significant growth here in the city in terms of ridership and we have to make those decisions right now to build the fra infrastructure so we can move people around. the m.t.a., the muni city, literally is one of the most productive systems in terms of per capita resident usage of a transit system in this country next to new york. so if we have 800,000 residents here in the city, 700,000 people ride the system everyday. the very demanding environment. and we need to build for the future and we're taking our capital dollars right now to reinvest, rebuild the system, build more of the system so that we can deal with the population demand and transit demand we see in the future. >> my name is paul simpson. there's a big elephant in the room that no one's commented on. i'm wondering if someone among our esteemed panelists might stand up and respond to this. first of all, i want to say that i appreciate at least stepping in -- ed lee stepping in as the mayor jumped off. we have a situation here where the city takes in $6 billion. it takes in a lot of money. but approximately $1 billion of that are going to employee retirement benefits and current employee benefits. everyon

did the right thing for the city and for muni. chairman nolan: would any other members of the public like to address the board? simenon, public comment is closed. we should have talked about it in there, but in terms of going forward, are we ready to talk about that? >> we might want to ask if it is appropriate. chairman nolan: 2 we have legal counsel here? -- do we have legal counsel here? >> on the advice of counsel, i refuse to answer that question. actually, we will of more on that topic -- >> mr. chair, i do not know if this is permissible, but as a matter of personal privilege, one of our long time unique employees did want to speak -- one of our long time muni employees did want to speak on the items. i do not know if we can reopen the items for public comments. >> do we want to vote on that? [laughter] >> well, he was "ed" when i knew him. >> hello. i am james ryan. u.s. seen some of my group earlier today, -- you have seen some of my group earlier today. i asked you all to think about this. whenever someone has a contract

street in san francisco where downed power wires are forcing them to shut down numerous trains in the city. muni riders are waiting for shuttle buses. we'll see how many muni lines are affected. we'll update you when we get that information. >> in the meantime morgan hill police are hoping that a surveillance video will help them catch two people suspected of taking a vehicle with a baby inside. the vehicle was recovered with the baby unharmed. authorities traced 33 year old mirabell. to the store where they used a credit card talken from the car. the pair can be seen here entering and exiting the store with a small child. the car which the owner left running outside of a food bank. they are believed to be driving a dark toyota camry. thj d 7 2 1. >>> and the state of the california revoked the liquor license for selling alcohol to minors. the agent from the alcoholic beverage control posted a sign on the front of bob's liquor and grocery located on the corner of harrison and 26th street. the convenience store was cited after three violations in a three-year period. the store owner didn't want t

it is bringing common sense into the operations in the city agency, and muni actually has not had a management audit in almost 15 years. that is a long time for an operation of $800 million to go without a management audit. we're now going to the second phase of the audits, which is going to come out very shortly because we do want to look the best practices. i think we also need to look at our investment in the system. part of the problem is a lack of reliability in what we have, whether it is our bosses, what happens -- buses, what happens at some of the stations, the repair areas. there is a sense we are not investing enough capital into the system, which is why, you know, we have trains on the rail. it is important to make the investment. san francisco should have the best public transportation system in the world. and we don't right now. we have the choice of making it better and that will continue to be a big priority for us. >> we are almost out of time, but are there any other issues you would like to talk about during your term as a supervisor? supervisor campos: we are introducing a

the threat of layoffs looms, but the city cannot impose a contract on police and firefighters. they have yet to reach a deal with the city. >> the management of san francisco's muni and the transit workers union agreed on a three-year contract that is expected to save the city $21 million. the deal freezes wages for operators and the old contract guaranteed them the second highest pay in the nation. the rank and file still needs to approve these revisions. >>> guess what, the first day of june will look more like the middle of january. sandhya patel has the forecast. >> that's right. unusually cool and wet for this first week of june. i will be back with the details. >>> -- >> and the power couple caught dining on pizza. >> and a new alert about the safety of cell phones. why scientists are reversing years of reassurance. those stories coming up a bit later on "nightline." >> dan and carolyn, coming up next on "nightline" with housing prices at a new low, is it better to buy or to rent? what some experts may say that will shock you. and could your gas prices >> closed captioning brought to >> closed captioning brought to >>> sarah palin and donald trump shared pi

