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I hope that you had a great July and enjoyed the beautiful weather we’ve had over the last few weeks.
In the District 2 office, we worked incredibly hard to pass a city budget that prioritized public safety, led efforts to probe our City’s performance on mental health treatment, and supported State legislation that would modernize and invest in California’s ability to tackle the addiction crisis.
I had the opportunity to address our community needs and celebrate local successes while being out in the neighborhood. Following the unfortunate explosion in Pacific Heights, my staff and I were there to communicate with first responders and residents.
As always, I am honored to be your representative on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out at StefaniStaff@sfgov.org or 415-554-7752.
Sincerely,
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Passing the City's Budget
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This month, my colleagues and I successfully passed a budget that addressed a significant $780 million dollar shortfall while prioritizing public safety investments and tackling the drug crisis on our streets. The budget allocates funds for 600 new shelter beds and emphasizes my long-standing goal of clean and safe streets. Notably, we invested $63 million in the San Francisco Police Department and expanded community ambassador programs.
I’m most proud of fighting to secure funding for the Office of Victims and Witness Rights, as mandated by the voters in June of last year. This ensures the office can now be fully staffed and better coordinate services for crime victims, fulfilling our promise to the community.
Overall, this budget reflects our commitment to addressing critical challenges and enhancing public services for the people of San Francisco.
Love Our Neighborhoods Ordinance
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I joined Supervisors Melgar, Mandelman, and Ronen to introduce the “Love Our Neighborhoods” Ordinance. This legislation aims to expedite and minimize permitting fees for various neighborhood amenities, such as waiving fees for the little libraries that enrich our sidewalks. When we discuss revitalizing our city, we cannot forget our neighborhoods. As many of you know I was adamant about saving the Little Free Library on Pine Street, so that it may be enjoyed by generations to come. This ordinance will not only protect existing neighborhood amenities, but inspire others to beautify their own neighborhoods.
Oasis Hotel
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This month, I supported the St. Anthony Foundation’s purchase of Oasis Inn at 900 Franklin Street for the purpose of housing formerly homeless individuals with a specific focus on families. I co-sponsored an agreement with Providence Foundation, an experienced provider of shelter services for unhoused families, to operate the non-congregate shelter at the Inn. This partnership enables Oasis Inn to serve over 200 families annually for the next decade. We are thrilled that this partnership allows these families to continue to thrive in this supportive environment.
Letter of Inquiry on San Francisco’s Detox Centers
In 2008, San Franciscan voters mandated that the city provide Treatment on Demand (Prop T) by offering affordable, publicly-available substance use disorder treatment. That mandate is built on the premise that addiction treatment needs to have a “no wrong doors” policy in which an individual should be able to easily and efficiently access treatment when it is needed and/or wanted.
Recently, my office was made aware of a case in which an individual was unable to quickly access withdrawal management at a detox center. This story corresponds with other anecdotal evidence I have heard from our first responders, individuals seeking recovery, and people in the public health community. That’s why I submitted a Letter of Inquiry to the Department of Public Health to assess the status of our detox centers, identify areas for improvement, and ensure timely access to treatment.
Timely access to recovery and addiction treatment can be the difference between life and death. We must ensure that we never turn away a patient seeking withdrawal management care. I will use this Letter of Inquiry and a subsequent hearing to probe how we can achieve greater success through our publicly-available, voter-mandated treatment programs.
Letter of Inquiry on Elevator Repair Costs
Following a Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee meeting on April 27th, I introduced a Letter of Inquiry to address concerns raised about the insufficient building maintenance and elevator repairs affecting older and disabled residents in affordable housing. These concerns were highlighted in the 2022 Aging and Disability Affordable Housing Needs Assessment Report.
Our priority is to ensure that seniors and persons with disabilities can navigate their homes comfortably and without difficulty. I am eager to receive the Directors' response to my letter, as it will provide valuable insights into the challenges related to elevator repairs and potential solutions.
Supporting State Bills That Modernize California’s Behavioral Health Care System
I joined my colleagues Supervisors Mandelman, Engardio, Dorsey, and Safai in urging the State of California to adopt legislation currently proposed by Senator Susan Eggman and Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin. Combined, Senate Bill No. 326 and Assembly Bill No. 531 update the Mental Health Services Act to include treatment for substance use disorders while massively investing in the State’s ability to fund these medical services. We welcome State partnership and resources focused on tackling the structural deficiencies that hinder San Francisco and California’s ability to ameliorate the addiction crisis.
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In Memoriam: Larry Griffin
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This month, San Francisco lost a devoted public servant, Recreation and Park Commissioner Laurence "Larry" Griffin. Throughout his life, Larry championed labor rights, equitable park access, and service on community boards. His kindness and selfless contributions demonstrated his commitment to the city. May Larry's legacy of service inspire us to build a just future for all residents.
