District 8 Newsletter January 8, 2026

Written By CVIA Board

Hello District 8!

Happy New Year! This marks my final year on the Board of Supervisors, and there's still plenty of work ahead. Looking back at 2025, it was a busy and productive year for District 8.

A New Era of Collaboration at City Hall

The new Mayoral Administration brought a change in City Hall, one that feels more collaborative and less divisive. I have enjoyed working with Mayor Lurie and his administration as President of the Board and look forward to our continued partnership in 2026. This new collaborative spirit was essential to our success on major citywide issues, including passing a balanced budget, passing a historic upzoning bill even as we worked to protect historic buildings from demolition and long-term tenants from eviction, and responding to the challenges looming every day from Washington.

District 8 Legislative Wins

The District 8 office had some major legislative wins this year:

Beyond the Front Door: In March, our Beyond the Front Door legislation, which replaces the outdated and overly complicated Accessible Business Entrance Program, passed the Board of Supervisors. The updated program removes a costly local inspection requirement that went beyond state and federal requirements, making it easier for small store owners to come into compliance with accessibility standards.  

Department of Building Inspection (DBI) Amnesty: This summer, the Board passed my DBI Audit legislation, which creates a time-limited amnesty program for properties whose owners were unknowingly victims of a permitting scandal at the Department of Building Inspection. This provides financial relief to hundreds of such homeowners.  

Open for Business Contract Streamlining Act: In September, this Act, the most comprehensive overhaul of San Francisco’s contracting process in decades, passed and was signed into law. This reform streamlines procurement rules, especially for low-value contracts (under $230,000). Nearly 50% of the city’s contract opportunities received zero or one bid, in part because of the complexity of our contracting rules. This legislation should lead to more competitive procurements and make it faster and easier for local small businesses and nonprofits to contract with the City.  

All-Electric Major Renovations : Also in September, our All-Electric Major Renovations Ordinance passed unanimously. Expanding my 2020 legislation to cover "down to the studs" renovations, this measure is critical for reaching our Net Zero 2040 goals. With buildings generating nearly half our emissions, going electric improves indoor air quality and eliminates gas-related fire risks during earthquakes—building a safer, healthier San Francisco without the fuels of the past.  

Looking Ahead to 2026

As I move into my final year on the Board, a major focus will be tackling some of the fundamental issues that bog down our City government. In December, the Mayor and I launched a comprehensive effort to reform our nearly 600-page City Charter, the rulebook for City government.

And of course, I will continue to focus on behavioral health and homelessness— issues I have been tackling since I entered City Hall more than seven years ago.

I look forward to continuing to serve District 8 and San Francisco over the next year!

Family Zoning Plan and Historic Preservation - In December, the Board passed the Family Zoning Plan, the largest citywide upzoning in decades. The Plan should bring San Francisco into compliance with State laws mandating that we expand our housing capacity to accommodate at least 82,000 new units over an eight year period. Over the many months the Plan was before the Board, I focused my efforts on minimizing its potential impact to historic resources. To that end, we were able to carve out several hundred recognized landmarks from the upzoning and to require that if lots are merged under the plan to allow larger new developments, developers will be required to incorporate any historic resources on the properties into the projects. I will continue to work with the Mayor, the Planning Department, Board colleagues and the historic preservation community to ensure that even as we build homes for San Franciscans, as we must do, we preserve the unique history of our oldest neighborhoods.

Mission Dolores Historic Districts - In November, I introduced an ordinance to designate the Alert Alley and Chula-Abbey Early Residential Historic Districts as Article 10 landmark districts. Because Alert Alley and Chula-Abbey Early Residential Historic District were largely spared from the destruction caused by the 1906 earthquake, they contain some of the oldest homes in San Francisco, having been built at the turn of the 20th century or even earlier.

Jim Marshall Way - In early 2025, I introduced a resolution to commemoratively name 16th Street between Noe and Castro “Jim Marshall Way” to honor the late rock and roll photographer. This resolution passed unanimously, and on December 19th, “Jim Marshall Way” signage was installed on the block where Jim Marshall spent the last 26 years of his life living. His longtime neighbor, Justin Fichelson, and his friend and assistant, Amelia Davis, have been working for the past year to gather neighborhood support for this project.

