May 2012 Newsletter

Office Phone: 415-554-6968

Email:  scott.wiener@sfgov.org 

Website:  www.scottwiener.com 

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Join Supervisor Wiener's SF Pride Contingent!

Please join me for the 42nd SF Pride Parade on Sunday, June 24th! Don't miss out on all the colorful and outrageous fun that makes Pride a must-attend event every year.  For those who have never marched in the Parade before, this will be an unforgettable experience.  Friends, families, children and pets are all encouraged to join in the festivities.  Date, time and location for the start of the parade are as follows:

Date: Sunday, June 24th

Time: 10:00am-1:00pm (tentative) 

Location: Steuart Street (between Market and Mission Streets)

To join us in the celebration, please email your name, t-shirt size and mobile number to Adam Taylor at adam.taylor@sfgov.org or call my office at 415-554-6968.  Don't miss out on this fantastic, only in San Francisco celebration!

 Click here for more information   

A volunteer in Scott's contingent at the 2011 Pride Parade!

My Policy Work

Historic Preservation

Improving the Planning Process: Articles 10 and 11 of the Planning Code

For the past year, I've been working to improve our approach to historic preservation in San Francisco, and in particular, to ensure that we are taking our City's various needs into account when implementing our preservation policy. I am a big supporter of historic preservation, and we need to do it right. On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors passed my legislation updating Articles 10 and 11 of the Planning Code, which govern historic landmarks and districts. The legislation, which updates these articles for the first time in 40 years, contains protections against gentrification of historic districts by taking into account economic hardship, ensures that historic preservation does not undermine efforts to improve pedestrian safety, requires that we compile and adopt our local interpretations of national preservation standards, among other improvements. Here's the San Francisco Chronicle editorial supporting the legislation. 

Improving Access to Tax Credits for Owners of Historic Properties 

Also on Tuesday, I introduced legislation to increase access to tax credits for owners of historic properties. The City encourages or requires these owners - particularly properties that are landmarked or part of a historic district - to maintain their homes to historic standards. Those standards, while important, can be expensive. California has a law - the Mills Act - that allows local governments to provide property tax credits to owners of historic properties in exchange for those owners entering into 10-year maintenance agreements outlining the work they will do to maintain their properties to historic standards. The Mills Act allows local governments to provide a carrot instead of just a stick, when it comes to historic properties. Unlike other localities, San Francisco has not done a good job making the Mills Act widely accessible to property owners, and particularly small property owners. Both administrative hurdles and costs have inhibited access. My legislation will streamline the administrative process, reduce costs, and make the Mills Act more broadly accessible.

Streetlight Hearing Next Monday: Improving Lighting in Our Public Realm

One of the most common complaints I hear from residents is that a streetlight has gone out and that, despite repeated requests, it hasn't been fixed. Our streetlights have significant deferred maintenance, responsibility for them is divided between PG&E and the Public Utilities Commission, and our streetlights are generally designed to light streets for cars instead of lighting sidewalks for pedestrians. To address these and other lighting issues, I called for a hearing on the subject, which will take place this coming Monday May 21 at 10 a.m. at City Hall. We'll hear from the PUC and other departments, as well as PG&E. I very much want members of the public to attend to provide feedback and share ideas to improve our system.

Funding for HIV Services

For 30 years, San Francisco has had a deep commitment to our large HIV-positive population and to those at risk for the disease. For most of the 1980s, San Francisco went it alone, with little or no support from the state or federal government. Now, with significant state and federal cuts, San Francisco once against must step up. Most recent, we are facing a $7.8 million cut in federal funding for HIV care and prevention services. This cut will be devastating to San Francisco's ability to reduce new infections and to care for those living with the disease. As a member of the Budget Committee, I am working hard to make up for this cut in our own city budget. 

LGBT Seniors: Planning for Our Future

Several months ago, I, along with my colleagues Supervisors Campos and Olague, sponsored an important hearing on the needs of LGBT seniors. This growing population has needs in common with all seniors - around housing, transportation, and the like - as well as unique needs, including aging with HIV, an increased likelihood of aging without adult children, discrimination or lack of sensitivity in some senior programs and facilities, and so forth. I'm sponsoring legislation, along with my colleagues, to create an 18-month task force of experts and members of the community to formulate a set of policy recommendations for the Board of Supervisors to address the needs of this community.

Scott, Supervisor Olague, Commissioner Gwyneth Borden, Steve Adams, Santo and Yanessa Esposito, AnMarie Rodgers and Aaron Starr look on as Mayor Lee signs into law Scott's legislation streamlining the permitting process for food and drink establishments.

Making Our City Better for Small Businesses: Reforming the Mission Alcohol Special Use District

I've written previously about the Mission Alcohol Special Use District, which imposes dramatic restrictions and bans on new liquor licenses in a broad swath of the Mission. This ban, though well-intentioned when it was enacted in the 1990s, now has a negative impact on new, creative businesses coming into the neighborhood. Momentum is building to reform the district to allow for some flexibility. This would be a positive step forward. Recent coverage here. 

