Supervisor Melgar 11062023 Newsletter

Edited Version: There was a system error earlier which sent an outdated draft for the Covered California section. Here is the most up-to-date information about your health insurance options.

Dear Neighbors,

I hope the Fall season is going well for you. I want to share some quick news of upcoming events. We will also be holding in-person office hours the morning of Thursday, November 16th in West Portal. The details are below.

We love to hear from you. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at 415-554-6516 or via email at MelgarStaff@sfgov.org if you require assistance.

Sincerely,

Myrna

TABLE OF NEWSLETTER CONTENTS

Legislative and Project Updates
Government In Action
In the Community
Public Outreach Events

LEGISLATIVE AND PROJECT UPDATES

"LOVE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS" PERMIT LEGISLATION

Second Hearing on Monday, November 27th

The Love Our Neighborhoods legislation will create a new program to make it easier for residents and community groups to initiate neighborhood improvement projects on public property. From little libraries to tiled staircases, these projects bring vibrancy and joy to San Francisco. The program will have 3 tiers. Tier 1 provides free registration for residents who want to add a little library, bench, or planter in front of their property. Tier 2 allows organizations and neighborhood groups to apply for projects that add artwork to existing public spaces such as wall or sidewalk murals, tiled steps, or stringed lights for a nominal fee. Tier 3 allows organizations and neighborhood groups to apply for permits for more complex projects like sculptures, major landscaping, etc. for a reasonable fee.

We had a great initial hearing at the Land Use & Transportation Committee this week and received some great feedback we are going to incorporate into the legislation. The item will be heard again on Monday, November 27th at 1:30pm in City Hall, Room 260. We need your support! To learn more, please e-mail Jen.Low@sfgov.org.

GOVERNMENT IN ACTION

2024 Covered California Renewal Period

Enroll Now!

The 2024 Open Enrollment period for Covered CA will begin November 1st and run through January 31st. Enrollment is Open to those over the age of 18 and legally residing in California. This is also a period when those currently on a Covered CA plan can change their ‘metal tier’ and/or insurance carrier. Those enrolling between Nov 1 – Dec 31 will have plans beginning on January 1st, 2024. Enrollments in January 2024 will begin on February 1st, 2024.

There have been changes to Covered CA for the 2024 Enrollment Year:

Many people who were able to enroll in a free or low cost Medi-Cal plan during Covid, may no longer be financially eligible and need to move into a Covered CA plan. Medi-Cal has been re-evaluating eligibility. If you have received a notice from Covered CA regarding your change in income, contact Covered CA - or a certified Enrollment Counselor – immediately.
There will be a 10.1% rate increase in premiums across the board in 2024. There are ways to mitigate this increase for some:
- Change insurance carriers to a lower price plan in the same metal tier if your current doctors are with that carrier and/or you do not currently have a doctor you need to stay with.
- Change your plan to a lower priced ‘metal-tier’ but do not do so without speaking with a certified Enrollment Counselor, certified Insurance Agent, or speaking directly with Covered CA as there are consequences to such a change.
During the 2024 Renewal Period, Covered California will automatically renew enrollment, effective January 1, 2024, for households with an income at or below 150% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) from their previous plan to applicable Silver plans for the 2024 benefit year. These plans will be at or below the net premium of the original plan, and in some cases, this will result in a $0 premium.

Eligible consumers will automatically be sent Eligibility Determination Notices, which will include a cover letter providing details about this change, as well as additional enrollment and plan information. Please note that consumers will still have the option to make changes to their application or enrollment after this process has been completed; changes made through December 31, 2023, will be effective January 1, 2024. Consumers may also make changes to their plan at any time during Open Enrollment starting November 1, 2023, through January 31, 2024.

If you have already worked with a licensed Covered CA insurance agent or Enrollment Counselor, continue to work with that person if you are comfortable. If you do not have a direct contact, Susan Pfeifer is a Certified Enrollment Counselor who serves San Francisco and the Bay Area. She is available by phone at 415-860-8081 or Email at: mediasusan2@gmail.com. There is no fee or obligation for her services.