the metering lights until later on. over to the city. but in the city as laura told you, some delays for the muni lines. the n and j, specifically. the underground lines because of power problems yesterday, they continue today. there will be an over the road bus bridge between embarcadero and church that could cause delays as the commute builds on surface streets. a lighter volume in the city so things are moving relatively close to the normal schedule. check. they tell you about what happened yesterday and we're talking about updates as the morning progresses for the delays. looking through the peninsula, 101 and 280 no problem, down through 92 and the san mateo bridge and over the water on the bridge, an easy drive, the headlights come from the peninsula side. the taillights from 880 on that westbound direction. no delays, good steady flow of traffic off of 880. here 880 past the coliseum, the northbound side with the taillights, the construction cleared at the column seem. it looks like a couple of crews clearing up in downtown oakland. we have a game so keep that in mind. 7:05, fans head over to root which ever team they pref

the muni bus does not go all the way to the end of the line. i am trying to work out how we can actually extend down to daly city. so if you want to get downtown, from my area, you can take the bart it, and then go downtown, and be there within 20 minutes. right now, you take the 14 bus 2 balboa station, and it will take you 40 minutes just to get to balboa station. that is one thing i am looking at, making muni more effective. san francisco, we talk about it being a transit first city, but it does not mean a lot of options for transit are not well thought out in places further from downtown. my district is one place where we need to create better options. >> you mentioned muni and the changes that are happening. what about parking, traffic, is the area safer for pedestrians? >> there is always a lot of work to do with pedestrians. making sure the department of parking and traffic is painting along alemany. along balboa park station, geneva, san jose, pushing hard to get a ramp for pedestrians. right now, it is dangerous to cross the street, especially if you are pushing a stroller or are in a wheelchair. you hav

the city. it is more important than our transit infrastructure, making sure that people can walk, bike to muni, get around the city. let us be frank. a around the city, we have been negligent in maintaining our transit infrastructure. there is plenty of blame to go around, but instead of blaming, we need to look at the future to see how we're going to pay this. as much as i would like to pay this out of our operating and general funds, that is not useful. this problem will keep getting worse unless we take some decisive action to address it now. this is the right way to do it. this is part of the capital plan, a thoughtful bond that will help to address some of these deficiencies in our roads, staircases, sidewalks, the electrification system. so i look forward to working hard to get this passed. looking forward to everyone's support. [applause] >> thank you, scott. we are also joined by two other members of the board, both of whom -- i think they are demonstrating their commitment by being here today. throughout the year, these were two members who were bearer focused on quality of life issues

the bay bridge. good news once these people get in the city muni restored service. keep that in mind so we should see a better flow as well. >> mike gets on facebook quite a bit. i don't know about on your ipad. they are working on a new app for your ipad. scott joins us with more. >> right. there are apps that on your ipad that give you facebook access. there is going to be a much better one. here is one called friendly, it works on the ipad. but "the new york times" reports facebook is working -- >> take a full shot of that. >> one that goes way beyond anything that the current apps do. it looks great, apparently. there's a facebook app for the iphone but soon for the ipad. an official one. disaster for blackberry phone maker research in motion. layoffs, sinking profits, the company is in a spiral. the two ceos, under pressure to resign, maybe be fired. as you know, apple's iphone android rim just can't keep up. shares in pandora fell well below their ipo price on thursday, closing at $12.85. the early investor lost money. the venture capitalists that got in early

. >> a tentative agreement was reached today between the muni transit operators and the city of san franciscolows three months of bargaining. this will save the agency more than $21 million over three years. it does need full union approval. a pay freeze for the operators they will be able to hire 200 part-time workers and it will change some work load including overtime and discipline procedures. the san jose city council propose a 10% reduction in salary and benefits on for-laor --for- labor unions. they have reached an agreement on the concessions with six other unions but are waiting to reach an agreement with the city police officers association [music] >> rain this morning, rain tomorrow morning. by noon, the rain will start to pick up. at the 4:00 hour we have scattered thunderstorms as well. the temperatures are on the cool side. take a look at the extended forecast. tomorrow will not be the end of the rain. thursday will bring us a break from the wet weather. but the returns with a stronger storm, a friday afternoon friday evening into saturday that a particular storm could bring abo