Cannabis Tax - In December, the Board of Supervisors passed my legislation suspending the Cannabis Business Tax for ten years. The original intent of the Cannabis Business Tax, which San Francisco residents passed in November 2018, was to generate revenue to the City by taxing cannabis retailers. However, due to federal regulations, flat overhead costs, and higher than average security liabilities, cannabis retailers face significantly higher financial burdens and tax pressures compared to ordinary businesses. An additional City tax on top of these burdens would make it even harder for legal cannabis businesses to operate. This legislation will prevent the city from levying an additional tax on legal cannabis retailers, who are already operating on thin margins, for the next ten years.

Artist Housing Certification Program - On November 18th, I passed legislation to establish the San Francisco Artist Housing Certification Program. Operated by the San Francisco Arts Commission, the program will maintain a registry of local artists who qualify for affordable housing opportunities. A proposed project on Market Street, which will provide more than 90 affordable homes and creative space for artists, will utilize this program to identify qualified tenants. San Francisco would not be the city it is without its artists; their work defines our culture and generates more than $1.3 billion in economic activity each year. This new program and building will help ensure that they have a future in the City.

MEET YOUR SUPERVISOR!

Virtual Office Hours: Join me virtually on Saturday, January 10th, 2026 from 10am-12pm for office hours. Email mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org to secure your time slot!
In-Person Office Hours: Join me on Saturday, January 24th from 10-12pm for office hours. Email mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org to secure your time slot!

LEARN HOW TO CONTRACT WITH THE CITY!

Are you a small business who is interested in contracting with the City? 
Join the City Administrator’s Office in person for the next City Contracting 101: A Small Business Workshop, Supplier Support Edition on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at the Southeast Community Center (1550 Evans Ave). This workshop will focus on helping small businesses connect directly with City agencies involved in supplier onboarding, contracting, and compliance. 
Register for free at: sf.gov/smallbizworkshopjan2026   

STEP INTO THE LIGHT YOUTH ART CONTEST!
 

Bay Area High School students are invited to participate in the 3rd annual creative competition honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy called Step into the Light. As a youth arts - competition created by the Cow Palace, Step into the Light has essay, poetry, art, and video categories. Art pieces may include photography, painting, sculpture and mixed media inspired by Dr. King’s messages addressing injustices, which were stirring, and were always shared with a ray of hope. In fact, Dr. King spoke at the Cow Palace in 1964!
           
Step Into the Light is an opportunity for youth to share their creative talents as a way to call out injustices by shining a light on them and making a difference in our local communities. The Grand Prize is an Apple Airpod Max Wireless Headphone Set, and the Best of Show Winners for each category win $300! It’s also a great winter break project, can be therapeutic, and being recognized for youth artistic expression looks great on college and skilled trades’ school applications.  Plus, all artists who complete all entry requirements will have their art exhibited at the upcoming Step Into the Light Art Exhibit & Awards Ceremony on February 11th, 2026, even if they don’t place in the competition.
 
 Entries may be submitted at the Cow Palace’s Administration Offices Mondays-Fridays, 9AM-6PM, or emailed by January 23rd at 6PM. For more information email the Cow Palace with questions at SITL@cowpalace.com, and cc: Mala Gurbuxani at malag@cowpalace.com.

GO GREEN IN 2026!


Christmas Tree Recycling Program - From January 2 through January 16, 2026, Recology will collect natural, undecorated, unflocked Christmas trees from San Francisco residents who receive weekly compost service. Simply place your clean tree (cut in half if over 6 feet tall) next to your compost bin the night before your collection day. Your tree will help keep our soil healthy!


For a limited time - String light disposal: Holiday lights bring joy to the season, but eventually, they break. Broken string lights require special handling and should never go in your recycling or landfill bin. Their wiring can damage equipment and contaminate materials.  San Franciscans can find local and safe disposal sites at SFREcycles.org , which offers easy search tools for hard-to-recycle items. For a limited time, your local Cole Hardware store will collect inoperable string lights until January 30, 2026.

Safe Battery Disposal: San Francisco is the first city in the nation to offer fully automated public drop-off bins for recycling batteries and battery-embedded products. The San Francisco Environment Department and Redwood Materials have installed innovative “Battery Bins” that accept mixed lithium-ion batteries and small devices like phones, laptops, and rechargeable gadgets with zero prep or sorting required.

The bins are engineered with a sophisticated sensing and materials-management system and are located at eight public sites across the city, including Cole Hardware and Sports Basement stores, making safe recycling more convenient for residents.

