Dear Neighbors,

Happy July everyone! I hope that everyone had a joyous and safe 4th of July with their loved ones. We also have many exciting updates for you this month, including the winners of this year’s Participatory Budgeting election. July is also Disability Pride Month and this year we will be celebrating the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. So this July, I encourage you to learn more about the champions of disability rights in your communities and find your own way to celebrate their contributions. 

Sincerely,

Myrna Melgar

Budget Updates

On July 15, the Board of Supervisors will vote on a finalized annual budget. Facing an $800 million two year shortfall, we managed to reduce layoffs, retain homeless prevention and shelter, as well public safety measures like a fully funded police force and community ambassadors. Additionally, the City set aside $400M in preparation for potential federal cuts to vital services for San Francisco. In this difficult budget and political environment we are glad that we have been able to protect many essential services and workers.

In District 7, Supervisor Melgar fought to retain participatory budgeting and reversed some cuts to our senior connector hubs. This was a difficult budget year, but Supervisor Melgar is committed to ensuring that the needs of her constituents on the west side are met, and will continue to fight for you in the next budget cycle.

2025 Participatory Budgeting Results

We are so excited to announce the winning projects that will be getting funded for this year’s Participatory Budgeting cycle! 

This year’s winners:

• Median improvements in Monterey Heights

• New curb ramps in Westwood Park

• Update Playground and black top at West Portal Elementary School

• Mural on Monterey Boulevard

• Mural and Signage updates at Commodore Sloat Elementary 

• Sidewalk repair in Ingleside Terraces

• Daylighting and bollards in Sunnyside

Even if your project did not win, we value your engagement with your community and encourage you to apply again next year. Thank you to everyone who voted or applied. We are looking forward to seeing these improvements get completed.

UCSF and Blue Shield Reach Agreement to
Protect Healthcare Access

We are happy to report that UC Health and Blue Shield of California have reached an agreement to continue their partnership, ensuring uninterrupted access to care at UCSF. Blue Shield’s initial decision to drop UCSF had left many retirees, employees, and constituents deeply concerned about their health coverage. In response, Supervisors Dorsey and Melgar partnered on a resolution introduced at the Board of Supervisors meeting, urging both parties to find a resolution. We are pleased that this advocacy helped support a successful outcome that protects the healthcare access so many citizens deserve. 

Brotherhood Way Safety and Circulation Plan

Next steps are underway for the Brotherhood Way Safety and Circulation Plan, which aims to improve safety, traffic flow, and neighborhood connections for everyone who walks, rolls, bikes, or drives along Brotherhood Way, Alemany Boulevard, and nearby streets.

Starting July 9, the SF County Transportation Authority will share three proposals with the public at a series of upcoming meetings. This plan, along with the SFMTA's Brotherhood-Alemany Safety Project, will help inform decisions about the future of the city-owned open space at Brotherhood Way and Orizaba Avenue — a possible site for the new Ocean View Library. Learn more about the plan and how to share your feedback here!

Virtual Town Hall #1 (English)

• Date:  Wednesday, July 9

• Time: 5:30 p.m.

• Register here

Virtual Town Hall #2 (Español)

• Fecha: Jueves 10 de julio

• Tiempo: 5:30 p.m.

• Confirme su asistencia aquí

Virtual Town Hall #3 (廣東話)

• 日期: 7 月 17 日（星期四)

• 时间:下午 5:30

• 請在此報名

In Person Town Hall

• Date: Tuesday, July 15

• Time: 5:30 p.m.

• Location: I.T. Bookman Community Center,  446 Randolph St. 

• RSVP here

Vista Grande Drainage Basin Improvement Project

The District 7 Youth Council is now accepting applications! The District 7 Youth Council is a youth-led committee that advises Supervisor Melgar and the District 7 Youth Commissioner on youth-related policies and issues. Applications are due Friday, August 8, 2025. Apply Here.

Who can apply?

High school students living in or going to school in District 7 who are interested in local policy, government, and community service. To figure out what District you are in, use this tool.

If you have questions about the application process, please email jen.low@sfgov.org.

Youth Art Exchange Seeking Experienced Faculty Artists

The Youth Art Exchange (YAX) is seeking experienced faculty artists for their summer programs at youthartexchange.org/jobs. They teach fashion, darkroom photography, music production, illustration, design, architecture, and more - apply today!

Detroit Steps Project in Need of Volunteers

Starting July 12, 10 AM! Come out to the Detroit Steps and join the Sunnyside Community in painting the steps. All are welcome aged 14 and over and all skill levels are encouraged to join! Lunch is included and shifts begin at 10am. Learn more and sign up here!

District 7 Winners in SFGATE's "Best of the Bay"

SFGate recently released their Best of the Bay 2025 winners and there are a lot in District 7!

Congratulations to the winners in District 7:

• Best Sushi: Ebisu Restaurant

• Best Pet Grooming: The Pawber Shop

• Best K-8 Private School: West Portal Lutheran School

• Best Family Amusement: The California Academy of Sciences

• Best Real Estate Law: Pisani Law, PC

• Best Childcare/Daycare & Best Early Childhood Education: Meaningful Beginnings Daycare Center

• Best Retail Fashion Store: Siren Boutique

• Best Art Gallery: The de Young Museum

• Best Probate and Estate Attorney: Von Rock Law, PC

Last week, Supervisor Melgar attended the San Francisco Police Department Small Business Advisory Forum, which was held at Java on Ocean. She enjoyed discussing how to keep our small businesses and their loyal customers safe with Captain Channing, Captain Hurwitz, Director Tang, Sergeant Long, and merchants. She would also like to thank Hossam, the owner of Java on Ocean, for hosting!

Supervisor Melgar’s office was contacted by constituents who shared that the sidewalks were badly cracked on a block of Dorantes Avenue in Forest Hill. This made the passage dangerous for folks walking down the street and inaccessible for those using wheelchairs and strollers. Supervisor Melgar’s office immediately reached out to Public Works to repair the sidewalk, which has now been successfully replaced. Thank you to the Public Works crew for your quick work!

Supervisor Melgar’s Office received a request for help fixing a street sign that was facing the wrong way at Ocean Ave and Lagunitas Drive. Supervisor Melgar’s office connected the constituent to the SFMTA and they were able to get the sign fixed the very same day! The office would like to extend a big thank you to the streets division at the SFMTA, especially the workers who replaced the sign, who were very responsive and made sure the sign got fixed.

• "The Hot List: Our favorite restaurants and bars in SF right now,” Supreme Dumplings gets a shoutout! (SF Standard)

• "First Look: See Inside CIty College’s Newly Opened Student Success Center,” (Ingleside Light)
   
• "San Francisco’s largest housing complex was left to rot. Her job is to fix it up, (SF Standard)

• "Best of the Bay Area,” Many west side winners! (SFGATE)

• "Chicken sandwich hotspot opening first S.F. location,” (SF Chronicle)