Transcripts For SFGTV LIVE Transportation Authority - Finance Committee 20150908

Good morning today is september 8, 20 freen. Welcome to San Francisco transporeitation authority. Our clerk today is steve stamos and todays meeting is brought to us by leo[inaudible] and charles crim nack. Like to mention my other Committee Members who are here. Commissioner kim and malia cohen and well be joined by compose and mar. Any announcements there are no announcement. Ite item 1, ovlose present. Compose absent. Xhigdser cohen, present. Commissioner kim, present. Commissioner mar, absent we have a quorum great, lets go to our consent calendar. Consent calendar item 23 are considered routine, staff isnt planning to present on these items. If a member objects any consent iletm may be removed and crrbed separately. We have minutes and report. Any comments or questions or changes to the minutes . Okay, see none well go to Public Comment on item 2 and 3. [inaudible] isnt on the item today. We need to stick to the items thatd are with us. We vuproval oaf the minutes and item 3 can we have a motion tew prove the minutes . That is seconded by supervisor cohen and take that without objection. On the consent calendar, commissioner avalos, aye. Campos, absent. Commissioner cohen, aye. Kim, aye. Mar, absent. The consent calendar passes var good lets go to item number 4. Item 4, state and federal legislative updatement this is a action item. We have mark watts here to give us a report. We is a special session happening in sacramento i apologize if i caused any delay here. Thank you for having me here. Mark watts your representative in sacramento. There are several new items to add to the matrix mostly coming from introduction of bills in the special session. However, the first bill i would like to highlight, ab 779, dealwise elimination of level of service as a measure in the environmental process and elim namesinates Agency Responsible for [inaudible] no longer have to track the level of service. The bill was amended lailt in the process and has not been herds. It was set for commit a but the author pulled the bill. This will be a bill that is available in jan unless it pops up in a essential session but we wanted to get on record in support of this measure. It is consistent with long standing policy and believe it will be coming back in january and will make a strong push for it. The other measures i want to highlight are bills that are extraordinary session measures and that is why they are coming so late. Several were introduced in late july and in midaugust. There are 4 bills. They go by the gnomeing claicher x 1. [inaudible] 7. Mr. Chew, ab 8 and senator hills sb 8 and senator alan sbfore, those are 4 bills, 2 of which are identical to the other 2 in the other house. Strong effort by the California Transit Association to put transit discussion into special session. These measures do it 2 different ways even though there are 4 bills. One instance the measures seek to increase thumount of Green House Gas reduction finds, in other words cap and trade auction revenues into transit increasing current programs there and the other 2 bills also address transtd funding by trying to increase the level of the sales tax collected on diesel which is the foundational source for state transit assistance program. In my view the latter one is a tax increase and therefore more difficult to achieve but none the less, the administration has taken a queue from the introduction of these bill squz the press conferences conducted around the state by the office of had bills to actually feed into their Transportation Program increases in trazt which was unexpected. They were resistabout but now that the final package is out they have funding in them. We recommend support in those 4 measures and i would like to highlight 3 bills we recommend opposing positions on. Abx 16, the issue there is it requires more funding dedicated to rule counties and throughout this year as Green House Gas Reduction Fund bills have come through the process ones that tend to isolate or favor other programmatic wrairias or regions of the state, we recommended that you oppose that and keep it as wide open as possible so you can be competitive in these grants and recommend oppose on that measure how does it appear that has a lot of support . No, it does not at this point in time but you never know as we get close to the end of special session dish cushion discussions ensue [inaudible] abx 16. I dont have the page number, it is toward the very end is this different from ab 6 which provides no further bonds correct. It more of a isolation and dedication to rule communities of the arkz grants rather than sebd sepding to other programs it is locking out urban areas from having access to those funds this is for high speed . No, that is this is different. Soree it is cap and trade action revenue got it the last abx 113 by Assembly Member [inaudible] would repurpose the cap and trade revenues that now go for Affordable Housing and other programs that have been successful into high ways it isnt running into success and would have problems even if approved meetic the nexus challenge in the view of many folks in sacramento so it is a exercise that is doa as well . Correct. Abx 117 is a different way of approaching taking green housethis would take the Green House Gas Reduction Fund monies dedicated to the high speed rail project and instead transfer nem to state high way maintenance. Very diligent folks in the republican caucuses. The last meser sb 16 does the same thing. Takes Green House Gas Reduction Funds [inaudible] lot of success with the high way program back in theizeen how administration those represent changes for action. I have a few other things if you would like me to update you on. I have 2 questions if that is okay. I just want to ask quickly since i asked about ab 6 and you brought up ab 6 , x. If you can give a update on that. I know our official position is opposing this measure. It is not a threat to move this year. It would car eover potentially as a 2 year bill next year because it did not passit didnt meet the deadline this year so could be available in january is this something we expect to gain grounds or movement in sacramento . No the second question because you brought up cap and trade is ab 23. Which is on the Effective Date of cap and trade this is the same issue in terms of where it stands. It failed to meet deadlines and could be taken up in january but not likely to move and dont think there is support for it. [inaudible] of the documented it provided to us. Ab 2 is author is [inaudible] committee revisalization authority. The intents is provide for Community Revitalization authority [inaudible] we vaindication we are watching it. Can you talk to me more about what is the temperature for this particular measure. It has been moving right through the process. There has been a strong interest in tax increment financing, enhance the ifds parallel to this and think it has a good chance to get to the governor. I dont know his attitude on further expanding ifd. That leads me to my next question. I think there is a item that isi think it is tony atcons, ab 313 that also deals with addressing the elimination of the dwelling units. Can you give me a pardon me for interrupting. It is advised that the enhanced ifd law need today have a separation between the entity that governs the plan and the entity that is in charge of collecting voluntarily the revenues so what mrs. Atcons bill does is it seeks that separation. It is thought by the original proponent of the program to be a enhancement and make it more workable. Yet dollar is no indication on the governors feeling . No but im crft the speaker is confident. I talked to her and feels she has a fair chance. She snpt changing the dynamics it is making it more [inaudible] from post approval actions by folks who may want to challenge it. I want to go back too ab 35, assembly men chew legislation. Increase tax credit for low Income Housing and allocation by additional 300 million. I [inaudible] support position. The Senate Second reading, what does that mean . That means