this Quarter - San Francisco Chamber of Commerce

MARCH 2010
VOLUME 1
SPRING
this Quarter
A quarterly publication of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
Jobs Surpasses Homelessness
as City’s Top Issue
2010 CityBeat Poll Reveals Voters want Jobs and New Solutions
San Francisco voters support economic development incentives to create jobs, oppose tax measures and look for new solutions on the issues of
crime and government efficiency, according to the
annual CityBeat poll unveiled at the Chamber’s
2010 meeting and CityBeat Breakfast event on
March 3.
percent say the overall quality of life has become
worse in the past few years.
As the city continues to grapple with its high unemployment rate and a half-a-billion dollar budget
deficit, confidence in San Francisco is declining.
Fifty-one percent of voters feel that things in San
Francisco are on the wrong track. Forty-seven
“It’s time to create paychecks, not pink slips,” said
Chamber President & CEO Steve Falk. “In the year
ahead, the Chamber will champion policies that
put jobs and business growth first.”
The Chamber expressed optimism to a packed
house noting that the new decade marked an opportunity to turn the mood of pessimism around
by growing business, creating jobs and building a
21st century economy.
2010 CITYBEAT POLL
Results
Major issues facing San Francisco 2009
2010
Jobs and the economy
26%
29%
Homelessness and panhandling 35%
28%
The city budget
16%
26%
Muni and public transportation
13%
26%
Education 22%
25%
Crime, drugs and gangs
20%
15%
Home ownership and cost of home 21%
14%
Cleanliness of streets and parks
14%
9%
(continued on p.4)
Giants Season Brings Boost to Economy, Community
As spring training kicks off in Arizona, San
Francisco Giants fans anxiously await the start
of a new baseball season sure to include more
flame-throwing from Tim Lincecum and homers
in the Bay. But baseball fans are not the only
ones happy to usher in this year’s ballgames.
Drawing nearly three million fans a year to AT&T
Park, Giants home games provide a significant
boost to SoMa businesses. Owner and Chef
of MoMo’s Restaurant and Pete’s Tavern, Peter
Osbourne, says this season’s foot traffic will be a
welcome stimulus for neighborhood restaurants,
bars and merchants.
“There is no substitute for 35,000 hungry and
thirsty fans piling into the neighborhood for a
pregame meal or drink,” Osbourne said. “The
Giants are the lifeblood of the local economy, and
the anticipation surrounding this year’s team will
bode well for our business.”
Attracting over 28 million fans since AT&T Park
opened in 2000, there is no doubt that each
Giants season has an enormous economic impact on San Francisco businesses and the overall
economy.
The impact of the Giants, however,
goes far beyond the businesses
south of Market Street. Every year,
the team’s Community Fund supports numerous youth recreation,
health, education and violence prevention programs touching more
than half a million people annually
throughout California.
The Fund’s signature program,
Junior Giants Baseball presented by
Chamber member Bank of America,
provides more than $1 million to 80 junior baseball leagues serving 15,000
young boys and girls statewide. The
team’s partnership with Genentech
raises more than $100,000 each
season based on donations given for each strike
out thrown by a Giant’s pitcher. As the first-ever
professional sports team to host an AIDS benefit
game, the Giants have raised nearly $1.4 million
for Bay Area HIV/AIDS education, services and
research.
(continued on p.5)
NEWSPAPER
San Francisco Business This Quarter
What’s Inside
The Chamber Helping Your Business
This Quarter..................................................... 3
Community Choice Aggregation
(Energy Choice, Without Choice).................. 3
Q&A with San Francisco
Police Chief George Gascón........................... 6
“It is difficult to quantify the magnitude of the
Giant’s total impact on San Francisco communities,” said Wade Rose, Chamber Board Chair
and Vice President of External & Government
Relations for Catholic Healthcare West, whose
company also has a partnership with the Giants
to raise awareness about health and fitness.
“Supporting both our economy and community
235 Montgomery Street, 12th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94104
SAN FRANCISCO BUSINESS THIS QUARTER
If the first quarter of 2010 had a
theme, it would be jobs. Since the
start of the year, political leaders
from San Francisco to Washington,
D.C. have declared employment and
the economy the top priorities. From
Obama’s $2.3 billion tax credit, to
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s employer hiring incentives, to Mayor Newsom’s economic stimulus measures,
proposals to grow business and create jobs are gaining traction.
The Chamber is encouraged not only by the statements of our leaders, but by the sentiment of voters. For the first time in four years,
jobs surpassed homelessness as the city’s top issue, according to
the Chamber’s annual CityBeat poll. Disappointed with the status
quo, voters say they support economic development incentives, oppose tax measures and are ready for change.
Local business has other reasons to be optimistic. Just this quarter,
the Transbay Transit Center train station project was awarded $400
million from the federal stimulus program. Mission Bay won designation as an official California Innovation Hub (iHub) by the State
Business Transportation and Housing Agency. And tenant demand
for office space is slowly increasing in the areas of technology, venture capital, health care and biotech.
The Chamber’s theme in 2010 is CityRising. We believe San
Francisco can rise into the new decade by building a 21st century
economy that puts jobs first, rightsizes government and plans for our
long-term economic prosperity.