Find a bin near you:

  • Cole Hardware Cole Valley: 956 Cole St

  • Cole Hardware Downtown: 70 4th St

  • Cole Hardware North Beach:  627 Vallejo St.

  • Cole Hardware Russian Hill: 2254 Polk St

  • Sports Basement Presidio: 610 Old Mason St

  • Sports Basement Stonestown: 3251 20th Ave Suite 390

  • Sports Basement Bryant St: 1590 Bryant Street

  • Embarcadero Center (BXP): Four Embarcadero Center

Please visit SFRecycles.org for recycling instructions and to locate a drop-off near you.
For more information on how to dispose of batteries safely, please see below:
How to Get Rid of Batteries if You Live in a House: If you live in a house or small apartment complex, put loose household batteries in a clear plastic bag and place them on top of the black/gray bin.

How to Get Rid of Batteries if You Live in a Building: If you live in an apartment complex, look for the orange bin like the one below or locate a Redwood Materials bin near you!

Take special care with lithium batteries: Tape over lithium battery contacts. Look for "Li" or "Lithium."

If left uncovered, they can cause fires if they come in contact with other batteries.
Other types of batteries and electronic devices: Visit SFRecycles or contact Recology at (415) 330-1300 for e-bike batteries, vaping devices, cell phones, and other items with built-in, non-removable batteries. Do not attempt to remove embedded batteries from these devices.

Healthier, Cleaner, Quieter Communities Act:  Starting January 1, 2026, the use of gas-powered landscaping equipment by professional landscapers, property owners, business owners, and the public is prohibited per San Francisco’s Healthier, Cleaner, Quieter Communities Act. City Departments and their contractors began complying with this ordinance on July 1, 2024. Making the switch from gas-powered to electric equipment landscaping equipment will reduce carbon emissions and air pollution, as well as decrease the high noise levels associated with gas-powered equipment. 

Financial resources for commercial operators are available through the Bay Area Air District. Through their Commercial Electric Lawn and Garden Equipment Exchange Pilot Program, vouchers for $700 to $15,000 per piece of equipment are available to transition to electric equipment. San Francisco-based businesses must be located in one of the zip codes below to be eligible for this program:  

  • 94107

  • 94110

  • 94124

  • 94134

More information on San Francisco's ordinance and the Air District's funding opportunity is available at sfenvironment.org/landscaping.

Fix-it Clinic: Bicycle Repair with BikeMobile: Have a bike with a flat tire or in need of a basic tune-up? Bring it to the Bicycle Repair Fix-it Clinic and let BikeMobile get you back on the road! Don’t miss this opportunity to repair, reuse, and keep valuable items out of the landfill.
Saturday, January 24, 2026
12:00pm to 2:00pm
Excelsior Meeting Room Library branch; 4400 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94112

UPCOMING DISTRICT 8 EVENTS

Every Saturday, 8 AM - 1 PM – Noe Valley Farmers’ Market
  Noe Valley Town Square
Every Tuesday, 6 PM – Glen Park Rec Center Tuesday Movie Night
  Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center
Saturday January 10th, 10 AM - 11:30 AM – Neighborhood Clean-Up with Refuse Refuse
  Meet at Critter Fritters Pet Foods (670 Chenery St)
Saturday January 10th, 9 AM - 12 PM – Glen Park Greenway Work Party
  Top of Chilton Ave cul-de-sac

Welcome to Faces in the Crowd, written by Marshall Kilduff, accomplished journalist and long time volunteer with our District 8 Office. Marshall tells the stories of District 8 community members who are going above and beyond to contribute to San Francisco!

Paper coffee cups are the bane of Olga and Andre’s existence.  The couple are the tireless organizers of Noe Valley’s monthly volunteer trash patrol.  Orange vests, billowing bags, and pincher-tipped grabbers give them away.

Every third Sunday at 10 a.m. the crowd gathers at the Noe Valley Park on 24th street.  Olga Zubashko and Andre Guiulfo are in charge and choose a 90 minute route to scoop up what doesn’t belong.  Coffee cups usually top the list, especially in the morning, but there’s plenty else that’s blown around by the wind funneled down from Twin Peaks:  cigaret butts (“so many”--Andre), bottles, construction debris, garbage spills, and ever present dog poop.  One blessing, according to Olga: few syringes in two years of scouring the sidewalks.

