On June 29, 2021, the Board of Supervisors resolved budget negotiations and after many long weeks, I was able to successfully secure funding citywide for seniors and people with disabilities, women, youth, and families with young children. As a new Supervisor and one who was not on the Budget and Appropriations Committee, I made sure that those voices were being advocated for at the table and will continue working with my colleagues to do so in the coming years. In addition, I worked with the Mayor to fund $2 million for a year long Free Muni For All Youth program starting August 15, 2021. This will lower the barrier for children and youth to access service while not breaking the bank. A dedicated approach to youth will also ensure that our transit systems focus on reliability and recovery.
I look forward to continuing fighting for District 7 and making sure that the needs of the Westside are heard loud and clear.
Updates on the Great Highway
There has been a lot of discussion and engagement about the future of the Great Highway, so I wanted to take the opportunity to update you.
On June 22, 2021, the County Transportation Authority (which is comprised of members of the Board of Supervisors) voted on accepting a report from staff about the different options that we have before us for the Great Highway.
I supported the motion by Supervisor Chan to not yet accept a particular option as presented by staff but instead consider all options, including the one that was rejected by staff as too expensive. To be clear, the decision before us was to approve the report not to select an option -- we will not be voting on a particular option until fall.
These are some of the issues I felt were not addressed adequately:
The increase in car traffic from 280 to Brotherhood Way and Lake Merced, which will happen regardless of any closure of the upper Great Highway because we are closing the lower Great Highway South of the Zoo. Vision Zero improvements and bicycle lanes on that portion of Lake Merced Blvd starting at Sunset and all the way to Sloat Ave, and Brotherhood Way is a must
Maintenance of the pavement and sand removal
A dedicated bicycle lane on Great Highway in any five of the options
Maintenance of bathrooms at Great Highway; we must have this detail figured out with our external partners in order to make sure that any option increases quality of life and experiences for everyone
An expanded public transit plan to ensure access for people who live farther out and have no cars
Staff have amended their report which will be heard again July 13, 2021 to include:
WHEREAS, Staff determined that all concepts have different strengths and weaknesses which are identified in the enclosed report;
WHEREAS, After extensive discussion and public comment at the June 22, 2021 meeting, the Transportation Authority Board expressed four additional recommendations to those included in the staff report: (1) monitor the use of the Upper Great Highway by race and income, (2) address ongoing traffic management planning and design needs for Sloat/Skyline and Sloat/Sunset intersections as part of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Ocean Beach Climate Adaptation project, (3) explore the feasibility of improved north/south public transit to serve both local and regional trips, and (4) coordinate with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area to increase bathroom and other maintenance;
Currently, I am neutral on all the options because the closure of the Great Highway greatly affects car traffic patterns in D7-- easily one of the districts with the worst bike and pedestrian infrastructure. To that end, I remain uncommitted to a particular option until I see that all the things I care about included in the project. I will fight for them. I am one of 11 votes, so aside from the policy, it is my responsibility to be strategic in how I use my one vote vis-à-vis my colleagues to ensure we get what we need for the City and for my district.
We are excited to announce the finalists of this year’s Community Grants Initiative. Through an open invitation for project proposals, our constituents had an opportunity to submit their ideas for projects that respond to community needs and improve quality of life for District 7 residents and visitors. The finalist projects were selected through a competitive scoring process and represent a great range of neighborhood safety, resiliency, and improvement.
Thanks to all the participants for your vision and support for our beloved District 7. We are now working with city departments for final review of the selected projects and look forward to supporting their implementation! If you have questions, please contact: lila.carrillo@sfgov.org
PARK MERCED VISIT WITH TENANTS
JULY 8 - 5:30 TO 7:30 PM
Are you a renter near Park Merced? The Supervisor and her staff will be visiting to field questions about the Rental Assistance program as well other questions you may have.
The San Francisco Apartment Association and Housing Rights Committee will also be on hand to share information about the program.
This event will focus mainly on tenant issues, but feel free to stop by and discuss any other topics if you live in the neighborhood.