As the Chamber continues to champion the voice of business and
voters, we are proud to launch this new publication to help keep you
updated on our success and shed light on the issues and businesses
that are shaping our economy and our communities. We hope you
find it valuable to your business, and that you will join us creating a
prosperous economic future for San Francisco.
Steven B. Falk, President & CEO
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
Page
2 March 2010
Calendar of Events
Want to know what’s coming up at the Chamber this spring?
Visit sfchamber.com to view and register for upcoming events.
Below are some key events you won’t want to miss.
San Francisco Business This Quarter is a publication
of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.
The mission of the Chamber is to attract, develop and retain
business in San Francisco.
To advertise, subscribe or submit story ideas, contact:
Gwen Oldham / 235 Montgomery Street, 12th Flr. /
San Francisco, CA 94104 / 415.352.8839 /
[email protected] / www.sfchamber.com
San Francisco Business This Quarter
Contacting the Chamber
Main Number, 415.392.4520
Customer Service, 415.352.8888
Executive Office, 415.352.8816
Membership, 415.352.8824
Marketing & Programs, 415.352.8821
Communications, 415.352.8839
Bookstore, 415.352.8888
Public Policy, 415.352.8810
Signature Events, 415.352.8858
Leadership San Francisco, 415.352.8826
San Francisco Center for Economic Development, 415.352.8819
Page
Energy Choice,
Without Choice
Your investment in the Chamber helps us build a vibrant economy where businesses can grow and
prosper. Here are a few ways we’ve helped improve San Francisco business this quarter.
San Francisco businesses and residents
may soon be given a new energy choice –
minus the choice – when CleanPowerSF
begins offering its clean energy program.
Authorized by state law, the city plans to
enroll all San Francisco energy customers
in its Community Choice Aggregation (CCA)
program as part of its goal to provide at least
50 percent renewable-energy in the next ten
years.
Chamber joins Mayor Gavin
Newsom, Prosetta President &
CEO Michael Farmer and Supervisor David Chiu to highlight success
of biotech payroll tax credit.
As reported by the SF Weekly, the city’s plan
for cleaner energy is fraught with risk and
puts a burden on individual power users.
Once the program is implemented, all customers who currently purchase their power
from PG&E will automatically become CleanPowerSF customers if they do not opt-out.
If they do not opt-out at the right time, they
must pay a fine of an as-yet-undetermined
amount.
CityTrip
Washintgon, D.C.
Join us in Washington, D.C. – make connections and have your voice heard
on the issues that are important to the quality of life in San Francisco.
THUR | MARCH 18
Business After Hours
Enjoy delicious appetizers, two drink tickets and live music while making
valuable connections with other business professionals in the beautiful
space of the Regency Center.
THUR | APRIL 8
District 9 Neighborhood
Business Summit
The District 9 Neighborhood Business Summit will bring merchants
together with their Supervisor and other city officials to discuss
business concerns, network and obtain valuable information.
MAY 17 to MAY 18
CityState
Sacramento
Join a Chamber delegation in Sacramento where we will meet with our state
leaders and department heads on issues specific to San Francisco and the
business community.
AUG 5 to AUG 12
Australia Trip
Experience the wonders of Australia – Travel with the Chamber on VAustralia
Airlines to Sydney and beyond.
3 March 2010
The Chamber Helping
Your Business
MARCH 14 to MARCH 17
2010 Executive Committee
L. Wade Rose, Chair, Catholic Healthcare West
John Legnitto, Chair-elect, Recology
James Woolwine, Immediate Past Chair, Presidio Bank
Mario Alioto, San Francisco Giants
Pamela Brewster, Charles Schwab
Jeff Campbell, McKesson
Mariann Costello, Scoma’s Restaurant
Shelley Doran, Webcor Builders
Sandra Edwards, Farella Braun & Martel
Steven Falk, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
Tom Hart , Shorenstein Realty Services L.P.
Mary Huss, San Francisco Business Times
Travis Kiyota, Pacific Gas & Electric
Steve Mayer, Burr, Pilger & Mayer
Louis Meunier, Macy’s
Chris Poland, Degenkolb Engineers
Jerry Simmons, Hyatt Regency San Francisco
Loretta Walker, AT&T California
SAN FRANCISCO BUSINESS THIS QUARTER
Chamber partner SFCED worked
with Mayor Newsom to designate
Mission Bay as an official
California Innovation Hub (iHub).
Successfully opposed the
Shadow Ordinance
The Chamber successfully
opposed the Park Sunlight
Protection Ordinance, which
would
have
downsized
downtown and threatened
critical projects such as the
Transbay
Redevelopment
Area. The Chamber worked
with Mayor Gavin Newsom
and Sup. David Chiu to have
the measure pulled from the
June ballot and convene a
Planning Department panel
to update park shadow rules.
Opposed hotel labor stand
hurting city’s economic
vitality
The Chamber loudly opposed
attempts by Unite Here/Local
2 to discourage conferences and conventions from
booking in the city due to
labor negotiations with seven
city hotels. Tarnishing San
Francisco’s image hurts hotels, taxi drivers, caterers, retailers and others businesses
that are part of the city’s $8.5
billion tourism and hospitality
industries.
