BETHEL — The town’s public school district is on a mission to fix the high school’s dysfunctional heating, ventilation and air conditioning system — but doing so could cost much more than experts initially expected.

Bethel High School’s HVAC system — which was not updated when the school was renovated in 2007 to 2009 — has posed problems for several years.

“We’ve been having kind of like a battle with a lot of the units,” Superintendent Christine Carver said Tuesday. “They’re kind of in constant need of repair.”

Freezing temperatures in January 2018 caused the heating and air conditioning unit in the school’s gym, as well as other systems across campus, to fail — forcing the school to move some classes and install temporary heating systems until permanent repairs could be made. A large rooftop unit above the gym was so badly damaged that it had to be completely replaced. 

Now, the school district has received a preliminary cost estimate of more than $9 million to fix these and other similar problems. The superintendent hopes this cost can be reduced. 

In the spring of 2020, Carver said engineering consulting firm Kohler Ronan conducted “an extensive study” of the high school’s HVAC system, which identified “the biggest priorities in terms of repairs to the system and providing air conditioning in all the spaces.”

“We did it because we wanted to use part of our district’s ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds because we knew there were units that were having issues — plus, we wanted to see what it would take to air condition the un-air conditioned spaces in the high school,” she said, noting that there are 35 spaces in the high school that lack air conditioning.

With around $1.5 million already allocated to updating the high school’s HVAC system — $700,000 from the school district’s ESSER grant money and $855,000 from the town’s American Rescue Plan Act funds — the school district is seeking more funding through the state HVAC Indoor Air Quality Grants for Public Schools program.

The grant program — overseen by the Department of Administrative Services Office of School Construction Grants and Review — was established earlier this year to encourage public school districts to install, replace or upgrade heating, ventilation or air conditioning systems in order to improve indoor air quality.

As Finance and Business Operations Director Jennifer Variale said during the Board of Education’s Nov. 17 meeting, different parts of Bethel High School have different HVAC-related needs.

“We have some sections that were never air-conditioned and … there are other parts of the building where we have existing air conditioning but there are air quality issues and noise issues,” she said.

The administrative offices, media center and adjoining classrooms are among the school’s priority areas.

Variale said the way the system is set up now is “like having one thermostat for a huge area, where it really needs to be broken down into smaller areas so that they can have sufficient climate control.”

An engineer from Kohler Ronan who worked on designs for the school’s HVAC project said system adjustments would improve climate control, increase ventilation and improve indoor air quality in those areas. 

Carver says there is one problem — the latest cost estimate for the HVAC work was “significantly higher” than Kohler Ronan had initially anticipated.

“Preliminary cost estimates came out at over $9 million, which is much, much more, and I think that’s an indication of a lot of things lately in terms of supply chain, escalations of cost and just general inflation,” Carver said Tuesday.

The estimated cost may change, as Kohler Ronan has expressed interest in reviewing the latest estimates to identify any inaccuracies and reduce costs and contingency. 

Carver said “better estimates” will be available Nov. 29, when school administration meets with the boards of selectmen and finance to discuss the state HVAC grant application.

“We’re having a joint meeting to determine what they would like us to apply for in the grant and to what dollar amount,” she said.

Even though the cost estimates are higher than originally anticipated, Carver said she thinks they will still be able to take care of all the priority areas that Kohler Ronan originally identified in its 2020 study.

“At the end of the day, I think we’ll end up taking care of the biggest priorities,” she said. “We may not get all of the space air conditioned, but we’ll make another dent at it and address some of the infrastructure issues that weren’t done as part of the original (high school) renovation.”

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Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said in addition to a spate of chimney blazes, it has seen a significant rise in burner incidents with seven incidents recorded between January 20 and 27 alone.

A total of 75 burner incidents were recorded in 2022 compared to 22 the previous year.

Meanwhile in December and January firefighters put out to 30 chimney fires, including 17 last month.

There were 79 chimney fires recorded in 2022 and 1,407 in total recorded over the 10 years between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2022.

Now the fire service is urging residents to call in an approved chimney sweep to prevent damage and and household fires.

