san francisco is a unique city and our paratransit program reflects this. we have a network of services, including sf access van service, paratransit taxi, including wheelchair accessible ramp taxi and group van which serves groups of individuals going to a single location like a senior center. [music] >> i'm elsa scott and i'm a retired federal employee and i'm a native of san francisco. i use paratransit because, i've been using it for about six years because six years ago i had to start dialysis treatments at cpmc. so i'm very dependent on paratransit three times a week, coming and going.. my current driver is brian berquist.; he's just such a friendly, sort of a teddy bear kind of a guy. i don't know what it is about brian, but all of us old ladies want to feed brian. [music] >> hi, my name is fred lein. i'm most proud of driving a ramp taxi since the beginning of the program in 1994. [music] >> fred, you are the absolute best! thank you fred for providing transportation for me and opening up my social life, and taking care of medical appointments, taki

with its crowded boulevards and massive skyscrapers, it seems awealthy as any city in the world. sao paulo is uniquemong latin american cities. in the early part of t, when places like rio de janeiro copied traditional european styles of construction, sao paulo was following a distinctly american model of urbanism. imitating the forms of chicago and new york, sao paulo built upward,gro. but in a huge ring around ty slies a very different,gro. urban environment. here, stretchingoriles, is a city of self-built structures in various stages of completion. they line hillsides and rocky streets where some of sao paulo's newest immigrants struggo build mes om brick and cen where some of sao paulo's alaide and her family came to sao paulo from northeastern brazil. ( alaide speaking portuguese ) translator: from there my father came first to work. came i as a maid,my motwas amsts narrator:alaide mar, a northeaste mignt ke herse. they coun't afford even mar, the cheapestenthcity, so they decided to bui a home on unclaimed land on the outskirts of sao paulo. they began building this house when their first daug

when we start in a city such as san francisco, we look at what makes the city unique and seek out experiences and personalities and guides for the site that can really tell the city to tourists and locals alike. a couple of examples of the -- there's a passionate street artist in the mission will had offered tours to friends and family and people in the community. he had become an expert. he discovered our platform and is not able -- not only able to monetize and make money to do what he loves that he had already been doing the sharing the expertise and knowledge will be on his own network of family and friends. we have tourists coming from japan and france, and instead of just seeing pier 39, they are also venturing into the mission, spending money at the local readers shop and gaining knowledge about something they have now become passionate about. one other example is a homeless man who lives in the tenderloin at a shelter. him volunteering in the tenderloin. realized that there was a huge opportunity for people to educate themselves about homelessness in san francisco because it is someth

because these are outside elevators -- these are unique to the city. >> and this is going away with the upgrade. >> that is right. none of these will be here. we have retrofitted three elevators so far and now we're doing the outside cars. >> so this is what will be replacing -- >> this will be replacing the generator controller and control system. we are down to about 15 or 20 relays, down from about 100, which means much less maintenance. this thing had been running for about six months now, but we still have eight cars here to do. >> great job. >> we have looked at past the elevators and present. now let's look at the future. we are taking a look at some of the most exciting technologies in elevators. george, tell us about destination elevators. >> this is the technology of the future. probably the biggest single investment in elevators. san francisco has embraced the technology more than any other city in the country. a big advantage with us is passengers get to their floors sooner and there is more opportunity of customization of features for individual service. four issues of secu

what steps should the city be taking to increase the supply of new housing units? >> district seven has a unique opportunity to help the city. we have needs for growth and we need to develop housing and we have an area and park merced that is going to be developed and i think it's a great area to provide density as long as there is the transportation, public transportation is provided and improved upon and district seven is unique because it's a lot of single family homes and people don't want density there. it's part of the ux new how. >> >> >> and it's unique to grow and provide housing. >> all right. >> thank you. what we need to do is increase the density in san francisco but very carefully and incrementally in a way that doesn't destroy the quality of the neighborhoods so we need to work with the planning department and look at those parts of the city to do in fill and projects in district seven or other districts we have sensible models and do housing on transit corridors and retail on the lower flows and don't exceed the height limits in neighborhoods that is not desirable and we have the