luck lael or forninately it passed out of propeation so think it has steam moving forward are there other folks that are helping move this forward . [inaudible] some transportation agencies, i caents tell you one is there opposition against this . If is it is modest. There detaurmtinant is the department of finance because it allows a higher level of debt to be available for this purpose and it seems to in my view seems to be meet wg success. You may or may not know how toanswer this nex queckz but how would we apply this . If this passes how do we apply this additional 300 million dh dollars to San Francisco . It allows the state wide amount available through housing programs to be increased and so it is through your normal grants programs at the state level so you just have more money available. Okay. Ab61 deals with bill expanded authority that now is existing for local authorities to grant transit agencies the right to stop and pick up passengers to also apply to Shuttle Service vehicles. This reminds me of our long hearing with [inaudible] and addressing the shutting buses. One of the things i recall the most is mta acknowledged their hands were tied and it was a state law that superseded how much could bow charged for any entity that wants to use the loading zones. Is this legislation going to correct that or amend it . I am not following this one very closely. We have it as a watch position and then it says the Status Assembly 2 year, what does mean that means it missed all the deadlines and wont be available until you take it up in january. Do you know the intent or anything behind why this looks like coming from Southern California that is sponsoring this. He told me he read a story after he got elected and thought he would jump into thisue and try to put something into play. This is a new member is that why are l the deadlines . Perhaps it could have brin resist toons the naich thorf bill is there support . There was support on record at the committee, but not enough to move the bill along were our elected representatives of San Francisco supportive of this bill . I dont know can you check for me and report back i will. Thank you. I think my last question has to do with ab 744. Proposed by chow. This bill would eliminate minimum parking requirements for developments near major transit stops on senior or special need housing. It is indicating our city planning staff is supportive of this legislation. I wonder if you can expand a little about expand more on Assembly Bill 744. Other thanno i cant. Okay. We areyou made a recommendation of support because of our planning departments recommendation . Okay, ill chick with the planning department. Mr. Chair i have no further questions. We doknow that ab 744 passed assembly sknr going through the senate, correct . Correct, that is likely to pass . Yes. Given deliberation has happened on it. This measure did not bring significant opposition. I remember sitting through the hearing listening to it and it passed readily so expect it to move ahead. Great. Thank you. Colleagues any other questions on the docket . Lets go to Public Comment. [inaudible] [inaudible] thank you. Would you like oo quick brofeing on the governors proposal . I received the language monday afternoon and gown through quickly. I can give you a sketch of what it looks like. Okay. Generally it is going to raise about 3. 6 billion dollars on a ongoing basis and 1. 6 will go to cal transfor maintenance, [inaudible] bridge repair and shop program as well as 200 Million Dollars for high priority corridors. The local nob mob will receive a like amount but distributed different lay. In terms of local repair unds funds that is 1. 15 billion split on normal al county and city roadway distribution formial oz. There is no low Carbon Program which is 100 Million Dollars dedicate today complete streets and done in conjunction with road repair or preservation projecs. There is a 250 Million Dollar local partnership for self help counties that exist or come into being in the next couple election cycles and last, they provided 400 million for rail and transits grants through moving Green House Gas Reduction Funds auction revenues to the 2 programs that are funded here. The revenues roughly there is a fixed to the annual adjustment that we talked about from time to time of the [inaudible] tax that was a remnants from the old tax. That will result in about a 6 or 7 couldnt immediate increase in gas taxes. There is 11 cent per gallon in diesel tax, 6 fifen dollar per vehicle road user charge collected just like the Registration Fee is and there is a 1 time up front repayment of the last of othe outstanding loans from the general fund back to Transportation Programs so that is pretty much the overview of there are other elements. They proposed in their lajerage wn toolg provide for advanced mitigation praim to help clear projects with a more certainty path of get thg project through environmental process because they know what mitigation is required at the end in terms of provided fundings for land bank. There is expansion of existing program that provides a stafftory exemption from sequa for safety and minor road repair projects within the existing footprint of the existing right of way. In addition, the bill also includes extension of p 3 law that we supported from time to time. That is wrapped into one significant bill and that is going be the center piece of discussion for the rest of the week. T thais it in a nut shell that could be approved in the session . Crecktd, special session running concurrentsry to the regular session and it ends on foy day but can be extended. Bills that raise taxes or have urnsh clauss become Effective Immediately otherwise any other bills attached in special session thise package become affective 90 days. Including the governors proposal . The governors proposal because it has tax increases in it would be Effective Immediately. Okay. Thank you. Thank you colleagues any other questions for mr. Watts . We have Public Comment open and it is still open and havent closed it yet. I was listening to you quite intently. These are some of the bills being deliberated in sacramento and think as i listen to them on caps and on how our roads are going be repaired, we in San Francisco need to look at our congestion and our increase of the Carbon Footprint we cannot take lightly. So, i understand it is good to have some questions and i understand that sometimes we can be a little bit cynical when certain type of legislation is put in by maybe small counties and we may be a city and county of San Francisco with a 9 billion dollar budget and we do have supervisors who are supposed to represent certain districts and address quality of life issues but i can tell you very clearly in the south east sector there is much to be done and right now whether we like it or not, our roads are being destroyed in the southeast sectors there are thousands and thousands of vehicles with contaminated dirt [inaudible] with the San Francisco county Transportation Authority doesnt Pay Attention to because we have to think about cumulative pollution and how to repair the roads, when will the roads be repaired and keep bragging they will build 30 thousand units in that area but are we addressing quality of life issues when it come tooz the environment especially res putory diseases, cancer, heart problems and so on and so forth. Thank you very much. Thank you. Okay. Good morning. Chair avalos [inaudible] i just wanted to thank the governor for his leadership and recognize the delegation and hard work orphthe inlegislature in bringing the revenue proposal of transportation to this point. Early in the session there was a clear indication this would be a yoor we would address the high way back log which is very sig cnts, about 60 bill wn dollars mptd San Francisco was consist nlt working with like jurisdictions on alad voicateding for transit to be part of the conversation [inaudible] together with his colleagues with transit operators and cities to aed voicate for transit, bike, complete street and vision zeeree investments. I believe this is a Great Development and comprehensive approach and have a few commentss here and there but hope this gets across the finish line with our l our support. