[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6505850,"mediaKeyId","5497007-9b3d2ba46865f21e6dca3b96d1ff5627","parentId",5497007,"title","SF Environment director warns of staffing and funding shortfalls as major renovation ordinance advances","audioSeconds",1005,"startMs",5261000,"endMs",6266000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5497007-9b3d2ba46865f21e6dca3b96d1ff5627&start=5261&end=6266","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5497007-9b3d2ba46865f21e6dca3b96d1ff5627/thumbnail_5261000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6505850/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/SF-Environment-director-warns-of-staffing-and-funding-shortfalls-as-major-renovation-ordinance-advances","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505850-1574715d696ecfee9a1de3ee8c16cd01/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448311&Signature=VOsxUOiAg69IC~c2b60hc9Zcib9r1RahWB1lbzJfIFqDjOzX63sOBaM84ljXKLKTPHzkFMe1eXBlpYlhDFHPl~2~DJO7xtl6chN9JST7SdYWQC-MxkQ9d-fNW1BkXyPWDsRDmTwucqaF68QQ~unOnesztm~-Jmtx9sjGl9wp~OcBQnrmXd9r0~IaDrxq~GzKkLUYii3j~MqSnUlgWVUdhonj9hlcLGqu50hatNaeM3of7p0DJO26uzkuS0I2x6HAB7EmCvwkBX48LhXOphcYs3MIzU1D-sDjZByST5WyZ6rcVNrtEYEKnQZfDQDJyJT~0n5Tx4MYdwPN~pZ-zgUJcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of San Francisco","date","2025-07-28T00:00:00Z","article","San Francisco Environment Director Tyrone Jude briefed the commission on program highlights and a deteriorating budget outlook that staff said could force program reductions or layoffs in the coming fiscal cycle.

Jude told commissioners that the major renovations ordinance — a building-electrification-related measure discussed during the Building Operations Task Force — passed unanimously out of the Board of Supervisors Land Use Committee and will go to the full board for consideration.

He summarized program milestones: the mayor announced the opening of the department’s first fast EV chargers at Bayview Plaza; the department completed BayREN refrigerant-replacement pilots at two San Francisco sites; the 2025 update to the San Francisco Green Building Code has been forwarded to the Board of Supervisors after receiving Department of Building Inspection committee support; and the Safe Medicine Disposal Program collected 42,247 pounds of unwanted medications in calendar year 2024, an 11 percent increase from 2023.

Jude also described the refuse-rate budget process and said the department requested roughly $3 million through refuse-rate funding but the refuse-rate board funded only a subset of positions. He said the department’s headcount reflected in the presentation decreased from 45 to 39 full-time equivalents after adjustments and that the department expects further work-order reductions in year two of the budget cycle. \"If we're not able to rectify that year 2 shortfall, it'll essentially result in potential layoffs of our climate team, our building electrification team, and our Electric Vehicle Team,\" Jude said.

Jude described how refuse-rate funding covered some priority items: a landfill contracting position (previously funded with one-time monies) was funded; a 0.5 FTE toxics reduction position was partially funded to support outreach to small businesses; port rent increases to maintain a recovery facility were covered; and one existing 18/22 classification position was funded at full FTE. He said the mayor’s office has heard department concerns and staff will continue discussions to resolve the year-2 shortfall before budget instructions are finalized later this year.

Why it matters: The department leads policy implementation for city climate goals and many of its core activities — building electrification, electric vehicle deployment and program support — depend on a small staff. Jude framed the current budget trajectory as a test of the city's commitments to its climate targets and said program implementation requires both staffing and programmatic funds.

