Transcripts For SFGTV Commission 20240704 : comparemela.com

Connectedness of all things, and have maintained harmony with nature for millennia. We honor the Ramaytush Ohlone peoples for their enduring commitment to europe. Mother earth as the indigenous protectors of this land, and in accordance with their traditions, their own too shall only have never ceded, lost nor forgotten their responsibilities as caretakers of this place. As well as for all peoples who reside in their traditional territory. We recognize that we benefit from living and working on their traditional homeland as uninvited guests. We affirm their sovereign rights as first peoples and wish to pay our respects to the ancestors. Elders and relatives of ramaytush community. As environmentalists, we recognize that we must embrace indigenous knowledge and how we care for San Francisco and all its peoples. Commissioner department, staff and members of the public. Welcome to tonights meeting. Todays meeting promises to be both impactful and introspective. Well review the household Hazard Waste Collection Program agreement, explore battery collection solutions, and most importantly, evaluate the Environment Departments proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. Facing stiff budgetary headwinds, the Commission Must do all in its power to ensure that San Franciscos Environmental Programs continue to thrive. This meeting is also something of a crossroads. Our agenda will conclude tonight with the elections for the positions of Commission President and Vice President and tonight marks my final meeting as president. Looking back, im proud of what the commission has accomplished over the past two years as weve transformed ourselves from remote to inperson meetings, working to promote accessibility and inclusion. In addition, weve also worked hard to implement our ambitious Climate Action plan, increase oversight of contracts and grants, streamline our meeting schedule, and help select the Environment Departments next director. It. My script says its bittersweet to step down, but ill say its actually exciting to step down. And im confident that the new environmental leader will build on these achievements and chart a new path forward. I think a lot about myself off of the work ive done in my professional life as a nonprofit executive director and Environmental Justice. I think a lot about what will remain in the movement and how to carry it on in the next generation of leadership. So as we close this one meeting tonight, id like you to think about that. Whos the next leader who can perhaps carry your own torch in the future . And with that, lets get started. I believe we have now item number three, staff introductions with director ju. Thank you, president , on, uh, talking about passing the torch on to the next generation, im pleased to welcome, uh, a number of new people that we have on staff at the Environment Department. So im going to ask everyone thats in person to come on up to the front. Uh, were going to ask you to say a few words and introduce yourself. Uh and well first start with sierra barston, who is joining us as our new Environmental Justice assistant. Hi. Nice to meet you all. Im joining the ej team as the new Environmental Justice assistant. Ive just moved here from brooklyn and im really excited to be here. Yeah. Thank you. Uh, next up we have sebastian garb whos going to be our new clean transportation assistant. Hello. Nice to meet you. Im sebastian garb, and it is a pleasure to be serving sf environment as the new clean transportation assistant coordinator. Thank you. Next we have spencer lee, who is joining our Environmental Education team. Hello commissioners. I am an Environmental Education associate. Associate, uh, with the School Education team. Im a native san franciscan, born and raised here, and im excited to teach Environmental Education to youth in San Francisco. All right. Next up we have brian liu, who is joining our Green Business team. Hello commissioners. I am brian liu. I am joining the toxics Reduction Team as a Green Business associate. Um, im a socal native, just graduated from uc berkeley. This is my first job. Im very excited to be here and doing important work like this. Yeah thank you. Uh, next we have alejandro robles, who is our california Sustainability Service corps fellow working on our zero waste team. Um hi. Im alejandro robles, and i am a zero waste fellow on the Sustainability Service corps program. Um, i will be assisting both the residential and City Government sectors on several food waste prevention programs. So nice to meet you. All right. And finally, we have, uh, one person joining us remotely. We have arianna lawrence, who is one of our, uh, clean transportation team, um, new members, arianna. Hello sorry, that was a little, um. Can you everybody hear me . Yes, we can hear you. Okay. Excellent. Hi um, im arianna lawrence. Im a clean cities intern with the clean transportation team. Im a second year at pomona college. Um in socal, studying Public Policy analysis with a concentration in environmental analysis. Um, im originally from brooklyn, new york, and im really looking forward to working with sf environment. All right. Thank you, arianna, and welcome to all of our new employees. And so we can give them a round of applause and thank you. For. And as we conclude this item, uh, you are free to go. So dont feel like youre more than welcome to stay for the entire Commission Meeting. But if youd like to go, dont worry about it. Dont feel embarrassed. Just head on out. That concludes our new staff introductions. Thank you. Director ju. So now were moving on to item number four. Approval of the Meeting Minutes of december 4th, 2023. I believe we have an explanatory document. The copy of the Meeting Minutes. Uh, any discussion on this, colleagues . If not, could i have a motion to approve . I move that we approve the minutes. A motion from commissioner bermejo. I second, uh, um, a second from commissioner tompkins. Um, with that, well go to Public Comment. Are there any members of the public who wish to comment on this motion and seeing none . Public comment is closed. Im sorry. I realize we consolidated, um, there were two different approvals that we have to, uh, do. So perhaps well call for Public Comment one more time after the, uh, second, uh, the fifth item, if thats okay. Kyle, uh, just a point of clarification. Uh, chair on, um, given that the motion is for one of the minutes, would you prefer a vote on this motion followed by a vote on potentially a motion for the other minutes . I think that would be good. Okay. Ill now call the roll president on a Vice President. Juan. Hi commissioner bermejo, i. Commissioner hunter is excused. Commissioner sullivan. I commissioner tompkins i commissioner un i okay with that . Uh, motion carries on that item, but i see we have another set of minutes to approve from the Operations Committee. This is on january 10th. Do we have a motion . Ill move approval. Okay. A motion by commissioner sullivan second. Second. Ill second. Okay. A second from commissioner tompkins with that, perhaps Public Comment one more time. Okay. Well open it up for Public Comment on the Operations Committee Meeting Minutes. Are there any speakers who wish to comment on this item and seeing none . Public comment is closed. Roll call. Vote please. President on Vice President juan. Commissioner bermejo, i. Commissioner hunter is excused. Commissioner sullivan i commissioner tompkins i commissioner yuan i. And with that the motion carries as well. Thanks for your patience on that. So with that, the next item plan, please. Um the next item is item six, presentation of the johanna wald Environmental Service award to jennifer berg. This item is for discussion. Im sorry. I also see, um, general Public Comment. Perhaps after. Or is my, um. Yes um, commissioner, as the chair, you do have the discretion to move item 14. General Public Comment. Um, earlier in the meeting, um, id like to exercise that. Um, um, privilege. So lets then hear item 14 right now on general Public Comment. Okay. The next item is item 14. General Public Comment. Members of the public may address the commission on matters that are within the commissions jurisdiction and are not on todays agenda. Are there any members of the public who wish to comment on item 14 . Okay. And seeing none, Public Comment on this item is closed. Great and next item i believe now were at six again. The next item is item six presentation of the johanna wald Environmental Service award to jennifer berg. This item is for discussion. Commissioner tompkins, would you like to make todays presentation . Yes. Its my pleasure to present to joanna the joanna wald Environmental Service award to jennifer berg, former Program Administrator at the bay area Regional Energy network. Jenny led bay wren for more than 13 years and her impact there has been transformative. Leveraging her background and experience as an Environmental Defense attorney, jenny expands bay wren from a Single Program to ten regional and statewide programs through bay wren, jenny has helped countless bay area residents and businesses save money and reduce their carbon footprint. And her work there has made San Francisco a greener, more equitable city. Heres a sample of what jenny accomplished during her tenure at bay. Wren jenny established an Energy Efficiency program that upgraded over 12,000 residential units, most of which are affordable, multi family housing. She advocated for regulatory policy that enabled the long terme developer of bay wrens business and refrigerant programs, which support small and micro businesses across the bay area. Jenny led the development of two major Regulatory Filings that provide stable support and Funding Sources for the Environment Departments Energy Efficiency programs, and she supported the publication of a powerful online tool to inform San Francisco Energy Policies and promote access to Energy Consumption data. While jenny retired from bay, wren last year, her legacy there will endure for years to come and on behalf of the commission on the environment, thank you jenny, and congrats relations. Thank you, mr. President and commissioners. If i could just say a few words. Um, thank you so much. Im truly, truly honored to receive this award. Um, of course, i appreciate the acknowledgment of byron, um, and my own personal accomplishments, but id like to say that byron really would not have existed if it wasnt for sf, sf. Sfa was one of the initial supporters of the idea of a regional program. Um um. The late cal broomhead was a real visionary. He provided a lot of resources, as did anne kelly, who also is retired. Id like to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of sf staff. Ive had the pleasure to work with kara, who i know is online, even from when she was at the county of san mateo, um, with lowell, who i had a very close, um, personal and working relationship, um, particularly as he navigated the very choppy waters of the bay run Business Program and, tyrone, id like to say im sorry that we didnt get to Work Together too long, but i admired your handling of that quite contentious meeting and the calm and professionalism that youve shown. And id also like to express my appreciation for your strong support of both byron and your staff. I just wanted to make two quick comments about why this award is particularly meaningful. For me. First, its from the city and county of San Francisco, the city that raised me. I was born and raised in San Francisco, and it taught me the values upon which the city, um, is founded on, as well as allowed me to learn to use my voice to stand up for what is right. Im sorry that my dear mother is not here. She was. An elected official in San Francisco so many times over, and she truly loved this city. And finally, im truly honored to be the first recipient of the johanna weld Environmental Services award. Like johanna, i was an attorney and worked in the environmental field. Id call it a twist of fate or karma, but when johanna retired, she became a very, very active political resister. As we call ourselves, with a group called activate america. As i retire and i stepped up my political volunteering, also with activate america, so i did not know who johanna weld was until lowell had contacted me and i saw her on a zoom screen. So im very honored that johanna is here tonight, as well as ronnie from activate america. So thank you all very, very much. Its very meaningful to me. Um, if there are no other comments from commissioners, perhaps well move to attendees, members of the public. Good evening. Commissioners, im lowell chiu, um, Energy Program manager, and im delighted that we are here to celebrate a remarkable individual whos dedication, vision and tireless efforts has transformed the landscape of Energy Efficiency in San Francisco and the bay area. It was a great honor that i congratulate jenny on receiving the prestigious johanna wald Environmental Services award for over a decade, jenny has been the director of baron. It was her vision for a regional approach to Energy Efficiency that led to the growth of this organization from a single residential Energy Efficiency program to ten programs, including a statewide program. Now, baron has program in residential, commercial and workforce development, Water Conservation codes, standards, and others. Youve heard some of the local impact jennys leadership has had on our programs, particularly on multifamily, residential. Again, 12,000 residential units upgraded, over 10 million in incentives. Those are just the direct impact on San Francisco. The indirect impact are the good paying jobs that these projects created for the contractors to improve in residential services, in safety and efficiency, and the program forced a way to provide rebates for electric cooktops and heat pumps. One of the First Programs in the state to do that at. At the same time, jenny staunchly supported the development and launch of two commercial programs, both led by the department and as jenny, and mentioned, when one of these programs was experiencing existential crisis, jenny jumped in to lead and facilitate a resolution. Today that very shaky program is solidly grounded. In just six months, it has upgraded nearly 100 hard to reach Small Businesses in the bay area, but perhaps even more remarkable than the technical achievement is jennys ability to inspire change and rally others to a cause. To me, jenny has served as a mentor, a champion and a catalyst not only for the baron organization, but for other individuals and organizations. Igniting a Regional Movement towards a more sustained, able and equitable future. Jenny, your legacy will endure as a testament to the power of your vision, your leadership, and wavering dedication. And on behalf of everyone youve touched and worked with. Congratulations on this. Well deserved honor. Thank you. Seeing