Supported biotech tax
exemption
The Chamber joined together
with Supervisor Michela
Alioto-Pier to support an
extension of the very successful biotech payroll tax
exemption. The Chamber is
working with the Supervisor’s
office, the Mayor’s office and
industry leaders to ensure
that the ordinance extending
the exemption becomes law
and San Francisco continues
its impressive growth in biotechnology. The exemption
has helped create more than
2,200 life science jobs since
its inception in 2004.
Supported Mission Bay as a
State Innovation Hub
Chamber
partner
San
Francisco
Center
for
Economic
Development
(SFCED) worked in collaboration with Mayor Newsom to
designate Mission Bay as an
official California Innovation
Hub (iHub).
The site will
provide incubator space for
early-state biotech companies, business assistance
and networking supporting
the growth and success of
the biotech industry in South
San Francisco.
Strengthened neighborhood business ties
The Chamber strengthened
business ties in the Marina
and Excelsior Districts by
connecting local merchants
and small business owners with city officials and
service providers as part of
the Neighborhood Business
Summit series. Nearly one
hundred businesses attended this quarter’s summits.
Supported California high
speed rail
The Chamber testified in support of the voter-approved
California High Speed Rail
project, which will connect San Francisco with
Sacramento, Los Angeles
and San Diego. The project,
which is needed to support
the state’s growing population, continues to face scrutiny in Peninsula communities.
Supervisor David Chiu discusses
the Park Sunlight Protection
Ordinance with Chamber members
at SUPES for Lunch.
Worked to repeal Prop. 8
The Chamber was one of the
first business organizations
to sign an amicus brief supporting the federal trial to repeal Proposition 8, the voterapproved ban on same-sex
marriage. Ending marriage
discrimination will improve
the ability of businesses to
recruit and retain talented
employees.
Saved businesses money
through new affiliate partnerships
The Chamber launched new
affiliate partnership programs
designed to help members
save on the bottom-line including free and/or discounted human resources services
from the Employers Group,
search engine optimization
with W-Spider, and payroll
processing with Paychex, Inc.
Highlighted immigrant
contributions to California
The Chamber helped unveil the most recent data on
California immigrants and
their contributions to the
California economy – a net
benefit of approximately
$407 billion in present value
to America’s Social Security
system over the next 50
years.
Partnered with the U.S.
Census Bureau to ensure a
complete count
The Chamber partnered with
the U.S. Census Bureau
and Mayor Newsom to help
achieve a complete and accurate count of our population during the 2010 Census,
which directly affects more
than $400 billion in federal
funding annually.
Stay connected with the Chamber to get updates on member activities, key
public policy developments and upcoming events.
Sign up to receive Action Alerts on hot policy issues at [email protected]
Subscribe to San Francisco Business This Week at [email protected]
Subscribe to the How We See It Blog at [email protected]
Limited information is available about when
customers will be notified and how long they
will have to opt-out. This concerns lawmakers including Supervisor Sean Elsbernd.
–Community
Unknown
Choice
Aggregation does not look
like a choice; it looks like
a government takeover
of electric power in
San Francisco.
Chamber President & CEO
Steve Falk
“Power users all over the city are going to
be sent a little card that says, ‘You’re in CCA
unless you fill this out and send it back,’”
Elsbernd said. “Well, if you’re anything like
me, that card goes straight to the recycling
bin. I think the supporters of CCA realize that
they need to dupe people. They need people
to throw those cards away so they have a
customer base.”
The financial burdens of implementing the
plan will likely fall on ratepayers. According
to a report from the city controller, residential power rates would be 24 percent higher
under CCA than under PG&E. If more-savvy
energy users opt-out of the program, these
costs will ultimately be borne by the city’s
poorest residents, according to the report.
Including revenue bond authority, known
as the H Bond, CCA can also finance new
green power infrastructure with $1 billion
worth of bonds.
“There are too many unknowns,” said Chamber President & CEO Steve Falk. “At this
point, Community Choice Aggregation does
not look like a choice; it looks like a government takeover of electric power in San
Francisco that will have negative effects on
businesses and residential ratepayers.”
The Chamber will continue to track CCA
and keep members informed. To receive
updates from the Chamber on the CCA
program and how to opt-out, email Patricia
Aleman at [email protected] or call
415.352.8841.
SAN FRANCISCO BUSINESS THIS QUARTER
CityBeat Poll Results (continued from p.1)
Voters agree. For the first time in four years,
jobs and the economy surpassed homelessness and panhandling as the top issue
facing San Francisco. The city budget also
ranked among the top three issues, above
education and crime.
Taxes are not the favored solution to the
city’s problems, according to the poll results. In fact, voters oppose every new tax
polled, except the vehicle license fee, which
gained 54 percent approval. A clear majority of voters also opposed utility, sales and
payroll taxes.
Instead, voters indicated they prefer economic development strategies for creating
jobs. Fifty-three percent of voters said they
would support an increase in business license fees to raise money to assist small
business and guarantee economic development. Voters also expressed support for
extending the biotech payroll tax exemption
and creating a new hiring tax credit.
