Supervisor David Chiu - February 2012 Newsletter

Friend, Happy Lunar New Year! Its already been a busy 2012 in District 3 and in City Hall. Weve seen a landslide on Telegraph Hill and the start of construction for the Americas Cup and the future Cruise Terminal at Pier 27. Were working on reforming our broken business tax system and passing a groundbreaking law to encourage more socially responsible corporations. Put simply, theres a lot going on. I look forward to discussing these and other topics with you in person at my office hours and around the District as we all work to make San Francisco an even more incredible place. Sincerely,

David Chiu

Contents
District 3 Update Legislation See You in the District Community Calendar Official Website

District 3 Update
Redistricting - Community Meeting In the wake of the 2010 census, San Franciscos Redistricting Task Force is working on the challenge of redrawing the boundaries of supervisorial districts so that each district has a roughly similar number of voters. The

redistricting process strives to protect against discriminatory voting practices and to keep together neighborhoods and communities with common interests. We need our District 3 voices to be heard when the Task Force visits our neighborhoods, so please join us at the District 3 Redistricting Task Force Meeting on Thursday, February 23, at 6:00 p.m. at Old First Presbyterian Church at 1751 Sacramento Street. To learn more about redistricting and other public meetings, visit the Redistricting Task Force website at http://www.sfgov.org/rdtf. You can also view existing and newly proposed district maps or take a shot at redrawing district boundaries yourself at http://www.redrawsf.org. Jefferson Street Improvements On January 25, as covered in the Chronicle, the Planning Department held a community meeting to present the plans for Jefferson Street, which is at the heart of Fishermans Wharf with over 10 million visitors a year. The proposal is the result of a lengthy public engagement process for the Fishermans Wharf Public Realm Plan. I have been strongly supportive of these efforts, and am interested in your feedback. The new design strengthens Jefferson Street's appeal by prioritizing the quality of the pedestrian environment, while making cycling safer and more comfortable. Wider sidewalks, new pedestrian lighting, attractive paving and expanded cafe seating will result in a more beautiful and memorable street that strengthens the identity of Fisherman's Wharf. The goal is to have two blocks, between Hyde and Jones streets, built in time for the America's Cup in 2013, although funding is still being sought for construction.

Chinese New Year Festival & Parade I am excited to take part in the Chinese New Year Festival & Parade for the fourth year as the President of the Board of Supervisors and the Supervisor representing Chinatown. A tradition since the 1860s, San Francisco's parade is the longest-running Chinese New Year Parade. It also draws over three million spectators and television viewers in the U.S., Canada and Asia. I hope you will come celebrate the Year of the Dragon and see a mighty 250 feet long Golden Dragon usher in the New Year. The parade kicks off on Saturday, February 11 at 5:15 p.m. at Market and Second streets. For more information on the parade route and related Chinese New Year events, check out: http://www.chineseparade.com/ Neighborhood Parks and Open Space Bond 2012 San Franciscos 10-year Capital Plan calls for a new parks bond on this Novembers ballot. The last recreation and parks bond was approved by more than 70 percent of voters in 2008. Those funds have helped to address the more than $1 billion in capital needs faced by our park system by implementing $185 million in park improvements, including the almost-completed Chinese Recreation Center. Please join my office and the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department on Thursday, March 1, from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. (please check this calendar for the location) to learn about the 2012 parks bond planning process and to share your views on current open space needs. Community feedback was critical to passing the 2008 bond and we hope to build on that success. For questions, please contact RPD.BondFeedback@sfgov.org.

Telegraph Hill Rockslide

Photo credit Zack Farmer / BCN

On the morning of January 23rd, 2012, several large boulders slid down Telegraph hill near Lombard and Montgomery streets. Luckily, no one was hurt, but a parked car was crushed. The landslide was a sobering reminder that we live in a City with unique topography, and this sometimes comes with unique challenges from Mother Nature. I will be working with Recreation and Park Department and the Department of Public Works to find out what we can do to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Ongoing Projects 8 Washington Luxury High Rise Condo Project - We know that there are many opinions, questions and concerns about this project, so feel free to participate in the joint meeting of the Planning Commission and the Recreation and Park Department on Thursday, February 23. Americas Cup - After removing the possibility of a floating JumboTron in Aquatic Cove at my request, our Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to approve the projects Environmental Impact Report last week. This month, the Board will take a very close look at the projects development agreement, which sets the terms between the City and the Americas Cup Event Authority. Action is expected at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, February 28. If youd like to get involved in either issue, please email judson.true@sfgov.org.

Legislation
Business Tax Reform For years, policymakers and San Francisco businesses large and small have criticized our business tax system, which is a payroll tax that directly discourages hiring. San Francisco is the only city in California to tax payroll as its primary source of business tax revenue, and 90 percent of businesses - including large financial and insurance corporations exempted by state law - dont pay any business tax. Im committed to working this year with the Mayor, my colleagues, the business community, and other stakeholders to put a measure on the November ballot to replace the payroll tax with a system - most likely a tax on gross receipts - that is more equitable and stimulates job growth in San Francisco. If youre interested in a deeper explanation, this 2010 study completed by the Controller at the request of myself and then-Mayor Newsom provides a good overview of this complicated but crucial policy issue. Breaking Ground: First-in-the-Nation Legislation Recently I announced two first-in-the-nation legislative proposals Benefit Corporations The first requires the City to provide contract bid preferences to Benefit Corporations. B Corps are a new class

