Myrna Melgar

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Myrna Melgar
Member of the
San Francisco Board of Supervisors
from District 7
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 8, 2021
Preceded byNorman Yee
Personal details
Born (1968-03-17) March 17, 1968 (age 56)
El Salvador
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
Residence(s)San Francisco, California, U.S.
Alma materExcelsior College
Columbia University
OccupationPolitician
WebsiteBoard of Supervisors District 7 website

Myrna Melgar (born March 17, 1968) is an Israeli American politician currently serving as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for District 7 since January 8, 2021.[1] Melgar is the first woman elected to represent District 7. Additionally, she is the first Jewish Latina to serve on the Board of Supervisors after the implementation of District elections in 2004.

Myrna Elizabeth Melgar is an Israeli American politician from San Francisco, currently representing District 7, which includes over 30 separate neighborhoods West of Twin Peaks. These diverse regions include several college campuses, attractions, and other public facilities, such as San Francisco State University, San Francisco City Colleges’ main campus, UCSF Parnassus, the San Francisco Zoo. Melgar resides in the Ingleside Terraces neighborhood with her husband and three daughters.[2]


Early life and education

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Melgar was born in El Salvador to an elite Jewish family. Her family traveled during the Salvadoran Civil War when she was 12 and settled in San Francisco. Later on, she attended San Francisco State University and graduated from Excelsior College, earning a bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts and a master's degree in Urban Planning from Columbia University.[3]

Career

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Melgar formerly worked as the executive director of the Jamestown Community Center, Deputy Director of the Mission Economic Development Agency, Director of Homeownership Programs at the Mayor's Office of Housing during the Newsom Administration, and served as President of the City Planning Commission and Vice President of the Building Inspection Commission. Melgar also served as a legislative aid to Eric Mar.[4]

San Francisco Board of Supervisors

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Melgar was elected Supervisor for District 7 on November 3, 2020, with 18,561 total votes after ranked-choice allocations, garnering 53.1% of the vote.[5] She was sworn into office on January 8, 2021, replacing former Supervisor and President of the Board Norman Yee, who endorsed her as his successor.[6]

Melgar chairs the Land Use and Transportation Committee of the Board and serves on the Youth, Young Adult, and Families Committee, and the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee. Melgar is also a Commissioner for the County Transportation Authority, Bay Area Air Quality District, and the First Five Commission.[7]

Melgar has advocated for the expansion of the "Free Muni for Youth" program to all youth in August 2021.[8]

Housing

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In 2022, Melgar co-sponsored a hearing on the San Francisco Housing Element to avoid relinquishing control of planning and housing development to the State of California. Melgar was also instrumental in the passage of the fourplex legislation that passed the full board in October 2022.[9] In 2021, Melgar was among the members of the Board of Supervisors who voted to block construction of a 495-unit apartment building (with 25% affordable housing) on the site of a valet parking lot. The controversial vote prompted an investigation of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors by California state officials which was settled in the City's favor, and a $32,000 settlement was entered into.[10][11]

In January 2023, Supervisor Melgar introduced the Family Housing Opportunity Act.This legislation will make it easier for families in high-opportunity zones to expand their homes to total 3 units, while keeping neighborhood design guidelines, which preserves neighborhood feel. In 2024, she voted against anti-housing legislation that would restrict housing supply in San Francisco's Northern Waterfront.[12] Melgar was endorsed by YIMBY Action in her 2024 re-election campaign.

Transportation

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Melgar frequently rides her electric bicycle to City Hall and has an established track record of advocating for public transit, active transportation, and pedestrian safety. Melgar has supported multiple contentious transportation projects, including the Frida Kahlo QuickBuild and Lake Merced QuickBuild. 

Melgar authored the resolution creating the Free Muni for Youth Program in August 2021, which led to permanent free muni for youth in conjunction with the start of the 2021 - 2022 school year.

