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tv   Mayors Press Availability  SFGTV  December 30, 2023 6:30pm-7:01pm PST

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yourself and be your authentic self and we will always take care of you. >> thank you, everyone. i'm london breed the mayor of san francisco a hero today with so many of our small businesses and we're here and pass at the company and here with the persons in charge of the merchants association with the treatment department i don't, i don't know they're hiding the two people instrumental in working with small businesses
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and working with our night life and entertainment and trying to bring not just a lot more easy to do business in san francisco but a little bit of fun i'm higher to sign the legislation that will make that simple getting to, yes and in fact, ann this or that can tell his story one of the projects that has benefited from proposition a we worked through the changes was regulation and how if you see something, say something are agriculture to commissioner president walton didn't have to do have an architect redo a posting it is saving how much money anthony. >> that's what i'm talking about open farther and provide services and still able to pay taxes we definitely need for to.
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so this is how we need to make sure that businesses grow and i thrive and not 90 to mention first floor one of our first places able to get city fees and permits and other things waved as a way to generate business opportunity in our variation corridors as a result of this program been in existence for two years about the 36 hundred new businesses will have opened in san francisco and excited and proud to be here decide to sign legislation that will change offer one hundred - well, i have to say katie tang came to my office and said all the things yourself been talking about i was upset with cool valley a
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coffee shop wanted to interest to play guitar and add another pop up to sell outside of coffee the process to get live music into their establishment to maybe sell a local persons jewelry in a coffee shop shouldn't be hard as san francisco is in mostly saying in our new model how to say yes to small businesses and, yes to new opportunity and make that easier for people to set up shop as it thrives and be an incredible community access that's why we're hearing sprooimg got the pieces in of the legislation with the board of supervisors and we didn't want to celebrate at city hall but with an example of a business that is not only
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bend but continues to benefit from many of the changes that we introduced and hopefully as i said make your neighborhoods more fun ms. special neighborhood we're 200 if i see sxalg is joining us thank you for being here. and thank you to the other businesses throughout san francisco from the haight from you check up and other are mvrnts came here to provide support? wonderful and we can't just say we port small businesses and then not do anything about it this is doing something about it i'm excited and proud of what we've been able to do. now you or. okay - >> i was going to say talk about the fun parts of legislation. um, but to talk about you know, just a few things how that will benefit others and i know you never
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thought weed see significant changes but not only the head six the merchants and small business owner an k4re789d street welcome ladies and gentlemen. >> (clapping) thank you for making all of us comfortable i'm a little bit nervous um, good morning. i'm sandy lee the president of the small business commission and you know, small business owners are passionate, resourceful and creative people. i opened my shop with my ask his in 2010 and with my family before that. this opportunity to create and business in the neighborhood changed my life as bayview native this in the city but raised my family and fortunate to represent small businesses in
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the richmond districtcy citywide for the past several years and for the whole time i've been here in san francisco, and living in the bayview been proud to call this my home. >> our city it full of initiative people and passionate people today with the new pieces of legislation we will navigate by allowing more businesses to on on the ground floor with consistency and new life into the corridors now if they want to have retail stores social services food or drinks they can i'm excited to see see new ideas and businesses come to life and mayor breed thank you for listening to the meat and bones to share their story you'll find them on the internet and
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definitely during our holiday celebration. and thank you very much for making the dream of opening a business that much more assessable for those who have the dream. thank you. (clapping.) few i'm excited to pass is mic to the vice president of the entertainment commission. >> hey everyone. um, so i was the principle on prop h a few years ago from a document i put together in the mayor's office with unflagging leadership. with incredible published material i realized when i started to advocate for the small businesses in san francisco everyone agrees there are problems but everyone wants a
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simple solution and unfortunately? the result of a hodgepodge of decades of zoning and permitting and fees and legislation all kind of overlapped one another and onion sidewalks and never get to the bottom to undue the red tape instead of a big splash but prop h we're neurology to put in measures into that that or near and dear to my heart that is the night life in san francisco i want to talk about what this new piece of legislation does for night life a big deal more importantly it allows night life to in clubs to restaurants own wine bars to serve wine to avail themselves of 90 day exposed
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permit this is wonky but a big deal while you're waiting for months and months and planning you are paying rent before our opening we need to simply go back to investors and no guarantee you'll get no guarantor they'll approve this is a huge, huge for the businesses and so thrived thank you for that. um, and, secondly, it allows a planning code remedying for 90 like licenses and there are very, very big deal for music venues and allows the venues a lot better chance to have a code for that locally and a lot of things just removed zoning restrictions and wouldn't cloud one person from playing a guitar in the coffee shop. makes
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no worldly sense whatsoever thank you, to the mayor's office in any mind been impact full. >> thank you maggie and katie camping and mayor breed a very, very big deal. thank you. >> i want to introduce anthony strong i come to for the pasta au or you're a skilled chef heat it up and put it together this is anthony. thank you very much. >> (clapping) thanks bear with me, i'm a cook thank you, everyone for coming a big thanks to mayor breed for getting in legislation passed to remove the barriers it is a lot