It said wood-burning stoves were growing in popularity due to the spiralling cost of gas and electricity, but owners were also being urged to ensure they are correctly installed and regularly maintained.

Emma Roberts

Prevention head Emma Roberts said: “Sweeping your chimney at least once a year and using a quality-assured fuel is the key to prevention. Not only does this remove soot and tar deposits, but also gives chimney sweeps the opportunity to check for any problems with the chimney or liner. A typical sweep only takes about 90 minutes and doesn’t make a mess.

“Professional chimney sweeps use modern methods and tools such as power-sweeping, CCTV and vacuums to ensure minimal disturbance for the homeowner. Customers don’t need to move all of their furniture out of the room.

“So, if your chimney is overdue for a sweep, now is the time to get it done and not add to the list of chimney fires.”

Details of approved chimney sweeps are available from the Heating Equipment Testing and Approvals Scheme(HETAS) on 01684 278170.

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SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Colton McKivitz spent his first three seasons in the NFL bouncing back and forth between…

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Colton McKivitz spent his first three seasons in the NFL bouncing back and forth between the practice squad and active roster for the San Francisco 49ers with limited opportunity to play.

Now McKivitz heads into Year 4 with a big role on one of the Super Bowl favorites as the starting right tackle, a big change for a player who had been fighting just to stay in the league.

“I could not be standing here,” McKivitz said Tuesday. “That’s just part of it. It’s taught me a lot about being a pro and learning from some of the vets. Just getting advice from some of those guys and teaching me the ways to be prepared for when I get my chance. Now’s the time. I’m taking full advantage of what they taught me.”

McKivitz joined the Niners as a fifth-round draft pick out of West Virginia in 2020 and started three games as a rookie. But he failed to make the team coming out of camp the following year, being relegated to the practice squad, where he spent most of that season before being named an emergency starter in a Week 18 game San Francisco needed to win to clinch a spot in the playoffs.

McKivitz spent most of last season as a backup again, with just one start before signing a two-year, $4.6 million contract in March that gave him some stability.

That was only fortified when San Francisco went through the offseason without drafting or signing a potential starter at the spot, showing belief that McKivitz could replace Mike McGlinchey.

“I’ve sweated a few drafts,” he said. “For them not to take anyone and to put that full confidence me as a starter is huge. The pressure’s not off because you’re now the starter. But it just gives that ability to work on the little things and not have that kind of little voice in the back that you may not be here tomorrow. But at the same time, you may lose your job. It builds confidence that the front office and those guys have confidence in me to be the starter. It’s my job not to lose it.”

McKivitz said getting cut before his second season was a bit of a shock but he responded well by working harder and leaning on veterans like All-Pro left Trent Williams to improve as a player.

“That was a wake-up,” offensive line coach Chris Foerster said. “If you talk to him about it, that would probably be his wake-up call in the NFL. Nobody claimed him and we brought him back on our practice squad. That was one of those things where he kind of thought: ‘Well, I was drafted. I’m going to be here. I’m going to get my opportunities.’ You come to realize that nothing’s guaranteed and so we brought him back in a practice squad role and he was a different guy from that moment on.”

This is the second straight season that the Niners have entrusted a starting spot on the offensive line to a relatively untested player.

Last year, the three interior starters came into the season with three career starts, with rookie Spencer Burford playing right guard, second-year player Aaron Banks stepping in at left guard and Jake Brendel getting the nod at center after starting only three games his first six seasons.

Now it’s McKivitz’s turn.

“He’s been through it all,” Williams said. “He’s been through it pretty much every situation you can go through, except for being a Day 1 starter. Now that’s his position. He’s earned it. We’re proud of him. He’s a phenomenal player. The confidence that he plays with, in my opinion, allows him to play at a high level.”

NOTES: The Niners signed DE Taco Charlton to a one-year deal and waived S Avery Young. Charlton was a first-round pick by Dallas in 2017 and has 11 1/2 sacks in 60 career games. … T Jaylon Moore left practice early with an apparent left knee injury. … Rookie K Jake Moody made a 60-yard FG to end practice. Moody was 5 for 6 overall, with his miss coming from 43 yards.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Copyright
© 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

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SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Colton McKivitz spent his first three seasons in the NFL bouncing back and forth between the practice squad and active roster for the San Francisco 49ers with limited opportunity to play.

