MESSAGE FROM CATHERINE

Dear John,

Even though the Board of Supervisors is on recess for the month of August, there is still a lot of work that needs to get done. This is especially true as the Delta variant continues to be a threat to our unvaccinated population. I want to be sure that District 2 residents have access to the information and resources they need on COVID-19 - you can find many of them here.

Right before recess, I passed legislation to combat corruption, secured funding for public safety in our City budget, demanded a hearing around domestic violence, and introduced a resolution to honor the victim of a hate crime, among other things. You can read more about my ongoing work below.

Please reach out to me at [email protected] or 415-554-7752 with any questions about what I'm working on or how I can help you.

Warm Regards,

Catherine

COVID-19 RESOURCES AND UPDATES

Delta Variant

The Delta variant of COVID-19 is now the dominant strain in the United States and California. This variant is more infectious and spreads easier than the original virus. Over the last few weeks, Bay Area counties have seen at least a doubling of new COVID-19 cases. 

Officials are emphasizing that vaccines continue to be highly effective at preventing severe illness and death. Vaccinations are 88% effective at preventing transitions, and 95% effective are preventing hospitalizations. Now, more than ever, we need to get our population fully vaccinated. To learn more about how to get your vaccine, see here. You can also find DPH info and the latest on SF coronavirus cases here.

Mask and Vaccine Mandate

Because of the Delta variant, we have more cases of COVID-19 than we did last winter. In response to this outbreak, San Francisco and seven other Bay Area health officials have issued Health Orders requiring masks indoors. You are now required to wear a mask in indoor public buildings even if you are fully vaccinated. The vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 and the variants, but wearing a mask offers an extra layer of protection and helps slow the spread to vulnerable communities. To get your vaccine, see here.

Another requirement of the updated mandate is that vaccine verification is now required for patrons and staff in most public settings. You can learn more about the updated mandate here. 

Vax To You Program

The Department of Public Health now has a mobile vaccine unit that will vaccinate small groups of five to 12 people in their homes and workplaces by appointment. Those interested can contact the City by calling 628-652-2700, emailing [email protected], or requesting a mobile visit here. 

Testing Sites

COVID-19 cases are on the rise, with an average of 230 cases per day. In response to this, the City has opened a new high-volume testing site at 7th and Brannan Street. It has the capacity to administer 500 tests per day from 9:00am to 6:00pm, by appointment only. To find your closest testing site, see here. 

Rent Help

Eligible renters can apply to San Francisco’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program to receive up to six months of rental assistance, including back and future rent. For more information on the program and additional community resources, click here and here. 

Support for Businesses and Workers

The San Francisco Small Business Recovery Loan Fund provides zero interest rate loans for both existing and new SF Small Businesses. You can apply online at www.CALoanFund.org.

POLICY AND LEGISLATION

Public Safety 

Public Safety and the Budget

Although I was not a member of the Budget and Finance Committee, I held firm on my public safety priorities throughout the budget cycle with the Committee Chair. As elected officials, we need to put the safety of our communities at the forefront - and that means taking a hard look at the data and making change where it’s needed.

The delays in response time from the San Francisco Police Department have become critical, and a study conducted of the SFPD by an outside consultant found that their staffing was severely inadequate. While this study found that SFPD needs to hire 265 more patrol officers to speed up response times, many others during this year’s budget cycle were strongly advocating to cut public safety funding by an additional $30 million. 

At every turn of this year’s budget, I reaffirmed my commitment to public safety and fought for a meaningful investment in our police department. Because I was able to secure necessary funding for public safety, including academy classes, I voted in support of the FY 2021-2022 budget. One of the reasons I was the lone ‘no’ vote on last year’s budget was due in part to overall inadequate investment in public safety. Ensuring that we have enough officers to respond quickly to community needs is critical to increasing public safety in our merchant corridors and neighborhoods, and across our city.

Domestic Violence

In 2007, the Family Violence Council was established to increase awareness and understanding of family violence and its consequences, and to recommend programs, policies, and coordination of City services to reduce family violence in San Francisco.

Their 2019-2020 report presents data on the prevalence of abuse, response from City agencies, utilization of community-based services, and demographics of victims, survivors, and those committing acts of abuse. The statistics in the report were very troubling showing clear racial disparities and also violence - both domestic and elder abuse - disproportionately affecting women. There also remains a great need for more domestic violence shelters. I was shocked to learn that 79% of those looking to escape family violence through shelters were turned away in 2020.  

COVID-19 also had adverse impact on family violence in our city. Because people were in lockdown with their abusers, underreporting of violence rose - due in part that children were not in school, where abuse is often noted and reported.

For all these reasons, I introduced a hearing on the findings and recommendations made in the Family Violence Council’s report. This hearing will be held during October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It will shine a light on the state of domestic violence in San Francisco and discuss how to address the unique needs that have arisen from the conditions of the pandemic. 

