As we embrace the New Year, I want to take the opportunity to reflect on the progress we made in District 7.  We have seen improvements in pedestrian safety, the initiation of promising open space projects, and a more unified vision for the future of our City.

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

Pedestrian safety remains a top priority for my office. The community’s efforts to improve pedestrian safety are working. Last year, there were fewer pedestrian fatalities caused by vehicles in District 7 as compared to 2013. My office was able to expedite safety measures along Sloat Boulevard. The full project will be completed early this year. We supported having a traffic signal placed quickly at the Sunset Boulevard and Yorba Street crossing where pedestrians were struck on three different occasions by vehicles, resulting in two fatalities at the beginning of 2014. Our office was also successful in lowering the speed limit to 25 miles per hour along the first mile stretch of Monterey Boulevard from the freeway to Plymouth Avenue.

We also successfully revived the Student Crossing Guard program, which trains young students to help fellow classmates get to and from school safely.  There are now programs at Commodore Sloat Elementary and Lakeshore Elementary.  Alice Fong Yu will also implement this program in the coming months.

Student crossing guards increase safety and remind drivers to be more vigilant around school zones.

This year, we will work closely with SFMTA to begin and complete nine additional pedestrian safety projects. Many of these projects were made possible with grants provided by the District 7’s Participatory Project Program that my office created last year. The proposals came from District 7 residents and were voted on by District 7 residents. We are also expecting more proposals for the 2015 Participatory Budgeting Program (deadline to apply is February 1st). My office will also continue to work on legislation to support the City’s Vision Zero policy, a policy I co-authored to end all pedestrian fatalities by 2024.

FOCUSING ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

We are also making strides in our goal to make San Francisco a family-friendly city. The passage of Proposition C in November renewed the Children and Youth fund, the Public Education Enrichment Fund, and called for the City to develop a citywide plan with goals and strategies on how we will support children and families in San Francisco. My office spearheaded the development and passage of Prop C and now in 2015 we will be developing legislation to create the Children and Families Council to realize these efforts. I will be asking Mayor Lee and Superintendent of Public Schools, Richard Carranza to co-chair this body. The Council will not only be looking at ways to improve efficiency in services, but also re-thinking infrastructure issues such as demand for affordable high quality early care services for families.

SUPPORTING OUR SENIORS

We hear from residents the desire to have more senior engagement in the city and especially in our District.  Last year, during the Participatory Budgeting process, a project was selected to bring senior programming to the West Portal Playground Clubhouse.  Starting in February, the Clubhouse will host activities ranging from bingo, nutrition classes, smartphone/technology classes, and field trips.  We are excited to have this opportunity to serve our seniors and hopefully expand this model to other existing spaces.

Last year, our office also worked closely with advocacy organizations to urge the SFMTA to implement the Free Muni for Seniors and People with Disabilities program.  Starting in March, eligible seniors and people with disabilities will be able to ride Muni free, giving them the ability to stay independent without burdening them with additional costs.

OPEN SPACE

  
With the growing number of children and seniors in the city, we also recognize that open space and playgrounds are important to our residents. In West Portal, parents and residents worked hard to build a vision for an improved playground.  With their successful organizing, our office was able to advocate for funding to begin the first phase of the West Portal Playground renovation.  We will also see a new boat ramp at Lake Merced, a ramp that had been lost to nature years ago. My office is also working closely with residents in the Golden Gate Heights Park, who have not had a functional playground for many years.

And finally, after two years of hard work, our office brought together the Public Utilities Commission, Rec and Park, and Department of Public Works to agree on building a garden area for the Ingleside Library.  The Ingleside Library open space project will be breaking ground in mid-February.

COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT

We are grateful for the many engaged neighbors who organize special events to enrich the lives of our District 7 and San Francisco residents.  We hope to see more opportunities for our community members to come together this year!

Judging the Cutest Puppy Contest at the First Annual “Taste of West Portal” organized by the West Portal Merchants Association

Youth Arts Exchange student architects unveil the mobile parklet at Foglifter Cafe on Ocean Avenue. A great example of a partnership between the Ocean Avenue Association, Youth Arts Exchange, and the owner of Foglifter Cafe.

Kids enjoying the bouncy house at the Annual Ocean Avenue Arts and Cultural Festival organized by the OMI Cultural Participation Project.

Adelante performing at the Ocean Avenue Arts and Cultural Festival. Despite gloomy weather, residents came to enjoy live music, food, booths, and activities

We have many great aspirations and changes to look forward to in 2015. I would love to hear about your ideas on what you hope to see happen this year.

Norman Yee