Please join me, colleagues, and friends at Pisco Latin Lounge to celebrate my birthday. And to answer the inevitable question -- yes, I will be in a birthday suit, but not that birthday suit.

  Wednesday, May 8th

6:00pm-8:00pm

Pisco Lounge

1817 Market Street (at Guerrero)

March With Me At Pride 

 

Please join me for the 44th SF Pride Parade on Sunday, June 30th! 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 for the start of the parade are as follows:

 

Sunday, June 30th

10:00am-1:00pm (tentative) 

 

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!

  

 

Scott with a fellow Wiener named Burner at Dogfest in Duboce Park

  

 

Policy Updates

 

CEQA Appeals Procedure Legislation and Endorsements

Last November, I introduced legislation to improve our process for appeals of projects under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Our current process is chaotic and ill-defined, with no clear deadline to file an appeal, and results in eleventh-hour appeals, with resulting delays, of park, home renovation, transit, and other projects. For example, after the Dolores Park renovation underwent an extensive community design process, one person appealed it. Our process is so broken that it allows for appeals of projects after they are in construction. My legislation sets clear procedures and timelines for CEQA appeals. People have every right to object to and challenge projects, but it's important for the process to be clear and transparent, so that both supporters and opponents of projects can understand it and know their rights.

 

My legislation has broad support from various good-government, neighborhood, transit, affordable-housing, and labor organizations. It has also been endorsed by the San Francisco Chronicle, the San Francisco Examiner, and the Bay Area Reporter. I also wrote an editorial for the Guardian about the legislation. Both the Planning Commission and Historic Preservation Commission have recommended it.

 

Video Surveillance Hearing

We recently learned that the San Francisco Police Department has been requiring nearly all businesses applying for a liquor license to have video surveillance systems and to turn over any surveillance footage to the police upon request. While video surveillance can be helpful for public safety and while I'm not opposed to using video in appropriate circumstances, I believe that this near-blanket requirement, which did not go through a public process, is too broad. For example, recently, a specialty Spanish grocery store in Hayes Valley seeking a liquor license to sell imported Spanish wine and sherries was required to install surveillance cameras. I'm now working with the police department and with my colleague, Supervisor David Campos, to come up with a more balanced policy, one that recognizes the benefits of video surveillance in some circumstances while not requiring it in an overbroad manner.

  

Mandatory Soft-Story Earthquake Retrofit Legislation

We all know that the coming major earthquake isn't a matter of "if," but rather "when." This earthquake is likely to be significantly larger than Loma Prieta, and if we're not prepared it will have a devastating impact on San Francisco. One thing we can do to prevent mass displacement in the face of this kind of disaster is to retrofit our vulnerable housing stock, including our soft-story buildings. This is why I sponsored legislation with Mayor Lee and Board President David Chiu - which the Board of Supervisors has unanimously passed - to mandate retrofitting of our soft-story buildings over a number of years. The legislation applies to buildings three stories and taller with five or more residential units. While the City initially sought to shore up these buildings with a voluntary program, that program was unsuccessful, and a mandate became necessary. The legislation is part of a broader strategy called the Earthquake Safety Implementation Program. For more information about the legislation, financing options, and implementations procedures, you can visit  www.sfcapss.org.

 

 

Scott at the annual commemoration of the 1906 Earthquake with Police Chief Greg Suhr, Mayor Ed Lee, Fire Chief Joanna Hayes-White, Supervisor London Breed and Board President David Chiu.

 

 

Entertainment and Nightlife Legislation

Entertainment and nightlife are essential to our cultural identity and economic lifeblood. According to an Economic Impact Report released by the City Economist last year, which was performed at my request, the nightlife creates $4.2 billion a year in economic activity, 50,000 jobs, and $50 million in annual tax revenue. In February, I introduced legislation to simplify permitting for live music and DJs not performing in nightclubs (for example, a DJ performing in an art gallery or at a café) and to enhance and expand the enforcement powers of the Entertainment Commission. Both the Small Business Commission and Entertainment Commission have endorsed the legislation, and I anticipate bringing it to the Board of Supervisors next month.