Now McKivitz heads into Year 4 with a big role on one of the Super Bowl favorites as the starting right tackle, a big change for a player who had been fighting just to stay in the league.

“I could not be standing here,” McKivitz said Tuesday. “That’s just part of it. It’s taught me a lot about being a pro and learning from some of the vets. Just getting advice from some of those guys and teaching me the ways to be prepared for when I get my chance. Now’s the time. I’m taking full advantage of what they taught me.”

McKivitz joined the Niners as a fifth-round draft pick out of West Virginia in 2020 and started three games as a rookie. But he failed to make the team coming out of camp the following year, being relegated to the practice squad, where he spent most of that season before being named an emergency starter in a Week 18 game San Francisco needed to win to clinch a spot in the playoffs.

McKivitz spent most of last season as a backup again, with just one start before signing a two-year, $4.6 million contract in March that gave him some stability.

That was only fortified when San Francisco went through the offseason without drafting or signing a potential starter at the spot, showing belief that McKivitz could replace Mike McGlinchey.

“I’ve sweated a few drafts,” he said. “For them not to take anyone and to put that full confidence me as a starter is huge. The pressure’s not off because you’re now the starter. But it just gives that ability to work on the little things and not have that kind of little voice in the back that you may not be here tomorrow. But at the same time, you may lose your job. It builds confidence that the front office and those guys have confidence in me to be the starter. It’s my job not to lose it.”

McKivitz said getting cut before his second season was a bit of a shock but he responded well by working harder and leaning on veterans like All-Pro left Trent Williams to improve as a player.

“That was a wake-up,” offensive line coach Chris Foerster said. “If you talk to him about it, that would probably be his wake-up call in the NFL. Nobody claimed him and we brought him back on our practice squad. That was one of those things where he kind of thought: ‘Well, I was drafted. I’m going to be here. I’m going to get my opportunities.’ You come to realize that nothing’s guaranteed and so we brought him back in a practice squad role and he was a different guy from that moment on.”

This is the second straight season that the Niners have entrusted a starting spot on the offensive line to a relatively untested player.

Last year, the three interior starters came into the season with three career starts, with rookie Spencer Burford playing right guard, second-year player Aaron Banks stepping in at left guard and Jake Brendel getting the nod at center after starting only three games his first six seasons.

Now it’s McKivitz’s turn.

“He’s been through it all,” Williams said. “He’s been through it pretty much every situation you can go through, except for being a Day 1 starter. Now that’s his position. He’s earned it. We’re proud of him. He’s a phenomenal player. The confidence that he plays with, in my opinion, allows him to play at a high level.”

NOTES: The Niners signed DE Taco Charlton to a one-year deal and waived S Avery Young. Charlton was a first-round pick by Dallas in 2017 and has 11 1/2 sacks in 60 career games. … T Jaylon Moore left practice early with an apparent left knee injury. … Rookie K Jake Moody made a 60-yard FG to end practice. Moody was 5 for 6 overall, with his miss coming from 43 yards.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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As cyber, natural disasters and other perils pose risks to businesses, they turn to their insurance partners for support and advice.

Risk managers have seen some disruption in recent years. From the pandemic and cyberattacks to natural disasters, talent challenges and the looming recession, risk professionals have a busy schedule.

To get a picture of risk managers’ views of the industry, Risk & Insurance® surveyed 156 risk managers.

They shared insights into their most worrying risks, which lines they are struggling to secure cover for, what they look to their brokers and carriers for, and how technology is helping them manage evolving risks.

Surprisingly, trending issues like inflation remain less of a concern for risk managers (only 9.62% named it a top concern), while issues like real estate and cyber, which have been challenges for years, remain top priorities. Here’s a look at their top three concerns and what they’re doing to manage those risks.

What risks are risk managers most concerned about?

