Supervisor Eric Mar August Newsletter

Special ribbon cutting ceremony revealing two new murals on the front of Green Apple Books with, left to right, co- owner Pete Mulvihill, Supervisor Mar, artist Bryana Fleming, and co-owner Kevin Ryan.

Contents

In this newsletter:

Community Updates

Outside Lands Returns "Reimagining Geary Street" Town Hall Community Voices - The Importance of Public Transportation Coyotes in Golden Gate Park Richmond District Jog in the Fog 5k Free Jazz Concert

City Hall Updates

Budget Wrap-Up 5 Fulton Limited Pilot Moves Forward Establishing a New Policy to Combat Bike Theft Healthy Food Retailer Legislation Moves Forward Storm Preparedness Parklet Hearing

Contact My Office

Community Updates

Outside Lands Returns

The three-day Outside Lands Music Festival returns to Golden Gate Park Friday-Sunday, August 9-11. This year's lineuppromises to be a great one, highlighted by the appearance of Sir Paul McCartney.

Through the advocacy of PAR, numerous community residents, and myself, the management of Outside Lands, by Another Planet Entertainment (APE), has improved every year the Festival has been held. Impact mitigations include much improved monitoring of the sound impacts in the community, deploying Parking Control Officers and tow trucks near the Festival to quickly respond to blocked driveways and other parking violations; a robust annual outreach plan including a mailer to all homes and businesses within four blocks of the Park; deploying crews to clean up litter in the surrounding neighborhoods and a strengthened transportation plan that encourages Festival attendees to arrive by Muni, private shuttles, bicycles or walking.

For those who must drive, several schools are holding parking fundraisers during the festival. These fundraisers are even more beneficial to schools after I passed an ordinance reliving the tax burden on such fundraisers. Schools hosting fundraisers this year include Argonne (PTO website) and Lafayette (PTO website) Elementary Schools and Presidio Middle School (PTSA website).

In addition, the Festival must hire at least 25% of its beverage and security workers from within the Richmond and Sunset Districts, and it provides a $10,000 fee per year to the Richmond District to help with the maintenance and beautification of our parks, contributing a considerable amount to the Recreation and Parks Department, and in conjunction with SFMTA, APE will create a stronger transportation plan for Festival goers.

A 2011 SF State Economic Impact Report estimated the economic benefit of the Festival at over $60,000,000, with the lodging and restaurant industries receiving the largest benefits. Due to its location in the western end of the Park, the benefits of the concert extend to numerous locally operated small businesses in the Richmond District. The Festival hires over 4,000 employees for the event and, according to the Economic Impact Report, is responsible for creating the equivalent of 683 full-time positions in San Francisco.

Under the terms of its new 8-year lease there are several clauses that will benefit San Francisco, Golden Gate Park, and the Richmond District: An increased rent that will result in an average increase in rent per year of 1.3 million dollars; Requiring APE to host an annual Recreation and Parks Department Fundraiser; Requiring APE to contribute funds annually, in addition to the rent payments due under the lease, to endow a gardener to assist in maintaining the Festival premises throughout the year; Requiring APE to contribute $15,000 annually, in addition to rent payments due under the lease, to provide for materials and supplies to assist with regenerating the Polo Fields after the Festival each year; Requiring APE to employ sound monitoring professionals to measure sound levels in the neighborhoods surrounding Golden Gate Park throughout the Festival each year and to utilize one set of delay speakers in the Polo Fields when attendance exceeds 40,000 and two sets of delay speakers when attendance exceeds 55,000. The Recreation and Parks Department has printed signs alerting attendees to not block driveways, which may be obtained at the front desk of McLaren Lodge at 501 Stanyan St. For towing of cars parked in driveways please directly call MTA at (415) 553-1237.

APE provides a Community Hotline to respond to any issues that may affect you during the Festival. The Festival Hotline will be available from 10:00AM - 11:00PM on the Festival days. The Hotline number is (415) 750-3842. For sound monitoring please call (415) 242-6390.