that, i promise to make the city welcome you to -- when you have that degree, to make sure we have the jobs. i am trying to make the city successful. i am trying to make sure muni is on time. but i am also trying to make sure great companies like microsoft, like twitter, like zynga -- all these multimillion- dollar companies about to go public -- i want them to hire you. they will only look at you if you have that degree and that focus. keep this in mind -- other people who did not listen to this and did not know people invested in them -- 27% of those never made it to college. only 27% made it. there is that other 60- something-percent of people that are not thinking they can be successful. so keep your focus and understand all the people that believe in you because we do. no matter what your background is. you can be your own person. and if you are the first in your family, more blessing to you because the other people in your family are looking out for you as well wanting you to succeed. i want you to succeed so bad. i want to make sure that when you finished your first year and are looking for a job, look us up at city hall. we have some internships. we hav

the city. we also have something called the transit effectiveness project in the city which is supposed to remake all of muni's routes and make it run efficiently. they haven't been able to get -- the park is on wait to going through. >> quickly, rachel, what qualities do you think are needed in the next successful muni director? >> someone with thick skin, very politically adept. it's an extremely scrutinized agency. someone who can struggle a lot of balls. you're not running the buses but the whole transportation scene in san francisco. >> thank you very much. i'm sure we'll be sffollowing t story. >>> as global warming, it's affecting the landscape, animals of national parks. including some right here in california. what if anything can be done by the national park service to mitigate the effects of climate change? senior editor craig miller sat down with national parks director jon jarvis to find out. >> jon jarvis, thanks for taking time with us. >> thank you. >> you and i first met last fall up in glacier national park. you were talking to a group of reporters on a creek. and you said the greatest threat

critical that we track the implementation of the work rule changes to insure that these efficiencies and savings occur. muni service has been in everyone's life in the city, and in the limitation is critical, and we cannot just assume it is going to happen. we need to monitor it and hold mta accountable. the resolution will -- is requesting that the m.t.a. board require periodic reporting of the status of implementation of the work rules and corresponding savings that have been achieved, and that report would then be forwarded regularly to the board of supervisors so that we can monitor the work will implementation. i am also calling for a hearing to follow up on a church several months ago. we conducted the hearing, and the mta provided us with a number of ideas for improving service. i would like to hear from mta, and the public would like to hear about the status of those improvements. specifically, i want an tsa and recon park also to be there to talk about the right of way through the lowest part. anyone who has seen the muni right of way through dolores park knows that it is in bad shape, to say the least. there is graffiti. there's all sorts of ot

the geary and b.r.t. -- geary and van ness b.r.t. projects were recommended in muni's vision plan back in 2000 and were recommended as the city's transportation expansion strategy in the 2004 county-wide transportation plan. the authority-led feasibility studies for these projects that were adopted in 2006 and with adoption of those feasibility studies, those boards recommended that the project concept and alternatives be environmentally assessed. right now geary and van ness alternatives are undergoing environmental review. both the geary and van ness projects include a couple core features and the purpose is to provide rapid transit, true rapid transit using rubber-tire vehicles on these two critical corridors that currently lack it. all alternatives do provide a dedicated lane for buses and differentiated further from the current diamond lanes by colored pavement or by a small curve or other clear differentiation. all alternatives include high quality station platforms with level loading. passengers can load and unload the bus through any door and would be able to roll straight on if the passenger is in in a wheelchair or carrying a stroll

but san francisco china town is also home to what some call the most unpleasant bus ride in the city. today munik a major step toward fixing that by approving 2 33 million dollar contract to dig a subway tunnel under china town. is jonathan bloom explains why muni is willing to spend that kind of money. >> pushing and shoving. i don't like it. everyone please try to move down. all the way down towards the back. want to get off use the back door. >> it's pretty bad. almost lake sardine. if really rainy probably be even worse. >> awful. awful. >>reporter: this is a typical ride on one of the many buses that ferry people up and down the 6 blocks of stockton street in china town. standing shoulder to shoulders riders hold on tightly as the bus inches its way down the congested street. the city transportation boar says the prlem igettgorsevery ye. they say the only solution is to take public transit underground. >> you don't want in 30 years from now to be in a city where you can't move. >>reporter: digging a tunnel underneath the street is the longest and most expensive part of an eight year, 1.6 bi