 

Upper Market Legislation and Café Flore

Café Flore is an iconic local business and a cultural institution. When it came to my attention that for years Café Flore, which has a tiny kitchen, had been using an off-site kitchen in violation of the Planning Code, I had two options: legalize the kitchen or allow Café Flore to scale back its food service significantly (with a resulting increase in its reliance on alcohol sales). I chose the former - since it's in the neighborhood's interest to have a thriving Café Flore that doesn't turn into a bar - and introduced legislation to provide Café Flore with a path to legalize its off-site kitchen. This legislation was recommended by the Planning Commission and this week was recommended by the Land Use and Economic Development Committee.

 

Muni Update: Improving Muni's Infrastructure and Reliability

One of my top focuses has been adequately funding and maintaining Muni's infrastructure, including its vehicles, so that the system functions and becomes more reliable. It's critical to build more political support for this key aspect of our City's quality of life, as is evident from the recently approved ten-year capital plan, which has remarkably little funding for transit improvements. On May 6 (date tentative), I'll be holding the first of quarterly hearings on Muni's huge capital needs and resulting reliability problems. Muni will report on its level of deferred maintenance, shortage of vehicles, the negative economic impact of subway meltdowns, efforts to improve communication with riders about system problems, and so forth. By fully disclosing the depth of Muni's challenges, and the linkage to lack of reliability, it is my hope that we can build needed political support for system improvements.

 

Condo Conversion Legislation

Last year, Supervisor Mark Farrell and I introduced legislation to provide relief to owners of tenancies-in-common (TICs) by allowing them to pay a fee and convert to condos. The legislation covers owner-occupied TICs without eviction histories. The very few tenants who reside in these buildings will receive lifetime leases with rent control protections. After several hearings at the Land Use and Economic Development Committee, several of my colleagues (Supervisors David Chiu, Norman Yee, and Jane Kim) introduced amendments to allow for these condo conversions, creating a moratorium for about a decade thereafter, and, after the condo lottery resumes, excluding five and six-unit buildings. Supervisor Farrell and I are currently reviewing the amendments, and the legislation will come back to committee next Monday. It is my hope to pass legislation that provides much-need relief to TIC owners.

 

Crowd gathered at Castro and Market for the Marriage Equality March

 

 

Community Updates

 

Dolores Park Renovation and CEQA Appeal

The Dolores Park Renovation Project has gone through an extensive community design process, with many well-attended community meetings. The project is slated to begin construction this fall, with completion scheduled for fall 2014. Recently, a neighbor filed a CEQA appeal against the project, citing, among other things, the dog play area as a contribution to childhood obesity. It's possible that this appeal will affect the project timeline. For more details, contact Jake Gilchrist at (415) 581-2561 or Jacob.Gilchrist@sfgov.org.

 

Noe Valley Town Square

For years, residents of Noe Valley have worked to create a permanent public plaza at the site of the Noe Valley Farmers Market on 24th Street. The community has raised money and conducted several well-attended community-visioning sessions. This past Tuesday, I introduced legislation to acquire the site with funds from the City's Open Space Acquisition Fund. The funds can only be used for open space acquisition. The site, which is owned by the Noe Valley Ministries, is being sold to finance the church's seismic retrofit. If the City does not acquire the land, the church will sell it to a developer. This morning, the Recreation & Park Commission unanimously recommended the acquisition, and my legislation will come to the Board of Supervisors in May. This is an exciting project for the neighborhood and the City as a whole.

  

 

Scott with Noe Valley residents and City staff after the Rec and Park Commission recommended approval of the agreement to purchase the Noe Valley Town Square

   

 

Castro Streetscape Update

The second design workshop for the Castro Street Design project was held on Wednesday, April 3, at the Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy. Over 100 people attended the workshop. The City's project team presented a refined design for Castro Street based on staff analysis and community input. Attendees then broke out into small groups to give feedback on the revised design, prioritize optional enhancements, and discuss streetscape design features such as lighting, site furnishings, paving materials, and trees. Initial response to the revised design has been very positive, and the City continues to seek public feedback on the proposed improvements to the street. The workshop presentation, revised conceptual design and related materials are available on-line at http://castrostreetdesign.sfplanning.org.  The project team expects to schedule a Final Open House in early May to present the final Conceptual Design to the community. Construction is scheduled to be completed by late summer or early fall 2014. 