There will also be various closures throughout the Festival days. Polo Field, Hellman Hollow, Marx Meadow, Lindley Meadow, Lloyd Lake, Metson Lake, Spreckles Lake, and the Dog Run will be fenced off for the Festival and closed to non-Festival attendees.

Certain roads will also be closed. On the north side of the Park, Transverse Dr at Crossover Dr, JFK Dr at Transverse Dr, 30th Ave, 36th Ave, 43rd Ave, 47th Ave, and JFK Dr at the Great Highway will be closed. On the south side of the Park Martin Luther King Jr Dr at Crossover Dr, 25th Ave, 41st Ave, Martin Luther King Jr Dr at Lincoln Ave, Sunset Blvd at Irving St, and La Playa will also be closed. These roads will be closed from Thursday August 8 at 8:00PM through Sunday August 11 at 11:00PM.

Feel free to also contact my office. My Legislative Aide, Nick Pagoulatos, will be monitoring calls and emails throughout the event. He can be reached at (415) 554-7412 or via email at [email protected].

"Reimagining Geary Street" Town Hall

Discuss what a better Geary Street could look like, including: Improve safety and walkability for pedestrians. 33% faster travel times on the 38 Geary with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Beautify the streetscape to attract & support merchants. Call or email Peter Lauterborn at (415) 554-410 and [email protected], or visit www.sfcta.org/geary for more information or to share comments and questions. Wednesday, July 31 6:00-8:00PM Richmond YMCA 360 18th Avenue (Light refreshments offered)

Community Voices - The Importance of Public Transportation

I love being a Richmond District resident. It's a wonderful neighborhood filled with cultural diversity, growing small businesses, and we have access to some of the City's most treasured outdoor spaces, right here in our own backyard.

But as a Richmond District resident, it's also very easy to feel disconnected from the rest of the City. I blame that partially on the transportation options we have.

Driving is expensive, parking is a hassle, our buses are overcrowded, and traffic on Geary Boulevard can be terrible. As a self-employed worker, I spend most of my day on the move, making time management the utmost importance.

Even more so, I want other San Franciscans and

visitors to be able to see what makes the Richmond so Wendolyn Aragon, great. I want them to have the opportunity to take in Richmond District Resident the view from Land's End, see fine art at the Legion of Honor, have some of the best dim sum in San Francisco, a piroshki from the Russian Bakery, brunch at Cassava, see a film at the historic Balboa Theatre, and explore the shelves at Green Apple Books.

But one of the biggest complaints that I hear from outsiders is that the Richmond is just too far away from the rest of the City. In a metropolis that is only 7 miles both wide and long, yet has equal density to other cities, that's just not true, but slow public transit makes it feel that way.

Residents, particularly the working class, rely on public transit to get to work, shop, and attend school, while merchants depend on it to bring them customers from around the neighborhood and the City. Ideas like Geary Bus Rapid Transit, a 5 Fulton Limited, and the Transit Effectiveness Project have the potential to bring the Richmond closer to the rest of San Francisco.

The answer is simple: if San Francisco wants to be a truly transportation firstt ciy, then it needs to be one for ALL of its residents.

-Wendolyn Aragon, Richmond District Resident

Richmond District Jog in the Fog 5k

The Richmond District Jog in the Fog 5k is a fun race for the whole family! Come out for a great run through the beautiful neighborhood of San Francisco's Richmond District, enjoying our beautiful parks and coastal scenery along the way.

The race is organized by The Richmond District Blog, and proceeds benefit the Richmond District Neighborhood Center, a non-profit founded in 1980 that provides free and low-cost resources, support, and activities to children, teens, adults and seniors in the neighborhood.

Sunday, September 8, 8:00AM Start at Mountain Lake Park, End at Lands End Register online at www.joginthefog.com Kids 12 & under are free!

Coyotes in Golden Gate Park

Coyote pupping season started recently and our Golden Gate Park is a prime location for pup sightings. As cute as these critters are, I would like to take this time to educate our Richmond residents and pet owners about how to safely co-exist with these animals.