no other attendees, is there anyone on the zoom . Hi, kara, would you like to speak. Good evening, commissioners. Im kara battista, a Senior Energy specialist here at the San Francisco Ramaytush Ohlone<\/a> peoples for their enduring commitment to europe. Mother earth as the indigenous protectors of this land, and in accordance with their traditions, their own too shall only have never ceded, lost nor forgotten their responsibilities as caretakers of this place. As well as for all peoples who reside in their traditional territory. We recognize that we benefit from living and working on their traditional homeland as uninvited guests. We affirm their sovereign rights as first peoples and wish to pay our respects to the ancestors. Elders and relatives of ramaytush community. As environmentalists, we recognize that we must embrace indigenous knowledge and how we care for San Francisco<\/a> and all its peoples. Commissioner department, staff and members of the public. Welcome to tonights meeting. Todays meeting promises to be both impactful and introspective. Well review the household Hazard Waste Collection Program<\/a> agreement, explore battery collection solutions, and most importantly, evaluate the Environment Department<\/a>s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. Facing stiff budgetary headwinds, the Commission Must<\/a> do all in its power to ensure that San Francisco<\/a>s Environmental Programs<\/a> continue to thrive. This meeting is also something of a crossroads. Our agenda will conclude tonight with the elections for the positions of Commission President<\/a> and Vice President<\/a> and tonight marks my final meeting as president. Looking back, im proud of what the commission has accomplished over the past two years as weve transformed ourselves from remote to inperson meetings, working to promote accessibility and inclusion. In addition, weve also worked hard to implement our ambitious Climate Action<\/a> plan, increase oversight of contracts and grants, streamline our meeting schedule, and help select the Environment Department<\/a>s next director. It. My script says its bittersweet to step down, but ill say its actually exciting to step down. And im confident that the new environmental leader will build on these achievements and chart a new path forward. I think a lot about myself off of the work ive done in my professional life as a nonprofit executive director and Environmental Justice<\/a>. I think a lot about what will remain in the movement and how to carry it on in the next generation of leadership. So as we close this one meeting tonight, id like you to think about that. Whos the next leader who can perhaps carry your own torch in the future . And with that, lets get started. I believe we have now item number three, staff introductions with director ju. Thank you, president , on, uh, talking about passing the torch on to the next generation, im pleased to welcome, uh, a number of new people that we have on staff at the Environment Department<\/a>. So im going to ask everyone thats in person to come on up to the front. Uh, were going to ask you to say a few words and introduce yourself. Uh and well first start with sierra barston, who is joining us as our new Environmental Justice<\/a> assistant. Hi. Nice to meet you all. Im joining the ej team as the new Environmental Justice<\/a> assistant. Ive just moved here from brooklyn and im really excited to be here. Yeah. Thank you. Uh, next up we have sebastian garb whos going to be our new clean transportation assistant. Hello. Nice to meet you. Im sebastian garb, and it is a pleasure to be serving sf environment as the new clean transportation assistant coordinator. Thank you. Next we have spencer lee, who is joining our Environmental Education<\/a> team. Hello commissioners. I am an Environmental Education<\/a> associate. Associate, uh, with the School Education<\/a> team. Im a native san franciscan, born and raised here, and im excited to teach Environmental Education<\/a> to youth in San Francisco<\/a>. All right. Next up we have brian liu, who is joining our Green Business<\/a> team. Hello commissioners. I am brian liu. I am joining the toxics Reduction Team<\/a> as a Green Business<\/a> associate. Um, im a socal native, just graduated from uc berkeley. This is my first job. Im very excited to be here and doing important work like this. Yeah thank you. Uh, next we have alejandro robles, who is our california Sustainability Service<\/a> corps fellow working on our zero waste team. Um hi. Im alejandro robles, and i am a zero waste fellow on the Sustainability Service<\/a> corps program. Um, i will be assisting both the residential and City Government<\/a> sectors on several food waste prevention programs. So nice to meet you. All right. And finally, we have, uh, one person joining us remotely. We have arianna lawrence, who is one of our, uh, clean transportation team, um, new members, arianna. Hello sorry, that was a little, um. Can you everybody hear me . Yes, we can hear you. Okay. Excellent. Hi um, im arianna lawrence. Im a clean cities intern with the clean transportation team. Im a second year at pomona college. Um in socal, studying Public Policy<\/a> analysis with a concentration in environmental analysis. Um, im originally from brooklyn, new york, and im really looking forward to working with sf environment. All right. Thank you, arianna, and welcome to all of our new employees. And so we can give them a round of applause and thank you. For. And as we conclude this item, uh, you are free to go. So dont feel like youre more than welcome to stay for the entire Commission Meeting<\/a>. But if youd like to go, dont worry about it. Dont feel embarrassed. Just head on out. That concludes our new staff introductions. Thank you. Director ju. So now were moving on to item number four. Approval of the Meeting Minutes<\/a> of december 4th, 2023. I believe we have an explanatory document. The copy of the Meeting Minutes<\/a>. Uh, any discussion on this, colleagues . If not, could i have a motion to approve . I move that we approve the minutes. A motion from commissioner bermejo. I second, uh, um, a second from commissioner tompkins. Um, with that, well go to Public Comment<\/a>. Are there any members of the public who wish to comment on this motion and seeing none . Public comment is closed. Im sorry. I realize we consolidated, um, there were two different approvals that we have to, uh, do. So perhaps well call for Public Comment<\/a> one more time after the, uh, second, uh, the fifth item, if thats okay. Kyle, uh, just a point of clarification. Uh, chair on, um, given that the motion is for one of the minutes, would you prefer a vote on this motion followed by a vote on potentially a motion for the other minutes . I think that would be good. Okay. Ill now call the roll president on a Vice President<\/a>. Juan. Hi commissioner bermejo, i. Commissioner hunter is excused. Commissioner sullivan. I commissioner tompkins i commissioner un i okay with that . Uh, motion carries on that item, but i see we have another set of minutes to approve from the Operations Committee<\/a>. This is on january 10th. Do we have a motion . Ill move approval. Okay. A motion by commissioner sullivan second. Second. Ill second. Okay. A second from commissioner tompkins with that, perhaps Public Comment<\/a> one more time. Okay. Well open it up for Public Comment<\/a> on the Operations Committee<\/a> Meeting Minutes<\/a>. Are there any speakers who wish to comment on this item and seeing none . Public comment is closed. Roll call. Vote please. President on Vice President<\/a> juan. Commissioner bermejo, i. Commissioner hunter is excused. Commissioner sullivan i commissioner tompkins i commissioner yuan i. And with that the motion carries as well. Thanks for your patience on that. So with that, the next item plan, please. Um the next item is item six, presentation of the johanna wald Environmental Service<\/a> award to jennifer berg. This item is for discussion. Im sorry. I also see, um, general Public Comment<\/a>. Perhaps after. Or is my, um. Yes um, commissioner, as the chair, you do have the discretion to move item 14. General Public Comment<\/a>. Um, earlier in the meeting, um, id like to exercise that. Um, um, privilege. So lets then hear item 14 right now on general Public Comment<\/a>. Okay. The next item is item 14. General Public Comment<\/a>. Members of the public may address the commission on matters that are within the commissions jurisdiction and are not on todays agenda. Are there any members of the public who wish to comment on item 14 . Okay. And seeing none, Public Comment<\/a> on this item is closed. Great and next item i believe now were at six again. The next item is item six presentation of the johanna wald Environmental Service<\/a> award to jennifer berg. This item is for discussion. Commissioner tompkins, would you like to make todays presentation . Yes. Its my pleasure to present to joanna the joanna wald Environmental Service<\/a> award to jennifer berg, former Program Administrator<\/a> at the bay area Regional Energy<\/a> network. Jenny led bay wren for more than 13 years and her impact there has been transformative. Leveraging her background and experience as an Environmental Defense<\/a> attorney, jenny expands bay wren from a Single Program<\/a> to ten regional and statewide programs through bay wren, jenny has helped countless bay area residents and businesses save money and reduce their carbon footprint. And her work there has made San Francisco<\/a> a greener, more equitable city. Heres a sample of what jenny accomplished during her tenure at bay. Wren jenny established an Energy Efficiency<\/a> program that upgraded over 12,000 residential units, most of which are affordable, multi family housing. She advocated for regulatory policy that enabled the long terme developer of bay wrens business and refrigerant programs, which support small and micro businesses across the bay area. Jenny led the development of two major Regulatory Filings<\/a> that provide stable support and Funding Sources<\/a> for the Environment Department<\/a>s Energy Efficiency<\/a> programs, and she supported the publication of a powerful online tool to inform San Francisco<\/a> Energy Policies<\/a> and promote access to Energy Consumption<\/a> data. While jenny retired from bay, wren last year, her legacy there will endure for years to come and on behalf of the commission on the environment, thank you jenny, and congrats relations. Thank you, mr. President and commissioners. If i could just say a few words. Um, thank you so much. Im truly, truly honored to receive this award. Um, of course, i appreciate the acknowledgment of byron, um, and my own personal accomplishments, but id like to say that byron really would not have existed if it wasnt for sf, sf. Sfa was one of the initial supporters of the idea of a regional program. Um um. The late cal broomhead was a real visionary. He provided a lot of resources, as did anne kelly, who also is retired. Id like to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of sf staff. Ive had the pleasure to work with kara, who i know is online, even from when she was at the county of san mateo, um, with lowell, who i had a very close, um, personal and working relationship, um, particularly as he navigated the very choppy waters of the bay run Business Program<\/a> and, tyrone, id like to say im sorry that we didnt get to Work Together<\/a> too long, but i admired your handling of that quite contentious meeting and the calm and professionalism that youve shown. And id also like to express my appreciation for your strong support of both byron and your staff. I just wanted to make two quick comments about why this award is particularly meaningful. For me. First, its from the city and county of San Francisco<\/a>, the city that raised me. I was born and raised in San Francisco<\/a>, and it taught me the values upon which the city, um, is founded on, as well as allowed me to learn to use my voice to stand up for what is right. Im sorry that my dear mother is not here. She was. An elected official in San Francisco<\/a> so many times over, and she truly loved this city. And finally, im truly honored to be the first recipient of the johanna weld Environmental Service<\/a>s award. Like johanna, i was an attorney and worked in the environmental field. Id call it a twist of fate or karma, but when johanna retired, she became a very, very active political resister. As we call ourselves, with a group called activate america. As i retire and i stepped up my political volunteering, also with activate america, so i did not know who johanna weld was until lowell had contacted me and i saw her on a zoom screen. So im very honored that johanna is here tonight, as well as ronnie from activate america. So thank you all very, very much. Its very meaningful to me. Um, if there are no other comments from commissioners, perhaps well move to attendees, members of the public. Good evening. Commissioners, im lowell chiu, um, Energy Program<\/a> manager, and im delighted that we are here to celebrate a remarkable individual whos dedication, vision and tireless efforts has transformed the landscape of Energy Efficiency<\/a> in San Francisco<\/a> and the bay area. It was a great honor that i congratulate jenny on receiving the prestigious johanna wald Environmental Service<\/a>s award for over a decade, jenny has been the director of baron. It was her vision for a regional approach to Energy Efficiency<\/a> that led to the growth of this organization from a single residential Energy Efficiency<\/a> program to ten programs, including a statewide program. Now, baron has program in residential, commercial and workforce development, Water Conservation<\/a> codes, standards, and others. Youve heard some of the local impact jennys leadership has had on our programs, particularly on multifamily, residential. Again, 12,000 residential units upgraded, over 10 million in incentives. Those are just the direct impact on San Francisco<\/a>. The indirect impact are the good paying jobs that these projects created for the contractors to improve in residential services, in safety and efficiency, and the program forced a way to provide rebates for electric cooktops and heat pumps. One of the First Program<\/a>s in the state to do that at. At the same time, jenny staunchly supported the development and launch of two commercial programs, both led by the department and as jenny, and mentioned, when one of these programs was experiencing existential crisis, jenny jumped in to lead and facilitate a resolution. Today that very shaky program is solidly grounded. In just six months, it has upgraded nearly 100 hard to reach Small Businesses<\/a> in the bay area, but perhaps even more remarkable than the technical achievement is jennys ability to inspire change and rally others to a cause. To me, jenny has served as a mentor, a champion and