August 9, 2024
A Message From Supervisor Ahsha Safaí:
As we approach the end of summer, I hope you have enjoyed the warm and often cooler weather and spent quality time with your loved ones. With the new school year approaching, I want to remind everyone about the upcoming Legislative Recess. This is an important period for us to reflect, plan, and prepare for the next phase of our community service.
The Board of Supervisors will be on Legislative Recess from August 5, 2024, through September 2, 2024, per our regularly scheduled Board meeting calendar. The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will take place on September 3, 2024.
During this recess, the Office of the Clerk of the Board will remain open during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on legal holidays. My office will also be staffed, and someone will be available during regular business hours. I want to assure you that even though staffing will be limited during this period, we are committed to providing the best constituent service possible.
I look forward to returning to work on September 3, 2024, refreshed and ready to continue serving our community.
As always, my office is available by email: safaistaff@sfgov.org or by phone 415-554-6975 (leave a message and we will call you back).
Sincerely,
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On the Ballot: San Franciso's First Loan Forgiveness Fund for First Responders
I am excited to share that last week, the Board of Supervisors voted to place a critical ballot measure I authored on the November ballot: our city's first loan forgiveness fund for first responders!
If passed, this measure will reimburse San Francisco first responders for outstanding student loans and job-related educational expenses up to $25,000.
The fund would be available to 911 dispatchers, police, fire and sheriff's departments, registered nurses, and paramedics. By attracting and retaining talented professionals in San Francisco public safety and healthcare positions, the measure will help address our city's critical staffing, recruitment, and retention challenges.
Today, our city faces a severe shortage of first responders. We're about 400 police officers' short which leads to longer response times for 911 calls. Additionally, a shortage of around 175 deputy sheriffs has exacerbated violence and injuries within our jails. It's concerning that we've reached a point where our sheriff is requesting the California Army National Guard to assist our jails.
Public safety is a top priority, and we must address these staffing issues. But this measure is about more than that. Because of these staffing shortages, San Francisco is paying out millions in overtime to our overburdened first responders, which makes our city's ongoing deficit even worse. That's just not smart, and it's not sustainable.
This measure is fiscally responsible. It supports the well-being and stability of our first responders and will improve public safety across our neighborhoods.
Please make sure to vote yes on this measure in November. To review all ballot measures for the November 5, 2024 election, click here.
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San Francisco Fire Chief Announces Retirement
This month, we will bid farewell to San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) Chief Jeanine Nicholson, who is retiring after 30 remarkable years of service. Chief Nicholson's leadership has been instrumental in guiding us through a global pandemic and championing the well-being of our firefighters.
Together, we made history by banning cancer-causing turnout gear — the first of its kind legislation in the U.S. Chief Nicholson's dedication and pioneering spirit have left an indelible mark on our community. We are deeply grateful for her inspiring service and legacy.
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Building Affordable Housing Better and Faster
San Francisco is facing an urgent housing affordability crisis, and we need to make building affordable housing easier and faster. That's why I am introducing new legislation in September that requires affordable housing developments to adhere to the existing citywide Project Labor Agreement (PLA), which was approved by the Board of Supervisors in 2019.
These amendments will improve the affordable housing construction process by promoting fair competition and ensuring high labor standards.
PLAs have a proven track record of creating a steady pool of workers, ensuring decent wages, and maintaining a quality workforce. These agreements are instrumental in completing construction projects on time and within budget.
San Francisco needs to build 80,000 new homes, and 50% of them must be affordable for working families. My amendments will help the city build these homes by increasing the construction workforce while also supporting small and minority-owned businesses.
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Excelsior Business Burglaries
In response to recent burglaries in the Excelsior, San Francisco Police Department Ingleside Station has increased overnight and early morning patrols. Captain Amy Hurwitz underscores the crucial role of community involvement in reporting crimes and filing police reports, as it helps in the effective allocation of resources and ensures a safer neighborhood for everyone.
Most importantly, the Neighborhood Safety Unit is here to support businesses impacted by recent burglaries. They offer free services to help secure your premises and establish neighborhood watches, providing peace of mind and a safer community. If you need assistance, please reach out to NeighborhoodSafety@sfgov.org.
I also encourage you to attend the upcoming community meeting on August 20, from 6 to 7 PM, at the Ingleside District Police Station, 1 Sergeant John V. Young Lane, San Francisco, CA.
This meeting is a valuable opportunity to connect, share your concerns, and collaborate with us toward creating a safer and more secure neighborhood for everyone.
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Storefront Vandalism Relief Grant
The Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) is still accepting Vandalism grant applications.
If you own a business or know someone who owns a business impacted by vandalism, this exclusive program offers either $1,000 or $2,000 financial relief (depending on the total cost of repairs). This is a first-come, first-serve grant, giving you the opportunity to secure your relief. Businesses can submit two claims within a 1-year period. The applicant must be a business owner.
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Recognizing Transgender History Month
The Board of Supervisors has declared August Transgender History Month in the City and County of San Francisco. This recognition honors the rich history and contributions of transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary, and Two-Spirit (TGNCI2S) people in our community.
The month of August holds historical significance due to the Compton's Cafeteria Riot in 1966, where black and brown trans women and drag queens stood up against police harassment in the Tenderloin neighborhood.