 

Glen Canyon Park Renovation

The work on Glen Canyon Park is proceeding as planned. The recent work has focused on grading and building the new retaining walls for the new tennis courts, while the Rec Center is being prepared for the installation of the new heating system. There is still some large equipment on-site, which Rec and Park suggests could make for fun viewing for children who enjoy watching construction vehicles at work. For more information about the project, you can go to http://sfrecpark.org/project/glen-canyon-park-improvement-plan/ or contact Karen Mauney-Brodek at (415) 575-5601 or karen.maueny-brodek@sfgov.org.

  

Budget Town Hall

As part of this year's budget process, Mayor Lee and Supervisors will meet members of the community to discuss budget priorities. Mayor Lee, Supervisor Campos, and I will conduct a town hall budget meeting on Saturday May 4 from 9:00am to 10:30pm at Cesar Chavez Elementary School at 825 Shotwell Street (between 22nd Street and 23rd Street.)

 

Noe Courts Meeting

On May 15th, the Recreation and Park Department will hold the first community meeting to create a park improvement plan for Noe Courts at St. Philip's Church on Diamond Street. The Department and members of the community will describe the project background and present maps showing existing conditions. Attendees will then break out into working groups to brainstorm. For more information contact Marvin Yee from the Recreation and Parks Department at (415) 581-2541.

 

The new Nuns Rock Memorial at the AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park. I'm proud to have helped the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence raise money for this worthy cause.

 

 

Health Advisory: Meningitis Update

In March, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reported 4 new cases of meningititis in men who have sex with men (MSM), bringing the total to 22 for the year. The San Francisco Department of Public Health has been closely monitoring the situation and, to date, is unaware of any infections in San Francisco. DPH recommends that anyone traveling to New York with expectations to have close or intimate contact with MSM be vaccinated. For more information, you can go to DPH's website on the subject here .

 

SFMTA Traffic Calming Program Now Accepting Applications

Over the past year the SFMTA has been evaluating its Traffic Calming program to recommend changes that improve the efficiency of delivering projects and ensure that the program is consistent with City goals. The SFMTA has reopened its application process for residents to apply for traffic calming measures on neighborhood streets. The SFMTA has said that the revised residential traffic calming process will shorten the timeline between when an application is accepted and a traffic calming measure is installed. Furthermore, the SFMTA has committed to following through on installing traffic calming measures from completed traffic calming plans already in the pipeline. More information is available on the SFMTA's webpage at www.sfmta.com/calming , and questions can be directed to TrafficCalmingApp@sfmta.com.     

 

The SF LGBT Center, 1800 Market Street

The Center's Workforce Development Program is pleased to provide a free workgroup open to all job seekers.  Come network and get support with your job search. The Job Club is a peer-to-peer discussion group where you can share experiences / best practices and receive ongoing direction and advice from a career coach to help manage a productive job search. One-On-One drop-in is the best first step before attending the workgroup.  If you have question regarding the group please contact Clair Farley, clairf@sfcenter.org. If you are interested in One-on-One job search and coaching please contact christinar@sfcenter.org or (415) 865-5614. Please note the building does not open to the public until noon. Job Club attendees please wait at the Center's main door and someone will let you in by 10:00am. Click here for more information

For merchants who are struggling with ADA compliance issues, please attend a meeting hosted by the ADA Merchant Committee.  They are seeking the active participation of all merchants and all agencies city-wide to assist small businesses in coping with this very complex situation.  The library is closed at that time, so please knock on the door to enter.  Any questions, please contact Gwen Sanderson, Video Wave, nvgwen@gmail.com, 415-509-6261 or Susan Walia, Castro Computer Services, susan@modcore.com, 415-826-6678.

Basketball players of all skill-levels and ages are invited to Open Gyms every Sunday. For $5, the San Francisco Gay Basketball Association hosts these open-court style games. All are welcome. Bring a dark t-shirt and a white t-shirt to signify which team you are on. Click here for more information

Free Rapid HIV testing for youth 24 and under offered by Larkin Street Youth Services.