BALBOA PARK STATION
On June 24, 2021, the Balboa Park Station passenger loading zone closed for construction with detours to temporary loading zones. BART is also building a new transit plaza with safety upgrades, an accessible path along Geneva Avenue, and a new passenger loading zone.
During construction, temporary loading zones will be provided as follows (see map).
BRIDGE Housing and AvalonBay Communities will be co-hosting an outdoor open house for Phase 1 of Balboa Reservoir including two affordable housing buildings, two market-rate housing buildings, and Reservoir Park. All are invited to join this open house at 1002 Ocean Ave.
The project design team has been hard at work taking the Design Standards and Guidelines that have been approved and using them to add additional layers of detail to the park, the open spaces, and the buildings. Come hear directly from the design team and provide feedback that can be used to further refine these designs.
If you are unable to attend the meeting, poster boards will be posted to the project website and you will be able to email the project team (BalboaReservoir@gmail.com) feedback.
DETROIT STEPS NEWS
Work at the Detroit Steps Project under the Community Challenge Grant will start July 1st, 2021. Visit today!
In the meantime, enjoy a Detroit Steps video tour of the native plant garden as it stands today:
Please join Supervisor Melgar with District 4 Supervisor Mar, SFFD, and SFPUC for a Hose Tender and Potable Emergency Firefighting Water System Demonstration
Where: Sunset Reservoir, at the corner of 25th Ave. and Quintara
When: July 15, 2021, at 10am
The San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) regularly tests various equipment and deployment strategies with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) for emergency preparedness. The SFFD and SFPUC will be performing an operational test at Sunset Reservoir to demonstrate the utility of Hose Tenders to relay water in the event of a large fire. There will also be a hands-on demonstration of the new Kubota piping that will be used for the Westside Potable Emergency Firefighting Water System project being implemented with the Earthquake Safety Emergency Response Bond approved by San Francisco voters in 2020.
WAWONA FLOOD ZONE RESIDENTS
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) delivered sandbags to some residents in Wawona in November 2020. We encourage you to keep these sandbags for use next rainy season, however on Thursday, July 8, 2021 our crews will conduct a one-time sandbag pick up.
Please place any unwanted sandbags at the curb nearby the following intersections before 8am on Thursday, July 8, 2021:
• Northwest corner of 15th Ave and Wawona St
Please note, this pickup is only for the sandbags delivered by the SFPUC in November 2020 at the above location(s).
Please RSVP to RainReadySF@sfwater.org with the approximate number of sandbags you need picked up.
LAKESHORE DRIVE PROJECT UPDATE
San Francisco Public Works has contracted to replace the sewer main and some side sewers and to reconstruct the roadway on Lakeshore Drive from Ocean Avenue to Berkshire Way.
Earlier this month, work began on the 400 block of Lakeshore Drive at Ocean Avenue. There has been an unexpected delay in the receipt of construction materials. As a result, the work on Lakeshore Drive will be suspended for approximately one month. The contractor remains responsible for maintaining the work site, including any locations where construction materials are stored. Public Works has instructed Michael O’Shaughnessy Construction, Inc to restore neighborhood parking by removing “no-parking/tow away” signs until work is scheduled to resume. No-parking/tow away signs will be posted again at least 72 hours in advance of work in the affected areas.
We apologize for this unforeseen construction delay and appreciate your patience in the completion of these important infrastructure upgrades.
For additional information: Please contact the contractor Michael O’Shaughnessy Construction, Inc at (415) 799-7043 or San Francisco Public Works at (628) 271-2246.
YOUTH ART EXCHANGE
SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUMS FOR ALL PROGRAM NOW PERMANENT
The San Francisco Museums for All program is now permanent and year-round! Local residents who receive Medi-Cal or CalFresh can get 4 FREE or reduced price tickets per visit when they show their Medi-Cal or EBT cards. Learn how to plan your visit to more than 20+ participating museums at www.sfmuseumsforall.org.
VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS
Our office hours continue to be online. You can sign up for an appointment on July 16 from 1-3 pm, or drop in day of.