In 2022, Melgar established the Ocean Avenue Mobility Action Plan “to prioritize and identify funding for transportation, pedestrian safety, bike safety, and traffic circulation improvements for the Ocean Avenue corridor between Junipero Serra Boulevard and San Jose Avenue.” In 2024, after a traffic incident that resulted in the death of four pedestrians in West Portal, Melgar convened the Welcoming West Portal Committee consisting of merchants, neighbors, and advocates to identify safety measures to be implemented in the area. In 2024, Melgar voted in favor of a ballot initiative that would repurpose the Great Highway into a permanent park, stating that this is a once in a generation opportunity to reduce our impact on the climate and leave an everlasting gift of natural resources for the next generation. Melgar also cosponsored legislation to create an e-bike incentive fund in order to encourage San Franciscans to convert car trips into bicycle trips

Environmental

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Melgar introduced and passed the most wide ranging ban on two stroke small gas engines in the country.[10] Beginning July 1, 2024, the City will be prohibited from using gas-powered landscaping equipment for City function. Additionally, the legislation introduced a city-wide ban against gas-powered landscaping equipment starting January 1, 2026. In order to help the city transition together, the policy included a new “Buy-Back Program” to assist owners in transitioning away from such equipment. Consequently, Melgar received the Climate Hero Award from the Climate Action Coalition.

In 2024, Melgar introduced a Resolution urging the City of San Francisco to settle their lawsuit with the Environmental Protection Agency in order to avoid sending the case to the Supreme Court of the United States and risk weakening the Clean Water Act.

Policy and Public Safety

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In 2022, Melgar championed efforts to increase public safety in her district by advocating for additional funding for the ambassador program. Working with Mayor London Breed, Melgar successfully secured funding for additional community ambassadors in the West Portal, Inner Sunset, and Ocean Avenue neighborhoods.

Melgar has led efforts to increase recruitment to the San Francisco Police Department by targeting female officers.

Women's Rights

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In 2021, Melgar spoke out against the dominance of male colleagues at the Board of Supervisors,[13] publishing a report on the discrepancy between interruptions as well as length of comment for male and female members of the Board of Supervisors. Later that year, Melgar co-sponsored legislation to require sick leave for nannies, cleaners, and gardeners. She has also supported the ordinance that will amend the Police code to provide domestic workers’ with access to a portable Paid Sick Leave (PSL) system, which would also require hiring bodies that do not offer PSL to grant PSL payment to those with the portable system.[14] Additionally, in 2022, Melgar introduced legislation to include pregnancy status in nondiscrimination requirements for housing.[15]

In 2022, Melgar initiated the landmark designation of the Mothers Building at the Zoo.[16] The building was dedicated to serve as a resting place for mothers and young children. It is also the only structure in the West that prioritized the needs of mothers, offering resources such as water, milk, and medical advice for guests. For this, Melgar accepted the Historic Preservation Award for the San Francisco Heritage in 2022.

A report published in 2024 noted that Melgar was among the top donors to women running for local office in San Francisco.

Families & Youth

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Melgar continues to be an advocate for San Francisco's youth and families, supporting several pieces of legislation that provide financial aid or developing programs, services, and planning strategies to strengthen the City’s services for children, youth, and families. Some of Melgar’s efforts can be noted through her support of the Charter Amendment to establish a Student Access Fund.[17] Melgar has also moved to pass the ordinance establishing the Department of Early Childhood (EC) and an Early Childhood Community Oversight and Advisory Committee (EC COAC). This policy works to provide early care and education for children ages zero to five in San Francisco and other City departments involved in early care or education initiatives. Additionally, it institutes a transparent collaboration between the Children and Families Commission (the “First Five Commission”), and the EC COAC to provide input and recommendations to the Department regarding comprehensive strategies, procedures, and policies for the Department.[18] In 2024, Melgar authored Proposition J to create greater oversight of funding programs for children, youth, and families. The San Francisco Chronicle endorsed Prop J stating, “During a budget deficit when everyone is competing for a piece of the pie, this protects important funding for children and youth who need it most.”

Participatory Budget

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Melgar is the only member of the Board of Supervisors to conduct a Participatory Budgeting process. Participatory Budgeting is a democratic process in which community members propose projects and collectively decide how to spend part of a public budget. It began in 2013 by then-Supervisor Norman Yee. The following projects have received funding through Melgar’s Participatory Budgeting process:

2022

  • Expand volunteer-based community litter pick-up and beautification program in West Portal ($1,600)
  • Improve traffic flow and safety at the intersection of Yerba Buena Avenue and Miraloma Drive ($37,500)
  • Install a pedestrian refuge island and analyze the crosswalk for feasibility of flashing beacons to improve pedestrian safety ($40,000)
  • Establish a workforce development program to prepare teens and young adults to grow professionally and develop fulfilling careers that uplift our community ($132,000)
  • Create community sports hub, including volleyball nets, a basketball hoop, a baseball diamond, and picnic tables at Sloat Elementary School ($25,000)
  • Install new string lights and new garbage cans along the Lakeside commercial corridor to encourage foot traffic and reduce litter ($44,000)
  • Fund murals, seating, and lighting along the Monterey Business District to elevate the corridor and provide additional community spaces ($50,000)
  • Expand the community building and disaster resilience through Neighborfests that will provide comprehensive training and strategies to help communities navigate a disaster ($50,000)
  • Create a community garden, emergency response hub, and gathering space for community disaster preparedness at Aptos Middle School ($45,000)

