLEY TOWN SQUARE EVENTS: Events are back in the Noe Valley Town Square! You can attend yoga or Rhythm & Motion classes, listen to live music or watch live theater while getting to know your neighbors. For a full listing of all Noe Valley Town Square events visit noevalleytownsquare.com/events.
RENT RELIEF AND TENANT PROTECTIONS: The statewide eviction moratorium for tenants who missed rent payments due to COVID-19 expired on September 30th, but tenants may still be protected from eviction due to financial hardship caused by the pandemic and rent relief funds are still available. If you receive a notice to vacate, submit this declaration of financial hardship immediately, before the notice deadline. If you are struggling to pay your rent, apply for rent relief funds at housingiskey.com as soon as possible. Learn more about rent relief and tenant protections here.
TRANSPORTATION FUNDING SURVEY: The San Francisco County Transportation Authority is preparing to ask voters in June 2022 to continue the existing half-cent transportation sales tax and approve a new 30-year investment plan, also known as the Expenditure Plan. This new Expenditure Plan will determine how the city invests about $100 million per year in sales tax dollars to improve transportation across the city. To share your transportation funding priorities, take the survey or visit the upcoming virtual town hall here.
WATERSHED STEWARDSHIP GRANTS AVAILABLE: The SFPUC offers Urban Watershed Stewardship Grants to support community-led green infrastructure projects and manage stormwater in San Francisco. Grants can be used to transform sidewalks into rain gardens, creat stormwater resilient schoolyards, and provide sustainable community spaces throughout the city. The 2022 grant cycle will open on October 20, 2021. Learn more or apply here.
FIRST YEAR FREE: The Office of Treasurer & Tax Collector (TTX) is working with City departments to implement First Year Free, a new program passed by the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor to support and revive San Francisco small businesses as the City recovers from the pandemic. First Year Free offers relief to qualifying new businesses and new locations of existing businesses by waiving their initial registration, initial license, first-year permit and other applicable fees. The program will be available to qualified new businesses and existing businesses with new locations who commence business between November 1, 2021 and October 31, 2022. Get the latest information on this program at sftreasurer.org/FirstYearFree.
SUPPORT THE NOE VALLEY FARMERS MARKET & FRIENDS OF CHILDREN-SF: Congratulations to the Noe Valley Farmers Market for raising the funds to purchase healthy fruits and vegetables from their own farmers for delivery to food insecure families in the Bayview, Sunnydale, and Potrero Hill. Through their partnership with Friends of the Children-SF, the Market has provided more than 1,200 bags of food to as many as 35 families per week during the pandemic for the past year. Anyone wishing to contribute to this ongoing effort should go to https://friendssfbayarea.org/, go to the "Donate" page, and write "Noe Valley Farmers Market Project" in the comments box
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Facing Severe Droughts, Developers Seek to Reuse the Water They Have
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"Rafael Mandelman, a member of the city’s Board of Supervisors, has proposed doubling the amount of water that new buildings need to collect and reuse, and including buildings of 100,000 square feet or more."
(New York Times, August 3)
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| Board of supes approves protections for residential care facilities |
“These are pretty critical elements of our system of care,” said District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, who authored the legislation. “The need is growing. You can walk around San Francisco and see some folks who are out in the streets who probably ought to be getting care.”
(Mission Local, September 15)
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Amid California drought, S.F. expands recycled wastewater rules for new large buildings
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The Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a measure Tuesday that will double the amount of water that new large buildings are required to collect and reuse. Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, who sponsored the resolution, estimated enough water will be saved to offset the daily water use of about 5,500 city residents.
(San Francisco Chronicle, September 21)
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San Francisco could foot the bill for school board recall to help cash-strapped district
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"It makes sense for the city to step in and cover the school district’s costs,” Mandelman told The Chronicle. “They’ve got challenges over at the school district. They do not need to be carrying another $8 million cost for the recall.”
Mayor London Breed threw her full support behind the effort if the recall makes the ballot.
(San Francisco Chronicle, September 27)
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SF supes panel advances code update to collect LGBTQ city hiring data
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“LGBTQ people have, until recently, largely been ignored in the collection of demographic information by all levels of government," noted Mandelman during Monday's meeting of the board's Rules Committee, on which he sits.
(Bay Area Reporter, September 27)
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SFMTA responds to civil grand jury report on Van Ness Improvement Project
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At a Government Audit and Oversight Committee meeting on Thursday, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman acknowledged what the delays have really cost the city.
"Frankly, it's a project that I think has undermined confidence in city government," said Mandelman.
(ABC7 News, September 27)
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