By Christin Evans, HANC Board

As we develop a better understanding of how the virus is spread, health officials are offering guidance to more and more businesses on the ways they can re-open.  On September 14th, hairdressers, nail salons, piercing & tattoo parlors, massage businesses, gymnasiums and fitness studios were all authorized to re-open so long as they followed certain safety guidelines such as the completion of a safety protocol plan, providing masks & hand sanitizer and taking other industry-specific measures to lower the risk of the virus spread. 

However, just because some businesses can re-open, that doesn’t mean they will open.  Small business owners who don’t want to assume the risk for their own health, their employees or their customers may still elect to do business online or outdoors through the city’s Shared Spaces program.

Most businesses have limited the number of customers inside at a time, and placed hand sanitizer throughout their businesses encouraging customers and staff to liberally apply the virus-killing alcohol-based liquid, foam & gel.  Stores have also shortened hours and limited the number of staff working and many customers still elect for curbside pickup even though in store browsing is now an option.

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By Jaime Michaels, HANC Board

On August 18, a combination of extreme conditions, including a heat wave, a dry thunderstorm, and parched landscapes throughout the State, resulted in a series of fires in northern and central California.  To date, almost 800,000 acres have been affected in multiple counties and none of the fires are yet fully contained.  The effects include poor air quality and related impacts on health even for those living away from fire epicenters.  Consequently, local authorities have recommended limiting outdoor activity for individuals with respiratory disease, pregnant women, the elderly, and children. 

For those working or needing to be outside, be aware that you still need to protect yourself from both the bad air and from Covid-19.  This article from UCSF - https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2020/08/418276/what-know-about-wildfire-smoke-and-covid-19 - recommends wearing an N-95 mask and covering up the exhalation valve (N-95 masks with the valve should be reserved for health care workers treating Covid-19).  We understand that disposable KN95 masks (which do not have valves) may be more readily available, but there are some concerns with the KN95 masks—these masks were developed and distributed in China, and some of these masks do not meet expected filtration performance.

Additionally, it is important to understand air quality conditions, which can change dramatically on any given day depending on fire status, immediate weather patterns and topographical features, and one’s proximity to instruments measuring and reporting pollutants using the Air Quality Index (AQI).  Current science-based information on air quality and different levels of risk related to exposure is readily available to the public.  The City of San Francisco hosts one official air monitoring sensor on Potrero Hill, which is operated and maintained by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), and data collected is available at https://www.baaqmd.gov/ .  Although a reliable source of information, reporting times for this sensor do lag throughout the day, and data best reflect conditions at or near the sensor’s location.  (An additional source of information linked to official sensors is https://fire.airnow.gov/ .)

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Early voting for the November election begins outside the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (99 Grove Street)  on October 5.  This is also the date when vote-by-mail ballots will begin to be mailed.  Mail-in ballots can be returned through Election Day, November 3, but we suggest mailing in ballots sooner. 

HANC, as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, cannot endorse candidates.  We can endorse or oppose ballot measures, and have endorsed the following ballot measures:

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By Tes Welborn, HANC President

Prop 15 was put on the ballot by a record-breaking 1.7 million people who believe that wealthy corporations need to pay their fair share.  “For more than 40 years, California has endured a contorted property tax system that punishes home buyers, chills housing construction and rewards businesses who skate by when assessments are set. Proposition 15 would ease the worst of these abuses while protecting homeowners and small businesses.” --SF Chronicle

Californians have seen our schools and universities go from the best in the nation, to quality and spending near the state of Mississippi’s abysmal levels.  Prop 13.

Proposition 13 largely froze homeowner taxes, a boon to many older and/or cash-strapped Californians. Unfortunately, since properties now could only be reassessed upon sale, long-term holders like commercial and industrial land owners could escape reassessment.  They also could structure deals to avoid reassessment. The result: Businesses enjoyed low taxes while new homeowners faced higher taxes. The classic example is that Disneyland pays less property tax than most home owners.

Prop. 15 offers a solution to this unfairness. It calls for splitting the rolls, with residential property staying within the present protections while it sets more timely assessments for large business holdings. The heart of the original law still will protect homeowners from steep tax boosts.