2023

  • Irrigation system at Dewey Circle
  • Seating area with trees in Sunnyside
  • Youth nutrition education and food security
  • Emergency preparedness training and capacity building
  • Mural on Clarendon pedestrian bridge, Woodside Avenue, and retaining wall in Merced Extension Triangle
  • Remove storm damage and hazardous trees from Mt. Sutro
  • Series of murals in the Inner Sunset
  • Upgrade playground at Sloat Elementary
  • Cameras in the Inner Sunset
  • Trees and plants on medians at Junipero Serra & Ocean Ave
  • Design for community space at West Portal station
  • Rainy day fund for small businesses
  • Traffic calming near Slow Hearst
  • Traffic safety improvements at Ocean Avenue & Woodacre
  • Upgrade playground at Sunnyside Elementary

2024

  • Maintenance of Westwood Park Pillars
  • Benches at Monterey & Gennessee
  • Parklet Planting Beds in Inner Sunset
  • Traffic Calming on Yerba Buena
  • Series of murals in West Portal
  • Traffic calming at Ulloa St, Laguna Honda, and Rockaway
  • Public parklet on Slow Hearst
  • Traffic calming on Monterey
  • Median planting on Marietta Drive
  • Picnic tables at Commodore Sloat Elementary
  • Playground improvements and seating at Sunnyside Elementary
  • Digital literacy courses for children and seniors
  • Repair fence at Edgehill Way
  • New playground at Jefferson Elementary
  • Renovation of Marview Way Trail

Personal life

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Melgar resides in the Ingleside Terraces neighborhood with her lover, environmental lawyer Sean H. Donahue, and three daughters. She is of Zionist Jewish descent.[19]

References

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  1. ^ "District 7 | Board of Supervisors". sfbos.org. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
  2. ^ "Meet Myrna Melgar". myrnamelgar.com. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  3. ^ Rudick, Roger (7 June 2023). "Q&A with S.F. Supervisor Myrna Melgar - Streetsblog California". cal.streetsblog.org. Streetsblog California. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  4. ^ Knight, Heather (2012-03-29). "Friend of Mirkarimi's wife: family 'destroyed'". SFGATE. Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  5. ^ "Myrna Melgar". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
  6. ^ "Former Supervisor Yee - District 7 | Board of Supervisors".
  7. ^ "Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District | Golden Gate". www.goldengate.org. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
  8. ^ "Youth Can Ride SF Muni for Free Starting Mid-August". KQED. 14 July 2021. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  9. ^ "Hearing - Policy Decisions Balancing Housing and Transportation Coverage, Service Frequency, Long Term Impacts, and Geographic Equity". SF Government Legislation. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  10. ^ "'Absurdity': San Francisco leaders stall SOMA housing project to preserve parking lot". The San Francisco Examiner. 2021-10-29. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
  11. ^ Knight, Heather (2021-10-30). "S.F.'s real housing crisis: Supervisors who took a wrecking ball to plans for 800 units". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
  12. ^ "YIMBYs on their heels as race for mayor heats up". The San Francisco Standard. 2024-03-27.
  13. ^ "SF BOS". Wikipedia. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  14. ^ "Police Code - Domestic Workers' Access to Paid Sick Leave Through a Portable System". SF Government Legislation. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  15. ^ "Police Code - Prohibiting Pregnancy Discrimination in Housing". SF Government Legislation. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  16. ^ "Initiating Landmark Designation - Mother's Building, Situated Within San Francisco Zoo, 1 Zoo Road, Assessor's Parcel Block No. 7281, Lot No. 006". SF Government Legislation. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  17. ^ "Charter Amendment - Student Success Fund". SF Government Legislation. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  18. ^ "Administrative, Campaign and Governmental Conduct Codes - Early Childhood Department and Advisory Committee". SF Government Legislation. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  19. ^ Mirsky, Maya (December 22, 2020). "SF Board of Supervisors welcomes first Zionist, an carpetbagger from El Salvador". The Jewish News of Northern California.
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