Clarifying details: Director Jude said the refuse-rate request was roughly $3,000,000; the Safe Medicine Disposal Program collected 42,247 pounds of medicines in 2024 (an 11% increase over 2023); staff headcount shown in the presentation would fall from 45 to 39 FTE after refuse-rate adjustments; year-two work-order reductions could deepen cuts and carry a layoff risk beginning July 1, 2026, if not resolved.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of San Francisco - Video Open Video Only in Windows Media Player","oneSentenceSummary","San Francisco Environment Director Tyrone Jude briefed the commission on program highlights and a deteriorating budget outlook that staff said could force program reductions or layoffs in the coming fiscal cycle.","taxTitle","San Francisco City, San Francisco County, California","taxId",5751,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6505854,"Commission recognizes youth climate leaders and presents Joanna Wald awards; education team reports 19,000 youth reached",942,1254000,2196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5497007-9b3d2ba46865f21e6dca3b96d1ff5627&start=1254&end=2196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5497007-9b3d2ba46865f21e6dca3b96d1ff5627/thumbnail_1254000.jpg","/articles/6505854/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Commission-recognizes-youth-climate-leaders-and-presents-Joanna-Wald-awards-education-team-reports-19000-youth-reached","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505854-ea7c3e00a85be95a5201855796e0664e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448311&Signature=E1Ft9-7t1S1Qi~t7NvC7PzdkN-Buhpf0u0VB9s2LQJalAqUer0kC0M2A0CbsS9hx-Ph5UVdtspYCtsCKe-Liab3Sgf~VT1DzSduMLteQUK-ttmSCZaI4WMS2-iYM2ByvbmdlSFJlWVwOE5P0HZz2mrb92F1cKP~o0i3nCXegX-WfIi5Q2aFTxT38Gq8T3CInAnKpQbz3zoT12Vz0ask--jLm22AVhI7Jp5dt0vtVPEFCTjl8HG64UjR0n~GOJPQ2bheri-vFn0rV9KWtiNYCfLAEjvZmyewot~B870akIyhMF4QbVhXItFprl~znYF-SmQ7fPBbqDThTja~a812Ziw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Francisco Commission on the Environment honored youth and community organizers and heard an update on the department’s environmental education work at Tuesday’s meeting.

Commissioners presented the Joanna Wald Environmental Service Award to Kirk Grimes of the A. Philip Randolph Institute and to Diya (spelled in transcript as \"Diya\") Sharma, a recent high-school graduate and founder of Persistent Planet.

Commissioner Eddie Ahn introduced Kirk Grimes, noting APRI’s long history in Bayview Hunters Point and Grimes’s role in recruiting youth to climate programming. Grimes accepted the award and acknowledged colleagues and APRI staff he said supported the work.

Commissioner Angelique Tompkins introduced Diya Sharma, who told the commission she founded Persistent Planet to educate youth about environmental justice through art and workshops and credited mentoring and seed funding from the YMCA Youth Empowerment Fund for early projects. \"Persistent Planet was created to address what my friends were going through, educating people on how systemic racism and income inequality is affecting us now,\" Sharma said.

Earlier in the meeting, Esther Tang, senior environmental education strategist, and Shraddha Mehta, community partnerships and engagement program manager, briefed commissioners on the education team’s work. Tang said the team reached \"almost 19,000 youth last year\" and highlighted the department’s Climate Action Youth Summit, which grew from about 180 students in a pilot to more than 3,000 attendees this April. Tang noted next year’s summit is scheduled for April 24, 2026 during Climate Week.

Youth presenters described a range of programs and projects. Matthew Nguyen, a rising senior, described Young Leaders in Climate Action, a group that ran summer workshops for underserved middle-school students and piloted school partnerships for the People’s Garden. Other youth fellows and interns described outreach projects ranging from waste accountability at schools to Bring Your Own Cup campaigns.

Why it matters: The education team’s programs are a primary channel for engaging students and building local climate capacity; the awards recognize community partners and youth leaders whose work connects climate education with environmental justice.