1) Cyber ​​risk: Nearly 30% of risk managers surveyed cited cyber as the most worrying risk facing their organization. In recent years, cyberattacks have increased in frequency and severity, with healthcare, public sector and manufacturing sectors particularly vulnerable.

In addition to concerns about cyber risks, many risk managers surveyed expressed difficulty finding insurance coverage for these risks. Over 30% of risk managers said cyber was the most difficult line of insurance they found economically to retain.

2) Talent Shortage: Skills shortages continue to be an issue for employers, even as more and more companies are announcing layoffs and economists are predicting a recession. In the survey, 26.28% of respondents named the shortage of skilled workers as one of their biggest problems.

Talent gaps can impact workers’ compensation risks, says Donald Noel, ARM-E, CEBS, Risk & Safety Manager, The School District of Palm Beach County. Newer employees have a higher risk of injury at work. If an employee is injured in a company with staff shortages, it can put an additional strain on the organization.

“Safety is a priority for us to prevent the staff we have wasting time through injuries,” Noel said.

And they’re a problem for risk management, too: 36.30% of respondents said they don’t have the people to deliver on their departmental goals.

3) CAT exposures: CAT risks were the third-biggest risk, with 13.46% of respondents citing it as the top concern. Storms such as hurricanes have become more frequent in recent years and have repeatedly caused damage.

Property insurance was the second most difficult coverage to tie, said risk managers who took part in the survey, with 25.34% listing it as their most difficult line of business.

To manage these risks, many risk managers update their properties to include improvements that protect them from severe weather.

“Our district is investing in upgrading our older facilities, including new roofs, waterproofing, and improved mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems,” Noel said. “These investments help keep our buildings drier and provide a healthy learning environment for our students.”

What do risk managers look for in their freight forwarders and brokers?

In managing these complex risks, risk managers look to their insurance agents and carriers for support.

The survey found that industry knowledge and underwriting expertise are the most important qualities that risk managers look for in their broker or carrier.

Carriers and brokers with in-depth knowledge can help design creative insurance solutions for their clients and offer advice on how to reduce exposure to specific risks.

34.62% of respondents said they value industry knowledge from their agent and 25.64% said they look to their airline for strong underwriting expertise.

After these qualities, risk managers prioritized strong customer service, competitive pricing, and ease of doing business.

Price and ease of doing business are the second most important criteria for quality risk managers in a carrier, with as many as 20.51% of respondents citing both as top priorities. On the agent side, 28.21% of risk managers surveyed said customer service was an important quality to look for in their agent.

How does technology help manage these risks?

Risk managers not only rely on the expertise of carriers and brokers to manage these risks, they are also turning to technology to reduce and manage a variety of hazards.

Nearly 30% of risk managers said they prioritize investments in technology. These tools can range from sensors that help identify potential damage from things like flooding, cybersecurity controls, and AI and predictive analytics systems.

On the cyber side, Noel says he sees organizations using tools like multi-factor authentication to protect themselves from cyber attacks.

As for predictive analytics, 42.47% of respondents said predictive analytics was somewhat helpful in risk management and 12.33% said it was very effective. Over ten percent said they have not experienced any benefits from predictive analytics, and 23.29% said they are not yet using it.

The Palm Beach County School District uses predictive analytics about its TPA to determine which claims need attention from adjusters.

“When predicting severity, we can use more experienced subject matter experts on the original claims of this PA [predictive analytics] determines that this will result in an expensive or legal claim,” he said.

The prioritization of both knowledgeable insurance teams and technology investments shows that risk managers understand they need to take a multi-pronged approach to managing risk in today’s changing world. &

Courtney DuChene is a freelance journalist based in Philadelphia. She can be reached at [email protected]

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Tristan Wirfs was a real tackle for the first three years of his career with the Buccaneers.

But there’s a chance that might change as he enters fourth year.

With Tampa Bay firing Donovan Smith, the club now has a vacancy at left tackle. Could Wirfs fill it? The Buccaneers will think about it, according to general manager Jason Licht.

“We’ve talked about it since we designed Tristan,” Licht said Thursday via PewterReport.com. “So right now I think it’s just talk. We have low season. We have plenty of time to see how that plays out.”

