The Afternoon News Links - April 29, 2009

• The 2010 district supervisor's races should be very interesting.
  
• The volume of commercial mortgages at risk of default has quintupled since the beginning of 2008.
  
• Record commerical real estate loan defaults expected this month.
  
• California Senate GOP leader predicts that his party's ideals will prevail by default if the May budget proposals are rejected by voters.
• To celebrate San Francisco, the host city of the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) 2009 Convention, and its commitment to sustainable design, the AIA has partnered with Mayor Gavin Newsom to select San Francisco’s “greenest” buildings.   Click here for the list.
  
• Mayor Newsom announces new appointments and reappointments to city commissions.  Click here for the details.

May Ballot Propositions Are Not Polling Favorably

Propositions 1A-1F on the May 19 2009, Statewide Special Election Ballot are polling unfavorably according to a new poll released today.  Here are the highlights:

Prop. 1A (Rainy Day Budget Stabilization Fund)

This proposition, which would establish a “rainy day” budget reserve and limit state spending, is

trailing by nine points – 49% No, 40% Yes and 11% undecided.

Prop. 1B (Education Funding)

Prop. 1B, the measure that would provide supplemental funding to local schools and community

colleges, is also behind by nine points – 49% No vs. 40% Yes, with 11% undecided.

Prop. 1C (Lottery Modernization)

The measure receiving the least support is Prop. 1C. It calls for modernizing the state lottery andborrowing against its future proceeds. Likely voters are opposing it 59% to 32%.

Prop. 1D (Children’s Services Funding)

This measure would transfer early childhood development monies out of the California Children and Families Program to the state general fund. Voters divide 49% No, 40% Yes, with 11% undecided.

Prop. 1E (Mental Health Funding)

Prop. 1E would temporarily transfer funds currently allocated to mental health programs under the Mental Health Services Act to the state general fund. Currently 51% are voting No and 40% Yes.

Prop. 1F (Elected Officials Salaries)

This proposition, which would bar legislative and statewide constitutional officers from receiving payraises when the state is running a budget deficit, is overwhelmingly supported, 71% Yes to 24% No.

The poll can be found here.

The Morning News Links - April 28, 2009

• Countries and companies that invest in better buildings today will save millions of dollars tomorrow.
  
• The commercial real estate sales market: basically non-existent
  
• Former eBay chief turned candidate for California Governor faces skeptical tech leaders.
  
• The California Integrated Waste Management Board will not be trashed.
• Schwarzenegger declares emergency over swine flu.

BOMA San Francisco's Position on the Proposed SFMTA Fare & Parking Rate Increases

Although the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is facing a projected $129 million deficit for FY 2009-10, raising fees for parking meters and parking rates in our city’s garages is not the right answer. Conversely, raising fares for riders, increasing enforcement against fare evaders, and re-working the labor contracts for municipal railway employees would provide both an immediate and long term solution to our city’s perennial MUNI deficits.  

As such, BOMA San Francisco supports transit fare increases but opposes the SFMTA's parking meter garage rate increases and expansion of metering hours.

You can read BOMA's letter to Roberta Boomer, Secretary to the SFMTA board of directors, here.

Swine Flu - Preparing Your Building and Tenants for a possible Outbreak

BOMA is closely monitoring the recent outbreak of Swine Influenza (flu) in Mexico and the other cases that have been identified in North America. Yesterday, the United States declared a "public health emergency" to release resources to help those infected. According to the World Health Organization, 40 cases have been confirmed in the United States with infections in New York, California, Texas, Kansas and Ohio.

BOMA has updated its Pandemic Flu Resources page for with the latest information to help communities, companies and individuals plan for a possible outbreak of Swine Flu, including specific resources to help property professionals plan for and protect their tenants and buildings in the event of an outbreak. The site also includes links to organizations, such as the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

BOMA members are encouraged to review their current pandemic/emergency response procedures with their property and vendor teams. BOMA will continue to keep you updated and also asks that you monitor the Pandemic Flu Resources page regularly.

BOMA San Francisco's Emergency Preparedness Committee webpage has linked to BOMA International's resource page and will continue to monitor this pandemic.