of corporations recently authorized by the state of California to create a general benefit for society as well as for shareholders. These are exactly the types of companies that we need to be welcoming in San Francisco. Our City is known as an international leader in sustainability, economic innovation, and social entrepreneurship, and my proposal reaffirms this leadership. We anticipate that the Board will vote on the legislation in early March. Right to Civil Counsel At the end of last year, I joined with leaders in the San Francisco legal community in calling for a local judicial system that provides representation to residents involved in civil proceedings that could deny basic human needs such as child custody, shelter or health. The legislation I introduced declares San Francisco the first Right to Civil Counsel City and authorizes a one-year Right to Counsel Pilot Program that will be a partnership between the City, the Courts, and the private legal community. The cost of the pilot program would be entirely borne by the private legal community. I am grateful to the leadership of the Bar Association of San Francisco and legal aid organizations for their participation in this groundbreaking proposal. The Board of Supervisors Rules Committee will consider the legislation on Thursday, February 16. Moving to Amend and Overturning Citizens United This week, the Board of Supervisors unanimously voted for my resolution to support a nationwide movement asking for a Constitutional amendment related to the rights of corporations in relation to campaigns and elections. In January 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Citizens United, ruled in favor of unlimited corporate spending to influence elections and policy decisions, which granted corporations the same free speech protections as people. Over 35 cities and states have introduced similar measures to call on Congress to limit corporate influence, and members of both houses of Congress have proposed amendments to the Constitution. Most recently, the city councils in Los Angeles and New York City passed almost identical resolutions.

See You In The District!

One of the best things about serving as Supervisor are the casual conversations that happen in the cafes, stores and Muni buses of District 3. I also want to be sure you can find me at District Office Hours every week. If you plan on stopping by, please send an email to my aide Amy Chan (amy.chan@sfgov.org), as office hours occasionally need to be rescheduled due to unanticipated events.

February 2012 Office Hours

Friday, February 3, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Nob Hill Cup A Joe Coffeehouse, 896 Sutter Street Happy Office Hours Wednesday, February 22, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Union Square Azul, 1 Tillman Place off Grant Avenue near Sutter Street

Friday, February 10, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. North Beach/Telegraph Hill Caffe Roma, 526 Columbus Avenue

Friday, February 24, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Chinatown Chinatown Library, 1135 Powell Street

Friday, February 10, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Chinatown Chinatown Library, 1135 Powell Street

Friday, March 2, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Russian Hill/North Beach Caffe Sapore, 790 Lombard Street

Friday, February 17, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Barbary Coast/Golden Gateway Coffee Roaster Inc., 536 Davis Street

February 2012 Community Calendar

Thursday, February 2, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friends of Tel-Hi Meeting Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center, 660 Lombard Street Tuesday, February 14, 8:30 a.m. Union Square Business Improvement District, Public Affairs & Advocacy Advisory Committee Meeting Ellis-OFarrell Garage, 123 OFarrell Street

Thursday, February 2, 6:00 p.m. Fishermans Wharf Merchants Association 9th Annual Crab Feed Auction and Silent Dinner Fog Harbor Fish House, Pier 39

Saturday, February 18, 9:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Middle Polk Neighborhood Clean-Up Its a Grind Coffee House, 1800 Polk Street

Friday, February 3, 12:00 p.m. 2012 Black History Month Kickoff Celebration San Francisco City Hall Rotunda, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place

Sunday, February 19, 8:00 a.m. Chinatown YMCA 10k Walk to Benefit Youth Programs in Chinatown Sacramento and Grant streets

Saturday, February 4, 9:00 a.m. - Noon District 3 Community Clean Team Kickoff and Chinese New Year Celebration Portsmouth Square Plaza, 733 Kearny Street between Washington and Clay

Sunday, February 19, 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Telegraph Hill Dwellers Forum on the Central Subway San Francisco Art Institute, 800 Chestnut Street

Wednesday, February 8, 7:00 p.m. Lower Polk Neighbors (LPN) General Meeting First Congregational Church, 1300 Polk Street

Monday, February 20, 7:00-8:00 p.m. Middle Polk Neighborhood Association Its a Grind Coffee House, 1800 Polk

Friday, February 10, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. North Beach Community Coalition General Meeting St. Peter and Paul Parish, 620 Filbert Street

Thursday, February 23, 6:00 p.m. District 3 Redistricting Task Force Meeting Old First Presbyterian Church, 1751 Sacramento Street

Saturday, February 11 & 12, 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Chinatown Community Street Fair Grant Avenue from California to Broadway; Pacific Avenue from Kearny to Stockton; Washington & Jackson Street from Kearny to Stockton

Monday, February 27, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Russian Hill Neighbors Cheers Happy Hour Check website for location

Wednesday, February 29, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. D3 Neighborhood Business Summit Bimbo's 365 Club, 1025 Columbus Avenue

Saturday, February 11, 5:15 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade Market and Second streets to Kearny and Jackson

Thursday, March 1, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. District 3 Community Meeting on the 2012 Neighborhood Parks and Open Space Bond Check the Recreation and Park Department website for location

Monday, February 13, 6:30 p.m. North Beach Neighbors General Meeting Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center, 660 Lombard Street

***If we missed your event or meeting, please send future events to judson.true@sfgov.org and well include as many as we can.

UPCOMING NEWSLETTERS: Our office will be sending out a newsletter by the end of the first week of each month. Please send questions, topics youd like covered, or items for the Community Calendar to

judson.true@sfgov.org by the Tuesday of that week.

Sent by the Office of Supervisor David Chiu

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