Coyotes are territorial and their emotions are unpredictable. A mother coyote could become dangerous because she feels that our interaction with her pup is a threat. Another coyote could be angered simply because he is hungry. If and when these creatures become agitated, they become a safety risk to the entire Richmond District. Young children and our pets are especially vulnerable.

This is not to say that these animals should be eradicated from the area. Rather, coexistence should be the goal. View these beautiful animals from a safe distance rather than risk the chance of these coyotes becoming violent and dangerous. This year, we are thankful not to have had any incidents in the Golden Gate Park area. To prevent the occurrence of any incident, I encourage you to limit any direct contact with these coyotes.

Here is a list of Dos and Don'ts when it comes to dealing with coyotes:

Don't: Feed or attempt to tame a coyote. Leave pet food out at night if coyotes may be nearby. Allow pets to interact with coyotes. Allow pets out at night in coyote habitats. Allow children and pets to roam unsupervised in known coyote habitats.

Do: Latch or secure trash can lids if you live in or near a known coyote habitat. Report coyote sightings to the San Francisco Department of Animal Care and Control at [email protected] or (415) 554-6364. Vaccinate, spay and neuter your pets. Keep your dogs on a leash at all times when outside.

Free Jazz Concert

Inner Richmond's WestSide Art House will host a free jazz concert on Saturday, August 18 from 8:00 - 10:00PM. This event marks the first of an upcoming monthly series of free jazz concerts at the venue. The concert will feature "WestSide Jazz Club," a local quartet with great Swing and Latin Grooves. WSJC unites musicians from a broad pool of local talent, bringing together players with diverse backgrounds and influences. People from all ages, kids, and dogs are welcome to enjoy the candlelit club/cafe atmosphere. Refreshments and snacks will be available for purchase and no reservations are necessary. Sunday, August 18 8:00PM The WestSide Art House 540 Balboa & 7th Ave

City Hall Updates

Budget Wrap-Up

Mayor Ed Lee officially signs off on the budget as supported by members of the Board of Supervisors and other City Hall employees.

As Vice-Chair of the Budget Committee, I faced the task of delivering a balanced budget that supported Citywide needs along with protecting the services the Richmond District depends on.

In short, this budget is a major victory for the Richmond District.

Funding for all afterschool programs, seniors' services, and other resources currently serving the Richmond was restored. This included funding for programs provided by the Richmond District Neighborhood Center including youth employment programming and programs at Alamo, Argonne, Peabody, and LafayetteElementary Schools.

Visiting the Northern California Music & Arts Cultural Center, whose Moreover, new funding for funding was restored in the City budget. youth employment programs at the Richmond YMCA and the Institute on Aging's Senior Connect and referral project were approved. These wins are on top of the Citywide wins our District championed for children and families, seniors, and immigrants.

All of this was possible because of the hard work of Richmond residents who stood up and advocated for these services.

For more information, please contact my aide Nick Pagoulatos at [email protected] or (415) 554-7412.

5 Fulton Limited Pilot Moving Forward

Last year, I urged the Municipal Transportation Agency to pilot the 5 Fulton Limited proposal that will speed up service, especially to the Richmond. Now, with new buses procured and environmental review completed, we are ready to move forward.

Before the November 2013 launch, we will convene a community meeting to review the proposed changes. Benefits of the pilot project include: 20-30% more capacity at peak hours. East of 6th Ave, frequencies would improve from buses every 4.5 minutes to a bus every 3 minutes with limited stops. 20% reduction in travel time. Bus bulbs for improved pedestrian safety & access.

If you have any questions or comments, please attend the community meeting (details below) or contact Peter Lauterborn in my office at [email protected] or (415) 554-7411. Wednesday, August 7 6:00-8:00 PM Richmond Police Station 461 6th Avenue

Establishing a New Policy to Combat Bike Theft

In January, I commissioned a study of the City's current practices to prevent thefts and to return recovered bikes to their rightful owners. The report showed that an estimated 4,000 bikes, valued at $4.5 million, were stolen last year. The Police Department had no consistent way of combating the crimes nor of returning the bikes that were found. With only 3,000 bike racks to manage the over 75,000 daily bicycle trips, there are not enough secure places to park.