you are creating a level of public acceptance, which really kind of unique to the city and i think that's where success lies. * which is you're not bringing in people pulling them by the hair to the table as an obligation. it is something that needs to be done as part of the standard of discussion. part of the strength of where this comes from [speaker not understood]. thank you. >> i want to thank you. this is obviously a lot of use of information you have internally and institutionally, to spit it back out in half an hour or so is a challenge. i think the other item today was very heavy intensive, i want to thank commissioner borden and all of us getting in that mode where we're getting in the judgment, seeing a picture of a project like this. if we can draw a little bit of parallels and maybe in the future take some hard data of your program and overlay it or somebody ends up overlaying it, it gives us a little more definitive how are we doing, how do we rank. i suspect very well by how your eyes lit up when we asked the questions and you had the answers we're doing very well. apples t

city the same day. absolutely outstanding job. that is a very unique and singular situation. america's cup is not a great comparison because it's specific dates. it's not many days a year every year into eternity. and, so, i think this is much more about the structural day-to-day operations of muni. >> thank you. that's where i was going. so, when we did this episodic heavy lift, we learned there are going to be things hard to sustain. why do we not do this kind of service all the time? what are the capital shortcomings of the system that make it hard for us to run the e line and augment the others? what are the operational challenges? because to get a bunch of operators in for a big day is one thing. how do you sustain that, how do you train the drivers in advance? how do you have a graduating class well before the demand? this year a few things given me a greater sense of confidence. we worked on this and did some of the planning at the hunters point shipyard. to procure the streetcars we need, we need them three years in advance of when they should be running. we have to o

and once again, by framing this view, you're really characterizing the drama of this unique spot in the city. this is a later sketch. all of these are still really sketches from where we had hoped and are hoping to provide some direct access to the waterfront for human-powered boating as well as other marine activities as you'll see also in just a moment. this is a detail of the site plan. and just to mention to you, one of the key features here, this plaza that's in between the arena and the retail is actually raised so you'll see a series of ramps and steps leading up to that. and that brings you up to the level of the entrance into the arena and allows for views of the harbor front in a unique way slightly above street level because we want people to be able to see the water from different levels, different perspectives which we think will be exciting. this is a very draft plan of the ground level. one of the things that we'd like to point out is that the northeast corner, you see that sort of empty blue square, that's a multi-use community facility as well as a basketball practice facili

what's unfortunate about all those is the city of san francisco has boycotted participating in those studies. san francisco says, wait a minute we have a unique responsibility here. we're the only city that stores our water in a national park so let's see how we can do better because we don't do a very good job. orange county recycles 30 million gallons of water a day, we recycle zero. we have a great opportunity to guarantee our water future and undo the damage to yosemite national park. >> sean, one point i know is the hydroelectric power generated by that dam, if i remember it's 41 million dollars? do i have my numbers right? >> there are a number of reasons why hetch hetchy is such a benefit to the city, not the least of which is that it produces carbon free public power to the city of san francisco. one of my favorite lines mike just used is this measure is about consolidating from 8 reservoirs to 7. another way to say that is to say this is about draining one of them, the hetch hetchy valley. have other studies said this is feasible? sure, just like tearing down city hall or knocking down the golden gate bridge, that's possible but not

another unique thing that the city is doing in terms of helping our businesses and dealing with capital needs is as a city, sometimes, we implement regulations, and you would think that might require some substantial capital for small businesses to do an understanding that a lot of our very small businesses may not have the capital means to be able to implement those regulations. a new one that has just been implemented is there is the fats, oils, and greece requirements that restaurants are going to need to have for their restaurants, and many businesses may have to install new equipment -- fats, oils, and grease. we parted with opportunity loan fund to help provide a specific program for this new regulation for businesses, and we have also had many businesses experience some drive-by lawsuits, and understanding some of the financial needs in dealing with the losses, making the 88 improvements. again, we partnered with opportunity loan funds to help businesses comply and to deal with their legal needs and with these losses. also, we held businesses understand, if you want to do busines