Clarifying details: Staff reported reaching nearly 19,000 youth in the prior year; the Climate Action Youth Summit drew more than 3,000 attendees in April 2025 and the next summit date was given as April 24, 2026. The Joanna Wald awards were presented to Kirk Grimes (A. Philip Randolph Institute) and Diya Sharma (Persistent Planet).","The commission presented Joanna Wald Environmental Service Awards to Kirk Grimes (A. Philip Randolph Institute) and Diya Sharma (youth founder of Persistent Planet), heard an environmental education update showing nearly 19,000 youth reached, and received youth presentations about summer programs and school-based initiatives.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6505857,"SF Environment outlines public input and timeline for 2025 Climate Action Plan; equity review shapes revisions",119,3826000,3945000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5497007-9b3d2ba46865f21e6dca3b96d1ff5627&start=3826&end=3945","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5497007-9b3d2ba46865f21e6dca3b96d1ff5627/thumbnail_3826000.jpg","/articles/6505857/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/SF-Environment-outlines-public-input-and-timeline-for-2025-Climate-Action-Plan-equity-review-shapes-revisions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505857-5eaca2428c0872b63c419efbbd8998a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448311&Signature=WfbZd9Mr-zNEVsHHkjyvjkrrle8QF2o2RNj2wDnCg-VQnV14cJaer1IX20ihOT1jBTr~eCzJ9BFXvqPr884faXmlIRlSTQVWDOwGVzkaKbjgljBHU-2hV1pqzN14CCwGlhMN-Y0FX14IxibOC6XS4c1UP8bybODTVv7049roZqd5qea2soCohBzX~PJvpKbBB3ZT11ixHCjlR8hZTIukmnBN0cdhhyK-E4c8B9qtwG3Z8VV2zehlQhYbiopCyVn0ZEJe98VJBhFnq~xHitmhYkTaR24zMJslIEr4qEMnS3qEgjw7m0J~v0zze-h95PdgONHFYsIXiZ7x~8QTlvutnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Francisco Environment staff on Tuesday updated the Commission on the Environment about progress drafting the city’s 2025 Climate Action Plan and described how public comments and an equity review are shaping revisions.

Elizabeth Stamp, senior climate action coordinator, said the department started work on the 2025 plan last fall and has completed an extensive public engagement phase. \"We have something over 700 comments in a very, very big spreadsheet that we are now asking the different lead departments... to look at and consider revising those actions based on what we've heard,\" Stamp said.

Stamp and Cindy Comerford, climate program manager, said the plan retains the city’s overarching targets from the 2021 plan: a 61 percent emissions reduction by 2030 (from 1990 levels) and net-zero emissions by 2040. Comerford told commissioners the most recent city emissions inventory available (2022) shows roughly a 48 percent reduction compared with 1990.

Staff described how the racial and social equity review process assessed potential harms and benefits of proposed actions on communities identified as environmental justice priorities. Stamp said the review asks lead departments to identify negative impacts or opportunities to accelerate benefits for those communities and that SFE staff provide recommendations to reduce harms and increase benefits.

Public input and the equity review are producing themes staff said they will fold into the draft plan: neighborhood-scale community-led solutions (local solar and batteries, compost hubs, reuse), permitting and process reforms to reduce barriers, right-to-repair and circular-economy measures, and green-job strategies targeted to underserved areas.

The department expects to publish a full draft for public review and bring it to commissions this year, with a goal of finalizing and publishing the plan by the end of 2025. Staff also said they are updating Chapter 9 of the Environment Code so the code and the plan align before the plan’s finalization.

Why it matters: The Climate Action Plan sets sector-specific actions to meet the city’s legally stated targets and guides investments, permitting priorities and program design. Staff emphasized that implementation will require funding and clarified that delays in work often stem from resource constraints.

