MESSAGE FROM CATHERINE

I hope you had a nice holiday season and are ready for the new year. Reflecting back on the last decade, I’m thankful to be raising my family in San Francisco, to work with friends and neighbors who care deeply about our community, and to represent such a vibrant, inspiring, and engaged part of our City – and I’m ready to keep working to improve it in 2020. Keep reading for more details on what I’ve been working on lately, as well as upcoming programs and events. Please feel free to contact my office with any questions or concerns by emailing me at Catherine.Stefani@sfgov.org or calling (415) 554-7752. You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Warm Regards,

Catherine

POLICY AND LEGISLATION UPDATES

Police Staffing Levels

We recently celebrated National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, honoring those who put their lives on the line to keep San Francisco safe. I am grateful every day for our police officers, but to keep San Francisco safe, it is clear that we need more officers and that we have a lot of work to do when it comes to recruitment and retention. On Tuesday, February 25 at 3:00 pm, the Board of Supervisors will convene a special meeting to hear findings and recommendations regarding the number of law enforcement officers needed for effective policing in our City. If you are interested in sharing your thoughts regarding police staffing levels, please join us in Room 250 in City Hall at 3:00 pm on February 25, or submit a comment for the record at Board.of.Supervisors@sfgov.org.

Marina Safeway

I have heard from countless neighbors, customers, and community members about the perceived lack of action on the part of Safeway in addressing the persistent issues the store faces. I’ve been working with Safeway, SFPD, and neighbors to increase safety and cleanliness in the surrounding area, including by installing three new, spill-proof trash cans in the store’s immediate vicinity and offering to use District 2 funds to supplement Safeway security. News reports of an individual defecating in the middle of an aisle in the store in December, however, were unacceptable. Following these reports, I wrote an open letter asking Safeway to increase security, commit to calling the police and filing reports when incidents occur, and continue to work with my office to make the store safe for all of our neighbors who rely on it. Although I absolutely understand the City has to do its part, we need our businesses to work with us. Read my letter to Safeway here.

Programs for Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities

I’m thrilled to announce a plan to restore the critical programs for older adults and adults with disabilities slated for cancellation at City College, using available revenue through the Department of Disability and Aging Services’ Dignity Fund. These programs offer physical fitness, wellness, nutrition, and arts courses to over 1,000 courses at 13 different locations across San Francisco, including the Aquatic Park Senior Center and the Jewish Community Center. Our seniors are the heart and soul of our City, and these programs help them fight isolation and enrich our community. Making sure we take care of the people who have taken care of us is something I feel very strongly about – stay tuned for more information about when and how to enroll!

Bicycle Advisory Committee Opening

My office is accepting applications for individuals interested in serving on the City and County of San Francisco’s Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC)! The BAC generally meets on the fourth Thursday of each month, and its projects include cooperative initiatives with bicycle, pedestrian, and senior advocacy organizations, recognition of individuals and policies that benefit bicycling, and addressing bicycle-related concerns. Please send a current resume and cover letter to Catherine.Stefani@sfgov.org if you are interested in serving on the BAC.

3333 California Street

After years of working with the community to secure concessions from the developer, I am pleased that Mayor Breed signed my legislation to bring 744 new homes to 3333 California Street. The project will provide 186 permanently affordable homes where members of our senior community can age in place, create new public green space, and open a new 175-seat childcare facility in the same building as the senior residences, creating an inter-generational space which will benefit all residents and students. Thank you to all of the neighbors, community leaders, and labor organizations who helped make this project a reality.

Gun Violence Restraining Orders

I introduced an ordinance at the Board of Supervisors to fully implement gun violence restraining orders, or GVROs, in San Francisco. Not a day goes by in this country without the tragic loss of life due to gun violence – and we’ve seen this all too clearly in recent weeks in San Diego, Santa Clarita, Fresno, and right here in San Francisco. GVRO laws, otherwise known as “red flag” laws, empower families, teachers, and coworkers to petition a court to temporarily remove an individual’s access to firearms before they commit acts of violence. With this ordinance, it will now be the policy of the SFPD to actively seek GVROs whenever appropriate to disarm those who would harm themselves or others, and I look forward to passing it at the Board of Supervisors and working with our law enforcement community to continue to make San Francisco a safer place for everyone.