narrator: each city faces unique situations, so they must determine the asset management approach that best addresses these challenges. inspections can be done with various technologies, often by a robot... or personally by a technician on a bicycle. sensors detect breaks, cracks, and weaknesses in the pipe. man: we have roots at this cap lateral at 79. narrator: tree roots can grow into the pipe, splitting it apart. man: more light roots at 69. narrator: sometimes they may even find fully collapsed sections. after gathering the data, utilities can assess the need for rehabilitation. sinha: you have to choose the rehabilitation technique so that the life of the pipe can be extended 30 years, 40 years, 50 years. allbee: any asset has an optimal investment strategy. if you're making investments in that asset too early, or too late, you're wasting money. it costs about three times as much to fix a system once it's failed. so it's all about finding that right point where the dollars should flow toward that asset. narrator: but finding the funds to evaluate and rebuild these assets is an on

showcases her place on air b&b, an online company that specializes in tour efforts look for unique experiences. >> the city'sstry, tourism, is now being brought into all the neighborhoods throughout the city. >> and that has had a $56 million impact on the san francisco economy. between april, 2011 and may of this year. according to a study commissioned by air b&b. it's also had profound benefits for the 3,000 hosts in san francisco like christina. according to the study, more than half use the money they collect from guests not for splurges, but to make ends meet. >> it helps. i just think it's added a little bit. it has made things a little easier. >> the company currently operates in 30,000 cities worldwide. it launched a new service. it's website offering detailed information on dozens of neighborhoods in seven large cities. the companies is also starting a pilot program in its hometown of san francisco enlisting coffee shops like this one. they serve as pseudoambassadors for travelers. these moves are being closely scrutinized by the traditional hotel industry. >> hotels help visitors coming to the city

city. that's what makes us such a unique organization. it's what -- we've always had such strong support from the city. so, mayor lee, thank you. (applause) >> thank you. thank you, susan and barbara, and thank you all for coming out today on this ribbon cutting on a very, very important center of research. we have never given up on this fight to end aids, and i am so thankful to be working with supervisor scott weaner and supervisor david campos and the board of supervisors. and we have through the budget year in and year out, and particularly this last couple years, where state and federal funds may have been waiting. we stood up and said, we are continuing this fight at the highest level to make sure we fund everything we can to end this aids epidemic. you know, i've been in the city working and the numbers came out. there were 20,000 people that died of this dreaded disease. there were over 20,000 people, more still are suffering from the aids epidemic and we need to find those cures. and, so, today is a delightful day because it is no

her place on air b and b, an online company that specializes in tour efforts look for unique experiences. >> the city'ss now being brought into all the neighborhoods throughout the city. >> and that has had a $56 million impact on the san francisco economy. between april, 2011 and may of this year. according to a study commissioned by air b & b. it's little had profound benefits for the 3,000 hosts in san francisco like christina. according to the study, more than half use the money they collect from guests not for splurges, but to make ends meet. >> it helps. i just think it's added a little bit. it has made things a little easier. >> the company currently operates in 30,000 cities worldwide. it launched a new service. it's website offering detailed information on dozens of neighborhoods in seven large cities. the companies is also starting a pilot program in its hometown of san francisco enlisting coffee shops like this one. they serve as pseudoambassadors for travelers. these moves are being closely scrutinized by the traditional hotel industry. >> hotels help visitors coming to the city. for us the