Public Safety Update Regarding Individuals with Recurrent Illicit Activity
As many of you know, my office plays a vital role in coordinating efforts, handling calls, and advocating for additional resources to address the homelessness, behavioral health, and public safety crises playing out on our streets. Through this work, we have received dozens of calls and emails from you regarding public safety threats posed by a few individuals well-known to the Marina and Cow Hollow neighborhoods.
Despite hundreds of hours spent liaising with homelessness and behavioral health outreach coordinators and our first responders, the departments responsible have not been able to effectuate lasting and effective change.
Recently, I brought all relevant department heads to City Hall to better coordinate efforts and to insist on a viable plan to put an end to ongoing issues. I presented the many emails and accounts of the ongoing, disruptive, and dangerous behavior to District Attorney Jenkins, Police Chief William Scott, Lieutenant Koniaris of Northern Station, and key representatives from the following departments: Emergency Management (DEM), Public Health (DPH), and Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH).
Chief Scott and District Attorney Jenkins assured me that they consider this a top priority and will dedicate resources accordingly. DA Jenkins committed to assigning a prosecutor to investigate these reports, better coordinating efforts with SFPD, and combining the extensive list of reports and arrests to convey the severity of the issue to the court. To support their efforts, we will share the numerous emails we have received over the years with all relevant departments.
How you can continue to help:
Constituents are highly encouraged to file police reports – even retroactively for any past incidents. To file a police report, please visit Northern Station in person at 1125 Fillmore Street. Any photos or videos capturing illegal activities or threatening behavior are incredibly valuable to the Departments in their investigation. Individuals can also contact the police by calling 911 for emergencies or using the non-emergency line (415-553-0123). When speaking with dispatchers, please be sure to ask for a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) number. Please then share the CAD number with my office by emailing StefaniStaff@sfgov.org.
Pacific Heights Explosion
On Saturday, July 8th, an underground explosion in a Pacific Gas and Electric vault rocked our Pacific Heights neighborhood on Pacific Street between Buchanan and Laguna, damaging property and shattering windows. Thankfully, no one was injured. However, if you were impacted, I urge you to contact the PG&E Claims Help Line by calling 415-973-4548 or sending an email to LawClaims@pge.com.
Drive for $25.50 with SEIU 2015
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Congratulations to SEIU 2015 for successfully advocating for a $25.50 minimum wage for San Francisco's caregivers within the state's In-Home Supportive Services program. This achievement underscores the vital role caregivers play in supporting California's seniors and people with disabilities. I remain committed to supporting labor unions and workers in their pursuit of fair wages and safe, equitable work conditions for all employees.
Reducing Lombard Street to 25 MPH
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My office, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), and Caltrans successfully collaborated to lower the Lombard Street corridor's speed limit to 25 MPH. We worked together to assess the safety of the corridor and to develop a plan to reduce speeds. This is a major victory for our community, as Lombard is part of the High-Injury Network. It is a step forward in bringing us closer to our Vision Zero goals. Thank you to all the staff from the respective departments who made this possible!
Laurel Village & Sacramento Street Merchant Walk
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It was a pleasure walking through Laurel Village and on Sacramento Street to connect with local merchants. I joined SFPD officers from Richmond Station as we discussed public safety and other issues impacting local businesses. It was a productive afternoon, discussing with the community how we can continue supporting our vibrant commercial corridors.
District 2 Bike Ride with SF Bike Coalition & Northern Neighbors
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My office joined community members and SFMTA for an evening bike ride along parts of District 2. The ride not only offered a chance to appreciate our scenic District but also highlighted opportunities to enhance pedestrian safety in the area. Thank you to the SF Bike Coalition and Northern Neighbors for hosting the event!
Summer Coffee Hours
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I had a wonderful time connecting with neighbors and friends at our Coffee Hours this month. It was a beautiful day in the Marina, and it was great to meet residents and learn about their concerns. I was grateful to have Lt. Michael Koniaris from Northern Station, Rec & Park Commissioner Vanita Louie, and Park Ranger Chief David Murphy join us.
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San Francisco has over 1,200 "flag stops" where buses cannot pull to the curb, creating accessibility, safety, and service issues. SFMTA plans to convert these stops to curbside boarding to improve accessibility, prevent collisions, and speed up service.
To learn more about the conversions, visit SFMTA.com/FlagStops.
Storefront Grant Opportunities
The City recently announced $4 million in grants to fund the Storefront Opportunity Grant Program and the Business Training Grant Program. These two grants aim to bolster current small businesses and fill vacant street-level retail spaces in shopping districts located in low to moderate-income neighborhoods. This includes small businesses lagging in sales tax revenues from its post-pandemic recovery.
To learn more, visit sf.gov/information/find-grant-your-small-business.