a catalyst not only for the baron organization, but for other individuals and organizations. Igniting a Regional Movement<\/a> towards a more sustained, able and equitable future. Jenny, your legacy will endure as a testament to the power of your vision, your leadership, and wavering dedication. And on behalf of everyone youve touched and worked with. Congratulations on this. Well deserved honor. Thank you. Seeing no other attendees, is there anyone on the zoom . Hi, kara, would you like to speak. Good evening, commissioners. Im kara battista, a Senior Energy<\/a> specialist here at the San Francisco<\/a> Environment Department<\/a>, and im so excited to be able to congratulate jenny tonight on her welldeserved recognition and the award shes receiving. Um, i first met jenny more than a almost a decade ago, working at another county, and then i had the pleasure and privilege of working with her for the past two years as we worked on the two bay run commercial programs that i lead. And one thing i want to highlight for everyone is jennys unwavering focus on equity. Um really supporting building equity into our programs to ensure that were serving those who most need these programs in the community, and ensuring that the staff working on these programs have access to resources and training to implement it. So thank you again, jenny, for your vision, for your leadership and for your collaboration and congratulations again on receiving this award tonight. Any further members on either remote or members of the public . Okay with that then i believe we need to pause for a portrait with the recipient right now. Can you direct us in the best location . Thank you. Scott oh yes. Joanna, please come join us as well. A former commissioner, walt. Uh, with that next item, please. Okay. And im seeing that weve already provided Public Comment<\/a> for item six. The next item is item seven. Review and vote on whether to approve resolution file 2024. Dash zero one, dash zero a resolution authorizing household Hazardous Waste<\/a> facility agreement. The sponsors pali ohe toxics reduction and Healthy Communities<\/a> Program Manager<\/a>. The speaker is huey lei, resident Toxics Reduction Program<\/a> coordinator. The explanatory documents are the house told hazardous Waste Collection<\/a> Program Agreement<\/a> draft and resolution file. 2020 401ce. This item is for discussion and possible action on good evening commissioners. My name is paleoarchean. Im the Program Manager<\/a> for the toxics reduction and Healthy Communities<\/a> team, and tonight youll be hearing two presentations from our residential toxics coordinator, huey lei. Uh, the presentation youre about to watch is about the citys household hazardous Waste Collection<\/a> programs, which are run by recology via an agreement with the city. The presentation will give you some context on the resolution before you, which, if approved, would authorize the director of the Environment Department<\/a> to execute a renewal of this agreement, which is called the household hazardous Waste Collection<\/a> programs agreement. The agreement, which has been renewed every five years since 1987, is up for renewal. And it is this agreement that allows recology to operate the programs. Youre about to hear about. So ill turn it over to huey now to tell you more about the agreement itself and the household hazardous Waste Collection<\/a> programs. Good evening, commissioners, thank you for having me. Should i advance or should i ask you to advance . Kyle i can advance the slide. Suey. Thanks. Got it. Okay so, um, my name is huey or huey lei. I am the residential toxics reductions Program Coordinator<\/a> for San Francisco<\/a> Environment Department<\/a>. And so today, ill be talking about the household size Waste Program<\/a> and provide some context as it relates to the agreement. And the resolution you have here in front of you. So i would like to kind of start off with a bit of history to better to better understand where this program came from and how it has developed into where it is today. And so, uh, in 1988, uh, the city and county of San Francisco<\/a>, along with recology, open the Permanent Household<\/a> hazardous Waste Collection<\/a> facility that you see here in this picture. It is one of the oldest, if not the First Program<\/a> in the nation and of its kind. And so theres a lot of history to this. And so its funded by the refuse rate. And it was intended to provide a disposal option for household Hazardous Waste<\/a> that didnt belong in the landfill. And it was understood at that time before really anyone else did that. It wasnt until. 1995 where the California Department<\/a> of toxic substance control started regulating facilities that collect this item or collect this category of waste and so one of the regular requirements is that, uh, a local Government Agency<\/a> serves as the operator of the facility. An alternative to that is that the city signs a written agreement with an operator to collect these wastes on behalf of San Francisco<\/a>. Under the current agreement that the city serves as the legal generator of this waste from cradle to grave. Whereas recology serves as the day to day operator of collection and its programs. The current terme uh is five years, and the current agreement uh and is set to expire on march 31st. Um the agreement the current agreement has been updated and reviewed, has been reviewed by a department along with approval from the risk manager and the City Attorney<\/a>. And it we just recently received feedback from recology with their comments. Um, and so next slide and so, um , of course, these items dont belong in the three bin. Uh, and since the facility first opened, theres been a number of programmatic changes. And so i wanted to share them with you tonight as the hw program really is an integral part of the municipal recycling and Solid Waste Management<\/a> infrastructure. The next slide and so i wanted to kind of share some of this programs with you here. We can see the list of collection programs we have available. I talked about the hw facility. It is open thursday friday, saturdays from 8 to 4. Uh we also in 1996. Weve also uh, started partnering with retail Collection Sites<\/a> to collect some of your more common household Hazardous Waste<\/a> items that are less regulated. That allows some of these businesses to collect on our behalf. Uh, currently we have about over 70 fee collection partners, which is quite huge. They range from, um, hard wear stores, uh, paint sites, paint stores, uh, and, and different pharmacies, uh, in San Francisco<\/a>, we also you can find drop off sites by going on our dedicated website sf recycles. Org. Uh, we also have a door to door collection programs where you can schedule an appointment. And we call. You will go out and pick up the waste directly from your home. We understand that, uh, not all san franciscans have access to a vehicle, so it makes sense to have this. And also, i dont think transporting household Hazardous Waste<\/a> on Public Transit<\/a> probably wouldnt be the best idea. Um, we have our curbside and our apartment battery collection programs, which ill dive a bit deeper in my next presentation, but this provides one of the most Convenient Options<\/a> for residents to really recycle their batteries and not listed. Here is our very small quantity generator program, which aims to help Small Businesses<\/a> that generate 27 gallons or less of Hazardous Waste<\/a> per month to qualify for this program, which subsidize, uh, the disposal costs of Hazardous Waste<\/a> to encourage and incentivize businesses to properly dispose of it, as opposed to going with a third party Hazardous Waste<\/a> contractor, which can often be costly and time consuming. Next slide. And so we have this program in place, i think, for obvious reasons, is to protect Public Health<\/a> and safety. We um, if improperly dispose of household Hazardous Waste<\/a> can make its way to the sort line of recology where a lot of these people are sorting these materials are constantly exposed to these materials. So we want to try to minimize that exposure. And im sure youve heard that you can make bonds with, uh, household ingredients. And this is also true with fires that happen at transfer stations. And and recology trucks as the reaction of different chemicals causes fire. Um, and of course, the obvious is that if improperly disposed of, household Hazardous Waste<\/a> can contaminate our soil and ultimately our drinking water. Next slide. And so here i wanted to kind of provide some, some, some figures for you to get a perspective of how much is collected and processed through our program. First, um, these numbers are based on averages. In the past ten years. Um, the past uh, every year we collect roughly 1 Million Pounds<\/a> of household Hazardous Waste<\/a>. This excludes ewaste. Ewaste is about another 1. 5 Million Pounds<\/a> per year. Uh, the program serves 11,000 residents annually. We, uh, based on all of our program aims, uh, collect over 37,000 gallons of household paint. Um, and then also 160,000 pounds of household batteries. And through the vcg program, about another 100,000 pounds. Next slide. And so here on this pie chart it gives you a kind of an idea of the top waste categories that are collected through all of our programs. Uh, in pounds uh paint representing the majority of waste that is collected paint uh, is uh, recycled in the highest and best use a majority of paint that is collected and is perfectly reusable is mixed with light colors, and then bulked into five gallon buckets and given out to the public free of charge. Um and other paint is also mixed, as used as feedstock to manufacture our new paint, and you can also see some of the other collection numbers here. Uh, batteries. Um, we collect roughly 160,000 pounds every year, followed by flammables. Flammable is kind of a broad category gasoline, kerosene, any Flammable Materials<\/a> really. Um, and fluorescent lights and followed by used motor oil. Next slide. Uh, and i just really wanted to wrap up and really reinforce the importance of this program. Its been, uh, around for a while, and we have hopes to expand, uh, Collection Opportunities<\/a> for all san franciscans. Here is a picture of carlos. He is one of three door to door drivers, and you can see the truck thats used to, um, transport and pick up household Hazardous Waste<\/a> and so if you have any questions, im happy to answer them. And thank you for your time. Yes and commissioners, i just want to add one more point of context. That one of the reasons were bringing this to the commission is based on the action taken earlier last year, uh, asking that we bring forward any sort of agreements or contracts with recology to this commission for approval and so this is our process to do so. Well, there are questions or concerns. I have one, uh, brief question. I think its great that the paint that is collected is sort of prepared for use by the public. How does the public find out about whats available . Thats a good question. Its not really actively promoted. A lot of it is word of mouth. Um, i believe its on our website. Uh, but this program has kind of been a bit too successful. Uh, years ago we used to accumulate thousands and thousands of gallons. So much that it can fit in a shipping container. And so it would often be shipped off to another country to use, to paint, to paint communities. But nowadays, i guess its so widely known that it it people kind of take it when it gets built into those five gallon buckets. Uh, commissioner tompkins yeah, just one question again. Its separate from the three bin. Is there any, um, evidence that people are confused that the three bin is not for this purpose . Yes. Um, there there are messages on the black landfill bin describing that a household Hazardous Waste<\/a> do not belong in any of the three bins. We widely, uh, uh, include this in all of our outreach materials and inform residents as much as we could. Uh, yes, commissioner. One more question. So so if theres Hazardous Waste<\/a> that doesnt get into this system and it just goes into the black bin and goes through the extremely sophisticated processing facility that norcal has, is there any way to pluck batteries out of that system . I know the very last thing is human beings are are theyre trying to get the stuff that didnt didnt go into the glass or aluminum or paper. Is that is there any chance of removing Hazardous Waste<\/a> at that point when it enters the landfill bin . The black landfill bin is what youre asking. Its quite difficult at that point to try to remove waste. At that point, there, the recology does, uh, operate a, um, low Checking Program<\/a> where waste that goes through their facilities are sometimes, um, checked if Hazardous Waste<\/a> is improperly disposed of, this is more highly regulated at the public dump where people are tossing stuff that ends up sometimes in landfills. Uh, recology employees will go through it and see if theres any Hazardous Waste<\/a> thats pulled out for batteries. I highly doubt it, because its so small and try to identify it, especially when its in multiple bags. Right . So were doing our best, but there is some Hazardous Waste<\/a> that gets into the landfill. Yes there is. Yes. So seeing no other no other, uh, discussion by commissioners, i think we need a motion to essentially move this resolution forward. Do i have a motion . I move that, we move the resolution forward. All right. We have a motion from commissioner bermejo. A second, a second, a second from commissioner, Vice President<\/a> one. Um, with that, well go to Public Comment<\/a>. Are there any members of the public who wish to comment on this item . All right. And seeing none Public Comment<\/a> on this item is closed. Please call the roll president on a Vice President<\/a>. One eye. Commissioner bermejo, i. Commissioner hunter is excused. Commissioner sullivan i commissioner tompkins i commissioner. Un i with that the resolution passes. So thanks again for your work. Um, with that then next item. All right. The next item is item eight. Update on battery collection programs. The sponsor is paleo toxics reduction. And Healthy Communities<\/a> Program Manager<\/a>. The speaker is hui lei. Residential Toxics Reduction Program<\/a> coordinator. This item is for discussion. I dont think we planned to, you know, give you all the Hazardous Waste<\/a> information in one meeting, but here you go. So im back. You know. Me. Paul ioea, uh, toxic Reduction Program<\/a> manager. And hes going to come back up here and talk about a particular stream of Hazardous Waste<\/a>, which we touched upon a little bit, which is batteries. Um, batteries are an item that almost all of us depend on every single day in one form or another. And all of us eventually must dispose of the city in partnership with recology and several retail drop off sites that we