Legacy Business

Congratulations to Lyra Corporation in the Presidio for earning Legacy Business designation! Founded in 1979, Lyra Corporation houses one of the world’s most extensive collections of metal typefaces and ornamental cuts, a 100-ton collection that dates back to the late nineteenth century, and I was proud to nominate Lyra Corporation to the Legacy Business Registry. A Legacy Business is a for-profit or nonprofit business that has operated in San Francisco for 30 or more years, and the registration process includes nomination by Mayor London Breed or the District Supervisor. For more information on the Legacy Business Program, including a list and map of businesses on the Legacy Business Registry, please visit the program website. 

IN THE COMMUNITY

Veterans Day Flag Raising

Thank you to the Veterans Affairs Commission, including President Victor Olivieri and Commissioner David Chasteen, for inviting me to stand with our veterans in recognition of their service. I was thrilled to pass a resolution recognizing November as Veterans Month in San Francisco. We remember that honoring those who’ve served isn’t just about what we say – it’s about serving them as well as they have served, and continue to serve, our nation.

Presidio Tunnel Tops Groundbreaking 

I joined Speaker Nancy Pelosi, students from Presidio Early Education School, and community leaders from across San Francisco for the Presidio Tunnel Tops groundbreaking ceremony. When complete, the Tunnel Tops will provide an oasis with a new, interactive, 14-acre park destination in the Presidio designed by the firm behind New York’s High Line. I look forward to celebrating the Tunnel Tops’ opening next year!

Friends of Fern Alley

It’s so important to make sure we are coordinating responses to the conditions on our streets. Thank you to Captain Engler, Public Works, Recology, the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and the Friends of Fern Alley for coming together to walk through Fern and Van Ness. I will continue to advocate for coordinated approaches and increased public safety resources for our community.

District 2 Family Summit

I had a wonderful time kicking off the District 2 Family Summit, where children and families from our neighborhoods shared their personal stories, perspectives, and experiences to make sure San Francisco remains a great place to grow up. Thank you to the Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families and Director María Su for hosting this year’s event at Sherman Elementary School, and for continuing to work together to make sure that our community’s voices are heard.

Marina Community Association General Meeting

Thank you to the Marina Community Association for inviting me to your General Meeting! It was a pleasure to join Commander Teresa Ewins, Captain Joe Engler, and Assessor Carmen Chu for a great discussion about the state of our neighborhoods and what we are all working on. As your neighborhood voice at City Hall, I remain focused on public safety, clean streets, and small businesses in our community.

Transgender Awareness Month

In celebration of Transgender Awareness Month, it was my pleasure to honor Leo Petroni at the Board of Supervisors. A native San Franciscan and son of an Italian immigrant, Leo has been making waves in San Francisco's residential real estate market. Speaking to the National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals, Leo said that he found success and happiness when he was able to be his authentic self. Thank you Leo for sharing your story and having the courage to be your authentic self in the workplace. Your success is an inspiration to all of us!

First Annual Balboa Block Party

I joined the PlumpJack Foundation in celebrating the First Annual Balboa Block Party, which featured food, drinks, and live music to celebrate the vibrancy of our neighborhood. In addition to the celebration, Balboa Café launched its Balboa Beach Clean-Up initiative, giving away compostable bags and encouraging attendees to pitch in and clean up local beaches, neighborhoods, and streets for a free Balboa Burger. I’m already looking forward to the Second Annual Balboa Block Party!

Disarming Prohibited Persons Convening

Thank you to the Giffords Law Center for inviting me to give opening remarks at the Disarming Prohibited Persons Convening. There is no single way to win the fight against the gun violence epidemic in our country, but we have no chance unless we continue to work together – at every level of government – to advocate for common-sense policies that save lives. I look forward to passing my ordinance to fully implement gun violence restraining orders in San Francisco and continuing to partner with Giffords in the new year.

City Hall Pop-Up Shop 

I stocked up on some great items from local small businesses at the City Hall Pop-Up Shop. With over 40 makers, artisans, and merchants – including former Sacramento Street Merchants Association President Traci Teraoka at her Poetica Art and Antiques booth – there were so many great items to choose from. Please remember to shop local in the new year!

Vigil to Remember Victims of Gun Violence

I was honored to speak at the Vigil to Remember Victims of Gun Violence. Thank you to the the Third Baptist Church and the countless voices for change who joined me on the 7th anniversary of the massacre at Sandy Hook to remember all those we have lost to gun violence. This vigil is a reminder of how far our advocacy for gun violence prevention has come and how strong we are when we fight together.