Streamlining Our Budgeting Process: Grant Reform

One of my goals in office has been to improve the efficiency of our government while maintaining accountability. On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors will consider legislation I authored to do this in the area of grants received by City departments. Under current law, when a city department receives a grant - for example, when the Department of Public Health receives a research grant from the National Institutes for Health - the grant must be approved by the Board of Supervisors, no matter how small. This requires significant time and effort by departments to prepare materials for the Board. Sometimes the preparation costs more than the actual grant. While we all would agree that for large grants, full Board scrutiny is warranted, smaller grants should be delegated to the respective departments. My legislation requires that only grants of $100,000 or more come to the Board, with smaller grants delegated to the departments under rules to be issued by the City Controller. This legislation will make our government more efficient while retaining full Board oversight of the grants that matter most.

Parks Update

Parks Bond This November

Fixing our infrastructure has been a key priority for me as a member of the Board of Supervisors. As I did with the streets bond last year, I am playing a leadership role with the neighborhood parks bond that is moving toward the November ballot. Our park system has over a billion dollars in unmet capital needs. This bond will help meet those needs. Two District 8 projects are in the bond - Glen Canyon Rec Center, which has massive capital needs and which serves a large and diverse population, and George Christopher Playground in Diamond Heights, which is consistently rated a failing playground. I'm thrilled that, if the voters pass the bond, these two facilities will receive much needed capital work.

Duboce Park Youth Play Area

This coming Saturday, May 19, I'll be joining Mayor Lee and members of the community to cut the ribbon on this amazing new facility for older kids. As kids age out of more traditional playgrounds, we need to make sure that they have access to age-appropriate recreational facilities. This innovative Youth Play Area does just that. Friends of Duboce Park worked very hard on the project and partnered with my office and the Recreation & Park Department. I'm excited about its grand opening and hope you can join us to celebrate.

My New Open Space Advisory Committee Appointee: Mark Scheuer

The Park and Recreation Open Space Advisory Committee (PROSAC) is a key committee that advises the Recreation & Park Department on open spaces issues, including acquisition of new open space from the Open Space Acquisition Fund. Each Supervisor appoints two members of the committee. I recently appointed Mark Scheuer, who joins my other appointee Nick Ellis. Mark is on the board of Friends of Duboce Park, as well as Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association, and has been instrumental for years in the revitalization of Duboce Park. Mark is a steady leader and park visionary. He'll do a great job on PROSAC.

U.S.S. Harvey Milk

I recently introduced a resolution to support a request from Congressman Bob Filner of San Diego to name a naval vessel the "U.S.S. Harvey Milk."  Supervisor Milk, before entering politics, served in the Navy during the Korean War. It would be a fitting tribute, particularly given the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, to have Harvey Milk join the august ranks of civil-rights icons Cesar Chavez and Medgar Evers, who both have ships named after them. It would send a strong message to those LGBT people who have served and who will serve that the Navy values them and their community.

Scott with gardening and clean-up volunteers at Buena Vista Park

Devastating Fire at Valencia and Duboce
On May 6, a significant fire occurred at the corner of Valencia and Duboce, the newest part of District 8. The fire quickly engulfed a large apartment building, and dozens of tenants were displaced.  Fortunately, no one was injured badly, though several tenants and two firefighters sustained minor injuries.  One of the displaced tenants had been in the building for almost 50 years.  I went to the scene of the fire and met some of the tenants, as well as the firefighters.  Unfortunately, quite a few fires have occurred in the district since I took office, and the human toll is awful.  The first fire motivated me to author the Good Samaritan Ordinance, which helps tenants displaced in disasters get temporary housing while their units are being fixed.  

Benefit for the 20th Dyke March 

I will be co-hosting a benefit with Supervisor David Campos, Supervisor Christina Olague and Director of HOPE Bevan Dufty to help raise funds for the Dyke March.  The Dyke March is an important annual event for woman in our community, and it's struggling to meet increasing costs.  It's imperative that we step up to help out our sisters and ensure that this vital community event continues to thrive.  Date, time and location for the fundraiser are as follows:  

Date: Saturday, May 19th   

Time: 5:00-8:00pm 

Location: Q Bar, 456 Castro Street (between Market and 18th Streets)  

Donations starting at $15 gets you hosted food and drinks from 5:00-8:00pm.  If you can't attend the fundraiser at Q Bar, please donate online by clicking here.  Every dollar counts.

Click here for more information 

Harvey Milk Day Festivities 

Come celebrate the weekend festivities for Harvey Milk Day.  This California State holiday will take place on the birthday of Harvey Milk.  We will meet at Harvey Milk Plaza on the corner of Castro and Market Street at 1:00pm for a rally with speeches from friends of Supervisor Milk, including Cleve Jones and Anne Kronenberg as well as his nephew Stuart Milk.  After the rally, there will be a march down Castro Street to the site of Harvey Milk's camera shop.  Please come celebrate the inspiring and enduring message of Harvey Milk's life, which continues to resonate through San Francisco and across the country and world.

Rec and Park Summer Activities! 