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of small businesses faced getting on and growing. um, and thanks to prop h i had a notification process i was trying to get a wine and beer permit but thanks i didn't have to spend in excess time and money and hiring and architect and producing plans when construction is not done at small business owners we need to serve our customers and operating our businesses and and we just have to time to spend own requirements that doesn't make sense it is important for the decision markers and the government to continue to removal any of those barriers and courage enterpriseship and encourage thanks things that
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make our community to be fun and grow. we're labor day to something should be done hoping having a pasta supply iso improvements will help in continuing with you're permitting journey so, thank you. >>. (clapping.) easy. you licensed to the folks you make the changes in policies and define the legislation and you get back to your jobs simple the last time we'll see the legislation [off mic.] (laughter.) >> oh, you made some samples. >> 3, 2, 1. >> all right. >> okay. >> let's
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[♪♪♪] >> i just don't know that you can find a neighborhood in the city where you can hear music stands and take a ride on the low rider down the street. it is an experience that you can't have anywhere else in san francisco. [♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> district nine is a in the southeast portion of the city. we have four neighborhoods that i represent. st. mary's park has a completely unique architecture. very distinct feel, and it is a very close to holly park which is another beautiful park in san francisco. the bernal heights district is unique in that we have the hell
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which has one of the best views in all of san francisco. there is a swinging hanging from a tree at the top. it is as if you are swinging over the entire city. there are two unique aspects. it is considered the fourth chinatown in san francisco. sixty% of the residents are of chinese ancestry. the second unique, and fun aspect about this area is it is the garden district. there is a lot of urban agriculture and it was where the city grew the majority of the flowers. not only for san francisco but for the region. and of course, it is the location in mclaren park which is the city's second biggest park after golden gate. many people don't know the neighborhood in the first place if they haven't been there. we call it the best neighborhood nobody has ever heard our. every neighborhood in district nine has a very special aspect. where we are right now is the mission district. the mission district is a very
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special part of our city. you smell the tacos at the [speaking spanish] and they have the best latin pastries. they have these shortbread cookies with caramel in the middle. and then you walk further down and you have sunrise café. it is a place that you come for the incredible food, but also to learn about what is happening in the neighborhood and how you can help and support your community. >> twenty-fourth street is the birthplace of the movement. we have over 620 murals. it is the largest outdoor public gallery in the country and possibly the world. >> you can find so much political engagement park next to so much incredible art. it's another reason why we think this is a cultural district that we must preserve. [♪♪♪] >> it was formed in 2014.
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we had been an organization that had been around for over 20 years. we worked a lot in the neighborhood around life issues. most recently, in 2012, there were issues around gentrification in the neighborhood. so the idea of forming the cultural district was to help preserve the history and the culture that is in this neighborhood for the future of families and generations. >> in the past decade, 8,000 latino residents in the mission district have been displaced from their community. we all know that the rising cost of living in san francisco has led to many people being displaced. lower and middle income all over the city. because it there is richness in this neighborhood that i also mentioned the fact it is flat and so accessible by trip public transportation, has, has made it very popular. >> it's a struggle for us right now, you know, when you get a lot of development coming to an area, a lot of new people coming
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to the area with different sets of values and different culture. there is a lot of struggle between the existing community and the newness coming in. there are some things that we do to try to slow it down so it doesn't completely erase the communities. we try to have developments that is more in tune with the community and more equitable development in the area. >> you need to meet with and gain the support and find out the needs of the neighborhoods. the people on the businesses that came before you. you need to dialogue and show respect. and then figure out how to bring in the new, without displacing the old. [♪♪♪] >> i hope we can reset a lot of the mission that we have lost in the last 20 years. so we will be bringing in a lot of folks into the neighborhoods pick when we do that, there is a demand or, you know, certain types of services that pertain more to the local community and working-class.
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>> back in the day, we looked at mission street, and now it does not look and feel anything like mission street. this is the last stand of the latino concentrated arts, culture and cuisine and people. we created a cultural district to do our best to conserve that feeling. that is what makes our city so cosmopolitan and diverse and makes us the envy of the world. we have these unique neighborhoods with so much cultural presence and learnings, that we want to preserve. [♪♪♪]
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>> i think a lot of times we get in adult lives we are afraid to follow our passions and think life can't be that easy. but i truly do believe i followed my heart this time in my journal in city government i did not know that is where my passion lied. i kept following it and ltd. to great opportunity to serve the city. [music] >> i'm katy tang the executive director of the office of small business. >> small business contributes to san francisco's economy. they provide the bulk of employment in the city and employing a million people in san francisco. and roughly 90% of the businesses are defined as small
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businesses. so, they contribute to the economy but also just the quality of life. small businesses are more then and there a place of transaction it is a community center. a play where people gather. know each other and form memories about the city. >> at the office of mall business i run a team this helps report all mall businesses in san francisco whether they are looking to stfrt a new business or expand or perhaps they are feeling with issues. our office is here as a point of information for anyone with a business that has 100 or nower employees. >> i was growing up i had many ideas of when i wanted to do. i wanted to being an olympic swimmer. and i wanted to men be an architect, you name it i had many ideas for what i wanted do when i grew up.