The Morning News Links - April 27, 2009

• It's a good thing that California, San Francisco and BOMA members are ahead of the curve as a new study indicates that the building sector must achieve greater energy efficiency through a number of measures.
  
• Gavin Newsom taunts Jerry Brown at state Democratic convention.
  
• Former California State Senator Carole Migden “seriously looking” at throwing her hat into the 2010 race for San Francisco District 10 Supervisor.
• All you'll need to know about this past weekend's California Democratic Convention can be found here.

The Afternoon News Links - April 24, 2009

• Mayor Newsom announces $1 billion in capital investments for job creation.
• The Mayor has to either cut $118 million or raise that amount to balance next year's budget. 
• State Senate President Darrell Steinberg has thrown his weight behind Kamala Harris.
• Schwarzenegger: Reforms ‘have a good shot’.  Click here for the story.

Senator Mark Leno Speaks to San Francisco Democratic Clubs

Senator Mark Leno and Mike Cashion, BOMA San Francisco Member (Shorenstein Properties, LLC)

California State Senator Mark Leno spoke last night to a number of San Francisco democratic clubs on SB 810, his legislation to create single-payer health care.   You can read more about the measure and track its progress in the California State Legislature here.

What's the impact of this legislation on businesses in California?  

If SB 810 were signed into law, you would expect to see payroll taxes for employer and employees at 16 percent, combined, (10% from the employer; 6% from the employee) for the single payer costs and revenues to balance at the start of the 2011.  You can read more about this data in the California's Legislative Analyst Office's 2008 fiscal analysis of the SB 810's predecessor, SB 840, here.  Both measures are almost identical.  

UPDATE: Anti-Graffiti Super Huddle: "Zero Graffiti for a Beautiful City" - April 23, 2009

Mike Cashion, member of the San Francisco Graffiti Advisory Board and BOMA San Francisco; Debbie Shea, vice-chair of BOMA San Francisco's Government and Public Affairs Committee (GAPAC)

Board of Supervisors President, David Chiu

Supervisor Bevan Dufty

The BOMA San Francisco advocacy team attended the Anti-Graffiti Super Huddle: "Zero Graffiti for a Beautiful City" yesterday.  The event was organized by the  San Francisco Graffiti Advisory Board and attendees received information about the city's campaign to defeat graffiti vandalism and learn how to get involved. The event featured guest speakers including Supervisors David Chiu and Bevan Dufty, neighborhood resource tables, and a social hour where attendees were able to meet others who are concerned about this issue.

The following panelists were available to answer questions from the audience:  

• Edward Reiskin, Director of Public Works (DPW)
• Supervisor Bevan Dufty
• Officer Christopher Putz, SFPD Graffiti Unit
• Paul Henderson, Chief of Administration for the District Attorney's Office
• Larry Stringer, Street Environmental Services Superintendent, DPW
• Leigh Ann Baughman, San Francisco Beautiful Executive Director
• Luis R. Cancel, San Francisco Arts Commission, Director of Cultural Affairs
• Edwin Lee, San Francisco's City Administrator
• John Bitoff, Director of San Francisco' Unified School District Facilities Management 
• Fred LaCosse, former San Francisco television broadcaster

The city has adopted a zero tolerance policy toward graffiti, and agencies like DPW, MUNI, Recreation and Parks and the School District, are working hard to keep public streets, parks, schools, buildings and buses free of graffiti tagging. San Francisco property owners have been doing their part by quickly removing graffiti to keep it from spreading. There are also hundreds of residents throughout the city who volunteer to remove graffiti in their neighborhoods.

Thank you to the San Francisco Graffiti Advisory Board for organizing this event.

To report graffiti call the city’s 24 hour customer service center at 311.  More information about reporting graffiti can be found here.

Why Green Office Buildings Make Financial Sense

Margot Crosman, BOMA San Francisco President

BOMA San Francisco's advocacy team attended a panel presentation yesterday that focused on the financial sense of 'greening' an office building. The panel included Kirsten Richie with Gensler who shared the variety of LEED ratings for commercial office buildings as well as new regulations/legislative measures facing the commercial real estate industry, and Lloyd Mariner with Glumac and Andy Canto with Siemens who discussed building operations and efficiency.