The 13th overall pick of the 2020 draft, Wirfs hadn’t missed an offensive snap until he sprained his ankle in November.

Wirfs was a 2021 first-team All-Pro and a 2022 second-team All-Pro.

Jason Licht: Moving Tristan Wirfs to Left Tackle “just talk” originally appeared on Pro Football Talk

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SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Home improvements, especially the do-it-yourself kind, are really booming these days. Stuck at home, we are all noticing the jobs, big and small, that need to be done. But do you have the skills?

You could hire a handyperson to take care of them, but during these coronavirus times, you might not feel like having an extra person coming into your home. So here is an alternative: a video handyperson.

Fixer.com offers in-home handyperson service in Chicago and a virtual handyperson service everywhere.

RELATED: DIY backyard water park-style ideas for your family this summer while staying at home

CEO Mike Evans has faith in your abilities, telling me, “We say homeowners can do more than they think they can do, and with a screwdriver and a coach they can work through just about any task in their home.”

Mike says the video service gets a lot of calls about hanging something on a wall or taking something off a wall.

So I go along on a virtual visit and meet these two: “Hi my name is Siri. Hey, I am Eric,” Siri Vemuri and Eric Christophels introduce themselves.

These two want to do both: take something down and put something up.

“We want to replace the existing curtain rod with a new one that we bought and we have a couple of questions about that process,” they say.

Paul Poweziak is Fixer’s lead trainer and is going to help get the curtain rod replaced.

RELATED: Fix it or throw it? The top goods and gadgets we tried to fix ourselves last year

“Removing your old drapes should be pretty straightforward,” he tells them via a video streaming session. “Do you guys have a ladder on site?”

Eric says, “Yes.”

Siri says, “We have a ladder and a bar stool,” then adds jokingly, “Is that code?”

John seems concerned.

The project moves forward with Eric taking down the curtain, then, following John’s instructions, takes down one of the old brackets and compares it to the new.

The bracket holes are nearly identical. John says this is good, but Siri is concerned because the bracket is shorter and the second screw hole is only a half-hole.

John tells her, “I think they were trying to save money on materials, but it is equally as secure.”

Siri asks, “I didn’t actually buy a cheapo?”

“No, I think it will be all right,” says John.

John continues giving tips and ideas, while Eric and Siri follow his advice, asking questions along the way.

RELATED: Here’s how to make your own air conditioner for $8

Siri gets up the ladder, but the ladder is facing the wrong direction. John is concerned.

“I am getting a little nervous with Siri up on the ladder. Just because typically when you are on a ladder you should be working in front of yourself and not working sideways or at an angle,” he says. “It’s making me nervous.”

Siri replies, “I am standing on a ladder wrong?” She turns the ladder around and goes back up.

Now Eric brings two screws, one from the old bracket the other from the new, up close to the laptop camera so John can see the difference. They look nearly identical.

John tells them it is fine to use the new ones, then asks Siri, “Do you feel safer on the ladder?”

There is a long pause. “Sure,” says Siri.

The two outside curtain brackets are installed, the drapes go up, are level and look great. Like a pro did the job.

The middle bracket is removed, leaving anchors in the wall.

Eric asks, “If we decide to take them out is there a trick to getting them out?”

“Put in screws,” John says, “but not far enough in, to open the anchor. Then grab that screw with pliers.”

Eric goes up the ladder to try that out and it works perfectly.

“Look at that,” says Siri.

“It was super easy,” says Eric.

“Look at that magic,” Siri exclaims.

So how much does this virtual service cost? Nothing for the first 5 minutes then $15 dollars for each additional 15 minutes.

Take a look at more stories by Michael Finney and 7 On Your Side.

Copyright © 2022 KGO-TV. All rights reserved.

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The newly built Edwin M. Lee Apartments in San Francisco will provide 62 apartments of supportive housing for homeless veterans and another 52 apartments for low-income families. Photo courtesy Cameron MacAllister Group

The newly built Edwin M. Lee Apartments in San Francisco will provide 62 apartments of supportive housing for homeless veterans and another 52 apartments for low-income families.