showcases her place on air b&b, an online company that specializes in tour efforts look for unique experiences. >> the city'sber one industry, tourism, is now being brought into all the neighborhoods throughout the city. >> and that has had a $56 million impact on the san francisco economy. between april, 2011 and may of this year. according to a study commissioned by air b&b. it's also had profound benefits for the 3,000 hosts in san francisco like christina. according to the study, more than half use the money they collect from guests not for splurges, but to make ends meet. >> it helps. i just think it's added a little bit. it has made things a little easier. >> the company currently operates in 30,000 cities worldwide. it launched a new service. it's website offering detailed information on dozens of neighborhoods in seven large cities. the companies is also starting a pilot program in its hometown of san francisco enlisting coffee shops like this one. they serve as pseudoambassadors for travelers. these moves are being closely scrutinized by the traditional hotel industry. >> hotels and air b&b both hel

city. i offer a uniquely fresh perspective and core belief in responsible, practical accountable government. it's not sexy, but it's what we need. professionally i'm a cartographer. san francisco department and the environment, law firms, national park service and many more. i'm a father, a husband, a homeowner. our daughter is a fifth generation san franciscan. my lifelong record of volunteerism is one major way i stand out among the other candidates. while living in the dorms at san francisco state i started and ran the recycling program which reaches over 5,000 campus residents. after moving off campus i delivered thousands of meals for project open hand and tutored literacy to adults. enteredctionv a -- supervisor elsbernd appointed me, i worked with sfpd, play guitar, give blood several times a year, and going over this list, hoping to demonstrate to you my core belief in civic duty and community involvement. i also believe that the next step in my ability to contribute is to help govern as supervisor. now just a few of the many important issues. we are in economic straits and need to

what's unfortunate about all those is the city of san francisco has boycotted participating in those studies. san francisco says, wait a minute we have a unique responsibility here. we're the only city that stores our water in a national park so let's see how we can do better because we don't do a very

what's unfortunate about all those is the city of san francisco has boycotted participating in those studies. san francisco says, wait a minute we have a unique responsibility here. we're the only city that stores our water in a national park so let's see how we can do better because we don't do a very good job. orange county recycles 30 million gallons of water a day, we recycle zero. we have a great opportunity to guarantee our water future and undo the damage to yosemite national park. >> sean, one point i know is the hydroelectric power generated by that dam, if i remember it's 41 million dollars? do i have my numbers right? >> there are a number of reasons why hetch hetchy is such a benefit to the city, not the least of which is that it produces carbon free public

incidents like this in the gulf country as well is series of homemade bombs have exploded as unique capital will ring the city of the nama according to officials at least two people have been told they were asian i'm going one hundred in the country will see hearing from the interior ministry that the blasts happened at two months it is and that at least five dish anation the device it's still used now state television is the fourteenth he said also acts of terror they certainly are the latest in a series of explosions that have a could in kuwait targeting police forces the government has recently stepped up efforts to try and clell these simmering pro democracy demonstrations that have been taking place in the race since early last year and just last week the government announced that it would be no public gatherings and no rallies because it says these were violations or it's great to public safety and this has been condemned by amnesty international which states it is a violation of freedom of speech and freedom of expression what the is interesting is that bomb sent target civilians has launched the until

. >>> daly city has a unique problem with the rain on the way. crews are working to shore up the hillside that clams today with weeks ago because of a broken water main. they are using hay and mesh covering to keep more mud and debris from sliding down the hill. the city manager says they have to restore the hillside before they can repair the broken pipe. >>> gangs may be behind a gilroy drive by shooting. police say someone fired shots into a home on glenview drive around midnight. they also fired at a nearby parked car. according to police there were 8 people in the home during the shooting including a 4-month- old baby. no word if anybody was hit by gunfire. >>> the teen accused in a deadly crime spree in san jose will be in court this afternoon. the boy, adonis mull droe, will be tried as an adult. the 15-year-old faces 8 felony counts including murder and attempted murder of a police officer. police say he and 2 6-year-old jonathan wilbanks robbed some san jose businesses on november 16 killly rory parkpettiford. an officer was also injured