BOMA San Francisco President Margot Crosman (Unico) provided an enlightening real-life example of 100 Pine Street--the first LEED EB multi-tenant office building in the Western Region. Ms. Crosman's efforts in 'greening' 100 Pine reflect her commitment to sustainable building practices and to the bottom line. Here are a few of the highlights from her presentation, all of which have significant cost savings:

• Working with tenants, Margot and her property management team have achieved a 75% waste diversion rate, and they have partnered with Green Citizen to properly recycle electronic waste. In 2008, trash costs were reduced 68% via a 75% discount for 'clean' recycling loads.
• All natural, environmentally friendly landscaping was planted. Margot shifted from annuals to native perennials to not only save on costs, but to protect the environment as well.
• Low-flow water fixtures have been installed which reduces water consumption by approximately 40%, saving 1.5 million gallons of water a year. This action also reduces water costs.
• To save energy, motion sensors in emergency stairwells and high efficiency motors were installed.
• LEED compliant tenant improvements are also a priority for Margot and her management team.

The overall message was that making these 'green' investments can pay off quickly. You'll not only be saving the environment, but saving money as well.

The Afternoon News Links - April 23, 2009

• Commercial property loses four years of gains.
  
• Building energy label proposed in climate change bill.
• Talking TALF: commercial real estate industry urges quick fed action to extend loan lengths 
  
• San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's 2 minute bio in TIME magazine can be found here.
  
• Board President David Chiu interview on the SFMTA budget can be found here.
• Proposed constitutional convention gaining steam in Sacramento.

BOMA San Francisco's 2009 Earth Award Winners

Left to Right: Sarah Macintyre, vice chair of BOMA San Francisco's Environment Committee; , Scott Moran, Director of Project Management, at the California Academy of Sciences

BOMA San Francisco’s 2009 EARTH Awards luncheon was held today at the Hotel Nikko to recognize those buildings, and building management, with the best overall sustainability efforts. Scott Moran, Director of Project Management, at the California Academy of Sciences provided the keynote address. You can view the press release here.  A special thanks to our event sponsor, WEBCOR Builders; and program sponsors, SF Environment, Golden Gate Disposal & Recycling Company, and Pacific Gas & Electric Company.

Large Commercial Buildings (more than 600k sq. ft.)

First Place - 101 California (Hines)

Medium Commercial Buildings (300k to 600k sq. ft.)

First Place - One Bush Street (Tishman Speyer)

Small Commercial Buildings (less than 300,000 sq. ft.)
First Place - Baker Hamilton /Adobe Systems - 601 & 625 Townsend Street (Cushman & Wakefield)

The following are the first, second, and third place winners in their respective categories:

Large Commercial Buildings (more than 600k sq. ft.)

First Place - 101 California (Hines)

Second Place - 50 Fremont (Hines GS Properties, Inc.)

Third Place - Three Embarcadero Center (Boston Properties)

Medium Commercial Buildings (300k to 600k sq. ft.)

First Place - One Bush Street (Tishman Speyer)

Second Place - The Orrick Building - 405 Howard Street (Ashforth Pacific of California, LLC)

Third Place - Rincon Center - 101 & 121 Spear Street (CAC Real Estate Real Estate Mgmt Co., Inc.)

Small Commercial Buildings (less than 300k sq. ft.)

First Place - Baker Hamilton /Adobe Systems - 601 & 625 Townsend Street (Cushman & Wakefield)

Second Place - 111 Sutter Street (CAC Real Estate Mgmt Co., Inc.)

Third Place - Exchange Block Building - 396 Pine Street (The Swig Company)

Buildings Recognized for Continued Excellence in Sustainable Practices

The Ferry Building (Equity Office)

455 Market (Cushman and Wakefield)

Post Montgomery Center (Cushman and Wakefield)

303 Second Street (Cushman and Wakefield)

The BOMA San Francisco EARTH Award program rewards members with the best overall conservation efforts, including recycling programs, energy and water conservation efforts, air quality and toxics reduction programs, support for public transportation, and effective use of tenant education programs geared to promoting sustainability practices in commercial office buildings. BOMA San Francisco’s Environment Committee created the EARTH Award program as an opportunity for members to consider the entire spectrum of programs and practices that constitute an effective "sustainability program" for office buildings including what policies and procedures should be adopted that can help move a property toward becoming "green".