On issues outside the economy, voters are
ready for change. Seventy-one percent say
they would support a sit-lie-style ordinance
that would prohibit individuals from sitting,
lying and harassing pedestrians in busy
neighborhoods at specific times of day. As
thugs on Haight Street continue to make
headlines, the Chamber reaffirmed its support for a sit-lie ordinance in San Francisco.
Ten years after San Francisco moved from
citywide to district elections, voters appear ready for a change at the ballot box by
supporting a hybrid-system of elections in
which seven supervisors are elected from
districts and four citywide.
“As we prepare for two citywide elections
this year, the 2010 CityBeat Poll results are
a good barometer of where voters stand
on the major issues facing our city,” said
Chamber Senior Vice President of Public
Policy Jim Lazarus. “The Chamber looks
forward to working with our civic leaders to
champion the voice of the voters and create
a vibrant economy in the year ahead.”
The CityBeat Poll was conducted among
500 San Francisco voters in February 2010
by David Binder Research for the San
Francisco Chamber of Commerce, with the
support from the Committee on Jobs and
BOMA (Building Owners and Management
Association). Contact, Jim Lazarus at [email protected] or 415.352.8810.
Page
4 March 2010
2010 CITYBEAT POLL
Results
Economic development incentives
Support Oppose
Charter amendment allowing city departments
to contract with private business for specific city
services without approval from the Board of Supervisors if the Controller and Mayor find it will save
the city money
56%
Small increase in business license fees to raise $3M
a year to fund the city’s Small Business Assistance
Center and guarantee funding to expand economic
development
53%
New hiring tax credit allowing employers to avoid
paying payroll taxes on any net new hires for two
years
49%
37%
Extend the seven-year biotech payroll tax exemption
48%
32%
Tax and fee increases
Support 35%
36%
Oppose
A 7% residential utility tax on electricity, gas, water
and phone services
18%
79%
A one-half percent increase in the city sales tax
37%
60%
An increase in the payroll tax from 1.5% to 1.7%
41%
54%
An increase in the parking tax from 25% to 30%
38%
50%
A new fee on downtown business raising revenues
for Muni
44%
50%
Restoring the annual vehicle license fee to 2% of
vehicle value on all cars and trucks registered in
San Francisco
54%
43%
SAN FRANCISCO BUSINESS THIS QUARTER
Stand Up and
Be Counted!
Census data is vital to San Francisco businesses and communities – used to apportion Congress, distribute
more than $400 billion in federal funds and help government, businesses and researchers understand America’s
changing population.
The Chamber encourages you to stand up and be counted! Complete your 2010 Census questionnaire and
return it by April 1, Census Day.
5 March 2010
San Francisco Celebrates Small
Business Contributions
Chamber’s Grand Expo will be a Big Night for Small Business
Small businesses are gearing up for Small
Business Week May 17-23. The annual week-long
observance saluting the contributions of small
business includes local celebrations across the nation and culminating with the U.S. Small Business
Administration (SBA) Small Business Awards in
Washington, D.C.
“Small businesses are driving our economy,”
President Barack Obama said during last year’s
national Small Business Week event. “And small
businesses don’t just strengthen our economy –
they also strengthen our communities.”
From neighborhood merchant sidewalk sales, to
Flavors of San Francisco, to commercial corridor
mixers, to professional development programs,
to this year’s Women Innovators Panel featuring
Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the 2010 San Francisco
Small Business Week is packed with activities and
events to recognize the significant contributions
small businesses make to the city’s economic
vitality.
The Chamber is celebrating Small Business Week
with the 7th Annual Business After Hours Grand
Expo on Thursday, May 20, 5:30-8:30pm at AT&T
Park. Providing members with an event to showcase their businesses and products, this exposition-scale trade show is expected to attract more
than 1,500 attendees from companies of all sizes
from across the Bay Area.
“The Chamber’s Grand Expo is the perfect way to
celebrate Small Business Week,” said Chamber
Marketing Director, Nadia Chan. “Providing everything a company needs to showcase their business,
the Grand Expo makes it easy for small businesses
to make an impression on new customers and build
business relationships.”
The 2010 Grand Expo will include more than 150
small business members from restaurants, retail
stores, consultants, realtors, health care providers, web designers, wineries and more exhibiting
on six foot draped tabletops. City departments
and nonprofit business organizations will also be
in attendance offering information, resources and
services to small businesses.
San Francisco Small Business Week is produced
in collaboration with the San Francisco Office of
Small Business, the SBA, the Council of District
Merchants and businesses throughout San
Francisco. For more information on Small Business
Week and to reserve space at the 2010 Grand
Expo, contact Maya Lewis at mlewis@sfchamber.
com or 415.352.8840 by April 15.
Giants (continued from p.1)
organizations, the San Francisco Giants Baseball
Club is an outstanding corporate citizen for San
Francisco – a true expression of the community.”
The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with the U.S. Census Bureau to help achieve a
complete and accurate count of our population during the 2010 Census.
Page
Already the first Major League Baseball (MLB) park
to install a solar system generating enough energy
to power over 5,200 San Francisco homes, this year
the Giants are working in partnership with Chamber
member PG&E to make AT&T Park the first ballpark
to receive Leadership in Energy and Environment
Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green
Building Council. The park’s recycling and composting program is diverting 40 percent of its waste
from landfills, and its water conservation efforts are
expected to see a 33 – 50 percent drop in irrigation
water use this year.
