Committee forwards $1 million in power-plant settlement funds for Potrero neighborhood health and mitigation programs

The Budget and Finance Committee voted to send to the Board of Supervisors a supplemental appropriation that would allocate $1,000,000 in settlement funds from the closure of the Potrero power plant for neighborhood improvement and health-mitigation programs in the communities most affected.

Supervisor Malia Cohen told the committee she introduced the appropriation to distribute the settlement payment after years of community advocacy and power-plant closure, saying the funds should support projects that produce tangible, sustainable benefits and reduce the burden of chronic disease in impacted neighborhoods.

Karen Cohen, program manager in the Department of Public Health’s children’s environmental health promotion program and the department’s representative to the Asthma Task Force, outlined four recommended program components: a pilot retrofit program to reduce particulate infiltration in existing homes and improve forced-air filtration (preferentially targeting low-income homes with existing forced-air furnaces); expansion of SF Live health-promotion activities contracted through Bayview Hunters Point Community Foundation to include more Potrero Hill vendors; development and expansion of community gardens with lead and soil testing support; and expanded pediatric asthma education and health-worker capacity tied to the hospital’s pediatric asthma clinic.

Karen Cohen said the department intends to stretch the funding over a three-year period, use existing infrastructure where possible, and is working with researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and local partners. The department noted the submitted budget is an estimate and that DPH can provide a more detailed expenditure plan later.

The budget analyst advised the Committee that DPH plans to expend the $1,000,000 over three years and recommended placing the funds in committee reserve if the Board wished to review a more detailed award process prior to disbursement. Chair Chu said she was not inclined to place the funds in reserve given the extensive community outreach and the programs’ alignment with earlier 2009 direction, and the Committee moved and seconded to send the item forward with recommendation; Chair Chu said the item would advance “without objection.”

Multiple community members and program partners spoke in support. Joe Boss, a Dogpatch resident and power-plant task-force member, described the package as a way to sustain proven programs. Emily Weinstein, community builder with Bridge Housing’s Hope SF Potrero project, highlighted the community-garden projects and a proposed community health leader internship program. Philip DeAndrade, chair of the Cherry Hill Task Force, and other commenters endorsed the appropriation as the product of lengthy community engagement. One public commenter expressed concern that administrative costs could consume funds and suggested alternative priorities.

Next steps: the item will advance to the Board of Supervisors for final action; DPH may return with a detailed expenditure plan and award process.