The Afternoon News Links - April 22, 2009

• 'Green jobs' at heart of Obama's Earth Day push on energy.
• U.S. Commercial Real Estate Index Down 21.5% from Peak.
• The looming crisis in commercial real estate.
• The city is launching a series of initiatives to combat graffiti ahead of the Anti-Graffiti Super Huddle tomorrow.

The Morning Links - April 22, 2009 (Happy Earth Day!)

• Businesses focusing on being energy efficient create jobs.
• Net tool tracks carbon footprint by ZIP code.  Video here.
  
• New York City plans to make older buildings refit to save energy.
  
• The Chronicle's take on what Mayor Gavin Newsom's run for governor will mean for San Francisco.
• Regional U.S. banks may struggle to pass government stress tests because of their commercial real estate investments.

The Morning News Links - April 21, 2009

• Mayor Gavin Newsom is running for Governor.
• There is also a candidate from Los Angeles that has gubernatorial ambitions as well.   
• A lobbying ordinance is working its way through San Francisco City Hall.
• Former California Senate President pro Tem Don Perata talks about his run for Oakland Mayor.

BOMA San Francisco Members: Interview for Market Street Strategic Analysis Report

Michael Schwartz, a transportation planner with the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) would like to interview BOMA San Francisco members and others in the business community, collectively, to understand your interests and thoughts on the issues and opportunities in regard to the SFCTA's strategic analysis report (SAR) on “Transportation Options for a Better Market Street".

You can read the SAR Final Scope of Work here;

You can read the Market Street Options SAR Memorandum here.

Please use the Doodle link below, write your name in the box, and check off times that you are available in the next couple weeks. The SFCTA will choose the time that the most people can attend.

http://doodle.com/hr94dcnqk56gta7d

The Morning News Links - April 20, 2009

• BOMA releases 100 strategies to commemorate Earth Day and Obama's first 100 days in office. Click here for the details.
  
• The proposed structure next to The Pyramid Center is too tall?
• Energy efficient buildings get more green from institutional investors.
• Should you ignore the commercial real estate vacancy rate?
• The Bay Area is hurting but the Southern California office market is not doing too well either.
• The current situation is bad, but there is a glimmer of hope for commercial real estate on the horizon.
  
• "Carbon Caps = Hard Hats"? Apparently, that just isn't the case.

The Afternoon News Links - April 17, 2009

• The Federal Reserve is considering offering longer loans to investors in commercial mortgage-backed securities as part of a plan to help jump-start the market for commercial real estate debt. Click here for the story.
• Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman put some big stakes on the table Thursday, donating $2.8 million of her own money to her gubernatorial campaign. The story is here.
• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has endorsed a proposal to create a special congressional committee to investigate the causes of the financial sector meltdown, giving the idea bipartisan momentum in Congress. Read all about it here.

BOMA San Francisco Members Tour The Presidio

From left to right: Nancy Gille, 2009 BOMA PAC Chair; Joseph Perrelli, Leasing Specialist for the Presidio Trust; Margot Crosman, President BOMA San Francisco, Ken Cleaveland, BOMA San Francisco; Ronald Raiche; Manuel Fishman, Cooley Godward Kronish, LLP; Doug Hayward, C&C Investments, Elaine Anderson, CBRE; Elaine DellAquila, RREEF; Debbie Shea, Window Solutions; Tory Brubaker, BOMA San Francisco; (in front) Jack and Kate Brubaker.

BOMA members were invited to tour the Presidio today for the association's input on the Presidio Trust's revitalization of the Main Post.

The tour focused on major commercial projects including those complete, underway and proposed. In addition to the concentration of projects around the Main Post district, BOMA members viewed the completed Lucas Digital Arts Center, some of the recently rented/available structures on Crissy Filed, a new LEED standard office building under rehabilitation construction near the Cavalry Stables, and the Fort Scott complex. Joe Perrelli (pictured above) the Presidio Trust’s Leasing Specialist, served as our tour guide who discussed the historical issues of the Main Post, details of the Presidio Trust's current offerings, how the Trust structures commercial real estate deals, Master Tenant projects, Presidio Trust projects, and challenges in working with renovations of historically significant properties.

