Supervisor Melgar 05262022 Newsletter

PHOTO: Bianca Heredia, from Golden Gate Xpress interview below

Greetings Neighbors,

It has been a busy Spring and we have a number of updates for you.

After a contentious process, the Redistricting Task Force, which redraws Supervisorial district lines based on the latest Census figures, finalized a new map. They added new residents, schools, businesses, and institutions to District 7. We intend to introduce ourselves to our new neighbors in community meetings. We did lose parts of Ocean Avenue and Ingleside to District 11; and Merced Manor and Lakeshore Acres to District 4, so we are working closely with those Supervisors’ offices to ensure a smooth transition of representation and handing over pending projects. The new District 7 includes the Inner Sunset, and Golden Gate Park south of JFK Drive.

This month we also celebrated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and Small Business Week with commendations presented at the Board of Supervisor meetings! APA Jordan Mar was celebrated for his work in building multi-ethnic, multi-cultural ties with community organizations, small businesses, residents, and local artists. We also recognized Monza Pizzeria, which is owned by Juraci Filho who is originally from Brazil. Juraci has invested his heart into this business. He's there 7 days a week – working long nights as Monza offers one of the few late-night dining options for our westside neighborhoods.

GRAFFITI ABATEMENT PILOT

I introduced legislation to launch a 2 year pilot for no-cost graffiti abatement to address the scourge of graffiti that has overtaken our commercial corridors and vacant storefronts. Property owners can opt-in to have the Department of Public Works take a proactive approach to abate any graffiti it sees along regular routes. Businesses who are not yet signed up can avoid fines also. The City remains responsible for abating graffiti in public locations and residents are encouraged to continue using 311 to report graffiti.

AIR POLLUTION AND TECHNOLOGY

In March, I introduced legislation titled, “The Healthier, Cleaner, Quieter Communities Act,” that will prohibit the use of small gas-powered landscaping equipment in San Francisco to support the transition to electric equipment. Besides the noise issues that equipment like leaf blowers are known for, gas-powered equipment is a major source of pollution that disproportionately affects the health of workers and communities of color.

Specifically, this legislation will phase out the use of small gas-powered landscaping equipment by the City and its contractors starting on January 1, 2024. A prohibition for the general public would not begin until January 1, 2026. The program will include wholesale purchasing of equipment for City departments, a small engine gas-powered buyback program for landscapers, and support for the disposal of old equipment. There will be a waiver process as well.

Secondly, on May 5th, I held a hearing about where our city fleet of cars is as far as meeting the goal to be 100% Electric by December 31st 2022. We discovered that the City is pretty far behind. As a city, we need to lead the way in fortifying our commitments to this earth. After hearing how far behind we are, I will be drafting and supporting legislation that re-prioritizes our environmental goals and look forward to revisiting this topic in a public hearing to see where we are.

I aim to utilize my position as a good steward of the Earth before us and am excited that there is more to come.

Myrna Melgar

Table of Newsletter Contents:

Save Laguna Honda
Interview with Golden Gate Express
Ocean Ave Mobility Action Plan Townhall
COVID Update - BART
SF Youth Commission 2022-23 Recruitment
Sunnyside Chalk Murals
PG & E Discount Programs
Voices from the Streets
Senior Corner
Virtual Office Hours - May 25

SAVE LAGUNA HONDA HOSPITAL

For 250 years, Laguna Honda Hospital has been a critical asset for our community, specializing in providing skilled care for a diverse array of patients from all walks of life. In July 2021, the Department of Public Health self-reported two nonfatal overdose incidents, which prompted extended review by the State. While corrective measures were taken, other compliance issues surfaced during inspections. Since last fall, Laguna Honda has been working diligently to address areas of improvement to maintain certification by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Despite working to make significant improvements, however, CMS made the decision to end funding and mandated the Hospital to prepare a transition and relocation plan for patients. Without these funds, it will be nearly impossible for Laguna Honda to serve those patients who rely on Laguna Honda for quality care they often cannot receive elsewhere.

The Department of Public Health and the entire City Administration is doing everything we can to reverse the decision. The only path forward is to meet all mandates and re-certify the Hospital to save the critical beds we need to serve those that will have no other place to go for life-saving treatment. I appreciate the level of transparency from the Laguna Honda Hospital leadership and their willingness to be accountable.

I want to express my support to the over 700 residents in Laguna Honda and their families. While the Hospital must prepare for the worst case scenario, please know that we are not giving up. As a City, we are united and we will stop at nothing to save Laguna Honda. I will continue to monitor this issue closely and want to assure the residents and their families that this is an issue we take seriously and will work proactively to resolve. The Board of Supervisors will be holding a hearing next month to discuss the strategy for re-certification tentatively planned for Tuesday, June 14th at 3:00pm. If you are interested in participating, please email my staff Jen.Low@sfgov.org.

For more information about the situation at Laguna Honda Hospital, please visit https://sf.gov/information/laguna-honda-hospital-path-recertification

INTERVIEW WITH GOLDEN GATE EXPRESS

Supervisor Melgar discusses SF State, the cost of housing for students and establishing a Safe Parking Site for those living in vehicles.

READ THE INTERVIEW

OCEAN AVE MOBILITY ACTION PLAN TOWNHALL

The San Francisco County Transportation Authority is developing the Ocean Avenue Mobility Action Plan in partnership with District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar to prioritize projects to improve transportation along Ocean Avenue.

Please register and come to a virtual town hall to learn more and give feedback about transportation improvements. Cantonese interpretation will be provided if a request is made at least 72 hours before the meeting. Learn more and sign up for updates at sfcta.org/OceanAve

Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Time: 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

COVID UPDATES

Masks are once again required on BART - rule is effective until July 18, 2022, unless it is extended by the BART Board.

YOUTH COMMISSION 2022-23

Applications will close on June 1st at 11:59 p.m.

Apply Here!

SUNNYSIDE CHALK MURAL PAINTING & BIKE TEST RIDES

PG & E

Summer’s warm weather is coming, and Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) customers can benefit by participating in a variety of programs to prepare for the inevitable increase in air conditioning usage associated with hotter weather that typically drives up summer energy costs.

To prepare eligible customers are encouraged to take advantage of income-qualified assistance programs including:

• California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program saves 20% or more each month on energy bills

• Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program offers a monthly discount on electric bills with three or more people in the household

VOICES FROM THE STREET

Nikki Childs article:

“After losing her job due to cutbacks, and then being evicted from her apartment, Nikki found herself living on the streets of San Francisco. People experience homelessness for various reasons and the impact of being unhoused can be extremely detrimental to an individual or family. It exacerbates existing health problems, increases risks for new ones, including communicable diseases and the potential for encountering physical, mental and emotional harm. For women, there is often an added layer of abuse. “ Listen to interview with Nikki Childs on how she escaped homelessness:

MORE...

SENIOR CORNER

SENIOR CORNER:

District 7 Phys Ed teacher, Scout leader, coach and professional basketball ref may be retired, but he’s still getting people out to exercise...

Story from Senior Beat...

OUR NEXT OFFICE HOURS

District 7 - Supervisor Myrna Melgar

VIRTUAL

OFFICE HOURS

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2022
10:30 to 11:30 AM

You can book a ten minute appointment here:

VIRTUAL OFFICE HOUR APPOINTMENT

Board of Supervisors | District 7 | Myrna Melgar

1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 260
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 554-6516 | Fax: (415) 554-6516
melgarstaff@sfgov.org

Note: Staff sometimes work remote so please be patient when leaving a phone message.

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