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, so well close Public Comment and this is justthere is a action item . Colleagues we have a motion . So moved second. Motion fraumg supervisor kim and seconded by commissioner cohen and take that without objection. Item 4, commissioner avalos, aye. Commissioner campos, aye. Commissioner cohen, aye. Commissioner kim, aye. Commissioner mar, absent. The item passes. Great, thank you. Before we go it had next item commissioner mar isnt able to attend today due to family emergency. Would like to have a motion to excuse him. Motion by campos and second by commissioner cohen. Item 5, executing a Funding Agreement with Bay Area Rapid transtd for 3 year peerds in thumount not to exseat 406, thousand for San Francisco bart travel and authorize to negotiate Agreement Terms and conditions. This is is a ookz item senior planner with Transportation Authority to present the item which begins on page 63. The item focuses on your authorization to execute a Funding Agreement with bart up to 406 thousand to work on a Pilot Program we have come up with. That is the focus othf item but we want to take the opportunity to tell you more about the Pilot Program itself. It is interesting consopet and want to share the overview if you have questions or comments rchltd we call the pilot tentatively the San Francisco bart travel smart rewards program. Well work on developing a new name. The pilot will be focused on trying to address peek congestion on bart using travel incentives. As many are aware we have a very extreme condition on bart now with our employment growth in San Francisco. We have seen very steep ridership increase particularly as you can see from this graphic the embarcadero and Monk Montgomery station the most. This illustrates the ridership growth for you all just looking at 2012 to 2014 there is about a 20 percent growth in the transbay market in particularment this graphic shares a little about the crowding that resulted in. Barts standsered for crane occupancy is 107 passengers per vehicle. Some of the peek lotes are up to 140. We are inl conversation with bart and the other regional agencies about how we address this crowding and as im sure you are aware there a number of different efforts. There is the transbay study. Bart has train cars coming on line in 2017 that are more capacious and reduce the crowding by providing more standsing room however in the shorter term, the remainder of this year and next year and to the following we donts have a short term solution. We came across a Pilot Program that was done in singapore and this will replicate. It was called the singapore rewards program and this is a screen shot of that portal where the transit riders log into the portal, provide transit card number and they get pointsall their transit travel but they goat greater points for traveling off peek period. They accumiate ports and provided with rewards and can cash out their points. In their case they provided them with transit value but their card can we used to make purchase. You can cash out or play a came game. This caused a 79 percent decrease in peak paerd congestion. That is a significant margin which is relative to other strategies we have available. We were interested to see if we can replicate this in the bay area. Just chted to share a little about the scrope we have in mind. We want to replicate the singapore program. What well do is we already have a partnership with bart want to conform if objectives what we are tritoog achieve. At this point we are look ing at train crowding. There was a Software Program that they look at licensing and market that to bart rider squz request they sign up and offer incentives. We also envision a employer outreach component and that involves working with employers in case there are issues they have with respect to allowing their employees more flexibility. We have done 2 workshops with the San Francisco chamber of commerce where we invited employers to come in and give resources for them. That will be a component. We are hoping to launch the pilot next spring and weual expect it to run for about 6 months and do an evaluation where we look at a range of metrixes particularly the cost effectiveness and whether it improved ridership ovall, reduced crowding. Well look at a couple different metrix [inaudible] then we make a determination where to go from there. There are lot of potential application squz if it is successful we can see this to grow. In the netherlands this is a screen shot of their program where they have daungals they keep in the vehicle jz receive points traveling in off peek periods and created a partnership with shell to provide frunds the incentives. There are interesting directions we can goin. We see it as a interesting pilot to explore and look forward to hearing your thoughts and questions and just to wrap up for this item all we are looking for is the authorization to execute that Funding Agreement with bart commissioner campos has a question but before him my biggest question is what is the experience we had so far in doing outreach to bart riders and leping to change behavior . Do we have something in the past we have done that will show this will be a Successful Pilot in terms of reaching people we need to reach . I think there is outreach to bart riders but i dont think to this scale and nothing that im aware of with specific provision of incentive combined with tracking behavior. We ask people to sign up with their clipper carbds and see if they respainds it the incentives. That is why we view this as a pilot because it is testing a snu concept, however givethen experience in singapore and similar programs in the netherlands it looks like there is a good track record that allows us to expect success. There are challenges, one being the peak is very spread. We have been looking at the data and it is a pretty crowded for a large window of time so that is a challenge but wile design the program to address that the best we can. How does it work . How does the software . The software was created by urban engine and based out of pala alto where google and stan ford people. You sign up with the clipper carbd and the program will be monitoring that information and looking for those who are most responsive to the incentives and continue to provide them with opportunities to win additional rewards. Again, there is a algorithm built into the software that make as aermidation as to the level of incentive dependent on the travel pattern squz how responsive they have been in the past. Thank you okay. No other questions from the committee . Mrs. [inaudible] if i can quickly outline the funding for this program for the total cost is about 950 thousand dollars of which 500 thousand is provided by the federal high way administration. The Transportation Authority work wg bart submitted a application and successful achieve thg funding from shwa. Bart is contributing 400 thousand dollars and will see a request for [inaudible] thank you. Open up the item for Public Comment. Any member of the public like to comment . [inaudible] thank you. Well close Public Comment and colleagues can we approve this item . Okay, well take that same house, same call. So done. Our next item please item 6 introduction of new items. Colleagues any new items or new issues to bring up . Public comment is open on this item and seeing no member of the publicnot just yet. It will be the next one. General Public Comment is now closed and our next item is general Public Comment. Yes. [inaudible] we cant take about Campaign Issues at the committee. Thaupg very much. Any other member of the public like to comment . Seeing none well close. Item 8, adjournment we are adjourned. Thank you. Welcome to hamilton recreation and aquatics center. It is the only facility that has an integrated Swimming Pool and Recreation Center combined. We have to pools, the citys water slide, for little kids and those of you that are more daring and want to try the rockslide, we have a