BOMA San Francisco’s Emergency Preparedness Committee

Our Emergency Preparedness Committee (EPC) has been busy these last three months! The work of the committee occurs in four subcommittees:

Communication Subcommittee: The communication subcommittee is currently developing an emergency preparedness survey to be distributed, first to the EPC members, and then to the entire BOMA membership. The subcommittee is also updating the BOMA San Francisco EPC website to include the most up-to-date sources of information related to emergency planning in high-rise buildings

Event Subcommittee: The event subcommittee is planning an evacuation exercise that will allow for BOMA members to observe how emergency teams from both the public and private sector shelter tenants in place, and then have them evacuate a building. This will be the first planned building evacuation in San Francisco. There will be a follow-up seminar to discuss the lessons learned from the exercise and the best practices that were involved.

Training Subcommittee: The training subcommittee is working on sponsoring a series of brown bag lunches that would feature experts on a variety of topics related to fire/life safety and disaster planning in office buildings.

Neighborhood Subcommittee: The neighborhood subcommittee is developing a model program for neighboring buildings to use in a disaster situation that would pre-establish building to building mutual aide protocols that would function if the public sector was unavailable.

A few of the public agencies that participate with the EPC committee include:

• San Francisco Department of Emergency Management
• San Francisco Fire Department
• San Francisco Police Department
• San Francisco Health Department
• FBI
• Homeland Security
• National Guard

The expertise of the committee members in property management, security services, and public safety is phenomenal.

The next committee meeting will be on May 12, at the Pyramid Center, 600 Montgomery St., 48th Floor from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. BOMA members are invited to join the committee! Please contact the EPC Chair, Ellen Kovach, at ekovach@swigco.com.

The Morning News Links - April 16, 2009

• Cushman &Wakefield: U.S. Downtown Office Vacancies Rise to Three-Year High. Click here to read the details. The largest decline in rent, per square foot, was in San Francisco.
• Commercial real estate softens in San Francisco. Click here for the story.
• Board of Supervisors send their budget 'wish list' to the Mayor.
• Click here to read Mayor Gavin Newsom's blog post on San Francisco's Green Jobs Program.

The Afternoon News Links - April 15, 2009

• The current "great recession" in California and the United States will, most likely, continue into the middle of next year due, in part, to commercial and residential real estate. Click here for the details.
• At least someone is still investing in commercial real estate (hint: its Donald Trump)
• The Obama administration is expected to publicize the 'stress tests' of the countries largest banks. More information on this can be found here.
• According to Jerry Brown, "Newsom is trying to make everyone think I'm Hillary, and he's Obama." Click here for the story.
• Gubernatorial candidate Tom Campbell is moving to Southern California to gain more exposure in the southern part of the state.
• U.S. House Representatives from the Bay Area have posted their 'earmark' wish list.

BOMA San Francisco Supports Mandatory Recycling

BOMA San Francisco supports Mayor Gavin Newsom's proposal for mandatory recycling in San Francisco, introduced at the Board of Supervisors meeting recently. You can read the current version of the ordinance here.

Click here and here for our local media's take on the issue.

BOMA President Expresses Concerns Regarding Staffing Reductions at the City's Building Department

BOMA San Francisco President, Margot Crosman, sent a letter to Mel Murphy, President of the San Francisco Building Inspection Commission today expressing her concerns regarding the proposed FY 2009-10 staffing reductions at the Department of Building Inspection.

The issue is the possible loss of highly experienced professionals in the Department that need to be retained due to their institutional knowledge, which is not easily replaced, if at all. The staffing reduction, if implemented, would adversely affect all property owners in the long run.

You can read the details in the letter here.