mentioned has established a robust Battery Recycling<\/a> program. So we ensure that these valuable materials are given a new life and we keep them out of the waste stream. Todays presentation will focus on existing collection programs, as well as delve into some of the emerging concerns in battery collection and how we are addressing them. On to you. Hello again yeah, when i was asked to do two presentations tonight, i was like two presentations and a Commission Meeting<\/a>. But ive been in this industry for almost 20 years now, so i should know the program right . Uh. Hello again. We lay San Francisco<\/a> Environment Department<\/a>, and so this presentation is a bit different. It is on San Francisco<\/a>s battery collection program. I know a whole topic just on batteries. Its important. Um, so batteries remains to be a topic of discussion with my team and my counterparts throughout california. Uh, mainly because because the demand for these has risen quite a bit over the past decade. Uh, and technological advances have made batteries more compact and more powerful. And so, of course, theyre becoming more popular. And so, um, pull this out a little bit. So batteries, they contain a number of different chemicals. Theyre corrosive. They contain heavy metals and other chemicals that are a concern and that can contaminate the environment. Paint. Um, and also they potentially pose a fire risk if improperly disposed of. Uh, recycling battery is have many. Oh, yeah. Sorry next slide. Yes. So batteries have many benefits to recycle them. Of course they conserve Natural Resources<\/a> which is important. And a sustainable and circular economy. Theres been a growing market for the secondary materials, uh, from these batteries, particularly lithium and so this really reinforces the importance of really collecting as many as we can and to ensure, uh, batteries are properly collected, we develop probably one of the most convenient disposal programs that you can have. I think. Uh, so next slide. So uh, believe it or not, we have five different ways for you to recycle your batteries. But for the sake of time, ill cover three of them, which represent s, uh, more than 90 of all batteries collected on our programs. Next slide. And so the first one im sure youve heard of is our curbside benchtop batteries, where residents and Single Family<\/a> homes of five units or less and have access to the three bin system can put their batteries in a clear plastic bags and place on top of their black landfill bin on their, uh, recology refuse pickup date. Recology will then pick it up, put it in a separate five gallon bucket, take it back to their transfer station where it is sorted. Uh, according to chemistry and size. And then shipped off to be recycled. And, uh, next slide. This is further reinforced. Uh on a label that has been placed on all black landfill bins as part of a 2017, uh, bin top signage refresh. Next slide. We also for multi family unit buildings that dont have the three bins. Um residents can request their property managers, um, to get a five gallon battery bucket from recology, as you see here. Um, where it is placed in more common, uh, high traffic areas for residents to dispose of their household batteries. Um and when its full, they can call the number on the bucket and recology will go out there and pick it up for them. Next slide. We also have our network of retail Collection Sites<\/a>, which i briefly touched on in the previous presentation. Uh, weve in 96, we partnered with over 70. Well, now we have 70 over 70 retail collection partners from Hardware Stores<\/a> and pharmacies and, um, various other Small Businesses<\/a> to serve as collection points. And with so many sites, of course, you need a site to try to find where these are at. So you can go on our website at sf recycles dot org to find your closest drop off location. Next slide. And so here you can kind of get a breakdown of a distribution of batteries thats collected based on different programs. And so you can see here in green curbside bin top represents the majority of batteries collected followed by our retail collection site. And then our apartment battery bucket at 8. This number in particular apartment battery is something to keep in mind as ill discuss this a bit more in the other slides. Next slide here is a graph to kind of show the collection numbers over for the period of 11 years, from 2012 to 2023. On the x axis and on the y axis is the weight in thousands of pounds collected. And here is just showing that really battery collection has increased over the years. And its, uh, in, in household Hazardous Waste<\/a>. This is one of the only categories that have shown an increase over the years. Uh, as you can see on that trend line there. Next slide. And here, uh, this slide gives you a bit more perspective of how much more batteries we can actually collect. And so on the left, uh, bar, this is the a weight that has been collected in a given year. And on the right side is the weight of batteries sold within San Francisco<\/a>. So, uh, keep in mind that the weight, um, sold is based on the National Adjusted<\/a> for San Francisco<\/a>s population. But theres still quite a bit to do. And collect. Next slide. So what have we done . Or are we doing to help get those numbers up and improve safety collection. And so um, next slide. Uh, in 2018 we launched our first, uh, battery dedicated battery Outreach Campaign<\/a> referred to as help beat battery waste. And so this was based on a 2017 survey, uh, to better understand and the publics behavior around disposing household Hazardous Waste<\/a>. And one of the questions asked was, what about batteries . What do you do with your batteries . And what we found from that survey was that everyone has batteries. Uh, majority of residents understood that batteries dont belong in the black bin. However, the majority of them, um, werent aware of those programs. And so with that information, we launched this battery campaign. Next slide. Um, and so we wanted to create a campaign focusing on two of the most convenient disposal programs, that being the apartment battery bucket. And so with a simple slogan, easy to remember, dont chuck it, bucket it. And next slide. And for the Single Family<\/a> residence, its, um, dont drop it. Top it. I know its very catchy, uh, in reference to our Single Family<\/a> program. Next slide. And so the majority of the batteries ive discussed already focuses on household batteries. So common double a, triple a cd lap top batteries, and some tools. But an emerging category of batteries is are from emobility devices. These are like your electric bikes, your scooters, your onewheel. And so those have become those are becoming quite popular. And so were seeing this category of waste that dont belong in any of our collection programs and pose a bit more of a concern on next slide. And you can go through keep going and keep going. One more. And so here im sure youve seen in the news with fires as has been happening with these ebike batteries. And so as i mentioned it is an emerging issue that were trying to address. Next. Slide one one. Uh uh solution is that call to recycle a Producer Responsibility Organization<\/a> overseeing the collection of batteries partnered with 1418, uh, bike shops to collect ebike batteries. And while that may be a bandaid to the bigger problems, what about some of the other emobility devices . Well recology recently started. Accepting these type of batteries because they understood that if theyre not managed properly, theyre going to end up at recology. And someone could possibly get hurt. And so were slowly, um, figuring out what other methods of collection can we offer to the public. Next slide. So another emerging battery category is vape pens. Uh, theyre quite widely used. Um, however, this poses a number of other concerns as, uh, vape pens can be, um, vape pens also accompany some sort of cartridge, whether that be some nicotine or cannabis. And so cannabis still being a fairly regulated item, its something that we cant as accept due to regulatory requirements. And however, if the cartridge can be removed from the battery itself, the battery can be recycled. Um, and so were looking closely at also solutions to this to this growing issue. So next slide. Oh you can go through those too. Those are kind of news articles on some of the issues related to vape pens. And next slide. So what are we doing to inform residents about some of these programs. And increase safety collection. Uh next up next slide. Um, well, one thing were doing um, is to encourage the use of rechargeable batteries from single use to help minimize our, our waste. And so this was developed, uh, from one of our toxics reductions grant recipients, Bay Area Video Coalition<\/a> coalition. They developed, uh, two psas, one on on toxics cookware, nonstick toxic cookware, and the other being this rechargeable psa. Next slide. Uh, were also currently working with recology on on really . Um getting the message out there on our apartment battery program. Um, as you saw earlier, uh, um, apartment buildings represent only 8 of batteries collected. However, 75 of San Francisco<\/a>s housing is multifamily dwelling units. And also, uh, only about 10 of multifamily buildings participate in our battery collection programs. And so this is huge opportunity for us to target these groups and see if we can get them to participate. Right. Next slide. Um, and lastly, were working with supervisor peskins office. As they are, they drafted a ordinance or legislation on on um, emobility device charging as some of these fires relate to the charging of emobility devices. And so one, uh, component of this legislation is for the department of the environment and to work with the Fire Department<\/a> on developing an Outreach Campaign<\/a> focusing on not just charging, but also the recycling of batteries. Um, and i think thats the last slide. And so thank you again for listening to me ramble on. And im happy to answer any questions. For the multi unit bucket uh, the red bucket thats an opt in. Its not a must like a requirement for multi units to have that. Yeah. Currently it is an option i think we explored the idea of making this a requirement. But there was some roadblocks on trying to move that forward. And how many just out of curiosity how many buckets have been distributed across the city. Do you happen to know ballpark . I dont have a number, but, uh, approximate 10 of all multi family buildings have a battery bucket. Yeah multifamily being two units or more. Whats your i think by definition its more than five units okay. Five units and more. Other questions thoughts. Well thanks for this work. Yeah. Thank you. And, um, i believe we have to go to Public Comment<\/a> one more time on this item. Are there any members of the public who wish to comment on item eight . And seeing none . Public comment on item eight is closed. Well thanks again, hui and, uh, paulie, for your, you know, doing back to back presentations. Owens is an extraordinary feat. I think. Yeah okay. With that next item, please. All right. The next item is item nine. Review and vote on whether to approve the Environment Department<\/a>s budget for fiscal years 20, 24, 25 and 20 2526. The sponsors are tyrone chew, director, and leo chai, deputy director. The speaker is joe salem, finance Program Manager<\/a>. The explanatory document is the Environment Department<\/a> draft budget for fiscal year 2024, 25 and 20 2526. This item is for discussion and possible action. Uh, commissioners, im just going to turn this over to our, uh, chief Administrative Officer<\/a> and deputy director, leo chai, whos going to handle the presentation. But uh, just to set some context, weve said this before at the last full Commission Meeting<\/a> and at the Operations Committee<\/a> meeting, that this is a very difficult and challenging year. Uh, budget wise, for the city. Uh leo is going to go over the exact projections, but theyre projecting almost 1 billion deficit over the budget period. So the city is actively looking for areas of to cut back in order to have a balanced Budget Proposal<\/a>. So leo is going to go over what were what weve been working on since our last Operations Committee<\/a> meeting, where we discussed the item. Great thank you so much. Its great to be here in person. Ann and joe and i will switch off. Um, hell handle a lot of the financial tables. Um, but lets go ahead and look at the agenda slide, please. So well start off with just walking you through the budget process. Um, a lot of you have heard this, um, before, but we just want to make sure everybody in the public is also able to just hear whats happening going forward. Um, well provide a budget summary. Um sharing some of the key numbers and information about grants in our budget. Um, well talk about some of the general Fund Considerations<\/a> that were making. Um, because thats where the central city agencies are focused in terms of the overall all citys budget deficit. Um, and then well talk briefly about the landfill contracting process to give you an update on that, and then talk about next steps. Um, so with that, um, the budget process, um, we can go ahead and progress to the next slide. So its ordinance number 294 dash 19 that prescribes San Francisco<\/a>s budget timetable. So so um, basically theres specific requirements about making sure that we have Public Meetings<\/a> to allow for public input. Um, and that needs to be more than 15 days before the budget is approved. So um, we heard this, um, we got a budget intro last year, and then the first meeting for our official requirements was the Operations Meeting<\/a> that we had in january. And then this is that second meeting. Um, that is for the commission to decide whether to approve moving forward with our Budget Proposal<\/a>. Um, and the dates are here. So um, the meetings must be held by february 14th. Um, joe and i need to make sure that our department gets our submitted budget by february 21st, because theres no extensions. And the comptroller then does some processing and submits its budget to the mayor by march 1st. And then, um, for our subset of the total departments, its may 1st that the mayor submits her proposed budget. So, um, its some departments have a fixed two year budget. Were having we have a rolling two year budget. So each year were looking at two years, but we are part of the group that the mayor will submit a proposal by may 1st. So next slide. Um, yeah. So this is just again, a reminder about our different teams, which i think youve heard about in a range of meetings. And we looked in detail at the specific Program Budgets<\/a> for each of these groups. Um next slide. Um, and then just to recap the mayors instructions to the departments, um, because of the projected 245 million budget shortfall in this coming budget year, um, fiscal year 2024 to 25, and then unchecked, its