We are working with SFMTA on many street improvements in District 7, but if you notice anything that needs immediate attention, please be sure to contact us at 415.554.6516.

We want to hear how your first week of school went. Please share photos and stories for our next newsletter. I look forward to seeing our District 7 school community in action as I visit Back-to-School nights this fall!

Warmest regards,

Norman

SHORT TERM RENTALS

On July 21st, the Board of Supervisors considered legislation to further regulate short term rentals, like the ones offered through AirBnB. As I have stated before, I remain opposed to these efforts because I don’t believe in the one-size-fits-all approach.  We have zoning laws and allow certain uses in specific areas for very good reasons. I also believe that if we approve regulations, the City should be able to enforce them and I don’t believe that this legislation will be enforceable.

Finally, I was successful in amending the legislation to require additional noticing for residents that live in neighborhoods that are zoned RH1-D, which includes most of District 7. Those who are offering short-term rentals will not only have to register with the city and provide proper noticing, but will also have their application placed on hold for 45 days so that neighbors and neighborhood associations can weigh in with the Planning Department. I believe that at the end of the day Short Term rental may be appropriate in certain areas of the city, but not everywhere.

HEARING REQUEST ON FOREST FIRE READINESS

We are fortunate to be surrounded by the natural beauty of San Francisco, especially our lush, green landscapes. In District 7, we have many forested areas like Mount Davidson. With the drought and dry weather, there is a growing risk of fires.  Northern California already experienced its fair share this year.

Last month, I called for a hearing for the Fire Department and Department of Emergency Management to discuss the City’s response plan in the event of a forest or brush fire within San Francisco. Our office will keep you updated on the hearing date and any findings.

The Board of Supervisors voted to pass the new City budget on July 28, 2015 with the Mayor signing it into law shortly thereafter.

It was exciting to serve on the Board of Supervisors’ Budget Committee this year. The work of the committee from April through June gave me an opportunity to review many of the individual city departments’ budgets up close. For several weeks, the Budget Committee heard budget presentations from department heads offering them a chance to explain the rationale behind their requests not only to us as Board members, but also to the public.

CITYWIDE BUDGET

The budget process started earlier this year with a series of community meetings. After the Mayor released his budget, the Board of Supervisors was given the opportunity to make adjustments in the form of proposed savings and increased allocations, which are often called “add-backs.” The changes that the Board of Supervisors made to the $8.6 billion budget presented by Mayor Lee only accounted for less than 1% of the whole budget. Overall, I feel that everyone worked well collaboratively to pass a budget that was not only sensible, but focused on our city’s values.

I had two main priorities going into the budget process: investing in our early care and education system and addressing the needs of District 7. I am proud that we were able to add almost $2,000,000 in funding for Early Care and Education. I advocated for expanded funding for Participatory Budgeting, a program that allows District 7 residents to propose and to fund projects for their community. I was also able to fight for increased funding for Senior Services, Youth Arts Services, and the construction of Richie’s Neighborhood, a life-size replica of city streets, which will teach youth pedestrian and traffic safety. My office is working closely with the Department of Public Works to create this educational tool.

The Board was able to secure additional funding in the following areas:

Housing	$28,225,947.00
Economic Development	$1,185,000.00
Education	$5,196,000.00
Parks and Open Space	$3,370,083.00
Pedestrian Safety	$567,969.00
City Beautification	$2,362,969.00
Senior Services	$2,129,268.00
Youth/Teens	$2,226,736.00
Job Creation	$2,947,500.00

The approved City budget will accelerate fixing our streets and making them safer through pedestrian safety measures. Pedestrian safety education will be bolstered by creating a strong messaging campaign and utilizing creative tools, like the Student Crossing Guard program.  The Student Crossing Guard program I started in District 7 public schools will now have additional resources to grow from 3 schools to 20 school sites.

Parks and playgrounds will continue to receive funding for maintenance and an increase in hours of service at the many clubhouses around the city. Services for children and youth received a spike in its budget mainly due to the voter-supported Children’s Fund Initiative that passed last November.

