Greater West Portal Neighborhood Association

Supervisor Norman Yee will hold a Participatory Budget Community Meeting this Saturday, February 22, 10:30am to noon at West Portal Playground Clubhouse, 139 Lenox Way.  Neighborhood groups and community members can suggest project ideas for $350,000 that has been set aside for pedestrian safety and quality-of-life improvements.  Fore more information, contact Matthias.Mormino@sfgov.org.

6:30pm-8:30pm, 139 Lenox Way.  

Agenda will include:

• Daniel Homsey from the San Francisco Neighborhood Empowerment Network (http://empowersf.org/) will speak about organizing our community for disaster preparedness both within Greater West Portal and working together with adjacent neighborhoods.  It’s an important topic since residents of all ages ought to know what resources we have (local doctors, emergency service professionals, able-bodied youth), where to go (clubhouse, library, or fire station?), as well as who would need the most help whether kids, seniors, or people who need language assistance.

• Supervisor Scott Wiener and a representative from the Coalition for An Affordable City will present both sides on the proposed sugary beverage tax that you’ve probably heard of by now.  GWPNA member Joel Engardio’s column in today’s SF Examiner is a debate between Supervisor Wiener and he that offers a quick rundown of the key points both ways.  http://www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/sf-soda-tax-debate-with-supervisor-scott-wiener/Content?oid=2692711

Time permitting, we’re also hoping to review the latest developments on trees in Mt. Sutro and Mt. Davidson (please feel free to add links to recent articles on both sides for members to review in advance).

6:30pm-8:30pm, 139 Lenox Way.  Key highlights:  Presentation from Olivia Scanlon, Supervisor Yee’s office; Drew Sechrist, Koozoo (networked security cams for crime and safety); Ben and Anne (prospective traditional French bakery on WP Ave); Howard Strassner (proposal for raising height limits on WP Ave to accommodate new senior housing); Friends of WP Playground (plans for passing around survey and seeking community for playground improvements); Economic Development Committee (proposal seeking $20K grant from Invest In Neighborhoods for improving signage and awnings on WP Ave).

7pm, 139 Lenox Way.  Guest speakers will include Supervisor Katy Tang, representatives from DPW and MTA on the Curb Ramp Program in West Portal, and Jorge Rivas from Invest In Neighborhoods on an RFP opportunity for seeking economic grants for West Portal Ave.  The West Portal Playground Committee will also discuss plans for renovating the playground and hosting events to bring neighbors together and share ideas.