Ghost Gun Ban Passes at Committee

Currently California state law permits gun manufacturers to sell disassembled ghost gun kits without a serial number, requiring the purchaser to obtain one from the Department of Justice within ten days of assembly. This means no background checks, waiting periods, sales records, or age restrictions at the time of sale. This massive loophole has allowed ghost guns to become the weapon of choice among those who are ordinarily prohibited from obtaining a firearm.

The harm that these unregulated firearms cause is devastating to families and communities - the number of these weapons seized in San Francisco is up 2,733% from 2016 to 2020.

I am proud to say that San Francisco may be the first city in California to ban ghost guns due to my legislation. I expect my legislation to pass at the full Board in September and I’m thrilled other counties are now looking at doing the same. 

#StopAAPIHate

Honoring Vicha Ratanapakdee

I introduced a resolution last month to rename the Sonora Staircase in the City’s Anza Vista neighborhood to honor Vicha Ratanapakdee. Vicha was an 84-year-old immigrant from Thailand who lived with his family in this neighborhood. He was a retired auditor and moved to the United States to be closer to his eldest daughter and his grandchildren. Vicha was well known in his community for his hour-long walks each morning, a ritual that kept him vibrant and healthy during the pandemic.

While on a walk in late January of this year, he was violently shoved and tragically died shortly after the attack. This horrific attack was one of many senseless acts of violence committed against members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community here in San Francisco over the past year. 

#StopAAPIHate, a California-based coalition, has recorded nearly 7,000 hate incidents involving Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders nationwide since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

My hope is that the renaming of this public right of way to “Vicha Ratanapakdee Way” will serve as a meaningful way to memorialize his legacy and symbolize our City’s solidarity with the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Thank you to Vicha’s family and the Southeast Asian Development Center for championing this issue and coming to me in the hopes of making their vision a reality.

Transportation 

Lake Street

Slow Streets were an addition to our streetscapes that emerged out of unique needs from the pandemic. As we continue to remain in a state of emergency, the SFMTA has the authority to extend the slow street program. There are several streets in San Francisco that have been identified as eligible to become permanent slow streets, one of which is Lake Street in District 2. You can view the process for identifying potential permanent slow streets here.

The next step in the process of making this street permanent is getting an approved design plan. The SFMTA is still in the process of community planning and design and you can provide direct feedback by emailing the SFMTA at [email protected]. You can also sign up for on-going updates related to post-pandemic slow streets here. 

43 Masonic Transit Improvements

During the course of the pandemic, SFMTA implemented Temporary Emergency Transit Lanes on key bus routes, including the 43. The SFMTA has seen a 25% savings in travel time with this new lane and are now looking for community feedback regarding the permanence of these lanes. You can learn more about the project here and share your input about this project by emailing [email protected]. 

Return of the 28

Effective August 14, the 28 19th Avenue service returned between Daly City BART and the Marina (via Lombard). For more information on SFMTA service updates please see here or email [email protected] with any questions.

New Energy Efficiency Resources for District 2 Businesses

As San Francisco continues to reopen, it is important that we continue to support our local businesses. There are new energy efficient program opportunities for small and medium sized businesses, which is a great option for long term savings. The Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) has energy efficiency rebates and financing programs for local businesses:

BayREN Business

• Who: For small and medium sized businesses (those with less than 50,000 square feet and average monthly energy costs of $2,500 or more).
• What: The program installs new energy efficient hardware, including lighting, smart thermostats, and HVAC sensors, and provides 24/7 equipment monitoring from a team of experts. The program provides businesses with a free energy assessment and works with owners to help businesses reduce operating costs by up to 25%.
• How: Interested businesses can learn more here.

BayREN Microloan

• Who: For micro and small sized businesses (those with average monthly energy costs of less than $2,500) who need assistance financing smaller energy efficient equipment and light upgrade projects 
• What: The Microloan Program is a partnership with the San Francisco-based, nonprofit lender, Mission Asset Fund (MAF). The program offers 0% interest loans, ranging from $500 to $2,500, to cover the cost of certified energy saving improvements.
• How: Interested businesses can learn more and apply here.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Clean-Up Along Fillmore Street

This month I spent an afternoon picking up trash along Fillmore Street - it was amazing to see the community come together on a beautiful day, make their space a bit greener, and discuss ways to make Fillmore street safer and more engaging. A big thank you to Athleta and Simeon Meyer for organizing such a great community event and taking pride in our streets!

If you would like to host a clean-up in your neighborhood, please reach out to us at [email protected].

Women Who Led Us Through the Pandemic

From the beginning of the pandemic, we saw women step up to the challenge of managing the crisis - making sure we had the most current COVID information, publishing directives on how to stay safe, and providing access to healthcare, housing, childcare and other essential resources. 