the man accused of killing a san jose woman has confessed. and we are keeping an eye on muni as well, getting through the city may be tough this morning. some delays on some key lines that could affect you. >> for all of your news, weather and traffic check us out on facebook. search nbc bay area morning news, then today in the bay will start on tv in two minutes. >> new this morning, why the man accused of beating giants fan bryan stowe could soon walk out of jail. muni scrambling to get things back on track after a number of line closures. and a live look outside at the beautiful bay bridge on this friday morning. yep, you made to the friday. good for you. june 17th. this is "today in the bay." >> good morning. thanks for joining us. i'm laura garcia-cannon. i said you made to the friday d

that, i promise to make the city welcome you to -- when you have that degree, to make sure we have the jobs. i am trying to make the city successful. i am trying to make sure muni is on time. but i am also trying to make sure great companies like microsoft, like twitter, like zynga -- all these multimillion- dollar companies about to go public -- i want them to hire you. they will only look at you if you have that degree and that focus. keep this in mind -- other people who did not listen to this and did not know people

the city avoid mass lay offs. the city has a projected deficit but the mayor tells the chronicle the city has $47 million more than originally expected. >>> san francisco muni says it could save the agency $21 million over the next three years. the 2,200 operators are scheduled to work next week. muni says the contract would freeze wages and allow for part time workers that could reduce over time. if it's not approved, the dispute could go on to an arbitrator. >>> it seemed more just your spring shower. i want to show you what it looked like when a system crossed over. and we are still on storm watch right now. our chief meteorologist bill martin is in the channel 2 weather center, bill. >> reporter: here's what i'm tracking right now. the low center, that's the rain from today. this is the parent low. it's going to swing offshore tonight and tomorrow. and as it does here you will see its track here. it starts here, and it's wrapping around and it's going to shoo right into the bay area. i'm going to have the latest computer model and track this low center which could bring a few thundershowers our way. we'll so you back here in about 10 minutes. >>> new at

the city avoid mass lay offs. the city has a projected deficit but the mayor tells the chronicle the city has $47 million more than originally expected. >>> san francisco muni says it could save the agency $21 million over the next three years. the 2,200 operators are scheduled to work next week. muni says the contract would freeze wages and allow for part time workers that could reduce over time. if it's not approved, the dispute could go on to an arbitrator. >>> it seemed more just your spring shower. i want to show you what it looked like when a system crossed over. and we are still on storm watch right now. our chief meteorologist bill martin is in the channel 2 weather center, bill. >> reporter: here's what i'm tracking right now. the low center, that's the rain from today. this is the parent low. it's going to swing offshore tonight and tomorrow. and as it does here you will see its track here. it starts here, and it's wrapping around and it's going to shoo right into the bay area. i'm going to have the latest computer model and track this low center which could bring a few thundershowers our way. we'll so you back here in about 10 minutes. >>> new at

the inland east bay. i'll give you a look. >> tonight paycheck punishment facing california legislature after meeting a constitutional deadline. >> backlash at city hall over the embattled munithe settlement he's getting for quitting. >> the bay area swelters tonight under a blistering sun. a live picture here on the hottest day of the year so far. >> we didn't set records but temperatures have been in triple digits. there is a cooling trend not too far off. >> good evening, we turn first to our spencer christian with temperature readings and outlook for tomorrow. >> just as soon as sweltering heat arrives we started to get a cool down. you can see here, showing coast cooling down. there is fog beginning to fill in nooks and crannies. that held temperatures down along the coast. highs into 60s and take a look at this, sizzling heat

the next bus our arrival information is also transmitted to bus shelters around the city equipped with the next bus sign. riders are updated strictly about arrival times. to make this information available, muni has tested push to talk buttons at trial shelters. rider when pushes the button, the text is displayed -- when a rider pushes the button. >> the success of these tests led to the expansion of the program to all stations on the light rail and is part of the new shelter contract, push to talk will be installed. check out the new technology making your right easier every the biggest issue in america today? segregation still exists... racism... the repression and oppression of women the educational system stem cell research homeless people cloning government health care taxation announcer: so, is there anything you're doing to help make a change? i'm not really doin' anything. ummmm [sighs] got me on that one...