BOMA International's National Issues Conference in Washington D.C. - Ron Brownstein Presentation

Click here for an interesting summary of a presentation by the keynote speaker at the BOMA International's National Issues Conference in Washington D.C. , Ron Brownstein, Political Director of the Atlantic Media Company. His major theme was that the country’s changing demographics do not support much of a future for the Republican Party unless it changes its focus substantially. Here are the highlights:

• The 2008 election ended a long state of parity between Democratic and Republican parties, with a total of nine states changing from “red” to “blue".
• Obama’s garnering of 53% of the popular vote was based on high levels of discontent with Bush and a desire for change. Leveraging off this disillusionment, Democrats built a “coalition of ascendant,” attracting voters from key growing segments of the U.S. population.
• Republicans dominated only among blue-collar, working-class whites. Better-educated, more affluent white voters--historically Republicans--voted for Obama.
• The “red Democrats” are a group of 22 legislators from states that voted for Bush in 2000 and 2004 elections. Obama’s aggressive agenda will test the mettle of them and their constituencies. Like canaries in the coal mine, red Democrats are being watched as indicators of the Obama's administration’s ability to push through change.
• Over-confidence in pushing his agenda could be Obama’s Achilles’ heel, resulting in a loss of blue states back to red in 2010.
  

BOMA Supports Extending the 15-Year Leasehold Depreciation Schedule

Your BOMA San Francisco advocacy team was in Washington D.C. recently to talk to our Bay Area Congressional representatives about, among other issues, extending the 15-year leasehold depreciation schedule.

Current Federal Law:

Through the end of 2009, the tenant improvements are depreciated on a 15-year schedule. On January 1, 2010, this will change to a 39-year depreciation schedule.

BOMA Position:

Congress must act now to extend or make permanent the 15-year depreciation period.

Supporting Arguments:

• Leasehold improvements are the build-outs to tenant space from floor to ceiling and everything in between.
• A 15-year depreciation schedule more closely reflects the reality of the marketplace. Leasehold improvements typically don't last longer than 15 years, at most, before they are replaced.
• Job creation and economic stimulation: Indeed, almost $250 billion is invested in commercial real estate improvement annually, with $15 billion of that amount going to leasehold improvements.

Please click here for more details about BOMA San Francisco's Washington D.C. trip

The Morning News Links - April 14, 2009

• The National Science and Technology Council has proposed new standards for the development of net-zero, high-performance buildings.
• California's 2-month-old budget is (surprise!) still short.
• Is the GOP still relevant in California?
• Will San Francisco become more frugal in response to the grim budget outlook?
  

The City and County of San Francisco Building Codes - Online

We've been looking for the City and County of San Francisco's building codes online and we found them. Please click here to access the city's building codes (2007 edition), as well as electrical, housing, mechanical, and plumbing codes.

The Afternoon News Links - April 13, 2009

• HSBC Holdings may sell a few signature buildings.
• Candidate for California Governor, Tom Campbell, has an op-ed piece on Proposition 1A. You can read it here.
• Jerry Brown will bring common sense back to Sacramento.
• California launches 'green job' training.
  

SFPUC’S Free Water-Wise Evaluation

At a recent BOMA San Francisco Environment Committee meeting, Susan Tensfeldt, Water Service Inspector with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), informed the committee that the SFPUC has a FREE program to assist both commercial and residential customers in saving money on their water bill.

The Water-Wise Evaluation program—which uses your billing history as a guide—has a water conservation technician visit your site who will provide a comprehensive review of your water usage and will produce a report with water saving (and money saving!) recommendations. With a water rate increase in July 2009 to the tune 13%, it’s important to take advantage of this program right now. Please be aware that there is a 2-3 week lead time to schedule an appointment, so call the SFPUC Water Conservation Section today at (415) 551-4730.

SFPUC: Water and Sewage Rates to Increase July 1

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) will most likely increase water and sewage rates over a five year period to both residential and commercial customers to pay for the Water System Improvement Program (WSIP)—mostly for seismic improvement projects. The final vote is expected to take place on May 5, 2009. The impact to commercial interests would be a 13% increase in water rates; sewage rates would go up by 1%. Please click here for more information on the proposal. New rates would be effective July 1.