projected to grow to 554 million by fiscal year 2025, 26. Um the mayors Budget Office<\/a> has asked general Fund Departments<\/a> or departments who receive any general fund to implement the midyear budget cuts that were previously agreed upon to reduce the general fund support by 10, with ongoing savings, and to provide 5 contingency proposals for consideration by the Mayors Office<\/a>. So um, next slide. The for the for our department, the budget instructions translate to a 200,000 reduction in um for each year. Um, the context for that is theyve asked us to focus on maintaining our Core Department<\/a> programs and essential operations. Um and were also responsible for balancing the non general Fund Supported<\/a> parts of our budget, which are the vast majority of our dollars. Um, additionally, um, the Mayors Office<\/a> did come back and ask, um. Uh offer some additional direction to departments just asking us to produce hiring plans. Um to show them what our plans were in terms of, um, when we plan to hire and what positions were holding for attrition in, um, and theyve also asked us for Additional Information<\/a> that will dig into a little bit later. But first, ill hand off to joe to start off our budget summary. Um, and hell share some of the numbers and ill jump in and talk about some of the grants in the middle of that. Okay. Excellent. All right. Thanks uh, good evening, commissioners. Uh, my name is joe salem. I am the budget manager for the San Francisco<\/a> Environment Department<\/a>. Um, so as as some of you may know, the San Francisco<\/a> Environment Department<\/a> has both an annual appropriation ordinance or aau budget, um, as well as an annual operating budget. Uh, the aau budget request is what we deliver to the Mayors Office<\/a>, uh, on february 21st, but the operating budget is a more comprehensive representation of the departments spending plan. Uh essentially, the operating budget takes into consideration the departments entire current projections for revenues and expenditures in any given fiscal year. Uh, whereas the aau budget , uh, only captures new funding that were going to be requesting in a given fiscal year. Uh and we see this illustrated on the slide here. Um, while the aau Budget Proposal<\/a> that will submit to the Mayors Office<\/a> will be approximately 38 million, uh, for fiscal 2025, we anticipate actually utilizing approximately 42 million in this fiscal year. Uh, because of this, i will be focusing on our operating budget tonight as i feel its the best way to provide the most comprehensive and thorough view of the budget process and our spending plan for fiscal 2025. Uh, so looking at the proposed operating, uh, budget summary on the right here, uh, you can see that we do have a modest deficit of about 150,000. Uh, this is mainly due to the mandatory 10 reduction in general fund support that every City Department<\/a>, uh, must incorporate into their budgets. Um while were still determining where these reductions will be made, uh, we are confident that we will be able to submit a balanced budget on february 21st without causing any Service Impacts<\/a> in fiscal 2025. Uh, next slide. Uh, the San Francisco<\/a> Environment Department<\/a> is funded by five sources. Uh, grants, the solid waste impound account fees, inter departmental work orders, and some general fund support, uh, grants and the solid waste impound account continue to be the largest providers of revenue to the department at 40 and 36, respectively. Uh, work orders represent about 8 of our revenue, and general fund support about 4. Fees make up 12 of our revenue, though roughly 10 of that 12 is related to the cigaret litter abatement fee, which does not impact the departments, uh, directly as its a straight pass through to the department of public works and the tax collectors office. Next slide. And with that, ill actually hand it over to ill just take a few of these, um, just we really wanted to emphasize the grants that the department has been actively pursuing. Um, and so this first grant slide just shows the universe of grant rates and funding that weve pursued. Um, and these are the proposals that have been submitted since november of 2022. Um, and so weve requested almost 100 million in grants from a range of sources, including a lot of federal and state monies, but also nonprofits and other, um, opportunities that are out there. Um, next slide. Um, so you can see here that weve been successful at securing just over. 42 million in, in, um, grants and that were projecting to receive another 2. 6 million in formula funding. So, um, while that does require applying for these types of funding, the expectation is that we should receive them. Um, and i think this is also a good example of some of what joe was talking about in terms of trying to see the aau budget versus the operating budget, because, um, for example, the abag 40 million, there is a four year award. So um, we might be spending it at roughly 10 million per year over four years, but it might show up as a larger tranche of money, depending on how we end up budgeting it. So, um, a lot of the time, the grant cycles dont match our fiscal year. Exactly. And are often for 2 or 3 years. Um, next slide. And then here is the inventory of grants and prizes that weve included in the proposed aau budget. And this, um, includes funds that weve secured as well as many funds that are, um, grants that we typically receive each year. And then theres also grants that weve used our judgment to determine that we have a reasonable expectation that we should receive these grants, and were putting them into the budget so that we have the authority to spend. And we do, of course, monitor, so that if we were to budget a grant that we didnt receive, we would just make sure that we would adjust our budget to not have any of the associated spending. But the hope is that well, um, win on these grants going forward. And were continuing to look at this list just to see if theres anything else thats pending that we can add. But right now, this is the comprehensive live universe of what were looking at for the proposed budget. Um, great. Now well let joe finish up with two more budget slides, and then ill jump into a conversation about general fund. Thank you. Uh so when we look at the fiscal 2025 budget against the current fiscal years budget, we can see that theres an increase of almost 10 million year over year, or about 30 for fiscal 2025. Uh this is mainly due to new grants that the department is expecting to utilize in this fiscal year, and thats illustrated by the 83 increase in grant revenue and the 92 increase in nonprofit non personnel services. Uh, on the expenditure side, the grant expenditure increase of 79 is due to a mix of funding from new grant revenue, uh, as well as programmatic increases in the impound and general fund, um, grant expenditures for next fiscal year. Uh, we also see a 20 increase in the services of other City Department<\/a>s. Expenditure which is almost entirely due to the to an increase in the cigaret litter abatement fee for fiscal 2025. Uh, on the revenue side, uh, the increase in other City Department<\/a> sources is made up of incremental increases requested for fiscal 2025 from our partner department, as well as an increase in the utilization of the, uh, uh, fixed lead sf work order, multiyear work order, uh, with the department of Public Health<\/a> and finally, the net increase in general fund support that you see here is due to, uh, a fiscal 2025 add back as well as, uh, a Carry Forward<\/a> of previous, um, general funded add back revenue that we intend to utilize in fiscal 20 for 20 or, excuse me, 25. Uh, next slide please. So every City Department<\/a> is required to submit a two year budget every year. Uh, but because of the nature of our funding and our heavy reliance on grant revenue, its incredibly difficult to accurately forecast a budget for the second fiscal year of our submission. Uh, this is illustrated here. You know, we can see that theres a current deficit for fiscal 25, 26 of over 2. 7 million. Um this large deficit is due to two factors. The first is that the department has not yet secured approximately 1. 4 million of general fund support for fiscal 2026. Um. There we go. The second factor, uh, is that theres several grants that are active in fiscal 2025 that will have concluded before fiscal 2026 starts. And while we have every confidence that we will, you know, cover this gap by the time we submit our, uh fiscal 20, 25, 26, in fiscal 26, 27 budgets, uh, in next year, we, you know, many of those grants, we havent even identified yet much less applied for or, you know, have been awarded the funding. Um, so, you know, this is the reason why we focus primarily on the next fiscal year, uh, when we give these, these presentations, we simply dont have enough information to give an accurate picture of our budget two years out. Um, because of the nature of how we are funded. Uh, next slide. And that goes back to leo. Thank you. Thanks, joe. All right. So um, so general fund is the core conversation that were having right now. And so the mayors Budget Office<\/a> did, um, have requests for our department. So we talked about the reduction of 10 of general fund support, which is equivalent to 200,000 each year. Um, the. One challenge that were having that we talked about at the Operations Committee<\/a> was that the Climate Action<\/a> plan funding was under stood to be an ongoing commitment by the city, and it was funded last year for both, um, fiscal year. 23, 24 for um, and 2425, um, so showing for both years of last years two year budget. But in the base budget this year, the funding in the second year. So 25, 26, um, was not included in our budget. And so you know, i can speculate and guess it could have been some kind of error that was made. But in the Operations Committee<\/a> meeting, i felt that i was confident that the Mayors Office<\/a> was going to restore that funding. And um, unfortunately, in our conversations with the Mayors Office<\/a>, they indicated that this was not something that was unique to us. And that they may or may not have chosen to do that. Um, and so they wanted us to just share with them different scenarios for how we would handle that if they didnt restore that full funding. Um, that was assumed in that second year of the budget. So so they sort of said that theres 18 months and think about how you could try to make do with less. Um so i think for us, um, what im likely to move forward with proposing is assuming that that fund, that funding is continuing as it should be, and actually making those positions permanent , as we were expecting to do. And then based on that, making the 200,000 reduction from that amount. And i think that that would be reasonable received by the Mayors Office<\/a>, although well continue to have conversations with them over the next few weeks. Um, but they do want to know sort of what their options are for other ways to achieve savings. So um, well, ill first just to, to, to meet the reductions for the current year, were looking at, um, you know, whether theres the possibility to shift any, um, staffing costs onto other Funding Sources<\/a>. So if theres grants that are appropriate or possibly, um, shifting some costs onto to our overall operating budget, which has the negative effect of driving up our overhead, which were always trying to get down. But um, thats something that we can look at and are looking at. Um, weve also been working closely with our climate team, talking about the Climate Equity<\/a> hub and the model there. Um, right now theres funds that are with a Community Group<\/a> that they received in the 22, 23 fiscal year. And that funding hasnt been spent down yet, and were still working with them on refining how they use that money. And we think that we may be able to get some savings. Um by bringing some of that work inhouse this coming year. So thats something that were looking at as well to try to get the savings that we need. Um, and then finally, um, will also demonstrate for the Mayors Office<\/a> what what different programmatic impacts would be if they chose not to fully fund the 25, 26 budget . So, i mean, again, with a rolling two year budget, whatever gets established, um, becomes the base for the following year. But of course, it can be revisited, which can work in the departments favor, or it can work against us. So its just something that i think, you know, were all thinking about, um, how to try to stabilize this so that we can get the best commitments possible that the city can, um, support the department in its ongoing work. And so, you know, we really appreciate the commissions thinking on that. Um, so next slide, please. Um, so heres the table again. This is the full array of what the general fund, um, is supporting. And, um, essentially the, the, the Climate Action<\/a> plan piece for 2526. Right now isnt in the system. So thats the main sort of contentious item that were sorting out with them. Um, but well also be looking at this, um, to, to try to find the 200,000 per year reduction in, um, i think i mentioned last time, but just to reiterate, the 50,000 cut we made midyear was ongoing, and will be credited toward the 200,000. So um, were looking at another 150,000 from kind of this range of expenses and that i think we can manage as long as we have the full support in that second year of the budget that, um, so then next i have information about the landfill contracting and just wanting to give an update on that. But before i roll into that, i think if its appropriate, should i see if theres any questions or clarification at this time about the general fund conversation with the Mayors Office<\/a> . Yeah. So if i may just summarize. So the major issue as highlighted by both both joe and leo, is that one roughly 1. 3 million shortfall. Were going to hit in in the second year of this budget process. And so when we had this conversation at the Commission Last<\/a> year and at the board, at budget committee, the understanding was that the positions that were being funded through the general Fund Allocation<\/a> were long terme positions that was part of the rationale that we used, that the building decarbonization work is in aa1 year program or two year program. We need a 20 year ramp to get there. The goal of integrating Racial Equity<\/a> into our work is not a 1 or 2 year program. Its critical to how we advance all of our environmental , justice and Racial Justice<\/a> goals for the entirety of our Climate Action<\/a> plan. And so this has been a little bit of the back and forth weve had with the Mayors Office<\/a>. So so, so to their credit, theyre challenged with a very challenging budget. As i mentioned in the very beginning. So this is not to say , hey, this is unfair because theres a lot of concessions that are going to have to be made. This budget cycle. I think our challenge is while weve shown a tremendous amount of resourcefulness, as shown by the grant slide, in terms of like bringing in dollars into San Francisco<\/a> to fund these positions and Fund Projects<\/a> in the community, we its almost being discounted as well. Keep up with the grants. Even though you dont youre not were not going to give you the positions to actually employ meant the grants which which doesnt work. And that was part of our other argument that we use that theres all of this money for the inflation reduction act. Theres all this funding available, but we need the staff to do the work. It takes a tremendous amount of work to actually apply for the grants. And then even if youre successful in getting the grants, we have to implement the grant to actually be successful in achieving the grant goals. And so were continuing to try to push, uh, for these positions, because without that, i mean, there is no way we have to cover a 1. 