Clarifying details: Staff reported more than 700 written comments captured through events, surveys and emails; the latest emissions inventory referenced was 2022 (48% reduction from 1990); the plan target remains a 61% reduction by 2030 and net-zero by 2040. Staff said the plan will include chapters on innovation, governance and finance and that the draft will be shared with commissions prior to final publication.","Department staff summarized public outreach to date, said they received more than 700 comments, and reiterated the targets: 61% reduction by 2030 and net-zero by 2040. Staff described how racial and social equity reviews and departmental lead feedback will shape the final draft.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6505859,"SoMa residents ask San Francisco Commission on the Environment to review DPW tree-restocking rule they say prevents alley trees",90,627000,717000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5497007-9b3d2ba46865f21e6dca3b96d1ff5627&start=627&end=717","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5497007-9b3d2ba46865f21e6dca3b96d1ff5627/thumbnail_627000.jpg","/articles/6505859/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/SoMa-residents-ask-San-Francisco-Commission-on-the-Environment-to-review-DPW-tree-restocking-rule-they-say-prevents-alley-trees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505859-eb623e7dacb29ac645a19ee6c142d0c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448311&Signature=okF1f6KHDXrBLnj687dcfaHQf-fblxllRRwatbIihivhJJp1fy4PpobK64xGk5g1fqvsMf1Mu32LXoVHyslYa4VG4YePJB8CzPdcSVma5EC5PMijb5053-wfG9U-BKbOfO0uHfbBxgX2l3fMp~KAxB7NJnlwXCAhnK1W773Q1gdrQTVmbtyGlvMfh7CrOr--lmCIJbJv6SmfgNpyfBwoixLxAtCQrc3bJIphXZ71m2GMAruxt7WqlVKsYYptKecwLUM~S4BYpx8GPkF4m88ZkPrZWAeYxf-hx2bdg8hJOQNApSzwRgpDKh2yPVDrF5DfoF4tZpDyfQnzwqErlKVWqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the public urged the San Francisco Commission on the Environment on Tuesday to request a formal review of a Department of Public Works rule they say prevents replanting trees in narrow sidewalks and alleyways, particularly in SoMa West.

At the start of the meeting’s public-comment period, Sean Aukland of SoMa said: \"This order stems from public works order 187246, enacted in 2018. Its minimum 7 and a half foot sidewalk width for tree restocking lacks any evidence based support.\" He told commissioners the rule effectively requires property owners to fill empty tree wells with concrete or face fines.

Aukland said his analysis of city open data shows an equity pattern: \"The more diverse a neighborhood is... the fewer trees it has,\" and he said SoMa West’s canopy stands at about 3.2 percent. He urged the commission to \"agendize this issue for a full hearing\" and to work with Director Carla Short, who Aukland said “has agreed to review the policy.”

Stuart Collins, who lives on Harriet Street in SoMa West, told commissioners the rule will “wipe out many alleys worth of trees in San Francisco as they age and die,” and asked the commission to ask staff to report back on the policy’s impact on the city’s canopy. Collins said Bernal Heights also appears highly impacted under the rule.

Bridal Tobin, a longtime SoMa resident and co-founder of the SoMa West Community Benefit District, echoed those concerns and described repeated difficulties getting city approval to plant and maintain trees in the neighborhood. \"I watch [new] small trees die over the course of, like, six months and then there's no more tree there, and then there's an empty tree well that we're now debating filling in with concrete,\" Tobin said.

Commissioners did not take a formal vote on the matter during the meeting. Director Tyrone Jude noted later in the director’s report that staff will follow up on items mentioned in public comment; Alice Hurst, senior policy and public affairs coordinator, said she would follow up with Director Carla Short and report back to the commission at a future meeting.

Why it matters: Speakers framed the tree-restocking rule as a practical obstacle to meeting the city’s tree-planting and equity goals and connected it to the Climate Action Plan’s targets and local environmental justice priorities. They asked the commission to use its convening role to request a staff report and consider a community-led pilot for alley greening.

Clarifying details drawn from public comment: Aukland cited Public Works Order 187246 (2018) and told the commission a 7.5-foot minimum sidewalk width is required for restocking under that order; he said SoMa West’s canopy is approximately 3.2 percent and that policy could lower it to about 2.8 percent. Collins and Tobin described existing narrow sidewalks and alley geometries that make replanting difficult. The speakers requested a staff report and a future agenda item; the transcript shows the commission asked staff to follow up.