This 11,520 m2 (124,000 sf) affordable housing development will also provide ground-floor services for families, veterans, neighbors, and the community.

The building enables sustainable lifestyles for its residents, prioritizing access to views and daylight, along with connections to nearby public transportation. The project frames an internal garden courtyard that balances a range of areas for retrospection, interaction, and play.

With a GreenPoints Rated Platinum certification, the project includes photovoltaic and solar hot water panels to reduce operating costs and provide sustainable energy. The photovoltaic renewable energy system is on display to the public and an integral feature in the overall building’s civic design. The design’s material and assembly selections incorporate biophilic design principles and material selections are intended to reduce long-term operating and maintenance costs.

This collaboration—Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects, Saida + Sullivan Design Partners, Swords to Plowshares, and Chinatown Community Development Center—supports a community in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood.

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San Francisco Mayor London Breed pledged Wednesday to confront the city’s most pressing and controversial issues — including homelessness, public safety and a COVID-battered economy — during an annual state of the city address that was the first she has delivered in-person to a crowd since the pandemic began.

Amid the city’s current fear over crime and street conditions, Breed vowed to add more police officers while continuing to pursue alternatives to traditional policing, and to invest in programs that address the root causes of crime. She pledged to clear the way for housing construction and create more shelter and treatment for people on the streets, while also emphasizing accountability for those resources.

Breed, halfway through her first full term, touted her administration’s progress on creating jobs and housing, but acknowledged there’s a long way to go. In a year in which discontented voters brought an unprecedented two recalls to the ballot, residents remain deeply divided over how to best solve the city’s biggest problems.

“We cannot sugarcoat it,” Breed told city and community leaders at the Mission Rock development where 1,200 homes are under construction near Oracle Park. “We have work to do. Our recovery will not be quick, or easy. But it is coming. San Francisco is coming back.”

Breed has become one of the most watched big city mayors in America. Over the last two years, she went from being praised nationally for her handling of the pandemic to being questioned by some over her response to the city’s struggling tenderloin neighborhood, where she has declared a state of emergency in an effort to eliminate drug dealing. Now, she’s poised to appoint three school board members after a landslide recall that she endorsed.

The city is struggling with emptied office buildings and vacant storefronts, particularly downtown. On Wednesday, the city lifted its vaccine mandate for businesses. Breed has tried to lure back tourists, conventions and remote workers downtown while battling perceptions that the city isn’t safe, with stories about viral shoplifting and the drug overdose crisis grabbing headlines.

In her speech, Breed mentioned Asian seniors fearful of leaving their homes, Tenderloin families terrorized by drug dealers and Bayview families dealing with gun violence.

“To those who say we don’t need the police — again, I say, listen to the residents. They are speaking louder than ever,” she said. “No, not for a return to the past, like when I was growing up, and there was often a deep mistrust between the community and the police. Even then, we needed the police.”

Breed gained national attention in December, and drew criticism from some elected officials and homeless advocates, when she pledged to step up policing against drug dealers — and users who refused services — as part of her emergency to reduce overdose deaths in the tenderloin.

Staffing shortages have hamstrung the effort to have officers more involved in clearing the Tenderloin’s streets, an issue Breed highlighted Wednesday. San Francisco was 540 officers short of a recommended staffing level as of early March, with 1,636 officers.

Breed said alternatives to police are needed in some situations, pointing to the city’s street crisis response team that sends mental health professionals to calls of people in crisis. She also said police were continuing to work on reforms to how they manage uses of force. Data shows police use of force decreased in recent years, but Black residents are still far more likely to have used force upon them than white residents.

Breed also touted her investment in the Black community, highlighting the Dream Keeper Initiative she created with Board of Supervisors President Shamann Walton to 2020 to pour $60 million annually into Black-led community organizations.

“These are programs that recognize the root causes of crime are driven by poverty,” she said. “Let’s be the national model: For reform, for alternatives and for safety.”

Breed has clashed at times with San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, a progressive on criminal justice who faces a recall vote in June. But she did not mention him or his office on Wednesday.