4 million shortfall when only 4 of our entire budget comes from the general fund. Right. So that other piece is really important that while a lot of other departments will meet their kind of cuts through attrition, through vacancy fees, theyll say, oh, we wont fill these positions. We dont have that luxury because we only have a very small number of positions that are fully funded through the general fund. And so really what youre saying is if you dont give us funding for these positions, we will have to well be back in that same position another year from now and saying , all of these folks will get laid off, um, which is not fair to the work that were trying to do, but also not fair to the staff, because because it is not fair to the staff that weve hired on thinking that this funding will be ongoing, to have to worry about their job each and every year, because its budgeted that way. And so this is what were faced with right now and what weve tried to present. And so i know theres another item, uh, before the commission, as far as a letter that that you will consider, uh, but those are the points that were also advocating for on our end from the staff side. Um and while we have this staff, the slide up, i will just add one more point, which is the Mayors Office<\/a> did did ask us to, like, pause hiring for new initiatives. And so we were ready to hire the senior Healthy Communities<\/a> coordinator, the 5642 position there. Um, on the toxics team, who youve been hearing from. Um and that work relates to the conversion of landscaping equipment from gas powered to electric. And so, um, i think that this is not an area where we plan to propose, um, reduction in, um, its a required moment that, um, that the its a its a mandate from the city, and its an important area where weve been able to get external money to leverage this and then also, um, weve been able to, um, really identify that it serves the, um, lower income communities that really need the support. And we think that the citys compliance itself will really benefit from us moving forward this program. So were hoping that once we finish those conversations, we can get the go ahead to complete that hiring process and move that forward. But, um, you know, i think its interesting because i feel like i hope i havent been, like, overly harsh about the Mayors Office<\/a>. I think its just they dont have a full, comprehensive balancing solution yet. And so theyre really reluctant to let any options go. But its hard for us to operate it when its like, wait, dont do anything like show us every hire thats going to happen in the next six months. And let us say yes or no to every single thing, because they dont have the bandwidth and, um, it can be a challenge. So i definitely, you know, ive been in their shoes and i can see with their problems, but im hoping that well be able to really just move forward with some clarity and, um, some stability for our teams. Um, so with that, the landscaping, i mean, the landfill contracting piece is just to give you an update on some conversations that weve been having. Um, and there is a related budget piece to it, but its not general fund. Um, so our current landfill contract is expected to expire on july 21st of 2024. Um, its either that date or when we reach 3. 4 million tons disposed, which is currently projected to be reached in october. So thats why were working with that july 21st assumption. Um, the city has the option for contract renewal, which is adding six years or 1. 6 million tons, whichever comes first. And so our estimate is that based on our disposal rate, that it will be the tonnage and that the contract extension would go until november of 2028. So we need to extend that contract. And we need to enter a new contract process. Um, and, and contracting takes a long time. And just for some context, the current con, the current landfill contract took seven years to get finalized. Were hoping to do this in in 3 to 4. Um, i think there were legal challenges last time that were hoping wont arise this time, but another comparison is the municipal refuse collection contracting process. This was started in december of 2021 and has been also really time consuming. And thats been with a lot of direct support from the office, office of contract administer station. Um, and so for this landfill process, based on conversations that um, tys had with our central agencies, with oca and the Controllers Office<\/a> and the Mayors Office<\/a>, um, our department, um, has stepped up and is willing to lead that contracting process. And weve identified that in addition to some contracting dollars that will be needed for consultants, as well as a little bit of work order money to the Planning Department<\/a> for environmental review, we would definitely need an additional position. So were proposing a Senior Administrative<\/a> analyst 1823 job class, um, to be added to help with this administrative piece. Um our new contracts and grants manager, sheila, started today, which im super excited about. Her name is sheila leighton, and shell, um, supervise this function. And so the process is that well be, um, meeting with with, um, all of our, our key elected officials, um, in sequence. But we have talked to the Controllers Office<\/a> and the Mayors Office<\/a> about this, and theyre supportive of us moving forward with this request. But, um, in particular, because we can use, um, impound account dollars that are available for this so it doesnt touch the general fund. And i think we anticipate board support as well. And then well formally go to the refuse rate board to get their approval to do this work. Um, and spend that money, um, before moving forward. So thatll be another complexity that were adding to our budget. Um, but i think its just like technically complex. Its not a like political complexity. At least thats my hope. So um, for next steps. Um, i just wanted to take a little bit of time to just recap what happens after, um, today. So so, um, for our team, well need to finalize the details that relate to the Mayors Office<\/a> instruction related to general fund and well need to reflect that in our departmental proposal to them. Um, well also have to do any forms and narratives that that are, um, required. And look at our fee calculations and all of the usual administrative work that we need to do. Um im also going to make an effort to really try to do some technical cleanup, to do everything we can to make the budget like, progressively more legible and to make it, um, more sort of, uh, like im trying to create some different projects so that we have a little bit more flexibility within projects and how we use funds. So i think that, you know, trying to make those ongoing improvements will be, um, the sort of good part of a budget that involves reducing some funding. Um, i mentioned well incorporate the landfill contracting work, um, which the Mayors Office<\/a> has said they support. So well just work with them on how that would be moved forward. If thats something that we should put in or if they want to do it later. Um, well keep having conversations with our partner departments about the work orders that we have with them. And so weve gotten some firm commitments. And then, um, some conversations that are still pending. Um so for number four, well just refine our staffing and budget details to make sure that were we have a balanced budget. And, um, im also going to just make sure that weve got completely updated revenues and expenditures showing. Our most accurate projections that we can get in, and also showing the correct color of money. Um, and then after that, by the 21st, well get everything into the um, it system. And then well submit our required narratives and forms to the Mayors Office<\/a> and Controllers Office<\/a>. So so, um, with that, um, just to recap, the commissions action for today is you have the option to approve the Environment Department<\/a>s annual appropriations, um, ordinance budget for fiscal year 2024 to 25 and 2526. So with that, im happy to field any other questions with joe and tys help and otherwise. Um, thank you. Uh, commissioner tompkins, i just going back again to the slide where it has the positions for the general fund. Um you indicated that it was the senior Healthy Communities<\/a> coordinator that was yet to be filled, or the all the other positions here already filled as as shown in this exhibit. Um, so for the Climate Action<\/a> plan positions, those 5. 15 um, they, they were all filled the administration in position that person left actually before before i got here and we were waiting to hire for the, um, contracts and grants manager before backfilling that position. So that 18 to 22 right now is, is not filled. Um, but it is in our hiring plan because we do feel like we do strongly need that that function. Um, its always hard like at, you know, when you have a program, its always easier to illustrate, like what that persons doing. But i think having that additional contracting capacity to me is super needed, especially having seen how we dont have any duplication, um, based on the last three months without, um, david, who left our department or. Yes, please. So in reference to the Climate Equity<\/a> hub, it was mentioned that they underspent in that area. Is there any impact or concern that, um, there are goals or efforts would be compromised sized, um, by the underspend . Can we find other efficiencies . Can you give me a little more detail of whats happening there . Yeah. Um, regarding the Climate Equity<\/a> hub, weve been engaged in, like, really open conversations with bayviewhunters Point Community<\/a> advocates, which is the grantee. And so i think weve come to agreement on what money was under spent, what work we want them to focus on some issues theyre having organizationally, too, with being able to meet some of the needs for the Climate Equity<\/a> hub. So i think weve come to a good place in terms of like the reduction and then the efficiencies of shifting some of that funding to fund staff, uh, to support some of the other work. So so were kind of allowing, uh, Community Advocates<\/a> to focus on what they have capacity and also the expertise on in terms of certain components of the Climate Equity<\/a> hub. And then were going to tackle some of the others. And so thats how were gaining the efficiencies that Work Together<\/a> and save some money okay. Great so and just one other question in terms of efficiency, have you looked across to see where um program management, project management discipline bins will yield greater efficiencies. How many i guess im trying to look at how many people in your divisions actually have that competency or training. Um, im trying to make sure i understand your question. So just youre saying, like within each program area, if there are sort of the like the management to ensure that things are happening in a sort of the most efficient way possible and that were not like losing any staff time to waste or any of that. I mean, its hard with a complicated bureaucracy, but i do think that the Program Manager<\/a> is, um, have teams that theyre able to work closely enough with and manage on a day to day basis that they have a good grasp of how their staff are spending their time and advancing their projects. Um, i know that within in the administration group, we want to improve, um, all of our processes that interact with that work. So, for example, if were spending too much time on contract modifications because lets say im working on one right now where theres a contractor who not due to the contractor fault, but they need an additional three months to complete a scope of work. And theres no cost to that. Its just there were some delays that resulted in the one year timeline no longer being feasible. So weve been going through a lot of work to update that contract. And to me, if we can find a way, for example, to build in contingencies or to, to, um, you know, when appropriate it make sure that were checking in with contractors when they fall off schedule to make sure that we dont end up having to do as many contract revisions. I think thats kind of a concrete example. I can see in terms of practices that we have, um, when i talked about the like trying to group things in projects earlier, i think that thats also a tool that can help, um, Program Manager<\/a>s who have more flexible monies have the ability to know that they can move money like from one year on to the next year, for example, with a little bit less uncertainty. So im hoping that thats going to be something that will allow people to plan more transparently and effectively. So thats, you know, those are small things. I mean, ultimately, like, you know, i would i would love to see the citys overall like Global Business<\/a> processes improve. Um, but i think that we can find ways to do more to collaborate with kind of leadership within those departments to make sure that were able to keep our pieces moving and to make sure that were not the bottleneck when theres like, you know, six month processes, that its something that is not stuck with a Program Staff<\/a> member or with the admin team, but is just that were genuinely waiting for a Central Agency<\/a> to complete their review to advance the work. If i might add. Um, you know, its been great having our new deputy director, chief Administrative Officer<\/a>, leo, here in his position. Its been pretty much joe working on his own. Typically with the budget process and seeing the two of them really evaluate, like what improvements we could make within how we do our own Department Budget<\/a> has been wonderful over the last few months. This is only leos first budget. Uh, with the department. So hes this is almost the. Okay, lets get through this budget process and like identify those areas that were going to need to improve going forward. And then also this is giving leo exposure into like where are the areas for improvements. And efficiencies that we need to move forward on in terms of like how were allocating staff for various Funding Sources<\/a> and how were tracking all of that. And i think everything is moving towards the direction of improvement. Um, but weve definitely made some progress over the past two months already. Great. Thank you. Questions, concerns. With that, we probably. Yes, commissioner. Anything we need. We do need a motion to, um, move this budget forward. So with that, is there a motion to approve the budget as presented . A motion to approve. Okay we have a motion from commissioner sullivan, a second from Vice President<\/a> juan. Uh, with that, lets go to Public Comment<\/a> then. Are there any members of the public wish to comment on this item . All right. And seeing none Public Comment<\/a> on this item is closed. Please call the roll president on Vice President<\/a> one. Commissioner bermejo i commissioner hunter is excused. Commissioner sullivan i commissioner tompkins i commissioner. Un i okay with that then you have a budget. Thank you. Uh, leo and joe for your work on this. Uh, with that , well go to the next item then. All right. The next item is item ten. Review and vote on whether to approve a letter regarding ongoing general fund support for Environment Department<\/a> staff and programs. The sponsor is Mike Sullivan<\/a>, commissioner explanata document is the budget letter. This item is for discussion and possible action. I believe commissioner sullivan okay, so, um, this item is about a topic that we heard from, heard about from staff a few moments ago, specifically general fund funding in the amount of about 1. 