“San Francisco is more than just home to our team,”
said San Francisco Giants Baseball Club President
Larry Baer. “It’s our business and our community.
We’re proud to invest in San Francisco and will continue to push the limits of bettering our community.”
Junior Giants Baseball supports 80 junior baseball
leagues serving 15,000 youth statewide.
Highlights of the
Giants’ 2010 Season!
•
A trio of season-high nine-game homestands
(April 23-May 2, May 25-June 2 and Aug.
23-Sept. 1) and four-contest showdowns
against New York-NL (July 15-18), Florida (July
26-29) and Chicago-NL (Aug. 9-12).
•
A six-game homestand in June that includes,
a weekend series against the Boston Red Sox
on June 25-27, followed by a three-game set
against their So-Cal rivals, the Los Angeles
Dodgers (June 28-30).
•
Giants face Los Angeles three times at AT&T
Park June 28-30, July 30-Aug. 1 and Sept.
14-16.
•
Thirteen home weekends in all, beginning
with the home opener against Atlanta on
April 9 and concluding with a final three-game
series of 2010 against Padres.
•
Home game on Memorial Day (Monday, May
31 vs. Colorado).
Business Strengthening Neighborhood Ties
District 2 and District 9 Neighborhood Business Summits Spotlight Community Issues
From parking and permitting, to graffiti and
vandalism, to economic development, businesses
in District 2 and District 9 joined together this
quarter to discuss the issues most pressing in each
of the communities. The two events were attended
by nearly 100 local merchants and businesses
through the Chamber’s Neighborhood Business
Summits, formerly known as Neighborhood
Merchants Summits.
Now in their third year, Neighborhood Business
Summits are also a must-attend event for city
officials and small business resource providers
Supervisor John
Avalos speaks with
Chamber Board
Chair-Elect John
Legnitto of
Recology at the
District 11
Neighborhood
Business Summit.
seeking to connect with local businesses.
Supervisor John Avalos chose the District 11
Summit in the Excelsior to announce that he would
schedule a hearing on Mayor Gavin Newsom’s
much-anticipated economic stimulus measures to
promote jobs and business growth.
“Small business is the backbone of San Francisco’s
economy,” said Chamber President & CEO Steve
Falk. “Neighborhood Business Summits provide
an opportunity for small businesses to connect
with fellow merchants, the Chamber and our city
leaders.”
Local businesses agree. Since the series began,
nine percent more Chamber members believe
that the Chamber is more relevant to the business
community, and five percent say that we are more
effective small business advocates than ever
before.
Hosted in collaboration with the area’s district
supervisor and local merchant associations, each
two-hour Summit includes participation from
experts, who spotlight best practice programs
successful in other areas such as Community
Benefit Districts, Commercial Lease Negotiation
Strategies, Shop Local initiatives and more.
“The subject matter for discussion at the
neighborhood meetings is selected in collaboration
with neighborhood businesses to ensure that
the agenda reflects the neighborhood’s areas of
interest,” says Chamber Vice President of Public
Policy, Rob Black.
The next Neighborhood Business Summit is
scheduled for April 8 in District 9 with Supervisor
David Campos. All Summits are hosted in
partnership with the Office of Small Business,
the Board of Supervisors and area merchant
associations.
Support for the Summits is
provided by PG&E, Recology and AT&T. For
more information on how to become involved in
an upcoming Neighborhood Business Summit,
contact Paula Zamudio at pzamudio@sfchamber.
com 415.352.8818.
SAN FRANCISCO BUSINESS THIS QUARTER
Page
6 March 2010
San Francisco Police Chief George Gascón
The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce speaks
with elected and appointed officials on issues affecting the business community. This quarter, we
speak with newly-appointed San Francisco Police
Chief George Gascón about public safety in the city
and his visions for reducing crime and managing the
San Francisco Police Department (SFPD).
Joining the SFPD in August 2009, Gascón previously served as Chief of Police in Mesa, Arizona and
with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) for
nearly 30 years. Gascón is known for his expertise
in police accountability, training and management.
A published author, his articles on police training
and COMPSTAT, Gascón frequently shares his philosophy with law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Now in San Francisco for six months, what is
your impression of city law enforcement, and
what do you see as the greatest areas of opportunity and challenge?
I believe I have been provided a great police department to lead. I am impressed with the talent, commitment, and performance of members throughout
the department. With the re-organization I initiated
last November, I believe we have put in place a more
efficient and effective departmental organization. I
will continue to re-assess the Department’s structure to ensure that such changes as may be needed
are made to continue addressing the issues of
crime and disorder on the streets of San Francisco
and bring about the reductions I know are possible.
You are known for your COMPSTAT approach to
crime reduction and quality of life improvement.
What tactics will you employ in San Francisco
to solve problems, reduce crime and improve
communities?
We implemented COMPSTAT meetings back in
October and are holding them on a bi-weekly basis. COMPSTAT allows for enhanced management
accountability and gives each commanding officer
the opportunity to discuss what are the problems
in their area and what they are doing about them.