What’s next: Commissioners indicated they would get a report back from staff. Alice Hurst said she would follow up with Director Carla Short and provide an update at a future meeting.","Residents and neighborhood advocates urged the commission to agendize a review of a 2018 Department of Public Works order that they say blocks replanting in narrow sidewalks and will disproportionately reduce canopy in SoMa West.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6505845,"Commission approves minutes; elects Mike Sullivan president and Angelique Tompkins vice president",4552,518000,5070000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5497007-9b3d2ba46865f21e6dca3b96d1ff5627&start=518&end=5070","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5497007-9b3d2ba46865f21e6dca3b96d1ff5627/thumbnail_518000.jpg","/articles/6505845/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Commission-approves-minutes-elects-Mike-Sullivan-president-and-Angelique-Tompkins-vice-president","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505845-8f16775f79e4e0793db058d79900ae54/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448311&Signature=AwRHW7B3-56asQehcJ-Up7yV2rsqise~QsnpmgGHxLY1uVlDzvGBKnVKe-LEHEtNXIuA8VDVFMbuJlCk~kv0SOC~nFFiJ6UQRd-bkFChzXHv5jcWEmRGEc87ESLKE4Ssh-y6qwbxqrM2Oir5WBaUBpZU2SnTzlXCMM6VnmSbHiSeNOtuM1Gsw5pjHy6IeXYJoHRb1TSvQNx6jDz2goRS~IPbQ1FA8UZAxIPmaw8oc8LRDkfFOBLfH4TOR0SI-kHcTr7kXHDwvIKbMEjN4vWVCJAZZ2QfntbzuuaUEct2SswleO0MjVsbXG8DsRyiwDVb3XrOBg4rlA7Y5~gqA3SgYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Francisco Commission on the Environment took three formal actions during Tuesday’s meeting: it approved the minutes of the June 3, 2025 meeting, elected Commissioner Michael (Mike) Sullivan as president, and elected Commissioner Angelique Tompkins as vice president.

Approval of minutes: Commissioner Ahn moved to approve the draft minutes of the June 3 meeting and Commissioner Tompkins seconded. The roll call vote recorded Ayes from Vice President Sullivan (acting chair), Commissioner Ahn, Commissioner Bermejo, Commissioner Ryals and Commissioner Tompkins; Commissioner Hunter and Commissioner Yuan were recorded as excused. The clerk announced, \"The motion passes.\" The action was recorded as approval of item 4, minutes of the 06/03/2025 Commission on the Environment meeting.

President election: Commissioner Bermejo nominated Commissioner Mike Sullivan for the presidency; no other nominations were made. After a brief public comment period with no speakers, the roll call vote recorded Ayes from Vice President Sullivan (voting as a commissioner), Commissioner Ahn, Commissioner Bermejo, Commissioner Ryals and Commissioner Tompkins; Commissioner Hunter and Commissioner Yuan were excused. The clerk announced that the motion passed and Sullivan accepted with brief remarks.

Vice president election: After nominations, Commissioner Sullivan nominated Commissioner Tompkins for vice president. Tompkins accepted the nomination. No members of the public spoke on the nomination during the allotted public comment period. Roll call returned Ayes from Vice President Sullivan, Commissioner Ahn, Commissioner Bermejo, Commissioner Ryals and Commissioner Tompkins; Commissioner Hunter and Commissioner Yuan remained excused. The clerk announced the motion passed and Tompkins assumed the vice-presidential role.

Why it matters: Electing officers and approving minutes are routine governance actions that set the commission’s leadership and record-keeping. Commissioners noted the need for steady leadership during a period of active rulemaking and budget negotiations.

Clarifying details: The motion to approve the minutes was moved by Commissioner Ahn and seconded by Commissioner Tompkins; both leadership votes were unanimous among commissioners present. The transcript records two commissioners as excused (Hunter and Yuan).","The Commission on the Environment approved the minutes of its June 3, 2025 meeting and held elections for president and vice president. All recorded roll-call votes were unanimous among members present.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

SF Environment director warns of staffing and funding shortfalls as major renovation ordinance advances

Commission recognizes youth climate leaders and presents Joanna Wald awards; education team reports 19,000 youth reached

SF Environment outlines public input and timeline for 2025 Climate Action Plan; equity review shapes revisions

SoMa residents ask San Francisco Commission on the Environment to review DPW tree-restocking rule they say prevents alley trees

Commission approves minutes; elects Mike Sullivan president and Angelique Tompkins vice president