Our public safety departments were able to win a sizable increase this year. I fully supported the Police Department’s budget that will train and hire an additional 400 police officers in the next two years. There will also be increased staffing for our Department of Emergency Management and our Fire Department.

Infrastructure issues such as housing and transit will receive a funding increase, which is long overdue. Now, the City will have the resources to support our strategies around housing for low and middle income residents and those that are homeless.

DISTRICT 7 BUDGET ALLOCATIONS

The budget will move us closer to repairing the three playgrounds and parks that have been in need of repair for over a decade. These playgrounds include West Portal Playground, Golden Gate Heights Park, and Miraloma Playground.

Additionally, I was able to secure some extra funding to expand the senior program I brought to District 7 last year at West Portal Clubhouse to complement the one and only existing program at the Stonestown YMCA. My hope is that District 7 will have a third senior site operating this coming year, bringing recreational and nutrition services for more of our senior residents.

District 7 will receive increased funding to support resident generated programs and ideas. My office has successfully worked with the residents and neighborhood groups to implement projects throughout the district. This coming year, we will have $500,000 for additional resident-generated projects.

I am looking forward to an exciting year ahead of us. I anticipate more opportunities for residents to be involved in shaping the future of District 7 and our city.

First Balboa Reservoir Community Advisory Committee

Wednesday, August 26, 2015
6:15pm-8:30pm

Lick-Wilmerding High School, School Cafeteria
755 Ocean Avenue

Meeting Agenda
Supervisor Yee’s FAQ

Earlier this year, Supervisor Yee introduced legislation to establish the Balboa Reservoir Community Advisory Committee as the leading body to engage community members, local merchants, and residents on any proposed plans for the Balboa Reservoir site.

We encourage residents to attend this meeting to get the most up to date information and to engage in the planning process.

Community Office Hours with Supervisor Norman Yee

Saturday, September 19, 2015
11:00am to 1:00pm

Victor’s Bakery
719 Taraval Street (between 17th and 18th Avenue)

Join us for our Fall Office Hours in District 7! Meet with Supervisor Yee one-on-one to ask questions, resolve an issue, or share an idea.  For more information, please contact Jen Low at jen.low@sfgov.org.

San Francisco Zoo Senior Stroll – September 2015

Thursday, September 11, 2015
9:00am to 10:00am
Occurs quarterly every 2nd Thursday

Meet at the Zoo’s Main Entrance. Enjoy a guided walking tour with almost the whole Zoo to yourself. A docent guide will answer questions and offer insights into animal behavior.

Fee: Members free; all others $5
Questions: (415) 753-7122 or e-mail seniorstroll@sfzoo.org.

Friday, August 28, 2015
Friday, September 25, 2015
5:00pm to 9:00pm

Come out and enjoy the Friday Night Market at UN Plaza.  With live music, local eats, and fun activities for the kids –make it an outing for the whole family. The Night Market at UN Plaza has become the place to spend Friday nights in the center of the City – neighborhood folks, local tech and government workers, visitors and those looking for fun free evening entertainment all gather together.

www.fridaynightmarketsf.org

COMING SOON!

Get ready for District 7’s 3rd Annual Participatory Budget. Participatory Budgeting allows community members of our District to apply for mini-grants to improve the neighborhood.  All final projects are selected by District 7 residents.

We are working on the process for this year and our kick-off meeting will be scheduled this Fall.  If you would like more information, please contact Matthias Mormino at Matthias.Mormino@sfgov.org.

MUNI SUBWAY SYSTEM UPGRADES

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), which oversees all transportation in the city, including the Municipal Railway (Muni) is working on a two major infrastructure improvement projects. 

Blue Light Emergency Telephone and Radio System Replacements
July 31, 2015 to January 2016
Scheduled Shutdowns: 10:00pm to 5:00am

View Bus Shuttle Service Plan
View Factsheet

Construction will require early subway shutdowns nightly from 10 p.m. until the start of service in the morning at approximately 5 a.m. During shutdowns, bus shuttles will provide substitution service between The Embarcadero and Saint Francis Circle from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Collectively, the Radio Replacement and Blue Light Emergency Telephone Replacement projects rebuild Muni’s aging infrastructure to ensure it meets today’s standards for the safe and reliable management of San Francisco’s subway system.  For more information, please visit SFMTA’s website.