3 million for five key positions, is focused on implementing our Climate Action<\/a> plan. Uh, last year we made great progress in getting dedicated general fund funding for these positions. And funding is secure through the 2425 budget year. But as we heard from staff a few moments ago, we recently learned that funding for these positions is not assured for the 2526 budget year. If general fund funding is lost for these positions, the consequences are dire. For one thing, we rely on these positions to generate grant funding. Large largely as a result of these positions, as the department has been able to secure grants of nearly 43 million for Climate Action<\/a> priorities. But more generally, we need these positions to help deal with an emergency, which is the Climate Emergency<\/a> that was declared by the city four years ago. In 2019. So this draft letter in our materials is a respectful request to the mayor to fund these positions in the 2526 budget and avoid turning back the clock on San Francisco<\/a>s climate efforts. So ive reviewed the letter myself. I appreciate the text and the tone that it strikes. Uh and at this point, are there any discussion or changes other commissioners might want to make to this letter . Seeing none. Uh, do i have a motion then to approve this letter . I move to approve the letter. We have a motion from commissioner tompkins. I second from commissioner bermejo. And with that, lets go to Public Comment<\/a> again. Are there any members of the public who wish to comment on this item and seeing none Public Comment<\/a> is closed. Uh please call the roll president on. I Vice President<\/a> one. Commissioner bermejo, i commissioner hunter is excused. Commissioner sullivan i commissioner tompkins i commissioner un i. And with that the motion passes. Thank you. Next item. All right. The next item is item 11, directors report. The speaker is tyrone chu, director. The explanatory document is the directors report. This item is for discussion. Uh, so commissioners , uh, this is your more lengthy detail, uh, directors report that you received in your packet. So it goes over a lot more than what im going to cover here. And so encourage you to look at all the great work that the staff have been doing. Uh, over this reporting cycle. Uh a couple of things i do want to pull out and mention, uh, one being the announcement around San Francisco<\/a> climate week. Uh, about three weeks ago, mayor breed announced that we would be having our second, uh, sf climate week between april 21st to the 27th, last year. For the first one, it was much more focused on the private sector and kind of climate, technology and innovation space. Uh, this year were really excited as kind of a department to scale this and really bring in kind of community voices, Community Engagement<\/a> activities. Um, during this week to kind of like bring some energy into the climate space. So were going to be presenting more information as this rolls forward over the next two months. But i encourage all the commissioners, if you have ideas around volunteer opportunities. I look at commissioner un, uh, this is the time to kind of like generate interest because i think its a great opportunity to kind of share across sectors and different groups, uh, to highlight all of the amazing work thats happening in the city and how much work still needs to be done, both on the private sector side, but also within government and the Community Side<\/a> as well. And so i look forward to presenting more information going forward. Uh, also really excited and want to give a lot of credit to our Environmental Education<\/a> team. Uh, thats part of our Community Partnerships<\/a> and engagement program. Uh two weeks ago, two weekends ago, we launched our first inaugural climate youth fellowship program. And so were bringing in youth from all of the various high schools here in the city and bringing them together to work on a climate project for either their school or their community. Uh, get mentored by one of the staff at the department of environment on, you know what, what a career path might look like in the climate, environmental space and then theyre also getting both College Credit<\/a> and a stipend because were partnering with the San Francisco<\/a> unified school district. So weve pulled together this Amazing Program<\/a> that offers, you know, helps propel hopefully, the youth along their journey in, in the environment, space, hopefully, uh, because were going to need that energy from them to actually carry us forward, uh, into another other great announcement from the Community Partnerships<\/a> and engagement team. Uh, we recently announced our request for qualifications for our first Community Engagement<\/a>, uh, kind of proposal. So so weve been hard at work trying to figure out, you know, how do we leave the expertise that exists within all of the Community Based<\/a> organizations and nonprofits that do amazing work within the city . As we look to kind of expand and our our work in various neighborhoods and communities. And so weve put forward our first, uh, rfq for short, uh, to encourage Community Group<\/a>s to apply. And so we can basically create a short list, if you will, that will allow us to move forward with contracting and partnerships with these organizations. And so instead of relying on the goodwill of these, uh, Community Based<\/a> organizations, which are oftentimes stretched very thin, uh, we have a contracting vehicle to partner with them, uh, basically pay for their services that we would be partnering with them on from the department and more importantly, advance kind of the Grassroots Efforts<\/a> were all trying to advance through our Climate Action<\/a> plan. Uh, we continue to make, uh, incremental progress on our reuse ordinance. The Commission Last<\/a> year passed a resolution asking that the department move forward with a reusable ordinance. Uh, i think, uh, hopefully were close to the finish line. I keep saying were close to the finish line, but i think were close to the finish line. Uh, were having some conversations with the Golden Gate Restaurant Association<\/a> on some language tweaks. Uh, hope finally, if all goes well, well be announcing a new policy. Um i dont want to jinx it, so maybe this month. Maybe next month. Uh, thats kind of the discussion were having right now on the final stages of the ordinance. And happy to discuss that in more in more detail. Uh, lastly, i want to highlight the great work of our chief policy and, and Public Affairs<\/a> team led by charles sheehan. Uh, weve had a lot of great coverage in the press recently. Uh, weve been highlighted, uh, for our work with our ebike program and the expansion of our department of energy grant. Uh, we recently had in october, a great piece from kqed around our Healthy Nail Salon Program<\/a> that youve heard about at the Commission Meeting<\/a>. We got a lot of attention over our tree chipping , uh, program for Christmas Tree<\/a>s. After the Christmas Tree<\/a> holidays. Uh, and we have a lot more in the pipeline. And so really want to. Congrats plate the press team for doing amazing work on that front. A couple last things. One, you may have read in the paper around the berkeley lawsuit and the ninth Circuit Court<\/a> of appeals choosing not to rehear the decision. Uh, basically overturning berkeleys rule to restrict natural gas into New Buildings<\/a> in berkeley. Uh, we have been working very closely with our City Attorney<\/a> and department of building inspection, kind of evaluating, kind of tracking the progress. Um, we took a different approach as a reminder, as a city in how we structured our own ordinance. So we saw what was happening in berkeley. We took note in stock and we actually crafted an ordinance that was different. So instead of focusing on the climate benefits in terms of Greenhouse Gas<\/a> reductions, of not using natural gas, uh, we went the direction of really highlighting the Public Health<\/a> and Public Safety<\/a> benefits around not using natural gas in buildings. And so our because of that, our ordinance is structured a little bit differently. Uh, so were continuing and i want to make sure the commission knew were continuing to implement, uh, our natural gas. Uh ban here in San Francisco<\/a>. And we have no plans to stop that. And, um, that is moving forward. And we actually hope to expand that going forward, uh, with major retrofits in the coming months. And so were not stopping. Were continuing to move forward. And a lot of other cities and ourselves are talking over, uh, whats recently happened in berkeley. And every other city weve heard is continuing to move forward with our own natural gas bans. And then finally, i just want to recognize our commissioners, uh, commissioner, on, uh, on out when hes not being a commissioner and not leading, uh, bright line defense is also an amazing artist. And so i really want to recognize and acknowledge, uh, commissioner, on for his work in basically getting published, uh, by penguin books. So i wanted to congratulate him on that. And also, uh, add that his artwork is found in our annual report. Uh, and so we always get the privilege and luck of having commissioner on contribute to that. And so i wanted to call that out, uh, so that when everyone sees it, you get to see it. We really are lucky to have him, uh, and his artwork. And i also wanted to recognize commissioner varejao. Uh, she was named as our Mission Neighborhood<\/a> centers. Helen f chavez legacy award honoree for 2024 for her amazing work in the community and for really championing families and Small Businesses<\/a>. And we all couldnt be happier for her. So i just wanted to end on those two. Acknowledge so congratulations. And that concludes my report. Any other discussions or questions for our director . Uh, yes, commissioner, i have one question relative to the, uh, climate week, and its very timely because i got an email from the Ufw Foundation<\/a> that is seeking to be included in anything we might be doing as they are, uh, promoting a docu series about the impact of Climate Change<\/a> on farmworkers. So ill pass the information on. And anything that i can let them know about how they could be included or know about some of the events would be great. Thank you for that. And if anyone has, uh, similar kind of information or other organizations we want to be partnering with, just please send them my way and well get them in contact with the team and kind of figure out the logistics of it. But weve heard i just had a meeting today with the International Ocean<\/a> film festival. They do a big event in april each year highlighting films around kind of ocean conservation. Then theyre looking also to partner during sf climate week two. So the amount of just interest from people from large organizations, from the state, from the federal government, from others in wanting to take part in this week has been tremendous. Just from the announcement. So i think its going to be a wonderful week, um, full of activities, both from the Community Side<\/a> and from a learning side, because i think theres a lot we can learn from each other. Still id love to connect with some of those students from that new program that you have in partnership with sfusd. I think that would be fantastic. Absolutely absolutely. And then, um, your ordinance, have you considered bringing in department of Public Health<\/a> to help you with that . Because youre going the safety route for the natural gas . Uh great question. We did part Public Health<\/a> is aware of the ordinance, but its been mostly on the seismic safety, uh, aspect. So uh, one of the, the kind of findings is that in a major earthquake, you know, our Natural Gas Pipelines<\/a> will get cut off for months. And this is from the citys own report of, like, what will happen after a major seismic event and so natural gas, while it seems more reliable, the common adage is like, oh, well, if the electricity goes out, i still have my natural gas. Uh, that isnt going to be the case in a major earthquake, because those gas lines will be severed. And while it will take several months, estimated by pga to get those Natural Gas Pipelines<\/a> up, it will be a matter of, you know, a month, hopefully or two to get the electric lines up. And the other thing to remember is all of the new natural Gas Equipment<\/a> and appliances all require Electric City<\/a> now, right . So even if even if theyre all natural gas, the ignition systems are all electricity. So like if the electricity goes out, you still cant use your, your devices. And i think that that is kind of a shift in thinking because back back in the past i remember like, you know, the pilot light, you can go in there, you know, and kind of light the pilot light. You cant do that anymore for, for safety reasons. And so the reliability of natural gas is vastly overstated nowadays. Right have we called for Public Comment<\/a> . I dont believe we have. Right. We have not. Okay. Lets go to Public Comment<\/a> then. Okay are there any members of the public who wish to comment on this item and seeing none Public Comment<\/a> on this item is closed. All right. Next item please. All right. The next item is item 12. Committee reports. This item is for discussion. I believe commissioner sullivan, im a stand in for