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and i never anticipated entering in politics. this opportunity came along wh started working for former supervisor carmen chu and she became the district 4 sunset district supervisor. that was my firstent row in politics and government in a different level. and so when i was finishing up my time working for legislative aid i thought, i will go off and do something else. may be explore opportunity outside of city government what was then approached by this opportunity to also serve as a district 4 supervisor. if not the traditional route that many people think of when you enter in politics. a lot know that is manage than i want to do and run for office. that was not part of my culture and upbringing with manage my parents were wondering why i
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wanted to go in that role this legislation and important because so many women when have it return to work after having a child feel embarrassed or don't feel comfortable asking their supervisor for will any lactation accommodations. i saw it as an opportunity you could use the position where you have tools creating legislation and pass laws and where people listen to to you help the community and pass cause catharsis important to the city and individuals. my family immigrated to the united states from taiwan. and they came here in pronl probably late 20's almost 30. and so, they came also in the knowing english limp barely read or write but had to quickly understand english to i can't haveigate services and find a job in america.
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i grew up in the san francisco sunset district i spent most of my childed hoo up until i went off to college. so when i started working in city government, i think i had mixed reactions about my involvement working government because for some of our parents generation, there is i bit of distrust in government. i think there are questions about why i was entering in this field of work. i think you know when i went in city government i thought about my parents like so many other who is have to navigate city services and resources english first language and help the individuals both navigate, intercept that is on an application approximate signage. it is fulfilling to mow to help people like my parent and feel like government is there to support them and not to harm them. my parents are happy that i
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retired early from politics and being a district 4 supervisor i could have continued on for a couple more years approximate decided to leave early. i think that over all they were able to see some of my work appear in the chinese newspaper. through that they were able to see i was able to help communities in a tangible way. >> the member of the board of supervisors. >> transportation authority. for the city and county of san francisco. congratulations. >> i think about one importance when i was worn in as district 4 supervisor. years ago, and someone actually came up to me during the swear nothing ceremony and said, wow, i'm traveling here from canada, and i just i could not believe i saw an asian female worn in in this role a leadership role this meant so much that someone would
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say that and felt they were inspired by the scene. so -- i hope that as more people see people that look like them and more women coming in positions of leadership than i feel they can doing the same. person this inpyred me is carmen chu who is our city add administrator but also was district 4 supervisor when i worked with her as a legislative aid. at this point, i too, was skeptical of going in politics. i saw someone who had herself never seen herself in politics. got thrown into it and put her heart and soul and dedication to serve people. and it gave me the confidence to pursue that same job and i honestly would not have either chosen or accepted or considered serving on the board of supervisors were not for carmen.
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>> if you want to make your business accessible. >> in my role in city government where i have seen the most challenge is people who don't know you and you are here to serve and help them that they classify you as our city government and here to hurt you. so, people will talk to you and -- and just you know treat you disrespectfully. and sometimes i noticed that they might do more to me as a female compared to my male colleagues. but you know i try to be empathetic. one of the most significant barriers to female empowerment we feel like we have to be 100% meeting all of the qualifications before we think that we are qualified to do a job. if we look at a job description or an opportunity to come your way well is self doubt about whether you can fulfill the obligations of that role. i think that the confidence is
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huge and sometimes i think we make up for it by trying to gain more experience. more and more and more in whatever we can put under our belts we'll feel better. that may not be the case. we might be qualified with when we have already accomplished. i started rock climbing indoors a couple years ago as an activity to try to spends time with my husband and also to try something new and i finds that rock climbing there are so many parallels to life. you know when i'm on the wall i'm concentrating and trying to make it to the next piece without falling. there are daying you think i'm not making progress. you come back and wow, i hit another level. and so i feel like in our daily lives and w we think we are not
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making enough of i change in the city. and sometimes we have to take out time to reflect every day as long as you try and give it your all and you look back you will have made a significant contribution there is no limit to where you go in terms of rock climbing. i want to reminds myself of that in terms of daily life. >> follow what it is you are interested in, what makes you feel excited about wake up every day. you never know and be open to all the possibilities and opportunity. [music]
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welcome to the small business commission meeting on december 11th, 2023. the meeting is being called to order at 4:31 p.m. this meeting is being held in person in city hall, room 408 and broadcast live on govtv. the small business commission thinks media services and govtv for televising the meeting, which can be viewed on govtv two or live streamed at sfa tv.org. we welcome the public's participation during public comment periods. there will be an opportunity for general public comment at the end of the meeting and there will be an opportunity to comment on each discussion or action item on the agenda. please note that, starting with today's meeting and moving forward, the commission is discontinue doing remote public comment. there will be special accommodation for individuals who cannot attend in person due to disability. public comment during the meeting is te