Improvements at West Portal MUNI Station

Have you seen the changes at West Portal MUNI Station? The conditions were worsening with illegal dumping and encampments. Supervisor Melgar escalated issue and in partnership with the SFMTA who successfully made some small improvements that had a big impact. There is a new bench on the Outbound side, more frequent trash pick-ups, and bike racks were installed on the Inbound side. Public Works staff are also regularly steam-cleaning the station entrance. We also engaged the homeless specialist teams to work with some of the individuals who were living around the station to compel them to accept services. There will be more to share soon, but we appreciate you calling 311 to report any issues so we can continue making West Portal station clean and safe!

Shape the future of housing in your neighborhood!

Please join SF Planning to share your feedback on Expanding Housing Choice (Housing Element Zoning Program). At the Open House, you will learn about our existing zoning and land use rules and how we can make changes to better meet San Francisco’s housing needs, increase affordability for low- and middle-income households, and help advance racial and social equity.

Enjoy some light bites, and opening remarks from our City leadership at each event. We look forward to your participation!

November 15, 2023, 5:30-7:30PM
San Francisco County Fair Building, 1199 9th Avenue, San Francisco.

There will be a short presentation followed by opportunities to meet with various City departments on the collective effort to pair new housing with critical infrastructure, services, and resources to support communities.

If you are not able to attend, materials will be posted online. Visit the webpage for more information about how the City plans to implement the Housing Element.

To schedule Planning staff to attend your next neighborhood meeting to discuss the Housing Element, e-mail: sf.housing.choice@sfgov.org .

IN THE COMMUNITY

TURKEY DRIVE BENEFITING SF MARIN FOOD BANK

The 12th Annual SF Turkey Drive is continuing its focus on fighting hunger at home.

Sat., Nov. 18 - 9 a.m. to noon at St. Emydius Parish, 350 De Montfort Ave. (at Jules)
Mon., Nov. 20 - 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the SF Zoo – Free parking with turkey donation
Sat., Dec. 16 - 9 a.m. to noon at St. Emydius Parish, 350 De Montfort Ave. (at Jules).

The SF Turkey Drive is a community effort that was started in 2012 with one single goal: to fight hunger locally. Thanks to the many generous donors, in the past 3 years, the SF Turkey Drive provided enough food to prepare over 160,000 meals for the hungry. This year again, donations will help continue this effort against hunger in San Francisco.

The 2023 beneficiary is the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank. The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank is an organization formed in 1987 that supplies food to many – including the St Anthony’s Dining Room – and addresses hunger head-on in numerous ways.

Donations to the SF Turkey Drive can be made in one of several forms: turkeys, boxes/bags of fresh vegetables, and hams (in December), at the drives; “virtual” turkeys donated through a secure website. Learn more at: www.sfturkeydrive.com

To Volunteer, contact Pierre Smit at SFPierre@aol.com

UPCOMING OUTREACH EVENTS

Every five years from Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development and the Office of Economic Workforce Development staff and this input is central to all we do!

Remaining Community Forum Schedule (all times 5:30PM-7:30PM)

Thursday, 11/2/2023: Tenderloin, Kelly Cullen Community Center + MPR
Tuesday, 11/7/2023: Bayview Hunters Point, Southeast Center on Third Street
Monday, 11/13/2023: Sunset, Sunset Recreation Center District 7!
Wednesday, 11/15/2023: OMI, Minnie and Lovie Ward Recreation Center
Wednesday, 11/29/2023: Treasure Island, One TI Ship Shape Community Center
Tuesday, 12/5/2023: Richmond, George Washington High School
Wednesday, 12/6/2023: Castro, Eureka Valley Rec Center
Tuesday, 12/12/2023: Visitacion Valley, Visitation Valley Middle School

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

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