BOMA San Francisco Emergency Preparedness Committee Meeting - April 14th

BOMA San Francisco's Emergency Preparedness Committee will meet on April 14th at the Pyramid Center, 600 Montgomery St., 48th Floor from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Mission:

The mission of BOMA San Francisco's Emergency Preparedness Committee is to

• Support BOMA member information needs regarding security and life safety measures
• Facilitate communication between BOMA members and their tenants
• Support Government agency needs and facilitate communication between those entities and BOMA members

Goal:

To identify exemplary safety, security, emergency preparedness and incident prevention practices in the commercial property field, and to educate members about the security and life safety assessment and planning tools, and range of preparedness options available to them.

The Saturday News Links - April 11, 2009

• We mentioned that commercial real estate rents are down 24% from the first quarter of last year, and the second quarter looks to be even worse.
• The City of San Francisco has launched recoverysf.org, a website that reflects how much money the city has, and will, be rewarded from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and where the funds will be spent.
• U.S. Department of Energy forms the commercial real estate alliance.
  
• Fed informs some banks (the big ones) to keep quiet about their 'stress test' results.
• California ranks low as a business friendly state according to one report.
• Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger makes the case for the budget propositions in May: they need to pass or the state will be in really bad shape (video included!).

PAC at the Park 2009 - Thank you!

From left to right: Jimmy Davenport, former Giants player and manger; Margot Crosman, President, BOMA San Francisco; Bruce Schilling, BOMA PAC board member.

BOMA San Francisco would like to thank everyone who attended our PAC at the Park event last night at China Basin!

With BOMA's special guest, former San Francisco Giants player and manager, Jimmy Davenport in attendance, and a raffle for a signed ball of the 2008 National League Cy Young Award Winner, Tim Lincecum, the event was a great success!

Steven Austin, Immediate Past President, BOMA San Francisco; Marc Intermaggio, Executive Vice President, BOMA San Francisco

Ben Fish, ABM Security Services; Howard Fish; Vice President, Skyline Construction, Inc.

Jose Guevara, Property Manager, Cushman & Wakefield; Jimmy Davenport; Margot Crosman, President, BOMA San Francisco

From left to right: John Bozeman, Legislative Assistant, BOMA San Francisco; Amber Miller, Assistant Property Manger, Boston Properties; Preston Richards, Chair, BOMA San Francisco Young Professionals Committee.

Todd Robinette, Senior Vice President/Regional Manager, Jones Lang LaSalle; Ken Cleaveland, Director of Government and Public Affairs, BOMA San Francisco

Janice Clarence was the winner of the ball signed by Tim Lincecum

Anti-Graffiti Super Huddle: "Zero Graffiti for a Beautiful City" - April 23, 2009

"Zero Graffiti for a Beautiful City"
ANTI-GRAFFITI SUPER HUDDLE
April 23, 2009

REGISTER NOW!

Hilton San Francisco Financial District Grand Ballroom
750 Kearny Street
2:45 p.m. Registration
3-5 p.m. Program
5-6 p.m. Social Hour.

As someone who works to improve the quality of life and the beauty of the community, you are invited to participate in the Second Anti-Graffiti Super Huddle. At the Huddle, you will receive information about the City's campaign to defeat graffiti vandalism and learn how to get involved. The event will feature guest speakers, neighborhood resource tables, and a social hour where you will meet others who share your concerns and who want to take action.

The City has adopted a zero tolerance policy toward graffiti, and agencies like DPW, MUNI, Recreation and Parks and the School District, are working hard to keep public streets, parks, schools, buildings and buses free of graffiti tagging. San Francisco property owners have been doing their part by quickly removing graffiti to keep it from spreading. There are also hundreds of residents throughout the City who volunteer to remove graffiti in their neighborhoods.

All these efforts have paid off and there is a marked improvement in the way San Francisco looks today. Sadly, graffiti removal costs the City more than $20,000,000 annually - funds that could be spent on badly needed services. Graffiti vandalism will continue to be a drain on the City's limited resources unless we do more to stop it.

Only by coming together as a community, will we be able to defeat graffiti in San Francisco.

Please join us at "Zero Graffiti for a Beautiful City" on April 23rd and help spread the word by inviting others who may be interested in attending. You can register on-line at zerograffitisf.org or call 415-641-2600 to receive additional information about the Anti-Graffiti Super Huddle.