The proposed change may net as much as $6.5 billion to $11.5 billion!  These vast sums would be split 60% for local government and 40% for schools.  For small businesses, it would exempt commercial properties worth $3 million or less.  This helps protect small businesses such as restaurants and stores, often with small profit margins.

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By Karen Fishkin, HANC Board

On the ballot in November is a measure that will open up the possibility of rent control to many housing units that are now off limits.  Newer buildings, single family homes and properties that are vacated could all be rent-protected.  

New construction will have what is being called a "rolling deadline".  Rent control will only come into effect when newly constructed housing turns 15 years of age, giving owners of these buildings those 15 years to make their investments lucrative.  After the 15 years, rent control will keep the rent increases within the reach of ordinary workers and families.

The possibility of vacancy de-control is another important aspect of this measure.  Currently there is no rule that limits how much rent can be charged when one tenant moves out and a new renter moves in, even if the building is currently under rent control. The sky and the market are the limits.  Under Proposition 21, rents could not be increased more than 15% over a three year period.

In California rent issues in our legislature have been tilted towards landlords for many years.  This measure will provide some relief and predictability for workers.  Will it work as hoped for?  We shall see.

By Christin Evans, HANC Board

During September’s HANC general member meeting, Calvin Welch presented his perspective on Prop H and urged the organization to take a “No on H” position.  The Mayor’s Office of Economic & Workforce Development (OEWD)  had made a series of recommendations for loosening land use restrictions and making changes in permitting processes & fees in 2018/19 which then Supervisor Vallie Brown had introduced at the Board of Supervisors.  But failing to gain her colleague’s support, Brown’s legislation was severely trimmed back and was restricted primarily to land zoning and permitted use changes primarily in District 5 alone.  

However, with Prop H, a measure placed on the ballot by the Mayor, we saw many of OEWD’s recommendations re-appear in a sprawling piece of legislation over 90 pages long which allows new uses such as movie theaters, shared office space (WeWork type model) by-right in neighborhood commercial corridors where they previously required a conditional use permit. 

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California Proposition 18 will allow 17-year-olds who will be 18 at the time of the general election to vote in the primary.  Assemblymember Evan Low (Assembly District 28--Campbell, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Monte Sereno, most of Cupertino, and some of San Jose) played a significant role in advancing ACA4/Prop 18, and is a key partner in the Prop 18 campaign.  He discussed the Proposition at our October meeting.

18 States, and the District of Columbia already allow 17-year-olds who will be 18 by the time of the general election to vote in their primaries.  Although there is a "No" on 18 argument by Ruth Weiss, Co-Founder, Election Integrity Project California, John Coupal, President, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, and Larry Sand, Retired Teacher, there is apparently no active "No on 18" campaign, as there had been no donations or expenditures as of September 19.

HANC supports this proposition and agrees with Assemblymember Low that voting is a good habit to encourage in young people.  Voting and civic engagement are habits that can be developed before their lives are disrupted by college, jobs, or travel.  People who learn to vote early tend to be lifelong voters.  Please vote yes on Proposition 18.

By Christin Evans, HANC Board

One of the state measures getting the most attention is Proposition 22, an initiative placed on the November ballot through paid signature gatherers and a campaign funded by ridesharing companies Lyft and Uber and other app-based companies including Postmates, Door Dash and Instacart. At the October 8th meeting of the Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council, Claire Lau, from the No on 22 campaign presented the "No" position and took questions.  We invited the "Yes" side, but they did not send a representative.

Proposition 22 seeks to roll back protections independent contractors received in 2019 from California Assembly bill 5.  The companies who funded the measure seek to reduce the benefits and worker protections their delivery drivers and others critical to their service offering recently received statewide.

Some of the arguments we can expect to hear from the Yes side is that a majority of their workforce prefer independent contractor status because it allows for greater schedule flexibility and control over their schedule.  From the No on 22 perspective, the measure would eliminate the possibility of workers receiving the right to unionize, paid sick leave, workers compensation and unemployment benefits.

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