drop slide. Exercises for everybody. Hi have a great time. The ladies and guys that come, it is for the community and we really make it fun. People think it is only for those that play basketball or swim. I have been coming to the pool for a long time now. It is nice, they are sweet. In the aquatics center, they are very committed to combining for people in San Francisco. And also ensuring that they have public safety. There are a lot of different personalities that come through here and it makes it very exciting all the time. They, their family or teach their kids have a swim. Of the gem is fantastic, there is an Incredible Program going on there, both of my girls have learned to swim there. It is a fantastic place, check it out. It is an incredible indication of what bonn dollars can do with our hearts and facilities. It is as good as anything you will find out why mca. Parents come from all over. There are not too many pools that are still around, and this is onestop shopping for kids. You can bring your kid here and have a cool summer. If you want to see some of the youth and young men throughout San Francisco play some great pickup games, come wednesday night for midnight basketball. On saturdays, we have a senior lyons dance that has a great time getting exercise and a movement. We have all the music going, the generally have a good time. Whether it is awkward camp or junior guard. From more information, visit music herb theatre,open rehearsal. Listen to the rehearsal. I think it is fun for them, they see our work process, our discussions, the decisions we make. It is good for us. We kind of behavior little bit when we have people in the audience. Msk music we are rehearsing for our most expensive tour; plus two concerts here. We are proud that the growth of the orchestra, and how it is expanded and it is being accepted. My ambition when i came on as music director here it was evident we needed absolutely excellent work. Also evident to me that i thought everyone should know that. This was my purpose. And after we opened, which was a spectacular opening concert about five weeks after that the economy completely crashed. My plan and im absolutely dogmatic about my plans were delayed slightly. I would say that in this very difficult timefor the arts and everyone, especially the arts, its phenomenal how new century has grown where many unfortunate organizations have stopped. During this period we got ourselves on National Radio presence; we started touring, releasing cds, a dvd. We continue to tour. Reputation grows and grows and grows and it has never stopped going forward. Msk music the bay area knows the orchestra. You maybe take things for granted a little bit. That is simply not the case will go on the road. The audiences go crazy. They dont see vitality like this on stage. We are capable of conveying joy when we play. Msk music any performance that we do, that a program, that will be something on the program that you havent heard before. String orchestra repertoire is pretty small. I used to be boxed into small repertoire. I kept constantly looking for new repertoire and commissioning new arrangements. If you look at the first of the program you have very early, young vibrant mendelson; fabulous opener and then you have this fabulous concerto written for us in the orchestra. Is our gift. Msk music and then you have strauss, extraordinary piece. The most challenging of all. String orchestra work. 23 solo instrument, no violin section, now viola section; everybody is responsible for their part in this piece. The challenge is something that i felt not only that we could do , absolutely could do, but i wanted to show off. I cant tell you how aware i am of the audience. Not only what i hear but their vibes, so strong. I have been doing this for a long time. I kind of make them feel what i want them to feel. There is nobody in that audience or anywhere that is not going to know that particular song by the fourth note. And that is our encore on tour. By the way. I am proud to play it, we are from San Francisco. We are going to play that piece no matter where we are. Hello good morning and thank you for being here ill ben the principal of Monroe Elementary School excited to have you here and nancy pelosi joining us we have wonderful staff a wonderful students at monroe we have 4 do hundred and 4 students and chinas Literacy Program your goal to really prepare our students to succeed in life and go to college were College Bound school im proud to be the principal and video you here i want to introduce the to the treasurer Jose Cisneros. Thank you, principal solace good morning at more and more o Monroe Elementary Schools im the city treasurer i want to give you a brief background on the kindergarten to a Colony Program and the success we started the Kindergarten College program we saw research that says if a clorj colony groups that will go to sclej without a similar account only 8 percent of kids born 0 into low income families complete colony minimal we launched did cubed college in the last four years opened 20 thousand accounts automatically for kindergarteners in the it is 50 to start those children start with money saved for college we do those account opening absolutely automatically no parents signatures the Kids Start School and the account is open we know that model works weve seen the families engaged have saved to date over 1. 3 million of their own money for their kids College Education we believe this is the First Program that gets low income families to go to college we couldnt have launched this without for the most part the mayor and budget leaders in San Francisco set aside the money to make that possible it is absolutely, of course, clapping. and the incredible is Unified School District helps us make this program possible as well as Outreach Partner the castro and the family connections in the great partner city bank they hold the accounts for the students were joined by bob did gloriously dwrshgs director of public works for Community Depth and the joseph for the region and well celebrate this without their hard work thank you very much clapping. and city bank started accident mravm policeman that made the families into the formal Financial System and city bank is trshtd to the Financial Education component of kindergarten to college insuring this isnt just angle accountants resource but having that with the Financial Education to families know how tow to save we want to make sure the children safe their, their economic success i want you to hear about this program from a parent im pleased to introduce the parents of two children to the monroe elementary charles your experience about kindergarten to college. Thank you Jose Cisneros my wife sabrina works at monroe my children in second grade and my daughter in kindergarten were proud today to represent this vibrant and Diverse Community family to be striving to have their children go to college frequently the first generations to go to college i appreciated how to work are these to make that a reaching of arraignment for all children general Public Comment start for our family and outline e all families whether we begin to plan for college or not Kiddie College is getting our children to college at the starting line for dlej this may find us with their matching program incentivizing and rewarded benchmark amounts we have friends with kids in college we recognize the College Funding that if placed we know how much college cost and the 20 years since mooifrns e my wife and i went to college any College Costs 2 and a half times we wonder what the cost of college that will be for our children we want to make sure we can do all we can to insure if college viable for them we appreciate how they partner with the San Francisco Ethics Commission in the community to make that more tangible to our children and all children in the city beyond financial backing at katie credulous that is very generous it give us the opportunity to talk about college with our children that is why were saving for college we know from research we wanted to talk to our children about college having them know that college