I hosted a Roundtable discussion with some of the key women leaders of the pandemic. Each of these women spearheaded departments that were, and are, integral to navigating the pandemic:

• Director Mary Ellen Carroll, Executive Director, Department of Emergency Management 
• Dr. Naveena Bobba, Deputy Director of Health, SFDPH
• Dr. Andrea Tenner, COVID Task Force Lead
• Abigail Stewart-Kahn, Special Advisor, Children and Family Recovery Department of Children, Youth and Their Families and Former Director, Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing 
• Maria Su, Executive Director, Department of Children, Youth & Their Families

You can view the event recording here.

Visit to San Francisco Towers

I was thrilled to visit the residents of the San Francisco Towers Assisted Living Facilities for the first time in over a year. We discussed the conditions of our streets, nearby transit projects, and public safety issues. 

It is so important to listen to and serve the needs of our City’s seniors. With an aging population here in San Francisco, I am committed to making the City a place that is safe, enjoyable, and accessible for everyone. That is why I will continue to work closely with neighborhood groups, such as NEXT Village, to provide funding for their programs and services for our senior residents throughout the community.

Standing in Solidarity

I was proud to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community at Temple Emanu-El in District 2 to unite against the rise in antisemitism in San Francisco. We all have a responsibility to stand against hatred wherever it occurs.

Thank you to the San Francisco Jewish Community Relations Council for organizing this event and launching the “Here I Am” initiative to share personal stories of antisemitism and allyship. 

Francisco Park

When I was a legislative aide to Supervisor Alioto-Pier, we passed a resolution in 2008 to begin the process of preserving open space and bringing a park to the dormant Francisco Reservoir. Since then, I have worked with the community and City departments to bring the Francisco Park project to life. Francisco Park is located in a very dense neighborhood and offers community-focused green space. I am sure it will quickly become one of SF's greatest parks. 

I can’t begin to adequately thank the community for their dedication to this 4.5 acre project. Especially for all the time, effort, and millions of dollars that the Francisco Park Conservancy raised for the park. It would not have been possible without them. See here for more information about this incredible park.

Aquatic Park

Aquatic Park is a unique open space in our City where you can safely play and swim in the water, recreate, or simply enjoy our beautiful waterfront. Right now there is an opportunity to vastly improve the park - San Francisco Maritime National Park Association and Aquatic Park & Pier Project are asking for community input on ways to recreate this historic space. See here to take their survey.

Rotary Club

I had the privilege this month of honoring Bill Poppins, Bob Hermann, and the Rotary Club of San Francisco for their incredible work on the 2020 Bike Build Program, which provided over 100 bikes for children in the Bayview District. Bill and Bob truly lead with the Rotary’s mission of putting service above self. Thank you both and the Rotary for their contributions to the people of San Francisco!

National Night Out

Every first Tuesday night in August the San Francisco Police Department stations invite neighborhoods to host gatherings that feature music, cookouts, contests, youth events, and visits from emergency personnel for National Night Out. This annual event brings local stations and neighborhoods together to build community, highlight available public safety services, and extend partnerships between neighbors and their local officers. It was a joy to join the officers of San Francisco Police Department Richmond Station and Captain Caltagirone for a fun night centered around creating stronger and safer neighborhoods.

Sunday Streets

Sunday Streets SF will relaunch October 17th, 2021 with the first ever Phoenix Day. This is a program of the nonprofit Livable City presented in partnership with SFMTA and the City, and takes place across San Francisco, featuring historic Sunday Streets SF routes and pop-ups, community bike rides, and 100+ neighbor-run block parties.

You can celebrate the return of Sunday Streets and connect with your neighbors safely by hosting a block party! To learn about the eligibility requirements and application process see here. Applications will be due August 31. 

Join Us For An Alta Plaza Volunteer Workparty

I cannot wait for the Alta Plaza Park CleanUp on September 11th from 10:00am until noon! Thank you Friends of Alta Plaza Park, United Democratic Club, and Refuse Refuse SF for helping to organize this event to help clean up and beautify one of our district’s most heavily used, and beloved, parks. You can register to join me in volunteering here. 

In Memory of Alex Long

Alex Long was a beloved volunteer in the District 2 Office who sadly passed away late last year. This month, Alex’s family gathered with friends and hosted “A Long Walk,” in his memory. Alex was an avid walker and this eight mile stroll included some of his favorite neighborhood sights - Inspiration Point, Lyon Street Steps and National Cemetery Overlook. Thank you to Alex's wife Anne, his son Greg and Walk SF for organizing this very special and deserved memorial. 

Office of Supervisor Catherine Stefani
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 273, San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 554-7752 Fax: (415) 554-7843