city counsel. the injuries are not life threatening. he is proposing a hotel project be built. >>> muni drivers are hold agameting to discuss their contract options. last week they reject adthree year deal that would have frozen wages. that proposal would have saved the city $38 million. a arbitrator has been called in and is expected to make a decision by tomorrow. this is the first contract to be negotiated. >>> muni's most popular line is getting help to ease overcrowding. express bus service was launched this morning. it runs between ocean beach and the financial district. every day 40,000 people use that line and that is 30% of muni's customer. >>> today is the first day of fire season and we already had our first fires and police believe they were diberately set. the first 1:00 p.m. near a homeless camp. the second an hour later a few hundred yards from the first fire. one person is in custody at this hour. ktvu's robert handa spent the day with cal fire today. robert is in morgan hill tonight. >> reporter: remember all the rain we had in the bay area? this is typical of what we a

the next bus our arrival information is also transmitted to bus shelters around the city equipped with the next bus sign. riders are updated strictly about arrival times. to make this information available, muni has tested push to talk buttons at trial shelters. rider when pushes the button, the text is displayed -- when a rider pushes the button. >> the success of these tests led to the expansion of the program to all stations on the light rail and is part of the new shelter contract, push to talk will be installed. check out the new technology making your right easier every day

the street, you only get $1 a piece for those. police estimate they are raking in at least $500 a day. >> that's a big loss to muni and a big loss to city revenue. >> what is muni doing about it? we took that question to the head of security. >> we have under cover officers that are out there that are monitoring this. we have the response team. these folks are doing a great job. >> this continues to be a problem for such a long period of time. >> it's not something that comes up today and we make an arrest tomorrow. it's an on going thing. this particular investigation with these two individuals was a three month process. >> to avoid the problem of counterfight all together, he has been pushing to get rid of paper transfers and switch to the clipper card. it has been an up hill battle. >> this would be change in the way they do business and with change comes problems and issues and a lot of people don't want to change. >> he is hopeful those arrestings will make a difference. >> we have momentum there that we can see this is the problem. >> and hopefully slow the counterfeiting culture that has been so rampant for so long. in san franci

the nasdaq off 66 points. >>> and a san francisco tradition missing tonight from city streets. the buses, the cable cars today as muni shatter shut down all the lines for maintenance. powell is scheduled to be back in operation on monday. the california line has been closed since january but should open by the end of the month. >>> and weather delaying a paving project in marin county. caltrans was supposed to upgrade a six mile stretch but is moving that back now to next week. freeway on and off ramps will be closed during the overnight work once it gets under way. caltrans says it won't close consecutive ramps, and that should help make the detours minimal. >>> and monitoring a tornado, bill what do you have? >> yeah it is the second one, the most current situation in northern california, very similar for what we saw last week, butte county, the tornado warning is dropped. but this one is issued for just southeast of yuba city, the southern end of the system, the earlier -- i'll back it out, you can see the first tornado warning pop out. there it is. as the system develops right outside yuba city, there you get the

the city and outreach organizations warned the residents that encampment would be cleared. city crews spent the day removing brush and trimming trees. >>>muni the arbitrator's decision on the new contract is expected by next tuesday. >>> no decision yet on the fate of menlo park so called granny tree. san francisco public utilities commission is still deciding what to do. we've been following the plythe of the 300-year-old tree. they are still looking at all options. >>> a third day of a scorching heat wave in the eastern third of the country made life miserable for millions of the people. high temperatures set records today. many were in the triple digits. at least seven deaths have been reported. a cold front is bringing cooler temperatures to the northeast along with thunderstorms that caused widespread power outages. it's been three months since the tsunami rolled through the harbor. it cost more than $25 million in damage. the mercury news reports that there aren't enough facilities in monterey bay to handle all the repairs. a repair company has a waiting list of 90 boats. >>> a bay area microclimate resurfaced today with cold conditio