is in their future increases the likelihood of kids in college we appreciate how college gives us the resources we know friends my wife and i went to rival university they know how the songs but they know we began savings cologne for their cologne so were grateful for the sunset theyve got of the future for them and were grateful far the assurance and this Program Provides our children and all children in the city and now its my pleasure to introduce our wanting of our school board emily. clapping. thank you so much ken you and your family are an example of what pa makes our school so great i want to thank the president for being here more monroe it is a gem in our School System i wanted to share one parents review of the school and incredible bunch of devoted loving intelligent people run monroe my son is lucky to get here he gets to be surrounding by university and learn in a nurturing environment thanks to the staff at monroe you had a wonderful, wonderful job clapping. and i want to ask the boy and girl how many of you got to visit city bank . Great and how many of you have piggy banks our putting money into we really want to acknowledge the Strong Partnership with city bank and lucky to have innovative leader honorable exam of publics unify heard from Jose Cisneros and this is a remained over a hundred its we cant thank you Jose Cisneros enough hes not going as the purchase man laughter . And this incredible partnership railroads our cologne boundary culture that is very much is part of our vision vision 2025 im shortly here from the house leader napping nancy pelosi who was the first woman speaker of house clapping. and remains one of the most influential woman in american politics today, im so proud here exceptional granddaughter is among our San Francisco students through a very Strong Partnership with mayor ed lee and middleincome and the school board the School District has by a preponderance from the initiatives through the mayor excluding the mayors middle grade and circling the schools that brought in inbe prientdz amount of benefits through city bank it is with great appreciation and introduce our next speaker it is mayor ed lee our education mayor with a capita e. Mayor ed lee. clapping. thank you, dr. Well, you know learning and earning cvs have often been the very secrets to success and certainly for San Francisco but you know with formal mayor naichl jose brought to us made it less secret and plentiful to the families we knew more challenged than other families and make sure they will be successful in the city as well so with the person in the True Partnership are city bank and our treasurer and school board and government with our private seefshth weve made earning and learning less secret and the a foundation of our success this is why the kindergarten to College Program is to attractive ive had the providential of traveling to National Meetings and the mayors conference to introduce this to other mayors across the country with city bank they ask how do you have a bank account for families that simply enroll in kindergarten and a promise is made their kids have that opportunity to go to college well, i think we take lessons from most apartment just like i was 31 years ago when we had our kids we made a promise for our family our kids go to college we started that 3wk9 on the day did he they were born the same sentiment in our city embracing the families and city first, this city for families weve work hard to expand and make sure that got matching incentives you should see the incentives created it more than a fiftydollar start when kids enroll in the Lunch Program they, in fact, the parents put melon into the account so it grows like something is earned and this is why it is so valuable to teach those values right now you were doing everything we can to make sure that families are groping up here and qatar spoke lontd about his family i went and recruited him nancy pelosi on our ssi he will help obvious advise all the advocates in the city how to make those partnerships work clapping. as active parents engage we have universal preschool restore exploring and afterschool programs as dr. Murase were working with involvement with with private sectors and the benioffs and all the 2 thousand 4 hundred Technical Company cooling even good snacks and crossing guard phenomenon the principal i know that principal a is on his list when copies visit and say make sure we never ask the plans and teachers to reach into adhere pockets when we need something into make those campuses successful education is a huge thing i have a great pleasure of introducing something on the helm of an innovate movement to make sure that college is variable and education a great partner under is less secrets to connect and more in our Democratic Values we have an open agenda to make all of our families across the country successful ill introduce Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi clapping. thank you, thank you very much mr. Mayor when president of the school board emily murase she introduced him as an education mayor and the e mayor the housing and the jobs mayor and the list goes on the mayor for keeping families in San Francisco with Affordable Housing and Job Opportunities and education education education i want to thank him for his leadership and acknowledge i think the kids want to get back to class i want to talk about the beauty of the mix of the diverse class the beauty of the behavior are they not well boofrd alonzo to the speeches matthew we call him rocket i want to tell you one thing i got this package of letters from the third grader one the questions says i want to know what gongs at the capital do you play spokesman in the rooms laughter do you play parking control officer could man, i love parties that kind of thing in any effecting event one day to welcome you to the capital remember when i said all the beautiful smiles ill should that picture to president obama and say this started in San Francisco im going to college with a big smile on our face. Thank you to Jose Cisneros his imagination to create Something Wonderful for you clapping. have a great day in school ill talk about when you go two but i think youve been beautifully boofrd well try to follow our lead in that regard laughter the principal solace knows how to time things with his students he says i want them to go back to class laughter . inaudible . Well congratulations for your leadership of Monroe Elementary School and our hospitality letting us in today to make that point thank you and emily thank you for your leadership on the school board in terms of implementing this Important Initiative im going to hold this up this the rabble kindergarten to college to Jose Cisneros a leader the person you saw the connection between the nationalistcy thats what were teaching those kids they in turn will be dealing with their siblings and the parents the connection between the competent to have the resources to college and the incentive to have to study is so thank god kids weve changed that and set a model for the nation so thank you for this initiative a National Admission more importantly ever personal sixth to every single child that was made clear by your wonderful presentation so wheres the competition oh, i see the big game every night laura laughter but youve spoken well, from the families prospective and congratulations to you on our future involvement in terms of are nevertheless, of the citys the mayor said privatepublic in time partnerships to make that with work work and the private side of city bank thank you for your Important Role those kids having the confidence saying im going to college is a beautiful statement that the mayor said about everything in our future in addition to that is important 0 our country the most important investment in the people a family da can make in their children people talk about the cost of education the fact nothings bring more money to the treasurer than the investment in education thats the investment and it reduces it the earliest Child Education higher post grad Education Learning this is a start and since having the key a new way