The two launched their effort for familiar reasons.  “We wanted to get involved and find a way to make the city better,” said Andre, a prosecutor in the district attorney’s office. Born and raised in the city, he moved back from New York where he attended law school and Olga, who works at YouTube, came with him.  They hit upon the city wide trash pickup outfit Refuserefusesf.org that sponsors volunteer clean up efforts and decided to localize the same work in Noe Valley. 
 
The city Department of Public Works knows a good thing and supplies the grabbers, gloves, trash bags and  vests. “Maybe we need more trash cans, but the city is helping us,” she notes.
  
It’s an inevitable question, but why does a city with a $15 billion budget need everyday folks to sweep up garbage on the weekend?   Olga and Andre don’t begrudge their work.  “It’s a dense city and there's always trash,” she says.  There are other advantages to their task as well.  “We are a community presence and give people a way to show they care.” Olga adds.  “It’s great when people say “thank you for what you’re doing.’” 

Join NERT!

The recent power outages and storms have proven the need for more resilient neighborhoods. Enter NERT, Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT), a community based training program dedicated to a neighbor-helping-neighbor approach.


NERT is a free training program for individuals, neighborhood groups and community-based organizations in San Francisco. Through this program, individuals will learn the basics of personal preparedness and prevention. The training also includes hands-on disaster skills that will help individuals respond to a personal emergency as well as act as members of a neighborhood response team.

NERT Full Training Jan 7, 14, 21 (Wednesdays) - Sherry Williams Community Center (Treasure Island) - Learn More Here

NERT Full Training Jan 8 - Feb 12 (Thursdays) - St. Aidan’s Church - 101 Gold Mine Drive - Learn More Here

Can’t attend training? Access their disaster preparedness resources here!

Help improve MUNI!

The SFMTA is currently focused on stretching every dollar, cutting costs, and maximizing efficiency to protect essential services. However, looking ahead to the next two fiscal years (FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28), the agency is confronting a daunting budget gap. To avoid significant service cuts, we must identify and protect the routes and services that matter most.

We need your help to guide this process. Please take a few minutes to complete the SFMTA's anonymous survey to share your priorities. Your feedback will provide critical data to the agency and strengthen my office's advocacy for maintaining the Muni services our constituents depend on. Your input will help guide improvements along this route. For more info visit the project page at SFMTA Budget Planning.

Volunteer with us!
We are hiring interns and volunteers for the winter, spring and summer! Interns help on a variety of projects, including responding to constituent concerns, researching legislation, prepping the Supervisor for events and much more! Interns are expected to commit at least 10 hours a week between 9-5pm, Monday through Friday.

Interested? Reach out to grace.ly.huang@sfgov.org with your resume and availability. We look forward to hearing from you!

Learn About the Commission Streamlining Task Force!

Last November, San Francisco voters approved Proposition E, creating the Commission Streamlining Task Force. The Task Force is charged with reviewing the City’s many appointive boards and commissions and making recommendations to the Mayor and Board of Supervisors on how to modify, eliminate, or consolidate them for more effective, efficient, and economical governance.

The Task Force meets every first and third Wednesday at 1 PM in City Hall room 408 to discuss potential improvements to the structure of City government. Learn more about the Commission Streamlining Task Force today on its website.

Interested members of the public can join the Task Force mailing list or share feedback by emailing commissionstreamlining@sfgov.org. 

Claim Your College Funds!
On Friday June 20th, 2026, the San Francisco Chronicle published an op-ed by San Francisco Treasurer José Cisneros highlighting a critical issue: more than 30,000 low-income students in San Francisco have not claimed $500 or more in college funds already set aside for them through the Kindergarten to College (K2C) and CalKIDS programs. 

  • Over 80% of eligible San Francisco students have not yet claimed their CalKIDS money.

  • Most low-income students are eligible for $500–$1,500 to help with books, housing, fees, or tuition.

  • These funds can be claimed in less than 10 minutes online by following this link: Claim your funds!

JOIN A NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP!
District 8 is home to many active neighborhood groups that organize events for the community, lead projects to keep our neighborhoods clean, safe, and beautiful, and connect neighbors with City leaders to advocate for neighborhood priorities. Join an association or go to an upcoming local event - it’s a great way to get involved, make new friends, and change your community for the better!
Learn more about how to get involved in your neighborhood here!

CVIA Board
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Park Station Newsletter January 8, 2026