49th Annual Nihonmachi Street Fair
August 5 & 6 between 11 AM - 6 PM at Japantown Peace Plaza
Stop by Japantown Peace Plaza to celebrate annual festivities and Japanese culture. Founded in 1973, the Nihonmachi Street Fair was hatched as an idea to provide leadership and mentorship opportunities for the youth of J-Town and to honor the cultural heritage that was, at the time, at risk of being displaced. The Nihonmachi Street Fair proudly evolved to reflect the city it celebrates while staying true to its original mission: engage and develop young Asian American leaders by building a community that celebrates our culture and diversity. Join and enjoy the festivities!
He’e Nalu Outrigger Canoe Club Race on East Beach
August 5 between 8 AM - 12:30 PM, starting at Crissy Field East Beach
The ‘Round the Rock: Alcatraz Challenge' offers three exciting and competitive courses on the central San Francisco Bay between the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges. This event is hosted by Heʻe Nalu O Marin Outrigger Canoe Club, a proud member of the Northern California Outrigger Association (NCOCA). Stop by Crissy Field to watch a thrilling canoe race on the Bay!
South End Rowing Club Alcatraz Invitational
September 23, 2023, at 500 Jefferson Street
Join the South End Rowing Club for this exhilarating 1.27-mile open water crossing from Alcatraz Island to Aquatic Park Beach. This event offers intrepid swimmers unique and sweeping views of the city and the Golden Gate Bridge.
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Supervisor Catherine Stefani on KALW Radio
KALW Public Media / 91.7 FM Bay Area | July 9, 2023
I had the honor of joining KALW for an in-depth conversation including homelessness, public safety, and downtown revitalization. Thank you to Ethan Elkind for hosting me during your program and to all the callers who reached out to the station.
‘City Hall of Fame’: Supes Honor Sunset’s SI and Lowell Baseball Champions
Richmond Review / Sunset Beacon | July 10, 2023
“District 2 Supervisor Catherine Stefani also had a personal acknowledgment to make.
‘Just a very humble and respectful congratulations from a Sacred Heart Cathedral mom,’ Stefani said. ‘And I do want to recognize that Rio Alvarez, one of the graduating seniors, I’ve known since he was 5 years old. He used to play baseball with my son. And so I’m very excited to see SI here today, congratulations.’”
Freedom School program gives children room to discuss serious issues
CBS News Bay Area | July 11, 2023
“To further the conversation, Freedom School San Francisco invited District 2 supervisor Catherine Stefani to speak with the students.
‘It's actually very sad to me, kids should be worrying about who they are going to play with and what they are going to play at recess not about whether or not there are ghost guns in our society or lockdown drills,’ explained Stefani. ‘It makes me want to work harder. The fact that in the United States gun violence is the leading cause of death for our children is absolutely, unacceptable.’"
Fulfilling ballot promise, City budget would establish new office for crime victims
San Francisco Examiner | July 13, 2023
“Supervisor Catherine Stefani secured funding in this year’s proposed city budget to establish the Office of Victim and Witness Rights, which was mandated by the passage of Proposition D last June.
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Proposition D will not only consolidate [ services but also require the office to survey the crime victims it supports to gauge its impact and inform potential gaps in The City’s offerings for victims. It will make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on how support for victims can be improved.
Crimes often go unreported, Stefani argues, and people should have a place to go whether a business was broken into or a passport was stolen.”
Larry Griffin, lifelong San Franciscan and champion of those in need, dies at 69
San Francisco Chronicle | July 13, 2023
“The July 11 meeting of the city’s Board of Supervisors was adjourned in Griffin’s memory in a resolution co-sponsored by Board President Aaron Peskin and Supervisor Catherine Stefani. ‘His impact as a devoted public servant, labor leader and advocate for our parks will be remembered forever,’ Stefani said. ‘I will miss his infectious joy and can-do spirit.’”
Supes blast Potrero, Sunnydale public housing management
Mission Local | July 21, 2023
“Supervisor Catherine Stefani also questioned the city agreements that pay Eugene Burger to run the sites: ‘I don’t understand why we continue to engage and ask people to do the work if they are not able to perform it,’ she said.”
‘Unacceptable’: S.F. veteran tried but failed to get in alcohol detox. Supervisors want to know why
San Francisco Chronicle | July 27, 2023
“Stefani told The Chronicle it’s critical to ensure the city is adequately funding nonprofits to be able to staff and provide contracted services.
‘Failure to provide care when people are suffering from the disease of addiction threatens the lives of all who seek to withdraw from the drug that may eventually kill them,’ the supervisors wrote in their letter. ‘It is unacceptable that our substance use disorder care centers are turning people away with no guidance, especially given the often short-lived windows of opportunity common with those suffering from addiction.’”
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Office of Supervisor Catherine Stefani
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 273, San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 554-7752 Fax: (415) 554-7843
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