COMPSTAT is designed to help decision-makers
focus on hot spots to bring about effective problem
solving and crime control. COMPSTAT is a nationally recognized model that, I am happy to report,
has been embraced by Department members and
will be a key tool in achieving our goal of making San Francisco the safest big city in America.
Street bullies continue to intimidate businesses
and residents in Haight-Ashbury. Do you support
a “sit/lie” ordinance to cite individuals who block
sidewalks and intimidate pedestrians?
I very much support a “sit/lie” ordinance. “Sit/lie”
laws have been enacted in many municipalities
and have proven quite useful. Such an ordinance
here in San Francisco would be limited in scope,
and crafted to target those individuals who are impairing the quality of life and inspiring fear in different areas of our city. Existing laws do not give
officers what the proposed ordinance would, specifically the ability to cite, when appropriate, those
persons who are negatively impacting the public’s
right to walk our city streets without interference
or intimidation. It is time to restore some balance
to the situation that exists and the “sit/lie” ordinance I envision would do just that. I should add
that I believe the majority of San Franciscans share
this view and would welcome such an ordinance.
How can businesses have a positive impact on
law enforcement efforts in San Francisco?
Businesses need to increase the partnership with
the Department to ensure maximum two-way communication. We need to hear the concerns and
suggestions of business people and they need
to gain a better understanding of our business
model. Working together we can accomplish our
shared goals and bring about real improvements
throughout our city. Involvement runs the gamut
from reporting observed problems to 311 or 911,
as appropriate, to active engagement with
station captains at community forums or as
participating members of community police
advisory boards. Simply reading the Captain’s
newsletters is a positive action as it helps one
learn more about crimes that are occurring in
the district and what one can do to be safer in
one’s business or neighborhood. All involvement is welcomed and contributes to making
our city a better place to live, work, and visit.
SAN FRANCISCO BUSINESS THIS QUARTER
Anniversaries
The Chamber Welcomes the Following New Members
The Chamber congratulates and thanks the
following companies that as of this quarter
have been Chamber members for…
AEG Live (Regency Center, Warfield)
www.aeglive.com
DataSafe, Inc.
www.datasafe.com
Above & Beyond Catering
www.abovecatering.com
Decorative Plant Service Inc.
(Interior & Exterior Landscapers)
www.decorative.com
Access Information Management
www.accesscorp.com
Accuchex
www.accuchex.com
Advantage West Midlands
www.thewestmidlandsregion.co.uk
Allies Computing Ltd. Address Management
www.postcoder.com
– Unknown
San Francisco Police Chief
George Gascón
Your success is no longer the question. Succession is.
To explore your options, call Burr Pilger Mayer, the largest
California-based accounting and business consulting firm.
We have vast experience in business valuations, transfers,
sales and exit strategies. We’ll help you reap the rewards
of your labor.
Cure your financial insomnia. The experts at BPM can help.
www.bpmcpa.com
San Francisco
San Jose
Palo Alto
Walnut Creek
Novato
Santa Rosa
Tell us what’s keeping you up at night.
Call for a free expert consultation: 866-805-6312
20 Years
Mastech Inc.
www.mastech.com
M Squared Consulting, Inc.
Sokoloff Art & Framing
Westfield San Francisco Centre
Epi Center MedSpa
www.skinrejuv.com
Fang Da USA
The Foot and Ankle Institute of
San Francisco
www.faisf.com
Friedman Fleischer & Lowe
www.fflpartners.com
Global Corporate Challenge
www.gettheworldmoving.com
Elizabeth Greigg
Matarozzi/Pelsinger Builders, Inc.
www.matpelbuilders.com
Victor Mayo - Video Technology
www.infaith.acnrep.com
Academy of Art University
Immendorf & Company Investigations
Workforce Solutions
Mike’s Liquors
www.mikesliquors.com
Shoky Monfared
Nelson Staffing
www.nelsonstaffing.com
New Dawn Eating Disorders
Recovery Center
www.newdawnrecovery.com
Oliver Wyman
www.oliverwyman.com
One Big Man & One Big Truck
Moving Co. Inc.
www.onebigman.com
Bonora D’Andrea,
LLC Trial Consultants
www.bonoradandrea.com
HPA Strategies, Inc.
www.hpastrategies.com
Payne & Fears LLP
www.paynefears.com
Heights Properties
www.heights-properties.com
Pendergast & Associates
CBBC Global LLC
www.cbbcglobal.org
Law Offices of John T. Hendricks
www.johnhendrickslaw.com
Hobbs Chiropractic
www.hobbschiropractic.com
California Realty & Land Inc.
Imperial Chauffeur Services
www.limos7.com
Calistoga Spa Hot Springs
www.calistogaspa.com
INSTUDIO
www.instudio-sf.com
Michael A. Camarena
The Integrated Marketing Group
www.TheIntegratedMarketingGroup.com
Cheryl Burke Dance Studios
www.cherylburkedance.com
China Unicom Americas
www.unicomamericas.com
Cirque Du Soleil
www.cirquedusoleil.com
DWS BVHP Real Estate &
Notary Services (Public Relations/
Community Outreach)
www.dwsbvhprealestate.com
DAL Global Services LLC
www.dalgs.com
D’Ancona & Co. Consulting
www.danconare.com
Dare To Wear
www.wholesalefashionplus.com
International Museum of Women
www.imow.org
Russell Reynolds Associates, Inc.