to open that door to college for those young kids it is remarkable im telling you the kids im taking the picture of those smiling to show the president and bring that brochure as well and i thank you, again, for all of you for your leadership and representing San Francisco because ideas come forth here and people act on them we have dreams and plans thats what makes it special the privatepublic in time partnering helps and the joy of the children so thank you, mr. Mayor and thank you, principal solace and madam president murray race and thank you dad for laughter sharing our family story with us and making other parents proud thank you very much clapping. a do you want to do it here . Yeah. I was wondering im not real familiar inaudible . Sure. Be happy to. Sure. inaudible . Well work on that laughter so we start this program 5 years ago the city launched a number of empowerment programs to help 9 low income folks and keep their money save connected people who didnt have bank account to rely right hand the cashiers check and ongoing Financial Education programs we want to reach out and support our youth we were spurred on if a child groups it builds ass prirgz and helps them get to college we work hard with the scapegoated with our partner city bank to make that successful question build it from the ground up every year we get a set of information and listing all this kindergarten and the demographic information to open a account Affordable Health care ensue kids enter kindergarten and a few weeks later we open up on account in the childs name and we tell that family heres our 6th district at large and account card and id number and heres how to make deposits and go online and go online the city has put an initial amount of 50 the child has money saved for the College Education we know that 50 is not going to pay for college but find a way for the child to be successful and offer incentives to match the savings well match dollar for dollar up to the first 100 and match the steady saves every month for six months in a row another account and participating families savings over 1. 3 million thats family money not city or matching incentives that is all family money and half of the families are families ref fry and reduced aprils Lunch Programs so we know were reaching families across the income spectrum in the Security Guard and finding a way to save there is a cost to the city im pleased to have the city leaders success the city pays for the administration of the program we have a great kc staff manage an Incredible Program with an incredibly small amount of people but have great partners the citys cost is 650,000 a year to fund the kc program we add to this private money some donations in city bank to make the program a reality it is every income kindergarten in the Security Guard thats correct. From the stand point sorry. inaudible . Yeah. Well, i wanted to go to the point you asked on the back end the college end our focus on making college more affordable the initiative to contain the cost of College Education while we put more money out there we dont want it to be used for other purposes more opportunities available for that young people thats why were fighting the fight when we put u cut the pell grant and increase the interest you see initiatives to under those there the pell grants but also to incentivizes states to do more important Higher Education and when federal money comes along not to underwrite but to do more important the kids in terms of what the treasurers cisneros a long time ago which i went to college and initiative to encourage families to start bank account but it wasnt automatic the way it is and families trying to reach for the hardest ones to reach it the other ones had Bank Accounts to it is not a decision to make to do it is done now they take it from there so it is really quite a beautiful thing and again, youll secure a lot during the president ial campaigns about College Education to add Community College for the college as well to it is a budget we say you increase the deficit if you dont invest in education to, in fact, theres a loss so were again at the other end when this model travels there the country it could create an approach where the federal government can participate as a parent and at left or level were not at that part yet thank you to Jose Cisneros for education in our country once again San Francisco is leading the way. There are initiatives that were having congress to have features the program in terms of assistance to state predicated states containing the cost of education in terms of cost of education it just being frugal just fiscally sound in how the institutions are run im not christ the institutions were getting more back for the students for that initiatives that reduce the cost of Student Loans or initiatives weve had in the congress for a while were proud that is part of the initiative that is a Good Initiative more things weve been working on for a while which is proposing the next idea others that want to go further the consent of money the 350,000 berry new sanders says the cost for the country has already been we want to make that affordable and have qualify of the education and have publicprivate partnerships do their really understand that we have to pay the bill at the end of the day and go into many anything we do for education enhances our country aspirations the people the conceiveness of the people in the world ive seen the invests in education all do more to bring money to the treasury we need to know what it means for people to reach their aspirations and Education Innovation begins in the classroom and have it is all succeed beautifully this way laughter maybe time for one more and Everybody Needs to get back to school. inaudible . Well, first of all, let me say i dont know if any one of us can express our they to kate it is a sad life beautiful and all the prospects of the future of this person insufficient funds out so how we treat and value every single leave is important to us in San Francisco and california and in our country kate steinle law says you have a 5 year minimum sentence for reentry into the country that didnt really address the prop at hand the person perpetrate of that tragedy spent a long time in jail and the 5 mandate minimum didnt add to what we need a better communication amongst the intermits whether the Immigration Service or Law Enforcement we should be putting focus judges come to me over time in congress when necessary come in inform their appropriations they say give us appropriations we dont need a mandatory sentence but the discretion to address the case my Climate Change in this case i dont see i think we can do something but more than that and i support the sanctuary city i think that this horrific crime as terrible as it is is not a reflective of the sanctuary city to do the answer the comprehensive Immigration Reform this will address some of the issues and the minimum sentence of reentry to the country and secondly, we have to have background checks in how people are access to firearms this is a background checks whether or not that into have stopped this it stopped millions on the books but now extend to other things online sales and those kinds of that emerged with the advances in technology so there is plenty we can do and shouldnt just think about it but having mandatory sentence of reentry what seasoned happened in San Francisco im sorry mayor. I happen to agree im focused specifically on the circumstances as well as to what agencies did in discussing to bring somebody back that didnt have to be brought back thats another area to come to an agreement and again i dont think that those cases law the way ive read it addresses that circumstance but im very much for more communication among the Law Enforcement agencies in my opinion is less to do with sanctuary city and more to do with communication among the Law Enforcement you cant have a good communication if an agency device spot to communicate we need to correct that locally as well as regionally. inaudible . Well, we made the discovery the memorandum with an the Sheriffs Department prevented