This act of resistance predates the Stonewall Inn Riots. It is regarded as the first act of mass resistance by transgender and queer individuals against police abuse in the United States.
Despite local efforts to affirm the lives of transgender people, the rights and dignity of transgender and queer people across the country are under attack, with numerous pieces of legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community.
Recognizing Transgender History Month is a step towards supporting and celebrating the resilience and contributions of the TGNCI2S community.
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2025 Hazards and Climate Resilience Plan Now Available
San Francisco's Draft 2025 Hazards and Climate Resilience Plan (HCR) is now available for public comment. This action plan aims to build a safer and more resilient future by reducing the impacts of hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, and pandemics while addressing the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related hazards like flooding, extreme heat, and wildfire smoke.
The HCR serves as San Francisco's Hazard Mitigation Plan, which the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires to be eligible for critical funding sources. The plan includes goals, objectives, and actions to increase the resilience of San Francisco's buildings, infrastructure, and communities.
I invite you to review the draft plan and submit your feedback to resilience@sfgov.org by September 30, 2024. Your input is vital to ensuring a comprehensive and effective plan for our city's future resilience.
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McLaren Trails Improvement Project
The McLaren Trails Improvement Project is a significant step towards transforming John McLaren Park into a more vibrant and sustainable green space.
The project, which includes selective tree removal in four priority areas, is designed to enhance safety, improve habitats, and upgrade trails, all for the benefit of the community.
San Francisco's Rec and Park's Natural Resources Division will ensure the ecosystem's health by removing sick and aging trees, and planting new trees. The project will be coordinated to protect wildlife and minimize disruptions, lasting through 2024 and 2025.
For more information and updates, click here.
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Recognizing National Health Center Week
I was proud to stand alongside the San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium and its 12-member community health centers to celebrate National Health Center Week from August 4-10. These local health centers are champions of equity, inclusion, and diversity, providing care to everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status or ability to pay.
To learn more about the San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium, click here.
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Celebrating National Summer Learning Week
Every year, summer programs across the country participate in National Summer Learning Week, highlighting the importance of summer programs for children, youth, and working families.
In District 11, non-profit, community-based organizations (CBOs) provide comprehensive, all-day summer programs for thousands of children and youth. These programs prevent summer learning loss and support working families by keeping children engaged, safe, and having fun throughout the summer.
District 11 hosted four Summer Learning Week events this year:
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Aim High University: Students experienced college-level classes and participated in a club fair, preparing them for future academic success.
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BACR's Guadalupe Beacon: Students enjoyed activities like balloon-popping contests, face painting, and a staff-versus-student relay race.
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Stonestown YMCA: Students and families worked on sustainable art projects, using recycled materials and learning about environmental stewardship.
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OMI/Lakeview Family Day: An event founded by Renard Monroe, featuring performances, food, amusement rides, and community awards.
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Clean Corridors Initiative
On Thursday, August 15, at 8 AM, San Francisco Public Works will clean Mission Street from Geneva to Silver and Excelsior Street from Mission to Paris.
It's part of the Clean Corridors SF initiative to clean major commercial routes. This program will improve our community's cleanliness and educate residents and merchants about their roles in keeping our environment safe and clean.
To view this year's cleaning schedule, click here.
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Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has several funding opportunities available to the Bay Area non-profit and small business community - eligibility and deadlines vary.
Nonprofit community organizations that empower youth in underserved communities within the Bay Area are invited to apply for grant funding through the Foot Locker Foundation Community Empowerment Program.
Grants from $25,000 to $100,000 are available to support a range of programs for young people, including health and wellness, education and life skills support, mentoring, and career development.
Applications are due by September 30, 2024.
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LISC and the DICK’s Sporting Goods Foundation recently announced a second round of Game On-Community Places to Play. The initiative provides funding and technical assistance to nonprofit organizations that are working to create and/or renovate multi-use athletic spaces for youth ages 6-24 in under-resourced communities across the country.
Grant awards range from $50,000-$100,000 and will require 1:1 match funding.
Applications must be submitted by September 5, 2024.
Funds will be awarded to outdoor and indoor facilities for all organized youth sports, including but not limited to basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, football, tennis, lacrosse, and volleyball.
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Sign up for your Police Station newsletter! D11 is fortunate to have two amazing Police Captains and officers watching out for our safety. If you have not yet signed up for the Ingleside Station newsletter or Taraval Station newsletter, you can click the links below.
Sign up to receive their monthly newsletter:
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Taraval Station Newsletter: sign up Here
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Ingleside Station Newsletter: sign up Here
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Supervisor Ahsha Safaí represents District 11. Ahsha is a passionate advocate for children and working families. He believes that change begins at the local level – in our neighborhoods - where people are most affected by government policies and programs. Ahsha’s career in public service began in his hometown of Cambridge, Massachusetts working as an aide to a City Councilor. While studying at Northeastern University, under the tutelage of Governor Michael Dukakis, Ahsha learned first-hand the importance of effectively addressing local issues for the underrepresented. After graduating, Ahsha became an assistant to Loretta T. Avent, Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs in the Clinton White House, addressing the multitude of issues facing Native Americans - further solidifying his commitment to be an advocate for underserved populations. READ MORE