15 Years
Kathleen Alden Guthrie - Copywriter
www.kathleen-ink.com
Buchalter Nemer
www.buchalter.com
30 Years
Bill Mattle - RPM Mortgage, Inc.
www.rpm-mtg.com/wmattle
BlackRock
www.blackrock.com
Chase
www.chase.com
What keeps you up at night?
Kim Makoi, DC
www.drkimsf.com
FiberTower Corporation
www.fibertower.com
Casto Travel Inc.
www.casto.com
“Twenty years I’ve
had this business.
Where’s the payoff?”
Elative Marketing, a New Media
Marketing & Design Firm
www.elativemarketing.com
Ansin Consulting Group
Consulate General of Brazil
www.brazilsf.org/secomsf
Haas Brothers
MadeGreen Video LLC
www.madegreenvideo.com
Law Offices of Daniel Feder
www.dfederlaw.com
Billboard Connection
www.billboardconnection-sf.com
35 Years
East Midlands Development Agency
www.englandseastmidlands.com
American Legion Post 911
www.legionpost911.org
Best Western Bayshore Inn
www.bwbayshoreinn.com
MH Architects
www.matthollis.com
MacCorkle Insurance Service
www.maccorkle.com
Farmers Insurance Group The Drew Hershey Agency
www.drewhershey.com
Barnes Mosher Whitehurst
Lauter & Partners
www.bmwlandpartners.com MCM, Marketing & Business
Strategies
www.mcmmktg.com
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
www.drinkerbiddle.com
American Beverage Association
www.ameribev.org
Aunt Ann’s Home Care
www.auntannshomecare.com
I thank the San Francisco business
community for its support, for its
contributions to our local economy
and culture, and I look forward to a
long and productive relationship
with you all.
7 March 2010
New Members
Alchemist Media, Inc.
SEO & Internet Marketing Services
www.alchemistmedia.com
San Francisco Police Chief George Gascón
Page
People 1st
www.people1st.com
Pete’s Tavern
www.petestavernsf.com
Pfizer Pharmaceuticals
www.pfizer.com
Plant Construction Company, L.P.
www.plantconstructioncompany.com
PurposeWorks, LLC
www.purposeworksllc.com
Razorfish
www.razorfish.com
Jackson Lewis LLP
www.jacksonlewis.com
Recharge Onsite Mobile Massage, Yoga, Ergonomics
www.rechargeonsite.com
Jewish Community Center
www.jccsf.org/privateevents
ReTargeter
www.retargeter.com
thejobmouse.com
www.thejobmouse.com
Robert Oatley Vineyards
www.robertoatley.com
The Journey Church
www.journeysf.com
Rosenblum Cellars
www.rosenblumcellars.com
Kaplan Education
www.kaplan.com
Rubissow
www.rubissowwines.com
La Boulange Catering
www.laboulangecatering.com
Lewis Ames - SFMTA
www.sfmta.com
Harrison Lazarus Advisors, Inc.
www.harrisonlazarus.com
Sandler Training
www.stokes.sandler.com
Lucky Supermarkets
www.luckysupermarkets.com
Sims Recycling Solutions, Inc.
www.srshayward.com
10 Years
Auerbach Pollock Friedlander /
Auerbach Glasow
BergDavis Public Affairs
Hotel Nikko San Francisco
Tournament Event Enterprises
Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP
Vintage Golden Gate – Vintage Senior Living
Wessling Creative
5 Years
The Concordia - Argonaut Club
Creegan + D’Angelo Consulting Civil
& Structural Engineers
Ferry Building Marketplace
McRoskey Mattress Company
McQueen Consulting LLC
Perkins Coie LLP
SEILER LLP
Bonnie Spindler, ‘The Victorian
Specialist’ - ZEPHYR REAL ESTATE
Synergy Corporate Housing
The UPS Store
Winston & Strawn LLP
Sitrick and Company, Inc.
www.sitrick.com
Transparent House Inc.
www.transparenthouse.com
Straus Events
www.strausevents.com
US Capital Partners, Inc.
www.uscapitalpartners.net
StudioMoog
www.studiomoog.com
UnitedLayer LLC
www.unitedlayer.com
Syncopated Architecture
www.sync-arch.com
V Australia
www.vaustralia.com.au
T.Y. Lin International
www.tylin.com
The Village Project
William M. Terrell - Morgan
Stanley
www.morganstanley.com
Tiger Consulting Asia
www.tiger-consulting.net
Top Speed Data
Communications
www.topspeeddata.com
Virgin Limousines (CA) LLC
www.virginlimo.com
Wente Family Estates
(Winery, Golf, Restaurant,
Meetings & Special Events)
www.wentevineyards.com
Zen Hospice Project
www.zenhospice.org
Members Making News
Chamber Members on the Move. Gensler Bay
Area promoted Kirsten Ritchie and Tommaso Latini
as principals in its San Francisco office. HOK/SF
promoted Marc Flax to senior vice president and
director of San Francisco’s corporate/commercial
business unit. University of the Pacific, Arthur A.
