Just under half of those recently asked would pay more for green energy under The City’s CleanPowerSF program — an amount that is enough to ensure a successful rollout, says the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.
The Board of Supervisors approved the program in September, but since then some of the agency’s own commissioners have expressed uncertainty about it, an electricians union continues to persistently attack it, proposed rates have inched higher and PG&E is planning to launch a competing “green” power program of its own.
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Amid an unrelenting effort to restore funding to a popular city program offering rebates for solar installations, Mayor Ed Lee announced Wednesday that he would double the budget by adding $2 million.
Fittingly, Lee made the announcement atop 450 Guerrero St., one of nine Boys & Girls Club campuses in San Francisco. He presented the nonprofit with a rebate of $43,297 under the GoSolar program for its recent installation of a 34-kilowatt solar system.
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After months of intense negotiations, the new terms of California Pacific Medical Center’s planned development of two earthquake-safe hospitals in San Francisco were approved Tuesday amid much fanfare.
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A law was approved more than a year ago to require that San Francisco dog walkers obtain a city permit, but it remains unenforced as details are still being worked out.
When the law was approved in February 2012, the Department of Animal Care and Control was given up to 18 months to work out the finer details — and it’s taking advantage of the time frame.
But on July 1, anyone walking more than four dogs at a time will have to obtain a permit. The law prohibits walking more than eight dogs at a time.
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The Police Department plans to officially open a substation today on Sixth Street, in a rough corridor in the heart of The City’s burgeoning tech hub.
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A proposed advertising contract with Clear Channel and the San Francisco International Airport was grounded Wednesday amid concerns about the terms of the deal and allegations of an unfair process.
Under the proposed contract, Clear Channel would continue advertising at the airport for the next eight years and pay $10 million a year, after beating out two other competitors during the bidding process.
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Following the lead of other cities like Cambridge, Mass., and companies like Google, San Francisco will begin picking up the federal tax bill for health benefits provided to the same-sex partners of San Francisco government workers.
The Board of Supervisors gave final and unanimous approval Tuesday to legislation introduced by Supervisor Mark Farrell that, he said, “counters what is very much a discriminatory federal tax policy.”
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Buildings that suffer damage from small earthquakes would have to be upgraded to withstand stronger temblors under legislation that advanced Monday.
The legislation is the latest effort by San Francisco officials to better prepare The City for a major earthquake. It is another recommendation from the decadelong Community Action Plan for Seismic Safety study. That study is San Francisco’s blueprint for undergoing a major earthquake with less death and destruction.
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The Film Commission works to attract moviemakers to San Francisco, but it has recently been dealing with its own behind-the-scenes drama.
Longtime producer and Commissioner Debbie Brubaker has come under scrutiny for her dealings with The City’s Film Office, which is overseen by the commission. Allegations include that she improperly used her position to influence hiring decisions and gain perks for productions.
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More of San Francisco’s schoolyards are opening up to the public over the weekends thanks to the efforts of Supervisor Mark Farrell, who is calling on more principals to get on board.
Due to budget cuts years ago, the San Francisco Unified School District started shuttering schoolyards on weekends. But under the Shared Schoolyards project, which is receiving a boost from Farrell, more and more are reopening.
Farrell has spearheaded a campaign that has raised about $100,000 annually to pay for the unlocking and locking of the gates, cleanup and programming.
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Polk Street merchants are up in arms over what they call a “radical agenda” to eliminate more than half the parking spaces along the bustling commercial corridor to reduce collisions with pedestrians and bicyclists.
Since last week, a group of merchants along upper Polk Street have posted signs on their shop windows asking passers-by to “Save Polk St.” from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s Polk Street Improvement Project.
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Despite concerns over the unusual agreement with a nonprofit overseeing management of the Japantown public parking garage, a new 10-year lease was approved Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors.
In the 1950s, the nonprofit parking garage model was established for debt issuance. But when the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency was given debt-issuance authority by voters in 2008, that function became obsolete. Since then, a city controller’s audit has advised discontinuing the practice. Such arrangements have been terminated in other garages.
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Clothing boutiques, beauty salons, dog groomers, financial providers and art galleries are going mobile in San Francisco, and city officials are drafting regulations as they anticipate a boom similar to food trucks.
When startup hopefuls walk into City Hall about once a week seeking permits for their mobile businesses, those working the counter at the Office of Small Business, overseen by the Small Business Commission, can only shrug; no such permit exists. But that could soon change.
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Discussions between tenant advocates and owners of tenancy-in-common units continue to delay a vote on controversial legislation related to condo conversions.
The Board of Supervisors Land Use and Economic Development Committee was scheduled to vote Monday on the legislation, but postponed action for the second time as board President David Chiu said negotiations between the dueling sides are continuing.
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Finding herself “directionless” and apart from her child, Western Addition resident Melissa McDermott underwent 14 weeks of training on solar installations through the Asian Neighborhood Design nonprofit. She was then connected to the founder of solar installer Luminalt, who hired her.
McDermott is still working there and is now living with her 10-year-old child. The 35-year-old credits the city-operated GoSolar program for turning her life around.
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