Twin Peaks Tunnel Track Replacement
Winter – Start Date TBD
Tentative Shutdown Schedule: Weekends (late Friday to Monday morning)

Twin Peaks Tunnel is a vital piece of Muni’s light rail system. Built in 1918, it connects Castro Station to West Portal Station and carries a number of the light rail lines (K Ingleside, L Taravel, and M Ocean View). Twin Peaks Tunnel is currently under a speed restriction, which slows down trains as they travel through. Replacing the tracks will lift the speed restriction and allow trains to move faster through the tunnel and speed up travel times. Seismic reinforcements will better protect the tunnel’s overall structure and stability.  This project will overlap with the West Portal Improvement project. For more information, please visit SFMTA’s website.

IT’S COYOTE PUPPING SEASON

Coyotes will be taking their youngsters — which they have kept hidden and secret until now — on wider and wider treks away from their dens, usually when it’s dark and when we humans aren’t around. However, it is not unusual to see coyotes out during the day — they are not nocturnal animals.

San Francisco has several dozen coyotes living in the city, mostly in nuclear families. They’ve been spotted in almost all our parks. Because most folks in San Francisco have dogs or cats, and because it is pupping season, it is a good time to brush up on coyote behavior and the guidelines necessary for peacefully coexisting. Mainly this involves keeping your pets away from coyotes and knowing how to shoo one away which comes too close.  Check out some of the resources below and please help get the word out by sharing this information with others. Together we can make San Francisco one of the most coyote-savvy urban areas in the US. All it takes is a little bit of knowledge, but that knowledge is crucial.

Learn more about coyote behavior and how to get along with them by reading Bay Nature’s How to Get Along With Coyotes As Pups Venture Out.

NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY 

Earlier this year, I held a hearing with the San Francisco Police Department on the increase in property crimes.  There is a spike in thefts from vehicles and homes citywide.  The Police Department is aware of this trend and is working hard to abate the problem.  We have also heard from many of our neighbors in District 7 concerned about safety.

Resources

Safety Awareness for Everyone (SAFE) is an organization that offers resources and support for community members who want to connect with a local Neighborhood Watch group or to start their own. Check out their website to find a group near you.

Auto Theft Prevention Tips

• If you have an older vehicle, consider securing with an anti-theft device, like a club. Older cars are being targeted because they are easier to break into. Additional safeguards may deter thieves.
• Do not leave anything valuable in your car.  It takes seconds to break into a vehicle. Don’t leave anything valuable in your car and make sure not to leave any items visible.
• File a police report if your car is broken into. While the crime may have already been committed, it is important to file a report. This helps officers detect trends and identify neighborhoods that need more attention.

Home Safety Tips

• Always report suspicious activity to SFPD (even after the crime already occurred)  Please always share and report suspicious activity with the SF Police Department.  Try to offer as much information and details as possible so that the information can be used to help find suspects.
• Call 911 when there is a crime in progress or an emergency.  If you want to report someone suspicious that is not an immediate threat, you can also call the non-emergency line at 1-415-554-3001 (save this number on your phone).
• Active neighbors are the best deterrent. Have an organized way to contact neighbors to report crimes and suspicious activity.  Alarms, cameras, or even the perception of surveillance is also helpful in a neighborhood.
• Do not open doors to solicitors or strangers.  Always request official information. If solicitor is persistent or suspicious, call SFPD. City workers or utility workers will never ask to enter your home without prior authorization.

SUTRO RESERVOIR WALKWAY

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is pleased to re-opened Sutro Reservoir walkway in July. The grounds are landscaped with new plantings, and a water bottle station with a drinking fountain and pet bowl, courtesy of Sutro Tower, Inc., has been installed for community use. The entrance continues to be on Clarendon Way, and hours will be from sunrise to sunset.

The work at Sutro Reservoir over the past three years ensures that this key water storage facility—San Francisco’s third largest—will withstand a major earthquake or other disaster, improving the reliability of the entire City’s water supply. This marks the completion of the entire Water System Improvement Program in San Francisco.

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