Dugoni School of Dentistry in Pacific Heights
named David S. Disend as the school’s director
of development. Ron Banaszak, general manager
and chief operating officer of St. Francis Yacht Club,
was elected to the Club Managers Association of
America (CMAA) Board of Directors. St. Francis
Yacht Club Assistant General Manager, Lindsay
Galloway, achieved the designation of “Certified
Club Manager” from the CMAA.
Chamber Members Ranked among Fortune
Magazine ‘100 Best Companies to Work For.’
The Chamber congratulates member companies ranked by Fortune Magazine as one
of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” including: Google, Genentech, Adobe Systems,
Salesforce.com, Microsoft, Paychex, Deloitte,
PricewaterhouseCoopers, American Express,
Marriott International, Accenture, KPMG, FedEx,
Starbucks Coffee and Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe.
Chamber Members Making a Difference in Haiti.
Chamber members are making a difference in Haiti
following the magnitude-7.0. Safeway has installed
coin donation machines in prominent city buildings
and is accepting donations at 15 city supermarkets. American Airlines is flying in relief supplies
and awarding bonus miles to customers who give
a $50-plus donation to the American Red Cross.
Bank of America is donating $1 million to earthquake relief. Catholic Healthcare West is contributing $100,000 for humanitarian and reconstruction
efforts of the St. Francis de Sales Hospital in Port
Au Prince. Additional financial contributions have
come from Wells Fargo, AT&T, Safeway and many
others.
MARCH 2010
VOLUME 1
SPRING
this Quarter
A quarterly publication of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
Jobs Surpasses Homelessness
as City’s Top Issue
2010 CityBeat Poll Reveals Voters want Jobs and New Solutions
San Francisco voters support economic development incentives to create jobs, oppose tax measures and look for new solutions on the issues of
crime and government efficiency, according to the
annual CityBeat poll unveiled at the Chamber’s
2010 meeting and CityBeat Breakfast event on
March 3.
percent say the overall quality of life has become
worse in the past few years.
As the city continues to grapple with its high unemployment rate and a half-a-billion dollar budget
deficit, confidence in San Francisco is declining.
Fifty-one percent of voters feel that things in San
Francisco are on the wrong track. Forty-seven
“It’s time to create paychecks, not pink slips,” said
Chamber President & CEO Steve Falk. “In the year
ahead, the Chamber will champion policies that
put jobs and business growth first.”
The Chamber expressed optimism to a packed
house noting that the new decade marked an opportunity to turn the mood of pessimism around
by growing business, creating jobs and building a
21st century economy.
2010 CITYBEAT POLL
Results
Major issues facing San Francisco 2009
2010
Jobs and the economy
26%
29%
Homelessness and panhandling 35%
28%
The city budget
16%
26%
Muni and public transportation
13%
26%
Education 22%
25%
Crime, drugs and gangs
20%
15%
Home ownership and cost of home 21%
14%
Cleanliness of streets and parks
14%
9%
(continued on p.4)
Giants Season Brings Boost to Economy, Community
As spring training kicks off in Arizona, San
Francisco Giants fans anxiously await the start
of a new baseball season sure to include more
flame-throwing from Tim Lincecum and homers
in the Bay. But baseball fans are not the only
ones happy to usher in this year’s ballgames.
Drawing nearly three million fans a year to AT&T
Park, Giants home games provide a significant
boost to SoMa businesses. Owner and Chef
of MoMo’s Restaurant and Pete’s Tavern, Peter
Osbourne, says this season’s foot traffic will be a
welcome stimulus for neighborhood restaurants,
bars and merchants.
“There is no substitute for 35,000 hungry and
thirsty fans piling into the neighborhood for a
pregame meal or drink,” Osbourne said. “The
Giants are the lifeblood of the local economy, and
the anticipation surrounding this year’s team will
bode well for our business.”
Attracting over 28 million fans since AT&T Park
opened in 2000, there is no doubt that each
Giants season has an enormous economic impact on San Francisco businesses and the overall
economy.
The impact of the Giants, however,
goes far beyond the businesses
south of Market Street. Every year,
the team’s Community Fund supports numerous youth recreation,
health, education and violence prevention programs touching more
than half a million people annually
throughout California.
The Fund’s signature program,
Junior Giants Baseball presented by
Chamber member Bank of America,
provides more than $1 million to 80 junior baseball leagues serving 15,000
young boys and girls statewide. The
team’s partnership with Genentech
raises more than $100,000 each
season based on donations given for each strike
out thrown by a Giant’s pitcher. As the first-ever
professional sports team to host an AIDS benefit
game, the Giants have raised nearly $1.4 million
for Bay Area HIV/AIDS education, services and
research.
(continued on p.5)
NEWSPAPER
San Francisco Business This Quarter
What’s Inside
The Chamber Helping Your Business
This Quarter..................................................... 3
Community Choice Aggregation
(Energy Choice, Without Choice).................. 3
Q&A with San Francisco
Police Chief George Gascón........................... 6
“It is difficult to quantify the magnitude of the
Giant’s total impact on San Francisco communities,” said Wade Rose, Chamber Board Chair
and Vice President of External & Government
Relations for Catholic Healthcare West, whose
company also has a partnership with the Giants
to raise awareness about health and fitness.
“Supporting both our economy and community
235 Montgomery Street, 12th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94104