people from communicating once you start it, it is a sleep slop not to communicate this is wrong when we are engaged with people with a criminal record history youve got to have more communication of the circumstances around that im a true believer that communication will help people to understand what we face today. inaudible . Yeah. You know, i think that is the private claim and again, i take this position officially on behalf of the city the people of San Francisco in those circumstances need more communication a good policy for all Law Enforcement officials. Going to be so hard. I didnt know what to expect. You hear the stories, but i never took any of it seriously until i found myself here, and then i realized i was going to have to work hard for my recovery. If you or someone you know has a drug or alcohol problem, you are not alone. Call 1800662help. Recovery was the hardest job i ever had, and the most important. Brought to you by the u. S. Department of health and human services. It looks at good and tastes good and it is good in my mouth pretty amazing. I am the executive chef ive been here as a chef at la concina since 2005 reason we do the festival and the reason we started to celebrate the spirit and talent and trivia and the hard work of the women in the la concina program if you walk up to my one on the block an owner operated routine i recipient its a theyre going to be doing the cooking from scratch where in the world can you find that im one of the owners we do rolls that are like suburbia that is crisp on the outside and this is rolled you up we dont this it has chinese sisterinlaw and a little bit of entertain sprouts and we love it here. There are 6 Grilled Cheese grilled to the crisp on the outside outstanding salsa and a lot of things to dip it knocks you out and its spicecy and delicious i was the first person that came here and we were not prepared for this every year were prepared everybody thinks what theyre doing and we can cookout of our home and so the festivals were part of the group we shove what we do and we w we tried to capture the spirit of xrifs. And there from there to sales and the hard part of the sales is 250 assess our market and creating a Market Opportunity giving limited risks and sales experience to our guys and youre watching quick bites, the show that is San Francisco. And today youre in for a real treat. Oh, my food inspired by the mediterranean and middle east with a twist so unique you can only find it in one place in San Francisco. Were at the 55th annual armenian festival and bizarre. This is extra special not only because i happen to be armenian, but there is so much Delicious Food here. And i cant wait to share it with all of you. Lets go. Armenia, culture and cusine has had much cultural exchanges with its neighbors. Today armenian food infuses he flavor from the mediterranean, middle east, and eastern europe. This is our 55th year and in San Francisco were the largest armenian Food Festival and widely recognized as one of the best Food Festivals in the area. We have vendors that come up from fresno, from los angeles showing off their craft. We really feel like we have something for everyone in the neighborhood and thats really what it is, is drawing people to see a little bit of our culture and experience what we experience weekend in and weekend out. We are behind the scenes now watching the chef at work preparing some delicious armenian kabob. This is a staple in armenian cooking, is that right . Absolutely, since the beginning of time. Our soldiers used to skewer it on the swords. We have a combination of beef and lam and parsley. And every september over 2000 pounds of meat being cooked in three days. After all that savory protein, i was ready to check out the fresh veggie options. This is armenian cheat sheet. Its tomatos and mint and olive oil. That makes summer food. And what im doing is im putting some nutmeg. It is kind of like cream cheese. In armenia when they offer you food, you have to eat it. They would welcome you and food is very important for them. In every Armenian Community we feel like were a smallvilleage and they come together to put on Something Like this. What i find really interesting about San Francisco is the blends of armenia that come together. Once they are here, the way people Work Together at any age, including our grandmothers, our grandfathers, skewering the meat, its fun to see. Fun to see everybody get together. We call it subarek. Its a cheese turn over if you want. We make the dough from scratch. We boil it like you do for la san i cant. The amount of love and karin fused in these foods is tremendous. They come in every day to prepare, cook and bake bread, all in preparation for this big festival. Nobody says no. When you come them, they have to come tomorrow for the feast. What a treat it is to taste a delicious recipe, all made from scratch and passed down through generations. It really makes you appreciate the little things. Its one of the best festivals. Its outstanding, a marvelous occasion. Were outside checking some of the food to go options. I grabbed myself a ka bob sandwich, all kinds of herbs and spices. Im going to taste this. Looking fantastic. One of the best ive had in a long time. You know its delicious b i have just enough room for dessert, my favorite part. Were behind the scenes right now watching how all the pastries get made. And weve got a whole array of pastries here. Honey and nuts and cinnamon, all kinds of great ingredients. This is amazing. Heres another yummy pastry made with filo dough. Oh, my god. Really sweet and similar, its lighter. This is what i like. We have a lovely row here. Looks like a very delicious and exciting surprise. Im going to bite into it. Here we go. Um. This is great with armenian coffee. Now were making some incredible armenian coffee. We buy our coffee, they have the best coffee. They come from armenia, specially made. And would you like to try it . I would like to try. Would you like sugar or no sugar . No sugar today. Im so excited. Really earthy. You can really taste the grain. I think thats what makes it so special. Really comes out. I hope you try it. Were having a great time at the armenian festival. We ate, we saw, and we definitely conquered. I dont know about you, but i have to go down to the food. Check out our blog for so much more at sf bites at tums abler. Com. Until next time, may the force be with you. First of all, everybody is welcome and we ask two things when they get here. One, that they try something theyve never tried before. Be it food or be it dancing or doing something. And if they feel like it was worth their while to tell one person and bring that person, that family member, that friend down the street to come with them. Were going to have to do a lot of eating so get ready. Get ready. And you diet tomorrow. . Oo hi, im holly lee. I love cooking and you are watching quick bites. San francisco is a foodie town. We San Franciscoans love our food and desserts are no exceptions. There are places that specialize in any and every dessert your heart desires, from hand made ice cream to organic cakes, artisan chocolate and cupcakes galore, the options are endless. Anyone out there with a sweet tooth . Then i have a great stop for you. Ive been searching high and low for some great cookies and the buzz around town that anthonys are those cookies. With rave reviews like this i have to experience these cookies for myself and see what the fuss was all about. So lets see. While attending San Francisco State University as an accountinging major, anthonys friend jokingly suggested he make cookies to make ends make. With no formal culinary training he opened his own bakery and is now the no. 1 producer of gourmet cookies in the biarea and thank you for joining us on quick bites. How do you feel . I feel great. So i want to get to the bottom of some very burning questions. Why cookies . It was a recommendation from a friend. Hard to believe thats how it all started. Why not pies and cakes . What do you have against pies and cakes, anthony. I have nothing against pies and cakes. However, that was the