New Trash Cans 

I was so happy to install new and much needed trash cans in our neighborhood merchant corridors and hotspots in District 2. I fought for additional funding in the budget process, noting that our current trash cans are unacceptable and contribute to our dirty streets. I will continue to push for both short-term and long-term solutions to the conditions on our streets.

EVENTS AND PROGRAMS

District 2 Volunteers

Beginning in February, I will be leading groups of District 2 residents and friends who are interested in improving our community. At so many meetings I’ve held, including coffee hours and neighborhood association meetings, many people have asked me how they can get more involved and how they can give back. Each month, my office will select an organization or effort to dedicate time to, and we’d love for you to join us. It will be a chance to not only volunteer and give back, but to build community and work together to help tackle some of San Francisco’s most pressing issues. These events will be announced ahead of time in my newsletter, on social media, and by email, so please stay tuned for next month’s first District 2 Volunteers opportunity! If you are interested, please let us know here and we will send more information soon.

Partial Closure of Mason Street at Crissy Field

Since the week of December 2, the Presidio Trust has closed a section of Mason Street at Crissy Field for six months to install culverts beneath. The project will bring an 850-foot length of long-buried stream back to the surface and dramatically transform an area long covered by asphalt. Crissy Field businesses will remain open during the duration of the project. For more information, please visit the Presidio Trust’s website.

Women’s Rally and March

The Fourth Annual Women’s Rally and March will take place this Saturday, January 18, 2020 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The rally and programming will begin in Civic Center Plaza, and will be followed by a march down Market Street to the Embarcadero Plaza beginning at 1:30 pm. RSVP via Eventbrite or Facebook.

MLK Volunteer Day of Service

On Monday, January 20, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm at 1216 Ralston Avenue, join the Presidio Trust in commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by taking care of the Presidio. This event will feature ecological restoration and landscape projects in and around the Presidio’s Fort Scott District. Registration is required. Click here to register and to find more information.

MLK2020

Join thousands in honoring the Selma to Montgomery marches at the MLK2020 commemorative march from the Caltrain Station, 700 4th Street, to Yerba Buena Gardens on Monday, January 20 at 9:30 am. For more information about this year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrations including service events, lectures, and more, visit the MLK2020 website.

12th Annual NEN Awards

Join our neighborhood heroes and community groups – including the Friends of Lafayette Park, who won this year’s Outstanding Park Volunteer Group Award – at this year’s 12th Annual NEN Awards, Wednesday, January 29, at 6:00 pm in the City Hall Rotunda. The NEN Awards are the City’s official celebration of the people and organizations that make San Francisco a greener, safer, a more vibrant place to live. RSVP at the Neighborhood Empowerment Network website.

Moscone Basketball Court Resurfacing

The Recreation and Parks Department is in the planning phase to resurface the basketball courts at Moscone Park. Stay tuned for updates!

Exhibits and Programs at Fort Mason

The Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture is hosting a variety of events, from special exhibitions to seminars, during the month of January! Find more information at Fort Mason’s website.

Home Match San Francisco

Home Match is a nonprofit home-sharing program that helps homeowners with extra rooms connect with home seekers who need an affordable place to live. Homeowners benefit from extra income or help with chores, while home seekers who live, work, or study in San Francisco benefit from affordable rent and an established community – and both benefit from companionship. Home Match is a joint program of Covia and Sequoia Living and operates free-of-charge with funding from the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development. For more information, visit their website.

Residential Bulky Item Pickup

Recology offers customers at least one free curbside bulky item pickup per year, and you may request additional collections for a small fee. Once you’ve scheduled your pickup, you should place your items next to the curb in front of your residents – without blocking the sidewalk – and attach a sign that reads “RECOLOGY.” Recology will collect up to 10 items per appointment. Click here to schedule a collection or view the list of accepted items. Please report illegal dumping or improperly disposed of refuse to 311 via phone, online, or through the Android or iPhone apps. 

Flood Resilience

There are more resources available than ever for residents and businesses to plan for major storms. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and City partners will continue to advance a comprehensive approach to managing stormwater providing those who live and work in San Francisco with information and resources. Please visit SFPUC’s website to find out what steps you can take to get rain ready.  

SFPD Newsletters

Our neighborhoods are served by the Police Department’s Richmond, Northern, and Central Stations. The Captains of each District Station write a monthly newsletter, which you can sign up for on the homepages of their websites: Richmond Station, Northern Station, Central Station. Not sure which District Station serves you? Find out here, or feel free to sign up for all three.

Office of Supervisor Catherine Stefani
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 260, San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 554-7752 Fax: (415) 554-7843