Office of the City Administrator/GSA

New Asia Restaurant, R&G Lounge, Portsmouth Square Garage,

Asian American Contractors Association, Building Owners and Managers Association of San Francisco, Norcal Waste Systems, RAPIDRenu, Shorenstein Realty Service

The Morning News Links - April 9, 2009

• Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (CMBS) outlook shows that the worst may not be over.
• Union representing City of San Francisco workers is asked to make concessions in light of the budget deficit.
• A myriad of vacant office space is available in San Francisco right now due to, you guessed it, the bad economy. The good news? You can get office space on the cheap (rents are down 24% from one year ago). Click here or here for the story.
• Editorial: The city should enable job creation in downtown San Francisco. Click here to read all about it; click here for the SPUR report on the subject.
• California Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell is exploring a gubernatorial run.
• And you'll never guess (pun intended) who else is running for governor.
• Tom Campbell is not your run-of-the-mill candidate for governor.
• Thomas L. Friedman's view of a carbon cap-and-trade system.

San Francisco Chamber of Commerce: Growth in City’s Wages and Benefits Far Outstrips Revenue Growth

Steve Falk, President of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, has published a concise and timely review of the San Francisco Controller's Office Budget Improvement Project. You can read the article here. Here are the highlights:

• Growth in employee wages and benefits – not the number of employees – accounts for 54 percent of the spending growth.
• Public Health: San Francisco’s per capita spending on public-health services is more than double the average of surveyed peer counties.
• Human Services: San Francisco spends up to three times more per capita on social services.
• Police and Fire: San Francisco is the only city that has a voter-adopted minimum staffing level for its Police and Fire Departments.
• The current recession has been a wake-up call across the country. Here in San Francisco it is time to seriously evaluate our cost structure with the goal of living within our means.
  

The Morning News Links - April 8, 2009

• Budget & Finance Committee Chair John Avalos is pondering whether to have the Mayor submit a proposed city budget earlier.
• Mayor Newsom backs San Francisco's proposed taxi revenue plan (video included)
  
• Increased taxes on the November ballot? Read about it here.
• Tired of increased taxes in California? You are not alone.
  
• Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi may abandon his run for California Governor. Which of the remaining gubernatorial candidates would benefit if that happens? Click here to find out.
• Let the May special election ad battles begin! (FYI - BOMA California supports Propositions 1A-1F on the May 19, 2009, Statewide Special Election Ballot).

BOMA California Board of Directors Support Budget Propositions

BOMA California's Board of Directors is supporting Propositions 1A-1F on the May 19. 2009, Statewide Special Election Ballot.

You can also click here for detailed information on each proposition from the California Secretary of State, or click on the links below (courtesy of Budget Reform Now).

Proposition 1A - Rainy Day Budget Stabilization and Accountability Act


Prop 1A will stabilize budget spending over the long-term, limit state spending based on 10-year revenue trends, and mandate a bigger rainy day fund, forcing the politicians to save in good years so we have money when the economy falters. 
 


Proposition 1B - Protect Education Funding


Prop 1B ensures that schools receive $9.3 billion over time, so that the billions in education cuts California was forced to make during this unprecedented fiscal crisis are not permanent.



Proposition 1C - Lottery Modernization Act


Prop 1C modernizes the state lottery and brings in $5 billion to the state immediately. By updating the Lottery for the first time since 1984, the state will be able to maximize this currently underperforming asset and bring in crucial revenue for schools, public safety roads and other priorities.

Proposition 1D - Children’s Services Funding


Prop 1D temporarily redirects a portion of $2.5 billion in excess funds from a voter-approved tobacco tax. This measure redirects a portion of these funds to pay for children’s health and social services and to prevent deep cuts to kids’ healthcare and other programs while still funding the programs already supported by this revenue stream.

Proposition 1E - Mental Health Funding 


Prop 1E temporarily redirects a portion of funds from the Mental Health Services Act to fund children’s health programs that are at risk of elimination due to the budget crisis, including health care screening, diagnosis and treatment.



Proposition 1F – State Officer Salary Increases

Prop 1F prohibits legislators, the Governor and other state politicians from getting pay raises whenever California is running a budget deficit.