recommendation. You were on the road to be an account apblt. Actually, an engineer. Even better. And it led to making cookies. In delicious ways. Delicious ways. This is where the magic goes down and were going to be getting to the truth behind cookies and cream. This is what is behind cookies and cream. Where were you when the idea came to your mind. I was in my apartment eating ice cream, cookies and cream ice cream. How much fun, cookies and cream cookies. Their cookies and cream is not even it took a lot of time, a lot of fun. A lot of butter. A lot, a lot, a lot. But it was one of those things. All right, now behold. You know what that is . What is that . Cookies and cream. Oh, they are beautiful. Yes, so we got to get. All right, all right. We treat the cookies like wine tasting. I dont ever want anybody to bite into a cookie and not get what they want to get. Were Training Staff because they can look at the cookie and tell if its wrong. Oh, here we go. You smell it and then you taste it, clean the plat palate with the milk. I could be a professional painter because i know how to do this. I can tell that its a really nice shell, that nice crunch. But inside. Oh, my god. So you are going to cheat a little bit. I had to give you a heads up on that. Whats happening tomorrow . These cookies, theres a lot of love in these cookies. I dont know how else to say it. It really just makes me so happy. Man, you bake a mean cookie, anthony. I know. People really know if they are getting something made with love. Aww you know, you cant fool people. They know if you are taking shortcuts here and there. They can eat something and tell the care that went into it. They get what they expect. Uhhuh. System development and things like that. Sounds so technical. Im an engineer. Thats right, thats right. Cookies are so good, drove all other thoughts out of my head. Thank you for taking time out it talk to us about what you do and the love with which you do it. We appreciate your time here on quick bites. I hope youve enjoyed our delicious tale of defendant 93 and dessert. As for me, my search is over. Those reviews did not lie. In fact, im thinking of one of my very own. Some things you just have it experience for yourself. To learn more about anthonys cookies, visit him on the web at anthoniescookies. Com. If you want to watch some of our other episodes at sfquickbites tumbler. Com. See were here to raise awareness and money and fork for a good accuse. We have this incredible gift probably the widest range of restaurant and count ii destines in any district in the city right here in the mission intricate why dont we capture that to support the mission youths going to college thats for the food for thought. We didnt have a signature font for our orientation thats a 40yearold organization. Mission graduates have helped me to develop special as an individual theyve helped me figure out and provide the tools for me that i need i feel successful in life their core above emission and goal is in line with our values. The ferraris yes, we made 48 thousand they were on top of that its a nobrainer for us. Were in and fifth year and be able to expand out and tonight is your ungrammatical truck food for thought. Food truck for thought is an opportunity to eat from a variety of different vendor that are supporting the mission graduates by coming and representing at the parks were giving a prude of our to give people the opportunity to get an education. People come back and can you tell me and enjoy our food. As a society weve basically failed big portion of our population if you think about the basics of food, shelter safety a lot of people dont have any of those im mr. Cookie cant speak for all the things but i know say, i have ideas how we can address the food issue. Open the door and walk through that dont just stand looking out. As they grew up in in a how would that had access to good food and our parent cooked this is how you feed yours this is not happening in our country this is a huge pleasure im david one of the cofounder so about four year ago we worked with the serviced and got to know the kid one of the things we figured out was that they didnt know how to cook. I heard about the Cooking School through the Larkin Academy a. Their noting no way to feed themselves so theyre eating a lot of fast food and i usually eat whatever safeway is near my home a lot of hot food i was excited that i was eating lunch enough instead of what and eat. As i was inviting them over teaching them basic ways to fix good food they were so existed. Particle learning the skills and the food they were really go it it turned into the is Charity Foundation i ran into my friend we were talking about this this do you want to run this Charity Foundations and she said, yes. Im a cofound and executive director for the cooking project our best classes participation for 10 students are monday theyre really fun their chief driven classes we have a different guest around the city theyre our stand alone colas we had a series or series still city of Attorneys Office style of classes our final are night life diners. Santa barbara shall comes in and helps us show us things and this is one the owners they help us to socialize and ive been here about a year. We want to be sure to serve as many as we can. The San Francisco Cooking School is an amazing amazing partner. It is doing that in that space really elevates the space for the kids special for the chief that make it easy for them to come and it really makes the experience pretty special. Im sutro sue set im a chief 2, 3, 4 San Francisco. Thats what those classes afford me the opportunity it breakdown the barriers and is this is not scary this is our choice about you many times this is a feel good what it is that you give them is an opportunity you have to make it seem like its there for them for the taking show them it is their and they can do that. Hi, im antonio the chief in San Francisco. The majority of kids at that age in order to get them into food they need to see something simple and the evidence will show and easy to produce i want to make sure that people can do it with a bowl and spoon and burner and one pan. I like is the receipts that are simple and not feel like its a burden to make foods the cohesives show something eased. I go for vera toilet so someone cant do it or its way out of their range we only use 6 ingredients i can afford 6 ingredient what good is showing you them something they cant use but the sovereignties what are you going to do more me youre not successful. We made a vegetable stirfry indicators hed ginger and onion that is really affordable how to balance it was easy to make the food we present i loved it if i having had access to a kitchen id cook more. Some of us have never had a kitchen not taught how to cookie wasnt taught how to cook. I have a great appreciation for programs that teach kids food and cooking it is one of the healthiest positive things you can communicate to people that are very young. The more programs like the cooking project in general that can have a positive impact how our kids eat is really, really important i believe that everybody should venting to utilize the kitchen and meet other kids their age to identify theyre not alone and their ways in which to pick yours up and move forward that. It is really important to me the opportunity exists and so i do everything in my power to keep it that. Well have our new headquarters in the heart of the tenderloin at taylor and kushlg at the end of this summer 2014 were really excited. A lot of the of the conditions in San Francisco they have in the rest of the country so our goal to 257bd or expand out of the San Francisco in los angeles and then after that who know. Wed never want to tell people want to do or eat only provide the skills and the tools in case thats something people are 2rrd in doing. You cant buy a box of psyche you have to put them in the right vein and direction with the right kids with a right place address time those kids dont have this you have to instill they can do it theyre good enough now to finding out figure out and find the future for