Boudin, who with and Public Defender Manohar Raju has criticized the mayor’s policing push, focused on positive collaboration Wednesday. In a statement, Boudin said he shares “the mayor’s optimism” and is committed to working with her and other departments to solve problems.

During Wednesday’s address, Breed only touched upon the drug crisis that prompted her Tenderloin emergency. Overdoses killed nearly twice as many people in San Francisco as COVID-19 over the past two years.

She said she would continue to open shelters for the homeless and increase mental health and addiction treatment. At the last count, 4,000 people in the city struggled with all three conditions. The city has made slow progress to increase treatment, with only 89 of the 400 beds planned added so far.

The city is on track to create 2,500 new permanent supportive housing units — subsidized housing with services for formerly homeless people — this year, Breed said. But the city struggles with quickly filling available units, with 10% — or around 850 units — vacant this week.

San Francisco is spending $1 billion on homelessness over the next two years, but there still aren’t enough resources. In 2019, a count found around 8,000 unhoused people, but the health department recently estimated 18,000 people citywide are experiencing homelessness.

Breed stressed not only resources, but also accountability, was needed.

“I’m done arguing if it’s okay for people to remain on the streets when we have a place for them to go. Because it’s not,” she said. “And to be honest, there are some folks who cannot — or will not — do what’s safe for themselves and for others, so we have to be honest about the need to deal with those struggling with mental illness and we need to make serious changes to our state laws.”

Her spokesman confirmed she has met with state leaders to talk about changes to conservatorship, controversial mandated treatment for someone who is a danger to themselves or others.

Along with shelter and treatment, Breed emphasized the need for more new homes in San Francisco. She’s fallen short of her goal to build 5,000 units annually the past two years — with 4,400 in 2020 and 4,600 in 2021. She called that “a start, but not nearly good enough.”

Breed said the city needs to “break down the obstructionism that blocks housing at every turn.” She’s been critical of the Board of Supervisors — many of whom sat near the front Wednesday — who have opposed some of her specific proposals to streamline housing approvals. She signaled her support to go to the voters in November to accomplish that goal.

Supervisor Aaron Peskin, who voted to kill a recent streamlining measure, said it wasn’t focused enough on affordable housing. Supervisor Connie Chan, who also voted against it, said she believed she shared the same goal with the mayor, just different approaches on how to get there, but was hopeful they could work together.

Mallory Moench (she/her) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mallory.moench@sfchronicle.com Twitter:@mallorymoench

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By Max Darrow

MOUNTAIN VIEW (KPIX 5) – Finding parking can be difficult in many downtown areas of the Bay Area. Places can be difficult to find in Mountain View as the city gets busier by the week.

CONTINUE READING: UPDATE: Fatal I-880 shot of Jasper Wu calls for Oakland Freeway cameras and more cops

“Friends stopped by this morning – they had to do three or four turns to find something,” said Robert Calkins, who lives near downtown.

But that could start to change. Mountain View City Council has decided to move forward with a new Downtown Parking Strategy, a 10-year plan that aims to better address current and future parking demand.

“The City of Mountain View has been talking about parking for as long as I can remember,” said Mayor Ellen Kamei.

She says adding more parking spaces is part of the puzzle, but not necessarily an important part.

“The City of Mountain View did our research and found that we do have plenty of parking, but most people only look in certain parts of our city,” she said.

The top spots on and around Castro St. are often busy, which is one reason people often circling each other.

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Kamei says better orientation is a crucial piece of the puzzle, and that could mean putting up better signage – perhaps in multiple languages ​​- directing people to other parking options.

Another piece of the puzzle? The introduction of needs-based, fee-based parking spaces. Public street, property, and garage parking are currently free throughout downtown Mountain View.

Some people are not keen on this one, but others believe it will help free up space and encourage people to use other modes of transport to get into the city center.

“Nobody likes to pay for parking,” said Calkins.

“I’m sure paid parking would help,” says Tricia Alesna, who works at Mountain View.

The plan would also call for better enforcement of parking facilities and an incentive to encourage people to consider alternative modes of transport.

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“People can weigh what they want to do for the future. Although the Council has adopted this strategy, nothing is being implemented, ”said Kamei.

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