Getting ready to bike to work with Richmond residents in front of Velo Rouge on Arguello.

Working with non-profits like SF SAFE and the Bicycle Coalition, I authored a policy that will do three things: 1. Direct the Police Department to standardize best practices to prevent and report bicycle thefts across the Department, and improve enforcement. 2. Establish a new, voluntary bicycle registration program to help owners recover their bikes when they are found. 3. Greatly increase the number of secure bicycle parking to prevent thefts. If you have any questions about bike theft or the bicycle registry, please contact my aide Peter Lauterborn at [email protected] or (415) 554-7411.

You can also view this coverage on our policy by KTVU.

Healthy Food Retailer Legislation Passed

I am happy to report that this past month San Francisco took a major step towards healthy eating for all. The Board of Supervisors unanimously passed Healthy Food Retailer Program legislation. The Healthy Food Retailer Incentives Program will create and oversee a Citywide assistance program for convenience stores that wish to offer healthy food in areas of the City that lack access to fresh food options.

This program will provide incentives, such as technical assistance and low interest loans to existing mom and pop convenience stores to help change their business plans to offer fresh produce and other healthy foods. Just as importantly, the program will work with community based groups, such as the Tenderloin's Corner Store Coalition and the Bayview's South East Food Access Coalition to encourage both merchants and residents to promote community awareness of the importance of healthy eating.

I along with my co-sponsors, Supervisors Malia Cohen and Jane Kim, look forward to seeing the legislation passed into law this month.

For more information, please contact my aide Nick Pagoulatos at [email protected] or (415) 554-7412.

Storm Preparedness

It is a priority of our City departments to ensure that our residents are prepared for storms with all resources available. Therefore, the Storm Response and Preparedness Hearing focused on adequately preparing our residents for the upcoming storm season. A plan for storm response protocol should include identifying the lead agency in which residents can rely on for assistance during and after a storm, strengthening a consistent storm response system through coordinating with other emergency response plans, and continuing to collect data on storm preparation and response.

If you have any questions about storm preparation and response, please contact my aide Victor Lim at or [email protected] or (415) 554-7413.

Parklet Hearing

In the Richmond District, we are on the verge of opening our first parklet this summer. The first parklet in the Richmond, located in front of Cumaica Café at the corner of Clement and 3rd Ave., is scheduled to open Saturday, August 3. You can also see if for the first time at the Clement Street Farmer's market from 9am to 2pm.

San Francisco's Parklet Program allows community organizations, business owners, and residents to develop and beautify our neighborhood commercial corridors at relatively low costs. However, there are notable impacts on parking and some residents and merchants in areas where there are currently few or no parklets. A parklet may also affect pedestrian traffic and street upkeep.

An early model of the parklet proposed for 3rd Ave. & Clement.

I convened a hearing to examine all of these issues and allow community members to express concerns and share what they believe the best practices could be.

We heard about the history and innovative nature of San Francisco's parklets, how the process for getting a parklet approved works, and a discussion regarding the responsibility of owners to maintain a parklet that has been permitted and the appeal process for challenging a parklet before it is permitted.

Additionally, the issue of finding ways of bringing parklets to lower-income communities was Construction begins! Photo courtesy of Amber Bouman put on the table and provides us via Twitter. with an opportunity to think about how we, as a City can support the equitable dissemination of this concept.

Contact my office

I really want to hear from you about what we can do to make the Richmond District more liveable for everyone. Please contact me at any time, and we will get back to you very shortly.

City Hall Office: 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 284 San Francisco, Ca 94102-4689

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: (415) 554-7410

Fax: (415) 554-7415

Website: http://sfbos.org/index.aspx?page=2083