commissioners juan and hunter who were unable to attend the Operations Committee<\/a> meeting on january 10th. Um, that meeting, we reviewed the departments proposed budget, and we considered Program Priorities<\/a> for the next fiscal year. And there are no Additional Committee<\/a> meetings scheduled at this time. Thank you. Any other discussion . Uh, with that, lets go to Public Comment<\/a> again. Are there any members of the public wish to comment on this item . Okay. And seeing none Public Comment<\/a> is closed. Next item please. All right. The next item is item 13. New business future agenda items. The speaker is charles sheehan, chief policy and Public Affairs<\/a> officer. This item is for discussion. Hello, commissioners. Um, the next Commission Meeting<\/a> is scheduled for march 25th. Um at that Commission Meeting<\/a>, we plan to bring to you an update, um, from the Climate Action<\/a> plan on the implementation of the building operations chapter. We also hope to have a presentation from the Environmental Education<\/a> team, an update on whats going on. Um, with their programing and, and, um, with a little luck, maybe an item on reuse to comment on what our director said for in his committee. Uh his directors report. Um, ill pause to see if anyone has any questions. Well with that, lets go to Public Comment<\/a> again. Are there any members of the public in the room who wish to comment on this item and seeing none . Public comment is closed. Thank you. Charles. Next item. All right. The next item is item 15. Review and vote on whether to approve the commission on the environment 2023 annual report. The speakers kyle wiener, commissioner, officer the explanatory document is the Draft Commission<\/a> on the environment 2023 annual report. This item is for discussion and possible action. Commissioners, just one moment while i pull up the report. Okay, commissioners, as you know, there is a statutory obligation that the commission produce an annual report. The report serves as a record of the commissions activities and achievements over the previous year, and can also help us set the stage for the path ahead. Im going to review the report page by page. If you have any questions, please let me know before we get started. I do want to thank mark nicholas, our Graphic Designer<\/a> on our Outreach Team<\/a> whos helped to create yet another beautifully designed and packaged report for us. So heres the draft of the commissions annual report for 2023. Uh, the structure of the report is somewhat standard from year to year, even as the content evolves. Uh, compared to last years report, we were able to include some more photos from our Commission Meeting<\/a>s and other inperson events, which were quite happy about, something we have continued to struggle with a little bit is that we still dont have a photo of all seven commissioners together. Were still working on that. We may not have one for this years report, but were very confident well have one for next year. Here we have the letter from the Commission President<\/a> for our commission milestones. The recruitment process for the next Department Director<\/a> was a major focus of the Commission Last<\/a> year, and thats highlighted here among the commission milestones for 2023, among the other milestones highlighted here, we detail the commissions focus on capital mutation and the status of key implementing steps. The refuse rate setting process was also a significant focus of the commission. Last year, and thats something we highlight here. We also highlight the department and the commissions new website as well as structural changes intended to make the commission a little more responsive and nimble and efficient with respect to its meeting schedule. All. Here we discuss the work of the commissions committees. Um, and as you know, the commission and its committees transition, transition from a regular meeting schedule to an ad hoc role last year, when the full commission added four additional meetings to its regular meeting calendar. Uh commissioners completed a Demographic Survey<\/a> last year, which is a requirement of our Racial Equity<\/a> action plan. And weve included a summary of the survey results here. We also detail the retirement of commissioners Heather Stephenson<\/a> and johanna wald, who made a cameo for us earlier. And this section recognizes their more than 30 years of combined service on the commission. Uh, here we detail the appointment of our newest commissioners, Angela Tompkins<\/a> and vince yuan, as well as the reappointment of three of our incumbent commissioners as. Year we detail the Environmental Service<\/a> awards conferred by the commission over the previous year. We were pleased to get some nice portraits with some of the recipients. This is the legislative summary for the full commission, including resolutions and reports approved by the commission. So as you can see, it was a busy year in this respect. Um and as part of our commitment to apparency, weve detailed gifts to the department over the 2324 fiscal year that were reviewed by the commission. These gifts were also reported to the board of supervisors and to the comptrollers office. Um and as director ju noted earlier , president on is also, as we like to say, our artist in residence. And were delighted to feature some of his beautiful artwork here once again. So we also appreciate commissioners making some of their photos available. Um, and commissioner on again for providing his artwork and makes the report a little bit more personable and a little more fun and interesting. So thank you for that. Its very meta, as you can see, um, depiction of ourselves. Um, ill pause now and see if there are any questions. Great we are really desperate to get a group photo with everyone in it, so we may have to resort to photoshop if we have to do. I believe we have to move to accept this report. Um, do i have a motion on. Motion yes. Uh, so we have a motion from commissioner wong. Do we have a second . A second, uh, second from commissioner nguyen. Okay. With that, lets go to Public Comment<\/a>, then. Are there any members of the public who wish to comment on this item and seeing none . Public comment is closed. All right. Please call the roll president on Vice President<\/a> juan. Hi commissioner bermejo, i commissioner hunter is excused. Commissioner sullivan i commissioner tompkins i commissioner un i okay with that . The report is approved. Thank you. Kyle uh, next item please. All right. The next item is item 16. Review and vote on whether to approve resolution file 2024, dash zero two, dash zero resolution amending the provisions of the commission on the environment. Bylaws regarding officers meetings of the commission and requests for notes and agendas. The speakers kyle rayner, Commission Affairs<\/a> officer. The explanatory documents are the commission on the environment bylaws and resolution file 2020 402 dash co. This item is for discussion and possible action. Um, so commissioners, we do recommend several technical and administrative and mostly narrow amendments to the bylaws. Um, ill be brief here because the proposed amendments are quite straightforward. Uh, first, we recommend amending article four to clarify the timing of Commission Elections<\/a>. Um, the current uh, language references a regular meeting in january. The full commission, as you know, does not meet in january. So we recommend changing this reference to february, which is when Commission Elections<\/a> have also historically taken place. Um, second, we recommend amending article six to add flexibility to the timing of general Public Comment<\/a> in our Commission Meeting<\/a>s. The current bylaws actually call for general Public Comment<\/a> to appear on the agenda after new business. And we do want to promote accessibility and recommend removing this requirement so as to spare any members of the public who wish to comment on nonagenda items from having to wait until the end of the meeting, and in order to do so. Um, and finally, we recommend amending article eight to remove a requirement that members of the commissions mailing list affirm their preference for staying on that mailing list from year to year. In practice, members of the public asked to be added or removed to the mailing list throughout the year, and we havent had issues. We also dont want to give anyone the impression that theyll be kicked off the mailing list if they dont actively affirm that they want to stay on it. So were hoping to clarify that language a little bit. Um and with that, im happy to take any questions. Any questions, uh, seeing none. Can i have a motion to approve this resolution . Certain move to approve. We have a motion from commissioner sullivan. A second, second, a second from commissioner tompkins. Lets go to Public Comment<\/a>. Are there any members of the public wish to comment and seeing none. Public comment is closed. Please call the roll, mr. Dinan. Aye Vice President<\/a>. Juan. Hi, commissioner bermejo, i commissioner hunter is excused. Commissioner sullivan, i commissioner tompkins, i commissioner un i all right with that this resolution passes so, uh, thanks for this work, kyle. And then we are now moving to the next item. All right. The next item is item 17. Nomination and election of the commission on the environment. President and Vice President<\/a>. This item is for discussion and possible action. Uh, kyle, could you remind us how this process works . Yes. So we will begin with the president and we will accept nominations for this position only following nominations and discussion, there will be Public Comment<\/a> and a vote. Uh, then we will repeat the process for the position of Vice President<\/a> , including nominations, discussion, Public Comment<\/a> and a vote commission. Commissioners can nominate themselves and nominations do not require a second. In order for the commission to vote on a nomination. Um, are there any questions regarding the process for president and Vice President<\/a> . Elections. Okay um, and seeing none through the chair, um, we will now entertain nominations for the position of president. Uh commissioner vermeil, thank you. I would really like to nominate commissioner sarah juan for president of the commission on the environment. For many reasons, but her unwavering commitment to inclusion of communities, especially early when it comes to language access, and we know that. So many people are impacted this proportionately by terrible things that happen with Climate Change<\/a>. And for that in so many reasons, i would like to nominate her for president of the commission. Discussion i im personally very excited about this. Thank you. Uh, Vice President<\/a> juan, for serving faithfully over the last two years now. And again, im excited to step down and see what you potentially do with this. So i just want to add that commissioner juans service on the Operations Committee<\/a> is going to be very important in this upcoming year, when the budget is such a big, big topic for this department. So glad to glad to be supportive of this. Thank you. Any other questions or or um, discussion. With that . I believe we have to, um, call the roll on this. Um, so well do Public Comment<\/a> first. Yes. Thank you. So are there any members of the public who wish to comment on the nomination of commissioner sarah juan for the position of president and seeing none, uh, Public Comment<\/a> on this nomination is closed. All right. Please call the roll then. President on. I a Vice President<\/a>. Juan, i commissioner bermejo i commissioner hunter is excused. Commissioner sullivan i commissioner tompkins i commissioner un i now we have a future president. Congratulations. Can i comment . Yes. Can i comment . I just really want to say really thankful for our president on for your years of work. And i could only do it with your support and also, of course, with all the fellow commissioners, support. And i understand its time for me to step up being on this commission for quite a long time and also work alongside with director joe. So its my great pleasure to take on this. Uh uh, this position. But really, thank you, president ellen, for all your work for many years. I work in Environmental Justice<\/a>. Thank you. Happy to serve alongside you, president juan. And its very sad to see you step down, but i know you stay on so, um, at this point, lets entertain now. Motions for the position of Vice President<\/a>. And is my pleasure to nominate commissioner Mike Sullivan<\/a> for the position of Vice President<\/a>. And your commitment to sfd runs deep and i think with over five years of services on the commission, including as policy Committee Chair<\/a> and Prior Experience<\/a> on rec and Park Commission<\/a> and urban forestry council, your thoughtful us, your passion and collective most important collaborative spirit really are apparent to all and you have literally written the books for San Francisco<\/a>s trees. But your interest and expertise extend far beyond urban forestry and include critical areas such as clean transportation and Energy Efficiency<\/a>. So its really with my great joy and my belief that youll make an excellent Vice President<\/a> and hope everyone will join me in your nomination. Ill say im also very excited about this nomination. So im hoping, uh, myself, as well as fellow colleagues will support our new tirm. Any other discussion . Okay with that . Uh, lets go to Public Comment<\/a>. Okay. Are there any members of the public who wish to comment on the nomination of commissioner Mike Sullivan<\/a> for the position of Vice President<\/a> . Seeing none, well proceed to a vote. Please call the roll then. Um, president juan, i. I, commissioner on i commissioner bermejo. I commissioner hunter is excused. Commissioner sullivan humbly i commissioner tompkins i commissioner un i. And with that the motion passes. Congratulations, Vice President<\/a> sullivan. Next item, please. All right. The next item is item 18. Adjournment. The meeting is adjourned. The time is 7 05 p. M. Thank you for joining us. Thank you music . Happy 30th nonsfgovtv im rap and i want to take a moment to thank you, thank you to sfgovtv and congratulate the staff for reaching the milestone were grateful that sfgovtv work with our commission over the years and provided us with a citywide platform that allows us to highlight and showcase all of the residents what they do im from the great state of arkansas and when i say good morning. Good morning. Welcome to the Homelessness Oversight Commission<\/a> special meeting. We acknowledge that were on the unseeded homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone<\/a> community, and by affirming their soverne rights as first people. And now we turn to our Public Comment<\/a> policy and call the roll. Thank you, chair. Good morning, and thank you for joining us. 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