Community

City Grants to Green & Beautify Neighborhoods

Published

9 years ago

January 14, 2015

Mayor Edwin M. Lee and City Administrator Naomi Kelly announced $1.2 million in matching Community Challenge Grants to residents, businesses, schools, non-profits and community groups to make neighborhood greening and beautification improvements.

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) also contributed funding for projects with stormwater benefits to the City’s sewer system.

< p>“These are innovative projects that were created and inspired by residents and businesses who will be making improvements to their own neighborhoods,” said Mayor Lee. “Community Challenge Grants help all of San Francisco’s diverse communities improve their streets, parks and schools while enhancing the economic vitality and vibrancy of our city.”

Funding for Community Challenge Grants comes from city businesses that voluntarily designate one percent of their business tax toward Community Challenge Grants. The program is an important tool for communities who want to leverage public and private dollars to undertake neighborhood improvement projects.

“We are allowing the creative ideas generated from grassroots community groups to become reality,” said City Administrator Kelly. “Many of these projects to improve our City’s quality of life and environmental health would never be implemented if not for the Community Challenge Grants program.”

The bulk of the awards are for permeable sidewalk landscaping, public artwork, graffiti and litter abatement, community gardens and gathering spaces, equitably covering all areas of the city.

A portion of Community Challenge Grants are supported by the SFPUC under the Urban Watershed Stewardship Grants. These include sidewalk landscaping, community gardens, and rainwater harvesting systems. SFPUC funded five Urban Watershed Stewardship projects totaling $200,000.

“We’re supporting the growing use of sustainable green technologies in our neighborhoods to wisely manage stormwater,” said SFPUC General Manager Harlan H. Kelly Jr. “As we plan for the effects of climate change, these green stormwater strategies are a key part of our long-term upgrade to the city sewer system.”

This year, Community Challenge Grants partnered with the San Francisco Planning Department to provide resources to community groups, businesses, schools, and nonprofit organizations. The new Community Challenge Grants Market Octavia and the Eastern Neighborhoods Area Plans Pilot Program is geographically focused on projects that create green spaces, gathering places, gardens, mini-parks, public art, and other neighborhood amenities that enhance recreation and open space needs. Market Octavia and the Eastern Neighborhoods, are the focus of this pilot program. The Planning Department funded seven projects totaling $275,771.

“Greening San Francisco streets and creating public spaces for the community to enjoy are long-term investments in our neighborhoods for residents and visitors alike,” said Planning Director John Rahaim. “We are looking forward to working with the Community Challenge Grantees to help provide valuable resources that will continue to enhance neighborhood character and safety.”

For a list of award recipients, go to www.sfmayor.org/index.aspx?recordid=757&page=846

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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

14 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

4 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Published

4 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.