Summer Activities will be taking place May 27th  - August 17th, 2012.  Summer Camp registration will begin on Saturday, May 12th at 10am and you will have three ways to register for Recreation and Park activities:

1. Online at www.SfRecOnline.org beginning at 10 am on May 12th. 

2. At McLaren Lodge in Golden Gate Park, 501 Stanyan @ Fell, 831-6800.

3. At one of our Neighborhood Registration Sites (click link below to see full list)

SFPD Youth Fishing Program 

In 2012, the San Francisco Police Department's Fishing Program is reaching out to our LGBT Youth!  As soon as schools let out for Summer, volunteer SFPD Officers will be taking kids out on the Bay for a fun day of Deep Sea Fishing that they will always remember.  The San Francisco Police Department's Youth Fishing Program was created decades ago to foster closer relationships between our kids and law enforcement officers.  

The Fishing Program is a non-profit organization that is focused exclusively on providing an exciting day of fishing free of cost to interested young anglers.  Please contact Officer Bob Ford today for more details and information at (415) 558-5527.

Community Spotlight    

Jane Pak

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Honoree

At the Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month ceremony, I honored District 8 resident Jane Pak.  Jane has done extraordinary work as the former President of Glenridge Cooperative Nursery School, including her efforts to improve the Silver Tree Building, which houses the nursery school itself.  Her work has enhanced both the school community and the surrounding park, and I am proud to honor her at the District 8 APA Heritage Month Honoree of the year.  

Scott presents District 8 APA Heritage Month Honoree Jane Pak with a Certificate of Honor.

Janet & Richard Tarlov of Canyon Market 

San Francisco Small Business Week Honorees  

In recognition of Small Business Week, at today's Board of Supervisors meeting I will honor Janet and Richard Tarlov of Glen Canyon Market. As the owners of Canyon Market, Janet and Richard have provided Glen Park and its residents with an independent, full-service market that perfectly serves the needs of the community.  Additionally, they have been active members in their community, organizing community service events to improve and maintain the greater Glen Park area.  For this and their fantastic business model, I look forward to honoring Glen Canyon Market as the District 8 Small Business of the Year.  

Janet and Richard Tarlov, owners of the District 8 Small Business of the Year Glen Canyon Market

San Francisco Small Business Week

May 14th-20th 

Times/Locations vary (click link below for more info) 

Attention Small Business owners and entrepreneurs! Celebrate the 8th Annual San Francisco Small Business Week from May 14 - 20, 2012! This year's theme, "Saluting the Heroes of Our Economy," is a tribute to every small business for contributing to the City's economic success.  Join the fun at Flavors of San Francisco, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Small Business Honoree Ceremony, the Small Business Conference, the MEGA Make Contact, the San Francisco Economic Development Alliance (SFEDA) Mixer, and at the Merchant Association Mixers.

Click here for more information 

Join fellow park lovers for a city-wide celebration of parks with events in every district, from herb gardening, habitat restoration, and bee-keeping, to a climbing wall, creating a kids mural, and a Rochambeau tournament- there is something for everyone, and it's all free.  Click the link below to register for your free volunteer T-shirt and lunch!

Duboce Park Youth Play Area Grand Opening and Play Day in the Park

Saturday, May 19th

10:00am-2:30pm

Duboce Park Youth Play Area - Duboce Avenue at Noe Street

Scott and Mayor Lee celebrate the 2nd Annual Harvey Milk Day.

Scott pedals to City Hall on Bike to Work Day!

Public Art Workshop: How to Make a Proposal

Thursday, May 31st

6:00-8:00pm

25 Van Ness, Suite 70 (lower level)

The San Francisco Arts Commission's final workshop this year will address how to make a proposal for a public art project if you are selected to be a finalist.  They have found that many artists may be reluctant to apply for projects because they are intimidated by how to effectively communicate their ideas, how to make a budget, and how to interface with the Arts Commission and the community.  This workshop will address how to make an effective proposal board, what should be covered in the proposal narrative,  how to develop a budget, and the role of Arts Commission staff support during the process.

Click here for more information   

Scott with outgoing YouthWorks interns Monique and Destiny (L-R).

Castro Farmers' Market

Weekly on Wednesdays (through December 19th)

4:00-8:00pm

Noe Street (between Market and  Beaver Streets)  

Every Wednesday night throughout the season Noe Street is abloom with fresh fruits and vegetables as the Castro Farmers' Market brings California's best to the neighborhood!  

Noe Valley Farmers' Market

Weekly on Saturdays

8:00am-1:00pm

24th Street (between Sanchez and Vicksburg Streets)

The Noe Valley Farmers' Market is a year-round California certified farmers' market operated primarily by community volunteers and run in partnership with the Noe Valley Ministry.  

Click here for more information  

Glen Park Village Farmers' Market

Weekly on Sundays (through November 25th) 

10:00am-2:00pm

Glen Park BART Station (intersection of Bosworth and Diamond Streets)

The partnership of Glen Park Merchants' Association, BART, and the Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association has brought a farmers' market to the parking lot of the Glen Park BART station. Come enjoy the freshest, locally-grown fruits and vegetables and the company of your friends and neighbors at your farmers' market!

Click here for more information